Vol. 121, No. 6 Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020

EMPLOYED IN A PANDEMIC

Photos by Josie Chen, Lily LaRegina, Noah Riffe and courtesy of Mount Nittany Medical Center Page 2 | Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020 essential Workers The Daily Collegian How first responders operate in a pandemic By Lilly Riddle and may “come at a potentially The Daily Collegian very significant cost to the com- munity,” according to Bair. This fall, many Penn State Cheroret said he also worries students have been Zooming about an outbreak of the virus, into classes from their dorms, which would force him out of the apartments and homes. firehouse. But some, like the student “If the station gets firefighters living at the Alpha contaminated, I have nowhere to Fire Company, Zoom from in- go,” Cheroret said. side of a fire station. In the event of an outbreak, Christophe Cheroret, a vol- Cheroret said the live-in firefight- unteer firefighter currently liv- ers would likely be relocated to a ing at the Alpha firehouse and a nearby hotel. Courtesy of Mount Nittany Medical Center graduate student studying “We can’t shut down. When Dr. Gregory Ruff works at Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College, Pennsylvania. education, said balancing fire- somebody calls 911, somebody fighting with online classes can has to show up,” Bair said. “Our be challenging. only option, in the event that we “When you’re in class, you are adversely impacted to the Mount Nittany helps can have a fire alarm that point that we cannot function as drops,” Cheroret said. “There we do today, is to reach out to a are less people now that are place less affected by this thing available to respond, so some than we are. And depending on of us, with the permission of what’s going on, that could be a patients amid COVID our teachers, will respond pretty long reach.” while we’re in class.” As for the State College Police By Courtney McGinley protective equipment and proto- Nittany Health. He also helps First responders at the Alpha Department, Greg Brauser, the The Daily Collegian cols in place to help keep us and to make decisions on issues Fire Company and State Col- lieutenant in charge of commu- our patients safe, but it is always involving coronavirus test collec- lege Police Department said the nity relations, said implementing Since the coronavirus a concern.” tion sites, visitation policies and essential nature of their jobs recent coronavirus mitigation ef- pandemic began in March, Ruff said testing resources telehealth visits. merits business as usual, even forts is one of the main changes doctors and other medical pro- are not completely adequate “Rapid change within an as the coronavirus spreads brought about by the pandemic. fessionals nationwide have been and can raise concerns or create organization is accelerated dur- across the country. On Aug. 4, the State College working on the front lines to struggles for essential front-line ing a pandemic,” Hester said. This year — according to Borough Council approved an combat the spread of the virus. workers. “It’s always a challenge try- Steve Bair, the Centre Region ordinance requiring masks when Dr. Gregory Ruff and Dr. Chris- “As the students return to ing to keep up with the swiftly Council of Governments fire within 6 feet of others, limiting topher Hester, both of Mount Nit- campus, we continue to follow evolving information on coronavi- director — there are 11 people gatherings and restricting lines tany Medical Center, expressed closely the disease trends in the rus, sometimes on a daily basis.” living at the Alpha Fire Compa- outside of downtown businesses. what it means to be an essential community and remain commit- Hester and his team continue ny’s Beaver Avenue station out “We knew there would be worker in the State College area ted to working with the univer- to work together to monitor and of 100 total company members. somewhat of a learning curve,” amid the pandemic. sity to be able to respond to the adapt to the virus, making sure Bair worries about a po- Brauser said. Ruff is the section chief for medical needs of the area,” Ruff to follow guidelines from the tential coronavirus outbreak “...The first initial phase of our pulmonary and sleep medicine said. Centers for Disease Control and within the station, which enforcement was when we got for Mount Nittany Health and Ruff helped to create a plan for Prevention and the Department he said would compro- called or came across violations, has been working at the medical the medical center in response to of Health. mise firefighters’ ability to [and] we had handouts… to give center amid the pandemic, both the coronavirus in the worst-case “We want to do what’s best for respond to calls. everybody the gist of what the directing and attending to the scenario. our patients, staff and this com- “If you have something that rules were and what you had to intensive care unit. “A lot of the planning we munity, and we are working end- sweeps through the