A building currently named the Staples Center has been home to the NBA’s Lakers and Clippers, the NHL’s Kings, and the WNBA’s Sparks and will change its name after 22 years of operation. The 20,000-seat downtown Los Angeles sports building has been the Staples Center since AEG opened it in October 1999. Along with sports tenants, the building has hosted 19 Grammy Awards ceremonies, three NBA All-Star Games, two NHL All-Star Games and countless high-profile concerts, performances and important public events, including memorials for Michael Jackson, Nipsey Hussle and Kobe Bryant. The American office-supplies retail company, Staples, had a 20-year naming agreement with the building costing around $150 million. Since that agreement has expired, the name will change when the Lakers host the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA’s annual Christmas showcase.The new name change agreement has been made between the home of the Lakers and a well known cryptocurrency exchange.
Former Staples Center Renamed by Crypto.com
Crypto.com is a cryptocurrency exchange headquartered in Singapore. Crypto.com has been on a global sports spending spree over the past year, striking deals with Formula One, the UFC, Italy’s Serie A, Paris St-Germain and the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens. The former Staples Center will be renamed by crypto.com. A new logo and other assets for the building will be unveiled on Christmas Day, when the Lakers play the Brooklyn Nets, and the building’s signage will be replaced by June 2022. The cryptocurrency exchange will be paying the home of the Lakers $700 million for the name change agreement over the next 20 years, according to the Associated Press.
Largest Name Agreement in Sports History
The AP’s source spoke to the outlet on the condition of anonymity due to the fact that, what is likely the richest naming rights deal in sports history, was not supposed to be public information yet. The downtown Los Angeles sports building’s new name agreement also dubs Crypto.com the “official cryptocurrency platform partner of the Los Angeles Lakers and the LA Kings,” according to a press release. Crypto.com co-founder and CEO Kris Marszalek said “We’re very excited about partnering with AEG and investing long term in this city, starting with Crypto.com Arena in the heart of downtown and using our platform in new and creative ways so cryptocurrency can power the future of world class sports, entertainment and technology for fans in LA and around the world.”
The name change, however, has not settled well with many Los Angeles sports fans. “Never. Calling. It. Crypto,” one person tweeted. “I can’t handle a name change of the house that Kobe built. It’s Staples Center forever.” Vanessa Bryant, the wife of the late Lakers great Kobe Bryant, who died along with their 13-year-old daughter Gianna in a helicopter crash in January 2020, posted a similar sentiment on her Instagram story. Along with a post of the name change news, she wrote, “Forever known as ‘the house that Kobe built.'” Many fans say they would welcome a name change that pays respect to Kobe and Gianna Bryant. Do you believe the downtown Los Angeles sports building should be renamed for Kobe? What do you think of the new Crypto.com arena?
Written by: Erinn Malloy
Many rumors surrounded Former President Donald Trump as he left office. One of those rumors was that Trump was planning on quitting the Republican Party to start his own party. Between the beliefs like the election was stolen and the riot at the capitol was started by Trump, it is hard to know what to believe when it comes to the Former President. One journalist/ author claims Trump backed out of the plan to start his own party because the RNC threatened to retaliate against him if he did. In the same book, they claim Trump wanted to leave in order to punish the GOP in some way. What does Trump have to say about these claims?
RNC Threatens Retaliation Against Trump
The RNC threatened to retaliate against Trump, costing him millions of dollars, according to the book “Betrayal: The Final Act of the Trump Show” by ABC News Chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl. If Trump formed his own political party, the RNC threatened they would stop paying legal bills from challenging election results, as well as give his large email list to Republican candidates for free. Trump made money renting out the list, estimated to be worth $100 million, to other Republican Leaders. Trump changed his mind five days after the threat was made, according to Karl’s book. He also claimed RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel called Trump to “wish him farewell.” Karl describes the call, which Trump’s son was also on, as “very unpleasant.”
“Donald Trump was in no mood for small talk or nostalgic goodbyes,” Karl wrote. “He got right to the point. He told her he was leaving the Republican Party and would be creating his own political party. The president’s son Donald Trump Jr. was also on the phone. The younger Trump had been relentlessly denigrating the RNC for being insufficiently loyal to Trump. In fact, at the Jan. 6 rally before the Capitol riot, the younger Trump all but declared that the old Republican Party didn’t exist anymore.” After Trump told McDaniel he was “done” with the RNC, she implored him to stay, saying if he didn’t “we will lose forever,” Karl writes. “Exactly,” Trump reportedly said. “You lose forever without me.” A source who claimed to have witnessed the conversation between Trump and McDaniel said Trump spoke as if destroying the party was punishment for the mistreatment from Republican leaders. Karl recently said on “Good Morning America,” “Trump didn’t care if the move destroyed the party that brought him to the White House.”
Did Trump Really Want to Leave the GOP
The day before Trump left office, The Wall Street Journal reported he told several aides and others associates that he wanted to start a new party called the “Patriot Party,” but he backed away from it days later. On Jan. 25, the Trump campaign filed a notice with the Federal Election Commission saying “Patriot Party” groups that had popped up were not authorized by Trump or his campaign. “It’s a totally made up and fabricated story, it’s fake news,” Trump said in a statement provided to The Hill. “Jonathan Karl is a third-rate reporter working for ABC Non-News,” the former president added. McDaniel also denied the story. “This is false, I have never threatened President Trump with anything,” McDaniel said. “He and I have a great relationship. We have worked tirelessly together to elect Republicans up and down the ballot, and will continue to do so.”
Despite rumors of mistreatment and borderline blackmail Trump is allegedly on the receiving end of, support for the former president has grown recently in the GOP. An October Pew poll found 67% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents believe Trump should remain a major national political figure, up from 57% in January. With support for Trump increasing, could we see Trump run for office again at some point? The Former President’s daughter-in-law, Lara, is believed to be running for senate and his son, Donald Trump Jr. is believed by many political strategists to be running in the 2024 presidential election. Would you ever consider re-electing Donald Trump, or voting for his children? People say Donald Trump wanted to leave the GOP and start his own party, a plan thwarted by the RNC. The former president says that is fake news… What do you say?
Written by: Erinn Malloy
The US Supreme Court of California recently began hearing a case involving the claims of three Muslim men who are suing the FBI for illegally surveilling Muslim community. Yassir Fazaga, a former imam at the Orange County Islamic Foundation, along with Ali Uddin Malik and Yasser AbdelRahim, both members of the Islamic Center of Irvine, say the FBI targeted members of Muslim communities based on their religion. The FBI has acknowledged running a surveillance program at several California mosques, but maintains the surveillance program was legal and carried out for reasons not having anything to do with religion. During the initial trial, the district court agreed some classified and secret evidence could not be heard in court. The US Supreme Court has now agreed to hear the case again, as well as decide if district courts should be able to use classified evidence when determining if secret government surveillance is lawful.
When did the FBI Conduct Surveillance Illegally?
The civil rights group representing the three men who are suing the FBI, ACLU, says it all began in Orange County, California during 2006 when an FBI informant started illegally surveilling prayer groups and making videos in mosques, homes and businesses. The FBI says the surveillance program began after a “home-grown” terrorist on the most-wanted list had been seen coming out of a mosque there. At the time, relations between Muslims and the FBI had become tense, so the head of the Los Angeles FBI office held a town hall at the Islamic Center of Irvine to assure the audience the FBI was not surveilling them in any way. “If the bureau is going to come to the mosque,” he told the Muslim community, “We will tell you we’re coming for the very reason we don’t want you to think you’re being monitored.” At the same time, the FBI was recruiting and training undercover informant, Craig Monteilh, to help catch anyone recruiting and training terrorists. As Sam Black reported for This American Life, “The FBI later confirmed in court that Craig was an undercover informant. A district attorney also stated in court that Craig did work with Agent Kevin Armstrong and that Craig had given the FBI ‘very very valuable information.'” The FBI informant recorded conversations and discussions, as well as took photos of license plates and people who were coming to the mosque. Many members of the Muslim community claim the FBI informant was “literally instigating, enticing people, trying to get them to become terrorists.”
FBI Illegal Surveillance Informant turned Terrorist?
Fazada, who is a therapist, is angry he found a recording device in his office left there by the FBI informant. The device recorded the personal and confidential sessions he had with his patients for over a month. Craig Monteilh testified that his FBI handlers considered Fazada to be a radical because he “directed students on how to conduct demonstrations and encouraged them to speak out.” Fazada wants the FBI to destroy all the information that was gathered, especially recordings of counseling sessions. “You couldn’t go into a Catholic church in the confession room and put bugs there because that would just be a violation of these people’s rights and their religious freedom,” he said. “That applies to people in therapy as well. It applies to people in a mosque, a synagogue, a church, any place of worship.” In addition to acts such as this, the FBI informant began asking many questions about jihad, and suggesting members of the Muslim community carry out terrorist attacks. The FBI informant confirmed making the suggestions. “I said we should carry out a terrorist attack in this country. We should bomb something.” Upon hearing this two of the men he’d been hanging out with, freaked out and contacted the director of the Council on American Islamic Relations in Southern California. ACLU lawyer, Ahilan Arulanantham, said the FBI informant “started, at his FBI handlers’ behalf, to try to incite violence, but he scared a bunch of people, when he was talking about things like bombing, Jihad and the war in Iraq and Afghanistan (and) they reported him to the FBI.” According to Sam Black, the FBI then started to investigate their own informant. The Muslim community now believes this was just another way to leverage people and get them to inform on each other. These events are why three of the people who were surveilled illegally, sued the FBI.
The FBI Being Sued for Illegal Surveillance
So far, none of the people or the places of worship have been implicated in any public criminal activity or federal charges. When the men sued the FBI for illegal surveillance in 2011, the agency invoked state secrets privilege to block the lawsuit in order to prevent disclosure of evidence that could threaten national security. The state secrets privilege hides information when the government believes “there is a reasonable danger that compulsion of the evidence will expose military [or other] matters which, in the interest of national security, should not be divulged,” it says in court documents. A federal district court agreed with the FBI orignally, but a panel of judges reversed that decision on appeal in favor of the Muslim men. The appeals court said the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) of 1978 allows a judge to evaluate secret evidence and determine whether the government can keep some or all of it secret. The men’s lawyers claim, in a case like this FISA displaces the “state secrets privilege,” created by the Supreme Court in the 1950s. The FBI counters that FISA was not meant for cases like this and courts must dismiss the case if the government certifies a threat to national security. Here the government has made that certification, contending that this case cannot be litigated “without risking disclosure of state secrets.” In its brief to the court, the FBI said that it “does not lightly” invoke the state secrets privilege and the Attorney General has personally approved the assertion.
Fazada is not buying that argument. “There is no one to see the merits of what you (The FBI) are doing. And national security just becomes this blanket that you can cover anything you want with it.” The Biden administration has defended the FBI saying, “the Executive Branch has the critical responsibility to protect the national security of the United States. State-secrets privilege helps enable the Executive to meet that constitutional duty.” Do you believe the FBI illegally surveilled the Muslim community? Do you believe the men suing the FBI are justified? The Supreme Court is expected to hand down a decision in the case by the end of June 2022.
Written by: Erinn Malloy
So many things have happened throughout history. It is easy to forget everything good or bad that has been recorded happened to people just like you and me. It is easy to say “oh that is just history,” and not give things a second thought. What if we told you major things in history happened all throughout November? It can be mind blowing to think, things which we never thought could happen to us, happened to people just like us, on days much like any other day we have. As you read this list, the hope is you can gain perspective about time and the world we live in… or maybe just learn random facts, and that’s okay too.
November 1, 1969
The Beatles’ “Abbey Road” album went #1 in the US for 11 weeks. The Beatles went on to be a worldwide sensation for a few years before breaking up.
November 2, 2020
Baby Shark by Pinkfong became the most-watched video on YouTube with over 7.04 billion views during the height of the pandemic.
November 3, 1970
US President Richard Nixon promised gradual troop removal of Vietnam.
November 4, 1922
British archeologist, Howard Carter, discovered the intact tomb of the Pharaoh Tutankhamun in Egypt, underneath the tomb of his father Ramsey.
November 5, 1937
Adolf Hitler informed his military leaders in a secret meeting of his intentions of going to war. The holocaust would follow shortly after.
November 6, 1860
Republican Abraham Lincoln of Illinois elected the 16th President of the United States of America. Lincoln ended up abolishing slavery durning his time as president before being assinated by John Wilkes Booth.
November 7, 2020
Former Vice-President Joe Biden was declared the winner of the US Presidential race, four days after the US election, ending the time of President Donald Trump. Many believe this election was won by voter-fraud.
