CoVid restriction rollback - march for equality 5 ways to maintain your car - spring 2021, Volume 23, issue 10
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spring 2021, Volume 23, issue 10
covid restriction rollback
March for equality
5 ways to maintain your car
CONTENTS
C
COViD RESTRiCTiON MOXIE : A MOViE
4 ROLLBACK
14 REViEW Editor:
Will Silva The Current is
KiDS STRUGGLiNG
6 TO SUCCEED
16 MARCH THROUGH
THE AGES
the official
managing Editor: student
DR. JiLL BiDEN AND MARCH FOR
8 MiGUEL CARDONA 18 EQUALiTY Gillian Taylor publication of
ViSiT CONNECTiCUT
ROLLER SKATiNG Three Rivers
UCONN TUiTiON 24 MAKES A COMEBACK Staff:
10 iNCREASE CUT iN Community
HALF Alex Slane
26 5YOUR
WAYS TO MAiNTAiN College. The
Gillian Taylor
20MiLFORD
PUSH
VACCiNE CAR
Current is
Emme Romanelli
NFA CELEBRATES THE 28 ROBiNHOOD
ONSLAUGHT
FACES
Brent Meraviglia written, edited,
22 WORK OF
ELLiS RULEY William Silva and designed
solely by
30 GROCERY
WORKERS
STORE
adviSor: students.
AiR FRYER APPLE
12
32 BiRTH
COViD
RATES DURiNG FRiTTER FRiES Kevin Amenta
C
COMMUNiTY
Covid restriction rollback
Mask mandates end as vaccines roll out Masking and distancing are an important bridge to herd immunity”.
By Brent Mareviglia
TEXAS – On March 2nd These decisions are being made just after a deadly winter storm that left
Governor Greg Abbott announced In response, doctors and President millions of Texans without power and heat, leaving some on edge.
that Texas will lift its mask mandate Biden warned Governor Abbott
as of March 10th, making it the that this could create a surge in President Biden referred to Governor Abbott and Mississippi Governor
16th state not to require a mask. deaths. In a press conference at the Reeve’s decision making as “Neanderthal thinking”.
White House on March 3rd, Pres-
Mississippi, Alabama, and West ident Biden mentioned it is a big
Virginia are among other states mistake and that “I hope everyone
releasing the mask mandate this has realized by now, these masks
week. Texas being the largest listed make a difference”.
and 3rd in the country for Covid-19 Dr. James McDeavitt, Houston
deaths. hospital’s senior vice president and It’s ok if
dean of clinical affairs said in an you haven’t
Being met with both approval and interview with NBC News that he learned
disapproval on social media, believes the decision was prema- everything
Governor Abbott stated on Twitter ture. In Houston alone they are still there is to
“Today’s announcement doesn’t seeing 1000 new cases per day. Dr. know about
abandon safe practices that Texans McDeavitt stated “if the goal is to money and
have mastered over the past year. reach herd immunity, we are not banking.
Instead, it’s a reminder that each there yet.
person has a role to play in their That’s why we created the Chelsea U Student Banking program,
own personal safety & the safety of with checking and savings accounts, and a chance to learn all the basics,
others”. including how to use a debit card, save for a goal, and earn good credit.
Pop into your local Chelsea Groton Bank branch and we’ll help you open an account.
4 (860) 448-4200 | Learn more at chelseagroton.com/StudentBanking
C
COMMUNiTY Not only has covid made the
number of absences rise but, it has
made children’s grades drop
immensely. Kids are having a hard Not only is this lack of motivation
time focusing at home. They have present in teenagers but it is also
tons of devices and objects to present in young adults and
Kids Struggling to Succeed distract them. While every child students in college. For many of the
differs, Jasmine Martinez stated that same reasons, college students are
The effect covid has had on at least 70% of her friends in school falling behind on their course loads.