popu- do.” He oversees the health sys- put in place has not had to be lessly to best care for everyone,” lace… there is no one else to Brauser said the most common tem’s clinical approach to activated,” Ruff said. “We have Hester said. reach out to,” Bair said. “It’s call the department has gotten so coronavirus and serves as the been fortunate to have fared The most important thing peo- going to be very difficult to far this school year has been for chief triage officer for the hospi- much better than in larger ple can do to help is to follow the make all of that work.” reports of gatherings larger than tal by monitoring supplies, beds, metropolitan areas.” basic coronavirus protocol, he If 30% of the company became 10 people, the limit imposed by availability of equipment and Hester is a healthcare provider said. compromised, Bair said, Alpha the borough council’s ordinance. medications. with Mount Nittany Physician “Practice social distancing, Fire would reach out to other Brauser said previous years’ Ruff has been exposed to Group Internal Medicine and wash your hands frequently stations for help. most common calls were alcohol- several contagious illnesses serves as the clinical chief officer for at least 20 seconds at a time If the entire county became or tailgate-related. throughout his career, which he of primary care services. and wear a mask,” Hester said. compromised, however, the “Most college students don’t said always brings a certain level Though he would normally “We’re in this together as a company would have to reach want to be sent home or have of anxiety and uncertainty. work on the front lines with community, and it will take all of out to Altoona, Harrisburg or classes completely canceled, “We are in contact with patient care, during the us, together, to get to the other Williamsport. so there is a common goal that COVID-19 patients or patients pandemic, Hester has been part side.” And though the everybody, for the most part, is who have been exposed to of implementing changes that infrastructure is in place to working toward,” Brauser said. COVID-19 on an almost daily ba- affect patients, community To email reporter: [email protected]. provide Alpha with interim Visit collegian.psu.edu to read sis,” Ruff said. “We have personal members and staff at Mount Follow her on Twitter at @court-mcginley. staffing, it is a complex process the full story. The Daily Collegian ESSENTIAL WORKERS Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020 | Page 3 Puzzles Coronavirus’ impact from summer to fall By Noor Al-Ahmad we get through this. It’s not an sification rules, like The Daily Collegian individual thing.” people who are independent Mitchell Pensak, who has contractors. During a typical year, the shift worked at McLanahan’s Down- Though they were able to file that downtown State College town Market since his fresh- for unemployment, the process workers experience between man year at Penn State, said the was more complicated than it summer and fall includes a dip working environment downtown would be for more conventional in demand. in the summer as compared to workers. However, the additional the fall are “completely different A 1099 employee is an pressure of a statewide shutdown animals.” independent contractor who of non-essential businesses in Although McLanahan’s tends works under their own guidance, March and the danger of a high- to be packed with students and unlike a permanent worker who ly contagious disease has only families in the fall, Pensak (se- takes direction from a company, added to declining demand. nior-civil engineering) said more according to UpCounsel, a le- Joy Rodgers-Mernin, who has locals show up at the store in the gal platform that aims to help owned and worked for The Nit- summer. businesses build their own legal tany Quill since 1984, reopened The biggest challenge, he said, terms. on May 8, but noted that the is overcoming boredom. Despite some returning summer was “strange.” “You go from days where you’re students’ irresponsibility in re- Having worked at The doing nothing at all, you’re just gard to properly social distanc- Nittany Quill for 36 years, Rod- sitting at the register or even just ing and seeing the numbers of gers-Mernin reflected on previ- stocking, and you wouldn’t see a positive coronavirus cases in- ous shifts she has seen in the soul for hours on end,” Pensak crease, Hutton said the return community. said. of students this fall was an eco- She said she watched as the However, Pensak also said nomic necessity for many small Nittany Mall opened its doors boredom in the time of a global businesses in the area. Similarly, Rachel Campbell, and the trend for people to shop pandemic was “comforting,” the general manager at Duck out of town became popular, lat- as it alleviated his concerns of Donuts, explained that coming er witnessing the rising popular- spreading the disease to others. back to work full-time after hav- ity of Amazon and online shop- Stephanie Hutton, the ing a baby in April makes her ping. manager