Author: Joe Mason

s October comes to a close, so does Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For many organizations, this month is dedicated to diminishing the negative effects breast cancer introduces into people’s lives by raising awareness, fundraising, researching, advocating and supporting patients and their families. However, efforts to participate in Breast Cancer Awareness Month on campus looked very different this year in response to the limitations and restrictions COVID-19 imposed on cancer-related organizations. The University’s American Cancer Society, or ACS, worked hard to continue performing its mission and to hold similar events to those it has in the past. Its fundraising typically took…

Champaign Rehabilitation Center located on South Mattis Avenue is closed permanently. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, they closed for good on Sunday, Oct. 25, for financial reasons. Residents moved to other facilities of their choice that were able to fulfill their needs.

The pandemic has challenged many coffee shops on campus. With Espresso Royale closing all of its locations (before reopening select locations), the shutdown of the Green Street Starbucks and many shops altering their seating and services, students’ options for caffeine consumption have shrunk. Aaliyah Johnson, junior in ACES, began working as a barista at the Urbana Starbucks on Oregon St. location this semester. Johnson has continuously worked part-time positions since coming to the University as a freshman. However, COVID-19 guidelines have placed an additional strain on these part-time employees. Basic precautions such as mask-wearing and the plexiglass dividers have helped…