Mount Hood

Headline: Congress establishes the CARE Act, Western students could reap the benefits

Sage Kiernan-Sherrow |  News Editor

Western students have until noon on Friday, May 8 to apply for funds made available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Through the CARES Act, approximately $2 million has been allocated to help Oregon college and university students offset the expenses accrued because of COVID-19. Students are eligible for this grant if they are currently enrolled in in-person or hybrid courses, are likewise eligible for financial aid, and have had COVID-19 directly impact their living expenses. According to an email sent out by Western’s Vice President of Student Affairs, Gary Dukes, on May 6, Western “will screen the applications for eligibility and assign a score based on impact … because we have received limited emergency funds, it is possible that not every student who completes an application will receive funds.” However, Dukes also revealed that they are seeing fewer students apply for these funds than expected.

“We can’t tell if students aren’t reading their emails, or feel they are fine and don’t need assistance.  I actually received one message from a student who thanked me for the e-mail but felt the money should go to more deserving students than him. While I appreciated this student’s email, these are Federal Funds for our students and we can’t use them for anything else but for grant aid.  So we need to get it into the hands of our students and hopefully the ones who need it the most,” he said. 

The department of financial aid will review the applications and make the ultimate decision; upon approval, funds will be disbursed directly into student accounts. Students who are not currently affected by the crisis but expect to be in the future can look forward to a potential second wave of funds being offered, according to Dukes. Students can follow this link to apply.

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Study-abroad students feel the effects of COVID-19

Sage Kiernan-Sherrow |  News Editor

COVID-19 has forced nearly everyone to adapt to new life changes and make unprecedented decisions. This is especially true for Western’s international students and students participating in the National Student Exchange or other study abroad programs. Some students had just barely begun their study abroad experience when news began circulating. And, as countries began closing their borders, students had a difficult decision to make — stay in place and continue their education as planned or return to their family members. In some cases, the decision had already been made. 

Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs, Emmanuel Macías, said, “the reality of NSE students in March was three things: making travel arrangements, processing the unfortunate reality that their exchange programs had come to a sudden end, and understanding how they would finish their course work remotely.”

Some students are able to continue their studies remotely, but the sudden program closures resulted in an inability for some students to meet the requirement of cultural immersion, according to Macías.

Over 160 colleges and universities are involved in the NSE program and the future for these programs seems unclear. At Western, virtual informational sessions are still being held for future participants, but out of the 11 Western students who were placed last year, several have already cancelled due to financial difficulties, a side-effect of COVID-19, according to Macías.

In response to this, the NSE program has allowed students to defer their enrollment an entire year, in some cases. But as Macías said, “there is a lot of unknown.”

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Illustration by Rachel Hetzel

Salem re-examines camping ban, provides at-risk homeless with housing

Sage Kiernan-Sherrow |  News Editor

Salem has long since had problems navigating the care of its most vulnerable citizens. For Salem’s homeless population, self-quarantine isn’t an option. Due to COVID-19, mass shelters can no longer be places of refuge and are instead considered potential cesspools.  In response to this, the city has made some changes. 

After months of enforcing it, Salem has repealed the homeless camping ban as of March 17, instructing the homeless population to place tents 12 feet apart and limit the occupancy to one person. For the first time in a long time, downtown Salem’s streets are clear. However, according to the Salem Reporter, some individuals are starving out of fear of leaving their tents during this time, and many programs usually dedicated to providing assistance have halted their efforts due to the pandemic, leaving Salem’s homeless population increasingly vulnerable. 

Amidst the most vulnerable of these citizens are the homeless with prior medical conditions that put them at higher risk of infection. The ARCHES project, “the largest emergency housing provider and homeless services agency in Marion and Polk Counties,” according to their website, has dedicated themselves to identifying individuals at higher risk and finding housing for them during the pandemic. As of now, over 100 individuals are currently being housed in local hotels. 

According to the Statesman Journal, the individuals staying at these hotels have made an agreement that there will be no drug use nor will they let guests stay overnight during their stay. 

With no current understanding of when the pandemic will come to an end, how long these measures will last is unclear. 

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Photo by Sage Kiernan-Sherrow

Find out different ways to view films with theaters closing

Never Retallack |  Entertainment Editor

As COVID-19 works its way across the world, everyday life has dramatically shifted — from school, to work, eating out and even cinema.

AMC and Regal theaters, as well as smaller locations such as Independence Cinema, have closed across the states to help in the prevention of spreading; many moviegoers were upset and concerned about movies that now have later release dates.

Luckily, many of the movies that were being aired at the theaters are now available online through sources like Apple Movies, Amazon and Disney+. The average price for renting a newly-released movie is $19.99, which is how much it would cost for two people to go to the theater.

Other films that were meant to release earlier are either being postponed or immediately put online. So far, films like “Mulan” and “Fast and Furious 9” have been postponed. 

Disney+ has put “Onward” and “Frozen 2” online much sooner than they had planned, so those who pay for the service can check out those films and plenty more.

Hulu has also upped their game by uploading dozens of films throughout the past couple weeks and plans to upload more. People can now view “Parasite” for a newer taste of cinema, but they have also released an array of classics. All three “Austin Powers” films are available, as well as the thriller “Misery” (1990) and “Bend it Like Beckham” (2003).

There has been speculation about how the film industry will survive through the pandemic. There are a few local theaters that remain open, but those are few and far between.

Work, school, music and now films will only be accessible via an at-home screen. This change makes the culture around such media a bit different. 

