After enduring almost nine months of COVID-19 in the United States, it seems as if a vaccine may not be far away. On Nov. 9, the biopharmaceutical company Pfizer and the biotech company BioNTech announced that their vaccine candidate was more than 90 percent effective in phase three trials.

The study consisted of nearly 44,000 participants, with only 94 participants testing positive for COVID-19. Half of the participants received the vaccine and the other half received a placebo. The companies then waited for participants to get sick, then they were able to determine the effectiveness of the vaccine based on what group each infected person was a part of. No serious safety concerns related to the vaccine have been reported. The study will continue to gather more efficacy and safety data.

The clinical trial will continue until there are 164 confirmed cases in order to collect further data and characterize the vaccine’s performance against other study endpoints. This is what will likely cause the greatest delay in the vaccine being available to the general public. While these initial results are promising, it is much too small of a sample to determine just how effective the vaccine really is, as well as potential safety concerns. As well, the trial needs to collect two months of safety data as required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Pfizer will apply for emergency authorization after it collects the two months of data necessary, at which point the FDA will work with an outside group of experts to go through data about the effectiveness, safety and the company’s production potential. This process could take weeks to complete.

The vaccine could potentially be authorized for high-risk populations by the end of the year, but that is dependent on everything proceeding on schedule and the initial data holding up in a larger sample size. Once the vaccine is authorized, high-risk populations – such as health care workers, older adults and those with health conditions that put them at a higher risk – will be the first to get it. The vaccine will likely be available to the general public after that.

This will also depend on the production capability by Pfizer and BioNTech. The companies announced that, based on current projections, they expect to produce 50 million doses in 2020 and 1.3 billion doses in 2021. While this is not nearly enough doses to satisfy the world’s demand for a vaccine, if the vaccine is authorized, other companies will be able to manufacture it to help meet the demand.

Soon after Pfizer’s publicization of the results of its clinical trials, the American biotech company Moderna announced that its own coronavirus vaccine was 94.5 percent effective in preliminary trials. Like Pfizer, Moderna plans to apply for emergency authorization from the FDA.

In combination, officials have estimated that the two companies could produce vaccinations for over 20 million people in the United States by December.

Although it will still be quite a while before these vaccines are available to the general public, these initial results from the clinical trials are promising. It will be very important to keep an eye out for more information and data from Moderna, Pfizer and BioNTech in the coming weeks. But, if the initial data is confirmed, this could be the breakthrough that the world has been waiting for.

COVID-19 has taken over our lives, and masks play a key role in keeping our communities safe and healthy, as stipulated by the Centers for Disease Control. As face masks become a staple in our daily wardrobes, there are many options on the market for people to protect themselves and others while expressing individuality. At the beginning of quarantine, there wasn’t much variety, but as of recently you can buy masks almost anywhere you go to fit any occasion. 

When looking for masks, people should prioritize effectiveness, but this doesn’t mean that aesthetics and comfort need to be sacrificed. Masks have now become a political and social statement, rather than only a public health precaution. Researchers have proven that certain demographics such as women, college graduates and Democrats have a higher percentage of those saying they often or always wear a face mask. As much as clothes can say about a person, nowadays someone’s mask can also say a lot about them too. 

The blue disposable mask is synonymous with the pandemic. Pretty much everyone has a couple of them lying around in their car or home that may or may not have been used already. These masks are effective at blocking the majority of respiratory particles emitted from entering the air and protecting from COVID-19. This style of mask is one of the most popular, as they were some of the first masks sold at the beginning of quarantine. Although these masks are effective, the single-use nature makes them less environmentally friendly than other options. Additionally, there’s no opportunity to make a fashion statement when wearing them since it’s the equivalent to wearing the default option before outfit customization in a video game.

Reusable cloth masks are very popular. They are better for the environment, allow for individuality and are overall more cost-effective. Since lockdown, many people have started sewing their own masks to protect against COVID-19. Different mask shapes, adjustable ear loops or masks that tie behind the head can offer a better fit than the traditional surgical mask. Additionally, most people find them more comfortable for everyday use. Cloth masks come in all types of colors, patterns, and designs to complement any look.

