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Living with OCD and not knowing it

abel reyes
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Living with OCD and not knowing it

After two weeks of insomnia, sinister thoughts about my boyfriend played like an audio recording in my head over and over again, and I was convinced that I had finally become my schizophrenic grandfather, who threw himself into a river at 42. Or I had finally become my father, who had a violent temper.

I went to work and suffered the thoughts for hours. Then I called my philosophy teacher at Long Beach City College, Dr. Louis Tharp, who was also a former psychologist, that was the day I was diagnosed with OCD. 

It would take about 13 years to be diagnosed with the condition. People’s dismissal of the condition kept me at therapy sessions and on medication for different mental illnesses other than OCD since I was 11-years-old. 

It’s a shame that it took me so long to realize that my recurring negative thinking, hypochondria, and fear of losing control were all part of a treatable condition such as OCD. It’s a shame I thought I was a bad person.

Though OCD is characterized as an anxiety-disorder, the treatment of OCD is a little bit more complex than generalized anxiety, and can take years to recognize.

To open up about thoughts and compulsions without fear of being judged negatively, it can present itself in ways that make you question your motives and thoughts and compulsions, every single minute of every hour of every day. It’s exhausting. 

For most people, when they hear of OCD they think cleaning, being anal, or obsessing over weird rituals. It’s true I can clean my room spotless, sometimes. And it’s true I wash my hands often.

I don’t touch door handles because there might be a strange, untreatable virus on there that we will surely die from. I have to flick on the lights three times because if not our mothers will die. I have to pray and repent because we had a violent thought, which means we’re now crazy and any day now we’ll lose control and go to hell.

Of the obsessions associated with OCD, the most common are obsessing over health, sexuality, religion, contamination…and violent thoughts.

The latter is the one that finally drew my attention, and the attention of Dr. Tharp, to my OCD. 

“Are you capable of killing yourself or your boyfriend?” Dr. Tharp asked me over the phone.

“No,” I said. “But who’s to say I won’t? What if I lose control? I mean, if I’m not crazy why did I think that?” I asked him. 

Dr. Tharp laughed and said, “Ah, yes. You’re a classic obsessive.” 

In conversations with Dr. Tharp over the past year, I’ve accepted the fact that my thoughts will always be bewildering, and intrusive. But they’ll always be just that…thoughts. 

Constantly calling others to see if they think I’m crazy, countless doctor visits to reassure myself of my health, and other reassurance seeking measures to alleviate the pain caused by my thinking were compulsions in and of themselves, and I just didn’t realize it. I thought because I didn’t have the classic compulsions I saw on TV that I couldn’t have OCD.

Nevertheless, Dr. Tharp and research on OCD have taught me how to harness the power of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and exposure response prevention (ERP) to retrain my brain to wire new behaviors into itself that lessen the power of the intrusive thoughts. 

CBT helps in realizing how irrational a thought is, and combating it with other forms of thinking, while ERP exposes an OCD sufferer to a trigger without giving in to the mental or physical compulsion to alleviate it.

Both allowed me to stop constantly researching my emotions, and let the thoughts dwell before finally letting them go.

Both helped me sleep a full night after almost two weeks of the hell that is insomnia also. 

With the tools of behavioral psychology and writing, I find myself obsessing over my future rather than my old thinking patterns.

It’s not an easy battle. If I don’t get enough sleep, my brain goes into overdrive and I begin to feel unhinged again. But, I always come back to the core of myself that knows and repeats, “I’m ok.”

“The best doctors and lawyers have OCD. If you can take your obsessions and use it for something positive, you could do a lot with it. Like your writing, or money. It’s a matter of not entertaining the thought, and not giving it power,” Dr. Tharp told me over a phone call recently.

When I stopped giving my thoughts power over me, I was able to put the power back into myself, my career, and my writing.

A basketball players unfortunate season

jorge hernandez
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With the coronavirus altering the lives of many students and faculty staff members, the LBCC basketball team has been limited in the activities they can practice. 

The overall morale of many athletes is at an all-time low, trying to remain positive by focusing their time on independent goals. 

