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.
Tag: Opinion
Posted inOpinion
Don’t shop Shein this Halloween
Shein may seem cheap up front, but it has hidden costs. Before you click deliver, check out a few other places. The perfect accessory can often be as nearby as your own closet. You’ll avoid exposing yourself to cancer-causing chemicals and that awkward moment when you realize you’re wearing the exact same mermaid net skirt as everyone else.
Posted inOpinion
The conservative roots of ‘skinny culture’
We are in a time where the far right has become increasingly mainstream. I am not saying all thin people are conservative, or that every conservative person promotes thinness. Rather, skinny culture fits into conservative gender norms treating bodies, especially women’s, as something to be controlled and disciplined. Deeper than that, skinny is a system, a market. Women idealize thinness, so they diet, then they try weight loss drugs, eventually they are thin and weak, exactly the ideal woman for conservative men.
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
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
Don’t give professor ratings too much power over your schedule
Kaylie Wang is an English sophomore and opinion columnist for Mustang News. The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Mustang Media Group. Half way through last summer, I made the mistake of looking up my professor’s ratings. I was sitting in a cafe with my friend while she was registering […]
Posted inOpinion
Valentine’s Day gifts should be more specific: something to fit your partner’s preferred love language
Madeline Kuhns is a journalism senior and Mustang News opinion columnist. The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Mustang Media Group. It’s that time of year again! Time to equate our love into a plastic box of chocolates and a last-minute card bought from Walgreens. Or not! We’re adults now, […]
Posted inen Español
El simple ha ido
Addie Uhl es una estudiante de estudios interdisciplinarios del tercer año y reportera bilingüe de Mustang News. Las opiniones expresadas en este artículo no reflejan necesariamente las de Mustang Media Group. Necesitamos mudarnos de un lugar a otro. Es parte de la vida. En Cal Poly, mudamos clase a clase, clase a casa, deportes a […]