The Student Printz: October 28, 2020

SERVING SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI SINCE 1927 • WWW.STUDENTPRINTZ.COM • OCTOBER 28, 2020 | VOLUME 106 | ISSUE 12

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NEWS MEET THE STAFF Executive Editor

Brian Winters brian.s.winters@usm.edu

News & Features Editor Mary Murphy mary.s.murphy@usm.edu

Entertainment/Opinion Editor Meg Fuller meghan.fuller@usm.edu

Sports Editor

Charlie Luttrell charles.luttrell@usm.edu

Photography Editor

Meg Fuller meghan.fuller@usm.edu

Multimedia Editor

Blair Ballou blair.ballou@usm.edu

Social Media Editor

Bethany Morris bethany.morris@usm.edu

Design Editor

Marissa Haas marissa.haas@usm.edu

OCTOBER 28, 2020

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Southern Miss releases procedures for game day events CHARLIE LUTTRELL SPROTS EDITOR n Aug. 25, the Southern Miss Department of Athletics announced special game day procedures for the 2020 football season. The procedures address various safety concerns of COVID-19 and reflect new guidelines put in place from Gov. Tate Reeves’ recent executive order on college football.

Fans should expect these conditions at Southern Miss football home games this year: -There will be a 25% seating capacity at M.M. Roberts Stadium, or approximately 9,000-

The views represented in The Student Printz’s columns and editorials do not represent those of the faculty, staff or administration of The University of Southern Mississippi. We welcome letters to the editor representing similar and contrasting opinions. To be eligible for publication, all submission must include name, class distinction, major, phone number and email address. Submissions should be emailed to printzeditors@ gmail.com by 5 p.m. on the Friday before publication. Please limit them to 500 words or less. The Student Printz reserves the right to refuse publication or edit any material on the basis of clarity, space or journalistic ethics.

Opinions expressed in The Student Printz are those of the writer and not necessarily those of The Student Printz, its publication manager, USM, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning or the USM Board of Student Publications.

Courtesy of Moffitt Health Center

10,000 fans, allowed into the stadium each game.

-Individual tickets are currently not available for sale.

Fans are encouraged to buy season tickets to attend games.

Season tickets are also limited due to attendance restrictions.

-There are 1,000 tickets available for students to sit in the student section.

-Fans in attendance will be required to wear face coverings at entry and at all times in the stadium. Face coverings will be recommended while seated too.

-Fans who do not live in the same household will be required to socially distance from each other by at least six feet.

-All tailgating and social gatherings on campus will be prohibited before games.

-There will be a limit on cash transactions at concession stands. Cashless payment will be accepted and encouraged.

-Hand sanitizing stations will be placed throughout the stadium. There will be signage and floor decals to encourage proper social distancing in waiting zones.

These procedures will apply for the seven home games at M.M. Roberts Stadium this year. The Southern Miss Golden Eagles will begin the season at home on Sep. 3 versus the University of South Alabama.

To read more information about game-days and to stay updated on the football season, visit www.southernmiss.com.

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OCTOBER 28, 2020

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Have you checked on your professors?

SARAH BURSE

PRINTZ REPORTER here have been a lot of stories about how students have struggled because of remote learning. But students are not the only ones struggling with this semester.

Many faculty and staff members are struggling throughout this new, stressful semester.

Professors went from teaching in front of a group of students to in front of a computer screen overnight. They weren’t given enough time to prepare for this condensed semester, either. Many professors never even taught a course online. They had to learn how to use online platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams on the fly. To get a better understanding on how they are coping throughout this hectic time, I interviewed three Southern Miss professors about their feelings this semester.

Dr. Karen Kozlowski is an assistant professor of Sociology at the University of Southern Mississippi. Kozlowski has taught at the University for five years. Although she has taught a wide variety of students with a wide variety of backgrounds, nothing prepared her for a totally online semester.

“It has been a struggle as a mother to prepare for the Fall, while also being a full time or parttime parent,” said Kozlowski.