children’s education are currently failing. A lot of it has They can get easily distracted by the
By Gillian Taylor
to do with the amount of work that things around them, their
Kids across the nations are For example, sisters Skyla Martinez the children are receiving. These two cellphones, pets and even family
falling behind in school and (7th grade) and Jasmine Martinez sisters feel that their course load has members. Also, many college
some are not attending at all. (9th Grade) say that their parents are since doubled since moving to students already have very full
Since COVID crossed our never home during the day because online schooling. schedules due to having to work
borders into America kids of work, their parents check to make one or two jobs to make ends meet,
everywhere are struggling to sure they are in class before they When asked about which classes so adding on three to four
keep their grades up. Some leave for work but then after that have become the most difficult since classes can make them feel very
kids are even taking advantage there is no one monitoring them. moving to online, Jasmine said that overwhelmed.
of online schooling and not From the website Education Week, her civics class was rather difficult
attending their classes at all. they did a survey that showed that due to the large work they have COVID has shaken up the world
Since a lot of schools are fully student absences have doubled since been given. Skyla said history for the in more ways than you may think.
online it makes it easier for the beginning of COVID. Before same reason. Also, classes like gym Kids are failing classes and college
kids to just not show up for COVID it was documented that the have become almost impossible for students are struggling to juggle
class. Especially if a parent is average amount of absences for one the two sisters to get a good grade busy schedules. Hopefully soon the
not home during the day to month was 5%, after covid began that in. Since their motivation is already education system will come up with
monitor them. number spiked to 10%. down, they do not have the will ways to guide these students back
power to just go and run a mile by to good grades and
themselves. Also, Jasmine has attending school. Maybe even go
mentioned that for her gym class she back to school, on ground,
is required to record herself working full time.
6 A picture of a students grades
out which makes her rather
uncomfortable, she says she would
rather write a paper.
7
C
COMMUNiTY
“The yearlong pandemic
has led to fewer learning
opportunities,” Cardona
said. “In Connecticut we
Dr. Jill Biden and miguel did this thing early on:
learn together, grow
Cardona Visit Connecticut together. ... We will heal
together, learn together,
The Recently Appointed Secretary of Education and we’re going to make
Visit’s School with First Lady that happen at the agency.”
By emme romanelli
On March 3rd, 2021 Dr. Jill Biden, The The trip to Benjamin Part of getting in-person
First Lady of the United States visited Franklin Elementary was classes back to normal and
Benjamin Franklin Elementary School partially necessary for the safe involves Joe Biden’s
in Meriden, Connecticut. This visit appointment of the new American Rescue Plan Act,
was prompted by the appointment of Secretary and to bring the which utilizes $1.9 trillion
the Biden Administration’s Secretary White House to his roots. in order to provide
of Education, Miguel Cardona. But it was also to show what financial relief and vaccine
measures are being taken distribution to Americans.
Cardona is a Meriden local and in order to make in-person
previously taught Fourth Grade at classes available and safe. With the new
Benjamin Franklin Elementary. The administration settled in,
Connecticut native graduated from Cardona wants to focus it was a positive step to see
UCONN and after teaching, became on keeping connections the new Secretary of
the youngest principal the state has and learning opportunities Education within a typical
seen at age 27. prevalent in the learning American school.
experience across the Furthermore, Connecticut First Lady Jill Biden and Secretary of Education
country. is very proud to have one Miguel Cardona Visit Benjamin Franklin Elementary
in Meriden, Connecticut (Photo Courtesy Darlene
of our own in that seat. Superville-Associated Press)
8 9
Source: Hartford Courant
C
COMMUNiTY
While this is not a direct tuition decrease, it is a step in the right direction.
Every year, the university increase tuition slightly to further assist in
UConn tuition improving the educational environment for their students. This year,
UConn had planned to increase the in-state tuition for students by 4.3%.
increase cut in half This means tuition would increase by $625 dollars for in-state students
attending in the fall. The proposal is to cut the increase in half, so instead
The effects of COVID on tuition rates in schools
by Alex slane
of 4.3%, they will only increase tuition by 2.2% this year. This comes to
$312 dollars instead of $625.
