As Cal Poly students returned to campus after winter break amidst the Omicron variant, there were a number of students who were hesitant to do so due to their increased risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus: immunocompromised students. Individuals who…
Cal Poly’s COVID-19 saliva testing to be brought to market through local partnership
Cal Poly faculty developed saliva-based COVID-19 testing technology that students have used on campus since February 2021. Now, those saliva tests will be brought to market. Nathaniel Martinez, associate professor of biological studies, and Andres Martinez, professor of chemistry and…
The loss of freshman year: Incoming sophomores coming in as freshman
First, the last semester of their senior year of high school was hijacked by the coronavirus. Then, their freshman year of college, a time usually known for the possibilities of new friendships and experiences, was replaced with Zoom meetings and…
COVID-19 is surging in San Luis Obispo County. Is it safe for Cal Poly to reopen?
When Cal Poly reopens this month for another school year amidst a pandemic, the campus will be operating near normal, administrators have said for months. University housing will be at maximum capacity — with about 8,000 students living on campus…
Mask mandate reinstated in San Luis Obispo County amid highest rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations
San Luis Obispo County residents will once again have to wear face masks in all public indoor settings as of Tuesday night. Director of Public Health Penny Borenstein announced at a briefing Tuesday afternoon that a mask mandate is a…
Students look forward to life once fully vaccinated
On April 7, San Luis Obispo County expanded vaccine appointment eligibility to individuals aged 16 and older. More vaccine appointments are available to students now than ever, as Campus Health and Wellbeing has started offering student vaccination appointments at the Health Center on campus, and an additional vaccine clinic has recently opened in the University Union (UU).
“We’re not out of the woods:” The perception of COVID-19 safety and risk at Cal Poly
A survey distributed by Mustang News on Jan. 25 asked Cal Poly students to rate their risk level associated with activities college students typically engage in like attending gatherings, going out to eat or going for a walk. Mustang News sent the survey to 12 randomly-selected general education classes with at least 60 enrolled students.
San Luis Obispo County reaches 200 COVID-19 deaths
Since the start of the pandemic, 200 people have died in San Luis Obispo County, according to a Feb. 9 press release from the City of San Luis Obispo. The county passed the 100-death milestone about four weeks ago, Mustang…
Full-time California students may get an extra $300 in weekly unemployment benefits
Unemployed full-time students in California are now eligible to receive an additional $300 weekly stimulus for COVID-19 impacts on unemployment.
More than 100 people have died of coronavirus in San Luis Obispo County
More than 100 San Luis Obispo County residents have died due to COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, the County confirmed in a Jan. 8 press release.
The stories behind the statistics: Three Cal Poly students share their experiences with COVID-19
Cal Poly has reported 1,015 positive COVID-19 cases as of Monday, Jan. 11., and many students that live on campus have already experienced quarantine or isolation.