Since the fall semester began, she has spent eighty hours preparing for her Introduction to Sociology class. And that is only one class that she teaches this semester. She, like many professors, also misses talking with her students in person.

“I definitely miss the student interactions and

seeing students in the hallway,” said Kozlowski.

Kozlowski copes with the stress by over-preparing and planning for the worst-case scenario.

This strategy is used by other professors as well, because there is still a possibility that campus will close again due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

But even the best prepared professors will not always keep their students’ attention. Dr. Matthew Casey, an associate professor and Director of the Humanities department, explained that professors get a different engagement from students on the computer screen than in person.

The reason why most professors teach is that they like the interaction with students in the classroom and can control how students engage.

In a virtual class, however, professors might not get that same interaction from students, as they are no longer in control of the situation.

“The human side of teaching has been reduced,” said Casey.

Casey had experience teaching an online course before this semester, so he had a vague idea of what he was getting into. Still, he constantly reminds himself that this class structure is only temporary.

Casey understands the cumulative stress that students, faculty and staff is under due to their personal, academic and working lives. Overall, Casey wants people to remember everyone is struggling right now, so just take things day by day.

“We will be together once again,” said Casey.

Dr. Michelle McLeese is another assistant teaching professor of Sociology. McLeese, like Casey, has had some experience teaching classes online. Still, she said it was disorienting for her to teach every class online, as well as go to virtual faculty meetings or hold virtual office hours.

“I feel like I spend too much time in my chair, looking at a computer screen,” said McLeese.

Niusha Karki | Printz

McLeese’s main coping strategy is to remain flexible. She understands that students are struggling with these changes, so she lets them turn in late assignments. She keeps communication open with all of her classes, and speaks with a group of students once a week about how they’re handling this semester. McLeese hopes to soon convert this into a virtual club to help students struggling with isolation as a result of COVID-19.

She also did a panel with the Center for Faculty and Development to help other professors learn the ropes of online learning. McLeese said hearing both her students and colleagues talk about the same things was eye-opening.

“Hearing that other professors and [students] vent about the challenges of this semester, helps me realize that I am not the only one having a

Pictured: Dr. Matthew Casey, history professor College of Arts and Sciences School and School of Humanities

hard time,” said McLeese. Every professor has their own way of coping with this semester and their personal struggles should be considered.

McLeese also talked about the importance of spending time with loved ones this semester. She tries to spend time with her younger children on weekends, whether it’s by watching a movie or playing outside with them.

Southern Miss has tried to be considerate of faculty and student health. The professors that I interviewed appreciated that they have the option next semester to teach courses online or in person. They hope this means classes will be back to normal soon so they can interact with their students once again.

Brett Benigno on socially distanced homecoming MORGAN LAWRENCE PRINTZ REPORTER

omecoming elections looked quite different this year, but that did not stop some of The University of Southern Mississippi’s best students from running.

COVID-19 limited Homecoming to virtual events this year. This includes the election of the Court, which was conducted entirely through the Student Government Association’s (SGA’s) website. Brett Benigno, a senior member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity, SGA and Luckyday Scholarship program, ran for Student Body King despite everything happening this year. Benigno and Jakobe Smith went head to head for the position, with Benigno gaining 57.8% out of 1,865 votes.

“I’m very appreciative to have won,” said Benigno. “Both Jakobe and I ran a good campaign.”

The total vote count dropped considerably from last year. In 2019, 2,432 votes were cast to determine Student Body King, creating a 567 vote drop this year. This could arguably be because of the new

campaign rules created this year because of COVID-19 guidelines.

According to Benigno, campaigners were allowed no promotional material this year for their campaigns. In an attempt to keep social distancing, they were not allowed to talk about their campaign in person or while manning a booth. The only displays they were able to have were yard signs on campus, when past campaigns used things like free food to appeal to voters. Instead, the SGA pushed for candidates to represent themselves through social media platforms, which made it harder for some candidates to get the word out about their campaigns.

