by Skyler Sales As the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to affect people all around the world, college students are being affected more than ever. Since all schools have been shut down or moved to online, students have been finding it harder to cope with the newly placed changes. But, with the help of Student Government Association … Continue reading
Author Archives: The Spartan Echo
COVID-19 has repercussions on education
by Sarah Campos According to memes and posts across the nation, 2020 was supposed to be everyone’s year. New Years’ resolutions were going to be followed, someone may just find ‘the one’ to spend the rest of their life with, and people were going to ‘finally get their life together’. Then COVID-19 struck and life … Continue reading
Frequently Asked Questions on the CARES Act
~From Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA)~ Congress recently passed and President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigate its effect on individuals, students, families, businesses as well as states and localities. Please find answers below to common questions about direct cash payments, relief for … Continue reading
Virginia receives Major Disaster Declaration from federal government for COVID-19
RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam announced April 2 that Virginia has received a Major Disaster Declaration to aid in the Commonwealth’s response to the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. Governor Northam requested this federal disaster assistance on Monday, March 30. A Major Disaster Declaration designation provides federal public assistance for all areas in the Commonwealth of Virginia affected by … Continue reading
Campus Life / Health / Local / National
Students navigate challenges of campus evacuations
by Kevin Alexander, Jr. With the recent COVID-19 pandemic taking the world by storm, numerous students are left clueless as to where they’ll eat or even lay their heads for the next few months. Due to this unforeseen pandemic crisis, many universities across the country, including Norfolk State University, have decided to conduct the remainder … Continue reading
Storm of coronavirus challenges university students, businesses: a Norfolk State student’s first-hand observations
by Ian Williams The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a quiet storm making its way inside households. Unlike most storms, it is neither seen nor heard. It shows no sign of approaching, and more importantly, no sign of leaving. This sudden storm shows no pattern in claiming its victims causing those at risk to adjust. All … Continue reading
“Stay at Home” increases threat for domestic abuse victims
by Skylar Sales With the current events happening now around the coronavirus (COVID-19), people have gone into a panic over the income and supplies needed to survive this epidemic. But we must also keep in mind the people who use the outside to escape the troubles that lie at home. This state of emergency could … Continue reading
Virginia under “Stay at Home” order
RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam today, March 30, issued a statewide Stay at Home order to protect the health and safety of Virginians and mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. The executive order takes effect immediately and will remain in place until June 10, 2020, unless amended or rescinded by a further executive order. … Continue reading
“The Amen Corner” captured audiences just before spring break
by Sarah Campos Norfolk State University is home to Virginia’s most nationally recognized collegiate theatre program. Also, America’s most nationally recognized HBCU Theatre program in the last five years, NSU has struck again with a stellar program. From March 5-8, 2020 NSU’s theatre company presented James Baldwin’s The Amen Corner. A three-act play, James Baldwin’s … Continue reading
Trump says 30 more days
by Jamia Queen, March 30 President Donald Trump said Sunday, March 29, he would expand the social distancing rules for an additional 30 days, an unexpected setback from his push to revive the nation as coronavirus keeps on spreading. The 15-day rules Trump imposed two weeks ago were set to be lifted on Monday, and … Continue reading
US eyes new outbreaks as infections worldwide top 575,000
By MATT SEDENSKY, KEVIN McGILL and DAVID RISING Associated Press NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Troubling new outbreaks bubbled in the United States on Friday and deaths surged in Italy and Spain as the world warily trudged through the pandemic that has sickened more than a half-million people. Punctuating the fact that no one is immune … Continue reading
Ways to utilize online activity during nation-wide call for social distancing
by Keona Frasier The COVID-19 pandemic released an unprecedented amount of economic and social setbacks for the nation, one of the most obvious being the call for self-quarantine. Students across the nation are feeling the effects of social distancing, as many institutions of higher education have suspended campus activity and require students to complete their … Continue reading
Business / Campus Life / Local / Music
WNSB embracing brand changes after 40 years
by Keona Frasier Norfolk State’s WNSB celebrated 40 years of operation and partnership with community organizations. Although the station has a long history on NSU’s campus, they plan to implement some new changes to push their mission forward. NSU can expect to hear a fresh sound, see live performances and a brand new studio space … Continue reading
