Wednesday, April 22, 2019
Volume 154 No. 36 WWW.SJSUNEWS.COM/SPARTAN_DAILY
SERVING SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1934
COVID-19
Dangers loom on the front line Instructors warn nursing students eager to join pandemic response By Gia Pham STAFF WRITER
Facing a surge of patients and a shortage of medical staff, many government leaders and health care professionals have urged nursing students to volunteer at clinical sites during the coronavirus pandemic. However, some San Jose State nursing instructors worry for students’ safety because many treatment sites have scarce protective gear and supplies. “Many clinicians across the country have died,” said Michelle DeCoux Hampton, SJSU Valley Foundation School of Nursing professor, over the phone. “Not only nurses, but doctors, you know, occupational therapists, respiratory therapists and there’s just no need for more.” Colleen O’Leary-Kelley, registered nurse, professor and director of SJSU’s school of nursing, said over the phone that limited faculty supervision at hospitals could be detrimental to students. “We’re kind of in a quandary,” O’Leary-Kelley said. “We would like to remain an accredited school therefore, we are not going to, you know, be sending our students there without a clinical faculty supervising them and making sure that they’re doing studentnurse activities that enhance their learning.” The Board of Registered Nursing has suspended their clinical training programs offered to students for credit through their accredited university, but has asked schools to encourage students to volunteer to provide aid to health care sites. “Health care providers have also described it as being in a war zone,” Hampton said. “They don’t know if they’ll survive.” California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on March 4 and issued Executive Order N-39-20, effectively waiving nursing requirements. Therefore, the Board of Registered Nursing allowed nursing students to complete 25% of their hospital clinical rotations online for 60 days, beginning April 3, according to a document from the Department of Consumer Affairs.
CORA WILSON | SPARTAN DAILY ARCHIVES
Nursing senior Hamilton Shoecraft checks the heartbeat of her robotic patient in the Simulation Center during her junior year on April 18, 2019.
Newsom’s executive order will allow graduate nursing students who have already completed 50% or more of their hands-on clinical hours to meet graduation requirements and become certified to immediately provide assistance at health care facilities. But this means that SJSU students who do not already have 50% of their hands-on clinical hours will experience a postponement in their graduation, and O’Leary-Kelley said volunteering at clinical sites will not count for credit. “I know a lot of my students are not only concerned about their own progress in the program and what the inability to go into the clinical setting means for their educational preparation,” Hampton said. “But they’re also, especially the ones that are closer to graduation, just really eager to get out there and make a contribution. I think that’s really admirable.” For students that are nowhere near reaching their clinical hour rotation requirements, professors have accommodated distanced learning by replacing hands-on experience with a variety of online simulations that replicate hospital scenarios. “Our instructors have been really awesome as far as we just do Zoom learning,”
nursing senior Hamilton Shoecraft said over the phone. “They’ve been super helpful and, you know, super flexible with trying to make sure that we’re getting the information that we need.”
that there are liabilities to that license and to be careful about what it is they’re doing,” she said. “You know, jumping right in, sounds great and heroic, but patient care and safety should be a priority.”
Health care providers have also described it as being in a war zone. They don’t know if they’ll survive. Michelle DeCoux Hampton SJSU Valley Foundation School of Nursing professor
However, some nurses said they are worried that the online simulation should not be used as a way for seniors to meet graduation requirements because of its lack of viability regarding real patients. “I remember my last set of clinicals very distinctly because I feel like that last semester for me was putting it all together, putting the hands-on training and the didactic learning,” Sarah Fried, Santa Clara nurse who has worked in healthcare for 24 years, said over the phone. “I’m concerned that this is not a good method.” Fried cautioned students eager to assist healthcare workers treating COVID-19 patients. “They need to be aware
Fried said nursing students should focus on using their skills in nursing homes or studying for the National Council Licensure Examination, a nationwide exam that grants nursing licenses. “Thinking from like, a nursing student standpoint, I think a lot of us are frustrated because we know how to help the situation as far as acting at hospitals and stuff,” Shoecraft said. “But we’re not allowed to go into hospitals anymore, so a lot of us can’t help.” Shoecraft applied to work for the Health Corps, a nonprofit organization that provides health education and is currently accepting nursing students as volunteers
for health care sites throughout California. She said she has yet to hear back from them. A Kaiser Permanente spokesperson stated in an email that the healthcare provider is currently relying on their own team of nurses, physicians and care professionals to tend to critically-ill patients. “At some point in the future, should the situation demand it, we may permit the participation of senior students in support roles within our medical centers on a volunteer basis,” the email stated. Some nursing students said they want to work in hospitals because they see the strain nurses are experiencing. “I don’t think it’s particularly fair just because you’re kind of almost setting them up for failure, you know. Don’t get sick, but also here’s one mask to use for a 12-hour shift,” Shoecraft said. “You know, you see these pictures of nurses wearing trash bags instead of those hospital gowns to protect themselves. It’s definitely something that kind of sits in your mind a little bit.” However, Santa Clara County is not granting all essential workers paid administrative leave without conditions. If a nurse has been in
contact with many COVID19 patients and is out sick because of it, they will be forced to use their paid time off or “sick banks,” according to an email from Santa Clara County Labor Relations to the Registered Nurses Professional Association. “They are working on their days off, extremely long hours, and still patients continue to die in large numbers,” Hampton said. She said nurses and other clinical personnel overworking themselves could bring on post-traumatic stress disorder. “There are indications of it every day,” Hampton said. “They’re seeing their colleagues die as a result of the virus and they’re also being placed in some really ethically distressing situations, such as, who’s going to receive care. “ Shoecraft said she hopes people have a new perspective on nurses. “I think people who kind of had this mentality that nurses or just doctors’ helpers are gonna realize how essential these workers are . . . how much better we need to treat our health care professionals and how much more prepared hospitals need to be in these instances,” she said. Follow Gia on Instagram @phamtasticxx
CAMPUS VOICES
What are your thoughts on the Credit/No Credit option?
