Volume 46, Issue 14 [12/04/20] - The Bengal Newspaper

Inside this Issue

Davis Field Dedication | Page 3

The Importance of a Peaceful Transition | Page 5

5 Novels to Read During the Pandemic | Page 6

The Bengal

isubengal.com 2 December 2020

Volume 46 Issue 14

The Independent Voice at Idaho State University Since 1910

Local Opinions on a Statewide Mask Mandate Chloe Reid Reporter With COVID-19 cases skyrocketing nationwide, and Idaho being among the top of the worst states in the nation in terms of local cases, Idaho has had a recent debate between its citizens on the requirement of a statewide mask mandate.

“I’m all for it!” Said ISU freshman, Shilyce Jackson.

President-elect Joe Biden has discussed several times enforcing a nationwide mask mandate once he is inaugurated in January of 2021.

“I think a mask mandate is 100% fair, it’s slightly annoying but it’s the right thing to do and it shouldn’t bother people as much as it does,” said ISU freshman, Harper Piatt.

However, Idaho’s governor, Brad Little, is currently opposing the requirement of masks statewide. Little’s argument is that different cities and counties have different needs.

Rexburg ,which houses BYU-Idaho, located within Madison County has no current mask mandates, yet is the biggest hotspot in the state. Boise, Eagle, Meridian and surrounding areas, located within Ada County, have had a mask mandate since July. However, the Boise Police Department (BPD) has yet to have issued a single citation or warning to those refusing to follow the mandate, allowing masks to still stand as a controversial topic for most citizens.

BPD mentioned to the Idaho Statesman that they opt to educate people who aren’t following the order. Educating is part of the process to a full recovery, but with the consistent uprising of cases in Idaho, many citizens are left wondering about the effectiveness of simply educating others.

Twin Falls has been another city to succumb to a harsh amount of COVID cases this winter,

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with the hospital that serves the area being so overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients that they had to send many to hospitals hours away.

Despite this, many Idahoans oppose the increase in mask regulations throughout the state, for several different reasons.

Idaho House Speaker Scott Bedke believes that enforcing masks statewide could bring up lines that he is not ready to cross.

“Are you ready to tattle on your neighbor?” said Bedke, during the Idaho Legislature’s special session.

“You’re going to see a lot of infractions that the mask police aren’t going to see, and I don’t think we’re ready to go there as a society.”

Many Idaho citizens are also opposed to wearing masks for other reasons, such as the common arguments of reduced breathing ability, medical reasons, or masks actual ability to work.

Viki Purdy, a Southwest District Health trustee, wrote on her Facebook page in late July in opposition to the mask mandate.

“Enough with the masks! They don’t work and they definitely can hurt you!”

Many Idaho citizens feel that the masks provided are insufficient, due to the rising amount of COVID cases in Idaho as a whole despite many people still wearing them in social settings. However, in a study conducted

by Health Affairs, an online healthcare journal & magazine, it has been found that the use of face masks could have potentially averted anywhere from 250,000 cases to 450,000 cases nationally before May 22.

Continued on page 2

Cover Photo by Brandon Oram | Photo Editor

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The Bengal at Idaho State University

2 December 2020 • Page 2

NEWS

Logan Ramsey | News Editor Contact: bgnews@isu.edu

2020-2021 Basketball Season Preview

Brandon Oram | Photo Editor Dylon Harrison Managing Editor Both ISU’s men’s and women’s basketball teams are getting back on the court after having their previous season cut short by the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In order to keep the student athletes safe and healthy, ISU will be following the rest of the NCAA in adopting the NBA’s operating procedures.

With the exception of attending classes, all players are being kept in a team bubble in order to decrease the chance of spreading COVID-19.

The teams continue to practice and train together, with no limit on the amount of people in a room, on a regular basis, with daily temperature checks and weekly COVID-19 testing.

The biggest change that both teams will see this season will be the absence of a live crowd during their games. Only the teams,

coaches and necessary officials will be allowed on the court, in order to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

In order for the players to still have the experience that they are accustomed to while playing, crowd noises will be piped into the court with reactions to what is happening in the game.

In addition, all games will be available to be viewed as they are played via live stream.

As of now, each team has had three scheduled games. The men’s team has played, and lost, all three. The women’s team has had two of the three cancelled, but won the game that was able to take place.