Virginia governor orders statewide closure of certain non-essential businesses, K-12 schools
RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam issued a statewide order March 23 to protect the health and safety of Virginians and reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. Executive Order Fifty-Three orders the closure of certain non-essential businesses, bans all gatherings of more than 10 people, and closes all K-12 schools for the remainder of the … Continue reading
College students should take social distancing seriously
by Halle Ellis Many ask, what is social distancing and why is it so important during this coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic? Social distancing is a public health measure that’s implemented during highly contagious outbreaks. It often involves health officials restricting large public gatherings, such as music festivals; closing certain buildings, such as schools and libraries; and … Continue reading
NSU warns of heightened malicious digital activity, issues guidance
There are reports of malicious email messages asking for or offering help, malicious websites, one of which reporting to show a map of the virus’ spread, and malicious phone calls and texts, some spoofed as being from Dominion Power. Don’t fall for these spoofs. Sources for information on the virus should be via legitimate health … Continue reading
City of Norfolk declares local state of emergency
The declaration allows the City to ask for state and federal resources and seek state and federal reimbursement if the cost of the city’s response to coronavirus (COVID-19) reaches a certain threshold. NORFOLK, VA – Mayor Kenneth Cooper Alexander has declared a local state of emergency. The declaration allows the City to ask for state … Continue reading
Governor Northam orders all Virginia K-12 schools closed for minimum of two weeks
~ Statewide closure intended to reduce the spread of novel coronavirus ~ RICHMOND—On March 13, Governor Ralph Northam ordered all K-12 schools in Virginia to close for a minimum of two weeks in response to the continued spread of novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. Schools will close from Monday, March 16, through Friday, March 27, at … Continue reading
Schools scramble to feed students after coronavirus closures
by CUNEYT DIL and HOPE YEN Associated Press ELK GROVE, Calif. (AP) — Kiyana Esco needs free school lunches and breakfasts to feed her six children. But with schools shutting down over coronavirus concerns, she’s scrambling to pick up the meals, care for her kids and keep her job. Esco, a single mother who was … Continue reading
Employers navigate virus pandemic without firm guidelines
by ALEXANDRA OLSON AP Business Writer NEW YORK (AP) — It started with extra hand sanitizer and wipes for keyboards and headphones. Then came the directive for employees to lug their laptops home every night just in case. Finally, the memo arrived urging all employees to work from home — just not in their pajamas. … Continue reading
Campus Life / Health / Local
Norfolk State cancels events to mitigate community spread of COVID-19
Norfolk State University announced March 13 that the following events have been canceled, postponed or delayed as a precaution to help mitigate community spread of the Novel Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. • SAT Testing — Saturday, March 14 • MEAC Brunch — Saturday, March 14 • Executive Council Meeting — Tuesday, March 17 • … Continue reading
Governor Northam declares State of Emergency in Virginia, outlines additional measures to combat COVID-19
~ Governor issues guidance on large events and state workforce, activates long-term economic plan ~ RICHMOND—On March 12, Governor Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency in the Commonwealth of Virginia in response to the continued spread of novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. While Virginia has been thoroughly preparing for weeks and has adequate funding to … Continue reading
MEAC Tournament canceled, all NSU spring sports suspended
The Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference (MEAC) has suspended the remainder of the men’s and women’s basketball tournament for 2020. NSU men’s and women’s basketball games have been canceled, effective immediately. All NSU spring sports will be suspended per the decision of the MEAC. All NSU athletic competitions have been suspended until further notice. Following recent recommendations … Continue reading
Campus Life / Education / Health / Local
Norfolk State extends spring break, goes online until April 6
As Norfolk State University continues to monitor COVID-19 (Coronavirus), the health and safety of the university community remain the top priorities. Based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), Norfolk State is taking the following actions. Spring Break Extended … Continue reading
Bissah wins 3rd MEAC Outstanding Female Track Athlete of the Year award
by Siera Jones Running has always been one of Martha Bissah’s greatest joys, but she views track and field as more than just a sport. To the Norfolk State middle-distance runner, her running ability has brought her education and opportunity, as well as joy, and will remain a central piece of her life long after … Continue reading
