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NEWS

News Editor: Jake Slebodnick – J.C.Slebodnick@iup.edu Lead News Writer: Anna Mechling – A.Mechling@iup.edu

(Pixabay) What began as a minor issue in China has now become a global pandemic. Thousands in various countries have encountered COVID-19, while hundreds died.

COVID-19 pandemic suspends worldly operations IUP, nations unsure of future plans in wake of coronavirus JAKE SLEBODNICK

News Editor J.C.Slebodnick@iup.edu @Jake_WIUP

All facts are from the World Health Organization (WHO) unless stated otherwise.

When students adjourned to their spring break destinations, they did not know that break would turn into isolation.

The newly discovered coronavirus, or COVID-19, brought not only a halt to IUP’s operations for the remainder of the spring, but to the rest of the world as well.

Many countries are currently experimenting to find a cure, but little results have yielded from this.

COVID-19: An Overview The disease first broke out in China and is an infection in the respiratory system that contains different levels of infection.

According to healthline.com, the incubation period for this ranges from two to 14 days after initial exposure. In comparison, patients who have SARS-CoV-2 will experience symptoms after 11.5 days.

COVID-19 is transmitted when exposure to one’s saliva or nasal discharge is present. It travels airborne via coughing or sneezing

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from an infected person.

One who is infected will experience symptoms such as fever, fatigue and dry cough. Some may experience general aches and pains, congestion in the nasal passages, runny nose, sore throat and diarrhea.

While these symptoms are common, some infections yield no symptoms and about one of every six people will develop serious illnesses from COVID-19.

Older citizens and those with immunodeficiencies are more at risk to contract severe cases of COVID-19.

A VIEW OF COVID-19 IN PENNSYLVANIA Currently, there are 644 reported cases of the coronavirus in 34 Pennsylvania counties and only three deaths have come from it; 6,595 tests were negative.

In Pennsylvania, Montgomery County has the most number of cases at 129 with Philadelphia following at 128.

As of Monday, there were no reported cases in Indiana County.

Gov. Tom Wolf ordered all non-essential businesses to cease operations for an undisclosed amount of time, as well as a stayat-home order for seven counties

including Philadelphia and Allegheny counties.

What precautions should be taken?

Similar to if one contracts the flu, washing hands thoroughly and regularly along with refraining from touching your face are the main promoted precautions.

As for businesses, employees are to work from home, if able.

Schools have suspended classes or moved to an online platform to ensure the safety of students while also sanitizing equipment.

If one experiences symptoms of COVID-19, seek medical attention immediately and self-quarantine.

IUP’s Response IUP has moved all face-to-face classes to online for the remainder of the semester with graduation still to be determined. It was announced in an email by university President Michael Driscoll on March 12.

The decision of how faculty grades coursework is up for discussion as the university is considering pass/fail or remaining with letter grades.

Students who lived on cam-

March 25, 2020

pus were given until March 21 to check out of their residence halls, while off-campus students were either given approval or denial if they were able to stay in their apartments.

While the university is not closed, many offices will remain open during normal hours. Some offices, such as Payroll Services and Human Resources, will close their office and work from remote locations.

“I want to reassure you that [Gov. Wolf’s closure of non-life-sustaining businesses] will NOT affect IUP’s current operations,” Thomas Segar, vice president of student affairs, said in a March 19 email. “Residence hall move-out will continue as scheduled, dining operations will continue as scheduled for students remaining on campus, online classes will continue as scheduled, faculty are continuing to work on transitioning classes online which will begin on March 23, the Health Services office remains open and the Counseling Center will continue providing remote services.”

Advising for the upcoming fall semester, as well as various classes, are being held via Zoom video conferencing or other remote communication.

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Police Blotter ALCOHOL VIOLATIONS

• Gabrielle Ziegler, 22, of Indiana was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol following a traffic stop at 2:14 a.m. Feb. 22 in the 600 block of Church Street. Ziegler was taken into custody, where she was charged with criminal complaint for DUI and a summary traffic offense offense through Magistrate Haberl’s office, according to Indiana Borough Police.

• Tyler Albitz, 23, of Indiana was arrested for public drunkeness at 3:09 a.m. March 9 following reports of an unresponsive person lying along the roadway in the 300 block of South Fourth Street. Albitz was found to be under the influence of alcohol and was placed under arrest. He was later released with a citation for public drunkeness, according to borough police.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

• Borough police are searching for those involved with uprooting a small tree along South Seventh Street and South Street.

The tree was stolen in the early morning hours of March 7. Anyone with information is asked to call Indiana Borough Police at 724-349-2121.

• Borough police are searching for those involved in a March 4 damaging/movement of a large display sign for Keys Montessori School. Police say the sign was stolen before 12:30 a.m., and anyone with information is asked to contact borough police.

HARASSMENT

• Raed Alsulami, 25, of Indiana was arrested for harassment after borough police responded to an altercation in the 600 block of Philadelphia Street. Upon arrival, Alsulami spit on a security guard twice and was charged with harassment, according to borough police.

(Facebook) Along with teaching, professors are utilizing Zoom video calling as one solution for advising.

Pandemic throws wrench in student advising, faculty trying new ways KATIE MEST

Editor-In-Chief K.A.Mest@iup.edu @katiemest

Students and professors usually spend mid-March meeting up to discuss the students’ next steps before they register for classes for the next semester.

COVID-19 threw a wrench into these plans as classes are now online, and students are no longer on campus. Professors are finding other ways to communicate with their advisees about the future.

Many are turning to telephone calls or video chats.

The marketing department, for instance, sent out an email to students that advisers would be emailing them with information like registration dates and PIN numbers. Advisers still want a set time to go through students’ transcripts and make sure they are not missing necessary classes.

Marketing professor Dr. Lisa Sciulli recommends that students

read through all the information sent to them regarding advising and write down any questions they may have before their appointment with their adviser.

She also suggested that students take notes during their appointment and ask their adviser to send them a confirmation email regarding the classes discussed for next semester.

You can monitor your class requirements through DegreeWorks, and it’s helpful to look ahead and see what other classes you will have to take in the future.

DegreeWorks – found under the Academics tab of MyIUP under “View Academic Record” – is a tool used to keep track of students’ progress throughout their years at IUP. It will tell you the classes that you still need to take to meet the graduation requirements for your specific major or majors. It also tells you your GPA for your major and GPA overall and which classes you’ve completed as opposed to

ones that are still in progress.

Students can find out who their adviser is on the Academics tab of MyIUP under “My Advisor.” Individual registration times can also be found on MyIUP. Registration for veterans (both graduate and undergraduate) opens Monday, March 30. Graduate and undergraduate priority groups can register starting Tuesday, March 31. Graduate students and seniors (90 credits or more) can register Wednesday, April 1. Junior (60-89 credits) registration opens Friday, April 3; sophomore (30-59 credits) registration opens Monday, April 6; and freshman (0-29 credits) registration opens Wednesday, April 8.

If you are a student and have not yet received any information from your adviser, reach out to them this week before your registration date. Seniors should still virtually meet with their advisers to assure they have met all requirements to graduate, as well as apply for graduation.

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Students believe COVID-19 pandemic will not reach IUP ANNA MECHLING Lead News Writer A.Mechling@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

The coronavirus has been all over the media and affected a lot of people.

Recently, many major places where a large number of people gather either have closed or postponed their events or establishments. Many states have issued nonessential businesses and nonessential restaurants to shut down.

Disney World announced its closure and also closed its Disney Cruise Line, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) canceled its widely popular March Madness and many TV shows with live audiences are taping without a live studio audience.

Many colleges and universities have closed their campuses and moved to online classes for the remainder of the semester.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the virus was first detected in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China in December 2019 but has been detected in almost 70 locations internationally, including the U.S. The source of the disease is said to have come from a larger family of viruses, but ultimately have origins from bats.

On CDC’s website on Jan. 30, the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee of

(The Penn Archives) Steadfast decision-making by IUP was to prevent a COVID-19 outbreak on campus.

the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.

People across the world, including Americans, are worried about the virus spreading and affecting them.

According to the CDC on March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) characterized the virus as a pandemic, or a global outbreak of disease, and on March 13, Donald Trump declared the outbreak a national emergency.

Many places like schools,

Follow Us! @ThePennIUP @ThePennIUP The Penn

daycares, airports and other places are staying attentive and are being cautious to the news of the virus daily.

According to CNN, Donald Trump said he was restricting and suspending travel to the U.S. from more than two dozen European countries in order to attempt to contain the coronavirus, but noting that the ban would apply to people, not goods.

IUP had gotten several emails from Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Thomas Segar throughout the weeks before spring break, ensuring IUP did not have any known cases of the virus.

“I don’t think it will reach IUP or not, but if it does, it’s not affecting people who are our age,” Andrew Muth (sophomore, music education) said.

“It’s killing people who are older and those who have pre-existing medical conditions that are already at risk.

“I think people are overreacting to the virus. I went to Walmart today to look for hand sanitizer, but they were all out.

“I read articles where stores are running out of things like that, where shelves are out of stock. More people have died from the flu in the U.S. than the coronavirus.”

Many people are stocking up on items like hand sanitizers, cleaning products and, for some reason, toilet paper. However, many people are also continuing to go to work, shop and live their daily lives, being cautious about the virus and trying to stay healthy by washing their hands and not spreading germs.

“I am buying into it cautiously, but I’m also not as paranoid as everyone else,” Tyler Menichiello (junior, biology) said. “I am pretty much worried about it as much as I am about getting the flu or pneumonia.

“I think if we did come back from spring break, coming from gosh knows where, we would have been more likely to get the virus because students would have been coming back from different places.”

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(TNS) As part of Gov. Wolf’s plan to temporarily shut down non-life-sustaining businesses, noncomplying businesses will face fines and other disciplinary actions.

See an open business?

Report it!

GREG PICKEL TNS Patriot News Non-life-sustaining businesses in Pennsylvania were forced to close their physical locations as of 8 a.m. Monday due to the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the Pennsylvania State Police, a two-phased enforcement effort is being used for those who did not follow Gov. Tom Wolf’s order: First, they will receive a warning with hopes that it leads to voluntary compliance. If not, further actions will be taken.

Twenty-seven warnings were issued Monday to non-compliant businesses on Monday, and additional enforcement actions can range from fines to jail time or “additional administrative penalties under certain circumstances,” according to Pennsylvania State Police commissioner Colonel Robert Evanchick.

“As expected, we found the overwhelming majority of people and businesses across the commonwealth are voluntarily complying with the order and doing their part to stop the spread of COVID-19,” Evanchick said in a news release.

The Pennsylvania State Police

and local law enforcement agencies are working together to look into possible violators of Gov. Wolf’s order.

Many citizens are still wondering what they can do, however, if they work at or know of a non-life sustaining business that has not closed its physical location. The state has provided the following reporting information: For reporting Non-Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board licenses businesses: Individuals can contact their local law enforcement agency’s non-emergency number. It is important they do not call 911.

A report can also be made to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development by dialing 1-877-PAHEALTH and choosing option 1. It should be noted that the DCED does not have enforcement power, however.

For reporting Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Licensees: “Complaints regarding licensees not complying with these mandates may be directed to the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement at 1-800-9320602 or reported through the BLCE’s online complaint form,” the PLCB says on its website.

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Students highlight pros, cons for attending online classes ANNA MECHLING Lead News Writer A.Mechling@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

This year, spring break took an unlikely turn for many students, faculty and staff.

Spring break was extended, and then, the entire semester ended up going online due to the coronavirus.

Many colleges and universities, schools and businesses have canceled in-person meet-ups and have resulted in at-home work and activity.

During IUP’s extended spring break, following the semester extension of going to all online classes, some students and professors experienced somewhat of a difficult transition to online classes.

But many students are trying to keep calm and continue studies with the transition to online courses.

“I believe there will be a smooth transition for the students,” Hamzah Sammour (senior, environmental engineer-

(The Penn Archives) Most students anticipated returning to IUP after spring break, but with the COVID-19 pandemic, students will return to class online instead of in person for the remainder of the semester.

ing and energy management) said. “We’ve been working on a solution that will help all students succeed in completing their spring semester, but now it’ll just be online.

“As well for upcoming graduates who are looking to graduate in May. Transitioning from in person to online will minimize health risks that may affect students, fac-

ulty and the Indiana community.

Many students were looking forward to going back after the initial spring break extension, especially those who are supposed to graduate in May. As of right now, IUP’s May graduation ceremony is still on. Other schools like Pitt, Penn State and Robert Morris have announced their plans to either postpone

their graduation or move to some that we paid for, but I do think sort of an online ceremony. things should be refunded.”

“I really wanted to come back A lot of students were nervous from break, and I was looking forand cautious about the transition ward to finishing up my semester back into school mode, but more at IUP,” Sara Keller (senior, crimso the transition to school mode inology) said. “I am graduating via online classes. in May and wanted to “I just forced come back to IUP. myself to go back “At first, several of to a routine that my classes were moved I was already in online for the remainbefore spring der of the semester, break,” Bradley but I focus better at Mateo (senior, school and prefer not economics and living at home.” marketing) said.