Not being able to campaign like previous years was a huge disadvantage to candidates. However, with everything being fully digital, this also offered new socially distanced and creative ways for participants to get involved. Because of COVID-19, many students have mostly online classes and even socially distanced jobs. This means that students spend more time online these days, making it more possible for students to be reached through social media platforms.

So candidates, like Benigno, ramped up their digital campaigns. They created GroupMes and social media groups to keep in touch with voters. They encouraged supporters to repost digital flyers on their own

Courtesy of USM SGA’s Facebook social media pages in order to keep others informed on what was going on.

“Overall, it was an interesting process,” said Benigno.

Now that Benigno is Student Body King, the remaining Homecoming process will also be entirely digital. During homecoming this semester, the Homecoming Court will not be allowed on the football field, but Benigno asks us to keep an eye out for some socially distanced videos that will be posted online soon. The Court is planning a series of Instagram Live takeovers to keep

students engaged throughout the entirety of homecoming week.

Though the Homecoming experience is frustratingly different for some this year, Benigno said not to be disappointed. The SGA is currently working on alternative plans, so there will hopefully be more Homecoming events in the spring semester. No matter what, Benigno is excited for what is to come.

“I’m really looking forward to what charity and community work we will be doing as [a] student body soon,” said Benigno.

FEATURES

OCTOBER 28, 2020

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Medical Marijuana Campaign reflects on efforts provide compassionate care to suffering patients

CARTER LISHEN PRINTZ REPORTER

Photo by Brian Winters | Printz

You may have smelled it before. Its unmistakable, potent, skunk-like odor can be found everywhere from music festivals to apartment complexes. Whether it delights or disgusts you, marijuana is currently illegal in Mississippi.

However, things may soon change. In the Nov. 3 election, Mississippians will decide whether to amend the state constitution with Initiative 65, which would legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes.

The campaign behind the initiative, Medical Marijuana 2020, is funded by Mississippians for Compassionate Care. They created the petition behind Initiative 65, spending a year gathering signatures across Mississippi.

“We had signature gatherers all over the state […] in neighborhoods, parking lots, anywhere where there were people,” Jamie Grantham, the Communications Director for Medical Marijuana 2020, said.

Initiative 65 qualified for the ballot in January with over 228,000 signatures, far surpassing the 86,000 signature requirement. Since then, Grantham and her team have traveled across Mississippi, speaking to various groups and informing voters about the benefits of medical marijuana and the specifics of Initiative 65.

If approved, the initiative will establish a $11 million dollar medical marijuana program in Mississippi by the summer of 2021. It mainly applies to patients

suffering from 22 types of debilitating medical conditions, such as cancer, epilepsy, post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic pain.

According to Initiative 65, potential patients will need to get a “physical certification” from a licensed physician to determine if they qualify for treatment. If they qualify, they would then need to receive a program identification card from the Mississippi Department of Health, which would regulate the program. They would also need to receive their medication from a designated medical marijuana treatment center.

Grantham knows this alternative medicine will better the lives of many suffering patients in Mississippi.

“These are people with chronic pain, with neurological pain, with muscle spasms, with seizures,” Grantham said. “People with cancer and who are so noxious and are undergoing chemotherapy treatment that some of them can’t eat and get to the point where they literally can’t even drink water.”

There are many opponents of Initiative 65, however. The Mississippi Association of Chiefs of Police (MACP), which includes 330 police chiefs statewide, have publicly denounced Initiative 65.

“The long-term consequences of a constitutional amendment to address this need will have detrimental impacts to the communities we are protecting,” the association wrote in an Oct. 6 statement.

MACP, like many against Initiative 65, believe medical marjuana is not researched enough to legalize. They also claim there will be no zoning regulation

for treatment centers, aside from a stipulation that says a treatment center must not be built within 500 feet of a church or school.

Dr. Rachel Knox, a cannabinoid medicine specialist working with Medical Marijuana 2020, disagrees. She has seen cannabis use positively affect her patients firsthand, and has many peers who advocate for medical marijuana.

“We have a lot [of research about medical marijuana]. We have over 21,000 peer-reviewed research articles that demonstrate the medicinal potential of cannabis as medicine,” Knox said.