The men’s team’s next game will take place on Dec. 5. It will be played in Reed’s Gym against Montana Western.

The women’s team’s next game will take place on Dec. 6. It will be played in Lincoln, Nebraska against the University of Nebraska.

To access the live streams of the games, visit isubengals.com/coverage.aspx.

Brandon Oram | Photo Editor

Local Opinons

Continued From Page 1 With fewer and fewer Idahoans wearing masks, especially in the southeastern area, the danger of catching and spreading the illness has gone up significantly in certain areas.

A survey conducted by The Idaho State Journal shows Idaho as being the 4th highest state in the nation to show antimask activity as a whole.

Despite many Idahoans still participating in wearing a face-covering when outside, those many Idahoans can still be described as a dangerous amount. Masks’ effectiveness declines significantly the less they are worn, as masks are the most effective when worn by tested positive individuals.

If a positive individual chose to not wear a mask and went out in public, those who are negative for the disease

but still wear a mask, still have a high chance of catching it from the person who tested positive. While masks have a possibility to increase productivity alongside the increasing number of people that wear them, if Idaho doesn’t act and put a heavier mandate on masks, COVID-19 could potentially act in its own way. Heavier mask restrictions could certainly lead to more people wearing them, overall reducing risk. While mask-wearing isn’t the only preventive measure to protect our community from COVID-19, they most certainly can help. No matter what Idaho’s views on masks are, it’s important regardless to keep a sense of community during these daunting times.

Page 3 • 2 December 2020

The Bengal at Idaho State University

NEWS

Logan Ramsey | News Editor Contact: bgnews@isu.edu

Davis Field Dedication: One of Many Ribbons to be Cut

Brandon Oram | Photo Editor Andrea Diaz Reporter Idaho State University has renovated Davis Field and they officially dedicated it November 19, 2020. Davis Field has been a part of ISU for 88 years and many events happened in that time, such as sporting events and concerts. The field has undergone many changes and renovations. According to the ISU Davis Field Renovation website, those changes include: widening the soccer field to meet NCAA requirements, replacing the east bleachers with terraced hillside, modifying the track geometry to increase the speed of the track, adding LED lights for nighttime practice and competition, replacing the west bleachers to for ADA accommodation, providing a new scoreboard, redesigning the entire facility to comply with ISU’s new branding, and much more.

After these renovations were complet-

ed, the dedication took place. First ISU President, Kevin Satterlee, spoke about what a dedication means, the importance of the new renovations, and how this area will encourage the students and community to come together. He emphasized the importance of ISU athletes and how these changes will enable the athletics program to do more sporting events and competitions. He ended his speech by saying, “To our students, to our faculty, to our staff, to our entire community, and to all of our Bengal family out there everywhere, today we hereby dedicate Davis Field to all of you and your support of this institution and your support of our roar. Roar, Bengals, Roar.

Next to speak was ISU Director of Cross Country/Track and Field, Hillary Merkley.

She talked about how this day was very exciting as she has been wanting to make these renovations happen for a long time.

She expressed that she had made plans to renovate the field time and time again, but

always ran into something that would prevent the renovations, so this was a joyful day for her. She also mentioned that after the hiring President Satterlee she felt hope after his first speech to the university, that he would help make the much needed renovations happen. Her closing remarks included, “President Satterlee, I want to thank you specifically for your leadership and for instilling hope in things at a time when it was very much needed. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of it and there is so many that will benefit from this facility and project and Davis Field will now, once again, be a great place for learning and hope for our student athletes, alumni, fans, and the ISU community.”

The next speaker was ISU Student Athlete, Brianna Vanvleet. Her opening remarks include, “I can not begin to explain the benefits that come with this new track.

As a team, we have been able to accomplish many amazing things with limited resources and facilities. Now I can say that

the possibilities are truly endless.” She went on to say that she is very thankful for the new facility and knows that it will be beneficial to many student athletes and the community.

ISU Director of Athletics, Pauline Thiros was the next speaker. She opens by saying that this project is a representation of the universities dedication to it’s students.

She expresses her excitement for what is to come and says that this is only the beginning. “There are more ribbons, in the future, to be cut.” Thiros said. She also recognizes William “Bud” Davis, who was the ISU president from 1965 to 1975 and is who the field is named after.