When the pandemic first hit big in horizon, some schools decided to
During the virtual town hall meeting held to discuss this matter, UConn’s
the United States, college students act. For example, the University
execute Vice President Scott Jordan explains the intentions behind this
were in the second half of their of Massachusetts decided to freeze
proposal. To maintain the quality of education provided to their students,
Spring semester of the year 2020. tuitions for in-state
they wanted to decrease the tuition increase to the bare minimum without
When schools began sending undergraduates for the 2020-2021
compromising the educational experience. Decreasing the tuition increase
students back home and academic year.
by this amount helps maintain the affordability without hurting the
converting to online learning,
experience.
questions were brought up of The University of Connecticut, or
tuition and how this could UConn, decided act recently as
In addition to the tuition increase cut, the university also made some new
affect the price of school. With an well and proposed some changes
additions to help expand access to mental health assistance. UConn hired
all-digital environment, some in tuition. In recognition of the
four more mental health clinicians and three new health educators, only
students felt that they were not financial hardship the pandemic
costing a fee increase of $28 per semester for Storrs-based students to assist
receiving the same level of has brought into families, UConn
with the funding.
education that they can in person proposed that they cut the tuition
and were in favor of a tuition increase in half for the 2021-2022
decrease. With the fall semester on school year.
the
10 11
RECiPiES
R How to make:
Slice your apple in as many wedges as
you’d like without leaving any of the
core. Peeling the apple beforehand is
Air Fryer Apple Fritter Fries
optional.
In a bowl, beat both of your eggs until
An Easy Spin on A Classic Dessert
By emme romanelli the yolk is well mixed with the white.
Put your graham cracker crumbs and
sugar in a separate bowl and whisk
In the last year, people have been together.
Ingredients include:
stuck home for various amounts of
Individually dip each apple wedge
1 Medium Sized Apple time. What better way to pass the
into the eggs, and then place them in
time than to cook, right? the graham cracker and sugar mix.
2 Eggs, Beaten Coat the wedge completely.
With the yearning to make good
1 Cup Graham Cracker Crumbs
food from home the popularity of Place each wedge in a single layer in the air
fryer. Cook at 380 degrees for 8 minutes or
1/4 Cup Cinnamon Sugar the Air Fryer has taken flight. If there
until golden brown (I recommend flipping
is any appliance to have in order to them halfway through to get an even
save money and eat healthier, its this. amount of crisp).
These can be eaten on their own or with
An easy recipe to satisfy anyone with popular apple toppings such as caramel or
vanilla ice cream. All of this should take no
a sweet tooth is Apple Fritter Fries. more than 15 minutes, so enjoy your sweet,
They have all the goods of the well healthy, and quick apple dessert!
12 13
loved dessert, but with less calories
and no need to spend hours baking.
Recipe Courtesy Of www.BitzNGiggles.com
ENTERTAiNMENT
E Vivian holding the first making of the Moxie booklets.
Not only was the storyline very
motivating and inspiring but the
MOXIE: A Movie Review Our main character Vivian sees this
behavior and it is inspired by her
actors and actresses chosen for the
roles were great. Hadely Robinson
A coming-of-age movie made to inspire those mother’s teenage years and creates did an awesome job at portraying
who stand for equal rights. Moxie. Moxie is not given a name a teenager who was struggling in
by Gillian taylor or identity, it is a movement that finding a way to make a stand and
Moxie is a new Netflix Movie that came came across music and documents calls out the crude behavior going bring forth the problems at the high
out March 3rd of 2021. This film starts proving the revolutions that women on in the school and empowers school. Patrick Schwarzenegger
off with a 16-year-old girl who is started for equal rights and sexism. the girls at the school to start small is the handsome football captain
starting her junior year in high school. movements like putting hearts and Mitchel Wilson. Due to his good
This girl’s name is Vivian, and she was This movie is heavily based in a stars on their hands, wearing tank looks, it landed him the role of the
filling out college applications. She was high school setting. Football is tops to repent the dress code, and arrogant jock of the movie. Patrick
asked to reflect on a cause that she is the main sport of this school and finally causing a large walk out to was able to take on the burden of
passionate about and explain the the most focused and cared about protest. this role and portrayed this persona
significance to her and what she could thing. Even the principal sides with very well.
do to make a difference. the captain, Mitchel Wilson. As the This movie was very moving for a
movie starts to begin to unfold a young woman like myself to watch. Overall, this movie is filled with
Vivian is stuck because she has nothing new girl named Lily has arrived at It can motivate those who are side stories about relationships and
to be passionate about, so she reaches school and Mitchel Wilson feeling scared or afraid to come friendships while not veering away
out to her mom who says that 16-year- immediately begins harassing her forward with from the important plot of
olds did during her time started and making her uncomfortable. experiences they have had. It also empowering the girls of this high
revolutions. Vivian began snooping Lily tried to go to the principal, but shows that with a little will power school to take a stand against the
around her mother’s old belongings the principal brushed it off as him and a lot of motivation for a cause boys and men who over
and bothering Lily and that the word you can make a change, even if it is sexualize them and do not give
harassment would make a lot of just your local high school. them the voice they deserve.
