10/29/21 Red & Black Issue

Red & Black

The Free

s t u d e n t n e w s pa p e r o f w a s h i n g t o n a n d j e f f e r s o n c o l l e g e w j r e da n d b l ac k . c o m W a s h i n g t o n , P e n n s y lva n i a October 29, 2021

WHAT’S IN THIS WEEK’S PAPER...

CURRENT EVENTS “An internship should truly be a learning experience.” - Sofya Maxnide

DIVERSITY “More than 30 years later, NCOD still serves as a pillar of recognition and appreciation for the LGBTQ+ community and the challenges its members face on a daily basis.” - Stevie Gray

SPORTS “Yet, the most interesting question of them all could be, what is the sport they watch the most?” - Sofia Jenkins

Anti-COVID Pills Promising in Handling Pandemic

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october 29, 2021

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2 Campus

Calling all Pre-med students and STEM Majors!!

Washington Hospital: Medical Scribe Information Table Time & Place: Friday, Oct. 29, 11am – 2pm GnTs

Description: Stop by GnTs from 11am to 2pm on Friday, October 29 to speak with Class of 2021 alum, Jake Swartz, the Chief Medical Scribe at Washington Hospital. Jake will be providing valuable information on being a Medical Scribe and presenting the employment opportunities at Washington Hospital with ScribeAmerica.

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october 29, 2021

Cintas Information Table and Hiring Event Time & Place: Thursday, November 11 11:00 am - 2:00 pm G&T’s area of Rossin Description: Dyann Kodik and Kaitlin Stanley, Human Resource Managers, from Cintas will be on campus, Thursday, November 11, from 11am-2pm, to present information on employment opportunities, including the Management Trainee position that they are currently hiring for.

Interested in in being considered for the Management Trainee position?

Apply through Handshake. https://washjeff.joinhandshake.com/jobs/5086496. Dyann will conducting in-person interviews for this position on Friday, November 19, in the Center for Professional and Career Pathways.

Want more information about the Management Trainee position at Cintas?

Check it out here: https://careers.cintas.com/job/Pittsburgh-Management-Trainee-PA-15017/769168200/ Need your resume to look its best before you apply?

Email it to careerpathways@washjeff.edu and have it reviewed.

October 29, 2021

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4 Current Events

Current Events

Internships Give Opportunity To Practice Your Passion Sofya Maxnide Red & Black Contributor

Internships: everyone’s heard of them but not many people understand the concept. At its core, an internship should truly be a learning experience, a method of displaying your skills and ability in ways that mutually benefit yourself and the company or organization.

However, the key is mutually beneficial. Before searching or applying to an internship, it would be best to figure out what you need as an intern from the company.

Do you need experience or something for the resume to show for future jobs? If this is your outlook, the monetary value would be displaced by the gratification of the experience. This what an internship aims to provide; however, this can be exploited.

Many internships, unlike part- or full-time jobs, have vague outlines of the hours expected to work and this is where one will need to articulate specific boundaries to avoid overwork.

Asking and documenting the answers to questions like, “What areas of the internship am I not involved in,” and “Who is my supervisor,” will ensure that your recruiter is aware that you will not tolerate any extra work beyond the bounds documented.

If you are applying for an internship solely to be given a job in the company, then an unpaid internship is not beneficial to you.

One would be better off getting a part-time or entry level position and working up the management ladder that way while still getting paid.

An internship of this type would devalue your abilities considerably comparative to the example above because even after knowing your own worth, you would be selling your efforts for literally zero dollars and no guarantee of a job afterwards.

So, should all internships be paid?

Aly Petrisek, class of 2023, would disagree. She states that, “I would feel more responsibility if I was receiving some form of pay for an internship.”

Aly’s unique perspective comes from the heart, and she believes that if you love what you do, the money shouldn’t be a problem and may even become a burden.

The truth is then this: if you know your worth and love what you do, you should take every opportunity to experience all of what life can give you.

Courtesy JF Group

A person interviews for a job.

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October 29, 2021

Anti-Covid Pills Prove Promising in Handling Pandemic Lauren Phillips Red & Black Staff Writer

The prevalence of COVID-19 illnesses and deaths continues to persist as a crucial topic around the globe, though a new combative treatment method may be on the horizon. On Monday, Oct. 11, a pill was presented to United States regulators, which aims to help individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 improve their health and decrease a wide variety of symptoms.

The pill is currently pending approval by the Food and Drug Administration, which comes at a vital time in the course of the pandemic.