Joshua Thornton is one of the many players that has been actively a part of the LBCC basketball team’s day to day interactions. 

“Trying to keep the team together is hard,” Thornton said. 

COVID-19 has made their practices almost impossible to do without their teammates at their side. 

The coaches and team players have tried to stay connected during this time, but anxieties arise about future goals when physical training falls short, and athletes are unable to be physically challenged and consistent in their progression.

The team has been able to lean on social media to keep high morale. However, many past goals will have to be put on hold for athletes. 

With majority online-learning in place for the 2020 Fall Semester, many athletes could be left without a place to practice. 

The players of the team will have to remain virtually connected.

The pandemic initially seemed temporary for many, but social distancing is becoming a real nightmare for many people. 

Fear of the coronavirus has loomed over the heads of many people. Regulations are still in place, requiring social distancing and masks for those who must leave the house. 

“You can’t really stay connected with the people you already know. It makes you hesitant to do things. It created a universal OCD now,” Thornton said. 

Thornton said that this situation has given him a clear understanding of the importance of an honest heart for our society.

LBCC mental health speaker series sparks conversation

Tyana Sallis
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Long Beach City College concluded its Mental Health Speaker Series during May, amid Mental Health Awareness Month. 

In a presentation called “How Storytelling is College Suicide Prevention 2.0,” speaker Josh Rivedal revealed his own personal story to encourage others to participate in storytelling to overcome depression, with an emphasis on the challenge starting with the individual.

According to Rivedal, “You’ve got to talk” yourself through mental depression. 

During the series, he was very open in speaking about the therapists he had seen and worked with.

He spoke about how mental depression doesn’t control his life, but rather is a battle throughout his life journey.

To truly overcome a situation, Rivedal suggested understanding its roots.

Rivedal has battled through his seasons of loss, which were catalysts for his depression and anxiety. 

A lost relationship,  opportunity or even a financial loss, could all be reasons why people may subconsciously be feeding into their negative thoughts. 

Rivedal experienced all three losses, causing him to feel hopeless. He said he considered that time to be one of the lowest of his life, with these traumatizing events leading to the need for mental help.

“I felt that nobody loved me, nobody cared for me and I was a burden,” Rivedal said.

He mentioned the importance of knowing how to help a friend or family member if they are at this stage of life. He said he was once a victim of his thoughts, and as a survivor, he gives his time to others. 

Rivedal gave advice on how to balance helping others and still maintaining one’s own mental help.

“Health care is a collaborative process,” he said. He shared his own self-care tactics like practicing gratitude, listening to music, and giving attention to nature.

He also mentioned during the conversation that there are times when we have to focus on ourselves first.

“It’s not a no forever, it’s a no for now, We can’t help others until we find help for ourselves, first. I know that I have to constantly remind myself, if not daily, then weekly, that I need to ask for help,” Rivedal said.

The “magic formula” of how much mental help a person needs depends on the individual. 

Josh Rivedal had the courage to tell his story to help himself in his battle with mental illness. Storytelling can inspire others to live mentally, well-proven by the #IAMPOSSIBLEPROJECT as people share their stories.

Mental help is provided by many sources for Long Beach City students, even during the quarantine. Resources include LBCC Counseling (562) 938-4210, LBCC COVID response, National Suicide Prevention Hotline, The Trevor Project, as well as the crisis text line. 

Local artist continues to inspire others through art

Tyana Sallis
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Local artist continues to inspire others through art

For local artist Victoria Sukhasyan, COVID-19 has created new challenges, although she continues to make time to be inspired and create throughout the pandemic. 

The search for the motivation to connect with people through art has become increasingly difficult, but Sukhasyan continues to use art as a form of expression, as well as an activity to calm mental stress during these times.  

Sukhasyan has a unique perspective on the world. 

Through her Iranian background and influence from Russian culture, she aims to bring elegance to the rough streets of Los Angeles through her work.

Sukhasyan’s accent reminds us of the language barrier most immigrants have managed to overcome. 

Her comfort zone dwells in “painting her words.”

“Painting is my way of communicating with the world,” Sukhasyan said. 

