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Opinion: Diabetics and the risks of COVID-19

abrielle lopez
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Opinion: Diabetics and the risks of COVID-19

During the health crisis when some are concerned for their lives, people with diabetes are at risk and even more concerned than the average person. 

Diabetes is a disease of the pancreas that damages the human body’s ability to process blood glucose which will cause high blood sugar levels. . 

According to the CDC, These issues raise health concerns for diabetics, as the increase of fatal cases of coronavirus happen to people with diabetes.

People with diabetes are also known to get sick easily and even for a longer period of time. 

Some diabetics can develop infections because of high blood sugar levels, which can weaken the patient’s immune system defenses. 

There’s a lot of complications when it comes to diabetes such as nerve damage and reduced blood flow to the extremities, increasing the body’s vulnerability to infection. 

Diabetics are concerned about COVID-19 because their immune systems will have a difficult time fighting the virus and may have a harder time than other people who have the virus. 

According to the CDC, based on there current studies and research those who are older or have underlying diseases may have severe problems when contacting the coronavirus. 

Diabetics are required to take an essential amount of medication for their illness and the medicine has the ability to make some ill.

Having side effects from diabetic medication and COVID-19 combined could make people fall increasingly ill and feel worse.

Sprouts worker Isela Bolanos has diabetes and shared her feelings about her exposure to coronavirus.

“I am really scared because when I have a fever, I have to go to the hospital because I feel horrible because my immune system is weak due to having diabetes and my sugar levels are all over the place when I have the flu. From what the news is saying, the COVID-19 could kill me or make me have more complications than the flu so I am beyond scared and worried,” Bolanos said.

The coronavirus could cause a lot of issues for people with diabetes because just like Isela Bolanos stated their immune systems are weaker, and their sugar levels always fluctuate. 

Cypress College student Kathy Rojas is also diabetic and talked about her concern for the virus and her health.

“I am really worried because I have diabetes. I already go to the hospital a lot because of complications with my heart and I’m just scared to have the COVID-19 because I don’t want to go to the hospital and possibly die. If people have diabetes, I recommend staying inside and sending people to do your groceries,” Rojas said.

Kathy Rojas and Isela Bolanos are two of many people that are scared of contacting coronavirus, with their health situations inherently sensitive to illness.

People with diabetes should stay in their homes as much as possible to reduce the risk of contact with coronavirus.

Diabetics should take precautions when trying to do their day to day routines. 

They need to clean surfaces around their house to kill bacteria and disinfect areas they commonly use with their families. 

When one leaves the house, they should always wear a mask when grocery shopping and follow all protocols of local restaurants or grocery stores to keep themselves safe and their families when arriving home. 

In times like these, we all need to help one another and help keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.

LBCC students reflect on their semester experiences with campus shutdowns and online instruction

savannah gomez
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LBCC students reflect on their semester experiences with campus shutdowns and online instruction

As the Spring 2020 semester comes to an end, some students at LBCC have strong opinions about their experience. 

Unexpected disruptions and challenges that manifested as a result of the COVID-19 campus shutdowns have led to student anxiety regarding their academic careers at LBCC. 

However, many students have recognized LBCC’s efforts in supporting students during this time of global crises. 

Fall semester took a turn as classes were forced to transition to remote or virtual learning instruction, with a dependence on Zoom for lecturing and meetings. 

Student Lakeisha Goree said she was upset when the college first closed because she was looking forward to in-person classes. 

Keeping up with online academic responsibilities during a global pandemic has caused her stress and anxiety. 

Deadlines are coming up fast and with the last stretch of the semester approaching, pressure and anxiety are building up.

Even so, the college’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. 

“The college has really reached out to students in so many ways and provides so much help to students,” Goree said. 

Some of the resources the college has helped Goree with have been mental health counseling and the food drive-thrus provided by the Office of Basic Needs.

Additionally, the school extended the course withdrawal deadline and the pass/no-pass option for students. 

Goree believes that the school continues to do an amazing job at reaching out to students and providing much needed resources.

“I really can’t think of anything else the school could do. They have been doing such a good job as far as I can see.”

LBCC student Rene Sandoval mentioned he was upset about remote instruction because it doesn’t compare to the face-to-face interaction with professors.

“I enjoy communicating with my professors and having them there physically to ask questions or to have things explained directly to my face, it’s just personally easier for me to learn that way,” Sandoval said.

Like many other students, Sandoval said his work ethic has suffered as a result of virtual instruction. 