November 8, 1965
US, Australian and New Zealand forces launched Operation Hump, a search-and-destroy operation near Bien Hoa in South Vietnam. Lawrence Joll, a medic, was wounded and risked his life to save his battlemates. He became the first living person of color to receive the US Medal of honor since the Spanish-American War.
November 9, 1984
Wes Craven’s horror film “A Nightmare on Elm Street” premieres in the US. The franchise ended up having many different movies and remakes.
November 10, 1940
Walt Disney began serving as eyes for both of the happiest places on earth. He became an informer for the Los Angeles office of the FBI; his job is to report back information on Hollywood subversives.
November 11, 1918
WWI Armistice signed by the Allies and Germany comes into effect and World War I hostilities end at 11am, “the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.” All fighting ceased and the battlefields had what witnesses called “ an eerie peaceful silence.”
November 12, 1890
Mabel Loomis Todd publishes the first edition of “Poems by Emily Dickinson.”
November 13, 1992
Riddick Bowe wins the undisputed world heavyweight boxing crown with a unanimous points decision over Evander Holyfield in Las Vegas; first of their 3 meetings.
November 14, 2002
Film “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” is released, based on the 2nd book of the series by J. K. Rowling. The Harry Potter franchise went on to be one of the most best selling book and movie franchises of all time.
November 15, 1777
Articles of Confederation, the first constitution of the United States, is approved by the Continental Congress.
Al Capone was freed from Alcatraz jail. He went right back to a life of gangster mafia crime and would end up back in prison in a few years.
November 17, 1558
Elizabeth I, took the English throne upon the death of her cousin, Queen “Bloody” Mary of scotland. Mary attempted to take Elizabeth’s life in order to have no one opposed to her taking the English throne for herself.
November 18, 1978
In Jonestown, Guyana, 918 members of the Peoples Temple were murdered and committed suicide under the leadership and direction of cult leader Jim Jones.
November 19, 1998
Vincent van Gogh’s “Portrait of the Artist Without Beard” sold at auction for $71.5 million.
November 20, 1945
The Nuremberg war trials began as 24 Nazi leaders were put on trial before judges representing the victorious Allied powers. Many Nazis were sentenced to death and prison, or used by the government.
November 21, 1989
Law banning smoking on most domestic flights was signed by US President George H. W. Bush. Shortly after, most restaurants and public spaces banned smoking other than in designated areas. In modern times the law even includes vaping.
November 22, 1963
US President John F. Kennedy was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald while he rode in an open-topped motorcade in Dallas, Texas.
November 23, 2019
The Sumatran rhino was officially declared extinct in Malaysia after the last known specimen, 25-year-old Iman, died of cancer in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
November 24, 2020
Covid-19 surge in the US gathered further pace with the death toll of 2,200 highest since May and new cases averaging 175,000 a day. This was the peak of the pandemic in the US.
November 25, 2019
Baltimore’s 2nd-year quarterback Lamar Jackson becomes first QB in NFL history to throw for 3,000 passing yards and rush for 1,500 yards in his first 2 NFL seasons as the Ravens beat LA Rams, 45-6.
November 26, 1791
The 1st US cabinet meeting was held at George Washington’s home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of War Henry Knox, and Attorney General Edmund Randolph attended.
November 27, 1895
Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel established the Nobel Prize, which went on for years and years after him.
November 28, 1720
Anne Bonny and Mary Read were tried, found guilty of pirating, and sentenced to death in Spanish Town, Jamaica, although their discovered pregnancies won them stays of execution. The two women pirates were believed to be in a ployamorous relationship with each other and a member of their crew.
November 29, 1935
Physicist Erwin Schrödinger published his famous thought experiment “Schrödinger’s cat”, a paradox that illustrated the problem of the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics. The experiment would go on to be taught to psychology students world-wide.
November 30, 2004
Longtime “Jeopardy!” champion Ken Jennings of Salt Lake City, Utah finally lost, leaving him with $2,520,700 USD, television’s all-time biggest game show win.
Written by: Erinn Malloy
After entering office in January, Biden rescinded a cross-border permit for the Keystone pipeline over “environmental concerns.” Now, the Biden administration is talking about shutting down Line 5, an important Michigan pipeline. Line 5 is part of a network that moves petroleum products, including crude oil, from Western Canada to Escanaba, Michigan. Over 540,000 barrels of these products are transported on this important Michigan pipeline per day.
White House Shutting down an Important Michigan Pipeline?
The White House says they are studying the impact of shutting down Line 5. A day after Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm warned that Americans will have to pay more to heat their homes this winter, reports surfaced saying the Biden administration was considering shutting down the important Michigan pipeline. White House climate adviser Gina McCarthy met with environmental groups about the important Michigan pipeline last month. A source who attended the meeting told Politico a decision on shutting down Line 5 could come after a vote on Biden’s $1.85 trillion Build Back Better Act. Fox News reporter Steve Doocy asked the White House press secretary why the administration is “considering” shutting down Line 5, which carries oil and gas liquids from Canada through Wisconsin and Michigan. Press Secretary Jean-Pierre claimed that was not true but then admitted “the Army Corps of Engineers is preparing an environmental impact to look through this.” Politico also reported the Department of Energy having an “ongoing discussion” about the impact shutting down Line 5 would have on energy markets. All of this indicates preparation for shutting down the important Michigan pipeline 5.
Shutting Down Line 5: Republicans views
Biden’s talk of shutting down Line 5 has been sharply criticized by Republican lawmakers and other members of the government. Republicans have warned Biden this move could result in gas prices shooting up. Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Biden’s energy secretary, predicted that heating prices will rise this winter as a result. “Yeah, this is going to happen. It will be more expensive this year than last year.” Propane prices have risen 50 percent just in Michigan from last year. Shutting down this important Michigan pipeline could cause that to spike even more, and in places other than just Michigan. Over a dozen Republican lawmakers signed a letter and sent it to Biden. “This irresponsible action will hurt farmers, businesses, and families. President Biden has already done enough to weaken America’s energy security and international alliances, and the consequences of terminating Line 5 would only heighten these growing challenges,” the letter says. “As we enter the winter months and temperatures drop across the Midwest, the termination of Line 5 will undoubtedly further exacerbate shortages and price increases in home heating fuels like natural gas and propane at a time when Americans are already facing rapidly rising energy prices, steep home heating costs, global supply shortages, and skyrocketing gas prices,” wrote Bob Latta, a representative of Ohio, to Biden.
Jason Hayes, the director of environmental policy at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, blasted the Biden administration for the talk of shutting down the important Michigan pipeline. He told Fox News that shutting down Line 5 is “just one more example of [the Biden administration] being divorced from reality. I hope it doesn’t end like this, but where I see it going is unfortunately the same thing that happened in February in Texas: People freezing in their homes.” Let’s hope the Biden administration comes to their senses about shutting down the important Michigan pipeline 5 before that happens.
Written by: Erinn Malloy
President Joe Biden’s package proposals and policies have led to major disagreement, even between progressive and moderate Democrats, for months. Joe Biden’s administration is pushing another large social package they say would pay for health care, education, raising children, caring for elderly people in their homes, tax breaks and electrified vehicles. Republicans and people on the right have openly spoken against the debt and other implications the large social package would have. However, Democrats and The White House remained confident Senator Joe Manchin would support Biden’s plan. Press secretary Jen Psaki in a statement, “we remain confident that the plan will gain Senator Manchin’s support.” In addition to hoping to pass the large social package, Congress faces critical deadlines in the next five weeks to avoid a government shutdown and avert an unprecedented default on the federal government’s debt with likely economic consequences. Now, Manchin is one of two Senators who have become holdouts, stalling the passage of the large social package.
Senator Joe Manchin becomes One of Two Holdouts
Whitehouse Democrats assumed Senator Joe Manchin would signal support for Biden’s large social package. However, Senator Joe Manchin has become one of two holdouts for Biden’s large $1.75 trillion social package. Manchin said the large social package is filled with “shell games” and “budget gimmicks” that would end up costing more than $1.75 trillion. The two holdout senators, whose votes are needed, say they’re open to voting for Biden’s large social package, if it “moves our country forward.” In the same thought, Senator Joe Manchin said he’s “equally open to voting against” the large social package if he believes it would negatively impact the US more than it would help. Senator Joe Manchin believes lawmakers should focus on the smaller infrastructure package but they seem to want the passage of the large social package first.
“While I’ve worked hard to find a path to compromise, it’s obvious: Compromise is not good enough for a lot of my colleagues in Congress. It’s all or nothing, and their position doesn’t seem to change unless we agree to everything,” Manchin said, according to Reuters. Manchin said it’s “time to vote” on a recently stalled $1 trillion infrastructure package the Senate passed with the support of 19 Republicans. Joe Manchin is urging Democrats to quit holding the smaller infrastructure bill “hostage” as negotiations continue on the large social package. Senator Joe Manchin said, “Enough is enough. It’s time our elected leaders in Washington, all of us, stopped playing games with the needs of the American people in holding a critical infrastructure bill hostage.”
Why did Senator Joe Manchin Become a Holdout?
Republicans strongly opposed the large social package and are giving no votes. This means Democrats have to do their best to unite progressive and centrist lawmakers around the large social package. Senator Joe Manchin has become a holdout because he is angry over progressives holding the smaller public works bill “hostage.” He wants Democrats to push ahead with the smaller public works bill of roads, highways and broadband projects that had already been approved by the Senate but is being stalled by House progressives. Senator Joe Manchin doesn’t believe lawmakers should be able to use the small infrastructure package as leverage, while they try to win commitments for Biden’s large social package. Joe Manchin will “not support a bill that is this consequential without thoroughly understanding the impact.” He believes it is necessary to understand how implementing the large social package could affect the economy and federal debt. Progressive lawmakers understand the hesitancy from holdout senators and Republicans but have demanded no vote on the small infrastructure package until the large social package was assured Senate passage. “This is not how the United States Congress should operate,” Manchin said.
The Senate is divided 50-50, with Democrats holding the majority because of Vice President Kamala Harris’ tie-breaking vote. This means any Democratic senator basically has effective veto power. Senator Joe Manchin becoming a holdout could be the beginning of some democrats standing against a government which is currently leaning pretty far left. We currently see this view of not being willing to let the big government pick and choose what to do in order to pass their own agenda, emerging from the Democratic party. Could we be seeing the beginning ripples of a wave of moderate Democrats which would be easier for Republicans to work with? Even if that isn’t the case, we definitely could be seeing a split being the created democratic party between people who support Biden and people who want to help the country. How Biden’s administration, lawmakers, and especially other Democrats respond this will affect the future of the US. Biden recognised this when he visited Capitol Hill on Thursday to plead with Democratic lawmakers to support the large social package. In a meeting Biden told Democrats, “I don’t think it’s hyperbole to say that the House and Senate majorities and my presidency will be determined by what happens in the next week.”
Written by: Erinn Malloy
Mars is the tiny planet that is Earth’s neighbor and the fourth planet from the sun. Sometimes called the Red Planet, Mars is named for the Roman god of war. The planet’s two moons were named Phobos and Deimos after the sons of Mars and Venus. Civilizations have always contributed Mars to war and battle, even the names of the moons mean “Fear” and “Terror.” Due to having a larger orbit and slower rotation than Earth, Mars has a longer day than earth by just an hour and 37 minutes. However, one year on Mars is 687 Earth days, roughly the length of two Earth years. According to NASA, if you weigh 100lbs on Earth then you would only weigh 38 lbs on Mars. All of this is due to the Gravity of the Red planet and how Mars is formed.
What is Mars Made of?
Like Earth, Mars has an atmosphere, crust, mantle, and a core. The rocky layers are similar in composition. In fact, all of the rocks and all of the minerals that have been identified on Mars so far are also found on Earth. Mars Rovers and spectrometers on orbiting spacecraft have indicated Mars’ surface is composed of things like basalts and is high in sulfur, chlorine, and other volatile elements. Mars has soils consisting almost entirely of sulfates or silica. Many of the rocks appear to have been affected by warm volcanic fluids or weathered as a result of warm surface conditions. Minerals such as clays are common throughout Mars’ cratered terrain. According to Britannica, there are indications that surface conditions changed dramatically around 3.7 billion years ago. Prior to that time, warm and wet conditions were believed to be common and resulted in extensive rock alteration; after that time such conditions were rare, and rock alteration was minor. Mars’ atmosphere is 96% carbon dioxide, which means humans can’t breathe without support. None of these conditions have stopped humans all over the world from planning missions to Mars.
