DePaul’s monkeypox plan, new university president and sports achievements
Plus Lollapalooza here to stay!
Welcome back to ‘In the Loop’! It’s your newsletter team - Mariah, Isabella, Lauren, Sam, Emily, Billie, Bridget and Monique M. - back with another newsletter.
Monkeypox was recently declared a public health emergency, and this week we’re featuring how DePaul University is planning to address this. As always we also have the top university, local and national headlines and we have a recommendation for a movie you can go see in theaters. This Friday we’ll be publishing some more new stories which you’ll be able to read on our website.
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That’s all from us. Now, onto the news!
What is DePaul’s Plan if Monkeypox Reaches Campus?
By Mariah Hernandez
The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic seemed to blindside most of us. The virus caused us to learn how to adapt fast and become accustomed to a life full of vaccines and regulations. Now, in 2022 still on edge from years of dealing with COVID-19, when I saw the first headline about monkeypox I was concerned.
While monkeypox is different from COVID-19 in many ways, it came as a shock to have another virus to worry about, especially when on July 23 the World Health Organization declared monkeypox a public health emergency.
The CDC describes monkeypox as a “rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. Monkeypox virus is part of the same family of viruses as variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox.” Monkeypox is not as easily contagious as COVID-19 and also has a lower death rate. The WHO explains that individuals with immune deficiencies as well as babies and children are at higher risk of death, but for most people the symptoms of monkeypox last only a few weeks.
As of 9 p.m. on August 1, in Illinois alone there have been 520 cases according to the CDC U.S. Map & Case Count. Illinois has the third highest number of cases behind New York and California.
After following DePaul’s response to COVID-19 over the 21-22 school year, I wondered what kind of response they would have to monkeypox. What do they plan to do if it gets to campus?
Tyler Wurst, director of the Office of Health Promotion and Wellness at DePaul explained that similarly to with COVID-19, DePaul follows updates from the Chicago Department of Public Health. They also have a plan made for communicable influences/pandemic outbreaks listed here.
In short, according to these guidelines, if someone from DePaul does contract monkeypox, the university will contact public health officials and follow guidance from city health officials.
The decision making for dealing with monkeypox is in the hands of the vice president of student affairs and the Office of Health Promotion & Wellness and the dean of students. They depend on the Center for Disease Control and the Chicago Department of Public Health to inform their decisions.
The plan for a case found in a residence hall is similar to the COVID-19 response. Previously, when students in a dorm hall contracted the virus they had the option to be moved to isolation housing provided by DePaul.
According to DePaul’s emergency plan for a communicable illness/pandemic outbreak, DePaul encourages students to stay in an off campus residency if that is an option (parent’s house, off-campus apartment, etc.). If this option is not possible, the Department of Housing does have spaces available for temporary housing of students with a contagious disease, but space is limited.
Students will only be housed with other students that have the same illness. Therefore, spaces for COVID-19 isolation housing should not be used to house students with monkeypox.
In less severe cases, self-isolation in a student's dorm is also a possibility as some dorms come with a private or semi-private bathroom.
When it comes to the vaccine, Wurst mentions that “Students are encouraged to take all measures, including being vaccinated against monkeypox, they feel necessary to ensure their health.” So, as of now there is no requirement for the vaccination.
While COVID-19 is highly contagious, monkeypox is spread primarily through close and continuous contact with an individual carrying monkeypox. According to data from the city of Chicago website, monekypox cases in Chicago have been seen primarily in gay and bisexual men. Monkeypox is not a STD/STI. The virus is spread from prolonged contact but not just during sex, it can also be spread from sharing towels or bed sheets.
The CDC recommends getting the vaccination if you have been exposed to monkeypox or are more likely to contract it.
In Chicago, you are eligible for the vaccine if you have been in lose contact with someone with monkeypox or, if you meet all of the stipulations below:
Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men
18+
Has “multiple or anonymous sex partners, sex at social or sexual venue, or sex in exhange for money or goods within the last 14 days.”
Here is a list of vaccination locations in Chicago. Currently, the first dose is being prioritized over the second dose and many of the locations cannot guarantee having the vaccine so I recommend calling to schedule an appointment.
Having to make sudden decisions is part of the unpredictability of a contagious virus like monkeypox and COVID-19. Any updates about monkeypox will be communicated to students but as of right now, DePaul has not communicated any urgent plans to students for the upcoming school year in relation to the virus.
DePaul News
By Isabella Ali
DePaul’s new President, Dr. Robert L. Manuel, took office
On August 1, President Robert L. Manuel began his tenure as DePaul’s 13th president. For his first day in office, the DePaul University Marketing & Communications YouTube channel released a video of President Manuel meeting students, faculty and staff around DePaul’s campus. During the video, he stated that he is “honored to be a part of the DePaul community” and he is ready to “hit the ground running.” You can watch the video here.
DePaul Softball Team has Seventh Highest GPA in Division I
On Monday, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced the All-America Scholar Athlete distinctions for student-athletes with a GPA of 3.5 or higher and the Team GPA rankings for the 2021-2022 academic year. Eighteen student-athletes were named NFCA All-America Scholar Athletes and the Blue Demons, with a cumulative GPA of 3.682, ranked seventh amongst Division I programs. Check out the DePaul Blue Demons story for more information.