Many students be“So things like lieve since those living waking up at the in dorms had to move same time I was out, they should get rewaking up for imbursed from housing school, work and and their meal plans. classes were a “On the topic of major part of the - Hamzah Sammour housing, I am hoping Senior, Environmental Engineering routine I tried to they will offer it as an keep constant. option for the students who need “I also am making sure I am it,” Keller said. “I think Flex and continuing to do the acquired Crimson Cash should definitely be reading before classes, especially reimbursed, but I’m not sure how since online classes are slightly they’re going to do the breakdifferent. I definitely do not want down of a refund for meal swipes to get behind.”

“Transitioning from in person to online will minimize health risks that may affect students, faculty and the Indiana community.”

Liberty University continues holding in-person classes despite pandemic JANE HARPER TNS Virginian Pilot While most colleges and universities in Virginia have closed their dorms and facilities amid the coronavirus pandemic, Liberty University in Lynchburg is welcoming students back to campus.

The private evangelical Christian university’s spring break ended this past weekend, and students were allowed to return to their dorms Monday, according to Scott Lamb, a university spokesman.

As of Tuesday, about 1,100 had moved back in, he said.

More than 14,000 students are enrolled for in-person classes this year, with 57 percent of them living on campus.

University President Jerry Falwell Jr. walked around the grounds Monday and spoke with many of those who had returned, according to a news release on the university’s website.

“They were talking about being glad to be back," Falwell

(Liberty University Website) While most schools are transitioning to an online exclusive approach, Liberty University will continue to hold in-person classes for the remainder of the semester.

said, according to the release. "I was joking about how they pretty much had the whole place to themselves, and told all of them to enjoy it.”

The majority of classes, however, will only be available online while the pandemic continues.

Meals are being offered on a take-out basis from tents. Students are allowed to use campus fitness centers, but they’re being limited to 10 people at a time.

No visitors are being allowed on campus and all events have been cancelled.

Faculty and staff are expected to report to work, and must use vacation or sick time unless they, or someone in their family, has health concerns that put them at a higher risk, the website said.

One faculty member wrote an op-ed published Monday by The Washington Post in which she called Falwell’s decision to

require employees to report in person “foolhardy” and dangerous. She urged the university’s board to stop him and shut the campus down immediately.

In their news release, university officials assured the community they’re complying with all state restrictions and doing all that they can to provide safe accommodations to the students who choose to return. Cleaning has been stepped up, with

crews disinfecting often touched surfaces every hour, the release said.

The response to the decision to allow students to return has been mixed, Lamb said, with some applauding it and others expressing concern.

“There are always going to be some positive and some negative responses from students and parents," he said. “And we listen to those.”

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Tylenol, soup, rest highlight remedies for infected citizens MEREDITH COHN TNS Baltimore Sun First comes a slight fever, then some coughing and chest heaviness. It might be the flu or just the common cold, or it could be the new coronavirus that's got the world in a panic.

Many of us will contract this scary new virus at some point – some doctors say two-thirds of us, other experts suggest a third – but schools, malls and other gathering places are closed to prevent it from spreading so fast that patients overwhelm the nation's health system.

But for most of us who get sick, the advice for treatment, save for the most severe cases, is the same as for a cold or the flu. And it sounds a lot like what mom used to prescribe: rest, fluids and most of all, chicken soup.

That and isolate yourself for a couple of weeks to keep from sharing it.

"A lot of the self-care advice is the same no matter what it is, with the social distancing aspect to it if it's coronavirus," said Dr. Richard Bruno, a primary care doctor at Chase Brexton Health Services.

Whether it's flu, a cold or coronavirus, Bruno said, "you really need to get some rest."

There is no specific treatment for COVID-19, so besides taking it easy, you're going to want to treat your symptoms. Honey works better than most cough syrups.

Antihistamines, including Zyrtec and Claritin, help if there is congestion.

Bruno recommends Tylenol over Advil for pain because it's less harsh for people with most chronic health conditions. He said there's not much science behind advice to avoid Advil-style anti-inflammatory drugs for coronavirus. (Tylenol is acetaminophen; Advil is ibuprofen.)

Stay hydrated with warm fluids like tea.

And this part gets repeated a lot by the public health community these days, but cover coughs with tissues that you throw away and wash your hands frequently for 20 seconds each time with soap. Singing the birthday song is optional.

If you suspect you have it, don't rush off to the emergency room or even go to a doctor. Call your doctor, a nearby clinic or the local health department instead when symptoms start to ask for advice.

The good news is that 80 percent

(TNS) A chalk message urging people to cover coughs is located along Fifth Street in New York City.

of those with coronavirus have mild to moderate cases and recover well at home, doctors say.

But those who develop the telltale sign of a serious coronavirus case – difficulty breathing – call your doctor again. And if you feel you can't breathe, you need to get to a hospital.

If you drive, call first. If you call 911, tell the operator your potential coronavirus status. Avoid public transportation.

Otherwise, stay physically apart from family and anyone else in the house. Stay isolated for 14 days, longer if you still have symptoms.

Specifically: Stay inside at least 72 hours past when you last had a fever, other symptoms such as coughing have improved and it's been seven days since symptoms first appeared, said Dr. Dr. Leticia Dzirasa, Baltimore City health commissioner.

Those with no symptoms but who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 need to quarantine themselves for 14 days to make sure they don't develop symptoms, she said. The virus is very contagious. The average incubation period, the time for symptoms to develop, is five days, but they can surface from two to 14 days after exposure.

If you need help with groceries, medication, or just as important, some attention, many neighborhood associations have set up support networks.

"I wouldn't push yourself at this point, especially if you have moderate symptoms," Bruno said.

Many people will feel well

enough to do some activities, but they should be mindful of their recovery and of spreading the illness.

That means some real inconveniences, such as staying inside or in your own backyard, if you think you might have been exposed, Dzirasa said.

Even if you don't have symptoms, keep your in-person circle as small as possible. That means if your mother-in law is older and has underlying health conditions, she shouldn't babysit. Dzirasa notes that most Maryland cases are in younger adults, but seniors are more at risk for complications.

The virus has sickened thousands in the United States, and hundreds of thousands across the globe, and no one yet knows when the peak will be reached.

The public health community is keeping tabs through testing, and though testing is ramping up, there aren't enough supplies to go around. Testing requires a doctor's order and instructions on where to safely go to be swabbed.

In reality, many people will wait days for results or just won't be able to get tested, Dzirasa said.

That means taking personal responsibility and isolating yourself if you have symptoms. Others must stay inside and away from others if they are exposed but have no symptoms yet.

A note about masks: Doctors say healthy people don't need them and they should be reserved for medical staff and those who are sick.

As people hunker down, scien-

tists remain busy learning about the virus, how it transmits and how to stop it. Here are a few things they've learned, according to a recent webcast by the Johns Hopkins University's Bloomberg School of Public Health.

The virus spreads pretty easily from person to person, better than some other coronaviruses such as SARS, MERS and the common cold. So there are more infections, but most are mild. Younger people who have few or no symptoms are surely spreading the disease as they go about their day.

When infected people cough, relatively large droplets containing the virus land on other people or shared surfaces where the virus can live for up to 24 hours and be picked up on the hand of passersby.

Antimicrobial cleaners work well to kill the virus. Bleach mixed in a 1-to-10 ratio with water works, as does rubbing alcohol of 70 percent. At 90 percent it can be diluted with water a bit.

Warm weather may not slow the spread, as happens sometimes with flu viruses, since this is a new virus and no one who hasn't had it has immunity.

"We have to prepare for dealing with this during the summer," said Andy Pekosz, a Hopkins professor of molecular microbiology and immunology.

There are therapies in the works but nothing ready for prime time. That includes possibly using antibodies from people who have recovered, as well as older drugs developed for other purposes.

Several vaccines are entering the testing phase, but they aren't expected to be ready for 12 to 18 months. (It takes months to properly test a drug's safety and effectiveness, let alone mass produce it.)

That's why closing public gathering places such as restaurants, bars and malls is important to help stop spread. It's even important to limit other outings, for routine doctor visits, for example. If you go to the grocery, wipe the cart and wash your hands well afterward. And don't touch your face until you do.

Countries that have practiced so-called social distancing, keeping about six feet away from others, have been successful in curbing new cases, or at least curbing the number that occur at the same time, which eases demands on the health care system. That's called flattening the curve.

All this talk of social distancing, however, only applies to physical space. Doctors and other say it's important to keep social connections by calling, texting or otherwise staying connected.

Those who are sick can open a door or window if no one is near.

Those who are well should continue to get exercise, for their bodies and minds.

The pandemic is causing high levels of anxiety and stress for the sick and the healthy alike, said Christine Barnabic, an education program management specialist at the Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. That makes self-care important.

She said those who normally work out should consider virtual workouts being offered free or at discounts by many gyms via Instagram or Facebook or smart phone or TV. The large fitness chain Planet Fitness, for example, is offering free classes online each day. Some companies also are offering some free sessions of their meditation or breathing practices such as Headspace and Insight Timer.

"Keeping a routine. I think that's big," Barnabic said. "If I get off my routine of working out, that will get me down."

She also recommended rising at the regular time, maintaining a healthy diet, staying well hydrated, socializing (electronically) and getting some fresh (distant from others) air.

But, she added, "listen to your body, too. If you're not feeling well, you do need to slow down."

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Pennsylvania Maple Festival canned due to Coronavirus

Emerick said products such as maple mustard and barbecue sauce and syrup have a good shelf life and they will be able to sell those.

"It's the by-products that we had prepared for the festival that we now have to find different ways to market them," she said.

Emerick said they are advertising their products on their Facebook page and website along with eBay where people can place orders.

"We've been receiving a lot of calls from people because the festival is closed who normally get syrup there who are looking to

have a boxful shipped to them," she said. "It's slowly going but there is a long ways to go."

To place an order, call 814-3244345 or visit puremaplesyruponline.com.

For more information, visit the Facebook page at facebook.com/ EmericksPureMapleProducts.

'Make it through' Kyle Hillegas, owner of Hillegas Sugar Camp in Fairhope, said his business is going to have sell more bulk syrup to make up for festival loses.

"All the syrup we send over bottled was already bottled, but we should be able to use it throughout the year," he said.

"Typically, we bottle numerous times throughout the year, so the sizes we send over we wouldn't not need to bottle for a while.

They will get used up."

He said the festival is a decent money maker for the business and it helps pay the bills from the production season.

"We're taking the syrup that we would have sold bottled and instead we're going to end up selling more bulk," Hillegas said.

"We'll make it through but it's definitely going to hurt."

To place an order, call 814-2335843 or visit hillegassugarcamp. com.

For more information, visit the Facebook page at facebook.com/ Hillegassugarcamp.

conferences using the telephone numbers and access codes that will be published on the borough's website, ebensburgpa. com, for each meeting.

Ebensburg is nearing the end of a borough-wide sewer replacement project. All sewer lateral compliance and enforcement has been suspended, and all surcharges and penalties are temporarily lifted. The deadlines for mandatory sewer compliance will be extended.

The Young Peoples Community Center and the Ebensburg Tennis Center have been closed, but all outdoor playgrounds remained open as of Monday. The borough's swimming pool is not scheduled to open until May 23, and a decision has not yet been made about whether it will open as scheduled.

"It is impossible to predict how long this emergency will last," Mayor Randy Datsko said.

"We urge all residents to abide by the directives issued by state and federal governments and to follow the borough's website and Facebook page for changing local conditions. ...

The borough's website, ebensburgpa.com, contains a wealth of information about borough operations during this emergency."

Police operations will not be limited, but methods of communication and service for non-life-threatening calls will change; officers may limit their own access to confined areas, including homes and businesses, and may ask callers to meet outside in order to maintain social distance. Borough officials asked residents to be honest about any illnesses or symptoms when requesting assistance from first responders.

Garbage and recycling collection has not been affected.

KELLY URBAN TNS Tribune Democrat With the cancellation of the Pennsylvania Maple Festival due to coronavirus concerns, maple producers who supply products for event are looking at alternative ways to recoup their loses.

The festival was to be held Saturday and Sunday and April 1-5 at sites throughout Meyersdale.

Jason Blocher, owner of Milroy Farms in Salisbury, said his operation is going to suffer financially because of the cancellation.

"There's no question about it, it's going to hurt our sales along with a lot of other businesses in the area that benefited from the festival," he said.

Blocher said because the farm is close to Meyersdale, many people who attend the festival often made their way over to Milroy Farms' store to buy product and tour the works.

"This is a big money-maker for us both in the product that we supply to the festival that is sold there and those who come to the farm," he said.

Blocher said Milroy Farms has launched a social media campaign to let people know the business is not under mandate to close because it is an on-the-farm market.

"We can still supply people if they need maple syrup or want

(Facebook) The coveted Pennsylvania Maple Festival is postponed this year due to the coronavirus outbreak.

candy for Easter baskets," he said.

"We can ship to them, or they can give us a call, and we can put an order together that can be picked up."

In addition, the farm has a pick-up area for orders for those wanting to keep social distancing.

"You give us a call, we'll put your order together and you can pick it up without any interaction with anybody," Blocher said.

To place an order, call 814662-4125 or email milroyfarms@ comcast.net.

For more information, visit milroyfarms.com or at facebook.com/ Milroy-Farms-244574449297678.

'Countless containers' Stephanie Emerick, owner of Emerick's Maple LLC in Hyndman along with husband Matthew, said being unable to attend the festival is drastically affecting their business.