Grantham also disagrees with MACP’s claims, especially their claims about “no zoning regulations” within Initiative 65.

“Well, that’s one hundred percent false,” Grantham said. “If you look at Initiative 65, you will see that there are zoning requirements in there […] Also, it needs to be treated like a pharmacy.”

Shortly after Initiative 65 qualified for the November ballot, other medical marijuana opponents from the Mississippi State Legislature offered another challenge to the measure: the competing Initiative 65A. Initiative 65A would allow for the use of medical marijuana, but only to terminally ill patients. It also does not lay out the framework to create a comprehensive program like Initiative 65 does. If 65A is approved, the state legislature would have to set many of the program’s details.

Grantham says Initiative 65A is only an attempt to confuse voters and kill any hope of a medical marijuana program in the state.

“[Lawmakers] are not supportive of the idea of medical marijuana,” Grantham said. “They’ve blocked every single attempt to ever pass it. And 65A is just another attempt to do that instead of honoring what the people put on the ballot and the people’s voices.”

Medical Marijuana 2020 has responded to 65A accordingly. They have had to ramp up efforts to educate voters not only about medical marijuana, but also about the differences between its initiative and the state legislature’s. The Medical Marijuana 2020 website even includes a chart that lists the differences between the two competing initiatives.

Though Grantham was angered by the apathy she saw from the state legislature, she takes solace in the fact so many Mississippians support Initiative 65. One survey found 81% of Mississippians support the use of medical marijuana, regardless of their age or background.

“This is not a Democrat issue. This is not a Republican issue. This is a health care issue,” Grantham said. “It is wrong that it is being politicized because this is a human rights issue. This is a medical issue.

This is a compassion issue.”

With less than a week until the Nov. 3 election, Grantham is confident about the results. She believes Initiative 65 will prevail thanks to the will of Mississippians.

“I believe that people will do their due diligence and that we will come away with a medical marijuana program after November third,” Grantham said. “We know that that Mississippi wants this. The people have spoken, and people are very passionate about this.”.

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OCTOBER 28, 2020

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Students asked to quarantine for shorter time MEG FULLER

ENTERTAINMENT/OPINION EDITOR ith COVID-19 still rampant around the county, many students are alarmed about how Moffitt Health Center has handled various pandemic procedures, especially its quarantine advisements.

Moffitt Health Center, the on-campus medical center for The University of Southern Mississippi, has been testing students for COVID-19 since the outbreak first began. They provide PCR and rapid antigen tests, encouraging students to schedule appointments . Moffitt has also been heavily involved with on-campus PSAs about COVID-19, explaining the importance of social distancing and quarantine to prevent its spread.

However, it seems they do not practice what they preach. While some students claim Moffitt helped them manage COVID-19, many others are not pleased.

Quinn Gordon, a senior marketing major, was told to quarantine for ten days after testing positive for COVID-19. This is in line with the bare minimum quarantine per CDC recommendation. However, four

days later, Gordon received another call from Moffitt, claiming her quarantine was finished.

Although she was apparently “well enough” to leave her home, Gordon claims that her symptoms still progressed. They got so bad that she had to be temporarily hospitalized last week.

“My symptoms became severe,” Gordon said. “I had to be given two IV bags of fluid.”

Gordon believes Moffitt was directly responsible for her hospitalization. In addition to the shortened quarantine, Gordon was also given a flu vaccine by Moffitt while suffering from COVID-19. Because of this, Gordon says her symptoms were prolonged, which is why it progressed the way it did.

Gordon said she feels that her quarantine should have lasted longer, especially considering the severity of her symptoms.

“I felt very betrayed and misinformed,” Gordon said. “I don’t trust Moffitt Health.”

Jared Bosarge, a sophomore business entrepreneurship major, said he received two COVID-19 tests from Moffitt, one taking an hour and the other taking a day. Due to a lack of communication from Moffitt, though, Bosarge said he was unsure of when his quarantine would actually end.

Brian Winters | Printz

“They [Moffitt] never gave me a clear time range for quarantine,” Bosarge said.