“Classes like English 3H were not created to be online because of it’s difficulty regardless of online meetings… It’s just not the same for people like me who need a different environment to focus in.”

Just like Goree, Sandoval believes opening campus in the fall is not a correct move by the college. 

“I definitely don’t think it’s safe to return to campus during the fall. We just got the stay-at-home order extended until August and that’s when fall classes usually start and I am positive it will be extended even longer,” Sandoval said.

Even though he believes the college is doing everything they possibly can to help students, he believes LBCC along with all other colleges should be passing students. 

“It is saddening that we are living through a global crisis, thousands are dying [and] people who suffer from mental health issues like me are suffering, yet we still have to go to school when no one is in the mindset for it,” Sandoval said.

According to the LBCC website some classes are set to remain online through distance learning but the college is attempting to maintain some in-person classes based on course needs.

Protestors gather in Long Beach after the death of George Floyd in support of the Black Lives Matter movement

savannah gomez
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Protestors gather in Long Beach after the death of George Floyd in support of the Black Lives Matter movement

Long Beach protesters showed up earlier on Sunday to demonstrate their outrage caused by the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for over eight minutes.

What started out as a peaceful protest turned to hundreds of people breaking into businesses and looting later in the afternoon, prompting the Long Beach Police Department to interfere. 

Downtown businesses have struggled the most as some business owners were seen begging looters to stop. 

Shops at The Pike, like Forever 21, Nike, Columbia Factory Store, Hot Topic, were some of the businesses that were looted almost completely.

At California Pizza Kitchen, a man took a sledgehammer to the windows and broke in to loot TVs from the restaurant.

Throughout the protest on Sunday, thousands gathered for the death of George Floyd and protestors were heard chanting throughout their demonstration. Photo by Abel Reyes.

Mark Lira, co-owner of Italian restaurant L’Opera in Downtown Long Beach, rushed inside his restaurant to examine all the damage as looters broke into the boarded-up restaurant and stole and broke appliances. 

“I rushed as fast as possible once I saw looters moving closer to the restaurant on TV,” Lira said.

“They destroyed and stole everything they could.”

The protest began around 3 p.m. in front of the Long Beach Police Department and moved its way down all over Downtown Long Beach. 

Thousands of protesters held signs and shouted “Black Lives Matter,” and at one point completely blocked Ocean Boulevard at Alamitos Avenue to take a knee.


Participants and police in Long Beach, both emphasized they wanted Sunday’s demonstration to be peaceful. Protestors held up signs demonstrating their support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Photo by Abel Reyes.

At 5:19 p.m. a county-wide curfew was imposed for all Los Angeles County residents, stating that all people were required to be home by 6:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. tomorrow. 

However, Long Beach maintained an 8 p.m. curfew. 

After 6 p.m., police declared an unlawful assembly in Long Beach, signaling that arrests would soon follow. 

Police and protest demonstrators were at a standoff on Broadway and Pine Avenue. 

The National Guard has since been sent to Long Beach to help the police department with violent protestors and looters.

In a news conference, Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna said, “Today is a sad day in our city. To see what’s occurring around us is heartbreaking.”

The importance of staying physically active during the pandemic

Tyana Sallis
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The importance of staying physically active during the pandemic

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues and the “Stay at Home” order is still in place, it is important for people to remain healthy and active.

Now more than ever is it necessary to pay attention to your overall health and wellness, as we continue to be sheltering in place.

Staying at home for long periods of time can have a major effect on people’s well being, physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Staying active and using relaxation techniques such as meditation and yoga, will help with remaining calm and continuing to protect health.

Department Head of Kinesiology Professor Casey Crook explained the significance of staying physically active during this time.

“Exercise helps you stay fit. The better shape you are in, the more resistant you are to infection and the better you fight infection. It keeps your immune system working better. It relieves depression as well,” Crook said.

Due to the virus, many gyms, parks, and other places to normally be active are closed, leaving only people’s place of living as a fitness center.

For those who regularly worked out before, it might just be a little adjustment to make. Although, for those who are not as physically active, it may be a struggle to figure out how to begin.

Crook mentioned that according to the American Medical Association and the American Heart Association, five to seven hours a week of cardiorespiratory exercise, or 45 minutes to an hour a day if you are used to working out is recommended.

It is also safe to start on the slower side, by working out two or three days a week for about 20 to 30 minutes, then slowly increase the time.