"We already had everything ready and prepared for the festival, so now we're left with countless containers and pounds of coated nuts that we only make for the festival," she said. "Now we're tying to market them elsewhere at a clearance price or a discount if you buy multiples. I'm not going to throw them in the freezer and try to resell them next year."

Ebensburg Borough declares state of emergency during pandemic MARK PESTO TNS Tribune Democrat Ebensburg Borough announced on Monday that a state of emergency has been declared in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, allowing for several changes to the borough's operations in order to protect the health of its residents and employees.

While all borough employees are continuing to work during the emergency, the borough office, 300 W. High St., has been closed to the public. Payments for utility bills, parking tickets, permits and other purposes can be left in the drop box at the office's front door or made online, through the mail or by telephone. All contact with borough employees is to be done by email or telephone.

Future meetings of Ebensburg

(Facebook) Ebensburg, which is approximately 45 minutes from IUP, declared a state of emergency after Cambria County announced its first case of COVID-19.

Borough Council and all borough boards and commissions

will be held by teleconference.

Residents can join those tele-

12

March 25, 2020

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Where do potential medicines for COVID-19 stand? further insight.

AMINA KHAN TNS Los Angeles Times Medicines designed to treat COVID-19 won't be on pharmacy shelves for months or even years, but thousands of patients are in hospitals and health clinics now.

So doctors are looking to drugs that are already approved for treating other diseases.

Malaria, HIV and arthritis wouldn't seem to have much in common with SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that has upended the world in just a few short months. But medicines developed for those ailments are showing some promise against the respiratory illness at the center of the pandemic.

Here's a closer look at some of the medicines being tested to see if they're effective against COVID-19.

CHLOROQUINE

This drug has been used to treat patients with malaria for nearly a century. It is a synthetic version of quinine, a natural compound that people have been extracting from the bark of cinchona trees since the early 1600s.

Chloroquine works by essentially slowing down how efficient the virus is at entering cells, which can slow the rate of replication, said Karla Satchell, a microbiologist at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. To fight malaria, it essentially helps poison the digestive system of some blood parasites in the genus Plasmodium that are spread to humans through infected mosquitoes.

COVID-19 is caused by a coronavirus, not a parasite. Still, researchers hypothesized that chloroquine could help patients with the new disease by slowing the virus' spread. It basically works by curtailing the virus' ability to use certain compartments in a cell (called vacuoles) to get itself inside its target. It's like having an extra bolt on your front door, but it doesn't keep the pathogen from kicking the door down. Think of it as "flattening the curve" inside the body, giving the immune system time to catch up.

About two dozen clinical trials are already underway in China to test chloroquine's efficacy against the novel coronavirus. Early results show that it seemed to cut down the virus' rate of replication. Some researchers have suggested that its ability to modulate the immune

REMDESIVIR

(TNS) While no vaccine for COVID-19 is available, some medications could be mixed to create one.

system's behavior may allow it to mitigate so-called cytokine storms, a potentially deadly overreaction to the disease that can result in organ failure.

Chloroquine has several built-in advantages. It's already known to be safe in humans (though it can result in poisoning at overdose levels). It's cheap. It has a backer in President Donald Trump, who on Thursday asked the Food and Drug Administration to examine its feasibility as a COVID-19 treatment. And in preclinical research, it's been shown to be effective against viral infections such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and HIV.

HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE

As you may guess, this drug is closely related to chloroquine. It's a potentially less toxic metabolite of the malaria drug that's used to treat certain autoimmune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Scientists think it works by disrupting communications between cells in the immune system. Like chloroquine, scientists suspect it might help to mitigate cytokine storms.

Doctors are testing it in COVID-19 patients on the theory that if chloroquine is helpful, hydroxychloroquine might be too, and recent lab results seem to back that up. At least seven clinical trials have begun in China to test hydroxychloroquine in patients with COVID-19, and the University of Minnesota also launched one of its own this week.

"After 90 days we will have some indication of whether this is effective or not," and how effective it could be, said Dr. Jakub Tolar,

dean of the University of Minnesota Medical School.

Early results in China are promising, showing that it inhibited SARS-COV-2 infections in the lab.

Like chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine has already been established as safe for use in humans – it's been on the market since the 1950s. Trump's request that the FDA investigate chloroquine included hydroxychloroquine as well. On Saturday, he tweeted out an endorsement of a preliminary report from France in which six patients received hydroxychloroquine along with the antibiotic azithromycin.

KALETRA

This combination of two antiviral drugs, lopinavir and ritonavir, is used to combat HIV. It's widely available, and several clinical trials around the world are underway.

The two drugs, both protease inhibitors, have different but complementary roles when used in combination. Lopinavir prevents viral enzymes from cutting up important proteins that are key to HIV's reproduction. Ritonavir helps boost lopinavir's concentrations in cells.

Scientists wondered whether the pair might be able to disrupt SARS-COV-2's life cycle in similar ways.

But a study published this week in the New England Journal of Medicine reported no benefit for patients with severe COVID-19.

While that's not great news for the drug's prospects, an editorial accompanying the paper called the work a "heroic effort." And, to be clear, it was just one study; other trials could eventually provide

This drug was developed by Gilead Sciences to fight Ebola but failed to prove effective. Still, remdesivir has since been shown to have some effect against both MERS and SARS in cell lines and limited animal testing, and since those diseases are caused by coronaviruses, it may have some effect against the one that causes COVID-19.

Exactly how remdesivir works has been unclear, though a new study shows that it appears to block RNA replication during the reproductive cycle of a coronavirus.

It was given to the first COVID-19 patient in the United States for compassionate use after his condition took a turn for the worse, and he began to recover the next day, according to a case study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Whether the drug was actually responsible for any of that improvement is unknown.

Several clinical trials in the works should provide some answers. A clinical trial sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, has already launched at several locations in the U.S., including the University of Nebraska, the University of Minnesota and UC Irvine.

"Although remdesivir has been administered to some patients with COVID-19, we do not have solid data to indicate it can improve clinical outcomes," Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, director of the NIAID, said in a statement.

These clinical trials would offer some solid data as to whether it really works.

LOSARTAN

This hypertension drug reduces blood pressure by preventing a hormone called angiotensin from binding to receptors on blood vessels, allowing them to stay relaxed.

Scientists hypothesized that losartan might help patients with COVID-19 because, as an angiotensin receptor blocker, it obstructs the site through which the virus gets into the cells, Tolar said.

This drug rounds out the trifecta of treatments that University of Minnesota researchers are putting through clinical trials; they have not yet started recruiting subjects, according to the NIH.

OTHER APPROACHES

Repurposing drugs that are already on the market (or at least, proven safe) makes for a good first step in fighting a novel virus, but it's something of a blunt instrument, scientists pointed out.

That's why researchers are also studying the virus in depth to try to develop more tailored treatments from the bottom up – or at least, from a little closer to ground level.

Satchell's center is taking this route, studying the virus' proteins and other structures in depth and designing drugs to combat it.

Currently, they're targeting the molecular factories that viruses set up to manufacture more copies of themselves.

"If you just walked up to a machine and stuck a screwdriver in it somewhere, it would stop working," she said. The trick is to figure out where to stick the screwdriver, and what it should look like. "And that's what we're trying to find."

The advantage here is that you get a drug that does essentially exactly what you want it to do. The drawback is that scientists have to start from the ground up, so getting a drug to the public may take a little longer – perhaps two years, Satchell estimated.

Luckily, scientists can also draw on research into other coronaviruses, such as those that caused the SARS outbreak in 2003 and the MERS outbreak in 2012. Those events came and went so quickly that promising research was largely dropped before drugs could be developed and made available.

Since all three coronaviruses are genetically very similar, that preliminary work could give scientists a leg up in developing weapons against COVID-19 and shorten the process to around 12 to 18 months, Satchell said.

Continuing this research even after the current pandemic ends will be key to help prevent future outbreaks, she said.

After all, consider the discontinued research into SARS and MERS. If that work had resulted in effective drugs, we might have a treatment for COVID-19 today, she pointed out. Similarly, the work being done on SARS-CoV-2 could prove useful when future outbreaks hit, even if the pathogens causing them are slightly different.

"I hope one of the lessons that we have from this is that research should keep going even if the crisis goes away," she said.

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14 March 25, 2020

News

Opinion

No matter what, The Penn is here for you To our dear readers, We know the past few weeks have been uncertain and difficult, and we at The Penn hope you and your loved ones are staying healthy and safe. The COVID-19 pandemic is on everyone’s mind, and we also know the past few weeks have been extremely confusing as news and precautionary measures for stopping the spread of COVID-19 have changed not just daily, but hourly.

IUP has decided, along with many other higher education institutions, to suspend in-person classes and ask those living on campus to gather their things. The semester resumed Monday for many classes that were supposed to meet in person, so this week students and professors will do their best to adapt to their new online or video-chat-led lectures.

The Penn is honored to serve as your source of answers during this confusing time, and we’re not going anywhere. Although we plan to scale back our publication schedule, The Penn will continue to publish for the remainder of the spring semester. Beginning today and every Wednesday through May 6, we will publish one weekly issue over the final seven weeks of the semester.

Our decision was not made lightly. Over the past week, we have had extensive discussions as a staff, and we universally felt a strong sense of duty to document the pandemic’s pervasive effect on our community. Our editors have spent the past week coordinating with writers from afar as we prepare to resume publishing.

We are also taking precautions

to keep our staff safe, such as limiting the number of editors in the office at one time.

The Penn staff, all students ourselves, are devoted to providing you with the most accurate, up-to-date information on the COVID-19 situation. Our editors and writers, like you, are displaced from our usual school location and routine, but we promise to do our best to keep you well-informed.

When we joined The Penn, we committed ourselves to the all the responsibility that comes with a newspaper, including reporting the news during times of crisis. While we certainly never thought we would be faced with such a situation, just know that we will not be abandoning our posts any time soon.

We are committed to covering the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to our university, our students and the Indiana community. And we want to hear your stories and thoughts during this pandemic. We would like to bridge the IUP community while we are away from campus.

As always, each new issue of our e-paper can be found at thepenn.org. The new issues will also continue to come directly to your inbox through our newsletter. If you are not signed up for our newsletter, you may subscribe on the homepage of The Penn website.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us at the-penn@iup.edu. Be well.

The Penn will continue to publish for the remainder of the spring semester.

Opinion

By Katie Mest, Editor-in-Chief

(TNS) Amid COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Tom Wolf closes schools and all non-essential businesses.

Gov. Wolf needs a better plan to keep Pennsylvania safe Gov. Tom Wolf has no idea what to do during a crisis.

After COVID-19 began spreading at a rapid rate, Wolf has proven that he cannot make a valid decision to save his life, let alone save the lives of his constituents.

And this has nothing to do with his political standing. In an update on Sunday, Wolf was asked numerous questions that would determine the fate of local businesses and schools. All of which he stuttered through or dodged them altogether. When he WOULD answer a question, he continud to say that he has not looked at various proposals that would reclassify what an essential business is.

He has 16-21-year-olds working in fast food restaurants waiting on potentially sick patrons while those that can work alone in offices, etc. are at home.

But yet, these 16-21-year-olds

March 25, 2020

aren’t permitted to go to school because they’re at risk? What difference does it make if we send them to school or their jobs?

However, if you’re going to send some, send all. I can do without McDonalds for a period of time if it prevents the spread of infection.

Not to mention, why close liquor stores during this? If anything, alcohol is doing a better job at saving us than you.

On top of that, why hasn’t he postponed postage in Pennsylvania? If anyone is at risk of spreading COVID-19, it’s postal workers.

Before we continue, I’ll say this is not meant to defame the character of postal workers or other laborers that have to work during this. This is meant to call out the double standards Wolf put in place.

Let me paint a picture: say a delivery driver contracted

COVID-19, but since it’s in the incubation period, they are unaware that they have it.

Then when they go to deliver some mail, they sneeze and, since it was instant, they spew mucus and saliva all over the postage, infecting it all.

Then, when elderly citizens retrieve the mail, they will contract the virus, which could be fatal considering it is proven to be fatal toward that age group.

Again, I want to reiterate that this is NOT meant to defame workers that must work.

If we, as a commonwealth, are in such disarray, wouldn’t you think he would want to prioritize the organization of his people first? Or has the term “leader” taken on a whole new meaning?

Brought to you

By The Penn Staff

15

Culture

Culture Editor: Heather Bair – zzzx@iup.edu Lead Culture Writer: Haley Brown– ydmx@iup.edu

(Facebook) Zoom Video Communications, or Zoom, was founded in 2011 by Eric Yuan to provide remote conferencing services including online meetings and chats.

Editor shares tips for transitioning to Zoom for rest of semester JESS TRUBY

Managing Editor J.L.Truby@iup.edu @jesstruby

Oh, no! Online classes. *Gasp.* How will we ever make it?

Students all over the country are now tasked with completing the remainder of the semester with online classes. To some, this can seem like a daunting task, or it may be incredibly new to others. The following are some tips to keep your life on track and do just as well as you do in face-toface classes.

Keep a routine schedule You may have more flexibility now, but that does not mean you can do schoolwork just when you feel like it. Spend at least the same amount of time and effort for your online classes as you did in person.