“stuff” for her to do.
14 The Principal announced the winner of the sports representative and scholarship. The movie poster for Moxie
15
ENTERTAiNMENT
E March Through the Ages
March of 1958
Elvis Presley joins the U.S. Army. The rebellious king of rock
A walk-through of historical events in the and roll was drafted for the U.S. Army and served between
month of March March of 1958 and March of 1960. His military service took
March 1st, 1872
by Alex slane place near the peak of his musical career, making this a unique
case. Being a famous musician, going into the army had its pros
Every now and then, it is good Yellowstone becomes the United
and cons. The older generation at the time such as parents and
to take a moment and look States’ first National Park.
teachers disliked Elvis as they found him rebellious and a reb-
back on history. Being Yellowstone is located primarily
el to society. They were thrilled to hear of his drafting as they
educated about the past is very in Wyoming, with parts reaching
wanted him gone. His time in the military gained the respect
important for a multitude of into Idaho and Montana as well.
of the older audience and it was overall beneficial to his career.
reasons. Being aware of what Home to wildlife and beautiful
Unfortunately, after he was to be stationed in Germany, his
has happened in the past and sights, Yellowstone also hosts the
mother had died of a heart attack. His run in the army also be-
understanding what went well iconic landmark, Old Faithful
gan an unfortunate addiction to stimulants and barbiturates.
and what did not can help us geyser.
grow as a society. The famous
term, “History repeats itself” March 12th, 1912 March 30th, 1964
can be avoided altogether by
remaining educated. In this The Girl Scouts of the United Jeopardy! airs for the first time. Originally hosted by Art Fleming, Jeopar-
case, looking back on history States were founded. Originating dy! is a game show where contestants are presented with clues in the form
can also be a fun activity to in Savannah, Georgia, the Girl of answers and must respond in the form of a question. The original debut
remind people of certain Scouts organization was founded of the show was on NBC and aired until January 3rd, 1975. Through a few
events they may have forgotten by Juliette Gordon Low. The Girl more iterations, you eventually get to the show we know today, which was
about. Scouts aim to build girls of hosted by Alex Trebek until his unfortunate death in 2020. Trebek hosted
courage, confidence, and the show from 1984-2020.
character, and they deliver
amazing cookies on the way.
With a membership base of over
16 17
1.8 million girls, the Girl Scouts
reach their 109th anniversary this
year.ENTERTAiNMENT
E March for equality
By Will Silva
Following the Civil War, the occurred on Sunday, March 7, 1965. On
15th Amendment, ratified in this day peaceful participants in a Selma
1870, prohibited states from to Montgomery march for voting rights Black people attempting to vote often August 6, 1965, with Martin
denying a male citizen the were met by Alabama state troopers. were told by election officials that they Luther King, Jr. and other civil
right to vote based on “race, After they refused to turn back had gotten the date, time, or polling rights leaders present at the
color or previous condition protesters were surrounded with tear place wrong, that they possessed ceremony.
of servitude.” However, in gas as they were spat upon, overrun by insufficient literacy skills or that they
the ensuing decades, vari- horses, and attacked with Billy clubs and had filled out an application incorrectly. Even after the Voting Rights Act
ous discriminatory practices bullwhips. Some protesters ran for their The African American population passed, state and local enforcement
were used to prevent African lives while others were severely beaten suffered a high rate of illiteracy due to of the law was weak, and it often
Americans, particularly those and bloodied. The incident was captured centuries of oppression and poverty. was ignored outright, mainly in
in the South, from exercising on national television. They often would be forced to take the South and in areas where the
their right to vote. literacy tests, which they sometimes proportion of Black people in the
In the wake of the shocking incident, failed. Johnson also informed Congress population was high and their vote
Mistreatment and violence President Johnson saw that change was that voting officials, primarily in threatened the political status quo.