The dedication concluded with the official cutting of the ribbon and a virtual tour of the new Davis Field. The final remarks came from ISU students of all grade levels and their main message was one of hope and excitement for what is to come.

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WE BELIEVE in the home team.

The Bengal at Idaho State University

2 December 2020 • Page 4

NEWS

Logan Ramsey | News Editor Contact: bgnews@isu.edu

Get to Know Bengal Wide Receiver Isaiah Walter Idaho State Athletics Submitted Content Idaho State football coach Rob Phenicie calls Isaiah Walter’s story a great college football story.

“From the stand point of perseverance from putting your time in, not complaining, working hard and waiting for your time to come,” Phenicie said. “He is a fifth year senior and arguably one of our best players of offense. He is one of our strongest players on the team pound per pound.”

Walter’s perseverance has put him in a spot to be a leader on offense when the season gets started in the spring of 2021.

Getting to the point where he is now has taken hard work and commitment in all areas of his life.

“It has been a long journey and it has been a lot of work,” Walter said. “I have had to improve a lot and battle a lot of injuries, hamstrings and ankle injuries. The first year I went back to receiver I had a really great spring and then I didn’t play much the following season because I pulled my hamstring early in the season. I feel like I have always been set back with something every year.

“It has forced me to push harder. I try and look at it as everything happens for a reason. If you get a setback that means you have to push harder. That is what I tried to do, work harder. Every day I tried to learn the offense more. I did everything I can to be helpful to the team to getting better in the film room, to the weight room, on the field, whatever I just tried to maximize my potential in every way possible.”

Maximizing his potential is something Walter has done his entire life. Walter always played sports but he was never a wide receiver until halfway into his junior year of high school. Walter got his shot at receiver when an injury to a starter thrusted in him to the starting role.

Walter made the most of the moment by scoring four touchdowns in the second quarter.

“That was the first time I played receiver in a varsity football game,” he said.

“That was the moment I realized I could do something with this sport. I took it more serious. That moment I was able to transition into a two-way player.”

Walter’s success at wide receiver was short lived as two games into his senior season he was moved to quarterback.

“I ended up being the starting

quarterback the rest of the season,” Walter said. “Showing my versatility in high school was helpful in being recruited.”

As a freshman in high school he was 5-1 and 115 pounds. Now as a senior he sits at 5-10 and 199 pounds.

“Being strong mentally has helped me push through everything that I have come across,” Walter said. “Every obstacle, every fear. Being able to battle fear is huge.

A growth spurt has helped.”

Walter added, “What pushed me was the mentality that my parents instilled in me to never give up, not listen to what anybody thinks, to only believe in yourself and to push through everything. You can overcome every obstacle if you will just believe in yourself.”

Walters not only believed in himself but he listened and acted on the input of his coaches growing up.

As a sophomore in high school Walters approached his high school coach, Rick Clark, and asked if he thought he had the skill set to play college football.

The answer was simple, “He told me straight up, right now, no.”

But he added, “He also said this is what you have to do in order to play college football.”

Photo Courtesy of Idaho State Athletics Featured: Isaiah Walter

“When He told me that I did everything that he said I needed to do,” Walter said.

“Now I am where I am now. I wouldn’t have been able to do that if I didn’t have his help and wisdom to tell me what path I needed to take.”

Walters was recruited to Idaho State as a safety but when he arrived on campus he was moved to wide receiver. During his time at Idaho State he said he has been told that he was going to play outside linebacker and safety before settling back in at wide receiver.

“We were always looking for a place to get him on the field,” Phenicie said. “He was always willing to do whatever we asked him. Now he is sowing the fruits. In this instant gratification society, a guy like him had 15 times he probably could have left. He stuck around. He is well respected amongst the team. He is positioned to have a great senior year. We are lucky he did stick around. It is a great story. A fifth year senior is rare.”

The Bengal senior credits his parents for the lessons he has learned on working hard and being mentally tough.

“My dad was always my coach in pretty much in every sport I played,” Walters said. “So he was a huge influence. The way I think when it comes to sports and competition was heavily influenced by what he thinks. I wouldn’t be the player I am today without his influence or my mothers.”