of Ikonic Ink Tattoo “nervous” at the possibility of Given its downtown location, & Piercing Studio, said there is bringing the disease home. Rodgers-Mernin said whether typically an equal distribution of “It’s a little scary,” Campbell they’re students, attending con- demand from students and locals said, “but we’re taking every pre- ferences or touring the campus, throughout the summer and the caution we can at our store and her customers are somehow fall. While locals do venture into trying to make sure that our cus- always related to Penn State. the store during the fall, Hutton tomers are safe, our employees Though enough locals trickled said more locals historically tend are safe.” in during the summer to keep to schedule when classes are not Campbell said Duck Donuts © Pappocom her doors open, Rodgers-Mernin in session. usually experiences a dip in de- said the lack of customers com- This summer, though, mand during the summer, as a ing downtown to dine at restau- Ikonic Ink Tattoo & Piercing mix of students continue to pass rants and shop has indirectly af- Studio closed because of the through its register during week- fected her own business. coronavirus. Hutton said most of days and more locals come in “We are, as a group, very the employees who work in the during weekends, but the coro- dependent on each other,” studio are 1099 employees, navirus disrupted demand much Rodgers-Mernin said. “It’s re- meaning they don’t follow more significantly. ally important that as a group, normal employment clas- “[The coronavirus] definitely affected our sales,” Campbell said. “People not shopping at lo- cal businesses and seeing our sign and stopping in for a day — it affected us a lot.” The small store tucked on the side of Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza continued to operate most- ly via takeout and curbside de- livery Thursday through Sunday throughout the summer. However, Campbell said the store re-opened on Aug. 17 with shortened hours as Duck Do- nuts continues to see a shortfall in demand compared to last fall and takes precaution in enforcing social distancing guidelines. Lindsey Toomer/Collegian

McLanahan’s holds a sale for the annual Blue-White Game on Aug. 18 To email reporter: [email protected]. despite the game’s cancellation due to the coronavirus pandemic. Follow her on Twitter at @itsnoor665. Are musicians essential employees? WORD SEARCH By Sarah Pellis in downtown State College before According to The Band © 2020 PuzzleJunction.com The Daily Collegian the coronavirus, has continued Junkies’ website, the group to be a contributor to the local provides “Local networking for a When many people think of an musician community. thriving musical community.” essential worker, who or what Jason Davoli, one of the Recently, the Band Junkies do they think of? A health care members of Lowjack, has always have been interviewing artists on worker? Someone who works for had a “passion and addiction” to its Instagram TV. the government? music. One of its videographers who With over 33 million American Davoli has been performing helps with the production of the workers unemployed since the every Saturday at The Phyrst interviews is Matt Jacobs, who is spread of the coronavirus start- during the spread of the corona- also a musician himself. ed, the definition of an essential virus, and said he is “lucky” that Jacobs (sophomore-film) said worker has shifted. he has a consistent show. he performs a lot of live original Musicians work daily to “I do feel like music is very music as well as covers. He said provide people with entertain- important for people, but it is just he is planning on professionally ment, however some people a really tricky time to do that,” recording his second song this might not define them as essen- Davoli said. week. tial workers. Many artists them- Davoli said although music is Jacobs said he uses music as selves believe their work is a important for many people even “an outlet” for what he is feel- necessity to their community. during the coronavirus, he said, ing and believes others use mu- In State College, musicians “You have to do it right, and you sic in that same way. He added are everywhere. have to do it safely.” music “brings people together,” From music majors to bands “[Music] is essential and especially in more difficult times. that perform downtown, some important, and you feel it when “Everyone listens to music in may say musicians are essential it is live and people are singing the car when they are feeling a to the basic function — especial- along. It’s almost like an escape. certain way,” Jacobs said, “To ly at Penn State. Music is one of the things that a lot of people, it is important Outdoor music has been brings everyone together, and it to their emotional and mental popular since before the start of is especially needed right now,” health.” the coronavirus and is continu- Davoli said. Another local musician ing in popularity as the spread Even though live music is William Ryan has also been on