Her paintings create a way for her to be transparent about where she has been in life. 

Before quarantine, Sukhasyan was able to venture to art exhibitions and art shows, displaying her traditional watercolor, acrylic and oil paintings, along with her digital illustrations. 

Much has changed for her life as Los Angeles has become a ghost town and nightlife is non-existent. 

As an artist that follows her heart, she revealed a personal hardship in these global circumstances: “I don’t have my muse every day.” 

Quarantine has kept her busy and altered her schedule, as a full-time mother of three children, a teacher to her oldest two and a businesswoman in the art community, she is constantly in a crunch for time. 

She explains how the constant change of identity hats leaves her exhausted and sometimes without inspiration. 

Her struggles revolve around staying motivated.

“There are days where I don’t feel inspired at all,” Sukhasyan said.

She has to rely on social media more than ever to find inspiration. 

Instagram has kept her connected with her supporters.

“I paint sketches of people now, anybody, I just do it for free,” Sukhasyan said.

Although her schedule has changed drastically, she keeps routine tactics, as she said, “I try to take my brush to paint every day.” 

Being an artist is a part of who she is and has been her way to express herself for years.

There isn’t much that has changed with her art business as the coronavirus keeps many indoors. 

“Selling art is always like a swing,” Sukhasyan said.

LA protests turn to riots

talia coeshott
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LA protests turn to riots

Following the murder of George Floyd, protests and riots have been taking place all around the country. 

On May 25 an African-American man named George Floyd was suffocated to death by a police officer while other officers stood by and watched, as his last words were, “I can’t breathe.”

Since the fatal incident, many people have been inclined to talk about the Black Lives Matter movement.

 Many have been educating themselves more on what the meaning behind this movement truly is, along with educating themselves on their own privilege and what that means as well.

Stefania Tibor, a member of the L.A. community, attended a protest in the area and had a lot to share about her experience.

“We had support from every business we passed; employees and owners were cheering, busses and cars passing were honking and raising posters [and] fists to unite with us, everything was great at first,” Tibor said.

She then began to speak about how the protest got out of hand and some of the horrible things she witnessed first hand, with fear taking over the protest. 

Another L.A. local, Maddie Monteilh stated the protest she attended remained peaceful the entire time.

“There was no rioting or violence, it all stayed peaceful,” Monteilh said.

The peaceful protests have been supported by many, but where the line seems to gets hazy and the confusion begins is rioting.

In certain cases, rioting has not been done by the same peaceful protestors. 
Rioters have come from out of the L.A. area and have taken advantage of the situation, eliminating the focus from the Black Lives Matter movement. 

L.A. County is now experiencing its third night of mandatory curfew, just as the county had started opening up after months of lockdown due to the coronavirus. 

Curfew has made the protestors upset because they feel as if their right to protest is being taken away from them.

How quarantine has affected online dating

talia coeshott
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How quarantine has affected online dating

Since COVID-19 escalated into a global pandemic, restrictions have been placed on activities or places that involve any physical contact.

Since being placed on quarantine, the world population is unable to leave their homes, thus making it difficult for those who are looking for their soulmates.

The amount of people using dating apps is constantly growing, according to a study from Stanford University.

Online dating is the preferable choice of many because users avoid face-to-face interaction and it also is convenient.

Nathan Godinez, a third-year student at San Diego State University and an active user of dating apps, spoke on his experiences with online dating and how it has changed since the pandemic. 

“I think this is the case for most, stuck at home and bored. Online dating can be great to supplement some of the lighter downfalls of a quarantine, and I’ve noticed that I gained more matches than before too,” Godinez said.

The SDSU student believes that it’s beneficial enough that he recommended it to his friends.

 “I would urge some of my friends, who were hesitant to join before, to download the apps now, while they’re booming.”

There can be a stigma that surrounds online dating, with many believing it is an unnatural way of finding a partner.

 “I don’t get the taboo that comes from having the apps. I’ve spent a lot of time traveling alone overseas and I owe a lot of my favorite experiences to these platforms,” Godinez said.