Walters added, “My mom was as great track athlete in high school. She had the skills to be an Olympian track runner but she blew out her knee her senior year that ended her track career. After she had me, she put a lot of her competitive ways of thinking on to me. She wanted me to be great. She taught me how to run. I think I get my speed from her. My mom is such a tough woman, who has been through so much in her life. She has taught me how to overcome everything because she has overcome everything. She has been in the toughest situations. Her mental strength has been a huge influence for me. I just want to thank her for that.”

As Walters wraps up his collegiate career this spring with the six-game schedule he is looking forward to the future and life after football.

“There are a lot of things I want to do,” Walters said “I want to start working on my own business, which is like a sports performance business but at the same time I want to get into sports management and marketing careers to find a way to intertwine all of them together. I want to give back to my community for sure, especially Yakima.

“I want to show the kids that it is not just about sport but how you grow as a human through what you are doing and what you love,” Walters said.

“He comes from a good family,” Phenicie said. “His dad is always at the games. He is poised to have a good season. A guy like him who goes through what he went through for five years to get to this point.

We vote on captains before the season but I wouldn’t be surprised if he was named a captain.”

Photo Courtesy of Idaho State Athletics Featured: Isaiah Walter

Page 5 • 2 December 2020

The Bengal at Idaho State University

Kaitlyn Hart | Life Editor Contact: bglife@isu.edu

The Importance of a Peaceful Transfer of Power Kaitlyn Hart Life Editor For the past 244 years that America has been a functioning country, the United States has been founded on the ideals of a fair electoral system. We count on fair and speedy trials, we count on a righteous justice system and we depend on our electors to give the people what they deserve, the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We believe that our elections should be impartial and that all successors should have a swift and comfortable transition into power. Donald Trump is trying to take that away from us.

According to NPR, “Each president has peacefully handed over power to the next since 1797 when George Washington stepped down.”

Beginning at the first 2020 Presidential Debate on Tuesday, September 29th, current President Donald Trump insinuated to the millions of Americans watching, and those all across the world that he was considering refusing the results of the 2020 election.

At the time it was speculation that Trump would refuse to leave office, something that left-leaning political commentators joked about, imagining Trump being dragged from the White House kicking and screaming. But it started to become a real possibility after Trump told debate moderator Chris Wallace, “I am urging my people - I hope it’s going to be a fair election. If it’s a fair election…” to which Chris Wallace asked, “You’re urging them what?” and Trump responded, “I am 100% on board, but if I see tens of thousands of ballots being manipulated, I can’t go along with that. And I’ll tell you what. From a common-sense…”

Since President-elect Joe Biden’s win of the presidency, the issue of a potentially non-peaceful transition of power has been on the minds of Americans and all those who worry about the sanctity of America’s democracy. No rules exist for this kind of circumstance in the constitution, as the founding fathers didn’t anticipate that there would be such divisiveness in the country. Or, that a sitting president would refuse to leave once it is time for him to be replaced. There has never been this kind

LIFE

of infantile behavior and childish actions seen before in the White House.

It is currently 3 weeks and four days since the election, and Donald Trump still refuses to concede, making him the only candidate in modern elections who lost by this wide a margin to refuse to concede by this point, according to National Geographic. Last week, Trump begrudgingly decided to allow the Biden transition team to receive intel briefings, something that most presidents-elect have received just days after winning the election.

According to BBC News, “President Trump this week acknowledged that the transition for President-elect Joe Biden to take office is going ahead. But on Thursday, he made clear he’s in no mood to concede the election, even after the Electoral College formally votes this month.” It is simply unprecedented, meaning that there are no protocols for what would happen if Trump simply refused to leave or refused to accept the results of the election.

According to National Geographic, it is as simple as this, “When Biden is sworn into the presidency on Inauguration Day, Trump will become a civilian. If Trump attempted to remain, Biden would have the authority as the new commander-in-chief to order the military or Secret Service to physically remove Trump from the premises.”

So really, as much as Trump wants to claim squatters’ rights, in the worst-case scenario, he could actually be forcefully removed from the White House. This would not only be an unprecedented situation, but it would destroy the sanctity of the White House and taint the honor that the Presidency holds, or whatever is left of it, forever.

