Kohel/Oct.31/Localization Stories

Ebola Concern Hitting University of Wisconsin Parkside Campus

The fear of Ebola virus is spreading all over the country, making headline news, taking over social media, and causing panic amongst healthcare professionals and society. Is this virus something to be concerned over, or is the media making this a bigger issue then it really needs to be?  

                To investigate the public’s feelings and concerns regarding Ebola, students of University of Wisconsin Parkside were asked to voice their thoughts and state their opinion on the virus.  The students interviewed acknowledged the presence of hysteria around the subject in the media, and also seemed to be alarmed by the presence of the virus in our country.  Parkside student Brad Stefani was asked if Ebola Virus should be considered a serious issue, and if it is something we as society should be concerned about in the United States.  Stefani responded by saying, “I think Ebola is a serious issue because it only takes one mistake on the part of proper procedures to impact a whole lot of people”.

Recently in Texas a group of Kindergarten students contracted Ebola from a Liberian foreign exchange student, according to National Report online.    Another Parkside student, Matthew Thompson, also seemed to be concerned about Ebola, and had recently came across this story via social media.  When asked how the story impacted him, Thompson responded, “I think even though this class is far away, it’s still "at home" news, meaning anything dealing with America on a national level concerns every citizen”. So as you can see Ebola is indeed a present concern amongst the public, and may be an issue that is closely watched by both health officials and society. 

-Stephanie Kohel

Parco/Oct 30/Localization Story

Ebola has been spreading like wildfire across the world. As I watch the news I hear more and more about Ebola everyday.I also work at Wheaton Franciscan  Hospital in Racine, so I hear many different things about Ebola. I have heard what doctors, patients and staff have to say. I decided to ask our communication directors what they have been doing in terms of our hospitals safety. Jennifer stated "All we can do is educate ourselves and be prepared mentally and physically."She also said "We are willing to answer any questions that our patients have and our main focus is to keep calm." I was reassured that our hospital will be ready if Ebola does spread to Racine we also have multiple telephone messages and flyers posted about signs of Ebola and what you should do immediately if you are suffering from any of them. Wheaton Franciscan is doing everything is their power to keep our patients and staff safe and healthy.

-Stephanie Parco

Solomon/Oct.31/LocalizationStory

       
Cheryl Solomon- Localization Story


       With a fatality rate of 71%, the Ebola virus has been circulating though the media. This virus, which originated in primates, has been around for decades. The most recent outbreak has been making its way from West Africa to the United States. Since there is not actual cure, this is giving many individuals enough reason to worry. 
       Early October, there was information circulating about a Liberian woman showing signs of the virus in Kenosha, which is definitely close to home for UW-Parkside students. Although, she showed no signs of having the virus, students around campus were interviewed to get their opinion on the West African epidemic. 

       When Symone Nicks, a student worker in the library, was asked about the facts she knew about the virus, the first thing she said was, "I believe its airborne." She felt the potential for it to become prominent in the U.S. was very likely. One of the nurses that treated Thomas Eric Duncan, which was one of the first Ebola cases in America, has recently revealed that she is cured. Instead of offering a positive response, Nicks mentioned feeling worse. She expressed her heightened feelings of nervousness by saying, "I feel like some people are going to get better treatment than others." Nicks went on to say that even if a cure is available it won't be given to the general public.

        Danica Hale was the next student questioned. The main fact she knew was that it spreads through bodily fluids. Unlike Nicks, when she was asked she felt nervous about the virus spreading, she said, "Not really, I think its curable." Prior to this interview, she had no knowledge about case in Texas. Hale didn't believe the chance of it spreading was realistic. "Even if it does, isn't it just like the flu?"

        These interviews showed that not all of the UW-Parkside students are completely informed about Ebola. The fear or lack there of depends on the individual. 

Localization story: gas prices - Markiz Johnson

Johnson/Oct.31/Localization

Markiz Johnson

As we all know, gas prices is exactly like Wisconsin’s weather: it can change in a heartbeat, quickly. Gas prices typically go up and down throughout the year, but in the past few weeks they’ve been going lower, which is something a lot of people aren’t used to. With the holiday season around the corner, prices are going to drop so families can drive to their loved ones instead of flying. According to www.marketwatch.com, gas prices are to drop $3 for the first time since the year of 2010. The article also stated that gas consumers will save approximately $250 million dollars, which is very significant and helpful to those who want to save money. With all of the recent social media posts, it seems like almost every driver is not complaining about this early Christmas gift. UW-Parkside senior Symone Nicks loves the significant change in the gas prices. Nicks said “The gas prices dropping is more convenient, especially for the holiday season. I feel like the gas prices are fair in today’s economy.” You have to agree with Symone for the most part. Gas prices were not that high up, but they were affordable for families to get around. We have to take advantage of the price of gas dropping because it will not be here forever, with spring approaching months from now. # 