continues. Places like J.L. Farm important, many artists have The Band Junkies’ Instagram TV. and Cidery and Cafe 210 West found ways to work around the As a graduate student in agricul- have had musicians perform, pandemic. Most bands and mu- tural science and a local fireman, mostly outdoors, at a safe dis- sicians are recording music and Ryan has played many shows tance. writing. Some are even putting around the State College area. Anna Pearl Belinda, a lo- out live streams on social media. According to Ryan, the cal Penn State musician and Luke Cimbala, who works for pandemic has halted live mu- a spring 2020 graduate who The Band Junkies, has been pro- sic and music in general, even majored in anthropology, per- moting local artists and network- though artists have found ways formed at Cafe 210 West on Sat- ing businesses to these artists be- around it. urday, Sept. 12. fore the spread of the coronavirus Visit collegian.psu.edu to read Though currently working for and especially now. the full story. the College of Engineering as an international experiences as- sistant, Belinda has been an ad- vocate for music since she was little. “Music is universal,” Belinda said, “You can find it in every culture and it is something that is constant for everyone. It’s all interconnected and music works with all the working pieces. “If all these restaurants have shows, more people might come and benefit, not just the restau- rant but the musician as well.” There are also musicians around the area who still per- form at local bars, mostly solo, due to social distancing guide- Lily LaRegina/Collegian lines. The local band Lowjack, hav- Local musicians Jake Finkbiner and Anna Pearl Belinda, of State College ing performed at THON and bars and Ivan Zvorsky, of Pittsburgh, perform at Cafe 210 West on Sept. 12. OPINIONMaddie Aiken Ashley Hayford Sarah Andriano Page 4 Editor in Chief Opinion Page Editor Business Manager Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020 Respect essential workers rocery store To show an essential employees, food OUR VIEW worker they are appreci- Gservice workers, ated, make them teachers and dinner, give them a phone construction workers. The coronavirus pandemic hasn’t ended, and call, or let them know Medical professionals they are aren’t the only essential neither should respect for front-line workers respected and valued. workers deserving of The pandemic isn’t over, praise in 2020. equal and consistent At the beginning of the for healthcare workers? and respect for essential Anyone who provides or among professions. shutdown, citizens and Don’t overlook the workers shouldn’t be, contributes to something Workers in services like businesses were more worker who opened the either. that is essential in the retail and food don’t mindful and appreciative gas station this morning And when the pandemic structure of everyday receive the respect they of essential so people had enough fuel eventually ends, our lives — food service, truly deserve typically, workers. to get to work or a doc- respect for these people transportation, education, and this lack of respect Tide offered free laun- tor’s appointment. should continue, no mat- information, hospital ser- has become especially dry services for front-line Remember the stocker ter the vices, etc. — is an essen- apparent in 2020. workers through its at the grocery store who circumstances. tial worker. These work- These workers are “Loads of Hope” program constantly keeps the And testing negative ers are currently putting underpaid, underappreci- at the start of the pan- shelves full so before being sent home themselves at risk to add ated and not taken seri- demic. families can be fed. isn’t a fool proof plan — a normalcy to a society ously. Sometimes, these Similarly, Starbucks, Don’t forget the student could test nega- plagued by the workers’ health and safe- McDonald’s and Chick-fil- mechanic who risked his tive the day before travel- coronavirus. ty are not even looked A were among chain safety to fix your car for ing home and contract And as America has after by their employers. establishments to offer your safety. the virus right before been adjusting to a new During the pandemic, free food to workers and Everything that essen- leaving, or contract it normal, appreciation for Americans should remind communities impacted by tial workers do for their through a method of essential workers is dwin- themselves how every- the coronavirus. communities should not transportation while leav- dling. one’s lives would be Why have these pro- go unnoticed. Many of ing. All essential workers affected if essential work- grams slowly fizzled out these workers deserve At this point, there is no deserve respect during ers didn’t put themselves over time? more appreciation than safe and foolproof plan to these trying times, and at risk to keep other lives And why were many of they are given as the pan- send students home — this respect must be going. these offers only available demic continues. and there may never be.