were two things that voting needed. Johnson called for Southern states, had been known to Regardless of this the Voting Rights
rights activists in the South comprehensive voting rights legislation. force black voters to “recite the entire Act gave African American voters
faced during the civil rights In a speech to a joint session of Congress Constitution or explain the most the legal means to challenge voting
movement of the 1950s and on March 15, 1965, the president complex provisions of state laws,” a task restrictions and vastly improved
1960s. During the month of outlined the devious ways in which most white voters would have struggled voter turnout. In Mississippi alone,
March voting rights activists election officials denied African to accomplish. In some cases, even black voter turnout among Black people
stopped waiting for equality American citizens the vote. people with college degrees were turned increased from 6 percent in 1964 to
and took matters into their away from the polls. After Johnson’s 59 percent in 1969. African
own hands. One event that speech changes were implemented. On Americans finally had the
outraged many Americans May 26, 1965, the voting rights bill was opportunity to be heard.
passed in the U.S. Senate. After debating
18 19
the bill for more than a month, the U.S.
House of Representatives passed the bill
on July 9. Johnson signed the Voting
Rights Act into law onC
COMMUNiTY
Of the 1,434,565 doses reported to He stated in an interview with the
have been distributed to CT, 85% Hartford Courant, “Every time we
Milford Vaccine Push have been used. The Connecticut
Department of Public Health
do one of these launches of a new
vaccine it really represents hope.
Vaccine efforts improve as Milford’s reported that almost all towns in Another vaccine, another option,
educators receive COVID-19 vaccines By brent meraviglia Connecticut have reached a 10% more vaccines, our ability to
MILFORD – Nurses worked our vaccine allocation and supply, administration rate except for increase how quickly we’re able to
together on March 3rd to make sure we’re going to try to open up Hartford, Bridgeport, Waterbury, vaccinate everyone.” As of now,
almost 2000 school employees received appointments as we can”. and Sterling. Some towns such as covid vaccines in Connecticut are
their first vaccinations. The same day Old Saybrook have reached a 30% reserved for healthcare personnel,
Johnson and Johnson vaccines were Nearly four months after the first administration rate. The 39,000 medical first responders, long term
first arriving in the state. vaccination was administered in Johnson and Johnson vaccines that care facilities, educators, childcare
Connecticut, it is finally becoming arrived March 3rd provided more providers, congregate settings, and
Three clinics were held by the Milford more accessible for the public. hope for those patiently waiting. The individuals 55 and older.
Health Department on March 3rd, two According to the CDC, 883,000 first director of pharmacy at Hartford
clinics on March 5th and two clinics on shots have been administered in Healthcare, Eric Arlia, was excited
March 10th. All vaccines were Connecticut making at least 24% of the for the launch.
distributed at the Parsons Government state safer from the virus.
Building.
Deepa D. Joseph, MPH, the
director of health for the Milford
Health department stated, “right now
we’re pretty fully booked for the next
several weeks, but based on
20 21C
COMMUNiTY
NFA celebrates the work of Ellis Ruley
An artist with a mysterious death. Ruley had received some money The cab safely delivered him
By Alex slane from a work-related truck accident home, but Ruley had stumbled
Ellis Walter Ruley was an Ruley was born on December 3rd, and used it towards a house on and hit his head on a stone wall.
American Folk Artist who began 1882. He was the oldest sibling and Hammond Avenue. He renovated He must have been able to get on
painting back in the 1930s. Ruley was not able to attend schooling the house and installed gardens so his feet but was disoriented and
mostly painted from his home in regularly due to having to work to he could raise his own food. By the walked the wrong direction before
Norwich, Connecticut, and would support his family. Ruley went on 1950s, Ruley had retired from work. collapsing. However, this story has
primarily use house paint on to work in construction, building Ruley had met the director of the been challenged on multiple
cardboard or Masonite. Masonite is stone walls, some of which can still Slater Memorial Museum around occasions. While there is not
a type of engineered wood made of be seen today. Ruley married twice that time, Joseph Gualtieri, and he enough evidence to call it one,
steam cooked and pressure molded in his life, the first time to Ida Bee, sponsored Riley’s sole art many believe his death was a
wood fibers. who had their daughter exhibit during his lifetime in murder. Around this time, it would
Marion but died shortly after. He December 1952. He also would not be unbelievable if Ruley’s death
Norwich Free Academy then went on to marry Wilhelmina participate in the annual art exhibit was an act of racial animosity.