When asked if it’s easier to date online with an active quarantine, Godinez said, “Yes and no. Although there’s definitely more interactions and more users online, you can only text for so long. With no end in sight, everything is up in the air.”

Godinez added, “I find it difficult sometimes to focus on or to even desire conversations with everything going on around me, despite the fact that I won’t risk any exposure to my grandmother by going on dates.”

When asked if he would pursue a relationship through an app, Godinez said, “I mean I’d be open to it if the sparks were there.”

Godinez doubled down on his statement, “I’m not in a rush to get a date or into a relationship, so to answer the question, no. Or at least, not at the moment.”

Other than dating apps being used for their intended purpose, Godinez stated, “I think it’s a great way to meet people. I’ve made lots of great friends from dates that came out of online dating apps.”

Nathan Godinez is just a single individual in an ever-growing population of young adults that use dating apps while quarantining during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Viking News graduates share their stories, thoughts on virtual commencement

abrielle lopez
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Viking News graduates share their stories, thoughts on virtual commencement

The graduating staff of Viking News collaborated to create a “final goodbye” article, in the wake of a vastly eventful final semester, virtual commencement and to recount some precious memories from their time as a Viking.

Lloyd Bravo, Staff Writer

I decided to go back to college in fall 2016 after a two-year hiatus. My educational journey spans 14 years, at five different community colleges, but Long Beach City College is where I’ve earned my Associates of Arts degree in Journalism.

It was a convoluted saga that stretched my emotional core and brought incredible frustration to my personal life. However, I am proud of what I have accomplished and excited to move forward to a much brighter future. 

The strife that the Coronavirus has caused LBCC faculty and students is unprecedented and my sympathy is for those unable to walk and grab their earned diplomas. The virtual commencement is a nice gesture, but an event I will not be attending. 

I look forward to a summer in the solitude of my backyard while I lay in an inflatable pool and indulge in my favorite hobbies before my first semester at Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Talia Coeshott, Editor

Long Beach City College granted me the opportunity to venture out on my own and discover my strengths and weaknesses.

As a second-year transfer from Diablo Valley College, I was pleasantly surprised to experience such a positive atmosphere where peers encourage others to expand their talents.

Although I will not be able to celebrate graduation with my family as of right now, I know that when I graduate from California State Long Beach it will be all the more special.

I most likely will not be attending the virtual commencement because I would rather save the anticipation for when I finish my bachelor’s degree.

After I transfer from LBCC, I will be dedicating my time to educating myself further in writing so that I can grow my blog platform.

Idalia Gonzalez, Staff Writer

I started attending LBCC in Fall 2017 and being a Viking has been the best experience — there is so much support. 

Especially as I am a DACA student, it was important for me to attend a school where I knew I was going to find academic support. 

I was so excited to have my family in the audience as I earned my Associates Degree in Journalism. 

While we may not be able to celebrate with other students and members of LBCC, I am glad our accomplishments are being acknowledged. 

Community college and the students that attend these junior institutions are overlooked, but this graduation is allowing us to celebrate ourselves and the people that support us.  

When I first heard commencement was going to be virtual I was a bit disappointed, but I am glad the college is taking precautionary measures to ensure everyone’s safety. 

It is important for me to attend commencement because I think I owe it to myself for being persistent and not giving up in these past three years as a Viking.

This fall I will be attending Cal State Long Beach and will be majoring in Journalism. 

Veronica Huerta, Staff Writer

LBCC has never let me down and that’s true even now during our Spring 2020 virtual commencement.

After attending other community colleges, and even four-year universities in Philadelphia and Northridge, LBCC is the only college that has ever made me feel like I have a home.

I’ve spent years jumping around different states and schools because of balancing work and bills, changing my career field and majors and being unsure of where to go.

When I got to LBCC, getting classes to fit my schedule was extremely easy and every class I took (no matter the subject) made me realize my love for writing, then to me choosing my major — journalism.

I’ve finally found something I love: journalism, making friends with my professors and finally getting my Associate of Arts degree.

I’m a little sad that I won’t experience an in-person commencement. After being in and out of college and the military for almost 8 years, I imagined getting my first degree would be a bigger event.

