THE STUDENT VOICE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS RIO GRANDE VALLEY MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2020 WWW.UTRGVRIDER.COM VOL. 6 ISSUE 9 /UTRGVRIDER @UTRGVRIDER 11 UTRGV students test Page 3 positive for COVID-19 Alejandra Yañez The Rider Virtual Zoombathon A UTRGV official clarified last Friday morning that 10 Page 4 student athletes and one student within close contact tested positive for COVID-19 this week. It is still undetermined if the close contact case is re- lated to the student athletes, said Doug Arney, vice presi- dent for Administrative Sup- port Services and chair of the UTRGV Infectious Disease Editorial cartoon Committee. The term close contact means any individual who Page 6 has been within 6 feet of an individual with a confirmed COVID-19 case in the last 14 days, according to the UTRGV COVID-19 website. Arney said he wants it to be clear that protocols are in place but “it’s up to the coaches and athletes to abide by those protocols.” Robert Benavidez/The Rider He attributes the “out- Athlete of the Week break” to two possible fac- still reviewing the situation Brownsville campus and the In an interview last Tues- tors: not following protocols and will make adjustments if Village Apartments in Edin- day, Jonah Goldberg, senior and protocols that did not needed. burg. associate athletic director for work. “This week, we’ve had a lit- “They’re isolated,” Arney communications, said student “So, if that’s the reason, we tle bit of an outbreak,” Arney said. “They follow certain pro- athletes are not required to Warning: address it with the coaches said “We’re trying to figure tocols; they stay quarantined wear a facial covering during and the student athletes … to out how many and we’re do- so they don’t infect others. … practice. biased have those conversations and ing the contact tracing with But, some people choose to Asked if student athletes correct that bad behavior, if those individuals.” isolate at home with their par- will be required to wear a there is bad behavior,” Arney He said the students are be- ents.” facial covering during prac- article said. “I don’t know, in these ing quarantined in 50 rooms He added when the quaran- tice after the reported cases, situations, what has occurred provided by the university in tine period is up, the students Arney replied it is hard to Tips and tricks yet.” separate wings in the Casa will be tested again and re- breathe when student athletes He said the university is Bella Apartments on the leased if they test negative. on spotting See CASES, Page 2 misinformation Brigitte Ortiz Meet the 2020 Texas U.S. Senate candidates The Rider Fernanda Figueroa health care, the Affordable A biased article is something The Rider Care Act,” said Terence Michael written by someone with a par- Garrett, a political science pro- ticular interest in something or This election year, the race fessor at UTRGV. “Democrats, someone. Two UTRGV profes- for one U.S. Senate seat from in general, support the ACA sors say students should read Texas is taking place and here [Affordable Care Act], whereas multiple articles and ask ques- is what you need to know the Republican Party, in terms tions to verify the information. about the 2020 candidates, of where they stand, is sort of Priscilla Flores, a lecturer in John Cornyn, Mary “MJ” He- this dismantling of the Afford- the Department of Communi- gar, Kerry Douglass McKen- able Care Act.” cation, said bias in the media non and David B. Collins. While not considered major is a global phenomena that is Sen. Cornyn (R-Texas) has opponents, Libertarian candi- not exclusive to any particular been in office since 2002 and is date Douglass McKennon and economy or political system. looking to win his fourth term Green Party candidate David B. “So knowing the nature of as senator. Collins are also in the running bias is going to help the read- Cornyn is running his cam- for the Texas U.S. Senate seat. ers counteract prodigious- paign with a focus, per his offi- Historically, third party can- ness,” Flores said. “And what cial campaign website, https:// WWW.DBCGREENTX.NET didates do not have a huge im- I want them to know is that it www.cornyn.senate.gov/, on Green Party candidate David B. Collins is running for the Texas U.S. Senate pact in elections, but because is not always categorical, but maximizing resources and seat held by Republican John Cornyn. Collins is running against Libertarian it can become embedded in minimizing regulation, fight- Douglass McKennon, Democrat MJ Hegar and Cornyn. the Senate race is so tight, the third-party candidates will the context determined by the ing for the health and well-be- the U.S. Air Force to remove health care, ensuring wom- news outlet.” ing of Texans, fighting crime, affect the