The Future of Mars Exploration
Both NASA and SpaceX have expressed their plan to put the human race on Mars sooner rather than later. Other countries are also interested in Mars and sent their own versions of rovers there. In 2020 the US Mars 2020 Rover, ExoMars rover from the European Space Agency, the United Arab Emirates Hope Orbiter, a Japanese orbiter, a Chinese rover and the SpaceX Dragon capsule were all launched to Mars. NASA says they are “planning to send humans to Mars sometime in the future. Preparations are being made, primarily through our robotic exploration in collaboration with the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD) and the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD).” SpaceX’s website says they’re going to “Mars and beyond: the road to making the human race multiplanetary.” On their website SpaceX also answers the question: Why Mars? They give a number of reasons from the ability to grow plants by compressing the atmosphere to the cold temperatures not being an issue because we have the ability to warm the atmosphere. According to SpaceX, it takes 6 months to get to Mars but they believe their Starship Rocket could eventually get the human race there.
What Issues Could Humans Face on Mars?
One issue that is not easy to predict is the health of the Mars crew. Spending large amounts of time in space could have major effects on the body. The circulatory systems could be affected, and bones could demineralize. The Mars crew could also experience psychological issues during the several hundred days in a confined space. According to Britannica radiation could also be significant, particularly if solar storms occurred during the trip. How will the crew study Mars? Mars should not be contaminated before the potential for pre-existing life has been assessed. Robotic spacecraft sent to Mars have rigorous cleanliness requirements, parts that touch the surface are sterilized to minimize the possibility of interfering with the possible indigenous life. Another concern is back contamination. International protocols require that materials returned from Mars be quarantined until they have been proved to be safe. The astronauts may similarly have to be quarantined.
The idea of indigenous life on Mars and humans going to Mars has always sparked an interest for people. The human race will always be fascinated by Mars until we have the chance to see it ourselves. Do you think humans could thrive on Mars despite the conditions which aren’t exactly ideal? Do you think the human race should be on the road to possibly colonize mars? Did you know Mars had two moons? Find out about Asteroids, Stars, and Blackholes on the next installment of Five Minute Planetarium.
Written by: Erinn Malloy
School board elections have gone from non-partisan to heated debates across the country as partisan Congress reaches the smallest communities. In some of the first elections since former President Donald Trump’s defeat, local races have energized the conservative movement. In Douglas County, Colorado, where Trump defeated President Joe Biden by more than 7 points, this effort could end with a conservative victory that would have a long-lasting effect on the community. Recent debates over Critical Race Theory, masking policies, and other initiatives have turned local elections for Douglas County School Board into a battle between right and left. Thanks to the elections, which end soon, Douglas County School board meetings are currently heated debates where parents, students and other attendees spend hours arguing. Douglas County School Board sees over a district that is home to 64,000 students. There are currently seven candidates for the Douglas County School Board, two of which are incumbents.
Who is Running for Douglas County School Board?
Mike Peterson, Becky Myers, Kaylee Winegar and Christy Williams have positioned themselves as the conservative candidates for Douglas County School Board. On the other ticket, which is Left leaning, is Krista Holtzmann, Kevin Leung, Juli Watkins and Ruby Martinez. Two members of the Left’s ticket are incumbents, which gives them a leg up. However, the conservative ticket is backed by the local and state GOP and groups like the 1776 Project PAC, which oppose anti-racist education. They’ve also been boosted by wealthy donors, bringing in $300,000. Much of it has come from people like Eric Garrett, a local real estate executive, Mike Slattery, another local businessman, and R. Stanton Dodge, the chief legal counsel for DraftKings, a sports-betting and fantasy site. Richard Martyr, the president-elect of the Colorado Association of School Boards,said a fundraising haul of that size is “completely atypical” for a school board race.
What Happened at the Recent School Board Meeting?
Locals say this election is all-together taking on a “different flavor.” Tensions grew during a Douglas County School Board meeting after a federal judge blocked an order from the county’s board of health allowing people to opt-out of mandatory masking in school. Attendees called the board of health members “sociopaths and tyrants,” adding if they “couldn’t handle such criticism they should resign immediately.” At the most recent School Board meeting, arguments broke out in the audience. The current Douglas County School Board president, David Ray, had to ask the audience not to clap or cheer several times because, as he said, that “makes it an unsafe environment for someone who has a different perspective.” This did not seem to deter meeting attendees who continued to cheer and support their respective side. People in the audience wore shirts made for their individual causes. One woman’s shirt said “a masked child is an abused child” and had a mask inside a red circle with a line through it. Another woman wore a shirt that said “vaccinated but still wearing my mask.” One of the biggest debates in that meeting was over Critical Race Theory. One female student said “make no mistake, critical race theory… sorry, equity… is one of the most racist things I have ever heard.” Later, a male student argued for the importance of equity initiatives for students who were not in the straight, white majority. Discussions over race in schools have been frequent in Douglas County school board meetings all year, with diversity and inclusion training teaching critical race theory.
Douglas County School Board Debates Critical Race Theory
In an April Zoom workshop, Dante and Christina James, spoke about institutional racism and urged teachers to re-examine the narratives traditionally taught in American grade schools. “Was manifest destiny a great way to conquer the west?” Dante James asked. “Or was it genocide?” Some parents were outraged and the conservative school board slate seized on the training as an example of what they describe as “wokeness gone too far.” Bret Miles, executive director of the Colorado Association of School Executives, defended the program and said it has nothing to do with critical race theory. Their purpose is to tailor educational resources to students’ unique circumstances and ensure equal access in the classroom, he said. “The equity policy has nothing to do with critical race theory. They’re, they’re two completely different things,” said Watkins, one of the school board candidates running against the conservative slate. “Teaching history as it happens, even in all of its ugliness, is critical to have people be educated. I think it’s a natural human inclination to try to, you know, brush over things that are unflattering,” she added. “But I think we’re, we’re at that point where it’s time to at least acknowledge some of the ugly things that have happened.”
Deborah Flora is a conservative radio host who runs the group Parents United America and recently launched a Senate bid challenging Michael Bennet, said “We want slavery to be taught, we want children to learn about what has happened, and Jim Crow laws and why America went to war with itself to end slavery and all of that,” she said. “This is not what we’re talking about when you are telling a child that because of an immutable characteristic, they should be ashamed of that immutable characteristic and that they are oppressors.” Do you think School Board elections should stay non-partisan? What would a conservative School Board mean for Douglas County Schools and other counties to follow? Do you believe schools should teach Critical Race Theory or just American history?
Written by: Erinn Malloy
Back in September the Whitehouse issued a vaccine mandate saying all federal contractors must be vaccinated by December 8, 2021. Will hundreds of Federal workers be able to get vaccinated by then? Are they willing to get vaccinated? Will Federal Contractors be forced to terminate workers who aren’t vaccinated by then? That deadline rapidly approaches, but is it actually an attainable goal? Many Republicans do not think so. Some Republicans are concerned the intelligence community will be forced to terminate hundreds of workers by enforcing the vaccine mandate. “It’s not a train wreck that’s coming years from now. It’s within a few weeks,” said Representative Chris Stewart during a House Intelligence Committee hearing, according to FoxNews. Could he be correct in his assumptions? Are federally contracted companies like the CIA preparing to terminate hundreds of workers?
Will the CIA be Terminating Hundreds of Workers?
Representative Darin LaHood asked CIA Director William Burns: “Is the agency prepared to terminate hundreds, if not thousands, of CIA employees, case officers and intelligence professionals if the vaccine is not abided by?” Burns said the agency has a 97% vaccination rate but he might have to terminate hundreds of workers. “We’ll follow the process that’s been laid out under the law but potentially it could come to that,” Burns said. LaHood suggested the intelligence community should not implement the vaccine mandate until the Supreme Court issued a decision. Both Burns and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines noted that they didn’t anticipate the vaccine mandate affecting their agencies. “I look at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and it’s actually – the numbers are quite small in terms of ones that have indicated that they are not vaccinated,” she said. The numbers are small for those agencies. What about the agencies whose numbers are in the thousands?
What Other Contractors Will be Terminating Hundreds of Workers?
Federal Contractors have told hundreds of workers they risk losing their jobs if they do not comply with the vaccine mandate. Raytheon Technologies’ Chief Executive, Greg Hayes, warned the U.S. aerospace and defense firm could lose ‘several thousand’ workers as it prepares to comply with the vaccine mandate. A group representing FedEx Corp, United Parcel Service Inc, and other cargo carriers told the White House it would be virtually impossible to have all of their workers comply with the vaccine mandate by the deadline. Republican Senator Roger Wicker urged Biden to abandon the plan, saying “we cannot afford to gut our transportation network of tens and perhaps hundreds of thousands of essential, good-paying jobs.” What happens if these Federally Contracted workers do not comply with the vaccine mandate? Will hundreds of workers who are highly skilled and paid be terminated? What effect would that have on our economy?
According to Reuters, Some airlines and industry-watchers initially feared an exodus of unvaccinated airline or government employees involved in travel just before the Christmas season. Southwest Airlines Chief Executive Gary Kelly said last week: “We want our employees to know that nobody is going to lose their job on December 9 if we’re not perfectly in compliance.” The White House says federal contractors have significant flexibility in enforcing the vaccine mandate and will not be required to terminate hundreds of workers. Federal Contractors will be given time for education, counseling and other measures before they face the possibility of termination. What happens if workers go through education and counseling, but still do not wish to get the vaccine? Will the vaccine mandate eventually lead to mass termination of hundreds of federally contracted workers in the beginning of 2022? Do you think the government should force contractors to comply with the vaccine mandate?
Did you choose which political party you supported based on what your friends or family believed, without doing proper research? Have you always considered yourself a die-hard Democrat or Liberal but aren’t sure that really fits you? We have created a quiz that will tell you what political party your core beliefs fall under. Once you take the quiz you can come back here for in depth definitions of your results.
Conservative
If your result was conservative you probably believe the US needs better security at the border. You believe the death penalty is neither cruel nor unusual when you’re trying a murder case. Many conservatives believe the government should not have the right to regulate business or gun control. You believe in a small government with less social programs. Many conservatives believe social programs should aim for helping people for short periods of time, in order for them to help themselves. You may believe the only way to maintain peace overseas is to maintain a US military presence with limited diplomacy in countries who are our allies. States should have the ability to regulate themselves and abortion should be completely illegal. You believe in traditional family values. Many conservatives believe christian holidays and symbols should be allowed at public schools. You may also believe healthcare would benefit more from staying privatized and the uninsured being helped through limited government programs to provide basic healthcare to all. According to Jonathan Haidt’s TedTalk: The moral roots of liberal and conservatives, conservatives believe in three attributes that are not as highly-valued by liberals: loyalty, respect for authority, and sanctity.
Republicans
Republicans tend to take a more conservative stand on issues. You believe that the federal government should not play a big role in people’s lives. Most Republicans favor lower taxes for everyone to promote the workforce and less government spending on social programs. You believe the government should have stricter guidelines for social programs and shouldnt fund things such as abortions. Many republicans believe states should have the ability to choose whether they recognize same-sex marriage or not. Most republicans believe the US should maintain peace with some countries through military presence and intelligence and others with diplomacy. You may believe the effects “going green” would have on the economy would outweigh the few benefits. You believe in less big government intervention in business and private affairs. You likely believe gun control is an issue of enforcing gun laws and requirements, not one of gun ownership. Many republicans believe in only legal immigration, as well as enforcing border security.
Democrats
Democrats are sometimes referred to as “the Party of the People,” attracting immigrants, LGBTQ, women, and minorities. Democrats tend to take a more liberal stand on issues such as abortion, same-sex marriage, and immigration. Most democrats believe the few jobs that would be created by “going green” would combat the potential job losses and are worth the risk to the economy. You believe that the federal government should take a more active role in people’s lives, particularly those who are in need. You believe everyone should have access to all aspects of helathcare and same-sex partners have a right to marry. You may also believe the government should pay for abortions for women who can’t afford them.
Liberal
Many Liberals believe the only way to achieve change is to exercise the freedom of speech and freedom to protest. You believe everyone has the right to do whatever they want within reason. You believe abortion should be paid for by the government and everyone on US soil should have access to healthcare. Most Liberals believe there should be relaxed borders and everyone should be allowed to enter the US. You likely believe that the government should have a hand in everything from business to private affairs such as gun ownership. Many liberals believe there should be a definite separation of church and state. According to Jonathon Haidt’s TedTalk, Liberals are more open to experience. This means they crave things such as travel, variety, novelty, and diversity rather than their Conservative counterparts who crave dependability and stability.
Moderate
Many people who are moderate identify as independent or whichever way they find themselves leaning in a current election. You may have what some would call conflicting views. You may believe doctor assisted suicide should be allowed for those with incurable illnesses in order to reduce their inevitable suffering; then, you may disagree with the death penalty for all cases. Many moderates believe abortion is wrong but also recognize women have a right to choose to carry a pregnancy. You believe wealthier people should have higher taxes but social programs should not be paid for with them. You may also believe in stricter guidelines for social programs, gun control, and immigration. Many people who are moderate believe the rules should have exceptions in cases where they are deemed necessary.