Even so, LBCC has given me the opportunity to customize a slide, thank my family and still make me feel special. 

I’m going to participate in the commencement and I couldn’t be happier being able to call myself a Viking.

After LBCC, I will transfer to Cal State Long Beach  in the fall to work on my Bachelor’s in journalism. 

I want to stick around in Long Beach and write stories about my new home, my new city.

I’m excited about moving into the world with everything that LBCC has taught me, from discipline, to journalism and most importantly pride.

Martin Koev, Editor

My time spent at LBCC was definitely not even close to what I expected. It was short-lived, yet quite eventful and boring at the same time. 

I transferred to LBCC from a different community college for the Fall 2019 semester and I knew I only had one full year to attend.

I focused on my schooling so I could transfer and even with the global pandemic, I was not going to let anything get in the way of my plans.

I definitely pictured graduation being a large event with my family coming down to attend and then most likely celebrating immediately afterwards.

Sadly, nobody will be experiencing that this year.

I will most likely participate in the virtual commencement, but I also see myself getting bored after 10 minutes and shifting my attention toward something else.

After I graduate from LBCC, it will finally be time to have some fun and let go before transferring to Cal State Long Beach next fall.

Abrielle Lopez, Editor in Chief of Viking News

I feel emotional thinking about this lengthy, tumultuous and beautiful path through higher education I have walked.

I started college in 2015 at Bakersfield College and navigated depression and uncertainty with my educational goals. 

Mandated K-12 education really corrupted my passion and enthusiasm for learning and I was unsure about college after I graduated high school.

Nevertheless, my warrior spirit within has always pushed me to strive for my highest good and step into my power: my ability to write, report and spread truth.

I chose to major in Journalism because of my lifelong passion for writing and I began attending Long Beach City College in Fall 2018.

This school is impeccable, flawless even — staff and faculty are so helpful, everyone is generally kind and there is so much compassion in everything created at LBCC. 

My experiences at this school have brought me back to my inherent strength and creative nature, giving me the confidence I need to succeed in anything I wish to do with my life.

I think of all of the special people I have met and had the pleasure of exchanging ideas with, creating with and sharing heartfelt friendships with, and I am so grateful for every moment of it.

This semester was challenging. 

We’ve faced so much adversity under a global pandemic, but the funny thing is the adversity will always be there, waiting for us to find the silver-lining and prove to ourselves and the world that we can manifest our dreams, even in the hardest of times.

As Editor in Chief of Viking News, I had the opportunity to lead and be led by the best team of hardworking, kind individuals and I’ll cherish this experience for the rest of my life.

I figure I’ve worked very hard for the past five years of my life and I’ve earned my time in the spotlight, even if it’s “virtually,” so I plan on participating in LBCC’s commencement this semester.

After LBCC, I will be transferring to Cal State Long Beach in the fall to continue my education and work on a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism.

I’d like to thank Walter Hammerwold and Chris Viola for believing in me and mentoring me through this experience — it has been life changing.

Hailey Montez, Staff Writer

LBCC has positively impacted my ability to learn and strive toward success.

A fear I struggled with prior to attending LBCC was my lack of fitting in with the normality of attending a public institution because I came from a homeschooled environment. 

However, after my first week being on campus, I befriended fellow classmates and learned from motivating professors. 

My fear diminished and my desire to learn skyrocketed.

I was genuinely excited to attend all my classes with the purpose of reaching my goals.

I knew my time at LBCC would be temporary since my ambition was to transfer, but I made the most out of it by spending time with friends I made at LBCC, attending events and being a staff reporter for Viking News.

This spring semester has been challenging and worrisome for most students, but LBCC has been nothing but supportive during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

I’m saddened to hear that students won’t have the graduation experience they worked so hard to achieve and I hope LBCC reschedules the 2020 commencement ceremony for the foreseeable future once it’s safe to do so. 

I’ve made so many memories at LBCC that will stick with me forever — one of my favorite memories was a time I frantically ran in the rain to get a story for Viking News. 

I was soaked because I wasn’t aware of the weather conditions, but it was thrilling! 

