Category Archives: News

Community, Front/Home, News

How This Virus Has Taken Over

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Ashley Hutchinson  

     As most of the world knows, Coronavirus (also referred to as COVID-19), is a disease that rapidly broke out at the end of 2019. While many predicted the spreading of this disease would soon come to a stop, it is actually spreading quickly and dangerously. 

     Fear and anxiety about contracting COVIS-19 has led to a major social panic. Many people live in fear that they will get the disease and avoid anyone who seems susceptible to having it. 

     In fact, a majority of the country is on self-quarantine to prevent the disease from spreading. 

     Specifically, Ohio has taken extreme measures of precaution. Schools are closed, events are canceled, and stores are rapidly running out of essential household items.

     Currently, there are 67 cases of the Coronavirus across Ohio, with more expected to come. Polls for the primary elections are even being postponed. 

     While the health of many citizens is at risk, COVID-19 also has an impact on the economy.

     The Ohio governor, Mike DeWine, has declared that all restaurants but close their dining to the public and only allow carry-out orders. 

     This can and will cause many locally owned businesses to shut down because of the lack of revenue. 

     Additionally, many people are being laid off from their jobs, with businesses and schools closing. This causes many families to lose a majority of their income, which will therefore cause the economy to fall into an even deeper recession. 

     Thankfully, schools are trying to minimize the impact of the virus as much as possible. Students are to be kept busy with online academic assignments from all of their teachers. 

     Individual schools are also making a difference by trying to provide for families as much as possible. Children who need food can receive a school lunch every day, regardless of age or family income.

     Also, schools are doing their best to provide some students with adequate technology, such as iPads or laptops. Technology is important because it allows them to stay connected with schoolwork and classmates. 

     Overall, the Coronavirus is having a major impact on the United States, with information changing every day. The best thing for people to do is to wash hands, avoid people as much as possible, and just try to stay healthy.

 

Community, Feature, Front/Home, News

Local Businesses Affected by Coronavirus

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    Molly Richards

     As the Corona virus consumes more and more of our daily lives, many local businesses are being affected by this pandemic. 

     One of the most impactful effects the Coronavirus has had is stripping many stores of essential products their customers need because of shopping rushes. 

     In the past week, many customers have gones to the stores for some home essentials such as toilet paper or purel, but have been unable to fin such products anywhere. 

     Big name convient stores like Target and Walmart are completely out of products because of the flood of consumers caused by recent panics of the public. 

     Many local businesses, like Corner Cup Coffee house and Stow Tavern have been closed and offering carryout because of the order put in place by Ohio’s Governor Mike Dewine. 

     However, many small businesses are trying their best to prevail through the virus. Corner Cup Coffee House posted several messages on their social media accounts reassuring customers that doors will still be open during normal business hours, but for takeout orders  and mobile order pickup only. 

     Many businesses have had to resort to only takeout orders as a response to this virus and the governments new orders. 

     Even before the complete shutdown, however, in Hudson, Yours Truly along with the majority of the other restaurants in downtown were losing sales by 50% or more. 

     And now with this shut down, many establishments have had to tell workers not to come in, which in turn prevents many workers from the service industry from getting paychecks. 

     These closings in Stow and Hudson have left many community members unemployed during this hard time.

     According to Wksu, “DeWine will sign an executive order to help the unemployed affected by the pandemic. The order will change Ohio’s unemployment law to enable workers who do not have paid-leave benefits to access unemployment benefits.”

     Although many sit down bars and restaurants have been hurt by this virus, many other food delivery services like ubereats and doordash have picked up in business.

     Some establishments in the community are still holding up against the effects the Coronavirus has had on local businesses, like Handles Ice Cream. As Handles is already technically carryout, they can remain open as long as they are following proper precautions and sanitation guidelines. 

     Even though these precautions are necessary, Dewine has said he understands the impact that these orders have on communities.

     In an article by Wksu, Dewine said, “All the actions we are taking, we are taking for this specific purpose. It is the small businesses, that in an order like this, are hurt the most. I’m fully aware of that.” 

     It is hoped that with Dewins awareness on the issue will come assistance for those businesses and individuals in the community who need the extra support during this time.