“I only got a call after the seventh day telling me it was over.”

While Moffitt is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, many students believe that the procedures being taken are not up to standard. Rudy Enumerables, a sophomore marketing major, said he feels that his visit to Moffitt was chaotic and unorganized.

“The doctor was rude and the entire visit was three hours,” Enumerables said.

At the end of his visit, Enumerables was told to quarantine for seven days. He never received a call checking on his symptoms or telling him his quarantine was over.

Although his quarantine has since ended and no other problems have appeared, Enumerables said that Moffitt still has some work to do in regards to its professionalism and order.

“I have never and will never trust Moffitt,” Enumerables said.

Many students have previously complained that Moffitt is not taking campus health seriously. They believe COVID-19 has finally validated this fear.

With her quarantine now over, Gordon urged Moffitt to prevent situations like hers from ever happening again.

“Moffit should be more mindful,” Gordon said. “There shouldn’t be any room left for mistakes.”

Honors Pumpkin Painting Party Photo Gallery CHARLIE LUTTRELL SPORTS EDITOR

Photos by Charlie Luttrell | Printz

he Honors College hosts a pumpkin painting party for students and faculty at the Honors House on Oct. 26.

ENTERTAINMENT

OCTOBER 28, 2020

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Miley Cyrus becomes who she’s meant to be

SKYLA LANGLEY PRINTZ REPORTER

fter years of musical evolution, Miley Cyrus has found her true voice with her new rock and roll persona.

Cyrus’ entertainment career took off with the hit Disney Channel television series “Hannah Montana”, airing from 2006 to 2011. Since then, she’s moved from acting to singing full-time. Some of her most famous albums include ‘Bangerz’ (2013), ‘Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz’ (2015) and ‘Younger Now’ (2017). Selling over 75 million singles, 25 million albums and 100 million records world-wide, Cyrus is one of the best-selling artists of all time.

Although she’s been performing for over a decade, Cyrus’s sound has rarely stayed consistent. She has dabbled in everything from pop and country to hip hop and psychedelic rock.

Now, 2020 is a new wave for Cyrus’s music.

In an interview with The Zach Sang Show, Cyrus explained this latest music shift.

“I just thought again, you know, I should just kind of keep going with pop and go with what I know, but that’s not who I am, so again, I just went and started making a rock record,” Cyrus said.

That record, “Midnight Sky”, debuted in August alongside a self-directed music video.

The female 80s rock inspired song is the first original song off her upcoming album ‘Plastic Hearts’, set to release Nov. 27. The official announcement also included a handwritten note about the album.

“I began this album over 2 years ago.

Thought I had it all figured out. Not just the record — its songs/sounds [—] but my whole life,” Cyrus said. “No one checks an ego like life itself. Just when I thought the body of work was finished, it was all erased, including most of the music’s relevance because everything had changed.”

Cyrus went on to explain that losing her home to the 2018 California wildfires was a wakeup call for her music career and the album.

“Nature did what I now see as a favor and destroyed what I couldn’t let go of for myself,” Cyrus said. “I lost my house in a fire[,] but found myself in its ashes.”

‘Plastic Hearts’ will also include her covers of The Cranberries’ “Zombie” and Blondie’s “Heart of Glass”. These are only a few covers Cyrus has released over the past few months, as she has spent the last few months covering famous rock songs to both explore her new sound and raise money for charity.

On Oct. 17, Cyrus did a 13-minute set during the Save Our Stages music festival at the West Hollywood rock club Whisky a Go Go. In addition to her cover of “Zombie”,

Illustration by Marissa Haas | Printz

Cyrus also performed The Cure’s “Boys Don’t Cry”.

She has also covered Hall & Oates’ “Maneater”, Pearl Jam’s “Just Breathe”, Billy Idol’s “Rebel Yell”, Joan Jett’s “Different”, Led Zeppelin’s “Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You”, Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb” and Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters”.

Each of her covers show a new confidence both with her voice and a fun twist on iconic songs. Even after a vocal surgery in Nov. 2019, Cyrus’ voice remains strong and full of per-

sonality, with her rock covers showing off her raspy, powerful vocals.