Did your results shock you, or were you not surprised? No matter how you identify we are all American and should be tolerant and respectful of each other. We may not agree on everything… or anything, but being civil while still standing strong in our beliefs should be an American way of life. Everyone who was born on US soil or is a legal US immigrant has the right to believe whatever they want when it comes to religion and politics, that is true freedom.
Written by: Erinn Malloy
The Earth is a complex sphere flying through space, which is life sustaining. Our planet has so many different places that sustain all kinds of life. If our individual solar system is any indication, that doesn’t have a very high chance of happening often. Earth completes one rotation every 23.9 hours and takes 365.25 days to complete one trip around the Sun. To keep our calendars consistent with our orbit around the Sun, every four years we have a leap year, adding a day in February. Earth’s axis is tilted 23.4 degrees causing our cycle of seasons. One hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun, and the other is tilted away. The one tilted toward the Sun will have summer, the other will experience winter. Six months later, the situation will reverse. During spring and fall begin, both hemispheres receive roughly equal amounts of heat from the Sun. What lies beneath the weather and things we see? How are we able to breathe? How does our only natural satellite affect everything?
What is Earth Made of?
Earth is the biggest of the terrestrial planets and the fifth largest planet overall. Earth’s core is made of nickel and iron and temperatures can reach 9,800 degrees F. The Mantle is Earth’s thickest layer and is a mixture of molten rock containing iron, magnesium, aluminum, oxygen and other minerals. The rocky surface layer of Earth’s crust is mainly covered with water. Earth’s crust runs around 19 miles deep on average on land.
Earth’s atmosphere is nitrogen, oxygen, and small amounts of other elements. The atmosphere also contains water vapor, along with traces of dust particles, pollen, plant grains and other solid particles. The Earth is an average distance of 93 million miles, or one astronomical unit, from the sun. It takes around eight minutes for light from the Sun to reach the Earth. The highest temperature ever recorded on Earth’s crust was 136 degree F in the Libyan desert. The coldest temperature was -126 degrees F at Vostok Station in Antarctica. Even though Earth is the only habitable place in our solar system, that hasn’t stopped humans from wanting to leave and explore our only natural satellite.
What is Earth’s only Natural Satellite?
Earth’s only natural satellite is simply called “the Moon” because people didn’t know other moons existed until Galileo Galilei discovered four moons orbiting Jupiter in 1610. Earth is the only planet that has a single moon. Our Moon is the fifth largest moon in our solar system. Some moons are bits of rock that were captured by a planet’s gravity, but our Moon is likely the result of a collision billions of years ago. Scientists speculate when Earth was a young planet, a large chunk of rock smashed into it. The resulting chunks clumped together and formed our Moon. Our Moon is the brightest object in the night sky. The moon is extremely important because it stabilizes our planet, making our climate more predictable. The Moon is an average of 238,855 miles away from Earth.
The Earth and Moon’s rotations are so in sync we only see one side of the Moon. Humans didn’t see the far side of the Moon until a Soviet spacecraft flew past in 1959. Twenty-four humans have traveled from the Earth to the Moon. Twelve had the privilege of walking on its surface, the last in 1972. NASA currently has three robotic spacecraft exploring the Moon. In the near future, NASA hopes to set up a permanent base on the Moon. This base will hopefully be a step towards humans exploring Mars. Some believe Mars could have possibly once had life. Find out what we know about Mars on the next installment of Five Minute Planetarium: Mars.
Written by: Erinn Malloy
The Biden administration does its best to make sure, from the outside, everything seems fine and running smoothly. The truth is, Biden is failing as president. The administration’s attempt at falsifying normalcy isn’t working, as President Biden has recently taken a hit in public opinion polls. Millions of Americans have come to realize Biden is failing as president and they simply can’t trust this administration to give us the truth about important issues. According to Whitehouse correspondent Brian Karem the Biden administration is “very strange” and “controlling” he said in an article for CNBC. According to Karem “This administration clearly does not want us to observe or interact with the president in a regular and robust fashion.” What is the Biden administration hiding? Could the lack of openness and sharing the truth be a major reason the public believe Biden is failing as president?
Do Americans Believe Biden is Failing as President?
In short, yes. Many Americans who voted for Biden based on only one or two of his policies are seeing the impacts in other areas where he had weaker policies. Illegal border crossings have reached their highest point in 21 years, which is why only 25% of Americans polled approve of President Biden’s handling of immigration. Only 39% of Americans approve of Biden’s handling of the economy because inflation is the highest it has been in decades. The majority of people seem to agree, Biden is failing as president. A USA Today and Suffolk University poll released on August 24, showed only 41% of Americans approving of his overall performance, compared to 55% saying they disapproved. Biden’s plummeting approval rating should not come as a shock, it has been trending down his entire presidency.
Why Biden is Failing as President
Biden is Failing as president due to his actions in office. Biden has refused to address major issues, or actively made these problems worse. For example, Biden’s $3.5 trillion budget proposal for social programs and $1.2 trillion “infrastructure” bill, would make inflation skyrocket if passed. In addition to the threat of crushing inflation, Biden completely botched the US leaving Afghanistan. We have so many American citizens and allies stuck behind enemy lines in a brutal unforgiving country. Don’t forget the home and landowners in towns along the border have been begging the president to take action against the border crisis. Especially since their properties are being vandalized and their town doesn’t have the resources to care for the thousands of people illegally pouring in.
Despite all of this, the Biden administration does everything it possibly can to keep up outward appearances. According to Karem, the administration will even go as far as to control what the president says and does around the media. “A wrangler told me they don’t want me near the president. I responded that he always answers my questions when I am — and was told that’s exactly why they don’t want me there.” Karem went on to say, “The staff is afraid of what some of us will ask him, and what his responses will be. One byproduct of this that’s invisible from the outside is that by making the press pool and a few others feel special by their proximity and access, the Biden administration has been far more successful in stifling free speech than Trump ever was with his bullying.” The American people can tell.
It is clear Biden is Failing as president. It is clear if we continue this way our country will be ran into the ground with inflation, debt, and foreign relations issues. What seems to be unclear is whether he is actually failing or his administration. Why is Biden not addressing the public’s concerns about important issues? Why won’t his administration allow him to address the public without strict guidelines? What is Biden and his administration hiding? Is our President actually running our country or are his advisors?
Written by: Erinn Malloy
If you are looking for things to do in Colorado for Halloween, look no further. This spooky season is seeing many events planned across the state. There is something for every walk of life in this list. Be safe while driving to Halloween festivities. Here are things to do in Colorado for Halloween:
Colorado Springs
Spook-Out Shoot-Out
Colorado Springs is hosting the annual Spook-Out Shoot-Out. The Spook-Out Shoot-Out event features haunted mini golf, trick or treating, carnival games, a costume contest, hayrides and plenty more. So put on your best costume and head to Colorado Springs to embrace Halloween this October 22nd – 24th and 29th – 30th, 2021.
Boo at the Zoo
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is hosting a family-friendly event called Boo at the Zoo. Kids and parents can dress in costume and trick-or-treat while exploring the zoo. You’ll get a chance to view the animals, especially the nocturnal ones, while you enjoy events and festivities to celebrate the Halloween holiday. The zoo will hold festivities October 23rd – 24th and 29th – 31st, 2021.
Denver
Elitch Gardens Fright Fest
Elitch Gardens theme park is a fun outing every month of the year. During weekend nights in October, Elitch Gardens turns into a freaky experience for those 12 and older. Elitch Gardens Fright Fest is a fully immersive haunted house. During the day, younger children can Trick or Treat and other fun Halloween festivities.
Terminal Bar Carving & Cocktails
If you are looking for things to do in Colorado for Halloween that are geared towards adults, look no further. From 3-6 p.m on October 24,2021, Terminal bar will be hosting Carving and cocktails. The event costs $35, which includes a pumpkin, carving necessities and a spooky seasonal cocktail. Registration required before the event. Terminal bar will be having other events in the surrounding days, such as Howl-A-Ween Yappy Hour on October 27. This event will include a pet costume contest. Check their website for more information.
Haunted Field of Screams
The largest haunted attraction in the state, Haunted Field of Screams is a tradition for Colorado haunted house fans. Spanning 40 acres, Haunted Field of Screams: A Ride to the Riverdale Gates of Hell is a thrilling indoor/outdoor experience. The attraction runs through October 31 and is conveniently located just 15 minutes from downtown Denver.
Victorian Horrors
Literary fans looking for a Halloween experience should come to the Molly Brown House this October. The Molly Brown House is already known as a historic home that could quite possibly be haunted. The Victorian Terrors tour features authors like Poe, Lovecraft and Wells; you’ll hear of terrifying tales as you make your way through the mansion. Tickets are required and cost $18-$20, you can buy them at mollybrown.org
Aurora
Young Frankenstein
Aurora’s Vintage Theatre will be showing Young Frakenstein, starring Gene Wilder every weekend through October 31. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. on Sundays. Come enjoy this Halloween classic before enjoying the local nightlife.
Littleton
Corn Maze
Chatfield Farms will be hosting a Corn Maze every weekend in October from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.. This family friendly event is affordable with tickets under $20 and children under 2 being free.
Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns
Hudson Gardens will be hosting a Halloween display. A magnificent glow of 5,000 hand-carved pumpkins and larger-than-life pumpkins displays will get your whole family in the Halloween spirit. This display will be up until October 31.
Canon City
Boo at the Bridge
Boo at the Bridge is a Halloween event that occurs at the Royal Gorge Bridge. Games, entertainment, and treats, ensure this Canon City Halloween event will be fun and family-friendly. Many locals say Boo at the Bridge enhances the Royal Gorge experience, so come in your costume for this one-day event October 23, 2021.
There are so many different things to do in Colorado for Halloween. No matter what you prefer there is an event for everyone. Always remember to practice safe driving and never to drive under the influence. Halloween is a fun time and should be celebrated safely.
Written by: Erinn Malloy
Within a few weeks of starting our Thanksgiving shopping trips to the grocery store, and in a little over a month before we start our Christmas shopping, a high school in California is ensuring that our shelves at the stores that we shop at are completely stocked.
A Great Need
With many bare shelves at the grocery stores across the country, the truck driver industry is facing a driver shortage. Industry experts say that the average truck driver is 54 years old, but with the shortage of drivers, that is now changing.
Here To Help
Patterson High School in Patterson, California is one of the first non-vocational high schools in the country to offer a truck driving training program for students. The elective course, which is open to high school seniors is a part of the school’s Career Technical Education Program, which is geared toward helping students learn workplace skills through hands on training.
A Proven Leader
The program is led by instructor Dave Dein.
Many of the students who are enrolled in the program have never considered truck driving as a career. This program shines a new light on truck driving jobs, and it helps promote truck driving jobs to youth.
Life Skills
The Truck Driving Training program also helps guide students through the basics of the trucking industry and trucking safety, it also teaches the regulations of getting a commercial driver’s license and it equips students to deal with real world scenarios that truck drivers face while on the road.
Personal Story
Dave Dein the instructor for the course is a part time trucker himself. Mr. Dein has been proudly delivering our favorite products and freight nationwide since 1988. Ever since earning his Master’s Degree in education, he still drives on the weekends and part time.
On The Decline
As of 2021, The Trucking Industry is short 68,000 drivers that are needed on the road as 25% of current truck drivers have reached retirement age, or are close to retirement.
Quick Fix
Hiring high school graduates to drive trucks might be a help to the truck driver shortage. In the current training session at Patterson High School, students undergo 180 hours of classroom training along with 30 hours of lab sessions outside of the classroom as they gain experience in trucking. Those students who would like to pursue a career as a truck driver once they are 18 years old, must undergo further training. Current Truck drivers must be at least 21 years of age to haul goods across state lines.
The Right Time
For Some Students enrolled in the program, it’s a good way for them to receive their Commercial Driver’s License before their Graduation. A true Pathway to drive them to success on the road of life, wherever they may go.
Written by: Gary Taylor
As the snow descends and we see winter in Colorado for the first time this season the biggest question stands: how do I prepare myself for the cold weather? Here are a few things you can do to prepare your car and yourself for an outing in the coming winter weather. Winter in Colorado can be brutal and scary but with the right preparation you can live and travel comfortably without finding yourself dangerously caught in the snow.
Is my Vehicle Ready for Winter in Colorado?