One of the best things about going to a movie theater is going with someone. While still respecting the stay-at-home order, there is an extension called Netflix Party where people can watch a film or show on Netflix “with” their friends. It will pause if someone in the party pauses, or if their internet is slow — that way both parties are synced up. The extension also provides a chat section so that people can talk in real-time about what they are watching.

While going to the theater isn’t in the cards, movies live on — online that is. Look up different films that will be released soon to see where they’ll end up on the web.

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of movies.disney.com

A new way to view music during quarantine

Never Retallack |  Entertainment Editor

As the weather heats up and the sun starts shining, only serves as a painful reminder that people must remain in self-isolation. COVID-19 has swept the world and it has become a means of prevention and survival to stay indoors. 

Those who were looking forward to spring because of the many concerts that were planned may feel a bit let down. Luckily, dozens of artists have started live-streaming music and putting together videos to create an intimate viewing experience.

While people may be stuck inside, there is still plenty to listen to and watch if you have Wi-fi and a device to do so.

Rita Wilson, who in fact had COVID-19 and recovered, has now coined the phrase “quarantuning” for artists who are creating and supplying music at this time. Since her return to good health, Wilson has created a Spotify playlist with the help of her fans’ song suggestions for people to check out.

Lizzo has posted a beautiful 30-minute meditation video with her crystals and flute to accompany her.

Hayley Williams, the frontman for Paramore, has been releasing intimate videos from her living room — jamming with her guitar. She has also released a new video called “Roses/Lotus/Violet/Iris,” which uses old goofy footage of her and her friends.

Instagram Live has allowed artists like Chris Martin from Coldplay to croon a stripped down version of one of his songs; James Blake performed originals and covers for over an hour.

Elton John hosted a benefit concert with iHeartRadio on March 30, with artists including Billie Eilish, Billie Joe Armstrong and Dave Grohl all performing from their homes.

While these times are both alien and trying, there are still people out there trying to connect and give fans something to look forward to. Check out different artists to see what they’re offering on their social media.

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Lizzo

Monmouth, Independence local businesses adapt to change

Caity Healy |  Managing Editor

“Stay home. Save lives.” Those were the words at the top of Governor Kate Brown’s Executive Order 20-12 that was declared on March 24. These words were directed at everyone, leaving no person immune. That included businesses. Only those that were essential could remain open, and all others had to either close, or figure out a way to stay open in some capacity while still following social distancing guidelines.

As necessary, businesses in Monmouth and Independence adapted to these changes; some found ways to continue their work, while others had to close, even permanently. Main Street Pub and Eatery closed their doors for good, though there is no confirmation as to whether or not that was due to or affected by Executive Order 20-12. Others closed their doors temporarily. Aesthetic Studio, Independence Hotel and Independence Gril were just a few in that list. Other businesses, though, had to get creative to stay open.

The Find in Monmouth has been posting what they have in stock on their Instagram. They create stories highlighting their options and allow the community to virtually shop that way. They are even going as far as to offer delivery of their items, as well as curb-side pickup.

Yeasty Beasty remains open, but they’ve tweaked the way they do their delivery. They are allowing orders to be dropped off on the front doorstep of homes, and then calling the customer to confirm that they have arrived. This assures that no person has to have direct contact with those that are delivering their food.

On top of getting creative with staying open, some are getting creative with ways to give back. For instance, Tucky’s began a lunch program for students who no longer had access to lunch from their schools. Titled “Little Bird Baskets,” they are giving away a free lunch of popcorn chicken and potato wedges to children in the community. Another business wanting to give back is Dutch Bros, who pledged to donate 100% of their April profits to medical first responders.

While these changes to our daily lives aren’t easy for anyone, it’s managing to prove the resilience of Monmouth and Independence business owners, and the overwhelming sense of community that is still felt in these quiet neighboring towns, who are remaining supportive of small businesses, even under a stay-at-home order.

 

Contact the author at chealy16@wou.edu

Photo by Caity Healy

Advertising to stay relevant during stay-at-home order

Cora McClain |  Editor-In-Chief

Only a few days after the stay-at-home order, a flux of hermiting-themed advertisements popped up all around. From mobile games saying to “stay home and play” to Forever21’s “work (out) from home” activewear, businesses are rapidly adapting to changes in consumer life. 

While most business ads tend not to touch on hard news, COVID-19 and the self-isolation trends have made it so that businesses must respond. According to digital media blog, TheMatch2One, 61% of marketers have made changes to their short-term media strategies in the wake of the pandemic. The restaurant industry has been at the forefront of changing their business operation and advertising.

Restrictions on large gatherings of people have left restaurant tables empty, but many stay open and allow for takeout or delivery options. A video advertisement entitled “Open for Delivery,” highlights this exact situation, ensuring consumers that DoorDash will be there to make sure they get their gourmet takeout meals. Another advertisement boasts options for zero-contact deliveries. Advertisements such as these illustrate how businesses are changing to stay relevant to consumers. The question is, will this spike in self-isolation driven advertisements stay for long? 

Simply put, just as Executive Order 20-12 is meant to be a temporary situation, so is this trend in advertising. TheMatch20ne’s research also showed that even though 61% of marketers were making short-term alterations, only 9% were adjusting their long-term strategies. Currently, businesses are occupying a space of limbo, biding their time before the stay-at-home order comes to an end and business-as-usual resumes. 

 

Contact the author at howleditor@wou.edu

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