MY VIEW | Jade Campos Journalism is an essential job — pandemic or not On March 11, Penn State At the Collegian, our spring announced classes would be staff transitioned immediately remote until at least April 3 to into our summer staff after the prevent the spread of the coro- semester ended. It ended up navirus. For most students, the becoming one of the most suc- move to online classes meant an cessful summers we’ve had in extended spring break. recent years, because of how For student reporters, it necessary all of our content meant our work was only just was. beginning. A few weeks later, I moved my As a reporter for The Daily life from rural Virginia to Pitts- Collegian, I truly wasn’t pre- burgh to take on an internship pared for the way things hit the with the Pittsburgh Post- fan. Gazette. After the announcement was I was balancing two media made, it was all hands on deck outlets at once, but the audi- — literally. We began a group ence’s needs were all the same. chat for everything related to Every story was vital, no matter Courtesy of Jade Campos the coronavirus and reporters how small it may seem to were churning out stories that another person. Campos (junior-digital and print journalism) poses in front of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette during her summer night. At the Post-Gazette, I often 2020 internship as a news intern. Initially, I was so over- joked with the other interns that whelmed. It was the first real every story we wrote followed a Yet, it’s so much more than these are images I know stu- breaking news I had ever cov- set formula: “How has ‘blank’ ensuring people are informed dents will be asked to ered. changed during the pandemic?” right now. memorize for their AP exams. One second I was getting my We sat at our desks for eight People often say that a day Eventually, our stories will retainers and the next I was hour shifts discovering new fac- old headline is practically use- become history and people will Collegian Inc. James Building, 112 W. Foster Ave. frantically contacting professors ets of the community to less — and while that’s true for look back on our articles to State College, PA 16801-3882 ©2020 Collegian Inc. for their thoughts on the investigate. a couple of days, it becomes understand what life was like university’s decision. I found myself consuming the history after that. in the age of the coronavirus. Board of Editors My first story for the begin- intricacies of 5Ks, voter Since the pandemic began in Our work will become the Editor in Chief ning of our coronavirus cover- registration and even cannabidi- March, I sifted through the Col- most accurate representation Maddie Aiken age was done in a matter of two ol oil to learn how they were all legian’s archives several times of what the pandemic looked Managing Editor to three hours, just like most impacted by the coronavirus. to get an understanding of how like, even the most minute Lindsey Toomer other reporters who suddenly One of the more bizarre stories landmark the coronavirus pieces like those on martial Digital Managing Editor had their spring breaks I wrote was on martial arts shutdown was in Penn State arts. Shane Connelly interrupted. studios functioning in the age of history. Since March 11, I’ve been News Editor We dedicated every second of the coronavirus — and it was As I was scrolling through all working nonstop covering the Erin Hogge every day afterward to report- wired across the country. of the headlines and bylines coronavirus pandemic, and so Assistant News Editor ing on the coronavirus. It didn’t To an outsider, it all seems from nearly the past 50 years, it has every journalist from Grace Miller matter if you were an arts random and perhaps occurred to me that these student news outlets like the Sports Editor reporter, sports reporter or any- unimportant, but for some peo- reporers who passed through Collegian to the national ones Jake Aferiat thing in between — everyone ple these little things are their the Collegian never realized such as the New York Times. Assistant Sports Editor was now on the coronavirus entire lives. that I would one day be analyz- One of the many icebreakers Gianna Galli beat because that’s what The way these small aspects ing every aspect of their articles I’ve been hit with since this all Football Editor mattered. of life were — especially the small updates began is “what is one good Benjamin Ferree Reporters and editors were disrupted by the pandemic mat- that were less than 500 words. thing that’s come out of the Lifestyle Editor up nearly all hours of the night ters to them — and for some, It just doesn’t occur to you pandemic for you?” Becky Marcinko putting in work because people martial arts studios are so while you’re reporting that Well, I learned that what I do Assistant Lifestyle Editor relied on our coverage. There meaningful that the country was you’re practically writing histo- is essential and incredibly Jade Campos was news breaking every sec- listening for a brief moment. ry. All you can think about is worthwhile. And I’ll continue to Opinion Editor ond, so we constantly had our We weren’t just wasting our working as fast as possible, pull late nights and forfeit my eyes glued to our phones for time looking for things to do, we getting the story in on deadline school breaks to help tell the Ashley Hayford new assignments. were searching for new voices and moving onto the next job. essential stories of a truly Photo Editor While I could have kicked that didn’t have the chance to Over the past few months, unprecedented time. Lily LaRegina back and enjoyed my time at tell their story yet. I’ve seen photographs I knew Multimedia Editor home, there was an overwhelm- Sure, not everything is would one day belong in history Jade Campos is a junior majoring in Jessica Cook