Every President in the history of the country has been given the respect and dignity of a peaceful transition of power, no matter how contested or disputed the election was. After December 14th, if the Electoral College does indeed vote Joe Biden into the Presidency officially, which is what is expected to occur, Joe Biden deserves respect. it is not only important, it is right that he is given the same dignity and the same Presidential honor that Trump was given four years ago.

Photo Courtesy of Wiki Commons

Photo Courtesy of Wiki Commons

The Bengal at Idaho State University

2 December 2020 • Page 6

LIFE

Kaitlyn Hart | Life Editor Contact: bglife@isu.edu

5 Novels to Read During the Pandemic Joanna Orban Copy Editor Off and on for the last three years, I have worked in a bookstore. This is as magical as it sounds. Throughout the course of my time as a bookseller, I have discovered some truly amazing books that otherwise I may not have been aware of. I’ve always been a big reader, it’s what influenced my decision to become an English teacher. The books I’ve written about below are ones I recommend at the bookstore constantly.

That is because they each touched me in a different way and I believe that they can do that for other people. I am a huge believer in the power of a good book and during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic I think we all need something that will take our mind off of the world around us. So, may I recommend: “Girl in the Blue Coat” by Monica Hesse This book is a historical fiction set during Amsterdam at the height of World War II. The year is 1943, and the main character Hanneke Bakker is simply trying to survive the loss of her boyfriend, the Nazi occupation, and the burden of being the sole provider for her parents. When a routine black market delivery ends with the promise that Hanneke will find a missing Jewish girl, Hanneke finds her life thrown for a loop as she discovers how her

Jewish neighbors are being treated before they are ultimately sent to death camps and never seen again.

Throughout the novel, you both root for Hanneke and want to scream at her for her prevailing selfishness. The struggle to decide if she is a truly likable or a clearly detestable character is one that I have yet to overcome. I recommend this book to nearly everyone at work, even if they don’t like historical fiction. I believe that we can learn a lot from reading about the past and “Girl in the Blue Coat” blurs the line between cowardice and bravery and trust and betrayal in a way that will be sure to leave you reeling.

My copy of this novel has been lent out and used for assignments so many times that it is falling apart. Surely, that tells you something about the powerful nature of this book. Out of all of the books on this list, I would recommend this to be the one you pick up first. It is one of only a few books that have made me cry. This novel is a stand-alone but the author’s other titles are just as good.

“Before the Ever After” by Jacqueline Woodson This book is a recent read for me but it still made a significant impact. Told in free verse, this book describes a young boy’s difficulties as he deals with his famous father’s struggles with chronic traumatic encephalopathy. ZJ’s dad was a

Photo Courtesy of Amazon

football player but when the novel begins he’s started to have trouble remembering things along with chronic headaches. This book is set before researchers began to understand what constant concussions can do to the brain. I enjoyed this book, not because I enjoy football (I don’t) but because it illustrated what athletes go through in the name of the game. This is a short, powerful novel and one that I would recommend to anyone. It presents such an interesting perspective especially because ZJ’s family does not understand what CTE was. Sports and injuries play a huge part in this novel and the free verse gives the emotions of it time to shine.

“Skyward” by Brandon Sanderson If you haven’t heard of Brandon Sanderson, you clearly haven’t been in a bookstore recently. Sanderson is one of the most prolific fantasy authors of our time. His worldbuilding, characterization and creativity rival that of J.R.R. Tolkien.

What makes Sanderson’s books so unique is the sheer expanse of the worlds he creates. “Skyward” for example, is set on a desolate planet where the citizens live in underground caverns, terrified of the rival alien species that seeks to wipe them out from above. This book is a wild ride, literally. It follows a girl named Spensa who longs to be a pilot but is blacklisted because her father, who was a famous pilot deserted his own crew.

By the mercy of a flight instructor, Spensa gets into flight school but isn’t given the same opportunities as her fellow classmates because her instructors believe her to be genetically inferior because of her father’s cowardice. This book deals with the distinction between bravery and cowardice in a very intriguing way. Whenever I recommend this book at work, I describe it as the love child of “How to Train your Dragon” and “Star Wars” because there simply is no other way to describe the adventure and the humor that you will find within its pages.

If you need something light, but that will still make you think, I would definitely recommend this novel. This novel is the first in a planned four-book series. Books one and two are currently available and book three was just announced!