You should ask your trusted mechanic to give you the proper advice for winterizing your personal vehicle, but here are a few things they will likely recommend. Make sure your fluids are the ones designed for winter weather if necessary. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, everyone MUST have some type of snow tire in order to be safe during winter in Colorado. This rule, called the active traction law, went into effect last August. According to the active traction law, during winter in Colorado you must drive a 4-wheel/all-wheel drive vehicle, as well as have snow/mud tires and/or snow chains. It is a good idea for ALL vehicles on the road to have a set of snow chains, just in case a passenger vehicle chain law is put in motion. This means everyone driving on the highway must have chains on their vehicles and is enacted during bad winter storms. You never know when one of these bad winter storms could hit and you end up stranded.
To prepare for winter in Colorado you should keep an emergency kit in your car. An ideal kit would have tire chains, abrasive material such as sand or kitty litter, and a small shovel to help you get out of snow or mud. A flashlight with extra batteries as well as ice scraper, rags, and paper towels. Another item that isn’t thought of, but a good idea to include, are elbow length rubber gloves to cover thinner winter gloves and keep your hands dry while working in the snow. Flares or other warning devices are good things to have as well as booster/jumper cables and a first aid kit. Have blankets or extra jackets, hats and gloves for you and your passengers just in case. It is also a good idea to have snacks and water for you and passengers, even the four legged kind, in case you are stuck for a while. Lastly, keep your phone charged before you hit the road and have either a car charger or portable charger with you. Drive safe, buckle up, stay in when you can. However, when you just can’t resist hiking in the beauty that can also be winter in Colorado, make sure you do it safely.
Winter hiking in Colorado
One of the most important things to remember while hiking during winter in Colorado is LAYER, LAYER, LAYER. This is important as the saying represents the three layers you should have. The goal is to have enough to stay warm but not enough to sweat profusely under your clothes, making you cold in the long run. Your base layer should be something moisture wicking, but warm, such as thermals. The middle layer should be something heavier such as flannels or fleece. Then an outer layer of warm winter coat and pants or rain gear. Boots should always be waterproof, with layers of warm socks. It is also a good idea to carry sunglasses, hats, and facemasks. When you go hiking you should always carry some type of Navigation or map, Headlamp with extra batteries, Sun protection, First aid, Knife, Fire (matches, lighter, firestarter), Shelter, Extra food, Extra water, Extra clothes. You never know when conditions could worsen and you could end up stranded during winter in Colorado. Always check the forecast of where you want to go and it is essential to take a class about avalanche safety before heading out. Avalanches can be extremely dangerous and you should be well informed or with an experienced group before going to places where one could be a possibility.
Before you go back country skiing, snowboarding, or even hiking during winter in Colorado you should look into getting a “COSAR” card also known as a Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue Card. The costs of these cards go towards any cost teams incur during rescue missions, which you could wind up being thankful for later. It is important to leave a detailed itinerary with someone at home. This person should understand their role to report any known emergent circumstances, serious injuries, medical episodes, or failure to communicate after the planned timeline of your trip.
They should have the following information:
Number of persons involved as well as the Name, age, and gender of each person. Phone numbers for each person and their Physical descriptions, including clothing and equipment. Details and timeline from the itinerary and Last known location of the lost party. Last known Location of the lost party’s vehicle and the Vehicle description as well as license plate number. They should also know how much experience the group has.
Before you set off to enjoy winter in Colorado, you should make sure your car and the people with you are ready and prepared. Animals should have snow boots and thermal gear just like people in order to ensure their safety. Winter in Colorado can be fun and beautiful but in a moment things can turn dangerous. Be aware of the dangers in nature such as weather, terrain, and predators. It is important to be informed and prepared for whatever might lay ahead in order to enjoy Colorado’s beauty safely.
Written by: Erinn Malloy
The price of bitcoin has once again reached an all time high, with the cryptocurrency shooting above $57,000. This brings bitcoin to a five-month high, October being up 32 percent. Bitcoin has surpassed the value of many US tech companies. This recent surge could be due to many things such as being able to invest small amounts in bitcoin on Cashapp leading to wider availability. Countries in South America are starting to recognize bitcoin as a form of currency, which could have helped this surge. In the past weeks a mysterious investor, or group of investors, who placed an order to buy $1.6 billion worth of bitcoin, were a part of the surging price. It has been a good few months for bitcoin prices, but not everyone agrees bitcoin is worth anything.
Is Bitcoin Worthless?
The CEO of America’s largest bank, JPmorgan, has not changed his very vocal opinion of bitcoin. “I personally think that bitcoin is worthless,” Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan, said during the Institute of International Finance’s membership meeting. Dimon has been an outspoken critic of digital currency, calling it a “terrible store of value” which is “going nowhere” and “will not survive.” Dimon has also accused the cryptocurrency of being “a fraud” and “fool’s gold with no intrinsic value.” Dimon cautioned that “it’s going to be regulated, whether you like it or not.” None of the CEO’s opinions have stopped JPmorgan’s customers from having major interest in bitcoin, so the bank will go where the customers go, even if Dimon thinks they’re “stupid” for buying bitcoin. “Our clients are adults. They disagree. If they want to have access to buy or sell bitcoin, we can’t custody it—but we can give them legitimate, as clean as possible access,” Dimon said. A few on Wall Street share Dimon’s doubts of the cryptocurrency such as Berkshire Hathaway CEO, Warren Buffett, and vice chairman, Charlie Munger.
Bitcoin Supporters
The market value of bitcoin is so high many believe one more price surge could push it above silver. Analysts and investors, such as MicroStrategy’s Michael Saylor, believe the world’s most valuable cryptocurrency will one day “flip” gold, due to its inbuilt scarcity. That would put the price of a single bitcoin at around half a million dollars. Miami Mayor Frances Suarez is a strong advocate for cryptocurrency. The Miami Mayor said Bitcoin is “definitely not worthless,” pointing out the cryptocurrency has “gone up significantly since we last talked about it.” The Miami Mayor went on to explain that bitcoin support has been seen around the world in places like South America, Central America and Africa. A crypto analyst and CEO of on-chain data firm CryptoQuant, speculates that traders may be investing in large numbers ahead of possible approval by the US Securities and Exchange Commission of a “futures-based bitcoin exchange-traded fund.” The White House is also considering an executive order to direct a range of federal agencies to study cryptos and recommend regulatory changes. This would prolong the surge in bitcoin’s value, especially since US approval of a bitcoin exchange system could convince other countries to follow.
Bitcoin has quickly gained popularity and worth since it was at $300 a bitcoin in 2013. Will the cryptocurrency snowball continue to roll and grow? With more and more countries backing bitcoin, could the cryptocurrency surpass the value of gold? Some say bitcoin is the best investment you could make right now. Since you can now invest small amounts through apps like Cashapp, it certainly is one of the easiest investments to make. Do you believe bitcoin will continue to grow and be a good investment?
Written by: Erinn Malloy
You have probably seen a few of these in your community, although they are very small, they are continuing to make a big difference in many people’s lives.
An Open Door
Just recently, tiny homes have become a way to combat homelessness across the Country. The basic tiny home is 64 square feet. It features a bed, an air conditioner, clothing racks, and a door that locks.
Helping Hands
Currently, in Hollywood, California, The Chandler Boulevard Bridge Home Village currently provides transitional housing in tiny homes to help combat homelessness. Tiny home villages like The Chandler help the homeless by placing them inside of protected fenced off communities as they try to get back on their feet again. At Chandler, case workers can offer residents much needed help for anything ranging from drug addiction, alcohol abuse, and mental health issues. They also assist residents in navigating the complexities of job applications, health insurance, and more.
Rules and Regulations
Even though the name sounds good, The Chandler along with most tiny home communities focused on helping the homeless have rules. The top of the list is No weapons, or drugs allowed on campus, and paraphernalia must be checked at a locker outside.
Other Help
Hope Of The Valley, another tiny home community says that residents are allowed to live in their homes for free and can stay, as long as they are on a pathway to permanent housing, which usually takes three to six months.
Growing Trend
In the city of Los Angeles, there are currently more than 41,000 homeless people according to the last count by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority.
Counting The Cost
A company located in Everett, Washington called Pallet, which builds tiny homes for homelessness and temporary housing also but homes for The Chandler Village. The company estimates the cost of each tiny home to be $5,495. Pallet reports that it has helped build 44 tiny home communities most of which are located on the West Coast, with 13 more projects in the works.
Hope Of The Valley plans to house more than 900 people by November.
Bright Futures
Even though these tiny home communities are in existence today through the creative thinking and brilliant minds of many people of all walks of life coming together to share their gifts and talents with everyone around them, these tiny homes are truly making a big difference, one person at a time.
Written by: Gary Taylor
U.S. Senate leaders have agreed to raise the Treasury Department’s borrowing authority until early December, according to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. “We have reached an agreement to extend the debt ceiling through early December and it’s our hope we can get this done as soon as today,” Schumer said, referring to a vote on passage of the legislation. Biden does not seem to mind the Republicans’ issues against the increase, he said he would attempt to pass it even if that meant ignoring a filibuster.
Republican Party Blocked First Attempts
A source Reuters did not identify said the deal calls for a debt limit increase of $480 billion to the current $28.4 trillion. Republicans blocked previous attempts to raise the debt limit through the end of 2022. Now congress must reach a decision about this while still facing a deadline for funding the government in December. Democrats also want to pass two massive spending bills in the coming weeks, including a large social policy package and bipartisan infrastructure bill. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell proposed a temporary increase that would not be blocked The Republican party, despite what Republicans have promised the people all along. Democrats are going along with a two-month extension, though they don’t seem as keen on meeting the other demands of McConnell. McConnell wanted democrats to use the weeks to pass a debt ceiling extension through reconciliation.
What do Republican People Think?
“Well, we screwed up,” Senator Lindsey Graham told Fox News’s Sean Hannity. “For two months we’ve promised to the American people that we would not help the Democratic Party raise the debt ceiling so that they could spend three and a half to five trillion dollars through reconciliation. We let the people down, and we made the Democrats believe we are all talk and no action. At the end of the day, every Republican voted against raising the debt ceiling, every Democrat voted for it. We made a promise for two months that we would make them do it without our help, and we folded. I hate that. We are in a hole. We have to dig out of the hole, and we can’t. We shot ourselves in the foot tonight, but we will revisit the issue in December.”
Hannity pointed out that Democratic Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema were opposed to the $3.5 trillion bill and suggested McConnell should not assist Democrats in trying to pass it in any way. “This is the Democrats’ problem and people like Mitch McConnell, if you wanna be a conservative and you wanna be a leader, you need to stop being a hostage to scary government shutdown rhetoric,” Hannity said. He is referencing how before the White House meeting, the administration warned that if the borrowing limit isn’t extended, it could set off an international financial crisis the United States might not be able to manage, as well as lead to United States government shutdown. “A default would send shock waves through global financial markets and would likely cause credit markets worldwide to freeze up and stock markets to plunge,” the White House Council of Economic Advisers said. “Employers around the world would likely have to begin laying off workers.” Biden doesn’t seem to care about what republicans think, as he has threatened to ignore the use of a filibuster in order to pass the hike and “avoid these issues.”
Biden Wanted to Ignore Filibuster
The Senate is split 50-50 between the parties, which has allowed Republicans to use the filibuster to block Democratic efforts to suspend the debt limit as well as other Democratic initiatives. Biden said that Democrats would consider making an “exception to the filibuster” in this case to hike the debt ceiling and “defend the economy.” That idea seemed unlikely to succeed, according to Senator Joe Manchin, who said he would not support it. “I’ve been very, very clear where I stand on the filibuster. I’ve been very clear nothing changes,” Manchin said during a capitol hill news conference. However, can the President decide to ignore the filibuster?
What will this debt hike cost America in the long run? Will the things it supposedly saves be worth the things we could lose? Will the Republican Party bring a better option to the table? Or better yet, will they at least just stand firm behind what they promise the people in December? Biden has threatened to ignore the rules of the filibuster in order to get things done. Some assure that could never happen, but if it did, what could that mean for other issues later on in his presidency? Is he going to attempt to give the Democratic party more power than Republicans? There can’t be a two-party system if one party is rolled over and ignored.
Written by: Erinn Malloy
Venus is the second planet from the Sun and one of earth’s neighbors. No planet approaches closer to Earth than Venus. The planet is always roughly in the same direction in the sky as the Sun and can be seen in the hours near sunrise or sunset. Venus along with Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn were the few planets known in ancient times. Venus was known in ancient Greece by two different names Phosphorus when it appeared as a morning star, and Hesperus when it appeared as an evening star. The modern name comes from the Roman goddess of love and beauty. The ancient Greeks equivalent referred to the planet as Aphrodite. Venus has been called Earth’s twin.
