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Syracuse University offers mumps vaccine
by Josh Holfoth
SYRACUSE, N.Y.– Syracuse University is offering a boost in the m-m-r vaccine, as the number of mumps cases continues to grow. 4,000 more vaccines for mumps are being made available to students, after 27 confirmed cases of the mumps on the Syracuse campus.
Onondaga county health commissioner, Dr. Indu Gupta says that the outbreak is still spreading, as 2 other confirmed cases of the mumps have popped up in Onondaga County but the outbreak is mainly on the university campus. The vaccine is expected to help contain and eliminate the outbreak but officials that it is not a replacement for the everyday precautions people should take to avoid the disease.
Mumps is contagious and spreads through saliva and respiratory secretions, so people are urged to avoid sharing drinks or utensils and mouth to mouth contact. SUNY Oswego had a case of the mumps in September of last year but it did not lead to level of outbreak that Syracuse University is experiencing now.
Vaccines will be free for Syracuse students and the University is holding a 2 day vaccination event on Thursday and Friday this week.
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Underage Drinking
by Daniel Manou
Oswego, NY- As underage drinking and drug use grows around the country, Oswego County is trying to find ways to not only control this epidemic but turn it into a positive trend.
On a daily basis alcohol is in the public’s eyes whether from advertisements, stores or people using it around them regardless of the viewers age. According to a multi-year study by Farnham Family Services alcohol is the most used drug among minors in Oswego County. However, compared to the last survey, this year’s results are showing progress. Prevention Services Director Penny Morley believes the results of this year’s survey is heading in the right direction.
“We did a youth development survey in 2013 and another one in 2016, and our numbers are going down, youth that are reporting underage drinking,” she said.
Although Morley acknowledges the comparison of surveys shows only a small drop in underage drinking, she is still pleased with the numbers.
“Just a few percentage points, but even just a few percentage points is better than having an increase”, said Morley.
According to the survey nearly 70 percent of high school seniors have used alcohol. Most minors reported the easiest access is from their own home.
In an effort lead by Oswego County Undersheriff Gene Sullivan, police have attempted to stop underage parties. Sullivan has been working to shut down these parties and educate minors about the dangers of underage drinking since 2011. However, he has directly seen what consequences arise.
“By the end of the night we would have fights, vandalism would occur and in the worst case scenario people driving away from that party, getting into crashes some of them were fatalities,” Undersheriff Sullivan said.
In 2014, Farnham instituted the Oswego County Prevention Coalition in response to the 2013 survey and has worked alongside schools to educate the youth. According to the 2016 results, ninth grade, the same age period when alcohol is most dangerous to children, was where the usage jumped the highest.
“Anyone that uses before the age of 15 has a much higher likelihood of addiction as an adult, their brains are not fully formed at that point”, said Morley.
With the tactics that have been put in place and continue to be worked on, there have been signs that they have made an impact.
“I think there’s been tremendous progress, but it’s been painfully slow. It’s a difficult message to deliver”, said Undersheriff Sullivan.
Even with the long awaited results showing optimism, both Morley and Sullivan know their job isn’t done.
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SUNY Oswego continues to offer travel accommodations for breaks
By Stephanie Helzer
OSWEGO, N.Y.– Finding a way home for Thanksgiving Break can be stressful for students without a means of transportation. SUNY Oswego offers a few ways for students to travel home during long breaks.
The college offers three ways for students to travel home for breaks; shuttle bus, college express bus, and zip cars.
The Greyhound and Trailways shuttle buses travel from the Regional Transportation Center (RTC) and Syracuse’s Hancock International Airport. The College Express is a bus shuttle service from SUNY Oswego to downstate, including stops in New York City, New Jersey, Rockland and Orange Counties, Queens and Long Island. The prices for the College Express service varies between one way, round trip, walk on and reservations.
If you would like to buy a ticket, you can visit Lesley Wallace in the Compass to make your reservation, and she will handle your payments and any other information a student may have.
SUNY Oswego offers Zipcars for students who do not wish to ride a bus, train, or plane. Zipcars are a rental car service where members of the service can reserve a car for as little as 1 hour or as long as 7 days. The prices vary, depending on the car and hour long you wish to borrow the car, but gas and insurance are included. Student memberships are $15.To purchase tickets for the Greyhound shuttle, go to the Compass located at 145 Marano Campus Center. Tickets are being sold for $10 one way or $20 round trip; both are cash only. To sign up for zipcar, visit http://www.zipcar.com/oswego/.
For more information on each of these services, visit SUNY Oswego’s transportation website.