“Regarding the Credit/No Credit classes, I am pretty happy with my grades so I’ll be sticking with the ABCDF system! But it’s really awesome that they offered that to students. It’s a difficult time and anything that lightens the load is appreciated!” Alannah Mcdermott public relations senior
“It’s not enough to put our minds at ease, and besides that, it’s completely ineffective. Credit counts as a C for your GPA, I believe, so how exactly does that help? We should be getting financial help, not just slapping an “option” on it and calling it a solution.”
“I think it’s a good idea for those who are struggling to keep up with their classes online. But for me, I’m good after the results from my grades from midterm season. I’m currently taking a [Credit/No Credit] “class,” which is independent study.”
Victoria Fountain psychology senior
Bruce Cooke public relations senior
“I am relieved SJSU approved the [Credit/No Credit] grading option because it has been difficult adjusting to the online alternative, especially being back home from college where I don’t have the same resources and support to be able to strive to my full potential.” Maria Flores linguistics junior REPORTING BY JAILEANE AGUILAR
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OPINION
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2020
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ILLUSTRATION BY CINDY CUELLAR
Which console will rule the decade? Switch Chris Padilla STAFF WRITER
With all the hullabaloo over the next generation console wars, it’s easy to forget that Nintendo consoles have always thrived, not by having the best graphics or the most powerful technology, but simply by providing the most fun. While Nintendo consoles always seem to be a step behind in technology, they excel in accessibility, something the other console makers rarely match. For example, while the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 were powerhouses at the time, the Wii kept up with both. By 2013, the Wii sold 100 million units according to a report by GeekWire, a feat not matched by the other consoles, despite their superior graphics processing ability. Curmudgeons would note that the Wii was a game system for casual gamers, but that demographic’s money is as green as that of the hardcore gamer. Sony and Microsoft obviously knew this, because later they added their own motion controls to their systems in the form of the Kinect sensors for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation Move for the PlayStation 3. At launch, the PlayStation 3 had trouble getting off the ground because of its $599 price tag and a noticeable lackluster launch lineup of consoleexclusive games. Sony and Microsoft seem to have forgotten past blunders and have their next consoles set at high prices again.
TechRadar projected that the PlayStation 5 will cost $499 at launch. While the Xbox Series X’s price has not been announced yet, the last two Xbox consoles were similar in price. Meanwhile, the Switch is priced at the comparably low $299 and the portable-only Switch Lite is even cheaper at $200. However, with any gaming console what really matters are the games, and the headstart the Switch has in that department is commanding. Not only does Nintendo own some truly iconic first-party properties including household names like Mario, Zelda and Pokémon, but the Switch has a variety of third-party games too. In the past, Nintendo had a reputation for being family friendly, but the Switch quickly bucked that notion with ports of M-rated titles like Witcher 3, DOOM (2016) and the Bayonetta series on top of a bevy of mature indie games. Compared to the Series X, the PlayStation 5 has an advantage, because iconic titles like Final Fantasy, The Last of Us and “Resident Evil” are often associated with Sony consoles. However, with the exception of The Last of Us, these are timed exclusives that often end up on other systems or on the PC. So while the next generation is fast approaching, it would be foolish to write off the Switch as a relic when the ninth console generation begins. While the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X try their hardest to get an audience, the Switch will sit pretty for a little while longer.