Going to class at the same time each week puts students on a schedule, and it is best to keep a similar schedule to what you are

16

used to. Some classes using Zoom may also require you to be online for a lecture at the same time as you assigned class time and would help dictate your schedule.

Prioritize Zoom meeting times The online meeting tool allows video conferencing, simple online meetings, group messaging and a software-defined conference room that professors can use to deliver their lectures.

It is a live meeting so students must attend at the same time.

Do not wait until the last minute to log on and get into the meeting at the last second. Think of it as your walk to class. If you have class at 11, you know you need to be in the classroom at 11 and ready to work, not leaving to go to class.

Similarly, be in the online meeting and prepared to work when the time begins.

Keep an agenda of new due dates The switch to online classes

may take some adjustment to the assignments and due dates, so take your time to review the dates assignments are now due.

Once the dates are solidified, set short-term goals to help you complete the assignments on time and stick to them. You do not want to be pushing back work and doing an assignment right before it is due.

Technology has now become a major component of classes and is not always the most reliable. It cannot be a consistent excuse for late work. If you have issues, it is better to figure out the problem and get it resolved before the due date.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help Your professors are still the same people who want to help you succeed in any way possible. The whole situation of moving faceto-face classes to online classes is new for everyone.

Professors still have office hours when you can talk to them online, over the phone or send an email if you feel you need some clarifica-

March 25, 2020

tion or help.

Create a space dedicated to work Get out of bed and work elsewhere. “Keeping computers, TVs and work materials out of the room will strengthen the mental association between your bedroom and sleep,” according to the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School.

Also, in your room, you have things you enjoy doing and would rather be doing than schoolwork, which can be distracting. Designate a space in your house to do work where you can be in peace to concentrate and ask your family or roommates to be respectful and not create unnecessary noise during your work time.

Connect with the other students in your class Chances are if you’re struggling, someone else in your class is too.

Make some friends if you did not get the chance to while in-person.

Knowing you're not alone when

trying to tackle this new approach to learning is comforting.

During face-to-face classes, you get to listen to other students’ opinions and viewpoints which can help you understand the material better so strive for that same experience.

Take breaks and reward yourself When you do well on an assignment or quiz, be proud of yourself and celebrate. It can also motivate you to continue to do well. Take short breaks between work to rejuvenate yourself and avoid strain on your eyes and body.

Get up and move around and take a break from staring at a screen. While working, if a distracting task or thought pops into your head, write it down so you can revisit it when the work time is finished.

Hopefully, these tips help you complete your switch to all online classes successfully. We will get through this together.

Culture

Culture

March 25, 2020

17

(Facebook) While Walmart is still opened for business both physically and online, most restaurants around Indiana are open for delivery or takeout, like Villa II, located downtown.

Online shopping becomes more prominent with stores closing their doors HEATHER BAIR Culture Editor H.Bair@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

With the recent outbreak of COVID-19, nonessential businesses and places have been ordered to shut down in Indiana, as well as throughout the United States.

Nonessential businesses include community and recreation centers; gyms including yoga, barre and spin facilities; hair salons, barbers, nail salons and spas; casinos; concert venues; theaters; bars; sporting event venues and golf courses; retail facilities, including shopping malls, except for pharmacies or other health care facilities within retail operations, said Gov. Tom Wolf.

According to Wolf, licensed child care centers, adult day care centers and senior community centers were also to close.

Essential businesses included grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, post offices, gas stations, banks, laundromats, pet stores, public transportation and hotel and commerical lodging.

If businesses deemed nones-

sential still remained open, the punishment could include citations, fines or license suspensions, according to Wolf.

Stores across the United States have closed their doors. Retailers such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Bath & Body Works, Hollister, Kohl’s, Nike and Urban Outfitters have completely closed, as well as electronic businesses such as Apple.

McDonald’s have closed dining rooms but are keeping drive-thrus open. Starbucks has closed their doors in the hard-hit areas. Walt Disney World and Disneyland have shut down as well.

For students who have remained at IUP or in Indiana, this can mean a shift in where they get supplies, clothes, food and drinks.

Grocery stores such as Martin’s, Giant Eagle and ALDI have remained open for business for the community, as well as Ollie’s, Dollar Store, Dollar General and Family Dollar. While these stores may not be the first place to shop for food, they have a variety to choose from at a fair price.

Dollar stores mainly offer non-perishables, such as canned goods, dried fruit and pasta.

Walmart has remained opened; however, business hours have changed. Rather than be open 24 hours, it is now opening at 6 a.m. and closing at 11 p.m. until further notice. While Walmart is usually stocked with everything you need, there have been shortages in not only toilet paper, but in food and medicine.

Stores in downtown Indiana have closed their doors as well.

Restaurants, such as Thai@Indiana and Insomnia Cookies have remained opened for business but only for carry-out and delivery.

Valley Dairy and Eat’n Park offer deliveries through programs such as DoorDash and Grubhub. Some bars are still offering carry-out or delivery of their food and alcohol.

You can check individual restaurants’ websites or Facebook pages to see how they have modified their businesses.

Retailers that have already put their stores online are still doing online ordering and delivery.

Amazon, Bath & Body Works, Kohls, Walmart and others are still catering to online ordering.

When it comes to shopping, it seems the best bet is Walmart for

household goods, clothes, makeup and more. However, when groceries are needed, Martin’s, Giant Eagle and ALDI have your back.

However, the hot food and salad bar at Martin’s and Giant Eagle are closed, while already-prepared meals are available to purchase.

Life around campus has also taken a shift. Classes have been moved online via Zoom, D2L or Moodle and students that still reside in Indiana may sense a change in where to get food, hang out or get other forms of entertainment.

North Dining Hall, Crimson Cafe, Java City and Subway have closed their doors until further notice. The Hawk HUB is still operating; however, new business hours are in effect. Breakfast is served 7 a.m. until 9 a.m., lunch will be served 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and dinner is served at 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Students can use one meal swipe for anything in the food court.

Chick-fil-A and Einstein’s are closed until further notice as well. The hours are still subject to change, and IUP Dining suggests following their social media on

Facebook for updates.

The Philadelphia Street Playhouse has closed their doors until further notice, as well as the MovieScoop movie theater located in the mall.

STATIC events for the rest of the semester have been postponed or canceled, as well as concerts and festivals that were to be held in the upcoming months have experienced the same. For the first time since 9/11, Broadway in New York City has closed as well, and IUP’s Lively Arts productions have been canceled.

This can be difficult to navigate.

With popular stores and restaurants closing their doors, it can be challenging to find the best place to buy much-needed supplies and groceries. However, there are stores still opened that are doing their best to carry essentials.

Ordering online is always an option, even while maintaing social distancing to remain healthy.

To quote Abraham Lincoln, “this too shall pass.” In the meantime, if local businesses are opened, show them some extra love. You may find more bang for your buck.

18

March 25, 2020

Culture

Students social media use highs, lows during crisis OLIVIA CARBONE

Staff Writer O.C.Carbone@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

This article contains opinion.

(Piqsels) Being a connected and technology-oriented generation can mean forging better friendships than older generations.

Social distancing can make stronger connections in a connected generation JEFF HART

Lead Sports Writer J.R.Hart2@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

This article contains opinion.

The last few weeks have been trying for our country and the rest of the world as the COVID-19 virus has slowly become a global pandemic.

Coronavirus has become the latest disease to plague the world and caused all people to readjust their actions.

The Bubonic plague and the Spanish flu are just some of the many outbreaks that have tried the human race throughout history. All these outbreaks caused a great deal of destruction and pain in their wake.

While each pandemic may be different, they share many qualities. All of them affected entire countries and regions of the world and had the potential to be catastrophic to varying degrees.

The infamous Bubonic plague, also known as the black plague, of the 1600s was one of the deadliest diseases to ever hit society. More than half of the world’s population perished in the wake of the disease.

However, these pandemics can also bring about change and make

us stronger and unite as a people.

During the Bubonic plague, Isaac Newton isolated himself to his house and garden and took the time away as a time of learning and discovery. In doing so, he was able to discover the concept of gravity.

Newton is an example of how social distancing and isolation during times like these can be turned into a positive thing. We are now living in a time in which even in our isolation, we can still communicate with our friends and loved ones.

Many college students have struggled with the imposed social distancing and are trying to take it in stride.

“Social distancing requires us to make social sacrifices, and while it's definitely taking a toll on my mental health [and the mental health of the world], it is the best thing we can do right now to stop the spread of the Coronavirus and limit deaths,” Leah Natushko (senior, communications media) said.

While difficult, students everywhere are finding ways to overcome and adapt to life during the coronavirus pandemic.

“My friends and I are still talking to each other fairly constantly,” Kaiya Reed (sophomore, anthropology and religious studies) said.

“It's been rough not being able to physically spend time together like we did before all this.”

As one of the most connected generations in history, we are finding new ways to remain social in this time of social distancing.

“I’ve been staying in contact with my friends over all forms of social media, from Snapchat to Instagram,” Liam Noble (junior, communications media) said. “It’s been a life saver since social distancing is huge in my area [Philadelphia].”

While talking over social media may not be preferred to physical contact, some believe this can only help their relationships.

“I think the strongest friendships don't require constant connection, either, and can withstand time and distance,” Mackenzie Barr (sophomore, psychology) said.

While times like these are difficult for all and cause a great amount of stress on everyone, people have a way of overcoming the odds and coming out of these situations stronger than ever.

With no clear end time for this pandemic, practicing healthy habits like communication can go a long way toward fighting the invisible enemy that threatens us all.

Just a few weeks ago, many college students left their universities for what they thought would just be a week. But, within the last two weeks, the world has turned upside down. Universities transitioned to online classes, NBA and NHL’s seasons were postponed, Olympics were postponed until further notice and many other things canceled due to COVID-19.

One thing that has increased is everyone’s use of social media because of social distancing.

During this time especially, people need to keep in mind of what they post and what they are reading on social media. There are many false statements that are circulating right now that are driven by fear. It’s very important to understand what is true and what is false. First you should look at who’s posting it. What is the post about, and can you find the same information elsewhere? Many IUP students have reflected on how social media is impacting them during this difficult time.

“I feel like I’m on social media more, and I shouldn’t be,” Meghan Mccreary (nutrition and dietetics) said. “You have to keep in mind what you’re seeing and if it’s true or not.”

Social media can also add to anxiety and paranoia during this time. Some people may begin to think that they are infected with the virus when it could be a common cold. This is a very difficult time to have a lot of internet access because of all the falsehood that is posted.

“Personally, social media is really annoying me right now,” Mason Carothers (junior, health and physical education) said. “There’s no use panicking and tweeting when you can’t control it.”

“You definitely have to take into account now more than ever that what you see online might not be trustworthy,” Lexi Smith (junior, biology) said.

Right now, social media is all we have in order to communicate with the outside world.

Many members of Greek life have been having Zoom calls with their chapters to check up and

(Facebook) Facebook and Snapchat, as well as other social media, have become new staples in young adult lives amid the coronavirus crisis.

keep things organized.

Social media has had many “challenges” that people have been participating in, such as the spread positivity challenge, the 10 push up challenge and numerous Tik Toks. There are many aspects of social media that are forcing us to come together as a nation to fight this virus. Even though it is sad, it’s good to see the people infected by the virus documenting their everyday experience.

Many people are posting positive messages on social media to help people stay calm and to make sure people’s mental health are doing OK. Social media impacts our everyday lives even when things aren’t “normal.”

Culture

March 25, 2020

19

Wanted to be a playwright? Amid coronavirus, big names offer to teach you ASHLEY LEE TNS Los Angeles Times Lauren Gunderson rubbed her hands together in excitement.

"We're about to get this playwriting class started," said the prolific playwright, wearing her signature vibrant eyeglasses and a Shakespeare Theatre Company sweatshirt. She then spoke to her students for nearly an hour about shaping a story's beginning and ending, crafting character-defining choices and penning effective stage directions.

Because of the coronavirus outbreak, the session Wednesday was no ordinary class. Rather, Gunderson led these lessons virtually and for free from her home in San Francisco, a region ordered to shelter in place. With her husband and two young children at home with her, she addressed more than 900 people tuning in live. By Thursday, viewership had grown to more than 23,000.

"Right now, there's something about reminding ourselves about community and insisting on it even though we're stuck in our houses," she told the Los Angeles Times.

"I think people are engaging

(Facebook) Lauren Gunderson, a prolific playwright with the Shakespeare Theatre Company in the UK, is one of many to be teaching a class over Zoom for those shut in due to COVID-19 pandemic.

because they believe theater isn't going anywhere. They're convinced that we will be back and we will need stories to get us back together."

Gunderson, the most produced playwright in the country, has taught in-person classes at the Bay Area's Marin Theatre Compa-

ny. She got the idea to go online from her "Jeannette" musical collaborator, Ari Afsar, who had recently livestreamed a concert in Los Angeles. After announcing her plan on her social media accounts, Gunderson was quickly flooded with surprisingly specific questions about storytelling. Many came

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from high school and college students whose courses had suddenly been axed, their playwriting projects left in limbo.

"That convinced me that this doesn't have to be just a fun distraction for an hour," she said.

"If this had happened to me in college, I would've been so distraught and frustrated."

Gunderson is among many who have pivoted to public digital instruction in this moment of social distancing – many for free or at a low cost.