Blue Demon Marija Jovicic Nominated by BIG EAST as NCAA Woman of the Year
Tennis player and DePaul graduate student Maria Jovicic has been selected by the BIG EAST Conference to be nominated for the NCAA Woman of the Year award. The award is one one of the biggest honors in collegiate athletics and it recognizes female student-athletes who have excelled in academics, athletics, service, and leadership throughout their collegiate careers. Jovicic led the Blue Demons to their eighth consecutive appearance in the BIG EAST title match and maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout her undergraduate and graduate studies. Read more about the DePaul Blue Demons story here.
DePaul invited to Art Institute of Chicago for special programming
Faculty, staff and students are invited to special programming as part of DePaul's ongoing partnership with the Art Institute of Chicago. On Friday, September 30, from 2 to 5 p.m., university members can participate in a tailored program of in-gallery discussions and other affairs. Learn more about the event from DeBuzz.
Chicago Headlines
By Lauren Sheperd
Chicago Renters are Forming Unions Following Rent Increases - Due to a nationwide housing shortage, rents are being raised across the country. In Chicago, rents on average have been raised by 4.5% since last year, but some tenants have seen their rents increased by up to 20%. The sudden spike has forced tenants to either pay the new price or move. Because there are limited regulations on how or why landlords can increase rent, tenants have begun to form unions to call for more protection for themselves and other renters in the city. Jennifer Bamberg has more information in her Block Club Chicago article.
Violent Crime Decreasing in the City - Following one of Chicago’s deadliest years over the past few decades, July 2022 has seen a decrease in homicides and shootings. Since last year, homicides have dropped by 16% and shootings by 20%, though crime rates have not dropped overall. The drop in violent crime comes after an increase in community resources and a larger police presence in the city’s 15 most dangerous communities. You can read more in Tom Schuba’s Chicago Sun-Times article.
Lollapalooza Will Stay In Chicago - Mayor Lori Lightfoot took the Lollapalooza stage on Sunday to announce that the iconic music festival will remain in Chicago until at least 2032. The deal was made between the company that runs Lollapalooza – C3 Presents – and the city. It states that the Chicago Park District will receive between a 5% and 20% share of the revenue depending on how much money is made. Lightfoot said that the festival is not only “a significant economic driver” for the city, but also brings culture and music to residents and tourists alike. NBC News Chicago has more.
National Headlines
By Sam Freeman
California Sees its Largest Wildfire in 2022 – The McKinney Fire remains strong as Californians prepare for thunderstorms and hot, windy conditions that could fuel the fire. The blaze originated in Siskiyou County at the end of July, and it rapidly spread across 80 square miles of land. According to the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office, the McKinney Fire “remains 0% contained,” as of Sunday night. California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of national emergency to allow for easier emergency response and recovery efforts as well as access to federal aid. The Associated Press has more on the story.
More Flooding is Expected in Kentucky – Flash floods in Kentucky have killed 37 people and left dozens missing as of Sunday morning, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. More heavy rainfall is expected to flood eastern Kentucky. The flooding has caused mass amounts of destruction, including mudslides and demolished infrastructure. An expected cold front could prolong the rain until Tuesday. Christine Hauser from The New York Times has more information.
Nancy Pelosi Begins Asia Tour – President Biden’s aides say Nancy Pelosi may include Taiwan in her Asia tour that kicked off on Sunday. The purpose of the tour is to “reassure the region that the United States is still committed to its ‘pivot’ to the Indo-Pacific region” while lending Ukraine military aid. It will be the first time in 25 years that an American official goes to Taiwan, and it has the potential to increase tensions with China, which still prioritizes reunification with Taiwan. Pelosi has not yet confirmed the visit. David E. Sanger and Vivian Wang of The New York Times have more information.
Hey, Check This Out!
With Featured Columnist Emily Soto
If you’ve seen any movie from Jordan Peele, you know that when the film is finished you’ll probably be asking yourself, “What did I just watch?”
And as you probably guessed, you’ll have the same reaction after watching his latest film NOPE. But trust me, it is worth every minute.
The plot follows brother-sister duo OJ and Emerald as they attempt to capture video of a strange UFO-shaped creature that has been lurking in the sky over their farm. They set their sights on the “Oprah shot” — the shot that is bound to make them rich and famous. But the UFO which they nickname Jean Jacket, is a bit more intense than they bargained for. It consumes anything in its path that is giving it attention.
So what actually is this creature? I don’t know if we ever really find out, but as per usual to Peele’s other films, it seems to represent something much bigger. It is up to your own interpretation this time though. Peele doesn’t take the time to explain a backstory or show us what is really happening like he’s done in the past.
Throughout the rest of the movie, there are still moments that can make you laugh and feel like everything will turn out ok despite the looming threat.
But in the end Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer come together as OJ and Emerald, brother and sister — a team — to face the unknown. There are parts of their everyday life that point to what this creature could be and how they can defeat it.
That’s it for today! See you next Monday.
The 14 East Newsletter Team