Drugmaker Merck, one of the individuals behind this potentially groundbreaking course of treatment, worked alongside others to develop the pill and bring it to the attention of authoritative figures. His team noted a desire for a more convenient plan of action fueling their developments.

They also hope to expand upon the preexisting treatment and preventative measures available to the public.

Previously formulated treatments rely on injections to treat symptoms, and the vaccination rate amongst Americans has seen an increase of over 50% in recent weeks. And while U.S.

health officials continue to emphasize vaccinations as the best way to protect and prevent against COVID-19, a staggering 68 million eligible Americans still remain unvaccinated.

Due to the limited preventative plans and treatment options, the arrival of a pill could continue to help the world put a stop on the frequency and severity of the pandemic.

According to the company pioneering this treatment, a trial was conducted which highlighted the effectiveness of the pill in diminishing congestion, coughs, and fevers.

The company went on to explain that hospitalizations and deaths for patients with COVID-19 symptoms were cut in half as a result. However, another important factor to keep in mind is the cost of this form of treatment.

Though the price of antiviral pills ranges significantly, each course of treatment costs approximately $700.

The U.S. government plans to purchase enough of a supply to treat 1.7 million people, which could put a dent in the virus for Americans. The culmination of prevention and treatment lies at the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic, with experts also pushing a need for diverse and affordable options. Overall accessibility is a major component in this process, and it appears as though the new pill by drug makers may be a new beginning for the world’s course of action.

Remaining realistic about the further needs of scientific support, time, and money can ensure that this new treatment option is safe and effective, allowing society to continue moving away from the detriments of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Courtesy National Review

Anti-COVID pills wait for FDA approval.

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6 Diversity

Huntington Beach Oil Spill Threatens Wildlife Lauren Phillips Red & Black Staff Writer

On Oct. 2., an oil spill in the waters off of California’s southern coast lead to Huntington Beach’s closing, though the popular destination has since reopened after 9 days. Though this event is significant regardless of the amount, the exact volume of oil spilled into the waters has been under scrutiny by many. According to officials, a minimum of 5,544 gallons of oil

Oil spills on Huntington Beach.

has been recovered, along with 13.6 barrels of tar balls.

Despite these numbers being reported to the public, officials also note that the range varies greatly, with 131,000 gallons of oil being the maximum amount that may have potentially made its way into the waters.

The cause of the spill is also being closely examined. A 13inch “linear crack” was found and could have originated as a smaller crack, gradually opening up further over time. According to Jason Neubauer, chief of the office of investigations and analysis for the U.S. Coast Guard, a ship’s anchor dragging along the ocean floor may have been the cause. Though a concrete reason behind the

exact cause of the oil spill remains unknown, Neubauer and his team are also looking into geological events that could have formed or contributed to the crack. Because anchor strikes are not uncommon but rarely pose a major issue, many individuals are pushing for this to be more heavily inspected.

Oil spills such as this one promote a great need to prioritize the health and safety of beachgoers and the habitat that is home to countless plants and animals.

The Oiled Wildlife Network reported 38 birds and 9 fish found dead in the area as of Oct. 11, though the full scope of the impact still remains.

Fortunately, water quality tests

that identify toxins are being routinely used to ensure that the location is safe for the wildlife and people surrounding the area.

Huntington Beach Mayor Kim Carr reiterated this and notes a need to reopen the shoreline based on scientific data. Like many incidents similar to this, the residual effects of the spill cannot be estimated exactly. Beachgoers should still be on the lookout for areas that appear oiled over and chemical smells. Though this is a major environmental disaster that influences the health of many, officials remain optimistic that the timing and cause of the leak will be looked into and, ideally, definitively determined.

Courtesy CA Times

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October 29, 2021

diversity Coming Out About National Coming Out Day Stevie Gray Red & Black Contributor

Observed annually in the United States since 1988, National Coming Out Day (NCOD) serves as an iconic display of support for the LGBTQ+ community in coming out of the closet.

According to the American Psychological Association, the holiday was inaugurated by activists Robert Eichberg and Jean O’Leary. Both emerged as prominent activists from their backgrounds – Eichberg being a psychologist from New Mexico who founded community-based workshop “The Experience,” and O’Leary being an openly lesbian political leader from New York who founded the Lesbian Feminist Liberation, an organization

that was dedicated to lesbian rights during its operational period.