Long Hot Days on Venus
Venus orbits in a nearly perfect circle. One year on Venus is 225 Earth days. One day on Venus is longer than one year: One day is roughly 243 Earth days.This is the slowest rotation of any planet. At the equator, Venus is rotating at about 6.5 kilometers in an hour, or 4 miles in an hour. Venus doesn’t have any moons or ring systems and its magnetosphere is weak due to its slow rotation. Venus may be called Earth’s twin but from Earth it can be seen in cycles of waxing and waning, like the Moon but on a slower timeframe.
Why is Venus called Earth’s Twin?
If we could slice Venus and Earth in half and place them side by side, they would look pretty similar. Each planet has an iron core, hot-rock mantle, and rocky exterior crust. Even though Venus has a similar-sized iron core, the planet does not have its own magnetic field. Instead, Venus has a magnetic field created by the interaction of the Sun and the planet’s outer atmosphere.The similarities in their masses, and sizes, along with their relative locations in the solar system leave some astronomers to believe the planets could have started out much the same way. Early observations of the planet revealed a perpetual veil of clouds, leading to belief Venus was a warm, wet world, similar to Earth during its prehistoric age. Venus has mountains, valleys, and tens of thousands of volcanoes. The highest mountain on Venus is called Maxwell Montes and stands 20,000 feet high.
Could Venus Sustain Life?
Atmospheric pressure on Venus is believed to be similar to the deep sea on Earth. Venus is the hottest planet in our solar system. The average surface temperature is hot enough to melt lead. Venus does not tilt on its axis so there is no seasonal variation. The dense atmosphere of around 96.5 percent carbon dioxide traps heat and causes a greenhouse effect. The current conditions would not be conducive to life as we know it. However, that has not stopped us from visiting.
Venus is one the most “visited” places of the solar system, many spacecraft explored venus. Scientists wonder if the conditions of Venus could teach important lessons about the cause of environmental change on Earth. Venus and earth could have started so similar, which leads to the question: what will Earth be like millions of years from now? Could Venus give us those answers? Venus is not one of the only things people on Earth have visited often. What about things we can see from earth, and the moon that orbits us? Find out in the next installment of Five minute Planetarium.
Written by: Erinn Malloy
So many things have happened throughout history. It is easy to forget everything good or bad that has been recorded happened to people just like you and me. It is easy to say “oh that is just history,” and not give things a second thought. What if we told you major things in history happened all throughout October? It can be mind blowing to think, things which we never thought could happen to us, happened to people just like us, on days much like any other day we have. As you read this list, the hope is you can gain perspective about time and the world we live in… or maybe just learn random facts, and that’s okay too.
October 1, 1891
Stanford University, California opened its doors after being founded by Leland Stanford and his wife Jane with a $40M donation, in memory of their son. Among its first graduation class was future US President Herbert Hoover.
Beatrix Potter published “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” with the help of Frederick Warne & Co. in London.
October 3, 52 BC
Vercingetorix, leader of the Gauls, surrendered to the Romans under Julius Caesar, ending the siege and battle of Alesia.
October 4, 1926
The Dahlia was designated as the official flower of San Francisco, California.
October 5, 1274
1,000 soldiers of the Mongol army landed on the Japanese island of Tsushim, beginning Kublai Khan’s Mongol invasion of Japan.
Adolf Hitler makes first public announcements for plans to regulate the “Jewish problem.”
October 7, 1915
English nurse Edith Cavell was sentenced to death along with 34 others by German court martial for running an underground network to free soldiers of the Allies during WW2.
October 8, 1604
Supernova “Kepler’s nova” was first sighted by Lodovico delle Colombe in Italy.
October 9, 1665
Due to the Great Plague of London, the British Parliament was forced to meet at the University of Oxford rather than the Palace of Westminster
October 10, 1871
The Great Chicago Fire was finally extinguished after 3 days, leaving approximately 300 dead, 100,000 homeless, and costing $222m in damage.
JC Penney opened their 1,252 store in Milford, Delaware, making it a nationwide company with stores in all 48 U.S. states.
Theodore Roosevelt renamed the “Executive Mansion” the “The White House.”
October 13, 1978
US President Jimmy Carter answered callers’ questions on National Public Radio.
George Floyd, African American bouncer, murdered by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in 2020, was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
October 15, 1924
US President Calvin Coolidge declared the Statue of Liberty, a gift from the French, a national monument.
October 16, 1946
10 Nazi leaders were hung as war criminals after Nuremberg war trials, including Wilhelm Keitel, Joachim von Ribbentrop and Alfred Jodl.
October 17, 1904
The Bank of Italy opened the first Bank of America in San Francisco, founded by Amadeo Giannini.
October 18, 1931
American gangster Al Capone was convicted of tax evasion and sentenced to 11 years in prison.
October 19, 1596
Spanish galleon San Felipe is shipwrecked on the Japanese island of Shikoku en route from Manila to Acapulco. This led to the crucifixion of 26 Christians who became known as the Twenty-Six Martyrs of Japan.
October 20, 1917
US suffrage advocate, Alice Paul, began a 7 month jail sentence for protesting women’s rights in Washington D.C..
October 21, 1966
116 children and 28 adults died as a coal waste heap slid and engulfed a school in Aberfan, South Wales.
October 22, 1907
Ringling Brothers Greatest Show on Earth and Barnum & Bailey circus merge into one show. They went on to perform together for over 100 years.
October 23, 42 BC
Roman Republican civil wars: Second Battle of Philippi – Brutus’s army is decisively defeated by Mark Antony and Octavian. Brutus commits suicide.
October 24, 1881
Levi P. Morton, US ambassador to France, drives the first rivet in the Statue of Liberty.
October 25, 1586
Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots was found guilty of treason for being complicit in a plot to murder Queen Elizabeth I of England, and sentenced to be beheaded the following February.
Benjamin Franklin departed the USA for France on a mission to seek French support for the American Revolution.
October 27, 1962
The height of the one month and four day Cuban Missile Crisis: An American spy plane was shot down over Cuba and the navy dropped warning depth charges on Soviet submarines.
Eli Whitney applied for a patent on the first cotton gin. The machine separates seeds from cotton. Many people believe the original invention came from slaves he had at the time.
October 29, 1692
The court chosen to judge the Salem Witch Trials was dissolved ending the witch hysteria.
October 30, 1973
The Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey was completed, connecting the continents of Europe and Asia over the Bosporus for the first time.
The Spanish Flu killed 21,000 people in the USA in a single week. Overall the pandemic claimed over 21 million people.
Written by: Erinn Malloy
Inflation is a general increase in prices of products and services, including import and export costs, labor costs and the price of consumer goods. Inflation can make it difficult for low-income people to pay for basic household expenses and education or medical care. Inflation affects the upper, middle and lower classes in different ways. Generally the middle and lower classes are hit harder and forced even farther down the chain. What happens to those who lose their jobs due to inflation or their income still not reach the new cost of living that is created?
What does inflation affect?
Higher food, gasoline, and utility costs caused by inflation mean less money for savings or unnecessary spending, causing consumers to buy less, switch to cheaper substitutes, or look harder for bargains. These efforts to save grow as the rise of income does not match the rate of inflation. The cost of home loans go up so many consumers are forced out of the market, slowing home sales. A 2008 global economic meltdown led to bailing out Wall Street financiers but left ordinary citizens to fend for themselves. These events highlighted the inequality between classes. The issue gained traction during the Occupy Wall Street protest movement in 2011. Then, during the 2016 campaigns Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders brought the issue to light once again.
According to a Havard professor, the past 30 years of rising American inequality can be attributed to three key factors: “The decline in jobs and employment rates for less-skilled workers, which has increased the number of households with children but no main income. The demand for college graduates outpacing the pool of job candidates, adding to the gap between the middle class and upper-middle class. The share of income gains flowing to the top 1 percent of earners doubled as a result of deregulation, globalization, and speculation in the financial services industry.”
How does Inflation Affect the Lower Class?
These classes of individuals, for the most part, have stagnant pay, which means their wages stay relatively the same while the cost of living continues to rise. Lower class people are less likely to have enough money to have a bank account or credit card, which means they are less likely to buy a home or new vehicle. Inflation causes issues in lower class societies such as difficulty paying for living expenses, inability to balance work and life, and less opportunities for education or healthcare. Often occurrences in low-income households are choosing one need over another such as keeping the heat off to afford food. As inflation raises the prices for these already costly things, and the income of the household stays at the same ratio of income vs. cost of living, these choices will remain necessary for the lower class to make in order to survive. Children of low income parents are more likely to end up in the care of social services due to many reasons, one being parents having no access to child-care while being forced to work long hours to make ends meet.
Children born in these families are also less likely to rise to a class above their parents. A child born in Iowa into a household making less than $25,000 a year has an 18 percent chance to move into the upper 20 percent over a lifetime. However, a child born in a major city such as Atlanta or Los Angeles, has only a 4 percent chance of moving up. Lower income children and adults have limited education options and limited time to make use of the options available, if they must work to survive. “Now, your family income matters more than your own abilities in terms of whether you complete college,” said Robert Putnam, Professor of Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School. “Smart poor kids are less likely to graduate from college now than dumb rich kids. That’s not because of the schools, that’s because of all the advantages that are available to rich kids.” Lower income people are also less likely to have a regular doctor or keep up with regular prescriptions and exams because of the cost of insurance. This leads to the major health issues we see untreated in the lower class.
Lawrence Katz, the Elisabeth Allison Professor of Economics in Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Science says, “the most damaging aspects of the gap between the top 1 percent of Americans and everyone else involves the increasing economic and political power that the very rich wield over society, along with a growing educational divide, and escalating social segregation in which the elites live in literal and figurative gated communities. If the rate of economic mobility, the ability of people to improve their economic station, was higher our growing income disparity might not be such a problem. But what we have been seeing is rising inequality with stagnant mobility, which means that the consequences of where you start out, whether it’s in a poor neighborhood, whether it’s from a single-parent household, are more consequential today than in the past. Your ZIP code and the exact characteristics of your parents seem to matter more,” said Katz. “And that’s quite disturbing.”
Written by: Erinn Malloy
Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun. Mercury was named after the messenger of the Roman Gods. Mercury is also known as “quicksilver,” both nicknames are derived from the swift and unusual orbit around the sun. According to NASA, Craters and features on Mercury are named after deceased artists, musicians, or authors, including children’s author Dr. Seuss and dance pioneer Alvin Ailey.
How Fast is Mercury?
Mercury orbits the Sun every 88 Earth days. However, Mercury itself rotates slowly on its axis. Mercury spins nearly perfectly upright and so it does not experience seasons as many other planets do. On Mercury, one full day-night cycle takes over two Mercury years, or roughly 176 Earth days. The non-circular orbit leads Mercury between 47 million and 69.8 million kilometers from the sun. The egg-shaped orbit creates conditions during the sunrise which makes the sun rise briefly, set, and rise again to start the very long day. The same thing happens in reverse at sunset. Sunlight takes 3.2 minutes to travel from the Sun to Mercury.
What is Mercury made of?
Mercury is a rocky planet with a huge iron core. The core takes up 75% of the planet’s diameter. Iron makes up about 70% of Mercury’s total weight making Mercury the most iron-rich planet in the Solar System. On top of the core is a rocky shell which is about 550 kilometers thick. The planet has been shaped by crater-creating impact, lava flow, and tectonic plate activity. Mercury is only about one-third the size of the Earth. Scientists theorize that Mercury’s magnetic field is due to its iron core or solar winds. Even though Mercury is closest to the Sun, the average temperature on its surface is much less than Venus. (Find out how hot Venus can get in our next installment of Five Minute Planetarium: Venus) Mercury doesn’t get as hot because the atmosphere is very thin and is composed of helium and sodium. The side facing the sun reaches 430 deg C, the other side can get as cold as -180 deg C. Mercury may have ice at its north and south poles inside deep craters, but only in regions in permanent shadows where it could be cold enough to ice despite the high temperatures on other parts of the planet.
Potential for Life
Instead of an atmosphere, Mercury possesses a thin exosphere made up of particles that chip off the surface by the solar wind and striking meteoroids. Mercury’s exosphere is composed mostly of oxygen, sodium, hydrogen, helium, and potassium. The particles would not be breathable; the atmosphere would likely cause abrasions all over the skin… not to mention the heat of mercury causing major burns. Though Mercury’s magnetic field at the surface has just 1% the strength of Earth’s, it interacts with the magnetic field of the solar wind to sometimes create intense magnetic tornadoes that funnel the fast, hot solar wind plasma down to the surface of the planet… imagine a flaming hot tornado. All of this means, Mercury’s environment is not conducive to life as we know it. The temperatures and solar radiation that characterize this planet are too extreme for organisms to adapt.