ing sense of urgency to not slow breaking news, but that doesn’t books. When we look back on digital and print journalism and is the Assistant Multimedia Editor down. During my short career make it insignificant. What 2020 — a year of the coronavi- assistant lifestyle editor for the Daily Col- Ben McClary as a reporter so far, this was the would happen if we weren’t rus, racial tensions and one of legian. Email her at [email protected] To contact News Division: most crucial moment for good, there to tell the news, to share the most inflamed presidential News, Opinions, Arts, Sports, Photo, Graphics, The or follow her on Twitter at Daily Collegian Online and The Weekly Collegian honest journalism. the stories? elections in recent history — @jademccaaartney. Phone: 814-865-1828 | Fax: 814-863-1126 Board of Managers We want to hear from you verification. Letters should be opinion is determined by its professionals. Penn State stu- Business Manager signed by no more than two peo- Board of Opinion, which is made dents write and edit both papers Send us your comments on Sarah Andriano ple. Members of organizations up of members of its Board of and solicit advertising for them our coverage, editorial decisions Vice President must include their titles if the Editors, with the editor in chief during the fall and spring semes- and the Penn State community. Lilly Forsyth topic they write about is connect- holding final responsibility for ters as well as the second six- Advertising Manager Email: editorinchief@ ed with the aim of their groups. content. The opinions expressed week summer session, The Daily Scott Witham psucollegian.com The Collegian reserves the right on the editorial page are not Collegian publishes Monday and Creative Director Online: collegian.psu.edu to edit letters. The Collegian can- necessarily those of Collegian Thursday. Issues are distributed Kaylyn McGrory 123 S. not guarantee publication of all Inc., a separate institution from by mail to other Penn State cam- Postal Mail/In Person: Marketing Director Burrowes St., State College, PA letters. Letters chosen also run Penn State. puses and subscribers. 16801 on The Daily Collegian Online Abigail Schucker Letters should be about 200 and may be selected for publica- About the Collegian Complaints Business Insights Director words. Student letters should tion in The Weekly Collegian. All The Daily Collegian and The News and editorial complaints Adam Rhoad include class year, major and letters become property of Weekly Collegian are published should be presented to the edi- Sales Directors campus. Letters from alumni Collegian Inc. by Collegian Inc., an indepen- tor. Business and advertising Lauren Kang & Quinn Connelly should include graduation year. dent, nonprofit corporation with complaints should be presented To contact Business Division: Advertising, circulation, accounting and classifieds All writers should provide their Who we are a board of directors composed of to the business manager. Phone: 814-865-2531 | Fax: 814-865-3848 address and phone number for The Daily Collegian’s editorial students, faculty and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays The Daily Collegian essential workers Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020 Page 5 How the BJC works as classroom By Morgan Boll Karosas said. “When one class The Daily Collegian leaves, we are re-cleaning and sanitizing certain areas and have While those working in it ready for when it is time for the downtown businesses and next class.” healthcare facilities may be more With the efforts of his staff, commonly known as essential Karosas hopes for a smooth workers, the cleaning staff inside transition of getting the BJC up the most used athletic facilities and running when the time comes and on-campus buildings are the to host its first sporting event. far less public faces of making “The BJC workers are always sure everything is safe amid the prepared for the day when ath- coronavirus pandemic. letics come back, and a lot of the In just a matter of months, the cleaning and set up we did to Bryce Jordan Center went from prepare for classes is going to hosting basketball games to host- transform pretty easily into host- ing socially-distanced classes in ing a basketball game,” Karosas its area for the first time. said. “Penn State athletics obvi- The arena portion of the BJC ously does a lot of the coordinating was converted into a socially- and planning as we provide the distanced classroom due to the facility space, all of the staffing, coronavirus pandemic, which has Collegian File Photo security and the concessions so drastically altered student life at it is a joint effort when it comes Penn State. The Bryce Jordan Center on Aug. 7, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. time for a Penn State basketball In 2019, the BJC was home game.” to over 20 men’s and women’s used the arena as a classroom, ily by fans. The BJC needs to ac- how the operating hours are one But for now, the BJC will basketball games, a wrestling but the Byrce Jordan Center has commodate space for at least 150 of the most challenging parts of remain a classroom. match, and several high profile hosted classes in our meeting people to be socially distanced the job. Karosas is confident though events including THON and a space for I think 20 years,” the this fall semester, and Karosas “We work when other people that if and when basketball does concert from the Jonas Brothers. BJC’s Director of Marketing and said workers planned this out by play, and so it is a pretty crazy, return, students may have to BJC General Manager Al Public Relations Kate Bean said. dividing the arena into quadrants. demanding time schedule and transition to having class online Karosas said regardless of the Bean and Karosas work closely One issue