Jaclyn Backhaus led a virtual, two-hour session last Monday about starting a new play for about 40 students. Two weeks ago the playwright and co-founder of New York-based Fresh Ground Pepper performing arts company learned that New York University was moving all classes online. She wanted to try out her usual pedagogy and get used to the Zoom interface before resuming her three playwriting courses onscreen.

"I've never done anything like this before, and as someone who operates in a writers group modality of teaching, I wondered if the internet might actually make the back-and-forth feel more accessible," she said. "I thought, here's a chance for me to learn more about this and reach some new folks who are bored and have nothing to do.

Backhaus offered the session on a sliding scale (from free to $25) and had viewers pay her digitally or donate to an arts organization. She was surprised by how well her methodology

translated digitally.

"We did timed writing exercises, and we got through a lot," she said.

The playwright was visiting her parents in Arizona when the pandemic evolved in New York.

Her mother and her husband are also college instructors (at Arizona State University and NYU, respectively) and will also be teaching college courses virtually.

"My childhood home is now kind of a remote teaching center!" she said with a laugh.

"We're all helping each other and peeping in on all the other Zoom tutorials from each other's schools."

Playwright and screenwriter Erik Patterson, who has hosted an informal playwriting workshop in Encino, Calif., for more than a year, is moving his weekly meetings to Zoom. He was inspired by USC playwriting professor Luis Alfaro, whose class is now held virtually, and is limiting the meeting to eight people to allow enough time for peer reviewing – a valuable part of any writing workshop.

Weekly meetings for Bridgette Portman's playwriting class (April 6-June 1, $200), last held at the Dragon Productions Theatre Company in Redwood City, Calif., will also be conducted on Zoom.

"It's kind of great because some people couldn't enroll last time because the commute was just too much for them," she said. "Now that's not an issue; it's open to anyone anywhere with an internet connection."

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March 25, 2020

Culture

Beat social distancing with virtual closeness MARTY WEAVER Copy Editor zglz@iup.edu @mrweavs This article contains opinion.

In these frustrating and lonely times, Nintendo came to the world’s rescue Friday with the release of the much-anticipated “Animal Crossing: New Horizons.”

This is the first mainline “Animal Crossing” game since “New Leaf” came out all the way back in 2012, and the fanbase has been foaming at the mouth for some new content for eight long years.

The game starts with Timmy and Tommy Nook talking the player through a “deserted island getaway.” During this time, you can design your character – a first for the mainline games. In previous games, you answer some random questions to determine eye shape, hair color and style, etc. This made changing your hair later on pretty difficult, and I will admit to seeking out spreadsheets for haircuts in “New Leaf.”

There aren’t any specific gender options, which makes a nonbinary person such as myself very happy.

Technically speaking, you can choose between apparent “genders” that take the form of short or long hair markers, but from what I’ve seen, I don’t think the option actually changes your appearance or how villagers refer to you.

Another first for the mainline games: You can change your skin color. That option should have been implemented much sooner in the series, if you ask me.

After designing your character, you choose one of four island layouts. I think all islands are unique, which is a nice little touch. Then, you take a plane to the island.

There will be two random villagers, a boy and a girl, that also arrive with you. My first neighbors were Tank the rhino and Tammy the bear (I think, anyway.)

Then, you meet the infamous Tom Nook. He asks that you choose a spot for your tent (which will later become your house) and then requests that you help him gather materials for a bonfire to commemorate your first night on the island. Each island will come with one native fruit; mine was pear. Tom will ask for six of the native fruits to make juice for the bonfire.

Once the bonfire kicks off, you will be faced with a very important decision: what to name your island. I named mine “Sneepy-

(Marty Weaver/ The Penn) “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” released Friday, giving those shut-in a new way to socialize among cute animals, villagers and more.

town,” a reference to how some friends intentionally misspell the word “sleepy.” I miss y’all; please visit my island.

Then, you should go to bed for the night. The one and only K.K. Slider, guitar-playing doggo and ultimate Good Boy, will visit you in your dreams, and his speech hits a little too close to home for these socially distant times.

“Being by your lonesome can grind on the soul. You’ve gotta make friends along the way. Rambing this crazy world is squaresville without some pals.”

It doesn’t take a lot for me to tear up at video games, but man, that really got me. I desperately miss my friends, and video-chatting on Discord can do only so much.

Anyway, back to the game.

When you wake up, the game will be in real time. So, what sets “Animal Crossing” apart from similar games like “Stardew Valley” is that a day cycle actually takes 24 hours. In “Stardew,” days last around 13 minutes.

What that means is if you want to build something, it will take an actual day for it to be completed – unless, of course, you manually reset the time on your gaming device. That’s cheating, though, and the game can actually tell when you do that.

“Animal Crossing” is not meant to be speedran (yes, I did Google how to conjugate “speedrun”); it’s meant to be played a bit each day.

This actually helps in quarantine, as making and sticking to a schedule can help you to not slowly drift into complete depression. I like making a bagel or something portable for breakfast and playing a bit while I enjoy my first cup of coffee of the day.

From the first real day, you’re kind of on your own. If you’re just starting out and are not sure what to do, this guide will help you with your first week: www. polygon.com/animal-crossing-new-horizons-switch-acnh-

guide/2020/3/20/21182290/ first-week-daily-goals-how-to-unlock-museum-steps-farming.

Crafting sets “New Horizons” apart from the other mainline games. You can (and should) gather resources on your island to complete projects and make furniture. You should also catch fish and bugs to sell and donate to Tom Nook for the upcoming museum.

This game also introduces breakable tools. In other games, the only tools that could break were axes, but now, all tools can (and will) break after some use.

Some guides will tell you to not bother making more durable tools for the first few days to save resources for other projects, but honestly, the better tools last much longer and therefore can help gather even more resources.

I actually kind of like the breakable tools. If I fish so much that my fishing rod breaks, that’s a pretty good sign that I should try doing something else for a while.

This article isn’t a guide or walkthrough, though. Every major video game outlet has written detailed guides, and I have been playing since only Friday. With that said, let’s get into some things I’m not super jazzed about.

First off, I wasn’t aware that each individual Nintendo Switch can handle only one island, no matter how many profiles are on the machine. My brother, Sam, and I share a Switch, and he wanted to try playing “New Horizons.” Since I had started the game before him, he can be only a resident on my already existing island.

I understand that this was actually a selling point for the game, as two people can play at once if there are two controllers connected, but Sam and I wish that there were an option for other players to make their own islands.

Speaking of multiplayer options, “New Horizons” allows players to connect with friends over the internet. The temptation of having your friends visit your island is almost

too much to bear, especially in an era of forced isolation, but actually getting your friends to visit is complicated to say the least.

It requires a subscription to Nintendo Online, which isn’t very cash money – in fact, it costs cash money. You can sign up for a seven-day free trial (just make sure to turn off automatic renewal), and then see for yourself if it’s worth a couple bucks a month to hang out with your friends.

My last (small) complaint carries over from other mainline games: fishing. Since the camera is static, it’s hard to judge exactly where fish are in the water. You really can’t tell if those shadowy fiends will see your lure until it’s in the water. Granted, this is coming from someone who actually enjoys the fishing mechanic in “Stardew Valley,” which apparently I’m alone in feeling. Adding Joy-Con Drift to the equation makes fishing more than a little annoying, especially for someone with poor depth perception such as myself.

“Joy-Con Drift,” much like death and taxes, seems to be inevitable. The problem plagues the Joy-Cons, the detachable controllers of the Switch. The analog sticks in one or both Joy-Cons can glitch, causing your character and/ or camera to move on their own. I just replaced my Joy-Cons during winter break, and I’m already getting some drift. Nintendo has given some really vague responses on the issue, and there are about 1,000 articles about this that were written by people much more familiar with the problem than I am.

These grievances are very, very minute compared to the joy this game brings me, though. The developers streamlined a lot of things since “New Leaf,” so “New Horizons” feels more intuitive than the older titles in the franchise.

For example, if you build a wardrobe for your house, you can change your clothes right then and there. If you wanted to do so in “New Leaf,” you would have

needed to take your clothes out of storage and put them on manually. It seems like a small change, but it makes the game that much more enjoyable.

Speaking of clothes, you can make your own through the “Custom Designs” app on your Nook Phone. You best believe I’ve spent a good chunk of my time creating a bunch of queer pride outfits.

I have a gay pride tank top with stars, an asexual baseball hat and an aromantic sweater. I plan on getting only gayer from here.

The villagers also have a sort of fuzzy quality to their character models, making them look very soft and huggable. Let me hug my neighbors, Nintendo. You cowards.

I actually find gathering resources to be very soothing.

Plucking weeds is brainless work that makes you feel very satisfied by the end of it, and you can sell those for a pretty penny or use them for crafting.

Collecting wood can be treacherous due to wasps hanging out in random trees, but here’s a Weaver Pro-Tip: before you go swinging your ax, first shake trees with your net equipped. Try to stand off-center in front of the tree. That way, if a wasp nest falls, you can catch them instead of being stung. Your character will automatically face the wasps, so take the moment of shock to mash that A button and catch those awful bugs.

A lot of guides will tell you that you should do X, Y and Z in order to have the “perfect” island, but that line of thinking is antithetical to the whole series. Do what makes you happy. It’s not about having a perfectly laid-out neighborhood or making tons of bells; it’s about having fun. It is a game, after all.

So, do some fishing, catch some bugs, collect some iron and beware of tarantulas – seriously, I think everybody has been bitten by at least one so far. But above all, be kind to yourself and others, both in-game and not.

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(Facebook) “The Holiday” (top left), “The Big Sick” (top right), “You’ve Got Mail” (bottom left) and “Jumping the Broom” (bottom right) are four movies to help raise your spirits during self-quarantine.

5 rom-coms to raise your spirit during coronavirus self-quarantine JULIE HINDS TNS Detroit Free Press Love will help us get through this period of self-quarantine and social distancing. So will laughter.

That's why romantic comedies are a good choice for pausing pandemic anxiety for a few hours.

Here are five that fit the times in their own special ways.

'The Holiday' (2006) You're in safe hands for a cinematic getaway when director Nancy Meyers is in charge. She makes movies that are funny, sophisticated images of a dream life. Her films also provide ideas for dream date, dream best friends and dream kitchens.

Meyers achieved cable-rerun immortality with "The Holiday," a rom-com too good to limit to December. The house-swap escapade sends a high-powered Hollywood exec (Cameron Diaz) off to vacation in a cozy English cottage, while its usual resident, a British columnist (Kate Winslet), borrows the exec's luxurious Los Angeles trophy home.

What's the best part of a film that's as comfortable as fuzzy

socks and flannel pajamas? Is it Jude Law's take on a humble, awkward widower? Jack Black's sexy side? Winslet's friendship with an elderly screenwriter played by the great Eli Wallach?

Yes, all that, plus Diaz's endless supply of off-white winter knitwear. Keep watching over and until you feel much better about life.

'The Big Sick' (2017) It's a counterintuitive pick, maybe, but star and co-screenwriter Kumail Nanjiani's tender comedy about a man who breaks up with his true love, then sticks by her through a medically-induced coma makes a hopeful statement about surviving a medical crisis.

Nanjiani is wonderful in a plot based on his real-life courtship of his wife, co-screenwriter Emily V. Gordon. Whether dealing with his strict Pakistani parents (Anupam Kher and Zenobia Shroff) m who are pushing an arranged marriage, or facing the skepticism of his girlfriend's mom and dad (Holly Hunter and Ray Romano), he depicts the learning curve that anyone goes through when love is tested by uncontrollable

outside forces.

Same goes for Zoe Kazan, who is superb as a woman who realizes that perfection in a relationship is unattainable, but extreme loyalty might be even better. If you think it's impossible to laugh in a time of viral peril, the funny human moments here will correct that impression.

'You've Got Mail' (1998) Oh, the simple days of AOL email accounts. This classic Tom Hanks-Meg Ryan reboot of 1940's "Shop Around the Corner" – directed and co-written by the great Nora Ephron – is set in the dinosaur age of technology, yet it's just the thing for coping with 2020.

What better way to conduct a flirtation right now than through online chatting and never actually meeting? And what more charming conflict than a feud between an indie bookstore owner (Ryan) and the scion of a mega-bookstore chain (Hanks)? It almost (but not quite) makes you forget your library is closed and your local bookstore is taking a big financial hit.

And given how much we all need a cathartic cry, the moment

where Hanks wipes away Ryan's tears – "Don't cry, shopgirl" – is one of the most exquisite weeping inducers of the last 30 years.

Someday, when social distancing is no longer necessary, find someone who touches your face the same way.

'Jumping the Broom' (2011) Paula Patton and Laz Alonso star as the gorgeous young couple whose lavish wedding on Martha's Vineyard seems destined to be disrupted. But it's still a reminder that family gatherings with dozens of testy relatives may not be the worst thing to endure.

As Patton and Alonso see their plans begin to unravel, a strong supporting cast finds comedy gold in the tensions of clashing relatives and in-laws. With Angela Bassett and Brian Stokes Mitchell as Patton's snooty parents, Loretta DeVine as Alonso's clingy mother, and Meagan Good and Gary Dourdain as the maid of honor and reception chef who send sparks flying, you'll be saying "I do" to this comedy of misunderstandings, unearthed secrets and, eventually, blessed reconciliation.