In a recent interview with Joe Rogan, Cyrus discussed how the surgery taught her how experiences can affect the voice.

“Over the last year I noticed a really big change to my voice, kind of a heaviness to it.

And I experienced some heavy things,” Cyrus said. “I feel like it is a reflection. It is a kind of scar in a sense. But also kind of having the surgery was a gift because I was able to understand my instrument.”

‘Positions’ is Ariana Grande’s worst lead single JAKORI BEAUCHAMP PRINTZ REPORTER his past Friday, Ariana Grande released “Positions” from her upcoming sixth album of the same name. If this single is any indication, this album will probably be easily lost in the shuffle of Grande’s other works.

It didn’t initially seem that way. “Positions” had a new co-producer on it, London On The Track, along with familiar producers TBhits and Mr. Franks. The song was written by the producers, along with Angelina Barrett, Brian Vincent Bates and Nija Charles..

This hasn’t been the case, though. I can’t say I am disappointed in “Positions”, but I can’t say my excitement for the album has increased, either. This song sounds exactly like something that could’ve been on her last studio album, ‘thank u, next’.

The buzz around this song hyped up something different, too. Twitter went crazy with the news that mega R&B/ hip-hop producer London On the Track co-produced “Positions”. Everyone thought this meant “Positions” would finally be her break into the adult R&B lane. The news got me excited, too, thinking this was going to be the start of her best era.

Illustration by Erin Collins | Printz

With the single now out, though, my excitement is waning. I still have great hope in this album, but “Positions” left me bored. I feel as though this album will be a classic Ariana Grande album,

which is both a good and a bad thing.

It’s good that we will still get something new from Grande, which means we can still get her classic sound. But it’s bad that it will be something we’ve already

heard before as opposed to something innovative.

Grande seems to be suffering from a“If it’s not broke, don’t fix it” mentality.

She’s achieved massive success from her last few albums, and that has caused her to stop furthering her craft. This has led to her music becoming very repetitive, boring and lazy. This makes it hard for someone like me, who’s been a consistent fan of hers for the last few years, to get interested in what she’s putting out.

The only time I can say honestly that she has done something very innovative with her music was with ‘Dangerous Woman’ and ‘thank u, next’. It seems like she’s just going to try to recapture the essence of ‘thank u, next’ for her next era. That’s okay, but basic and boring.

With ‘Positions’ set to be released this Friday, I just wish she would delay it, go back to the drawing board and cook up something more. She should set a comeback in 2021 to develop the album more. This, in my opinion, will give us something way better than what she is about to put out.

Sadly, this won’t be the case. This era feels very rushed compared to her last, especially her release schedule. She didn’t even give us two singles to anticipate and feel out the music from the new album before it drops.

Hopefully, this album beats my expectations and I get to bite my words. So far, though, I’m not very excited.

OCTOBER 28, 2020 OPINION The final presidential debate results DIPIN SUBEDI PRINTZ REPORTER

he second and final presidential debate has ended, and it could be a focal point for undecided voters deciding how to cast their vote.

Although the topics were similar to the last debate, and the orators were still keen on hurling insults, their priorities became clear to each and every person watching. Their stances revealed, once and for all, what types of Americans they are advocating for. President Donald Trump advocates for the people who are content with the inequality in the nation. Former Vice President Joe Biden advocates for those who fight for everyone’s right to life, liberty and property. The ballot, then, will decide whether people want their country to be ruled exclusively by the ‘haves’ or in conjunction with the ‘have-nots’.

Nowhere are their stances more clear in how they handle the fundamental principles outlined in our nation’s Constitution.

Our right to life was already in peril before Trump, but it has been demolished by the current administration’s incompetency. His inclination towards healthcare for the highest bidder reflects his single-handed manipulation of basic American rights. Rich people will be the only ones better off if Trump is elected president.