Mercury may not be the biggest or hottest planet, but it is the fastest. Mercury will continue to orbit until the sun begins to die and swells, then the small planet will be sucked into the fire ball. That won’t happen for millions of years. For now, the quicksilver planet will fly above our heads and in our solar system… the majestic Milky Way.
Written by: Erinn Malloy
Have you ever wondered what is above our heads, even farther than the blue sky, clouds, and ozone layer? There are so many wonders that hang in the universe light years above our heads. Our solar system is known as the Milky Way. The Milky Way is full of planets, asteroids, and stars. In this series we will look at what things are found in the solar system, as well as what they’re made of and what happens on the planets. For this first installment we will look at the center of the solar system… the sun.
What is the Sun?
According to NASA, the sun is a star… a yellow dwarf star to be exact. Hot glowing gases formed together in a ball and are giving our solar system life. There are billions of stars like our sun scattered across the universe. The Sun is the largest object in our solar system. The sun makes up roughly 99.8% of the system’s mass. One year on the sun is equivalent to 230 million Earth years. The sun is roughly 864,000 miles from Earth, or 26,000 lightyears, and 109 times the size. Think of it this way… if the sun was your bedroom door, then the earth would be a coin.
What is the Sun Made of?
“The sun is terrifying and gorgeous, and it’s also the best physics laboratory in our solar system,” Sabrina Savage, project scientist for NASA’s Hinode at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, said in a statement. The sun is made of hydrogen and helium. The surface temperature of the sun is 10,000 degrees fahrenheit. The sun’s core temperature is around 27 million degrees Fahrenheit. The sun constantly turns hydrogen to helium inside it’s core, which creates the light and warmth we receive on Earth. “A star the size of our sun requires about 50 million years to mature from beginning to adulthood,” says NASA. “Our sun will stay in this mature phase for approximately 10 billion years.” Several billion years from now, the hydrogen inside of the sun will run out due to all of it being turned to helium. When that happens, the sun won’t be hot enough to burn, so the sun will go through the end phases stars go through. (which we will cover in the fourth segment of six Minute Planetarium: asteroids, comets, and stars).
What do Solar Storms Affect?
Solar storms are eruptions of mass and energy from the sun’s surface. Flares, prominences, sunspots, and coronal mass ejections are common solar activity. Sometimes these particles make it all the way to the Earth by flowing along the Sun’s magnetic field into space. When the material collides with the Earth’s magnetic field, it can dump particles into our atmosphere to cause the Aurora Borealis. The same ‘charged’ particles can produce magnetic fields, which can modify the Earth’s magnetic field and affect compass readings. The changing magnetic fields can produce electrical surges in our power grids leading to black outs.
The sun gives life to our planet and our solar system. Without the sun, the solar system would be lifeless and humans would not exist. It is important we know about the things that hang above our reach. If you would like to know what else lies to infinity and beyond, see our next installment of Five Minute Planetarium: Mercury.
Written by: Erinn Malloy
R. Kelly has been found guilty of sex trafficking. A mixture of relief and disbelief greeted the guilty verdict. Kelly, was once one of the biggest selling R&B singers but is now convicted on all nine counts after 25 years of using his fame and wealth to lure underage girls for sex. “We hope this verdict brings some sense of justice to the brave survivors who came forward,” tweeted the MuteRKelly campaign that was founded by two Black women in 2017 to try to get Kelly’s music off the airwaves.
Surviving R. Kelly
Producers of the 2019 documentary “Surviving R. Kelly” had similar sentiments. The documentary tells the stories of victims who survived R. Kellys abuse. “We commend the survivors for their bravery in speaking out and sharing their stories. Regardless of what the verdict is, they have opened up important conversations on sexual abuse that needed to happen,” Lifetime and the documentary producers said in a statement. Kelly, 54, was dropped by his record company shortly after the Lifetime documentary was aired. Musicians who had collaborated with R. Kelly, including Lady Gaga, Celine Dion and Chance the Rapper, issued apologies or asked for those recordings to be taken down from streaming services.
R. Kelly Loses Airtime
Kelly’s music disappeared from radio waves but is still available on some streaming platforms. Data from music tracking service MRC showed streams of R. Kelly’s music remained between 2017 and 2021, at about five to six million a week. Billboard reported last month that Kelly was trying to sell the rights to his back catalog but had yet to find a buyer… good luck with that. Merck Mercuriadis, whose Hipgnosis Songs Fund has recently bought the rights to songs by Paul Simon and Bob Dylan, said he was not interested in R. Kelly’s catalog. “We have no interest in the R Kelly catalog. There is a strong principle here of supporting the feelings and beliefs of our songwriting community – both women and men – that is more important than economic opportunity,” Mercuriadis said in a statement.
We stand with the women who were abused by R. Kelly. We hope the survivors will be able to get the help they need as well as be able to live their lives as close to normal as possible. This is a day of justice and we hope the survivors feel the same way.
Written by: Erinn Malloy
The southern United States is known for many things such as fried foods, religion, and crops. In the recent past southern states such as Texas have been in the media for things like outlawing abortion and the border crises. Most southern states are conservative and christian. Christianity can be seen practiced in the south in many forms. Some denominations prefer to practice quietly, sitting in pews on Sunday and Wednesday then going out for lunch and dinner after. Others prefer to shout and dance, speak in tongues, or other extreme forms of the religion. Fried foods such as chicken are a Sunday tradition for most church goers, no matter their religion. The south is home to many things but today we will be focusing on the two main “belts” of the south: the bible belt and the stroke belt. Are these two things related?
The Bible Belt
The term “Bible Belt” was first used by Journalist H.L. Mencken in 1924. The Bible belt includes states such as Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah. Two cities are known as the Buckle of the Bible Belt: Abilene, Texas, the location of three Christian universities, and Nashville, Tennessee, which has multiple Christian schools and over 700 churches. The states in the bible belt have the highest church attendance of the whole United states. Christians are held to a higher standard than most due to the nature of their religion. Christians do their best to live a life free of wrongdoing. Could this effort to be “christ-like” lead to excess stress? Over the years christianity has been broken into different denominations. Some more extreme versions of christianity come from pentecostal holiness, catholics, and evangelicals. These denominations practice things such as speaking in tongues, and exorcism.
Holiness churches are known for church-goers running up and down the aisles speaking in tongues. Catholics practice exorcisms when deemed necessary. Evangelicals believe in faith healing. All of these examples can be extremely stressful and taxing on the human body. Stress can manifest in many ways and is one of the top causes of heart attack and strokes. Could the stress of extreme religion… or even just trying too hard to be perfect relate to the spike in stroke and heart attacks we see in the south?
The Stroke Belt
States in the Stroke Belt include Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Indiana and Virginia. Some researchers believe that greater-than-average rates of obesity, cigarette smoking and high blood pressure account for the increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease in the Stroke Belt. Many people attribute the increased health complications with diet or things such as smoking and drinking, but many southerners center their lives around their religion. This could mean the main stressor for southern people could come from their religious practices in some way. What effect does the stress of many things including extreme religious practices have on your body?
According to Mayo Clinic, “stress symptoms can affect your body, your thoughts and feelings, and your behavior. Being able to recognize common stress symptoms can help you manage them. Stress that’s left unchecked can contribute to many health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and diabetes.” Is the most religious part of the United States also the most stressed? Many people assume the diet and lifestyle of southern people is to blame. Do we have southern comfort foods to soothe the stresses of southern life? Do you think religion could be a major cause of stress for southern people?
Written by: Erinn Malloy
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has used a number of state-owned vehicles to line up for miles as a barricade along the border. Governor Abbott insisted Texas was taking “unprecedented steps,” to find a way to fix the ongoing border crisis. Abbott has had national attention in recent weeks for his signing of abortion restrictions. Governor Abbott has also been vocal in his criticism of the Biden administration. “The Texas Department of Public Safety stepped up,” he said, adding “if President Joe Biden followed a judge’s order to reimplement the Trump-era “remain in Mexico” protocols, there wouldn’t be chaos in Del Rio. Because the Biden administration has been promoting and allowing open border policies, it has been the state of Texas that had to step up,” Abbott said Tuesday during a Del Rio news conference with local officials, including Del Rio Mayor Bruno Lozano.
Governor Abbott has been a longtime supporter of building a border wall in Texas. He has attempted to gain approval from private landowners to construct a wall. In recent days, Governor Abbott has directed hundreds of state Department of Public Safety vehicles to create a “steel wall” to block illegal immigrants from entering Texas. The “steel wall” of cars is only one of the most recent examples of how severe the immigration crisis is unfolding in Del Rio, Texas. “We put hundreds of Texas Department of Public Safety cars and created a steel wall of DPS vehicles that prevented anybody from crossing that dam that you’ve seen people walk across,” Governor Abbott told Fox News in an interview. Abbott added the cars prevented people from “walking into the state of Texas.”
The move from the Texas governor comes during the most recent development in the immigration crisis as mostly Haitian nationals are attempting to make their way to the southern border of the U.S. after political turmoil and a natural disaster has shaken their home country. The migrants have created a makeshift camp at the border under a bridge near Del Rio, Texas. The immigration crisis has been getting worse over the past few months. This will not be the last wave of people to attempt to come into the country illegally. What is the Biden administration going to do about it? What will the leaders of this country do to solve this ongoing issue?
Written by: Erinn Malloy
Heart attacks and strokes are one of the most common health issues. According to heart.org heart disease is the top cause of death in America. You are at a high risk for a stroke or heart attack if you have high blood pressure/ cholesterol, diabetes, are exposed to smoking, and have an unhealthy diet. When a heart attack happens, the coronary arteries become blocked and blood flow is unable to reach the heart properly. There are two different kinds of strokes, ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic strokes occur when an artery that brings blood to your brain is blocked or clogged. There are two types of ischemic strokes: thrombotic and embolic. Thrombotic strokes occur when the clot is formed in an artery that already has plaque build up. Embolic strokes occur when the clot is formed in another part of the body (most often the heart) and moves towards the brain. A hemorrhagic stroke is caused by an artery in the brain leaking or bursting due to high blood pressure or other issues, such as aneurysms. Both heart attacks and strokes can affect men and women at any age, though they are more common as you get older. Do you know what signs to look for and when to see your doctor or call 911?
Men’s Heart Attack Symptoms
The most common symptoms for a heart attack in men is chest pain. The pain will often start as mild discomfort or there will be a sudden onset of severe symptoms. The sudden onset is not as common as the slow beginning. The chest will feel “full” or like it is being squeezed. Some people mistake this for heartburn. The feeling may last for several minutes or come and go. The blood not flowing properly could lead to pain in other areas of the body such as the upper part of the stomach, jaw or neck, one (usually left) or both arms, and possibly even your teeth. Shortness of breath may also occur along with cold sweats. If you have a majority of these symptoms call 911 and/or your doctor immediately.
Women’s Heart Attack Symptoms
As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain. However, women are more likely than men to experience symptoms such as cold sweats, shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain. Women are more likely to only experience a feeling of heartburn and much milder symptoms. Women may feel an uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of their chest. The pain could last more than a few minutes, or go away and come back. Pain or discomfort could be present in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. Shortness of breath could come with or without chest pain. If you believe you are having a heart attack don’t just take an aspirin and hope for the best, call 911 and/or your doctor immediately.
Stroke Symptoms
There are no stroke symptoms unique to men or women. The exact symptoms vary depending on which area of the brain is affected. Strokes often affect only the left or only the right side of the brain. Strokes can cause the inability to speak or understand speech, a strained expression, inability to move or feel a part of the body, and confusion. People can have sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden paralysis, weakness, or numbness, most likely on one side of the body. Some people throw up or feel the urge to be sick. Fatigue or trouble breathing, sudden and severe headache with no known cause, sudden dizziness, trouble walking, or loss of balance or coordination are also major stroke symptoms. If you or someone you encounter are experiencing these symptoms call 911 immediately.
Acting F.A.S.T.
The CDC says acting F.A.S.T. can save a stroke patient’s life. The stroke treatments that are available only work if the stroke is recognized and diagnosed within 3 hours of the first symptoms. If you think someone may be having a stroke, act F.A.S.T. and do the following test:
Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase such as “the dog chased the cat around the tree.” Is the speech slurred or strange?
Time: If you see any of these signs, call 9-1-1 right away.
If you believe you or a loved one are having a stroke or a heart attack call 911 or make your way to the nearest emergency room. Note what time symptoms start and be sure to tell the 911 operator and emergency responders so they can tell the doctor. If you are alone and have to call 911 for yourself, try to unlock your door or be waiting on the porch for emergency responders in case you lose consciousness between the time you call and they arrive. This will also help you make it to the hospital as quickly as possible. Many people wait too long before seeking medical attention which can be detrimental to their life and health. Don’t take yourself for granted, recognize the symptoms and get the help you need.