They chose Oct. 11 for the new holiday to commemorate the anniversary of the 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian & Gay Rights, the second of its name and often referred to as “The Great March” due to its size and scope. In addition to equal rights, the March also sought to bring greater attention to the ongoing AIDS pandemic. Annually, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) selects a theme for the year’s observance of the holiday. Past themes have included Coming Out to Congress (1999), Come Out. Speak Out. Vote. (2004), and Coming Out Still Matters (20132014), amongst others. All have the intent of uniting the community through shared experiences and concerns.

Following this pattern, the HRCdesignated theme for NCOD 2021 was

A couple embraces in celebration of National Coming Out Day.

“Born to Shine,” which focuses heavily on the increased use of digital media to communicate in today’s modern age, and the efforts made within the community to increase feelings confidence in one’s identity through these forms of media.

More than 30 years later, NCOD still serves as a pillar of recognition and appreciation for the LGBTQ+ community and the challenges its members face on a daily basis. To W&J senior Arianna Taylor, the holiday “means celebrating all of the incredible people… and acknowledging and raising awareness around the issues queer people have faced throughout history and continue to face today.”

It carries with it the idea that homophobia and transphobia thrive in silence, and can be actively combatted through displays of support, efforts to educate, and the fostering of a caring community in the face of adversity.

To highlight the experiences of LGBTQ+ students at W&J College, the Washington Fellows hosted an event dedicated to students’ stories on Oct. 11, 2021, titled “LGBT Stories: A Celebration of National Coming Out Day.” For first-year student Courtnee Garland, a speaker during this event, NCOD is a day of reclaiming what has been taken from her. Garland says that “At the Fellows event earlier this week, I told my story – forced out of the closet twice within two years…

It felt so relieving to get my story out there, and I’ve heard from a few people that our stories from the event were inspiring.” They also discuss the more wholesome aspects of it, emphasizing that “whether you’re out or not, you’re still valid – you are seen.” For many, this is momentous, whether they come from a more or less accepting background.

courtesy Humantold

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8 Sports

Sports Impact Personal Lives Sofia Jenkins Red & Black Staff

On our own Washington and Jefferson campus, we have students that come from all parts of the country. They have all different kinds of backgrounds and were all raised very differently. A lot of our students have a main thing in common when it comes to their upbringing, and that thing is sports.

Whether our students are from California, Hawaii, or even different

a banner supports W&J athletes.

parts of the world, a lot of them were brought up watching sports. Because of this, it is inevitable that we will see countless numbers of different favorite sports teams or different players.

Yet, the most interesting question of them all could be, what is the sport they watch the most? Does the answer have something to do with where you were raised? Is it because of the popularity of the sport in their hometown? There are so many different ways to go about answering this question, and the students of W&J had a lot to say about their favorite sport to watch.

This can help us answer the question: What is the most watched professional sport on W&J’s campus?

A poll was taken by W&J students to try and help us answer this question.

A lot of different W&J students wanted to put their input in on what sport they watch the most and why they watch it so much. After analyzing responses from W&J students, football

was the resounding winner of the most watched sport by students at W&J. There was also a pretty common reason for why football was the most watched sport. Sophomores Nolan Rehrig and Paige Howe both answered that it has been a family tradition for them to watch football. Rehrig responded with how he “grew up watching football with his dad, pappy, and stepdad,” while Howe broadened the tradition to her extended family by talking about how her “extended family all supports different teams, so different football games were always on in my house growing up.” No matter what team your family roots for, football seems to be a common way W&J students’ families are brought together.

Junior Maddie Devine agreed with Rehrig and Howe in saying that her “brothers are huge Steelers fans, and they are always watching or talking about football,” so this gives Devine an

extra way to connect with her family.

The second highest answer was basketball. Students like Izzy Allen ’22, watch basketball the most because they have played the sport their entire lives, so a lot of the athletes they watch are their idols and the reasons why they starting playing the sport themselves.

Others like sophomore Parker Byas watch basketball the most because he thinks it is the most interesting and fun to watch out of all of the professional sports on television.

No matter what sport is your favorite, it no doubt has a big impact on your life. Some do not realize how important sports are for some people, and how much of an influence they can have on individuals’ daily lives. Some form careers around it, and some base their Sundays around it.

But, most importantly, sports are a way for a lot students at W&J to connect with their family on a deeper level every week!

Courtesy Washington & Jefferson College

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october 29, 2021

Career Pathways Event Alert!

Amazon Information Table Time & Location:

Friday, November 12th 2021 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

GnTs

Description:

Stop by GnTs and learn about all of the employment opportunities at Amazon - at their new Pittsburgh location! Sabrina Green, Engagement Specialist, will be hosting the information table.