“Right now, if you haven’t been exercising, anything is better than nothing. If you’re in an area where you can go on walks, start with walks or bike rides. Or just going into your garage or clearing a room and doing bodyweight exercises like pushups and body squats will get your heart rate up,” Crook said.

Stretching is also a super beneficial and an essential step when it comes to a fitness routine, and Professor Crook recommends stretching in order to keep muscles long and loose. 

“Stretching at least a few times a week is a good idea. Even if the only exercise you do for a given day is [stretching] . . .  we talked about starting slow. If you can just get into some kind of stretch routine every day or every other day and then add some kind of strength exercise after that, is a good place to start,” Crook said.

While being active, it is also necessary to be mindful of the food being consumed, as that also has an effect on overall health.

The CDC recommends emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole-grains, and fat-free or milk alternative products. Also, make sure to drink the daily amount of water that suits your body mass.

Other food ideas to help keep your body and mind healthy are proteins like lean meats, fish, eggs, and nuts.

As the future of this ongoing virus is unforeseen and the emphasis on physical education is of top importance, Long Beach City College is introducing two new classes this summer, where a student can Zoom in with an instructor  who leads yoga and stretching exercises for relaxation. 

“This is all new to us, so we are looking to expand these offerings and I think part of the draw for that is when 30 to 40 people Zoom in and are all doing the same thing, that not only are you getting instruction from an expert in our department, but there is also going to be some social interaction going on. So we are really looking to figure out how to keep offering not only the fitness components of our classes but also the social interaction,” Crook said.

Many people have all the time in the world right now, so there is no better time than now to start getting up and getting active for the improvement of physical, mental, and emotional health.

CSULB dumping on Native American burial site

martin koev
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CSULB dumping on Native American burial site

Due to the development of a CSULB student housing project, a sacred Native American ritual and burial site was used as construction dumping grounds, resulting in legal proceedings between the university and the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation-Belardes (“JBMIAN-Belardes”) tribe.

Upon receiving the lawsuit in October, the dumping halted. However, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the legal proceedings have been stalled and CSULB has yet to remove the soil and debris left on Puvungna.

Puvunga once covered an area of approximately 500 acres, sprawling across the entirety of what is currently the CSULB campus.

Now only 22 acres, the land is utilized by multiple tribes in the area, including the Gabrielinos (or Tongvans), Luisenos and Juaneños (also known as the Acagchemem or Acjachemen Nation). 

The site is a spiritually significant and sacred place, used for numerous religious ceremonies both historically and to this day. 

Religious ceremonies still occur on the ancient Native American village and ritual site on the CSULB campus. Puvunga initially was approximately 500 acres, but now only 22 acres of undeveloped land remain. Photo credits to the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation-Belardes (“JBMIAN-Belardes”) tribe.

“It’s the birthplace for our religion,” said Chairman Matias Belardes of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation-Belardes tribe, during a May 20 interview.

“We have thousands of years of history on that site, and we do what we can to protect that area. It is the last undeveloped portion of that property,” Belardes said about Puvunga, the former Native American village which is now recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. 

According to information provided in the lawsuit, CSULB claimed that both financial and environmental reasons factored into the decision to utilize Puvunga, as well as the desire to keep excavated dirt on campus. 

Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation-Belardes (“JBMIAN-Belardes”) claims that they were not consulted over the use of the land. 

According to Belardes, CSULB consulted the university’s NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act) committee regarding the decision to use Puvunga as a construction dumping ground, a misuse of this committee’s purpose, who in turn, did not confer with local tribes to determine their best interests.

Belardes clarified that the NAGPRA does not speak for local tribes in the CSULB area and is a completely separate committee working with the institution to help guide the campus with any projects that may potentially impact local indigenous communities. 

Puvunga, a sacred Native American ritual site on CSULB’s campus, is shown in its natural landscape. Photo by Anna Christensen

“They do provide a really good purpose in the work that they do with Cal State Long Beach and the repatriation of the artifacts and the archeology collections that they do have,” Belardes said about the NAGPRA committee. 

“The issue is they do not speak for our tribe, so they’re not a basic tribal government entity. That’s one aspect of it and with their ties to Long Beach, you can kind of say that their decisions or opinions might be swayed one way to their relationship with Long Beach,” he added. 

Belardes also provided further details regarding the process of communication with local tribes.