that came into play, commitment we have,” Karosas rather than in the BJC. event, he and his team work to with the rest of the arena’s staff however, was the sound system said. In the meantime, he’s been ensure things are as safe and to ensure things are safe and and determining how a lecture On the other hand, Karosas’s impressed and pleased with entertaining as possible. sanitary. could be delivered in a space so favorite part of his job is interact- how everyone has handled the “Whether it is a concert or a Though it’s unknown when large. ing with people and the crowds situation and has been flex- basketball game or whatever basketball will resume, Bean and Normally, the sound would that show up for events like ible to what might happen in the type of event we host, just deal- others are ensuring the facility bounce from wall-to-wall in the games or concerts. future. ing with people and providing will be ready for when games be- BJC, but with classes being held Karosas explained how these “There has been a mutual entertainment for them is the gin — but the safety and upkeep it became a priority to isolate it workers are constantly cleaning understanding between ev- best part,” he said. of sanitation is more important into separate quadrants. during the evening as part of the erybody involved,” Karosas But times have changed for now than ever before. “This isolated sound sys- routine they are keeping up with said, “and the professors and Karosas and his team, as the Even before the Nittany Lions tem makes it a more enjoyable on a daily basis. instructors have been amazing.” BJC is now primarily used as a step out on the court, though, the experience,” Karosas said. “We clean throughout the day, classroom space. arena is still being filled — just Karosas has been working at and right now we have classes so To email reporter: [email protected]. “This is the first time we have by students, and not necessar- the BJC since 1995 and explained we are cleaning different places,” Follow her on Twitter at @MorganBoll2. CCRRA adapts during pandemic By Quincey Reese physical locations, includ- She said WPSU is planning The Daily Collegian ing its office, municipal waste to film a whole series of vir- transfer station, scale house, tual tours of places throughout Joanne Schafer, the deputy recycling drop-off locations and Centre County, but the recy- director and recycling coordina- interpretive center. cling plant is the first one in the tor at Centre County Recycling Although some employees, works. and Refuse Authority, said she including Schirf, have been Schafer said offering this has taken on a new role since the working from home since the virtual tour to the local schools, coronavirus pandemic began. pandemic started, the office which usually bring their “I’ve sort of become known layout has been adjusted for those students in to learn more about around the office as the mask who still need to attend each day. recycling, will help CCRRA police,” Schafer said, jokingly. Schafer said they spread continue to meet its goals amid When the coronavirus pan- out the seating in the lunch- the challenges presented by the demic began impacting various room, transitioned to virtual pandemic. aspects of daily life, CCRRA had board meetings and closed the “Part of our mission at the to continue its typical services in office to the public to prevent authority is to educate people a modified manner to ensure the nonessential interactions. about solid waste and recy- Lily LaRegina/Collegian safety of its employees and the Social distancing and cling,” Schafer said. “We’ve re- The State College Borough Municipal Building on Monday, Sept. 14, mask-wearing are also being ally had to do an about-face [to community. in State College, Pennsylvania. Schafer said like other enforced at each of the authority’s continue these efforts].” organizations, CCRRA did not locations, according to Schafer. Until the virtual tour is know how the pandemic would CCRRA Executive Director finalized, which is estimated to spread back in March. Ted Onufrak also said the author- occur in a couple of months, Because of this uncertainty, ity initially broke its staff into two Schirf said she has also Public Works Division CCRRA paused its curbside shifts to minimize and control continued her job of educat- recycling program for approxi- contact, but ended up doing away ing the community through mately one month after two with this method after about six increasing the authority’s deals with coronavirus collection workers picked up weeks because Pennsylvania’s social media presence, send- recycling from a home with a coronavirus protocol no longer ing newsletters and answer- By Brendan Morgan they do to keep our community confirmed positive coronavirus required it. ing community members’ The Daily Collegian safe and keep things operating case. Onufrak said much of the questions via phone calls. because there are regular main- At the time, Schafer said the authority’s operation does “At work, a lot of my time is State College’s Public Works tenance projects that you can’t fall virus was thought to have a high not involve significant human spent doing different things Division is in the middle of a behind on,” said Douglas Shontz, surface transmission, so CCRRA interaction, with the exception now,” Schirf said. “I’ve just been coronavirus balancing act. the communications assistant to quarantined the two employees of the scale house, where com- trying to find different, creative The division has put protocols the borough manager. “Pandem- for 14 days and shut down curb- munity members can turn in things to do that I would never and safety measures in place to ic or not, that’s dangerous and side pickup in order to prevent a recyclables for a price depending have had to do before.” protect its workers while