As the number of monkeypox infections has risen, so too have the confusion and controversy surrounding the disease.

Limited information about the monkeypox virus exists at this time, so guidelines and best practices are underdeveloped and continue to change.

As health professionals do what they can to learn about monkeypox, new information and shifting regulations hint that our understanding of this disease and the populations it may impact must remain open to new information.

According to an article from The New England Journal of Medicine, monkeypox was first identified in humans in the 1970s and has remained endemic in some regions of Africa since. The article says few outbreaks of monkeypox have been known to occur outside of these regions until April 2022, when cases began to be diagnosed in countries around the world.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, as of Sept. 14, known cases in the U.S. are more than 23,000. The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment website states Colorado has had 282 human cases as of Sept. 16.

The New England Journal of Medicine article also includes information regarding how questions about monkeypox mainly revolve around how it spreads and who it may impact, two areas that are being continuously studied in universities and labs across the globe. Though not every answer is definite, some facts have been established.

When it comes to the spread of monkeypox, several modes of transmission have been identified. According to the World Health Organization, “it can be transmitted through contact with bodily fluids, lesions on the skin or on internal mucosal surfaces, such as in the mouth or throat, respiratory droplets and contaminated objects.”

According to WHO, there are numerous flu-like symptoms associated with monkeypox that commonly appear first, but the most recognizable symptom is a rash, which may appear several days after contraction of monkeypox and last around two to four weeks.

This rash consists of lesions that may appear on the skin — on the genital and anal regions, face, feet, palms, inside the mouth, etc. — and has been mistaken for established sexually transmitted diseases like syphilis.

One question being posed across medical and media outlets is whether monkeypox is classified as an STD, and the answer is yet to be determined. Although transmissions suspected to be correlated to the act of sex are exceedingly high at this time, some argue labeling monkeypox as an STD would only hinder progress and fuel stigmatization.

Jason Farley, an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, was paraphrased in an NBC article saying “when a disease is defined as a sexually transmitted infection that mainly affects men who have sex with men, many people may begin to think of it as ‘a gay disease’ that poses no risk to them.” Farley mentioned the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s, saying this kind of rationale led to the spread of HIV to other demographics at that time.

“This is not a sexually transmitted disease, which I think is being lost in some of the conversation as well,” said Maggie Hendrickson of the Colorado State University Pride Resource Center. “It’s spread by close contact, and some of the close contact people have is through sex.”

Other questions being investigated ask who is at risk of catching or spreading monkeypox and who may be more likely to develop serious health complications as a result of monkeypox.

From the few available studies that address the current monkeypox outbreak, the one from The New England Journal of Medicine examines the demographics of infected people as well as the circumstances surrounding their contraction of monkeypox.

In this study of 528 confirmed cases of monkeypox from 16 countries, 98% of individuals were gay or bisexual men, and 95% of the people studied developed a rash. Rashes that first appeared in the genital or anal regions or inside the mouth indicated to doctors that the individual contracted monkeypox through sexual activity, which was the suspected transmission route in 95% of the individuals.

It is important to remember that just because this disease is being found primarily among members of the LGBTQ+ community at this time does not mean it affects this population exclusively.

Regarding monkeypox and its association with the LGBTQ+ community, Hendrickson said, “It wasn’t that folks were at higher risk because of their identity, it was just disproportionately impacting folks in our community.”

One FAQ response on the WHO website states cases are “not limited to people who are sexually active or men who have sex with men,” and “people who have multiple or new sexual partners are currently most at risk.”

Previously, high-risk individuals were largely identified based on criteria that took into account whether or not a person was gay, bisexual or sexually active with other men specifically. Now, WHO identifies “people who live with or have close contact (including sexual contact) with someone who has monkeypox” as the group with the highest likelihood of contracting the virus.

Colorado vaccine specifications recently changed to exclude any specification of sexual orientation and now identify more people as eligible for vaccines. The Department of Public Health & Environment now recognizes people of any sexual orientation or gender identity who have had close contact with a person infected with monkeypox or multiple known or unknown sex partners as eligible individuals who may qualify for a vaccine.

“I’m happy that they’re removing the stigmatizing language about it because anyone can get monkeypox: any gender, any sexual orientation,” Hendrickson said. 

According to WHO, monkeypox is a self-limited disease, which means in most cases, symptoms will subside on their own over time.

People who are at higher risk of developing serious health complications as a result of contracting monkeypox have been identified by WHO and CDC as infants, children, pregnant individuals and immunocompromised individuals.