 

Front/Home, News

Marijuana Usage in Ohio

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Cailah Nguyen

     States all across the country are legalizing recreational use of marijuana, Ohio however does not have plans to follow the other states soon. Currently, Ohio has legalized the medical use of marijuana for 21 conditions approved by the state.

     Ohio was not one of the first states to take action on marijuana bills. The state is following the steps taken by the nation. Ballots allow voters to vote on certain topics and bills, but it is estimated that there will not be a bill for the recreational use of marijuana until 2020.

     A program set specifically for the marijuana use has been in plan and meeting for quite some time before the law was legalized for medical use. The governor of Ohio was opposed to the plan on the ballot in 2015. 

     The states that have a legal marijuana market and distribution gain a lot of money from the purchase of marijuana. Advocates in Ohio still try to make an effort to get Ohio to change its laws. They are very active and their protests and actions may help support a cannabis law change in the future.

     Marijuana legalization is a controversial topic that brings up many different opinions. The health benefits and drawbacks of using marijuana plays a big role in the conversation.

     “The governor told the Ohio Public Radio Statehouse News Bureau that today’s marijuana is more potent than in the past, and could pose a health risk for young people,” clevescene.com sourced.

     Although the effects from the drug may help relieve pain and help people, it is considered a “gateway drug” and could be a health risk for many, especially younger adults who are the future for the following generations.

     If recreational use was passed, Ohio would have to enforce strict laws and rules for the selling of marijuana. Dispensaries and other sources would need to follow the potency limit before selling it to buyers.

     The house bill 525 was signed by governor John Kashich in June 2016 to legalize the medical use of marijuana in Ohio. The bill was approved through votes by the senate and the house. Ohio initially licensed 56 dispensaries throughout the region, based on population.

     Obtaining medical marijuana has a process of three steps. A certified physician needs to confirm and prescribe the need of marijuana, and then users will need to register for the program. Ohio users are required to buy medical marijuana from approved dispensaries.

Front/Home, News, World Headlines

Coronavirus Update

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Jacob Doctor

     Coronavirus hits Ohio. There have been new cases popping up in colleges around Ohio; students have been contracting the virus.

     Symptoms of the CoronaVirus are similar to that of the flu: cough, fatigue, runny nose, and sneezing. In worst cases the symptoms go as far as a fever and sore throat (Medical News Today). 

     Researchers have speculated where the CoronaVirus originated from. The location the virus originated from China.

     An actual source for the virus is still not completely known; however, researchers have been able to link the virus to one of two sources.

     “Newly developed Corona Viruses in China may originate from bats or snakes according to the analysis of the genome of the virus,” WN Observer explained.

    Students have contracted the virus in several different locations: Athens, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Kent, and Toledo.

     Students were a part of the study abroad program and contracted the virus overseas or on an airplane. They then brought back over to their college campus.

      College campuses are not closing down; however, some students are taking precautions. Students will wear masks around the campus and some will even wear quarantine suits.

     Some college campuses are trying to limit the interaction with the virus. The Ohio State University is trying to prevent the virus from spreading as well.

     “Ohio State University will temporarily restrict university-sponsored travel to China for all faculty, staff and students amid the recent outbreak of coronavirus,” The University stated.

     CoronaVirus is severe enough for some places to postpone events or even cancel them. They want to keep the outbreak from spreading if possible.

    “Two basketball games have been postponed at Miami (Ohio) after the school announced two students may have been exposed to the coronavirus,” Miami University commented.

     People have gotten seriously ill from the CoronaVirus. In China, 170 people have died and over 8000 people have come down with the illness.

     

     Since people do not know who has the virus, they should just try and be as clean and healthy as possible. Lowering the ability of the virus spreading, will contain the outbreak.

     Studies have shown that there are not just one form of the CoronaVirus. There are multiple different kinds and most of them share the same symptoms.

     “Human coronaviruses are common throughout the world. Seven different coronaviruses can infect people and make them sick. Some human coronaviruses were identified many years ago and some have been identified recently. Human coronaviruses commonly cause mild to moderate illness in people worldwide. Two new human coronaviruses, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV, have been known to frequently cause severe illness,” Center for Disease Control stated.

     Citizens of Ohio need to take precautions for the virus, wash their hands, and stay healthy in hopes of stopping the spreading. If people have any other questions they can click this link for more information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/index.html.