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Xbox Series X PlayStation 5 Paul Hang SENIOR STAFF WRITER
The future of console gaming is just around the corner. Both Microsoft and Sony have announced that their next generation consoles will be releasing this year. The consoles promise to reach new benchmarks that both the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 had never seen, such as having games that run at 120 frames per second and its graphical settings implemented at 8K resolution. Most people look to spend their money on one console and the history of console prices tells us that these won’t be cheap. According to The Verge, Executive Vice President of Gaming at Microsoft Phil Spencer confirmed that the expensive $500 price tag on the Xbox One was a mistake which the new console will not repeat. “I would say a learning from the Xbox One generation is we will not be out of position on power or price,” Spencer said. Gamers who are fans of older video games on the previous generation of Xbox can play them on the new Xbox. According to an article by Will Tuttle, Xbox Wire Editorin-Chief, gamers will be able to play thousands of backward compatible Xbox games. Tuttle promised that backward compatibility will be better on the new console
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EDITORIAL STAFF
The Spartan Daily prides itself on being the San Jose State community’s top news source. New issues are published every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday throughout the academic year and online content updated daily.
EXECUTIVE EDITOR CHELSEA NGUYEN FLEIGE
The Spartan Daily is written and published by San Jose State students as an expression of their First Amendment rights.
NEWS EDITOR CHRISTIAN TRUJANO
Reader feedback may be submitted as letters to the editor or online comments.
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because of faster load times, more reliable frame rates and higher visual fidelity. Sony also confirmed backward compatibility despite the PlayStation 4 not supporting it. But according to tech entertainment website BGR, the PlayStation 5 will only run around 100 PlayStation 4 games, which will not compete against the amount the Xbox Series X will supply. Microsoft also decided to make its Xbox exclusives become playable for their PC fan base by having a Windows version. One of their flagship games, “Halo,” is known for being an Xbox exclusive and is now on track to become playable on all PC platforms. Halo: The Master Chief Collection was ported to video game digital distribution platform Steam and Halo: Infinite was announced for PC. This might seem like this move makes Xbox exclusives pointless to buy, but sharing games with PC doesn’t make the small amount of exclusives Sony has more acceptable. According to a PC Gamer article which quoted the console to be a “monster gaming PC,” Paul Lilly praised the console’s 8-core processor. “This essentially breaks up physical cores into virtual cores, or threads, to crank through workloads more efficiently,” Lilly said. This makes the Xbox Series X an accessible and powerful gaming PC packaged as a console with an attractive price which makes the console itself a competitor against gaming PCs.
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SENIOR STAFF WRITERS DIANA AVILA PAUL HANG BRIANNA SHEATS EDUARDO TEIXEIRA AUSTIN TURNER KELLEN CONCENTINE STAFF WRITERS JOCLYN AGUIRRE BRYANNA BARTLETT BRIANA CONTE ANDREW GLENN SHRUTHI LAKSHMANAN DAN NGUYEN CHRIS PADILLA GIA PHAM BRIAN SO PRODUCTION CHIEF MIKE CORPOS NEWS ADVISER RICHARD CRAIG
of previous generation games will be playable on the PS5. The lineup of games for the PS5 is already looking strong. Exclusive games for the console include Gearbox’s melee action role-playing game Godfall, set to release in late 2020. Ubisoft’s Gods and Monsters has been confirmed after it was originally scheduled for the PS4 but was delayed. The game is speculated to release in March 2021. The same company also has plans for Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Quarantine, expected to release in late 2020. Other games will be released simultaneously for both the PS4 and PS5 like FIA World Rally Championship. Previously released PS4 favorites like Final Fantasy VII Remake and Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding are also set to release on the PS5. Another thing to look forward to is the controller redesign. While no official name has been released yet, Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan has stated it will use haptic feedback in place of the DualShock 4’s rumble technology and adaptive triggers. This will supposedly allow players to feel distinct differences in the environments of the games at their fingertips. Sony is currently leading the console war off the success of the PlayStation 4 and it doesn’t seem like it will be giving that up anytime soon based on the games and hardware.