Researchers have proven that 100 percent cotton masks are the most effective at preventing particles due to the structure of the fibers. Cloth masks with at least three layers are also proven to be more effective to block smaller particles. Filters provide additional protection from particle exhaustions but vented masks do the opposite as they allow air to escape. Lots of people have been having fun matching their mask to their fit by playing with color and design. 

Using a bandana as a face mask is proven to be less effective compared to the surgical and standard cloth mask. Although this style of mask is usually used as a last resort if you forgot a mask when out in public, it is less recommended since it doesn’t prevent droplet spray as effectively. Also a con of this style is it does make you appear like you have the intention of robbing a bank. 

Neck gaiters have gained popularity during the pandemic. They provide added comfort and breathability. However, they are proven to be less effective than other styles because they are made of synthetic materials that are proven to be less effective against droplet containment and are often only one layer thick. As of recently, neck gaiters have faced controversy over their effectiveness. Researchers have proven that gaiters made of synthetic fleece may actually spread droplets more intensely than not wearing a mask because the droplets are aerosolized. 

Anti-maskers have begun to express their dislike for mask mandates by wearing masks made of mesh or have holes in them. Although this would add breathability and comfort, it defeats the purpose of masks which are intended to prevent droplets from spreading. If you wear a mask with holes in it, there is a strong chance you might be called a “Karen.”

William Jewell College is offering free optional COVID-19 testing to students, faculty and staff the week prior to Thanksgiving Break.

Jewell is doing so in an effort to ensure that members of the College community can travel back home to see their families with the assurance that they will not risk spreading COVID-19 during the break. While not mandatory, Jewell strongly encourages members of the Jewell community to take this test.

These tests will occur on Tuesday, Nov. 17 between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. and Wednesday, Nov. 18 between 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Both of these testing time slots will take place in the Mabee Center.

To be eligible to participate in this free testing, interested students, faculty and staff must fill out this survey created by the College by Monday, Nov. 2, 11:59 p.m. so that administration can start making logistical accommodations.

Those participating in this testing should make sure to bring a phone with them to their time slot in order to register test kits with Clinical Reference Laboratory (CRL). Those who test positive will be required to abide by the guidelines found in the College’s Operation Safe Campus. Students will have the option to either isolate in Browning or at home, provided that it is safe for them to do so.

You don’t hear about it as much as you used to, but Fortnite, the worldwide multi-billion dollar online phenomena, has left a legacy much larger than people realize. Trust me, I see Fortnite the same way as everyone reading this does – a game for children to obsess over. Although, there was a moment in time that everyone and their mothers were playing this game. 

Fortnite has professional athletes, Grammy-winning artists and celebrities, in their player base. This, combined with the fact that it was free to play, had everyone playing. It made video games mainstream on a level that it had never really seen. In my opinion, it was at this point that video games stopped being nerdy. People that bullied people for being nerds found themselves behind a controller during its prime. 

Fortnite’s legacy has impacted the way we socialize with each other online on a whole new level, especially in this digital age that COVID has put us into. Connecting with friends and family online has become so much easier and accessible thanks to where Fortnite has brought the market. 

The stage has been set for similar games to take their moment in the spotlight. Such as Fall Guys, Call of Duty: Warzone and Among Us. Everyone is connected, playing with each other and having a great time doing it. Democratic Presidential nominee Joe Biden has even gone as far as to promote campaign ads in the widely popular Animal Crossing game on the Nintendo Switch. 

It’s been incredibly interesting to see how this impacts relationships. When a relationship is formed and lives only on the internet, it creates a weird set of expectations for some. Life gets in the way a lot, and you’re not always going to be online. So maintaining some of those online relationships ends up proving difficult. 

I know for a fact that a large majority of people reading this have got into fights with their friends or family within one of these games. Shoutout to all my backpackers out there – I know your pain. You’d be surprised, but there are a lot of articles talking about romantic relationships that have ended due to obsessive Fortnite addictions, which is sad but kind of funny. 

Another perspective could be elementary-aged kids who become so obsessed with games like this that they disconnect from their family, making it hard for parents to connect with their children and ensure their social growth hasn’t been stunted. 

However, it’s important to note how much these games have made enduring the pandemic easier with everyone being confined to their areas. Besides, there’s plenty of studies that show video games improve coordination and make people smarter – at least I’d like to think that I can testify to that.