“With the new laws, Assembly Bill AB52, all projects related to Native American tribes require an initiative to consult with the tribes, putting us at the beginning stages of the project so that we’re able to consult and discuss the areas that are sensitive within that project,” Belardes said. 

The tribe’s relationship with the school thus far had been amicable, even more so with the land acknowledgment and continued ceremonies being held on CSULB’s campus.  

“We’ve had a decent relationship since then,” Belardes said, referring to a 1992 incident when CSULB attempted to build a strip mall on the site, resulting in a lawsuit that ultimately prevented the construction.

“[We] find it disrespectful and disheartening. Ever since that lawsuit, it was thought that there would be a better understanding of what that site means to us. Somewhere along the way there’s been a disconnect. Now we’re back to square one after all these positive things that have come from the original lawsuit all those years ago,” Belardes said.

“We thought we were past it already. It shouldn’t have come to this. The university should know the significance of the site, what it means to the tribes and what you can and can’t do on the property.”

Discarded tubing and cement scattered on Puvunga, sacred Native American ritual site. Photographer unknown; Photos provided by Mary Derr

This incident occurred only months after Governor Gavin Newsom’s June 2019 executive order formally apologizing to California’s Native Americans for historical mistreatment, violence, and neglect, establishing a Truth and Healing Council to provide Native Americans a platform to work collaboratively with the state to begin the healing process.

Belardes said that he hopes for better communication between CSULB and Native American tribes as a result of the lawsuit and protocols will be placed regarding the use of the land.

“It’s hurtful to a lot of the members. Some members feel its a continuation of the genocide that happened hundreds of years before that and that they don’t care. They have that mindset that ‘We’re just gonna do what we want…’ That’s why we felt we had to bring the lawsuit up. The university needs to do better,” Belardes said.

CSULB spokesperson Jeff Cook declined to comment. 

Ancient Native American village and religious site Puvunga occupies 22 acres on CSULB campus. The land was recently used a as a dumping grounds for a construction project at CSULB. Photo by Anna Christensen

Belardes’ hope is for the dumping of construction debris to be removed from Puvungna, along with no further dumping to take place and communication to be prioritized with any further developments the campus may have planned, he said. 

Although city shutdowns due to COVID-19 have halted further construction dumping on Puvunga, Belardes commented on the importance of a site clean-up due to the effects that the dumping can have on the environment. 

“Construction spoils change the natural landscape of the site,” Belardes said regarding the trash, debris, concrete and metal rebar that was dumped on Puvungna. 

Preserving the natural state of Puvungna is integral to its archaeological significance as well as to the religious ceremony practices that occur on the land.

With the lawsuit temporarily on pause during the COVID-19 shutdowns, Belardes believes an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) will help to implement tribal consideration into CSULB’ campus. 

The lawsuit against CSULB sheds light on the history and significance of Puvungna along with its continuous spiritual connection to Native tribes. 

Storytelling is preventing college suicide

talia coeshott
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Storytelling is preventing college suicide

Keynote speaker for mental health Josh Rivedal held a webinar for Long Beach City College students on May 6, 2020. 

Rivedal talked about his childhood through the art and science of storytelling for LBCC’s mental health speaker series.

Rivedal has been a storyteller since he was 6-years-old and now, at 36 years old, he continues to tell his story.

He grew up in New Jersey, the middle of three children, and from a young age he realized his parents did not have a good marriage. 

Rivedal’s father was a deacon and church was a very big deal in his community. 

People treated his family as if they were perfect.

However, Rivedal’s father was mentally abusive to the family. 

His mother tried to explain why their father treated them so awfully, but this resulted in a bad habit of Rivedal’s. 

He began to think that keeping feelings to oneself was the solution to problems.

Another contribution to this mindset was the discovery of Revidal’s grandfather’s suicide, and how his father had never discussed it with the family.

At the age of 19, Rivedal became a professional actor on Broadway while living in New York.

After 30 years of marriage, Rivedal’s mother had left his father, resulting in his father’s suicide. 

After his father died on March 31, 2001, Rivedal experienced a lot of trauma and his personal life had taken a nosedive. 

Rivedal had stopped talking to his mother, his girlfriend left him and he had started to contemplate his suicide.

He thought no one loved him and the world would be a better place without him.

Rivedal thought suicide was inevitable because of his father and grandfather, but he reached out to his mother about what he was going through.

With the help of counseling, Rivedal learned that suicide is not the answer.

“Suicide is preventable and you and I, and all of us can get help and be helpers,” said Rivedal.

