The recent measles case in SLO is one red flag in a much larger public health problem. Measles cases in the U.S. have reached their highest level in 35 years, while vaccination rates for measles in kindergartners has dropped from 95.2% to 92.4% since 2020. These numbers point to an unsettling reality: people are beginning to take the protection that vaccines provide for granted. As the fear of preventable diseases grows more distant, misinformation and distrust can make evidence-based medicine seem more dangerous than the disease it prevents.
Author Archives: Avery Adelini
Posted inOpinion
Campus rape culture demands action, not just awareness
Rape culture treats sexual violence as inevitable, excuses harmful behavior, doubts survivors and protects reputations instead of people. It is not reversed by a single training or an awareness exhibit. The normalcy of sexual assault cannot be dismantled through isolated reform but through sustained cultural transformation. We need to commit to facilitating a culture that doesn’t just hear about sexual violence and move on.
Posted inOpinion
I listened to the Campus Preacher for an hour. Here are my thoughts
The campus preacher’s goal is not genuine conversation. He is making a very loud and hateful attempt at fearmongering college students into listening. His message depends on conflict, and every person who engages becomes part of the performance. Choosing not to engage does not mean agreeing with him; sometimes, it means refusing to give a provocative person the audience reaction they depend on.
Posted inOpinion
The Sex.E show is good, but not for the reasons you might think
For Cal Poly students, Week of Welcome or “WOW” week, is one of the most memorable parts of their freshman year. In the sea of mandatory presentations required of new students, I was reminded of the unconventional approach that the Sex. E Show takes in presenting its content. In the weeks following my experience as a WOW leader, I still think it might be one of the only shows I’ll ever watch where the performers asked the audience to boo them.
Posted inOpinion
Arguing with debate booths is a waste of time
Debate-style political booths are structured to be as unbalanced as possible and put you at as much of a disadvantage as they can. There is only one way to “win” in these debates: to not pick up the mic at all.
Posted inOpinion
Embrace changing beliefs: a retrospect of the ‘if God is good, why is there pain and suffering?’ seminar
An argument is not a competition. Disagreements shouldn’t be treated as opportunities to defeat opposing participants, but as chances to better understand different perspectives and refine one’s own thinking. Instead, conflict can spark meaningful and thoughtful conversations when contributors enter with open minds.
Posted inOpinion
Activism at Cal Poly exists: it’s students’ responsibility to sustain it
By being actively involved at Cal Poly, students learn that they are capable of making significant impacts on policy or public opinion. This sense of autonomy and ability to self-advocate is extremely important to gain early on, as it promotes a future of taking action instead of settling for complacency.
Posted inOpinion
On-campus reproductive healthcare is more important than you might think
Accessible and comprehensive reproductive healthcare is fundamental not only to personal freedom but also to basic health and preventative medical care. Without it, these basic rights become conditional.
Posted inOpinion
You should be more cautious around campus petition booths
Their brief, buzzword-full rushed pitches aren’t great indicators of credibility. These types of petition booths on Cal Poly’s campus, while not all necessarily harmful or badly intentioned, should be treated with caution and skepticism upon encounter. These booths are trying to receive as many signatures as they can, and if they can rush you into signing something, they will, whether or not you even know what you’re supporting.