Happy Halloween

 For those that don't know, Halloween retail sales amounted to $6.9 billion dollars in 2013 with each person averaging $75.03, according to Kimberly Amadeo, a U.S. economy expert.  Although numbers are expected to increase this year, they are still are surprisingly down in the grand scheme when you look at the last three years.  Without much surprise, many Halloween goers spend the majority of their money on the costume, so if you want to save a buck that's the area you must be the most creative in, if you want to positively impact your budget.  Many love Halloween because unlike Thanksgiving and Christmas, people feel it's less stressful, cheaper, and in some cases, you get more out of it, particularly as an adult.  Christmas for many, feels thankless much like Thanksgiving because people stress and drive through terrible weather, spend countless hours slaving over a stove, getting into family conflict over trivial matters, and trying to organize whose hosting what, whereas Halloween you can go to your own closet and find an old high school jersey or tear some old cloths and find one of the many Halloween festivities that are sure to be in your neighborhood.  With Halloween, many feel they get so much bang for their buck that even in 2008, which was a serious recession that didn't affect Halloween spending as much as many would have thought, so keep on spending and creating the demand for this holiday because it offsets the stresses and financial burdens of the other more cost unfriendly holidays. 

Malcolm Briggs

Situations in Eastern Europe- Szymon Owczarek

Szymon Owczarek/Oct.30/Localization story

               Recent increased activity of the Russian Air Force brought attention to NATO and seriously alarmed western politicians. However, there are concerns that behind those flights does not only stay Russia’s desire to test the procedures for the alliance's defense, but the Russians also practice a nuclear attack on Europe.

               Situations in Eastern Europe have been tense for a couple months, and definitely international students, attending University of Wisconsin-Parkside, are aware of this issue. One of the student is from Poland, who expressed his thoughts about this situation in a few sentences.

Dominik Bakowski, a 22-year-old junior majoring in business, is not worried about the situation, and treats the practice of Russian Air Force like an unnecessary show of force.

“I would like to recall that Putin is not able to make a singular decision about possible nuclear attack. The decision has to go through experts and consultants (around 50 people). Russians have an excellent awareness of what would happen and knowledge of the painful consequences for their country,” he mentioned.

Although, Brianna Hayden, a 20-year-old American student, is concerned about the whole situation in Europe.

“I would not be happy with the fact of United States being a part of the next world war, especially knowing that our country is a member of NATO,” Hayden said.

               Experts say that aggressive flight is not just a show of force and an attempt to intimidate the enemy. They also have a very practical dimension for provoking a reaction of western air forces. It allows Russian for accurate diagnosis of NATO missile defense system.

-Szymon Owczarek

My Form of Self-Expression-Brianna Morgen

Morgen/Oct 29/Localization Story

My Form of Self-Expression

Tattooing is an individual’s most powerful tool of self-expression. For many years, tattooing has been seen as a form of disrespect and trash. Also in years past, many people haven’t had the opportunity to be hired at jobs or other aspects of life because their skin isn’t the perfect color as it was when they were born. It is as simple to say that people with tattoos can be easily judged and misconstrued in a way that doesn’t come close to describing who they are as a person.  

Tattooing is a form of art. When a person decides to get a tattoo, it isn’t just for the fun of it. It is normally a thought out process that involves heart and careful consideration. Cheryl Morgen, for example, thought about her tattoo to the fullest before putting markings on her foot. Morgen says, “I have the first initials of my three kids tattooed on my foot. I knew I always wanted to get a tattoo, but I was worried how some people, including friends and family, would view my tattoo. But in the end, it didn’t matter, my children are the most important things to me and I want them with me always; that’s the significance of this tattoo.”  Morgen along with numerous other people feel that tattooing should be fully accepted when the ink truly has a meaning to that person.

A tattoo doesn’t make a person; the exterior of a person should not come into question when in the running for hiring at a profession. Tattooing is simply a form of art expression and just because some choose to put their art on their bodies instead of their walls doesn’t mean that fast judgments should be made. Everyone should feel free to express themselves in way that feels right for them.

Will Ebola Scare Calm Down Like The Previous Swine Flu? Gentle/Oct. 31/ Ebola Blog

Gentle/Oct. 31/ Ebola Blog

       Ebola virus disease (EVD) was formally known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, a severe often fatal illness in humans, says world health organization. The virus was transmitted from wild animals to the human population and now spreads through human-to-human transmission.

