The Current | Vol. 31 Issue 25

March 9, 2021 | nsucurrent.nova.edu 10 Opinions NSU admin should inform students more NSUhastakenimmenseprecautions for COVID-19, which is great, but they make these strides and do not communicate with the student body effectively. On occasion, the student body receives an email regarding any COVID-19 updates -- a big one being the fact they took away spring break. Their intention behind it was not malice, but now, students have to go 16 weeks straight without a break. They sent an email about canceling spring break, but they do not send updates regarding any COVID-19 cases on campus. They sent one email at the beginning of the semester with a sufficient amount of information. We were informed of how many cases there were, testing, vaccinations and protocols for those who tested positive for COVID-19. Seeing that kind of email was a breath of fresh air, and provided some comfort knowing that these safety protocols are paying off. However, it would be nice to receive more updates from the administration. I will say they have been providing more updates this semester than they were last semester, but still, not much has changed as we still wear masks and follow the BlendFlex schedule. When a case is found on campus, only the floor that the person lives on is notified. More people need to be notified because that person could have walked around campus and interacted with people without knowing they had COVID-19. There is a lack of communication when it comes to administration communicating with the student body. COVID-19 is a virus that is easily spread and can be deadly to some if they are immunocompromised. Therefore, NSU should inform its student body of any on-campus COVID-19 cases to protect its students. If the students have no updates about COVID-19 on Prescription drugs are far too costly for most mid to lower-class people living in the U.S. Elected officials and other leaders have the opportunity to push for change, and ultimately, lower the prices of medications that are crucial, to some, in leading safe and healthy lives. My cousin is a physician at North Dade Medical Center, so I have heard and even witnessed how harmful these pricey drugs actually are from a closer perspective. About a year ago, she was overseeing a transplant patient that had to endure a month’s gap in coverage whilst he made the switch from Medicare to a private insurance that was provided to him through a new job he started despite qualifying as a medically disabled person. To stop this man’s body from rejecting an organ that had previously been donated to him, he practically lived on drugs that cost thousands of dollars monthly. They were costing him a fortune, even leading him to do something as extreme as spread one month’s worth of medication over two months. It had barely been a year since his transplant, and without the proper type and dosage of the medication he needed, his body kept actively rejecting the organ. This took a large toll on him, hospitalizing him where he passed away. That man did not deserve to die like that. He was an honest, ethical man who was punished for a genuine attempt at rejoining the workforce. I’ve told this man’s tragic story to speak up about the cruelty of policymakers. They should use their power to drive down the cost of medications in general, but especially medications that have the ability to save lives. With the rapid rise in prices of prescription drugs, we also have to hold drug corporations accountable by demanding transparency on price gouging,which shouldn’t even be happening in the first place. A possible solution to reining high drug costs could be an independent panel It could assist in the removal of access barriers for Americans that are struggling to pay for medication vital to their survival. In order to protect the lives of many U.S. citizens, we have to start acting now, especially in the midst of this deadly pandemic. By: Briana Ramnauth Contributing Writer Expensive drugs will kill us all By: Isabella Gómez Contributing Writer campus, then the NSU parents have no updates either. Parents would like to ensure their child’s safety, which is why the administration needs to build a stronger communication systemwith their student body. It is understandable that it is hard tomakedecisions when situations pertaining to COVID-19 are changing in a blink of an eye, but it is important to provide ample time and information for students to make any necessary accommodations. NSU also may be trying to prevent an outbreak of worry from the students and their families when it comes to informing people about COVID-19 cases, but the students have the right to know. It is already scary enough that we are in uncharted waters due to COVID-19, but NSU can at least provide some comfort and knowledge. PRINTED PERMISSION OF C. MCLAUGHLIN PRINTED PERMISSION OF C. MCLAUGHLIN