And extra kudos to Tasha

Smith as Patton's best friend who is pursued by a much younger man and Julie Bowen of "Modern Family" as the frazzled wedding planner.

'The American President' (1995) The biggest problem faced by President Andrew Shepherd, at least for much of this politically themed rom-com, is convincing a florist he is not prank-calling when he tries to order flowers for the lobbyist who has stolen his heart.

Sure, there is some agonizing over an environmental bill and a mini-scandal involving the lobbyist's youthful involvement in the protest movement. But rest assured, the ride in this star vehicle driven by Michael Douglas and Annette Bening is a smooth fantasy version of high-profile love affairs,not to mention government in action.

And if the ballroom scene in "Beauty and the Beast" – animated or live action – is your ultimate in swoon-level dances, check out Douglas and Bening's twirl at a White House state dinner. As they used to say in 1995 (or maybe it was 1935?), yowza!

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March 25, 2020

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(Facebook) “Crip Camp” (left) and “Genius: Aretha” (right) are two films up for the Oscar awards for the time being.

Film academy considers Oscar eligibility rules change with theater closings ASHLEY LEE TNS Los Angeles Times "Crip Camp," a documentary about a "summer camp for the handicapped run by hippies" that inspired the disabled rights movement, opened the Sundance Film Festival in January with volunteers turning away ticket holders because every seat in the Eccles Theater was spoken for.

Outside, there was a massive scrum with rumors flying that Barack and Michelle Obama, executive producers on the film through their company Higher Ground, might be attending. That proved to be wishful thinking, but their absence didn't dampen the response to the movie. "Crip Camp" left Sundance with the festival's Documentary Audience Award, great reviews and the feeling that it could follow the path of "American Factory," the Netflix/ Higher Ground film that won the documentary Oscar this year.

"Crip Camp" might still wind up at the Oscars. But if it does (provided the Oscars actually take place), it will be traveling a different path – as might every

movie with awards aspirations in 2020, owing to the current COVID-19 pandemic.

The motion picture academy's leadership has been actively discussing altering its rules in recent days, with an announcement likely in the next couple of weeks that could ease the requirements for movies to qualify for the 2021 Oscars.

"It's all we talk about," said a source close to the academy not authorized to comment on record.

The academy issued a statement Thursday, noting that it is "in the process of evaluating all aspects of this uncertain landscape and what changes may need to be made," adding that its leadership is "committed to being nimble and forward-thinking" in its evaluations.

"Translated," says one of the academy's 54 governors, "that means everything is on the table this year because we have no idea what the next several months are going to look like right now."

"Crip Camp" was set to open theatrically Wednesday in Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco, concurrent with its streaming premiere on Netflix.

The documentary will still land on Netflix, but whether it ever plays in theaters remains in question with the nationwide closure of cinemas because of COVID-19.

Currently, for a movie to qualify for the Oscars, motion picture academy rules state that it must play for at least seven days in a Los Angeles County commercial theater, with at least three screenings per day for paid admission.

The academy's board of governors went out of its way to reaffirm that rule at its April meeting last year, with then-President John Bailey calling the support of the theatrical experience "integral to the art of motion pictures."

But with moviegoing off the table for the foreseeable future and studios such as Universal Pictures and DreamWorks releasing current films and the upcoming animated "Trolls World Tour" for home viewing, and Warner Bros. and others rushing their recent releases to VOD, it may be difficult for the "theatrical experience" to be integral to anything this year, including the Oscars.

Filming on many of the year's most promising titles – Sofia Coppola's family comedy-drama

"On the Rocks," Steven Spielberg's adaptation of "West Side Story," David Fincher's Herman Mankiewicz biographical drama "Mank" – has been completed, and the movies are in various states of post-production.

Wes Anderson's latest, "The French Dispatch," is locked and was presumed to premiere at Cannes in May, though that film festival, like everything else these days, has been postponed.

Thai filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul's latest, the Tilda Swinton-led drama "Memoria" (bought by Neon, the studio behind Oscar winner "Parasite") was likely heading for Cannes too, as was Leos Carax's musical, "Annette," starring Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard.

Spike Lee's "Da 5 Bloods," the story of four black veterans returning to Vietnam to deal with their trauma (and search for buried treasure), is also completed.

"Done. Finished. Locked And Loaded," Lee wrote in an email to the Los Angeles Times.

The marketplace for these movies though will depend on how long the COVID-19 outbreak lasts and how the current pandemic

might alter the landscape once the new normal of self-isolation and social distancing ends.

If and when theaters reopen, there could be a glut of previously postponed movies vying for release dates and screens. Awards season contenders (again, presuming there is even an awards season to begin with) might need to shift to 2021.

Already, thanks to production shutdowns, two prime Emmy contenders set to premiere this spring – the latest installment of FX's acclaimed limited series "Fargo," starring Chris Rock, and National Geographic's "Genius: Aretha" with Cynthia Erivo starring as Aretha Franklin – are thought to now be out of contention, though their ultimate fate could depend on whether the Television Academy loosens its rule about how many episodes a series must air before its May 31 Emmy deadline.

"Everyone's freaking out right now ... about everything," says a veteran awards consultant. "A month ago, we were so done thinking about the Oscars. Now, I'd give everything just to be able to focus on something so trivial again."

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In times of controversy, coronavirus, Betty Gilpin makes turn in 'The Hunt' JEN YAMATO TNS Los Angeles Times "The Hunt" should have been Betty Gilpin's big Hollywood breakthrough, but then a lot of things were different a year ago, a month ago and even last week.

With it the actress stars in her meatiest film role to date, in a career that took off three years ago when she began playing soap actress-turned-pro wrestler Debbie Eagan on the Netflix series "GLOW." Instead, the R-rated action-satire about Americans being hunted by other Americans saw its September theatrical opening canceled in a climate of tragedy and controversy. Last month it was uncanceled and reset for release. Right as it opened nationwide, America's coronavirus pandemic escalated.

By the time Betty Gilpin reads this, everything will have changed – again. (She may not be on social media, but she certainly has the internet. "I mean, I am alive!" she said one afternoon not long ago, in what now feels like distant, preapocalyptic times.)

The vast majority of movie theaters are now shuttered as U.S. cities face an unprecedented health crisis, and it goes without saying that at a time like this there are far more pressing issues at hand than talking about the movies. (Wash your hands! And stop touching your face. Practice social distancing and be safe.)

Everything including the immediate future of moviegoing has changed, except the fact that Betty Gilpin is a movie star masquerading as a character actor who deserves to be a bona fide movie star. And now audiences can discover that in the comfort and safety of their own homes, because Universal has taken the unprecedented step of making "The Hunt" (along with the recent releases "Emma" and "The Invisible Man," which were both strong box office performers) available via VOD starting Friday.

If anyone can ride out the unpredictable roller coaster of Hollywood destiny, maybe it's Gilpin, whose journey with "The Hunt" endured more twists and turns even before the cameras rolled.

The 33-year-old New Yorker had spent the last several weeks in Los Angeles in wrestling training for the upcoming final season of "GLOW," the show on which she earned two Emmy nominations

(Facebook) Betty Gilpin makes a return in her new movie, “The Hunt,� which premiered March 13.

and inspired legions of spandex-clad cosplaying fans, when we met to chat in a bright and bustling women-only co-working space in West Hollywood.

Even then, she and the filmmakers of "The Hunt" acknowledged the strangeness of proceeding with everything as normal considering the mounting health and financial crises around the globe.

"The Hunt" shows film audiences more of her range, in a dexterous turn filled with deliciously controlled comic choices and bone-crushing fight scenes.

She's a cipher for the audience to unlock, seeding enigma and depth beneath every glance. Critics have praised her performance as a highlight of the film, which should only add to the surreal contradictions Gilpin uses to describe her work life at this point in time.

"So far this phase of being an actor feels like you're either depressed on the couch taking Buzzfeed quizzes and wondering what to do with your existence,

or it's 17-hour days where you're just sobbing into a steering wheel," she said with a laugh, offering the first of many vivid glimpses into her brain. "It's like we're bears with validation issues and poor nutrition."

In casual wear with no makeup, her blond hair pulled back, she glanced around at the pastel walls and Instagram-chic decor with a sheepish smile, noting the irony of talking about a hot-button movie like "The Hunt" within an "avocado toast bubble" such as this.

"The way this particular movie has gone, there's been so much noise in the wrong direction," she said of the controversy that led to Universal pulling "The Hunt" last August, referring to how conservative media took aim at the film's "deplorables vs. elites" premise.

Even President Donald Trump issued disapproving tweets that were widely read as slamming "The Hunt."

The thing was, nobody had yet seen the film, which is about the

dangers of making assumptions about others. But as the mounting criticism unfolded in the context of several mass shooting tragedies last year, Universal hit pause on the film and pulled marketing materials.

"It's the most meta series of events that could have transpired," said Gilpin. "In some ways the movie theater is the last place we're going together. And in a red and blue world, I think we made a purple movie."

The idea for the film originated as "Watchmen" showrunner Damon Lindelof and Nick Cuse were working on the HBO drama series "The Leftovers," fascinated by the topics of belief, magical thinking and certain internet conspiracy theorists. "We thought, 'Is it possible that it's easier for people to believe that there's some sort of cabal of secret individuals running the world with malevolent intent than the reality, which is that really, sometimes bad things happen and there's no controlling it?'" said Lindelof.

"I am a liberal elite living in a coastal bubble and I think the one thing that differentiates me from perhaps people's image of a liberal elite is, I think the most dangerous thing in our culture right now is finger-wagging," said Lindelof, who wrote "The Hunt" with Cuse. "I have a real curiosity about why our differences are so profound right now, and I am a little bit more hopeful than most.

I do believe this idea that we have more in common than the things that separate us."

"We've shown the movie to people on all sides of the political divide, and they agree that it was much ado about nothing," he added.

That's not to say that landing in the middle of a heated media firestorm was easy for anyone, including Gilpin. In the name of self-care she avoids social media, because she knows even the "likes" and validations of strangers online can be a double-edged sword.

"You can get trapped in the Vanity Fair party inside your brain, and then the door gets walled over and you can't ever get back to the ghost portal that got you into the room in the first place," she said. "And then you're just an empty Evian bottle at a crafty table."

For all the self-described neuroses she reveals in our conversation in charmingly specific turns of phrase, Gilpin also primed herself

for a high-stress career in Hollywood with grounded expectations.

Raised in New York by character actor parents Jack Gilpin and Ann McDonough, she grew up immersed in a working actor lifestyle that was less Brad and Angelina, more stage plays and guest spots on "Law & Order."

She fell in love with acting early on, hanging backstage at her parents' plays, offering unsolicited notes as a precocious 8-year-old.

But she was forbidden from fully pursuing the profession until after college, despite sneaking in a few TV guest turns and a production of Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa's "Good Boys and True" with Christopher Abbott, for which she missed her own graduation.

"I grew up watching every classic movie with my dad standing in the center of the living room with his arms folded, saying, 'Now, watch his face! Watch what he does here!'" she said. "The whole, 'Deadline-dot-com' aspect of being an actor was never a part of it. And I think now that that has entered my life in this weird, gonna-go-away-in-a-second phase, I'm so grateful to have started as a Shakespeare nerd."

She'd been in a handful of indie films and landed supporting turns in bigger ones, playing Rebel Wilson's BFF-turned-frenemy in the rom-com "Isn't It Romantic" and Kumail Nanjiani's crush in "Stuber." But the more steady work came in TV, highlighted by runs on Showtime's "Nurse Jackie" and "Masters of Sex." Gilpin had found her biggest success yet on "GLOW" as Debbie, the single mom actress who discovers newfound strength wrestling as the all-American alter ego Liberty Belle, when director Craig Zobel, with whom she had worked briefly on the Starz show "American Gods," called about his next film, a contemporary take on "The Most Dangerous Game."

In it, a group of Americans wake up in a clearing and realize they're being hunted. One is a loner named Crystal who reveals surprising survival skills.

"We needed someone special in that role," said Zobel. "There's a way to play that character as a cipher, or a strong, silent type, which wouldn't be wrong ... but I felt like there was even more to be mined there. And I knew the movie also had to be funny and that Crystal was the key to that. Betty was the first person I reached out to."

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March 3, 2020

Culture

Sports

Sports Editor: Elliot Hicks – E.Hicks@iup.edu Lead Sports Writer: Jeff Hart – J.R.Hart2@iup.edu

(IUP Athletics) Nine IUP Athletics teams had the remainder of their seasons canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘March Sadness’ reigns as all remaining collegiate athletics canceled ELLIOT HICKS

Sports Editor E.Hicks@iup.edu @ehicks39

The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented situations for all of us, including from a collegiate athletics standpoint as all remaining athletic competitions, both NCAA and PSAC, that were scheduled to take place have been canceled.

The cancellation affected remaining championships from winter sports, most notably the NCAA Atlantic Region men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, which were both scheduled to be hosted March 13 and 14 at Indiana’s Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex (KCAC).

IUP swimming and track and

Sports

field teams also had championships with Crimson Hawk athletes scheduled to participate on deck prior to the cancellations.