Remembering as young as eight years old, Rivedal knew he had two health conditions that he never talked about: clinical depression and anxiety.

Rivedal had to do a variety of things to manage his depression, like taking albuterol and seeing a therapist.

Rivedal has known about his depression for eight years and knows his triggers very well.

“I’m dancing with a prize boxer, and we are fighting,” said Rivedal.

“People who think of suicide are often overwhelmed by feelings of sadness and hopelessness that they think they have no other option.” 

Practicing gratitude helps Rivedal manage his anxiety and depression.

“Practicing gratitude and listing things that are going well, I can honor the difficult stuff but also honor things going well,” said Rivedal.

Rivedal addressed the importance of recognizing warning signs of suicidal tendencies.

Warning signs include isolation, feelings of hopelessness, irritability, negative thoughts and reckless activity.

Rivedal gave an example of how to show support to someone in need.

Rivedal said asking questions like, “How can I best support you in this moment?” is one way to help.

“Speak up, speak often, telling your story helps somebody else who is going through the same thing,” Rivedal said.

The following resources were recommended in the webinar to those in need of help:

The National Suicide Hotline— (1-800-273-8255), Long Beach City College Counseling Services— (1-562-938-4210), text Courage to 741741, and The Trevor Project or LGBTQ National Hotline— (1-866-488-7386).

Apocalyptic movies to watch during quarantine

Tyana Sallis
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Apocalyptic movies to watch during quarantine

Watching movies can be an effective way to alleviate some of the mental stress caused by the relenting anxiety of COVID-19. 

Those who are doing the best they can to follow the stay-at-home orders have taken the next step to flatten the curve. 

However, the measures and procedures that are being utilized can take a toll on a restless psyche.

Here is a list of a few apocalypse-related films. 

The movies mentioned may not be subtle or obvious, but it can be cathartic to watch someone else’s world burn from the comfort of your own quarantine home. 

10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

“Crazy is building your ark after the flood has already come.” – Howard 

John Goodman plays Howard, a doomsday prep fanatic who has entrapped two people in his bunker underneath his farm after an apparent chemical attack that he claims has radiated the outside air all over the country. 

The film directed by Dan Trachtenberg encapsulates how fear and paranoia can distort moral and ethical decisions especially within an isolated and remote area. 

The movie is produced by J.J. Abrams’ company Bad Robot and is the second in the Cloverfield trilogy.  

The story is based on a script originally entitled The Cellar, but would eventually be developed into the Cloverfield mythos. 

Bear McCreary’s score accentuates the thrilling pace without hindering or over manipulating each scene. 

10 Cloverfield Lane is an exciting and intense thriller that may take the edge off some of your more aggressive roommates or family members. 

Children of Men (2006)

“As the sound of the playgrounds faded, the despair set in. Very odd, what happens in a world without children’s voices.” – Miriam 

In the dystopian future of 2027, humans are on the brink of extinction as the entire world becomes infertile. 

Alfonso Cuaron directs an authentically eerie depiction of a grim United Kingdom on the edge of a societal collapse. 

Cuaron masterfully captures a frenetic pace in spectacular long takes aimed to connect the intensity and severity of each dire situation lead by Clive Owen’s character Theo. 

The movie plays on religious allegories as the plot revolves around the transport and safety of a woman and her newly born child. 

Children of Men portrays the future as bleak, hostile and oppressive, but the film is about the will to live regardless of the circumstances and how to never give up hope. 

Contagion (2011)

“Our best defense has been social distancing. No hand-shaking, staying home when you’re sick, washing your hands frequently.” – Dr. Ellis Cheever 

Probably the most popular movie since the coronavirus pandemic, Contagion was a modest hit in 2011 that explored a fictitious Earth handling a global pandemic. 

The nearly 10-year-old film is now seen as a prophetic warning to our current COVID-19 situation. 

The movie follows the spread of the fictitious MEV-1 disease that plagues the world while the CDC races to develop a vaccine. 

The movie feels disturbingly accurate to the events that have unfolded during our own global crisis and has become a fascinating re-watch trying to correlate scenes from the film to real incidents. 

The ensemble cast features Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Laurence Fishburne and Marion Cotillard who all deliver stellar performances. 

The movie is a tense and well plotted thriller as it examines the bafflement and hysteria of a world unprepared for a serious outbreak.