Spring 2020 will be my last semester at LBCC, as I’ve been admitted to Chapman University’s Dodge College to major in Broadcast Journalism and Documentary. 

I thank the LBCC faculty for guiding me in the right direction to achieve my future goals.

Abel Reyes, Editor in Chief of City Magazine

My start at Long Beach City College felt like the beginning of a neverending story, but eventually meeting the right people at LBCC put me on the path I’ll be on for a majority of my career and life. 

With a bittersweet ending to my time at LBCC, I originally saw my graduation experience as simple as they come: walking on the stage with some of my fellow classmates and with some family, friends and professors watching me do so, and then going home afterward.

I know now with a virtual commencement, I can take time and try to make it into something more. 

With an early start at Cal State University, Long Beach, and working for their student newspaper, I can focus more on what Long Beach City College began for me. 

My time working for the student newspaper at LBCC will forever be the most memorable experience I will have at the college. 

I’m really proud of the work and effort that I and the many people I’ve worked with put in. 

The work will always represent long hours, growth and teamwork. 

Thank you to journalism professors Walter Hammerwold and Chris Viola — the right people I’ve met, who have changed my career and life.

Yeovanna Sandoval, Editor

I started my time at Long Beach City College in 2015 — five whole years at this school! 

There were times of uncertainty, but at the end it’s surely paid off. 

My time here has felt long, but I wouldn’t take any of my learning experiences back. 

They were years of insight, hard work and enlightenment. 

I envisioned my graduation to be an awesome experience, doing so by nervously walking in front of many people and my family in a crowd.

Unfortunately, the times we are experiencing now with the pandemic, schools have canceled graduation ceremonies. 

A virtual graduation is worth something, however, and I’m content that LBCC has prepared something special for all graduates, like allowing us to participate in a final goodbye and students being able to receive a diploma, despite the circumstances. 

I feel as long as I celebrate my hard work with my family, it fulfills my expectations. 

After all the congratulations and celebrations, I’m moving on to Cal State Long Beach to continue my journey into journalism for a Bachelor of Arts degree. 

I have also decided to go for a minor in fashion marketing, as I’ve learned to love fashion media and other lifestyle effects. 

This love for fashion marketing flourished because of my family’s boutique, PrettyGraceful, where I typically do all social media and marketing work and I enjoy doing it.

Nonetheless, it is not with one, but two dreams that I thank LBCC for guiding me toward success. 

Isaiah Zuniga, Staff Writer

I describe my LBCC experience as a journey that had a lot of necessary ups and downs, permitting me to become more mature as an adult. 

This experience has also taught me how to properly handle difficult school work.

I honestly wasn’t going to attend graduation, virtual or in-person, because I realized as it’s nice to celebrate this milestone, I would rather not concern myself with a minor milestone.

Getting my bachelor’s degree will feel like a bigger celebration because I’ve basically earned two degrees.

After I “graduate” LBCC, I will be attending Cal State Long Beach to further pursue my degree in journalism, just as most of my journalism classmates are doing.

I will use the knowledge I’ve gained from Walter Hammerwold, Chris Viola and Pat McKean and apply it to my future experience in journalism at CSULB.

Nonmedical essential workers keep businesses open

talia coeshott
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Nonmedical essential workers keep businesses open

For the majority of this pandemic, while many have the ability to remain sheltered at home, essential workers have been left required to continue on with their work.

During these hard times, even non-medical essential workers have been risking their lives every day, contributing to the economy and well being of everyone during this pandemic.

Not being a doctor or nurse does not mean one is exempt from possibly being considered “essential.” 

Essential workers include grocery store employees, public transit workers, safety and security workers, among others.

Many businesses have to stay open throughout the entirety of the lockdown to support those who are unable to leave the house or work.

Chrystian McClanahan, who works at a refinery in L.A. County, has remained at work since the very beginning of the lockdown. 

“It has been very tiring, but it feels really good to be important,” McClanahan said.

The 23-year-old shared his experience with being an “essential worker,” while those who are unable to work are collecting unemployment benefits.  

“It does not bother me. I am slightly jealous because I would have loved to sit home and get paid for it but being on unemployment would be a pay cut for me so I do not want anything to do with a pay cut,” McClanahan said.