       West Africa has been undergoing a serious outbreak of Ebola since March earlier this year. This has been the largest and most complex EVD outbreak since it was first discovered in 1976, resulting in more deaths now, then all EVD outbreak deaths since discovered 38 years ago combined.

       After interviewing Emmalee Kamm, a current nurse and undergraduate at Avernole University Milwaukee says, Ebola doesn't scare or bother her because in order to get Ebola you have to come in contact with blood or bodily fluids from the infected patient.

       After interviewing Jasmine Cooper, a current undergraduate at CLC And former student of UWP, says she feels like society is just hyping up Ebola like the previous Swine flu incident. Meaning that the Ebola epidemic will pass over time just like the previous swine flu dilemma.

UW-Parkside students chime in on Ebola scare

Yohannes/Oct. 30/UW-Parkside students chime in on Ebola scare

The national scare over the deadly Ebola virus has instilled fear in citizens across the globe.  Yet, one student attending the University of Wisconsin-Parkside expressed no concern about the threatening illness, while another believes every step in the recovery process for those have been cured, needs reforming.

Daniel Lidester, a 23-year-old senior majoring in biological sciences, isn't worried about the recent outbreak after looking through statistics, and points to the media for creating fear.

“Absolutely not,” Lidester said, “I've seen the statistics from all of the big plagues, and Ebola is near the bottom of the list.

“Because of how the media’s been doing everything, it would create a lot of scare.” Lidester explained.

Meanwhile, Byron Dowse, a fifth-year senior majoring in political science and chemistry, questions the treatment process for those who have caught the virus – including those who have been cured.

“Yes I am concerned,” Dowse said, “I am not entirely sure that individuals who have been infected have been identified and quarantined. I don’t believe that there have been adequate procedures put in place for screening individuals coming into the country by boat or plane,”

Late Wednesday, the World Health Organization said the Ebola death toll remained unchanged at around 4,922.

Localization Story - Cortney McCarthy

McCarthy/Oct. 31/Localization

Cortney McCarthy

Chris Brown recently offered his Ebola insight by posting to his followers on Twitter. He is quoted saying “"I don't know ... But I think this Ebola epidemic is a form of population control. S--t is getting crazy bruh.” The majority did not seem to like this and many readers responded with anger.

Ebola has been the new buzz and it has received a wide variety of thoughts. Some people seem to be in horror, while others perhaps less afraid.

Chicago, Ill. resident, Rob Bode, said “I am not worried about the virus at all. It is not going to continue spreading; I have full faith it will become under control.” Bode has an optimistic outlook and he spoke his words sin doubt.

“I refuse to live in fear because it will only hinder my happiness,” continued Bode, “At the end of the day, all I can do is to stay alert.”

The most recent case of Ebola was reported in New York. There have not been any reported sightings within the Midwest region.

Localization Story - Crystiana Schlitz

               All around the country the popular retail holiday, Black Friday, has been slowly gaining more and more momentum. In 2013 many shopping malls moved from a midnight opening to an 8:00 p.m. Thanksgiving day opening. While this was a big jump and actually cut into Thanksgiving, many people still went out shopping and there was no lack of people that wanted to be out that early.

               This year, the Racine Regency Mall, is opening at 6:00 p.m. Thanksgiving night. Many Racine community members, both mall workers and customers, are not happy with this decision. When asked what they thought of the early opening, customers had an overwhelmingly negative response. One interviewee said that “I think it is an absolute shame…Those poor families” and “Business are not looking out for their employees and that they only care for money.” A mall employee said that she did not even want to get into it so was so angry.

               With more and more people becoming against this early shopping, is it really worth it to keep opening up earlier and earlier? Where is the line drawn? This year it is 6 o’clock will next year become 4? 

- Crystiana Schlitz

CNH lay off

Recently CNH a well known company in Racine, Wi., announced the other day that they would be laying off 150 people from their tractor plant on December 1st. There are currently 850 plant workers that are all part of the union. The company said that they are not laying off because of the quality of the workers or products.  The market for tractors are just in a slump.  Hopefully this is not a trend that we will be seeing in local communities.
-Stephanie Parco

Localized Story

                                                                                                    Hickey /Oct. 29/Localized Story

Due to all the hype about the spreading of Ebola in the United States; which ultimately is a deadly virus. I wanted to get another person’s personal perspective on this national issue. On Tues. Oct. 28 I asked a Co-worker of mine from the Olive Garden restaurant on her thoughts about her thoughts of Ebola now being in the United States. My co-worker Kristina stated, “Although it is very scary that such a serious virus is now in the states, I don’t think at the moment I have much to worry about since it is not affecting anyone in my area. However, my parents feel differently and are so worried.” I have found that though I may agree with Kristina’s thoughts on this topic, many people are very concerned with this deadly virus since it is now in our “backyards” so to speak. Yet it is important to remember that we have more resources available to us than other countries, such as Africa. 