Dr. Strangelove (1964)

“Gentleman, you can’t fight in here! This is the War Room.” – President Merkin Muffley

Stanley Kubrick’s classic dark comedy “Dr. Strangelove” is about the rampant paranoia of the Cold War and the ramifications of arming the entire world with nuclear bombs. 

The film is still considered to be one of the greatest American films of all time due to the script’s sharp and witty dialogue and Peter Sellers’ outstanding performance in three different roles including Dr. Strangelove. 

The film explores themes of male insecurities and sexual inadequacies and the reasons it may cause a nuclear fallout. 

It is a gorgeous movie that offers levity to a potential man-made apocalypse.

Idiocracy (2006)

“Evolution does not necessarily reward intelligence. With no natural predators to thin the herd, it began simply to reward those who reproduced the most and left the intelligent to become an endangered species.” – Narrator 

The idea of the world slowly deteriorating into an anti-intellectual society has been thought to have already begun. 

Mike Judge’s Idiocracy is a harsh commentary on the Bush administration while being a sobering message to embrace knowledge and logic. 

In 2020, during the Trump administration’s response to COVID-19, some critics may find our country is continuing down that sliding scale. 

Idiocracy is about an American soldier named Joe Bauers who wakes up 500 years into the future after a botched government experiment. 

Bauers, played by Luke Wilson, finds himself lost in a culture which ridicules the intelligent and praises the ignorant. 

The satirical comedy is an exaggerated portrait of a world that is laden with corporate influence, illiteracy and misinformation. 

The movie is definitely polarizing, but it is hopefully not an actual representation of the trajectory of our nation or society.

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

“You know, hope is a mistake. If you can’t fix what’s broken, you’ll, uh… You’ll go insane.” -Max Rockatansky 

George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road is a cinematic masterpiece. 

The 2015 film is fueled with bombastic action set pieces, incredible sound mixing and sound editing and it is one of the most visually stunning movies of the last 20 years. 

Fury Road is a refreshing take on Miller’s previous three Mad Max films that values worldbuilding while keeping the audience engaged with its punk-western aesthetic. 

The story’s main themes of empowerment and survival are perfectly articulated against the backdrop of a creative apocalyptic world full of fire, blood and sand. 

Mad Max: Fury Road is far from mediocre and ascends to the highest heights of Valhalla. 

The Mist (2007)

“Put more than two of us in a room, we pick sides and start dreaming up reasons to kill one another…” – Ollie 

After a massive storm hits a small town, a mysterious fog engulfs a grocery store entrapping the locals inside while horrific creatures start emerging out of the mist. 

Based on the Stephen King novella, The Mist is a 2007 cult-classic film directed by Academy Award winner Frank Darabont. 

Darabont is known for his collaboration with King directing and adapting stories including The Green Mile and The Shawshank Redemption. 

The film is full of character actors known for small memorable roles and familiar faces rather than their actual names. 

The ensemble lead by Thomas Jane is the perfect embodiment for the film’s theme demonstrating how different groups with different ideologies would coincide when forced in a contained environment. 

The film has a gritty ‘70s grindhouse tone full of cliched dialogue and plot points. 

It is recommended to watch the black and white director’s cut which enriches the “B” movie ambiance by framing the film in a more ‘60s esthetic. 

Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)

“The unknown future rolls toward us. I face it, for the first time, with a sense of hope. Because if a machine, a Terminator, can learn the value of human life, maybe we can too.” – Sarah Connor

With the latest installment of the now diluted Terminator series titled Terminator: Dark Fate (released in 2019), the once unique and exciting premise of an outsider from the future sent to protect a savior from the past now seems derivative. 

The sequels and prequels made since 1991 expand on the series mythology only to exploit a familiar franchise for the purpose of financial gain while contributing to the narrative that Hollywood has been, and is still creatively bankrupt. 

However, Terminator 2: Judgment Day is regarded as not only the greatest sequel of time, but the greatest action film ever. 

James Cameron’s vision has elevated the quality of Hollywood action films and blockbusters by combining compelling storytelling with quality action sequences. 

Incredibly paced and shot, Cameron builds a believable universe with fantastic character development, amazing action set pieces, memorable quotes and an emotionally charged ending. 

T2 is not just a good apocalyptic theme movie, but essential viewing for any type of cinephile. 

This is the End (2013)

“Gluten is a vague term. It’s used to categorize things that are bad. Calories, that’s a gluten. Fat, that’s a gluten.” – Seth Rogan

Written and directed by Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogan, This is the End is a satirical farce about the lives of celebrities and how their pseudo-personalities would respond to a biblical Armageddon. 