The “Stay at Home” order has been in effect since early March in California. As of recent, businesses have begun the process of reopening.

The newest re-opening of our economy was that of some retail stores, local businesses such as salons, and limited dine-in at restaurants.

Sarah Castania who works at a restaurant in L.A. County shared her opinions on going back to work during this time.

“I am very nervous to return to work but also happy that we will get a sense of ‘normal’ again. I’m just hoping we have seen the worst of the coronavirus,” Castania said.

With many still people still experiencing financial stress, fears about the coronavirus still impact many. However, essential or nonessential, with so many businesses reopening, most of us will soon be returning to some sense of “normalcy.”

Three ways students can make an income during COVID-19

talia coeshott
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Three ways students can make an income during COVID-19

Due to COVID-19, 2 million people in California alone have lost their jobs. Many young adults are having to scramble to find work or move back in with their parents to save money. Of those who didn’t lose their jobs, many are experiencing pay and hour cuts.

Even though California is back on track to start opening again soon, it will be a slow transition to get everything back to normal. It may be crucial for many to find additional work to make ends meet. Here are 3 great websites that can help college students earn money during COVID-19.

1. Care.com

If a student loves pets and/or kids, Care.com is the perfect place to go to earn some extra income. With schools being closed, many parents are looking for extra help around the house to care for their kids. Some parents are even seeking at home tutors to help with their child’s schoolwork and education from home.

Students can choose one-time jobs or pick up a gig that has a weekly schedule. The main jobs of Care.com are babysitting, tutoring, and pet services. Babysitting jobs in Long Beach start at $14.25 per hour according to Care.com.

Contactless work from Care.com is also possible if students are concerned with social distancing. Students can provide pet sitting services while people are away from home, or offer pet boarding which involves caring for an animal for a period of time in your own home.

2. TaskRabbit.com

Task Rabbit is a website in which students can apply to perform tasks for people. The great thing about Task Rabbit is it offers a wide variety of tasks available to perform including handyman projects, cleaning, lifting/moving furniture, yard work, furniture assembly, and more.

If students are looking to protect themselves against COVID-19, Task Rabbit also offers contactless services where a student is never required to come into close contact with the person they are providing a service to. Most contactless options include delivery services for prescription pick-up, grocery shopping, and general errands.

Another contactless option is virtual assistant tasks such as organizing files and inboxes, assisting with a research project, or data entry.

3. Fiverr.com

Fiverr is a website perfect for students who are majoring in things like English, art, digital design, animation, business, just to name a few.

It is a freelance website where students can offer a wide array of services all from the comfort and safety of home. Fiverr has many freelance work opportunities from business and tech all the way to creative design.

Some tasks include illustration services, providing translations, voice-overs, creating a website with WordPress, offering social media/SEO assistance, proofreading, and so much more. It is also a great way to make money while adding projects to your portfolio/resume.

Protests ensue in downtown LA

martin koev
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Protests ensue in downtown LA

Protesters expressed their frustrations and anger surrounding the death of George Floyd when they arrived at the Los Angeles Police Department Headquarters on May 28 in downtown Los Angeles. 

Protests have sparked across the country following  George Floyd’s death while in police custody in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The protest, organized by the Los Angeles chapter of Black Lives Matter, gathered at Circle Park next to City Hall beginning at 4:00 pm.

The group of protesters started small, but more joined as they continued walking around LAPD headquarters, with signs and chants calling for an end of police brutality.

Local resident Yyvete Ramirez had mixed emotions seeing the events that caused the protest to exist.

“It is sad to come out here to support the loss of George Floyd, and we hope we can do better on protesting and not name-calling,” Ramirez said.

The protesters managed to push a barrier down and stopped two California Highway Patrol vehicles, which escaped without visual damage.

Protester Vicente Argueta joined along with other protesters to show his frustrations.

“With everything that is going on with all the killings of innocent men and women is sad, I missed yesterday’s protest and went for this protest to see with all these people,” Argueta said.

More protests were organized the day after and have continued since then.

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