APRIL 1, 2021
PAGE 12
OPINION
Is President Biden responsible for increasing gas prices? Gas prices have gone up drastically since Joe Biden came into office, but is he to blame? Many would like to place blame where it doensn’t belong. Gas is dependent on supply and demand — not who the current president is. Demand is going up, but our supplies are going down;therefore, Biden isn’t the problem. This is the after-effects of quarantine. When the pandemic first started, people went from driving daily to barely driving at all. Vaccines changed that. Now the demand for oil, for vehicles as well as planes, is back up to speed. So why are people blaming the President? Gregory Chase, Dean/Associate Professor of Economics & Finance/ College of Business, suggests,
“Canceling the Keystone Pipeline and also in anticipation of some additional actions he will take.” Biden is already seeing the backlash, with 21 states suing him for revoking the pipeline’s permit. As for the additional action, I assume he means switching energy sources. The pipeline is a very controversial topic; In West Virginia even more so. Switching energy sources is great for this planet, but not for workers. If we could find a solution where the workers could continue without harm to pocketbooks, both the planet and pipeliners would be at peace. As of now no one, as far as I know, has found the solution. Gas prices might not be in Biden’s hand now, but the continuing push to move away from fossil fuels could affect prices in the future. You should also consider, since it is all about supply and demand, the true factor of these
future fuels is not up to the president. As of writing this, the Sheetz down the hill is at $2.90. Even if you go all the way down to the Walmart gas station in Moundsville their regular price is at $2.49. That Sheetz always seems to be expensive. However, I remember when the Walmart gas station was below two dollars. We have spiked more than 50 cents since the rise started. During the pandemic, we had a low of about $1.77. Overall, we’ve increased about 70 cents since then. Being a college student and watching prices rise is stressful. As someone who enjoys a car ride ever so often for mental health, it forces me to reconsider other options. Laura Musilli, Finance
Photo Credits: Haley Blakemore
Professor and Manager of Grants, advises people looking to save on gas. Musilli said, “To save on gas expenses, people can carpool when possible, combine trips, only go out when necessary, and if they have more than one vehicle, drive the one with better gas mileage.”
No spring break causes burn out in students Canceling spring break this semester has us all drained. Motivation and energy are down, but so are cases of COVID-19. For colleges who did have spring break, those who ventured off instead of relaxing at home had some backlash. Specifically, a spring break Florida party attracted many college students, leading to a spike in Corona. Florida beaches were packed for spring break. You would think people would avoid parties until next year, but beaches are still fuller than ever. March, of all months to vacation this year, was the most traveled according to TSA. March 12 was the worst traveled day, and during a four week span, one million travelers passed through TSA each day.
College kids and young
adults are the most accessible to COVID-19 because other age groups have gotten the vaccine. Looking across campus now, it seems like no one gets it. I see more and more people without their masks. Even if you have gotten the vaccine, be respectful to people too focused on their studies to even think of getting an appointment yet. PerPhoto Credits: Brenda Glasscock
sonally, as someone who struggles with sleep, having no spring break made me physically ill. I had the worst time sleeping for almost two weeks straight, making me exhausted to the point I couldn’t move.
I took two days off, which doesn’t help with my grades. Not having spring break has probably affected atten-
dance, in general, to decline. Lizzy Griffith, our current News/Copy Editor Intern, said, “Not having a spring break this year has really affected me mentally. I think when I get that break, it’s like a mental recharge for me. This year, I just feel drained at this point and overdue a break. I wish we had even just a long weekend, anything would’ve been nice.” Annalise Murphy, the Editor-in-Chief, said, “Not having a spring break was rough for me, especially this semester as I am taking many classes and work all weekend! I feel a long weekend would have been sufficient enough to help me feel recharged. I feel a bit burned out at this point in the semester; however, I am confident I can finish out the year strong.” It’s clear that we all need a break, but going back home instead of vacation would do everyone good. As college students, I would hope that we would be extra careful.