The film is a fun and simple romp that benefits the audience from knowing each celebrity and personality on screen. 

The movie follows the same comedic actors, delivery and timing seen in any Judd Apatow comedy and also lacks any real emotional core. 

It may not be as driven or gratifying as the other films on this list, but the movie excels in its relentless crude humor and constant torment of each character. 

This bizarre adult comedy would probably be more enjoyable under the influence of alcohol or any other legal substance you may have stashed. 

Watch responsibly. 

WALL-E (2008)

“I don’t want to survive. I want to live!”- Captain 

A captivating and eccentric film, WALL-E conveys a stronger and more relevant message than its Pixar predecessors as the movie disparages consumerism, corporatism and obesity. 

The film is a remarkable piece of animation that pays homage to the old Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton silent films that emphasize physical movement and over reactions to drive the story and plot. 

Director Andrew Stanton straddles the line of creating an entertaining and visually beautiful film while making it digestible for children to comprehend the thought-provoking subtext.  

WALL-E is a cinematic achievement in storytelling, animation and visual effects that works as an entertaining movie and an environmental lesson.

Long Beach City seeking to amend “Safer-at-home” order amid Governor Newsom’s new guidelines

savannah gomez
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Long Beach City seeking to amend “Safer-at-home” order amid Governor Newsom’s new guidelines

Long Beach city is now amending “Safer-at-home” orders for outside areas and businesses following the COVID-19 pandemic, but cannot speed-up the process even with new guidelines set by Gov. Gavin Newsom May 18.

Recently, residents were able to enjoy re-opened bike trails, hiking paths, and beaches in Long Beach.

Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia spoke about the city’s re-opening during a press conference May 18.

“Overall, this weekend went well, we felt that… There was obviously a vast majority of people complying over the weekend, folks were being safe, they were distancing,” Garcia said.

However, not everyone was following social distancing protocols, wearing masks, or following the new guidelines to remain active while on the beaches.

“We know there were additional challenges in the Bixby Park area, the bluff… Lifeguards did a good job moving folks along that were gathering.”

Long Beach City’s new amended “Safer-at-home” order issued May 13 is in conjunction with Newsom’s four-phased plan for the reopening of California, as well as LA County’s amended orders which states its purpose is to begin transitioning the city into phase 2 of the Governor’s Roadmap to Recovery.

Long Beach city officials sent a press release May 12, reporting: “This Order also allows limited solo or family outdoor active recreational activities on public beaches,” however, lounging and relaxation without recreation is not allowed.

Though the use of chairs, canopies, coolers, grills, sunbathing, or any similar stationary activity on the beach is prohibited, several beach-goers continued to sunbathe in areas of Long Beach such as Alamitos Bay this weekend.

Physical activities allowed on beaches, as stated in the city’s May 12 press release, include swimming, kayaking, walking, running, kitesurfing and similar active recreational activities.

In addition to the re-opening of beaches, Long Beach City has opened up beach bike and pedestrian paths, golf courses, trails, automobile dealership showrooms, outdoor museums, dog parks and tennis centers.

Each opened space comes with their own set of protocols, including golf courses and tennis courts.

Long Beach has re-opened its beaches, and people are out gathering in crowds and boats. Though orders state no stationary activities are allowed, several people did not follow protocols on Alamitos Bay in Long Beach. Photo by Veronica Huerta

All re-opened outside areas must still adhere to physical distancing protocols that include the following as stated in a press release May 8:

  • Stay at least six feet from others, who are not members of your household, at all times. 
  • Avoid crowded areas.
  • Face coverings are required when in close contact with other people but are not required while engaging in physically-distanced exercise.
  • Provide adequate physical distancing when passing others. Step off trail to allow others to pass as needed, where safely possible.
  • Stay home if you are sick.
  • Do not gather in groups or linger at any one location except as needed for brief rests. 
  • Do not share food or water while out on the trails. 

In addition to the re-opening of outside areas, Long Beach city also gave the green light for non-essential retail businesses to open up just before Mother’s Day in accordance to Newsom’s plans. 

These retail businesses include bookstores, jewelry stores, toy stores, florists and music stores among many others.

As a precaution, retail stores must also follow protocols for retail establishments, which include symptom checks of staff, having only curbside pickup or delivery options and adequate physical distancing and sanitation available among others.

In a hopeful update, Newsom relaxed guidelines for certain counties in California during a press conference May 18.

