The Current | Vol. 31 Issue 22

February 16, 2021 | nsucurrent.nova.edu 11 Opinions COVID-19 vaccinations On-campus food choices NSU opened its door to us this semester with food choices that are no different from last semester. As the pandemic makes its way into 2021, it means less options are open for students. Last semester, the deli in the library closed and students waited for the next food closures across campus. The food is being limited to us students, but why? As a resident here, I pay for a meal plan. With not many options, I am stuck paying for the same food day after day. There is never any variety. I am fortunate enough to have a car on campus, so when I don’t want to eat here, I simply choose something else, but what about those individuals that don’t have this opportunity? They are left with no options and very limited hours. Students pay lots of money to come here, so why should we have to eat the same food every day? I hoped with coming back to school people would realize the lack of choices and add some more. Instead, the food options are continually taken away. Whether it’s a closure from a place on campus, a food item taken away or simply limited hours, students don’t have the ability to 2020 was a year to never be forgotten. We were locked in, estranged and certainly helpless. The global COVID-19 pandemic came into our lives with immediate radical change. For a long time -- even to this day -- we have not met with certain family and friends and we continue to use masks so much so they’re almost becoming a part of our bodies. Certainly, 2020 put us to the test, it was dramatic and full of uncertainty, but 2021 does not have to be that way. Today, we are already in mid-February and I welcome 2021 with open arms and hope. On Dec. 14, the distribution of vaccines began and 16.5 million doses were given by the time of President Joe Biden’s inauguration. It is understandable that such a number is not encouraging.TheU.S. has apopulation of about 328 million people. There is a long way until every single one has its vaccine, but instead of showing discouragement, we should fill ourselves with patience and hope that at least the vaccine is being delivered. Sooner or later, we will have our doses. Biden stated that, in his first 100 days in office, he has the goal of administering 100 million doses. Likewise, this new administration seeks safe alternatives when vaccinating the American people. So far, there are only two approved vaccines: the Pfizer and the Moderna. However, the Johnson and Johnson vaccine is awaiting FDAapproval. If approved, the U.S. government has already ordered 100 million doses of it. This number of vaccines would add to the other 200 million doses that the American government plans to buy from Pfizer and Moderna. Johnson & Johnson board member Mark McClellan said on Jan. 29 in an interview with CNBC that, “Assuming all of the close review of the J&J data all pans out, we’re going to have the capacity between Moderna, Pfizer, J&J, to have enough vaccines available by June for the entire US adult population.” The FDA has scheduled a public meeting of its Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee for Feb. 26 with the purpose of looking at the data of the vaccine and making a decision regarding its authorization. Such announcements are great news. They give us hope. 2021 can become a pivotal moment in the fight against coronavirus. Let’s continue to care for ourselves and others and protect each other as it is a fight of all. eat at a time that fits them. Not every person eats on the same schedule; nor does everyone like the same foods. What are the options for vegetarians? Salads? It gets old after a while. I don’t think this is fair and I believe NSU needs to change this. By adding more food options for students on campus, NSU will allow students to have more of a variety. Flight Deck, Outtakes, Starbucks, Fresh Corner and Shark Dining get old after a while. Us as students pay for the meal plan, so we should take advantage of this by spending it on food here on campus. Compared to other colleges in Florida, our food options are very limited. Going off this, if NSU does not want to pay for a new place, we should be able to use our SharkCard within a certain radius from school. By not spending our meal plan, it becomes unused and wasted money. Why waste more money going out when campus residents pay to eat NSU food? Dollars are going down the drain, students are left wanting something new, but they never get it. By: Abigail Johnson Contributing Writer By: Santiago Diaz Finochietto Contributing Writer PHOTO PRINTED PERMISSION BY A.MARTINIE Across campus, signs have been hung to promote vaccinations. What are the essential properties of an American state? Before you even begin to read this article, think about this question. What characteristics does an area need to be admitted to the United States? Common answers are that the area’s population needs to be in favor of becoming a state, that it needs to be economically sustainable, potentially, it needs to have similar interests to other states or the nation as a whole. Whatever your qualifications, Washington D.C. probably fulfills them. Washington D.C.’s 700,000 residents, despite living in the heart of American democracy, have no representation in it besides the Electoral College -- a privilege that took 170 years and the 23rd Amendment to get. D.C.’s lack of autonomy goes further than just an absence of federal representation; policies that are passed by D.C.’s progressive local government must be approved by Congress to receive funding from the city’s own coffers. However, Congress is an entity that often leans away from progressive policy, causing a myriad of policies, widely supported by residents, to be obstructed. These policies range from needle-replacement programs, expanding rights to include same-sex couples, providing low-cost abortions, gun control, legalizing medical marijuana and countless others. In response to this issue and others, advocates have been petitioning for statehood. One step in this process was the 2016 referendum on statehood. Residents were in agreement -- nearly 90% of voters wanted the local government to continue petitioning Congress for statehood. Despite this overwhelming support, little advancement was made. Entering 2020, when every Democratic candidate for president supported D.C.’s statehood, in June, a bill to make DC a state was passed through the House of Representative. Predictably, that bill died on the Senate floor without receiving a chance to be voted on due to a lack of congressional support from Republicans that are not enthusiastic about a progressive city that voted in excess of 90% in favor of Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton in the last two election cycles This issue has historically been avoided by admitting states in pairs. Unfortunately, there are no incorporable territories that are likely to vote for the current iteration of the Republican Party. By: Chris Godbarge Contributing Writer PHOTO PRINTED PERMISSION BY E. COWAN The Captial building in Washington D.C. is a representation of states’ rights. That brings us back to our preceding question; what does a prospective state need to have in order to be admitted to this nation? The real answer is not in the least bit glamorous; quite the opposite it is a purely political issue. To become a state only requires three things: a constitution, a representative government and a bill be passed through Congress signed by the President. D.C. has fulfilled the first two components since its inception, but the third has been a contentious battle that may be in its last stages. If American citizens across the nation believe in the ideals of the Founding Fathers -- that a government ought to be by and for the people, that taxation without due representation is wrong- then Washington D.C. should become the 51st state, regardless of the short-term political implications.