“The Travelling Cat Chronicles” by Hiro Arikawa As I mentioned above, few books

make me cry, this is the second one.

Some of you may be thrown off by the word “cat” in the title. Why people have such a vendetta against cats, I’ll never understand. This book is told from the point of view of a cat named Nana, who after being hit by a car becomes adopted by a loving Japanese man named Satoru.

Throughout the novel, Satoru and Nana travel around Japan visiting old friends and acquaintances of Satoru. The reason why is never stated but through Nana’s eyes, the reader is given a moving portrait of the kindness of this man.

Even if you don’t have a cat that you’re obsessed with (like I do), you will still enjoy this remarkable tale. It strikes the perfect balance between humor and sadness and really speaks to the love that humans can have for their pets. Plus, it is a translated novel and I enjoy reading books that aren’t so Eurocentric. The whole novel is set in Japan and it was fascinating to get a glimpse into Japanese culture. “The Travelling Cat Chronicles” is a stand-alone novel.

“Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow” by Jessica Townsend Now, you may look at the cover of this book and say, “Joanna, this is a kid’s book. Why would I read a kid’s book?”

To which I would respond, “What is the matter with children’s books?” I was the head of the children’s department in my bookstore prior to transferring to Idaho State University and there are some truly wonderful kid’s titles out there that are just, or even more impactful than their adult counterparts. “Nevermoor’’ is a book in the vein of Harry Potter, without the controversial author’s opinions, in which a young girl who is destined to die on her 11th birthday is rescued by an eccentric traveler and taken to a city hidden from the rest of the world. Morrigan Crow then discovers that she is to compete for a spot in the secret Wundrous Society, although she does not find herself to be particularly wondrous. I adored this book. It is so heartwarming and is such a refreshing change of pace. I would highly recommend it. As mentioned previously, it gives all of the magic of “Harry Potter” but dare I say it, this book is even better. There are three books out in the series so far.

Page 7 • 2 December 2020

The Bengal at Idaho State University

LIFE

Kaitlyn Hart | Life Editor Contact: bglife@isu.edu

A Fresh Coat of Paint: Old Town Brought Back to Life by New Mural

Brandon Oram | Photo Editor Lesley Brey Reporter One of the many things to love about living in Pocatello is the gorgeous architecture of Old Town.

Many of the buildings were constructed around the turn of the 20th century and still retain their classic looks. However, the decades haven’t always been kind to these historic buildings, leaving many in disrepair or at the very least, in need of a fresh coat of paint.

Nick Hottman, a Michigan-born muralist moved to Pocatello three years ago. You may have seen Hottman’s latest mural if you’ve had a chance to drive down N. Arthur Ave in the last few weeks. In bold colors and crisp, dynamic lines an abstract mountain scene now decorates the street-facing side of the North Building, bordering Simplot park.

Hottman was commissioned by the owner of the building to cover up some areas of problematic graffiti, but it turns out the task is a bit harder than just buying paint.

Due to the age of the buildings, most modifications have to be approved by the Pocatello Historical Society, a board of community members who work to protect and preserve the historic charm of Old Town.

This approval process can take time, as every detail of the project has to be discussed including paint color, location, how long it’s expected to stay up, the meaning of the artist behind the piece and even how long it will take to complete.

Rejections can often mean having to wait a whole month before being able to appeal at the next meeting. As such, it pays to have a solid design in mind.

“When it comes to murals, I want something that’s clean and simple and that can be glanced at but then if you stop and look at it, you see some of the interesting stuff in it,” says Hottman. “Especially with the one on Arthur, I didn’t want one with text on it because I didn’t want people stopping and trying to read while they’re driving, and doing that whole rubber-

necking thing.”

Securing funding is an important step when creating public works. Along with the owner of the building, the Pocatello Arts Council supplied a grant to help cover the cost of the commission.

Once you have the certificate of appropriateness from the Pocatello Historical Society and the funding, it’s just a matter of buying supplies and getting down to work.

It took Hottman only 7 days to complete all 140 feet of the North Building mural.

During this time, passersby occasionally stopped to chat, children came to play in the park and other community members came to be a part of the experience.