frequently showcases work from Fox. “Art in the Open” which was According to Dr. Michael Baden,
Ruley in the form of exhibitions in sponsored by the Norwich School of because the lack of knowledge
their art gallery and has recently Art and would sell his paintings for linked to his death is slim, it
taken it one step further. Within $15 each. cannot be categorized as a
the school is the Slater Memorial homicide, but Ruley’s empty wallet
Museum which holds many Ellis Ruley died on January 16th, was found 20 feet from his body.
wonderful pieces of art. Now, they 1959. His death was met with
have installed a new wall in the suspicion due the circumstances he
Connecticut Artists of the was found in. They originally had
Twentieth Century gallery which found him about 200 feet from his
features the paintings of home, partially frozen and with a
Ellis Walter Ruley. gash in his head. According to the
Norwich Police Department, Ruley
22 23
had been at a restaurant and
drinking and went to take a cab
home.ENTERTAiNMENT
E Roller Skating Makes a comeback
The Well-Loved Activity Finds
New Life In 2020
By emme romanelli
The most common parts of getting into being
comfortable on skates are:
-Learning how to stop: gently bend your knee on whatever
Roller skating came to popularity
While they are an investment, roll- leg feels most comfortable and point your toe to the ground
in the 70’s, and was a great activity
er skates come to just a bit cheaper to slow you to a stop.
for kids and teens in the decades
than a complete skateboard. The
later, but up until about 2010, it
most popular sites to get skates
really dropped in popularity for a
from are Impala Skates and Angel
bit. With 2020 putting everything
Skates, these companies provide
at home and outdoors, people
great quality roller skates starting
started getting creative. Being that
at about $90.
gyms were one of the first places
to close and not everyone has a
Next Is To Find A Spot To Skate -Learning how to cruise: With whatever foot feels more
treadmill, young people looked to
At. With the resurgence of the dominant, push forward and slightly off to the side, and then
different outdoor activities. With
activity and slow openings of pub- repeat with the other foot. As you do this more, it’ll feel more
the help of TikTok, roller skating
lic places, skateparks are a great natural.
really picked up on the trend list
place to enjoy the activity. If a park
from Gen Z-ers to Millennials. So
seems too intimidating to learn
how does one get started to hop on
at, tennis courts and safe, emp-
the trend?
ty parking lots are great places to
get the basics. If your town has a
First and foremost, roller rinks
rink, then having your own pair of
have gone down in the past few
skates will save a rental fee!
years, and roller rentals aren’t ex-
Now Ready, Set, Roll!
actly Covid-friendly. So it’s prob-
ably better to look into getting a With the weather looking up this is the best time of year to
The best part of skating is the
personal pair. get outside and try something new. With the very basics of
more you do it, the easier and
more fun it gets! It’s important being on skates, you can try more tricks and get out for skate
24 25
to really stick with it if the ease sessions as much as possible!
doesn’t come on your first day.ENTERTAiNMENT
E 5 Ways to Maintain Your Car
Easy ways to keep your car up and runnin smoothly
By Gillian taylor
Almost everyone owns a car, meaning they have the headache of keeping up with the
maintenance of the vehicle. A Lot of people will just take it to the garage to get it done, but a lot
of the time the bill can grow quite high. Most people do not realize how easy and inexpensive it 3. Replacing Spark Plugs
is to do the maintenance yourself. Changing your spark plugs every 30,000 miles will help prevent too much gas entering the
exhaust system and will keep your car running well.