Newsom said, “In our additional modifications, we are moving forward to allow some of the larger counties to continue to make progress deeper into phase 2 and to do so effectively immediately at their own pace.”

Counties that show a positivity rate, or the rate of positive tests in relation to total tests given, at less than 8 percent and show hospitalization rates no less than 5 percent per 7 day period, are eligible to re-open at their own pace.

According to data, Newsom said 53 of the 58 counties in California could be eligible with these new criteria to move deeper into phase 2 of re-opening.

Even so, Mayor Garcia had doubts about Long Beach, and spoke about the city’s progress.

“We’re gonna get… Amore clear picture towards the end of this week how we’ve been doing and what the impact of this reopening has had on this city. I’m optimistic and I’m hopeful we’ll have a good report but we’ll wait and see,” Garcia said.

“We’re doing better as a city than the county as a whole, but Long beach does not meet those qualifications for re-opening and neither does LA County, so we cannot move faster than those phased guidelines.”

Though Long Beach cannot move deeper into phase 2 as of yet, Newsom remained hopeful about the reopening of California in the coming weeks and said milestones will be looked at.

LBCC Baseball canceled by COVID-19

jorge hernandez
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LBCC Baseball canceled by COVID-19

With the closures of both LBCC campuses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all LBCC sports have been forced to end their seasons abruptly.

With the majority of the world now operating from home and only leaving for essential purposes, the cancelation of the season has caused disappointment for LBCC baseball head coach Casey Crook and his players.

“It was certainly devastating that the season got cancelled,” Coach Crook said.

“It sucks because some of these athletes didn’t get the proper exposure, but thankfully they’re able to come back next season,” Crook said.

The baseball coach said that though the season ended abruptly, “We’ll still be sending two or three players to division one schools.”

Moises Guzman, a right-hand pitcher for the LBCC baseball team, doubled down on the coach’s disappointment.

“It’s definitely unfortunate,” Guzman said. “We had a great team with great chemistry and I feel like we had a good shot at winning the entire thing.”

Said infielder Kamau Neighbors, “At first, I was really upset our season got canceled, but as time went on, I realized that the situation at hand, was far bigger than the sport of baseball.”

The LBCC baseball team ended their season with a 17-5, and were 8-2 in their last 10 games, which included an eight-game win streak. 

Said Guzman, “Losing the last two games that we played, especially knowing now that we wouldn’t be playing the rest of the season is hard because I felt that we could’ve played better.”

“Losing is always difficult, but it’s from these games that we look back on and reflect on our performance individually and as a team,” Guzman said.

“Now that I have more free time, I have more time to lift and improve my mechanics for both hitting and pitching,” Guzman said.

While disappointed by the impact the coronavirus has had on their season, Guzman, Casey and Neighbors agreed that the proper precautions were being taken to combat the virus.

“For the most part, I think that everyone is taking the necessary steps needed to make this whole process go as smoothly as possible,” Neighbors said.  

Guzman said, “Proper steps have been taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We have to continue to practice social distancing and limit contact with others to prevent the spreading.”

Reaffirming his players’ beliefs, Coach Crook said, “We’re doing everything we can and we’re taking the correct step to control this pandemic.”

For updates concerning the COVID-19 and its effects on LBCC, please visit lbcc.edu/coronavirus.

CSU pushes into fall with online classes

martin koev
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CSU pushes into fall with online classes

California State University Chancellor Timothy White announced on Tuesday that all 23 campuses will be primarily online for the fall semester.

During an online CSU Board of Trustees meeting, White said that exceptions will be made for classes that can not be online, similar to the protocol that LBCC will be following.

With data indicating a second-wave of COVID-19 in the fall, White determined that it would be more effective to plan for remote learning rather than waiting until August to make preparations.

White also said that the university system is unable to provide testing for everybody and trace the source if an outbreak were to occur on one of the campuses.

This news followed Dr. Anthony Fauci’s testimony to a Senate Committee today, where he warned of serious consequences if states open prematurely. 

Fauci also said that vaccines and treatments will not be available in time to safely allow students’ re-entry to schools this fall.

White said that immunity in the population needs to be in the 60-80% range to achieve “herd immunity,” and recent data pinpoints immunity levels at 2-3% currently.

In contrast, on Tuesday several private schools including Chapman University and Loyola Marymount University announced they would be hosting in-person classes for the fall.

The CSU system has been utilizing remote and online instruction since March.

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