1 www.fsutorch.com Single Issue Free, Additional Copies 50 Cents Week of Oct. 7 - 13, 2020 Ferris State University FERRIS COVID-19 CASE COUNT Last updated: oct. 5 new cases cumulative active cases TORCH this week cases Truth, fairness and accuracy since 1931 27 158 30 Students flock to Shooters All by yourself What if you get COVID-19 in the dorms? Veronica Mascorro News Reporter Ferris has currently has 33 active COVID-19 cases and students in dorms are wondering what it would look like if they needed to go into quarantine or isolation on campus. While they may sound similar, quarantine and isolation are two different procedures. Isolation is the separation of sick people with a contagious disease from those who are not Photo by: Cora Hall | Editor in Chief sick, while quarantine refers to separating and Students wait in line outside of the ever popular Star Shooters on Michigan Ave for their re-opening on Saturday, Oct. 3. restricting the movement of people who are exposed to a contagious disease to see if they Owner says 195 patrons showed up throughout re-opening become sick, according to the Center for Dis- ease Control. night; masks not required Students who test positive for COVID-19 at Ferris are being isolated in a residence hall that is specifically reserved for these students. Cora Hall masks. With a maximum capacity of 444, summer, Boman said they followed all the From here the students are provided with dif- ferent services such as meal delivery, garbage Editor in Chief Boman said they are limiting it to half that rules required, including mask wearing in- disposal and laundry services, says Director of for the foreseeable future. side. residential programs and services and associ- Big Rapids’ most popular bar announced Because someone close to him has pre- “That’s what we did the initial time when ate director of housing, Lisa Ortiz. its reopening Saturday afternoon on Twitter existing conditions, Boman has not dined we were allowed to open, because that was However, each case is managed on a case- and saw a turnout of 195 patrons through- in at restaurants since the beginning of the part of the rules initially,” Boman said. “And by-case basis by housing, the Birkam Health out the night, according to Star Shooters pandemic. But he feels that Shooters is we followed the rules, directly as described Center and the local health department to as- owner Jerry Boman. not much different than patrons dining at a by the governor and we had no customers.” sess every student’s situation. Students are Shooters has been closed since Gov. restaurant and taking their masks off. A Tweet sent by the Shooters Twitter ac- also offered the opportunity to quarantine or Whitmer’s executive orders closed down “They’re not wearing masks anyway,” count on Saturday alluded to other local self-isolate in their own dorm room and be pro- vided with the same services. indoor bars on July 1. Since then, students Boman said of those in restaurants. “And bars not enforcing masks or social distanc- One of the first steps that a student should have turned to Sawmill Saloon, which has we know now that it’s airborne, it doesn’t ing during the pandemic. take when feeling symptomatic, coming into an outdoor area and was allowed to remain really matter—they've extended it from six “In response to other local bars not fol- contact with a positive case or receiving a pos- open. But on Oct. 3 at 9 p.m., Shooters to 20 feet if both people are not wearing lowing proper restrictions the entire time, itive test themselves is to contact the Birkam once again opened its doors to the public masks and that’s what’s happening in we want to try to provide a safer environ- Health Center to be provided with more infor- aged 21+. restaurants, but they still only have to be ment as the state moves forward with loos- mation and see whether quarantining or isola- Boman said they were able to open due six feet apart. ing restrictions. Be safe, be smart, wear tion would be the best move. to the Oct. 2 Supreme Court ruling stating “Even with what we know now, it doesn’t masks,” the Tweet read. There is currently no system set in place that Whitmer can no longer extend the really matter, if they’re taking their masks Boman has not been to other bars per- to track whether students are staying in their room and properly quarantining or staying iso- State of Emergency and make executive or- off to drink, they’re going to breathe with sonally, but wanted to have a safer environ- lated. ders. If Boman had not planned on starting their masks off. I think restaurants offer a ment for students. “Students are responsible for understand- another business this year and had money unique situation where it’s hard to be open “I only know what I heard or saw on ing the importance of staying in both quaran- set aside, being closed for this long “would and have a mask on, all we can do is say Facebook, I never witnessed it firsthand,” tine and isolation,” Ortiz said. have been devastating.” He declined to re- ‘hey please wear your masks when you’re Boman said. “I don’t necessarily want to Television and media production sophomore veal exact sales from Saturday, but said it moving from your table to go to the bath- comment on how another place wants to Matthew Dominguez-Sandoval contracted was about one-third of the sales they would room or when you’re moving around’ and manage or run their establishment. They COVID-19 in back in April and is hoping that typically make at this point of the school that’s all we can do, we can only hope that make their choices. I think I made the right students are taking the proper steps to quar- year. they want to do their part.” choice as long as I could. But I’m not saying antine or isolate and actually staying in their Masks were “encouraged” in the original The Shooters staff are following the origi- everybody did.” rooms as he did. Dominguez-Sandoval who is currently living tweet, but not required. Around 12 students nal rules laid out by Whitmer when they ini- With the fact that essentially only staff is in a dorm has mixed feelings as to what would were in line at 8:50 p.m. Saturday, waiting tially reopened this summer. This includes wearing masks, Boman had—and said he happen if he had to isolate himself again. for the doors to open. None were wearing all staff members wearing masks, glass will continue to have—conversations with “I was in my own home so I felt more com- masks, and all declined to be interviewed. barriers at the bar, temperature checking his employees about how they feel about fortable,” Dominguez-Sandoval said. “I had a Boman said he was impressed with the patrons as they come through the door and their personal safety. support system and different resources, but I students who did show up, saying they asking them to remain at their tables and think that having to quarantine or isolate in a stayed within their groups for the most wear masks when they order. Shooters | see page 3 Housing | see page 4 part, even though about 90% did not wear When Shooters originally opened this Got news? Let us know. Like us on facebook Follow us on Twitter Add us on instagram Watch us on youtube Email: [email protected] Ferris state Torch @fsutorch fsutorch Fsu Torch Phone: 231.591.5978 Connect with us on social media - Read articles online at www.fsutorch.com 2 2 News Week of Oct. 7 - 13. 2020 Ferris State Torch NEWS Ry Rodriguez| News Editor | [email protected] Ferris’ rules about large gatherings are The party prohibition not stopping those off-campus Alyssa Hubbard community to report and refer their con- News Reporter cerns when they have them and when we receive a report involving a student it goes Since the beginning of the semester, to our Student Conduct Office for review and there have been around 50 large gatherings appropriate action.” reported to Ferris’ Office of Student Con- Off-campus parties are rumored to be duct. happening most often at apartment com- Before classes began, the Dean of Stu- plexes near campus. Some students shared dent Life sent out an email to all students their concern that these parties might cause stating Ferris will be enforcing new limita- Ferris to take further actions. tions to on and off-campus gatherings. The “I feel like students should be aware of mandate set limits to what social events or how partying is going to affect if we get to gatherings are and what they must have. go back to normal in-person classes,” hos- Proper social distancing, face coverings, pitality management junior Katie Bittner and no more than 10 people can meet in- said. “There was a party one night until 3 doors as well as no more than 100 people a.m. that I heard from the parking lot. My meeting outside. Students who attend or roommate went to work at that time and saw host events that break any of these rules will them partying on cars.” face negative consequences. Pulsifer specified that Ferris is working However, there have been instances this with local law enforcement and off-campus Photo by: Madison Kettlewell| Torch Photographer semester where students have disregard- property managers to discourage these The courtyard at Oakwood Apartments sits empty for most nights, where once it was a gathering place ed these limitations.