Health

not coffe bruh

Gyno exams are one of the most stressful experiences women must regularly endure. Did you know the speculum was invented 150 years ago and has barely changed in that time? How many medical devices/practices have evolved since the 1800s?  I’m a 43 year old mom of three girls. For me, going for my annual exam is wrought with anxiety and I dread thinking that my girls will will have to endure the same antiquated and humiliating experience. With all the medical advances why are women still forced to put our legs in stirrups while a doctor is face first in between? I’m advocating for gynecologists to start using  endoscopes, small cameras for our appointments instead of speculums and visual exams. With an endoscope, doctors could easily record the exams and compare the videos year after year and more accurately see subtle changes-especially if you don’t see the same doctor each year. If endoscopes can be used for everything from colonoscopies to nasal exams, and if a doctor can use one to steer a heart patch up the leg of my 6 year old daughter to accurately cover a hole on her heart, I’m sure they can be used for our annual exams. Sign the petition and call your doctor to ask for change today!

On January 8, 2021 an e-mail was sent to the nursing students at Trinitas regarding if we would like the COVID-19 vaccine. It was discussed that a number was needed to see who was willing to receive the vaccine; thus recognizing that it is a choice to receive this vaccine. All of us nursing students have our vaccinations up-to-date, but this particular vaccination is extremely new and the long-term side effects are not currently known. Our right to this choice was noted, and also discussed with our professors as not mandatory, on January 12, 2021. Now this choice is being taken away once we have already registered, paid, and prepared for our nursing classes. There is no time to change nursing schools, paths, or decide if this is what we really want as our choice. In addition, we have noted that this vaccination is not mandated at Trinitas hospital - the hospital of which we are students. It is recognized as a choice even in the COVID unit of the hospital and therefore, logically, should continue being recognized as a choice for the students, and not a last minute forced mandate. Thank you for reading. Please sign if you agree that we should continue having the choice that up until today, January 15, 2021, we were told we had and is recognized by the hospital of which we are students. 

Texas State University needs to give students the ability to pick their method of learning during the pandemic. Many classes have that option automatically, but once students are attending upper level classes it becomes a rare opportunity. Students are having to attend classes at 50% capacity which means only one seat empty between everyone. This is inherently against CDC recommendations, it does not allow for a minimum of 6 feet. There are no dividers in between seats. There is no requirement for students to clean their seating areas before and after classes. The doors are labeled entrance and exit, but this is not enforced. Doors to enter school buildings are not sanitized or held open. Elevator buttons are not cleaned between presses. Students crowd before entering classrooms and while leaving. Despite recommendations to exit row by row, every student stands and tries to go towards the aisles at the same time. Despite signs showing proper masks and how to wear them, students are not reminded to fix their masks when they fall below their noses. Students are not reprimanded when they pull their masks down to unlock their phones or drink water while in the classroom. Every class has the capability to stream on zoom. Texas State only allows students who have severe conditions to attend online, but also those who are pregnant and of an older age. This is discriminatory to students with mental health conditions who require a higher level of support to succeed in the same ways as other students. Mental health is not considered a condition that allows distance learning. Not only should students with any condition that their doctor recommends they attend virtually be allowed to, but any student who can justify their belief that virtual attendance would benefit them. Students feel unsafe. Students fear for their health and wellbeing. Students work in situations that make them risk their lives such as health care, child care or public service. The pandemic has not gone away. Cases are higher now than last semester. Many other major universities realize these struggles their students face and work with them to provide safe alternatives. Texas State simply "recommends teachers move to online teaching for the first 2 weeks" and many professors can't even provide that. Texas State University, both San Marcos and Round Rock campuses need to do better and listen to their students in regards to their safety. Give us a choice.