still lowers the quality of life for our spread of the virus through the on the item’s weight. As time has passed, Onufrak continuing with the essential residents.” collection process. He said this location sees said the authority has made services the division provides to In order to continue essential To inform people of the switch, approximately 200 vehicles per sure to take into account new the community. projects such as maintaining CCRRA Education Coordinator day, so they have encouraged information experts have State College’s Public Works traffic signals and sewer sys- Amy Schirf said she had to get the visitors to pay with a card as learned about the vi- Division’s mission is to “provide tems while limiting the potential word out to approximately 25,000 opposed to cash and asked them rus and the state govern- cost-effective and high-quality spread of the coronavirus, crews homes throughout Centre Coun- not to sign the weight slips to ment’s latest coronavirus services to the public in a num- were split into three different ty within a matter of days, and prevent unnecessary interaction. mitigation recommendations. ber of different areas,” accord- shifts. “The crew works one week the authority had to add 20 new CCRRA also closed its inter- Onufrak said cleaning ing to the borough’s website. on, two weeks off,” Cramer said. recycling drop-off locations to pretive center and suspended frequently touched surfaces, “[The Public Works Division “That’s in case one whole shift account for the change. tours of the recycling plant for wearing masks and gloves and has a] remote facility away from of crew members would come Despite the addition of mul- the rest of this year, but Onufrak using hand sanitizer at any of the the borough building down- down with something, we still had tiple drop-off locations, Schirf said CCRRA will reevaluate this CCRRA’s locations or out on a town on Allen Street, “Kade two-thirds of the crew to work said they still filled up quickly, decision in January. collection route have remained Cramer, a street and sewer with. And it also gave us the prompting her to check on them Onufrak said the center, which essential, but the authority has foreman for the borough, said. opportunity to quarantine for 14 throughout the week. is primarily used as a space to also added Plexiglas dividers “We’re limiting who comes in days at a time.” If a site was close to over- educate the public on proper throughout the office to enforce and out of the building, and in all Maintenance specialist flowing, she would inform the recycling and waste manage- distancing between employees. borough facilities there are Shannon Dunlap said the new collectors, who she said often ment, typically sees 10,000 to With some of the local school temperature scanners for any- protocols made him more showed up to take care of the 12,000 people per year. districts shifting to temporary one coming on-site before they cautious on the job, especially overflow either later that day or According to Schafer, about remote instruction, Onufrak can access the buildings, and when working on the sewers. early the next morning. 5,000 people also visit the said he is preparing to make everyone is asked to self-moni- “[I’ve been] trying to limit According to Schafer, this quick recycling plant for tours annually. arrangements in case any of his tor every day.” exposures of stuff you wouldn’t turnaround often required her to To make up for the tempo- employees who cannot work Cramer said in addition to think about normally, like, getting bring in a few employees on their rary suspension of tours, Schirf from home end up having to care those protocols, personal pro- a little debris on you or whatnot,” days off or at unscheduled hours. said CCRRA is partnering with for their children during their tective equipment was provided Dunlap said. “It was always con- Schafer added that the local news organization WPSU to regular working hours. to all of the workers. stantly in the back of your mind authority also had to make produce a virtual tour of the Visit collegian.psu.edu to Inside the division’s facil- [before the coronavirus].” various operational changes to its recycling plant. read the full story. ity, the workers have split into Despite the workers’ positive groups and begun their work- response to the coronavirus reg- days with staggered shifts in ulations that were put in place, order to limit exposure. the Public Works Division has “We staggered crew starts still been forced to deal with both from 6 a.m. through 7 a.m. in staff and equipment issues and smaller groups,” Cramer said. shortages. “Regardless of what their start “Due to budgetary constraints time was, we didn’t physically because of all the unknowns, want them in the building until there was equipment that was 10 minutes before their start scheduled to be purchased this time. That gives the crew before year that was deferred,” Shontz them five minutes to get out of said. “The crews out there again the area and cap door limits at were able to adapt and change all times.” and make sure the other equip- Though some government ment was upheld and maintained workers are able to do their jobs so whenever they did need to use from home, those who work in it, they were able to.” the police or public works de- In addition to having outdated partments are not in a position equipment, the department has to do so. also not been able to utilize court- “[The public works depart- assigned volunteers for certain ment] still has to pick up the jobs. Collegian File Photo refuse, they still have to go Visit collegian.psu.edu to read Bales of recyclable materials are sold to recycling plants by the CCRRA. out and do the various things the full story. Page 6 | Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020 The Daily Collegian