1. Oil Change First you will want to locate your spark plugs, they are attached to thick rubber wires. There
Changing your oil is one of the most important things you need to do to keep your car up and will either be four, six or eight plugs depending on how many cylinders your car has.
running. It is a good rule of thumb to change your oil every 6 months to a year, depending on how Next you will remove the wire from the first spark plug ONLY. DO NOT remove all the wires
much your driver your vehicle. at once, the plugs need to be installed in a certain order. To remove the spark plugs you do
Before changing your oil, you want to make sure that your engine is cool, this way you do not need a specific attachment for a ratchet that is made for spark plugs.
accidentally burn yourself with hot oil. You will also need access to a jack to be able to get under your Then you will hand tighten the new spark plugs down and then tighten with the wrench, DO
vehicle.
NOT over tighten. And finally reattach the wires then you are all set!
The first step is finding your oil pan, this should not be too difficult. Then you will unscrew the oil
plug, make sure you are draining your oil into a container. Once you have completely drained your oil
pan you will replace the plug.
Next, you will move under the hood of your vehicle. This is where you will replace your oil filter. You
will want to make sure you lubricate the rubber gasket on the new oil filter with some new motor oil.
4. Changing Windshield Wipers
To finish replacing the filter you will fill the new oil filter about two-thirds of the way with new oil and
Replacing the windshield wipers is an easy maintenance job you can do yourself on your car.
screw in the new oil filter. Make sure to hand-tighten it only, if you use a wrench it may make it
First you want to take the old wipers off, most cars have a tab that you will press to release the
difficult to get off in the future.
old wiper. Make sure to pay attention to which way the windshield wiper faces.
Finally, you will fill your engine with new oil. Make sure to check it is just the right amount by pulling
out your dipstick, it will have a marker that says full. Then you simply slide on the new blade and you are set to go!
2. Changing Air Filter
Changing your air filter is important because it helps keep the air circulating through your engine
clean.
First you will want to locate your air filter under your hood. It is usually a black rectangle box with
clips on the sides. 5. Keep Up with Fluids and Tire Tread
Next, you will take out the old filter, make sure to take note of which way the filter faces. And then To keep your car up and running you want to keep an eye on the fluids in your vehicle. Make
sure your oil does not get low, an engine cannot run with no lubricant. Next you want to
simply place the new one in and clip the top back on! make sure your coolant is always full, without this your car can easily overheat. Also, you
want to check your transmission fluid about once a year, this fluid does not need to be filled
often if your car is running as it should.
26 27ENTERTAiNMENT
E any retail services freezing stock
Robinhood faces onslaught purchases in the course of potential
45+ incoming lawsuits after stock halt By brent meraviglia investigations - especially those
allowing sales, but freezing
Robinhood, a trading app with over 10 purchases”. She gained the support
million downloads is facing 50 lawsuits of former presidential candidate Ted
after halting GameStop stock as well as a Cruz along with thousands of others
few others back in January. online.
According to Robinhood, “46
GameStop (GME) was being shorted by putative class actions and three
hedge funds looking to make a profit. individual actions” regarding the
However, users on Reddit turned their stock halt was reported after an
attention to Wall Street and worked annual audited report. Until a court
together to buy stock against the short and However, hedge funds could still
freely purchase the stock. certifies the class for these class action
caused the stock to rise over $300. lawsuits, users will have to wait until
This presented a situation
allowing hedge funds to close the cases can proceed.
Due to this, hedge funds lost billions of
dollars on their short position. S3 Partners, their short position while the
a data power company, reported that short average trader could not hold
sellers lost 13 Billion on just GameStop their position against them.
alone. This is known as a “Short-Squeeze”.
Robinhood claimed to halt the trading This prompted the response of
of GME (GameStop), NOK (Nokia) BB lawmakers and political figures to
(Blackberry) and AMC (AMC defend user complaints.
Entertainment) due to its high volatility US Representative Alexandria
and unpredictable price to protect their Ocasio-Cortez posted on twitter
users. Customers were still able to sell “This is a serious matter.
these stocks, but could not buy, resulting Committee investigators should
28 in the price of the stock to drop. examine
29C
COMMUNiTY
Grocery Store Workers Cannot Get Vaccines
by will silva
Lamont abandoned the state’s
previous methodology for a
Though hailed as “heroes” administration have left millions vaccination rollout.
early in the pandemic, the of Americans and essential workers This previous plan had
nation’s 3 million grocery defenseless.”Connecticut grocery prioritized people with
workers are treated as less than store employees have also been put underlying medical conditions
other essential workers when it on the back burner when it comes to and certain types of workers
comes to vaccine priority. Just vaccine priority. Unions in essential, high-risk jobs.
