Over the last two weeks, protesters have taken to the streets in mass demonstrations across the country to demand an end to the temporary lockdown of nonessential businesses. Arguing that the immediate re-opening of businesses across the country is mandatory to preserve the nation’s economy, these protestors come with a wide range of views on the lockdown: some believing the COVID-19 virus to be an exaggerated threat, and some going as far as calling it a downright hoax

As so much of the world remains on lockdown, countless people are yearning to return to their favorite outdoor destinations.

In the midst of a global pandemic crisis, the governments of the world are taking drastic action to stop the spread of COVID-19. Mandatory lockdowns, the closure of international borders, rapid assembling of makeshift hospitals and treatment centers, mass testing and an international race to develop both a cure and a vaccine are just a few examples of the sense of urgency this virus has brought to nearly every nation on Earth.

With global COVID-19 cases now reaching over one million, the pandemic situation is escalating every day in the United States. Deaths in New York jumped by 562 between Thursday and Friday alone, the largest overnight increase in a U.S. state thus far. A University of Washington study estimates that deaths will peak in the next two weeks in the U.S.; hospitals are gearing up for the worst. As the nation’s medical system races to prepare itself, nurses and doctors are caught in the crossfire. In a short period of time, their jobs have become incredibly dangerous and extremely stressful- with limited protective equipment, as they tread into unfamiliar territory.

On March 26, the United States surpassed global numbers of COVID-19 cases, taking the lead from China, Italy, and Spain. While the U.S. government is finally ramping up testing, state and local governments are tightening up restrictions on social distancing and shelter in place order. Criticism remains in the Trump administration’s early handling of this global pandemic. The selection of Vice President Mike Pence as head of the United States’ COVID-19 task force was an action deemed particularly troubling by many.

As confirmed global COVID-19 cases surpass 220,000 and continue to grow exponentially in the United States, the reality is finally setting in for most that life as we know it will remain uncertain in the coming months.

Today’s college students are known to be politically opinionated and involved. Student-run political and social issue-based organizations are commonplaces on most college campuses, and student participation at political events, including climate strikes, women’s marches, protests, and candidate rallies seems to be higher than ever.

In a time of panic and fear of the current coronavirus outbreak, a great deal of blame and finger-pointing has surfaced towards the people of China. Accusations of Chinese citizens have turned downright racist as Westerners paint an image of an entire nation as “filthy.” But while criticism continues to be dished out for an event far beyond the control of the average Chinese citizen, Americans should reflect on their own ability to contain preventable diseases.

For many college students, buying a puppy can be a rite of passage. Instagram feeds are often filled with photos of brand new pups of the most popular breeds including Corgis, French Bulldogs, Siberian Huskies, etc. But for many, the glory fades fast, leaving countless of the once-beloved pets in shelters or rescue groups. Reality sets in that companion animals are a serious long-term commitment and some of the dog breeds have specific needs that many people cannot meet.

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Sonoma State University welcomed back a popular campus tradition: the Vagina Monologues. With 100% of proceeds donated to Verity, Sonoma County’s only dedicated rape crisis, trauma and healing center, the show attracted impressively large and enthusiastic crowds. The talented cast, composed of an overwhelmingly female majority, managed to fully captivate the audience for nearly two hours.

“It’s okay to feel uncomfortable because you should feel uncomfortable,” said Grace Martin, the show’s producer, to kick off the night. The Vagina Monologues was a play first performed in 1996. It is based on a series of real-life interviews with a diverse group of women- from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, sexualities, gender identities, and ages- on femininity, womanhood, and the daily struggles faced by women of all kinds. In addition to the Vagina Monologues skits, original performances were also carried out by students.

It’s a bustling afternoon as the SMART train pulls out of the San Rafael station headed towards Santa Rosa. A group of exuberant high school-aged boys squeals with laughter as they pile together for a group Snapchat; a young woman in a purple beanie takes a break from clicking away diligently on her sticker-laden laptop to take a sip from her Hydro Flask; two elderly couples chuckle and shake their heads upon learning that some riders are paying for their tickets on a mobile app rather than carrying physical copies.

At a railroad crossing in Novato, a little girl beams ear to ear as she hops up and down, waving furiously at train riders with one hand, her mother’s hand clasped firmly around the other. As the train rolls into Sonoma County the landscape opens up, and a few riders point out a small herd of deer grazing on an adjacent hillside.

The group of riders on this sunny, pleasant Friday may have been oblivious to any controversy, but Measure I, an initiative to extend taxes funding the Sonoma-Marin SMART train until 2059, has some voters truly “off the rails” with passion.

In early Dec. 2019, Sonoma State University announced a newly enacted ban on the use of glyphosate herbicides around campus, including the widely criticized product Roundup. This new initiative was introduced as a way to increase sustainability and human health on campus. From now on, only organic herbicides will be used to control weeds and manage the landscape around the school’s 269-acre campus, which includes a variety of landscaping, lawns, and gardens .