Meanwhile, some of Biden’s healthcare

plans included the reduction of premiums, the reduction of drug prices and the implementation of a ‘choice’ option while purchasing health insurance. Everyone could potentially benefit if Biden is elected president.

Environmental hazards are another major health crisis. Rolling back environmental regulations and emphasizing non-renewable resources would improve nothing, but Trump’s soft spot for his billionaire circle made that his primary policy.

Biden, on the other hand, promoted the transition to clean energy for both environmental and economic purposes. His calls to install charging stations, retrofit old buildings with green energy sources and create new clean energy jobs would help citizens instead of polluters.

The right to liberty, under both candidates, looks somewhat gloomy in the upcoming days. Trump, who is increasingly becoming a despot, finds nothing wrong with befriending other tyrants around the world.

Biden, meanwhile, pledges to “play by international rules”, though takes a very “Us and Them” approach to foriegn adversaries. The all-too-empathetic Biden could help to create stability in the nation and extinguish the smoldering fires of racial injustice, religious conflicts and xenophobia, but his foriegn policies will not shield America from her powerful adversaries.

However, Trump made it obvious in the debate that the right to property will be completely violated under his administration.

Trump weighs the prosperity of the nation

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Illustration by Marissa Haas | Printz according to how well the stock market is faring. However, the only thing the stock market indicates is how his billionaire friends are doing. Boasting about the soaring stock market was an insensitive remark from the president, since unemployment and poverty is otherwise rising nationwide.

Biden spoke more for the welfare of the poor, pledging to increase the national minimum wage to 15 dollars. Providing a decent income to lower class people could ensure a better quality of life overall, and would even

slightly decrease income inequality.

Trump is not the candidate people should vote for if they prefer equal distribution of wealth and equal opportunities. While pointing out the errors in Biden’s minimum wage policy, Trump did not say he intends to replace it with a better welfare plan.

At this point, more than 50 million people have already voted. For anyone who waited for the final debate to vote, cast your ballot based on how secure your three most basic rights would be under a new president.

How to holiday in a pandemic ERYKAH DRONE PRINTZ REPORTER t’s that time of year again. October, November and December bring Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas, which will look a lot different with COVID-19.

Everyone has at least one favorite holiday this upcoming season. Whether or not you like the holiday season, though, it is undeniably going to be different with COVID-19. Stores are already limiting the amount of people who are allowed to shop, so it’s bound to cause some problems with shoppers. Some establishments may even put a time limit on the amount of time that groups are allowed inside. Sadly, Thanksgiving gatherings at grandma’s house will have to be extremely small or via Zoom call. It adds a sad undertone to the usual upbeat, holiday spirit churning in the cities.

However, that does not mean this holiday season will be all bad. Hopefully, everyone will still be able to have a good time by implementing a few tips on how to holiday during the pandemic.

Firstly, you need to plan ahead. The typical last-minute problems everyone normally runs into have no place in a pandemic. Halloween may not be here yet, but it would be good to think about the menu for Thanksgiving and Christmas, who will be cooking it and over

Illustration by Marissa Haas | Printz

Illustration by Erin Collins | Printz

how many days it will happen. It will also be helpful to schedule ahead with relatives which days you can house-hop to their homes with gifts and merriment.

Secondly, you need to start shopping now. Many gifts are available to order online and you will have plenty of time to wait for the mail. For those gifts you

may not be able, or want, to order online, going in stores now will alleviate some of the stress and rush later. People are still out buying gifts, but stores are a lot less clogged and hectic than they will be shortly after Thanksgiving. While some people may also wait for their holiday bonuses, it would be smart to stash money away now with each new check to be able to shop as soon as possible.

Lastly, you need to be aware of the news and online deals to catch sales when they come. If you plan to shop in-person this year, keep an eye on traffic cams. The only thing worse than holiday shopping is holiday traffic. The news should also be very helpful to follow, as it will keep everyone up to date on how stores will handle holiday shoppers as the season approaches. Most importantly, while we’re all shopping, be sure to wear your masks and observe social distance guidelines. COVID-19 is still a threat, and should not be taken lightly while bargain hunting.