-Devon Hickey 

Webster/Oct. 29/Localization Story

As everyone knows this Ebola crisis is starting to get out of hand. It has been all over the news and seems as if there are two different opinions as to what we should be doing about this and no one is really choosing.

 Sarah Pritchard, a student at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, claimed, “This Ebola crisis is out of control and I am very concerned for U.S. citizens and this disease spreading rapidly.”

 She is a germ freak and is very scared of any kind of illness whether it is just a cold or the flu. She specifically stated, “I believe for this to stop spreading, we need to close the borders and not let anyone in until we have controlled and got rid of the cases already in the United States.”

 She also stated, “I understand we are the only country that has the technology and is the most medically advanced to control this sickness that is spreading, but I think it is going to sneak up behind us and infect more people than we are going to be able to keep up and cure.”

 There is definitely a make or break decision that needs to be made and we will have to wait and see what the public decides to do in order to stop this from becoming an epidemic.

 

-Mel

Gas Prices Lowest in 4 Years - Matt Kelly

Prices at the pump have been dropping as of late and no one is complaining. With national gas price average dropping below $3/gallon for the first time in four years Kenosha County residents, specifically students, are enjoying the benefits.

On the University of Wisconsin - Parkside campus an interview was conducted with Andrew Krueger. A senior undergrad student who is currently majoring in Sport Management. When asked about how the lower gas prices have been affecting him he replied,

"The chapter gas is, the easier it is for me to be a college student on a budget. I commute home regularly so saving money on gas is huge as I am able to spend more money on fun activities rather than gas".

With national trends pointing towards continued decline in gas prices, students will be able to enjoy breaks at the pump for the months to come. With extra spending money heading in students pockets heading into the holiday months. Lower gas prices are sharing some early holiday cheer this year.

Welfare- Brianna Morgen

People aren’t always honest. People don’t always work up to their physical and mental ability. So I think it is a safe assumption to make and say that our welfare regularities are being abused. Welfare is defined as a government funded program that is designed to aid to individuals or groups who cannot support themselves. These programs are funded by taxpayers and give people financial support that is needed during rough periods of their lives. The ultimate goal of welfare is to promote the pursuance of work, education, and a better standard of living. But by this governmental definition is this always the case, or have people begun to abuse the system?

Welfare is a positive and probable necessity for some people. Some people have had extreme misfortunes in their lives due to the economical failures we have had as a country. These circumstances include unknown job lose, layoffs for a certain amount of time, and bankruptcy. In these circumstances it was perfectly necessary for our country to pull together and begin to help each other out financially. But since then and since our economy has started to improve, abuse has occurred. Many people who apply for welfare aren’t necessarily in the need of welfare dollars as much as others. Single mothers can, and should, apply for welfare along with families who have had members laid off and can’t afford their families needs off of one income. They are trying to raise children on their own, and I can respect that but when you hear of stories of single women continuing to have babies because they can raise the amount of money they receive from welfare, it is a form of abuse to the system and abuse to the honest taxpayers.

I just recently witnessed a clear situation where abuse to the welfare system occurred. I was shopping in Wal-Mart when the woman in front of me went to pay for her bill and I noticed she was using her food stamps card. The woman had four little kids all right around the same age, which is totally acceptable, but I noticed a few things. One, the items being purchased were items that were unhealthy, and not corresponding correctly for the age of the children. Also, there were no signs of baby food, vegetables, or fruits being purchased for the younger children, which is what food stamps are suppose to be used for. Also, the children were dressed in clothes that looked to be too small for them and not weather appropriate, while the mother was dressed in North Face branded clothes along with acquiring a Michael Kors purse. This angered me to a significant level because not only are you abusing the system, but you are also depriving the necessities that your children are in need of.

While people abuse the system in terms of misuse of food stamps, people also are abusing the use of unemployment. In my personal opinion, people collecting unemployment view this can be a clear resource to their monthly income and have now quit looking for jobs. Yes there will always be flaws in the governmental systems, but there has to be a way to regulate the abuse and use of welfare. Taxpayers are extremely disappointed in how their money is sometimes being used. Government officials need to find a way to have proof and reason for citizens to apply for welfare dollars. Some citizens just need to shape up and appreciate the free and helpful country that they live in!