13 states have begun inoculating representing thousands of grocery Even though grocery store workers With this change in
such employees as the store workers vented their may not be performing surgeries on methodology, grocery store
broader vaccine rollout is affected frustration Monday night with Gov. patients or being called for employees are uncertain when
by widespread delays. According Ned Lamont’s decision not to emergencies their job affects all the they will be prioritized for
to the United Food and prioritize the group in the next people in the area, and people rely on their work.
Commercial Workers wave of vaccinations. them to survive. “We’re
International Union (UFCW), disgusted, we’re frustrated,” said
which represents 800,000 U.S. Mark Espinosa, president of Local
grocery employees “The threat of 919 of the UFCW, which represents
this pandemic for essential about 7,000 Stop & Shop grocery
workers is worse now than chain employees in Connecticut.
ever before,” Marc Perrone, the “They are front line employees. They
union’s president, told reporters are essential. Let’s face it, if they’re
this month. “Simply put, the not in the stores, people are not
failures in early vaccine eating.”
distribution under the past
30 31C
COMMUNiTY
Birth Rates During COVID
By will silva
Many expected birth rates to skyrocket after economic one, Kearney and Levine examined
months of romantic partners quarantining the impact of the 1918 Spanish flu on births.
at home together. However, according to They concluded that spikes in flu deaths
researchers at the Brookings Institution, this resulted in a decrease in the number of births
expected baby boom failed to come true. nine months later.
Rather, it is quite the opposite: Melissa
Kearney and Phillip Levine, economics When looking at increases and decreases in
professors at the University of Maryland birth rates Kearney and Levine found that the
and Wellesley College, respectively, say they changes were impacted by unemployment With all the factors of having a child along with The most obvious among these factors is the
expect 300,000 fewer births in 2021, in what levels. They found that “When the labor market the burden of a pandemic, a lot of people are lack of government support for parents. The
they are calling a COVID “baby bust.” is weak, aggregate birth rates decline; when the having doubts about having children. The U.S. continues to be the only
labor market improves, birth rates improve.” Guttmacher Institute conducted a study and industrialized country that does not have a
Their finding is partially based on evidence This is an alarming trend when the found that more than 40% of women said they universal paid family leave policy in place.
that shows a 1% increase in the national unemployment rate is controlled by a pandemic. were altering their plans for when to have It also lacks both universal childcare and
unemployment rate corresponds with an Like the dependency birth rates have on children or how many children they would have, preschool policies, which can make it more
equivalent 1% drop-in birth rates. To unemployment, they also fluctuate depending and more than one-third of women said the feasible for people to have children.
account for the fact that there is a public on income. Kearney and Levine noticed that at pandemic had made them decide to delay
health crisis layered on top of an the “individual level, there is also a pregnancy or have fewer children. Just 17% of Kearney and Levine say it is possible birth
well-documented link between changes in respondents reported wanting to have children rates will begin to rebound to the original
income and births: When income increases, sooner or to have more of them because of the numbers, since some people are delaying
people often expand their families; when people pandemic. Women have suffered some of the pregnancy, not abandoning the desire to
experience job or income loss, they have fewer highest rates of unemployment in recent months, have children altogether. But the longer the
children.” and mothers especially have been pushed out pandemic the less that may be true, which
of the workforce because of school closures and could lead to long-term consequences, like
lapses in childcare. a shrinking workforce. “As of now, we stand
by our prediction of a COVID baby bust of
The fact that women are reconsidering plans for around 300,000 fewer births,” they report.
having children is only an acute symptom of a “But the longer the pandemic lasts, and the
much larger problem. Birth rates have been deeper the economic and social anxiety
falling in the United States for years now, the runs, it is feasible that we will see an even
result of a confluence of social, cultural, and larger reduction in births with an increasing
economic factors that have made childbearing share of them averted permanently.”
less desirable for many people.
32 33if you would likE to ContributE to tHE CurrEnt Email submissions, responses, and ideas to: trccnewspaper@gmail.com kamenta@threerivers.edu
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