As of January 2019, there were an estimated 16.9 million cancer survivors in the United States, according to Cancer.gov. They project the number of cancer survivors to increase to 22.2 million by 2030. Over 40% of confirmed cancer cases come after the patient has found something not quite right in a self exam. Oncology Health workers say “it is really important to be aware of changes in the way you bleed and bruise. Are you creating scabs properly when you get cut? Are you suddenly bruising often or bruises won’t go away? Be aware of major changes in your bowel movements. You should see your doctor about anything out of the ordinary sooner rather than later and be very aware of your body.” It is important people dont wait months before they see a doctor about a change in their health. If you wait too long, something that could have spread to other places and/or become borderline untreatable. Have you ever done a self examination for cancer? Below are some helpful hints on how to do a few different types of exams on yourself. You should see your doctor to confirm and understand what is normal for you and what is not. Asking your doctor questions can be uncomfortable, but they are there to help you and guide you in your journey of health. Confirm with your doctor the following self exams are right for you. These exams are meant to help you recognize any changes in your body that could be concerning, not diagnose you. Here are oral, breast, and skin exams you can do at home.
Oral/Mouth Cancer Self Exam
If you drink, smoke, or are sexually active you are at risk for mouth cancer. Mouth cancer has some of the highest mortality rates because it often goes unnoticed, until it has spread. Open your mouth in front of a mirror and familiarize yourself with what your normal mouth looks and feels like. Look for any new sores or swelling around the chin and neck using light pressure and the pads of your fingers. Then, with clean hands, use your thumb and forefinger to pinch and apply light pressure on your lips and cheeks. Look for lumps or bumps that are not mirrored on the other side. You should check for changes each month. Call your doctor or dentist about any irregular bumps, lumps, and lesions that won’t heal after 3 weeks.
Men’s Breast Cancer Exam
Most men find it easier to do portions of the self exam in the shower with soap on their chest in order to keep from pulling or irritating their skin or hair. Raise the left arm above your head and rest your left hand on the back of your neck. Use three fingers from your right hand to examine the texture of the left side of the chest. Start at the outer edge of the chest and use the pads of your fingers to make small circles. Use this technique to go in a larger circular pattern around the left side of the chest until you get to the nipple. check for lumps and irregularities in the skin. Squeeze the nipple and look for any signs of discharge or retraction of the nipple. Repeat this process on the other side with the right hand on the back of the neck. Then, use a large mirror to look at the whole chest to look for any overall changes in symmetry or skin markings. 80% of lumps found in male breasts are benign, which means they are not cancerous. However, a doctor is the only one who can determine that.
Women’s Breast Cancer Exam
Same as the men’s self-exam, most women find it easier to do portions of the self-exam in the shower with soap on their chest to keep from irritating the skin. Raise the left arm above your head and rest your left hand on the back of your neck. Use three fingers from your right hand to examine the texture of the left side of the chest. Start at the outer edge of the chest and use the pads of your fingers to make small circles. Work in a circular pattern around the breast until you reach the nipple, check for lumps and skin changes. Squeeze the nipple and look for any signs of irregular discharge or retraction. Repeat this process on the other side. Once you do both sides, use a large mirror to look at the whole chest to look for any overall changes in symmetry or skin markings. In addition to this, When lying down, the breast tissue spreads out evenly along the chest wall. Place a pillow under your right shoulder and your right arm behind your head. Using your left hand, move the pads of your fingers around your right breast gently covering the entire breast area and armpit. Any new lumps found should be examined by a doctor and women should have regular mammograms in order to check for smaller tumors.
Skin Cancer Self Exam
Skin cancer comes in many different forms, growths, moles or birthmarks that increase in size, and sores that won’t go away. Examine your skin in the mirror as close as possible. If needed, document what different areas look like for future reference. If you know what your normal skin looks like, it will be easier to notice when new markings pop up or existing ones get bigger. Having your partner examine your back could also help you notice anything new you can not see. Ask your doctor if wearing sunscreen as well as not excessively using tanning beds and sunbathing could reduce your risk of skin cancer. Have your doctor or dermatologist look at any new growths, moles, or open wounds that will not heal after 3 weeks.
The National Cancer Institute suggests taking one day a month to check yourself head to toe for changes in your body. It shouldn’t take you any longer to check yourself than your favorite TV show. The time it takes could potentially give you so much more time in the long-run. Ask your doctor about any other exams you could at home, or major bodily changes you should be aware of. The number of cancer survivors rises every year. Eventually the doctors of the world will cure cancer but until then, catching it early is the key to treatment, self-examination is the first step.
Written by: Erinn Malloy
Dating is hard enough at the best of times. Throw in nationwide social distancing, a highly contagious virus, rapid decline in mental health for young adults, and the slow decrease in use of the top 15 major dating apps before the pandemic, one would think dating would take a backseat to other things. However, many dating sites have completely turned the rules for online dating around. Online dating over video chat doesn’t come with the physical expectation that dating in the physical world does. Is online dating over video here to stay as a new staple in life? How could that affect dating in the future and how relationships are formed? What effect could running all new relationships through the warped filter of the internet have on people as they enter the dating pool? So many new dating sites are out, and a huge number of them have become so specialized that finding a match should be easier than ever… right?
Specialized Online-Dating
Whether you want to meet someone in the local LGBTQ community or a traditonal style relationship across the globe there seems to be a specialized dating site for everyone. Sites like Geolocation allow you to meet people “across the pond,” then Taimi has become the biggest newest site for the LGBTQ community. Men and women in uniform have many sites made just for them, from police officers to military. Baby boomers are even included in this new online dating boom with sites like SilverSingles and many others. There are even online dating sites for everyone from farmers to professional clowns. Maybe you just really love a good man in a mullet… that’s an option on MulletPassions, which is not to be confused with sites for the non-mullet wearers with mullet personas such as WesternDate. Vegans and vegetarians as well as gluten-free singles have their own sites which they can find match with similar dietary needs. There is even a site for those who believe they are vampires to find their undead soulmate. All of these sites have popped up before and during the pandemic. Does joining a specialty site based on your interests increase your chance of finding a good match? The data still remains to be seen on that. The new increase of traffic to the online dating world makes it seem that it should be easier than ever before to find a new match.
The Online-Dating Boom
Before the pandemic, dating in major cities could be expensive. Video chats and Online dating are saving singles hundreds of dollars. Many dating sites such as MeetMe, Taimi, Hinge, and PlentyOfFish have come out with new features to accommodate this, such as “LIVE” in order to meet people over live video broadcasting. Bumble was ahead of the game, offering video calls beginning in 2019. Video chatting over Bumble rose 93% in the week after Trump declared a national emergency, the company said. Dating.com reported that online dating was up 82% on a global scale, beginning in March of 2020. Tinder saw the length of conversations rise by up to 30%. A dating app for the stars and elite called Inner Circle saw messages rise over 100%.
Could these statistics lead to a post-pandemic wedding boom? Those results remain to be seen as we are still under mandates in many places here in 2021. Some singles are skeptical about how long they can keep a virtual relationship and make it work. Advancements in vaccines and new mandates have opened the possibility of having limited in-person encounters, but a majority of singles say they still would rather meet someone online. How often do online relationships actually work out? What affects will all the time of isolation have on those who choose to get married after the pandemic? The burden of isolation will be seen in the ability to form relationships and mental health for the next years to come. How long will it take our society as a whole to heal from the toll of the pandemic?
Does Online-Dating Work?
Studies conducted by dating websites and relationship professionals conclude finding a partner online is about one-third of the same chance you have to meet someone in person. The chances of converting online dating to a long-term relationship or marriage is less than 10%. This leads us to the biggest question: why are success rates so low if the possibility of matches is so high? Relationship experts say the massive volume of people on these sites can cause people to not pay much attention to profiles that don’t immediately catch their eye and become “swipe happy.” If a majority of users become “swipe happy” and generate less matches this could lead to feelings of rejection and loneliness. These feelings send people back to the online dating sites and the cycle continues. This version of dating turns it almost into a game of here’s my resume, hire me for the job, but the job has millions of candidates and a lazy HR person. This can be detrimental to how relationships are formed because not only are you mostly choosing matches based on filtered images and carefully thought out bios, which may or may not accurately represent the person. Meeting someone online can cause the brain to release dopamine and make them believe they are so happy and in love with this person they have never met. Dopamine is needed to make healthy love connections but so are many other things you can only get by being face-to-face. Non-verbal cues are essential for determining if someone is right for you.
When you meet someone at school, work, or an event you have many non-verbal cues which determine important things about a person and forming a relationship. Physical non-verbal cues, such as eye contact, hand gestures, and body language that don’t match up with words spoken can raise important red flags that indicate relationship failure in the future. Without this ability to see how someone acts when they speak, we have to only trust their carefully thought out words, which is hard to do through a screen. The chemical oxytocin is extremely important for forming a healthy love connection and is only activated by the touch of someone else. The way someone smells, as in the natural pheromones that help determine true attraction and genetic compatibility, is unable to be determined through a screen. Our bodies are hardwired to require meeting someone face to face in order to form healthy love connections. Could not having initial non-verbal cues due to online-dating be one of the main reasons relationships formed over an online platform don’t seem to pan out? Has COVID changed the courtship process forever?
Written by: Erinn Malloy
Colorado Residents could start getting COVID booster shots as early as next week if federal health officials approve the applications. 67% of Coloradans are currently fully vaccinated. The rate rises significantly in the older populations, 83% over 65 have had or are waiting for their final doses. The Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still need to review the boosters before approval. Governor Jared Polis believes two employees who recently left the FDA have “blood on their hands” for delaying third shots. He also made complaints against federal health officials for their pace in authorizing vaccinations for children ages 5 to 11. “At the very least, the FDA should get out of the way and allow people to make the choice to protect themselves,” Polis said. Many officials feel the same way Polis does. How important are COVID boosters now that cases are trending down?
COVID Cases Decline in Colorado
Dr. Dhruv Khullar, assistant professor of health policy and economics at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, said none of the current studies make a good case for booster shots. He said getting everyone their first dose is more important than a booster. “There’s no slam-dunk case that most of the population needs a booster at this time,” he said. Current vaccines do not protect you from getting COVID but are protection against hospitalization and death, though their effectiveness against the delta variant remains to be seen and studied by officials. COVID vaccines are not like traditional vaccines, they are made to lessen symptoms rather than prevent illness. That being said, a majority of Colorado’s population has received vaccinations and COVID cases dropped last week for the first time since June. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment recorded only 11,132 new cases across the state last week.
Sedgwick and San Juan counties have less than 50 cases per 100,000 people. Once a county reaches 50 cases per 100,000 people, the CDC recommends that everyone wear masks in public indoor spaces. Even though case numbers have dropped, hospitalizations are rising, with 914 confirmed COVID cases and over 80 possible cases. This is the highest number of hospitalizations since 1,000 patients were confirmed to have COVID in January. If cases continue to decline, hospitalizations will follow soon after, according to Talia Quandelacy, an assistant professor of epidemiology at the Colorado School of Public Health. “There does seem to be a decline in cases, at least for now,” she said. “We’ll have to see in a few days.” Every Colorado county has at least one vaccine provider, whether that’s a hospital, retail pharmacy or outpatient clinic. Would vaccinations and booster shots help hospitalizations decline?
Who will be First to Receive Boosters?
The White House is currently promoting boosters with the idea that they will be approved this month, if both the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention agree. When the FDA and CDC decide boosters are needed, nursing home residents will be the first to receive them. Next, people who have the Pfizer shot will be boostered; a majority of nursing home residents received the Pfizer. “This is a moment where similar leadership is needed by the Biden administration to make sure that the FDA does not succeed in using ivory tower circular reasoning to further delay the life-saving booster,” Polis said. The Colorado National Guard and top medical providers are working to schedule vaccination and booster clinics, according to Lt. Col. Jamie Pieper. Officials say it is possible some people may have difficulty finding a booster in the first days and weeks they’re offered.
The Pfizer booster is closer to being approved than the others. Studies are still attempting to determine if people who received the Johnson & Johnson shot would benefit from a second dose. The FDA has asked Pfizer and Moderna to add a larger number of children to their study in order to detect rare side effects. Pfizer is expected to hand in their study results by the end of September. Officials are “very, very hopeful” that vaccinations for children 5- 11 years old will be reality by December. No matter your age, Colorado officials are making sure all the citizens of the centennial state are able to be safely vaccinated and boostered if they choose. Are boosters actually necessary? The answer seems to be unclear for now… only time will tell. Have you been vaccinated? If so, do you believe you need a booster?
Written by: Erinn Malloy