While the holiday season may have a dark overcast with the pandemic, we can still work together to create a fun holiday season for everyone while still staying safe. The main thing you need to do throughout this time, though, is to keep in mind the true meaning of these holidays: spending time with those you can, when you can and how you can, despite the circumstances.

SPORTS

OCTOBER 28, 2020

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Liberty scorches Southern Miss through passing barrage CHARLIE LUTTRELL SPORTS EDITOR

fter two postponed games, Southern Miss returned to play for the first time in three weeks against Liberty University. The Golden Eagles showed its rust, though, and failed to contain the Flames’ passing offense, which resulted in a 35-56 loss.

Assistant Head Coach Tim Billings took over coaching duties for Interim Head Coach Scotty Walden, who was unable to travel with the team due to a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. Southern Miss was also without quarterback Jack Abraham and key players such as receiver Tim Jones, who last played against South Alabama Sept. 3.

Despite the challenges, Southern Miss had an early lead. Backup quarterback Tate Whatley, who made his fourth career start, threw four perfect completions on four attempts on the first drive, finishing it off with a tenyard rushing touchdown.

Liberty quickly responded on the next drive within just three plays, however. Liberty quarterback Malik Willis passed to Kevin Shaa for a 39-yard touchdown, which started the Flames’ offensive streak. Liberty scored on all of its five offensive possessions in the first half. Southern Miss failed to replicate its success from the first drive and went into the locker room at halftime down 7-35.

However, Southern Miss came to life in the second half. Linebacker Santrell Latham sacked Willis and forced him to fumble, which was then recovered by fellow LB Hayes Maples.

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On the next play, Whatley ran a 16yard touchdown. The Golden Eagles then recovered an onside kick and led a drive down to the one-yard line, where Whatley rushed it in for another touchdown.

On its next possession, the Golden Eagles conducted a 94-yard drive.

Whatley ran for his fourth touchdown of the game on a four-yard rush to narrow the Flames’ lead to 35-28.

Offensive Coordinator Matt Kubik described how he utilized Whatley in the running game.

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outhern Miss Men’s Tennis played for the first time this season in its Fall Invitational. Southern Miss faced off against Middle Tennessee, Chattanooga and South Alabama. The Golden Eagles ended the invitational winless.

“hat was our plan going in, using what he does well and I thought he ran the ball really effectively,” Kubik said. “I thought we were able to keep them off guard a little bit. Anytime the quarterback can yank one of those and take it off the edge like that, it’s a good thing and that’s what Tate does well[.] I was proud of him.”

Southern Miss could not complete its comeback, though, as Willis rekindled Liberty’s success. Willis passed for his sixth touchdown on a 42-yard pass to wide receiver CJ Daniels.

In the fourth quarter, Willis increased the Flames’ lead with a 38-yard rushing touchdown for his seventh touchdown of the game. The Flames did not slow down, cementing its victory with a goal line rush by running back Joshua Mack.

With a minute remaining, Whatley led the Golden Eagles down the field to add some final points to the scoreboard. Whatley connected with wide reciever Jason Brownlee for a 17-yard touchdown. Brownlee finished the game as the top receiver for the Golden Eagles, earning five catches over 114 yards. This is his third consecutive game with over 100 receiving yards.

With the Liberty Flames still undefeated, Kubik and Billings reflected on how this game still showed weaknesses in the Golden Eagles’ strategies.

“I was really proud of the way our kids came back, especially in that second half [with] those quick 21 points in the third quarter[. But] I still think we had opportunities in the second half to make it a closer ballgame without a doubt,” Kubik said.

“The most impressive thing is our kids fought, but I told them there’s a difference between fighting and execution,” Billings said. “Like my mom used to say, you do your chores, then you go out and play. We’re doing a lot of play and not doing our chores. We weren’t doing what we were supposed to do. We’re playing harder[,] and that’s the difference with a good football team like this is that you got to execute. You can’t just play hard[. So] that’s where we got to get better.”

Southern Miss will play next on Oct. 31 at home against Rice. Kick-off is set for 2 P.M.