“A couple of people came up to me to ask what I was working on, and when I told them I was working on the mural, a lot of them were happy I was getting that old graffiti covered. They were really understanding of it. [People] came up and had snacks, and played music, and chatted and a lot of the culture was there sun-up to sun-down with me,” said Hottman.

In the week before painting was scheduled to begin, Pocatello suffered a tragedy when a man passed away from cold weather exposure in Simplot park adjacent to the North Building. The event was unrelated to the mural but special considerations were made to ensure the unnamed man’s memorial would not be disturbed while the painting was taking place.

Due to the difficulty in getting a mural approved, design changes were not possible at that time. Still, Hottman connected with relatives of the man while working, some of whom came out to watch.

“By the second day, they were very understanding and they knew that I wasn’t there to do anything malicious,” said Hottman.

This mural is far from Hottman’s first; he is responsible for the three-paneled mural in the back of Station Square as well as one of the many pieces comprising Pocatello’s graffiti alley behind Cottonwood Junction.

He also has murals in Texas and Detroit.

His style has had to evolve over the years

to accommodate a bit of paralysis on his right side, but he shows no signs of slowing down.

He has two proposed murals in the works, as well as plans to eventually publish a collection of comic strips. We may even be seeing some of his work on

campus soon.

You can check out his work and keep tabs on his new projects at Nick Hottmann Art on Facebook or at Nickhottmanart on Instagram.

The Bengal at Idaho State University

2 December 2020 • Page 8

OPINION

Dylon Harrison | Managing Editor Contact: bgeditor@isu.edu

The Cost of COVID-19 Logan Ramsey News Editor Disclaimer: This column contains explicit language. Reader discretion is advised.

It’s hard to find the words to communicate how bad this year has been without repeating a variation of the same sentiment we’ve all heard over and over again.

Fuck 2020, worst year ever, can’t wait for it to be over. I’m sure you’ve read different versions of that same statement all over your social media platform of choice.

Back in March, as the country watched the federal government fall flat on its face in responding to the pandemic, I believed that the disaster could bring out the best in the American people. I thought that as we watched this purposeful failure to protect the public health from the Trump administration, more people would recognize that their problems don’t come from other Americans, but the corrupt, despot politicians who hold career seats in government. The ones who enabled Trump, and only serve the interests of their corporate donars.

This year absolutely has brought out courage and resilience in Americans from all walks of life. And no one has been completely perfect in following social distancing and other public health guidelines.

But even as so many of us have isolated ourselves from our previous social lives, or fought hard in the medical field to contain the virus, there are too many people who refuse to change their lives in any meaningful way for us to stop the spread. This selfishness is the only thing that is holding us back from containment.

We have an individualistic society.

That’s not always a bad thing, but it is when an individual thinks they have the freedom to put other lives at risk.

If you are someone who’s so privileged that you still don’t think we’re in a public health emergency, or just got tired of caring, why don’t you go up and say what you think to someone who lost a sibling, or a parent, or grandparent to the virus?

COVID-19 probably won’t kill you, but they certainly might.

Some people don’t have the privilege of a job where they can stay home and quarantine. There are people who could lose their home and starve if they don’t keep going to work. People who are in that situation can’t be expected to stay home if the government won’t pay to assist them, and $1,200 eight months ago does not even begin to cut it.

Instead of getting enraged at congress for not passing a larger stimulus package that gave more people the ability to stay

home longer, people who were still employed became angry at those who had increased unemployment benefits. Eight months later, with a worsening pandemic, and the citizenry still haven’t gotten a lifeline. Instead of getting mad at your neighbor who lost their job because of something out of their control, why didn’t you demand your employer pay you what your labor is worth?

Given the rapid pace that COVID-19 is

spreading, we’re in for a brutal winter. Joe Biden entering the white house and new vaccine developments are huge points of optimism, but it’s going to get far worse before it’s any better. The danger of losing a family member or your own life is greater now than it has been the entire year.

COVID-19 has cost every American something different and that price overwhelmingly falls on the back of our most vulnerable members of society. It was

always going to be that way; fighting this epidemic was never going to be easy, especially with our individualistic society, but it never had to be this painful.

Stay safe, and take care of each other, because we can’t rely on or trust the federal government to protect us. Our leaders failed to take action when we needed it most, and that’s something that we should never forget, and never forgive.

Photo Courtesy of Pixabay

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