Andrew Glenn STAFF WRITER
Sony’s PlayStation 5, slated for a holiday 2020 release, will be the superior next generation console. It’s not even close. While Microsoft has been very forthcoming with the details of the Xbox Series X, there has still been no official reveal of the PS5’s appearance. Nintendo is not forgotten and the Switch is popular, though they have never been involved in the discussion of console superiority. Sony has been pretty tight lipped about what the system would be capable of in terms of hardware, though the technical specifications for the console were recently revealed and are impressive. The console will be supporting the use of a solidstate drive (SSD) for future release titles. This will make games load faster, allow for bigger game worlds and avoid using unnecessary data by only loading game data as needed. Sony said that NVMe PC hard drives will work for the system though there are currently few, if any, that are compatible with the current system. While this sounds like a mark against the console, it could potentially bring an end to PC players using the “master race” claim. Backward compatibility has also been confirmed, as an “overwhelming majority”
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2020
Empathize with students Reconsider credit/no credit To the Editor, The only topic of discussion on every medium right now is the COVID-19 crisis, but most people are not thinking about how this affects college students. I feel that it is important to address the issue that we are facing in the second half of our semester, especially because we are a large commuter school with many students that pay their own way through a majority of their endeavors. The statewide shelter-in-place has caused almost every student to stop attending classes, working and doing normal activities. I personally am 20 years old and had to file for unemployment. I work part time on top of going to school full-time because my mom has not had the best of luck over the last seven years trying to find a stable job to support us. I know that there are many students in the same boat as me and this is an incredibly strenuous situation. Not to mention that we do not qualify for the government stimulus checks if we are over the age of 17 and claimed as a dependent by our parents. Many professors are also assigning more busy work on top of their normal workload because they think all of their students are simply sitting at home not doing anything all day long. However, it is nearly impossible to know what every person is going through at home and may not be able to handle the extensive assignments and papers. As a frustrated, worried SJSU student, I think more people need to open their minds to the anxiety that college students are dealing with during this uncertain time. Sincerely, Abbey Quinn Public relations sophomore
To the Editor, With San Jose State offering Credit/No Credit for classes, students are given more flexibility since classes are all online now, but the school should have made some restrictions with this opportunity and offered more insight into how it could affect students’ overall GPAs. Classes that were meant to be online for the entirety of the semester, should not have the option to qualify as Credit/No Credit. Online classes had a schedule set in the beginning of the semester that did not have to be altered. Not much has changed for these classes as students signed up for the course knowing that it would be purely online and still nothing has changed. SJSU is doing its best to support students in this time of transition with their classes, but should have offered more information about how changing a class to Credit/No Credit could affect their overall GPAs. Many students do not realize that just because they will not receive an A in a class, does not mean that they should automatically change it to Credit/No Credit. For example, if a student has an overall GPA under a 3.0, receiving a B in a class would still help in the long run to improve their overall GPA. Also, by changing classes to Credit/No Credit, the impact of this semester’s GPA would be lowered since less units would count toward the overall GPA. These are some things that both the school and students should consider when it comes to Credit/No Credit classes. Sincerely, Jessie Yeung Advertising junior
Spare the health of delivery drivers Have some respect for professors To the Editor, As recent events have caused self-isolation and working from home, people are ordering more often from DoorDash and Postmates daily than before. What many of these customers do not realize is that their delivery drivers are not immune to COVID-19. As someone who has decided to be a delivery driver for both of these apps, I have realized that many people are not aware of the fact that we are also not immune to COVID-19. Many apps such as these have now made an option for customers to have their food dropped off at their door, but that is all it is: an option. Out of the 10 deliveries I did at the beginning of “peak week” for COVID-19, only five opted for their food to be dropped off at the front door. Even though that is still 50%, the point of our self-isolation is to avoid any contact with people we do not have to be in contact with. Though I am following all CDC recommendations and frequently washing/ sanitizing my hands, even if just one person who did not opt for their food to be dropped off at the front door had COVID-19, I could potentially spread it to more customers or even my family members. All that I, along with other delivery drivers, ask is for people to take our health seriously so that we do not compromise ours, yours or our family members’ health. Sincerely, Emily Rainey Public relations sophomore
To the Editor, The switch to online learning is tough for everyone. During this tough time that this pandemic has brought, we are instructed to social distance. For the students and faculty at SJSU this involves a lot less personal interaction and more digital interaction. Zoom and Canvas have become our gateway to learning, and although this switch has been tough on students, it has also been tough on professors. Our professors had to adapt the classes they were expected to teach in person to online where they either don’t favor this type of teaching, have no experience in it or are not used to it. As a student attending these Zoom meetings, I have experienced classmates unintentionally being rude to our professor. Being at home, we feel more comfortable compared to being in a classroom, but we shouldn’t let that get to our heads. As students, it’s hard to focus on the lecture our professors give us from home. However, as students understand the frustration from working at home, we should respect the designated time our professors have to teach us what we need to know. Students need to be as engaged as possible and should interact with our professors during lectures. No one said that college was going to be easy. Yes, this is a unique circumstance, but as students, we should still work hard in the “classroom” and respect our professors who are trying their best to teach us what we need to know. At the end of the day, we are still paying for this education and we should combat the effect this pandemic has put on us with respect and perseverance throughout the rest of the semester. Sincerely, Annalicia Santos Public relations sophomore
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