The cancellations wipe out the majority of the seasons for baseball, lacrosse and softball, which are spring-only sports, and also ended the spring seasons for golf, tennis and track and field, sports which also compete in other seasons.

The Memorial Field House on IUP’s campus was shut down following the news of not only the athletic cancellation but the transition to off-campus, online education for IUP students for the remainder of the semester.

Professional sports have also been heavily affected. Sports such as the NBA, NHL, world soccer and NASCAR have had to essentially

pause their seasons. The remainder of the inaugural season of the XFL reboot was canceled. MLB put a halt to Spring Training and will be forced to significantly delay the national pastime’s opening day. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games have been postponed, and the yearly spectacle of the NFL Draft will likely take place inside a TV studio.

And that’s all just scratching the surface of what’s been affected not only in the sports world, but in the world in general, following the breakout of this pandemic.

Don’t get me wrong – The Penn will cover and discuss all of these sports on a national scale, just as we did when games were still being played.

But the real stories to be told come from each and every one of

March 25, 2020

the university’s winter and spring sports teams – and maybe even the fall’s as well, depending on how things look near the end of a semester that almost feels like it’s ended already – and the effects the pandemic has had on their athletic, academic and personal lives.

Multiple teams weren’t anywhere near campus when the announcement of cancellation was made, as they were playing in or gearing up for trips down south, where the weather is more cooperative this time of year.

Other schools’ teams had already ventured to Indiana for the best of Division II basketball in the region, only to discover that the tournament would not happen at all, rather than just without fans in the stands.

Some teams barely even got any games in at all, home, away or otherwise, before the 2020 season was torn away from them.

It does appear that at least the spring’s athletes will not be charged with a season of eligibility, which we will also cover in-depth in a later issue. But that doesn’t mean that the loss of the rest of the 2020 season, no matter how deep the teams were into it, doesn’t sting worse than we ever imagined that sports could make us sting.

This season, it wasn’t the wins or losses that gave the chance to feel our emotion – it was the loss of any chance at those experiences.

Time will roll on, and the world will move past this, but the hole that has been created in the world of sports will not be soon forgotten.

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IOC officially postpones Japan 2020 until next year STEVEN LANGDON JR. Managing Editor S.Langdon@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

Editor’s note: The information in this article is current as of 4 p.m.

March 24.

The “Land of the Rising Sun” will have to wait at least a year for the Summer Olympics.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), made the postponement official Tuesday morning.

There was a lot of confusion after comments made by Dick Pound, a Canadian member of the IOC. Pound,said in a phone interview with USA Today he believes the games will be moved to the later date.

The IOC responded to Pound’s claim saying, “It’s the right of every IOC member to interpret the decision of the IOC EB which was announced yesterday [March 22].”

One of the reasons it took so long to make

(TNS) The 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games have been pushed back to the summer of 2021.

the announcement official was because of Japan. The committee had to decide if they would permanantly cancel the games of push it to next summer.

Most of the pre-Olym-

pic preparation was complete.

The plane from Athens carrying the Olympic flame arrived in Japan Friday, where the first caldron was lit.

For some, this comes as relief.

Two-time U.S. track and field Olympian Lolo Jones was sup-

posed to announce her retirement after Tokyo. She has said that retirement will be delayed until after next year after her Twitter post.

“Someone order me a damn pizza I got another year before I gotta be ready for the games.”

The announcement comes less

than a week after Canada and Australia said they would not send their athletes to the games. Other countries, especially Italy, were also calling for the committee to rethink their decision. The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency is also among the many that believe it should have been postponed until 2021.

Canadian athletes were commending the Canadian Olympic Committee for their decision on the games.

This would not be the first time the Olympics were postponed.

There have been five Olympic competitions canceled in the 55 that were expected to take place.

These all came during the Modern Olympic games starting in 1896.

The five that were cancelled were due to wars. Berlin 1916 was canceled because of World War I. The second through fifth time they were canceled were in 1940 and 1944 when the summer and winter were not held because of World War II. This the first time the Olympic Games are being postponed because of a virus.

NHL coach relives ‘weird day’ when season paused HELENE ST. JAMES Detroit Free Press TNS A week has passed since a surreal day left the Detroit Red Wings making last-minute plans.

On March 12, the Wings woke up in their hotel rooms in Washington, where they were supposed to face the Capitals in an evening game at Capital One Arena. Coach Jeff Blashill and his staff went to the arena hours before a scheduled 11:30 a.m. morning skate. They already were wondering what the day would be like, having watched events unfold the previous evening as the world responded to the coronavirus epidemic.

“Wednesday we got into D.C. and what we normally do as a coaching staff is we got to dinner and we try to watch a hockey game,” Blashill said Thursday. “We were sitting at dinner watching a hockey game and President Trump came on and talked about the travel restrictions from Europe. When that happened, I said to myself, boy, this just got real serious.

(TNS) Jeff Blashill and the Detroit Red Wings are near the bottom of the NHL standings as the season is paused.

“After that, we saw online or it came across the ticker that the NBA was going to suspend their season. When I saw that, I thought, boy, that’s going to have a huge direct effect on us.”

The NBA suspended its season after Utah Jazz players Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell both tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

(Blashill said no Wings players have reported symptoms).

Blashill’s message to his players Thursday morning was to approach the day as it they were playing, to be prepared.

“The coaching staff went over to the rink,” Blashill said. “We were

at the rink when we received the message that there were to be no morning skates, no practices, no meetings. But we did not receive word yet that the games that night would be postponed. We canceled our morning skate and we basically said, sit tight and wait to hear.

“We made arrangements to get home if the season was suspended or paused. But even at that point we didn’t know for sure – should we be going home, should we be going to Tampa, which was our next opponent. How serious was this going to be?”

Shortly after noon, the NHL put the 2019-20 season on pause. They loaded the team’s gear onto a bus, and everyone headed to the airport.

They landed in Detroit around 5:30 p.m. – 90 minutes before they were supposed to start their game.

“As it got off that plane, I certainly had no idea whether or not we would play more hockey this year or not,” Blashill said. “I don’t know any more today than I knew then in terms of that. But it was a weird day, for sure.”

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(TNS) Brock Lesnar (left) and John Cena (right) are set to compete in WrestleMania.

WrestleMania rolls on without fans in midst of pandemic JAKE SLEBODNICK

News Editor J.C.Slebodnick@iup.edu @Jake_WIUP

This article contains opinion.

World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) will continue to put on shows despite the COVID-19 outbreak.

While the sports world is at a stand-still, WWE refuses to cancel upcoming shows as it is in the prime of its schedule, especially with Wrestlemania rapidly approaching.

Speaking of, the marquee payper-view will go on as scheduled, and it is separated into two nights on April 4 and 5. Both shows will not have spectators present, and this will be the first time Wrestlemania is held on two different nights.

It will also feature marquee matchups as well as a familiar face as the show’s host.

In a press release, WWE said, “The two-night pop culture extravaganza with be hosted by three-time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski.”

Gronk got his start in the WWE back in Wrestlemania 33 when he helped superstar and close friend Mojo Rawley win the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royale.

In this match, Gronk shoulder blocked Jinder Mahal to give Rawley an advantage to make the final elimination.

Since that match and his retirement from the NFL, rumors spread if Gronk would partner with WWE. The match cards range in quality for the actual show.

While it’s uncertain what matches will show on what days, here are a few that are worth seeing.

WWE Championship between Brock Lesnar (c) and Drew McIntyre McIntyre went from jobber (one who loses matches to elite stars to earn a decent paycheck) to championship contender within a year of returning to the WWE. He made his mark by winning the 2020 Royal Rumble in January and chose current champion Lesnar to face at the “Show of Shows.”

With the background that McIntyre possesses, a major championship victory is what he needs to go from 0 to 100 on the WWE’s all-time greatness ranking.

Plus, it would mean a hit to WWE’s reputation if Lesnar retains the title again. It’s time for a new face of the business, and

an unlikely one would help boost ratings.

John Cena vs “the fiend” Bray Wyatt These two faced off at Wrestlemania 30 when Wyatt was in his generic leader of the Wyatt family persona and still considered an up-and-coming performer at the time.

Additionally, Cena was still a full-time superstar on the roster.

What made that match at 30 fail was that the WWE failed to put Wyatt over and really build his case for stardom. It was set up that Wyatt would finally get his shot after becoming WWE champion for a brief period of time and had control for most of the match.

Since then, Wyatt found himself playing on the mid-card while he struggled to rebrand himself.

Now is the perfect opportunity to give him that chance as he became a character with two sides and the side with killer instincts, or “The Fiend,” wants a chance at redemption.

Cena’s now a part-time superstar who is getting up in age, so putting Wyatt over at Mania would be the perfect opportunity to pass the torch to a younger star.

In a way, this resembles Cena’s

struggle and triumph path with The Rock from Wrestlemanias 27-29.

NXT Women’s Championship between Rhea Ripley (c) and Charlotte Flair While Flair doesn’t need to prove her worth in the WWE, she has yet to hold “all the gold” as she said on the Feb. 3 edition of Monday Night RAW. NXT Women’s champion Rhea Ripley proposed an opportunity for Flair to compete for her title and to cement her legacy, all while adding salt to the wound by bringing up a pinfall victory Ripley had over Flair at Survivor Series.

While Flair didn’t accept the match at first, her attack on Ripley at NXT Takeover: Portland sealed her decision that she accepts the opportunity.

Edge vs Randy Orton - Last Man Standing Two legendary stars in WWE collide once more following a personal battle between the two.

Edge came back to in-ring competition in the Royal Rumble after sitting out a few years due to a neck injury, and since his return, he’s been involved with Randy Orton in a feud that resembles his storyline with Triple H in 2008.

Orton attacked Edge on RAW then proceeded to RKO his wife, WWE Hall-of-Famer Beth Phoenix.

This sent Edge into hysteria and proposed the match to Orton.

Undertaker vs. AJ Styles It seems that aging will not prevent the Undertaker from retiring as he will make another in-ring appearance at Wrestlemania 36.

It will be The Phenom against “The Phenomenal One” AJ Styles in a single-fall bout.

It began with Styles boasting about his ability to take out anyone in the business which included legends. After this at Super ShowDown, Styles fell to the Undertaker, a surprise entrant in the match, following a single chokeslam.

Taker would attack Styles once more at Elimination Chamber which helped Aleister Black defeat him in a no-disqualification match, almost toying that he thinks Styles won’t be able to take him out.

The Dead Man looks more agile than in recent years, but with the storyline that’s built over the past months, it would be no surprise to see Styles overcome the odds.

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UCLA’s Chou discusses racism stemming from virus BEN BOLCH Los Angeles Times TNS Even as she fumed inside, Natalie Chou stayed quiet. It was already an uneasy time.

Chou had returned to her Dallas-area home amid the novel coronavirus outbreak that had abruptly halted her season, never to resume, ending the dreams of a UCLA women’s basketball team that was among the best in the country.

Catching a deadly disease was just one worry. Chou was already self-isolating because of her skin color.

Her parents hailed from Beijing, and Chou felt the piercing glances and hostile energy of fellow passengers on her homebound flight from Los Angeles. She went to see friends but found no solace when an acquaintance among the group referred to the pandemic as “the Chinese virus,” apparently unaware of Chou’s heritage.

“The comments that they made really didn’t sit right with me,” Chou said, “and at the time I let it go because I’m not one for conflict.”

Chou left the gathering without saying anything. But as she reflected upon those hurtful words while also contemplating social media backlash that connoted a similar anti-Chinese sentiment, including a tweet from President Donald Trump, Chou felt the need to express herself about the response to a virus that originated in Wuhan, China.

She composed a tweet that she sent out to her roughly 1,750 followers on Saturday.

“To call this pandemic anything other than the technical name it has been given, COVID-19, is disrespectful and ultimately racists (sic),” Chou wrote. “Calling it the ‘Chinese virus’ or anything of that sort creates unnecessary xenophobia for people who look like me. It takes literally no effort to call it by its correct name.

“Speaking for myself, I am scared to go to the grocery store or even outside to walk my dog because of the ramifications this has caused. I am now always alert and tense because I don’t know how people will respond to me. People from my community who look like me have now been placed in dan-

(TNS) UCLA basketball player Natalie Chou (right) has been the victim of discrimination during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ger and are targets. We’re being attacked in places we should feel safe because of this ignorance.

“This country, along with the rest of the world, is facing a situation we have never seen before and adding these social tensions does not make it any better or easier. We are all going through this together. We need each other.

“Do better.”

Chou, a junior sociology major, punctuated her tweet with three red exclamation point emojis atop the message.

As of early Sunday afternoon, the tweet had generated more than 900 likes, nearly 200 retweets and 36 comments, mostly supportive. Chou had gained about 100 followers.

She said she felt empowered to speak out in part because of the UCLA alumni who have been pioneers on the issue of race. Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball. Kenny Washington and Woody Strode helped integrate the NFL. Arthur Ashe is the only black man to win Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and the Australian Open. Don Barksdale

was the first black NBA All-Star.

Chou said the discrimination she’d encountered since the onset of the pandemic was something her black teammates and roommates at UCLA faced on an ongoing basis.

“Spending time with them and going out, I see this happen to them every day,” Chou said, “and this is maybe an inch of what they experience a day, and it’s just crazy how they’re so strong because I’m fed up and this is like one little thing.”