election, especially the Combat Exclusion Policy, en’s reproductive rights, end- Hegar. She encourages students protecting communities and which excluded women from ing child separation, fighting to follow 10 critical thinking empowering victims, immigra- According to his campaign having combat positions. against climate change, passing website, https://www.mcken- questions when consuming tion and border security, fos- In 2017, Hegar ran for the common-sense gun safety leg- news. tering economic growth, edu- non2020.com, McKennon is, U.S. House of Representa- islation, extending protections “campaigning to be a Senator Who created or paid for cation and keeping promises tives’ 31st District seat, losing to the LGBTQ+ community the message? What is the to our military. who works hard to protect the to incumbent John Carter. and fixing Texas’ criminal jus- freedom that we still have, fight purpose of the story? Who is Democrat Hegar is Cornyn’s According to her official cam- tice and policing system. their target audience? What prominent opponent. She is against anyone who seeks to paign website, https://mjfor- “If you want to know some erode our freedom and coop- techniques are being used to a veteran and teacher, most texas.com, Hegar’s campaign real differences, well, you’d attract their attention and famously known for suing is focused on providing quality have to look at things like See SENATE, Page 2 See MEDIA, Page 2 October 19, 2020 2 ON CAMPUS THE RIDER ANNOUNCEMENTS their scariest stories from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Rope the Vote Rally Tuesday via Zoom. RSVP is available through Students can join the Civic Cookie Decorating VLink. Engagement Alliance at noon to dive The Student UTRGV Kahoot into details of the upcoming election Union will host The Rider is the official, Students can join the Campus and look at the different presidential a Haunted Activities Board to learn more about candidate platforms with guest award-winning student news- House Cookie our institution from 4 to 5 p.m. and speakers and opportunities to paper of the University of Texas Decorating Contest. Participants have a chance to win VBucks. RSVP is participate in trivia and win prizes. will receive an email with instructions, Rio Grande Valley. A PDF copy available through VLink. RSVP is available through VLink. date and time for pickup. The first 40 of the newspaper can be accessed Watch Party: ‘Dead Kids’ Friday students to RSVP on VLink will receive The UTRGV Leadership and Spooky Monster Smash online at utrgvrider.com. Views a free cookie haunted house. Mentoring office will host a Netflix The Campus Activities Board will presented are those of the writ- Wednesday Watch Party to celebrate and honor host a Spooky Monster Smash People Series: Celia Cruz ers and do not reflect those of Filipino American History Month. Tournament at 5 p.m. Participants are Students can honor, share and learn The movie “Dead Kids” will be shown required to create a Discord account. the newspaper or university. about the late Cuban singer Celia at 7 p.m. RSVP is available through RSVP is available through VLink. Cruz’s legacy at 1 p.m. via Zoom. The EDITOR-IN-CHIEF VLink. The first 30 students to RSVP will Watch Party: ‘Alex Strangelove’ series, sponsored by the Center for Jacqueline Peraza receive a movie snack pack. The movie “Alex Strangelove” will be Diversity & Inclusion and DREAM ONLINE EDITOR Thursday shown at 7 p.m. The film is part of The Resource Center, will feature a range Estefania Hernandez Watch Party: ‘Hocus Pocus’ Leadership and Mentoring office’s of people, cultures, identities and much SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Netflix Watch Party movie series more. Zoom registration is available The Student Union will host a in observance of LGBT+ History Danielle Perez through VLink. Disney+ Watch Party and show the Month. RSVP is available through COPY EDITORS Scary Storytelling movie “Hocus Pocus” at 5:30 p.m. VLink. Arisbeth Rodriguez The Student Union will host Scary RSVP is available through VLink. --Compiled by Brigitte Ortiz Avery Arizola Storytelling for students to share Alejandra Yañez CARTOONIST Elizabeth Mendoza POLICE REPORTS SPORTS REPORTERS The following are among the incidents reported to University Police between Oct. 6 and 12. Karina Rodriguez Oct. 6 5:01 p.m.: A staff member reported Ivan Palacios was notified. It was determined that a 3:03 p.m.: An officer receiving a suspicious email inquiring smoke detector in a service elevator was SPANISH REPORTER conducting a traffic about work invoices. The email was activated. The area was checked, and Paulina Longoria stop for a violation on determined to be fraudulent. the fire department cleared the building REPORTERS the 1400 block of West Oct. 8 for reentry.