Chou also credited her coach, Cori Close, with helping her feel like it was OK to express her feelings about social issues and that people would listen and be receptive to her message. Were she still at Baylor, where she spent her first two college seasons, she probably would have remained silent.

“I would have been afraid of the backlash,” Chou said, “or it not being really accepted the way the people at UCLA do.”

Chou says she feels safer wearing apparel bearing the UCLA logo whenever she goes out near her home in McKinney, Texas. She cov-

ers up as much as she can, pulling her hoodie low, whenever she walks her dog, a Yorkshire Terrier-Pekingese mix.

With UCLA having moved to online classes for the spring quarter, Chou will be at home for the foreseeable future. Fortunately, she doesn’t have to go far to get a great workout. Her mother, Quanli Li, was a former professional basketball player in China. She’s been her daughter’s skills coach since Chou started playing.

Chou said she would soon commence workouts with her mother on a nearby outdoor court.

A part-time starter last season, the shooting guard averaged 7.6 points and 3.6 rebounds while making 31.1% of her three-pointers for the Bruins (26-5), who finished the season ranked No. 10 in the country.

Chou described herself as restless but said the pandemic had kept her mostly indoors for fear of being singled out because of her heritage.

“I don’t trust anyone right now,” she said, “and I don’t know how they’ll respond to me because

many people just see this as the Chinese virus, so if they see someone who looks Chinese, I’ll be instantly discriminated against or stereotyped, so I don’t really go outside.”

Chou said Trump exacerbated the situation by referring to the disease as “the Chinese virus” in a recent tweet and news conference.

“I don’t want to get all political, but he allows this,” Chou said.

“This is where all these people are getting these ideas, so once he said ‘the Chinese virus’ everyone else started saying it and they felt like they could because he was the first to say it. Terrible.

“I feel really (angry) off because this country, this is a crisis, this is crazy, and then you’re adding racism and social injustice into this already crazy situation for no reason.”

The resulting paranoia has manifested itself in everyday situations like getting on an airplane, which Chou said had become uncomfortable.

“I just didn’t think it would be to this extent and I’m sure it’s probably going to get worse.”

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Running backs becoming less valued in NFL JEFF MILLER Los Angeles Times TNS

He was feeling a lot of things – frustration, disappointment, uncertainty. But wanted? No, he wasn’t feeling that. Not at all.

“I wanna get something done,” said Melvin Gordon, a running back who had been without a team for which to run. “I’m tired of waiting.”

That was nearly 12 weeks ago.

Gordon, a 1,000-yard rusher in 2017 and Pro Bowler in 2016 and 2018, finally found his home Friday – with Denver, agreeing to a twoyear deal worth up to $16 million – five days after the NFL’s free-agency negotiating window opened.

Officially, he had been in search of a new deal for more than a year, a failed odyssey that began when he held out last summer and then missed the first four games of the regular season, a decision he has since admitted was a mistake.

Along the way, Gordon turned down a multiyear extension offer from the Chargers worth about $10 million annually.

In the same week, the Rams released 2017 NFL offensive player of the year Todd Gurley, at age 25 no less, L.A.’s two NFL teams are boldface reminders of a new football reality: Being a running back today isn’t what it used to be.

“It’s frustrating to see,” said Eric Dickerson, a Hall of Fame runner and Rams great. “That’s just how it is now. That’s the NFL.” No position in sports in recent times has seen its status fade more quickly or more spectacularly.

In a league that has become pass-first and a business governed by a salary cap, the big-ticket running back has been pushed toward the fringes.

There is a growing trend that a committee of ball carriers is better than one, for the health of the players and the payroll.

Star running backs also remain the comets of the NFL, often launching as brilliant flashes only to have that glow go dim sooner than most.

“Running backs on their second contracts usually don’t make it,” said longtime front office executive Charley Casserly, now an NFL Network analyst. “That’s what just hap-

(TNS) Running backs like Todd Gurley are beginning to become less valued in the modern NFL.

pened with Todd. They don’t finish it. So it’s a lot of dead money.”

Gurley also found a new team Friday, signing a one-year contract with Atlanta. And why did the Falcons need a running back? Because they’d already cut their version of Todd Gurley.

Devonta Freeman was released Tuesday with three years remaining on a five-year, $41-million extension he signed after Atlanta reached the Super Bowl in early 2017.

This week, the Falcons decided Freeman had become too much of a salary cap drag as his production slipped and he struggled to remain healthy. The story might sound familiar to Rams fans.

“A running back is going to be valuable for really about three to four years,” Dickerson said. “That’s when they’re the hottest. You get that first contract, you’re probably not going to see the second one.”

Of the NFL’s top 12 rushers in 2019, 11 were still on their rookie deals. Dallas’ Ezekiel Elliott was the lone exception. Seven of the 12 made less than $1 million in base salary.

Running back, like no other spot on a football field, belongs to the younger generation. When last season began, no one who would finish in the top 12 in rushing yards

was older than 25.

“It’s the toughest position from a physical standpoint,” Hall of Famer Terrell Davis said. “It’s a difficult spot to be in because, as running backs, we’re grinders. And then, when it’s time to get paid, teams are reluctant. And I understand that.”

Immediately after last season, Casserly said he identified only one team that needed a running back – Miami. The Dolphins this week agreed to terms with Jordan Howard on a two-year, $10-million deal.

So Gordon was looking for a payday in the most difficult of markets, one that barely existed. He remained available even after two players he shared the same backfield with in 2019 had secured new contracts.

Austin Ekeler, Gordon’s former backup, accepted a four-year, $24.5-million offer from the Chargers. Fullback Derek Watt is joining the Pittsburgh Steelers on a threeyear, $9.75 million deal.

Davis, who starred with the Broncos, said he felt bad for what Gordon went through before landing in Denver.

“He sat out last year wanting that deal,” Davis said. “I think he’s still got game. I think he’s still one of the backs that you can kind of

put up there.”

To illustrate how dramatically running backs have fallen in the pecking order, understand that Ekeler, with his new contract, moved into the top 10 among the highest paid players at the position, based on average annual salary.

This is a former undrafted free agent who only made the Chargers as a rookie because of his performance in the team’s final preseason game. When last season began, Ekeler still was answering questions about his viability as an NFL starter.

Tennessee’s Derrick Henry eventually will eclipse Ekeler on the pay scale. He has been franchise tagged, meaning he’s guaranteed a 2020 salary of at least $10.2 million.

Henry was the one who quite literally carried the Titans into the AFC title game two months ago, rushing 64 times for 377 yards in Tennessee’s first two playoff victories.

But, while Henry was a Heisman Trophy winner and a second-round pick, consider the running backs on the two teams that eventually reached Super Bowl LIV. Kansas City had no player gain as many as 500 rushing yards during the regular season. The Chiefs were led by Damien Williams, who was undrafted and recently had his

2020 option picked up. He’ll make $2.3 million.

San Francisco reached Miami by using three backs – Raheem Mostert, Matt Breida and Tevin Coleman – each of whom carried at least 120 times for at least 500 yards.

Mostert’s 137 rushes for 772 yards led the 49ers. He also was undrafted and has an upcoming base salary of $2.575 million.

“What we’ve seen in college is there are a lot of backs coming out who aren’t big backs, so to speak,” Casserly said. “They’re not going to be your full-time back. So you end up, by the nature of what’s given to you, having to use more than one.”

And you end up where the NFL is today, with some accomplished running backs still looking for jobs and some high-priced ones having to relocate.

All the while players at a few other positions – positions still regarded as too valuable to compromise – continue to cash in.

“I look at some of these – I’m going to say it – bums at quarterbacks, they go get them $20 million?” Dickerson said. “I’m like, ‘He’s a bum. He’s going to be a bum over there, too.’ That’s the frustrating part of it.”

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Brady signs with Bucs, ending long New England tenure RICK STROUD Tampa Bay Times TNS Tom Brady is officially a Buccaneer. Tampa Tom. A Florida Man. Brady announced on Instagram that he is headed to Tampa Bay. Put the G.O.A.T in the boat at Raymond James Stadium. Terms of the deal were not disclosed but it is expected to be worth $60 million.

Brady, 42, will begin the next chapter in his historic career with the Bucs and seemed eager to get started.

“I’m starting a new football journey and thankful for the Buccaneers for giving me the opportunity to do what I love to do,” Brady wrote on Instagram Friday. “I have always believed that well done is better than well said. So I’m not gonna say much more ... I’m gonna get to work. #Year1.”

Brady is pictured smiling broadly as he signs what appears to be his new contract with the Bucs.

After 20 seasons with the Patriots, Brady agreed to join the Bucs on Tuesday, rejecting the same offer from the Los Angeles Chargers.

(TNS) Tom Brady signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Brady passed a two-day physical he received from an independent physician in New York Thursday and Friday. Due to NFL rules during the coronavirus pandemic, players cannot travel, forcing them to be examined by independent doctors.

No contract can be executed without a player passing a physical.

“Tom is a proven champion who has achieved greatness on the field because he demands the best out of himself and his teammates,” said

general manager Jason Licht, who worked in the Patriots’ scouting department when Brady was drafted.

“I’ve known Tom since we drafted him in New England 20 years ago and through this process, it became very clear that his desire to be a champion burns as strong today as it ever has. He possesses the type of rare natural leadership that will immediately impact our entire organization.”

For coach Bruce Arians, Brady

is the best of an elite group of quarterbacks he has worked with, a group that includes Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, Andrew Luck and Carson Palmer.

“Tom is the most successful quarterback in the history of the league,” Arians said. “But what makes him special is his ability to make those around him better. I have had the privilege to work with some of the best passers in our game, and the characteristics they

all possessed were the ability to lead and get the best out of their teammates. Tom is no different.

He’s a proven winner who will provide leadership, accountability and work ethic necessary to lead us to our goal of winning another championship.”

Unfortunately, there will be no national news conference as the AventHealth Training Center is closed. In fact, it’s possible the Bucs don’t see any of their players before training camp in July.

Bucs players immediately began welcoming Brady to Tampa Bay on social media.

Center Ryan Jensen tweeted, “Let’s go! Let’s work! #firethecannons.

With the contract behind him, Brady can focus on relocating to Tampa Bay and begin learning the Bucs’ playbook, if he hasn’t already.

But you can’t blame Bucs fans for being a little anxious, considering their history with runaway brides – like Bo Jackson, Bill Parcells (twice), Steve Spurrier, Jimmy Johnson, Brett Favre, Jake Plummer and Chip Kelly) – but this is a done deal.

NFL will hold draft from studio, not Las Vegas, next month BILL SHAIKIN Los Angeles Times TNS Las Vegas is off for next month’s NFL draft. No celebrations along the Strip. No boats navigating players across the Bellagio Hotel fountain to the stage. All that was scuttled in reaction to the coronavirus outbreak.

But the event is still scheduled for April 23-25, and the league has gone back to the drawing board to determine how best to stage it.

The NFL is not commenting publicly about what’s in the works, but according to two individuals with knowledge of the discussions, the current plans call for some type of studio setting with cut-ins from the headquarters of the teams making the selection at a given time.

In a memo to all league employees this past week and obtained by The Los Angeles Times, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell wrote: “Planning for the Draft is a good example of how we need to think differently, embrace technology

(TNS) The NFL Draft will no longer take place in Las Vegas.

and collaborate. We will also use the Draft to help support fans and those people impacted in our communities.”

Goodell continued: “While there have been changes to the way we work and some of our plans, we have an unwavering commitment to upholding the NFL’s legacy of unifying and lifting the spirit of America, and bringing out the best in our fans and in our com-

munities around the world. You’ll hear more from us in the days and weeks ahead about how we intend to demonstrate that commitment well beyond our fields. And I hope you’ll share your ideas on how we can do that.”

The league announced Monday that the draft remained on schedule and that all public events in Las Vegas had been canceled. It wasn’t entirely clear, however, whether it

might still be some type of scaleddown version in that city. But the two sources confirmed Saturday that the event will no longer take place there.

The Raiders are scheduled to move from Oakland to Las Vegas this season, and the franchise is finishing construction on its new stadium there. Likewise, the Rams and Chargers are slated to play this season in SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, which is still being built. It’s unclear how the COVID-19 situation will affect the construction schedule.

As for the draft, tradition has been that the league brings in the top 20 to 30 prospects for the event, to participate in festivities, meet with the media, and wait with their families in the green room until they are selected. When they’re picked, the players walk onto the stage, are greeted by Goodell and hold up the jersey of their new team.

It remains to be seen what the NFL will do in that regard. Because it’s not known what travel restrictions, if any, will be in place a

month from now, the league is not in position to make a final decision on that protocol. What’s more, that likely would require that everyone involved with the production test negative for the coronavirus, and those tests are not currently readily available.

In his memo, Goodell praises the work of league employees during this trying time and closes with a quote from a beloved former player, afflicted by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Goodell writes: “I look no further than one of the NFL’s legendary players – Saints’ legend and advocate Steve Gleason – to provide us comfort and inspiration. Steve offered these thoughts in his acceptance speech at his Congressional Gold Medal ceremony which I was honored to attend in January: “If we can compassionately collaborate to solve problems, our human potential is boundless. If we can work to understand and solve each other’s problems, and each other’s pain compassionately, then, truly, all things are possible.“