For those who are at higher risk of serious health complications, treatments are available but in limited supply, so contact your health provider or view details about vaccine availability on Larimer County’s website.

Reach Miles Buchan at news@collegian.com or on Twitter @buchanmiles.

MUNA delivers an outstanding concert to a high-spirited and energetic crowd.

Majority of higher education institutions report an increase in study abroad participation compared to previous year Experiential learning and educational travel provide students with a global passport for life NEW YORK, September 20, 2022 – As students return to classrooms this fall, U.S. colleges and universities are seeing in-person study abroad programs rebound. A survey […]

Beto O’Rourke visits over 75 communities in Texas as he campaigns to become governor. | Atirikta Kumar/The Cougar

After finishing his 49-day Drive for Texas campaign, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke stopped at Settegast Park in Second Ward at the “Latinos con Beto! rally.”

The rally in Second Ward saw a turnout of O’Rourke’s Latino supporters, with more than 700 people showing up. 

The energized crowd carried “Beto for Texas” signs and wore shirts as Lesley Briones, the Democratic candidate for commissioner of Harris County’s fourth precinct, kicked things off. Briones began with a quick introduction and emphasized the importance of young voters for the upcoming midterms. 

“Make sure that young people’s voices are heard this November, make sure that they are voting up and down the ballot because our future is in the hands of the youth,” Briones said. “And if it’s not, it’s not us at the table then nothing will be changed.” 

State Sen. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, took the stage and spoke about Gov. Greg Abbott’s lack of action for not calling a special session since the fatal school shooting in Uvalde.

Alvarado also spoke about the lack of action on the Republican’s part for not wanting to raise the minimum age to buy an assault rifle or introducing waiting periods, noting hypocrisy when it comes to a woman’s choice. 

“Waiting periods that makes me think about when we’ve debated abortion bills and they insisted on waiting periods but we can’t get a waiting period for when someone wants to go by an assault rifle,” Alvarado said. 

State Rep. Christina Morales, D-Houston, recalled how O’Rourke supported the democrats financially when they went to D.C. to oppose the suppression bill.

O’Rourke started his speech by thanking the crowd and the speakers before him. He then swiftly moved the subject to voter suppression. 

O’Rourke then talked about women’s right to choose, expanding Medicaid, legalizing marijuana, immigration, gun reform, increasing the minimum wage and unionization at the event. 

O’Rourke said he wants Texas to become a “right-to-organize state” from a “right-to-work state.” He also aims for fair compensation for workers across the board as a necessity. 

Giving educators their classrooms back, kicking the Starr test out and opting for a real public school teacher as the next commissioner of education were also addressed.  

“There are so many places across the state that our current governor has never visited,” O’Rourke said. “I guarantee you he hasn’t been to this part. … He hasn’t listened to the people that he’s served. Their streets are failing, they don’t have access to the internet, their hospitals are closing and their cost of living it’s going up in property taxes, utility bills and phone bills now as well.”

With the elections being only a little over a month away, there was an emphasis on young voters. 

“I feel like Beto really reflects the voices of young people and with a new generation of voters,” said political science senior Allyson Campos. “I feel like Beto is that turning point for Gen Z and for the younger generation to get the vote out.”

His campaign has greatly focused on young voters and showing up at the polls. His mobilizing efforts will take him around college campuses in Texas and he will be making a stop at UH on Sept. 27.

“It’s been young people in the frontlines making change happen,” O’Rourke said. “Very often sacrificing, serving and struggling to get that done. And so whether they’re on college campuses, junior college campuses, senior high school classrooms out there working right now already, we’re gonna go to where they are, make sure that they are brought in and they decide the outcome of this election.”

news@thedailycougar.com

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“Beto O’Rourke campaigns in Houston aiming at Latinos, young voters” was originally posted on The Cougar

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Harvard is commencing Phase A, 14 of 36 acquired acres, of their expansion in Allston.

Majority of higher education institutions report an increase in study abroad participation compared to previous year

Experiential learning and educational travel provide students with a global passport for life

NEW YORK, September 20, 2022 – As students return to classrooms this fall, U.S. colleges and universities are seeing in-person study abroad programs rebound. A survey by the International Educational Exchange reports 83% of institutions noted an increase in study abroad participation for the 2022 academic year compared to the previous year.

With the reopening of international travel, the pent-up demand for education travel is skyrocketing. WorldStrides, the global leader in study abroad, educational travel and experiential learning, is seeing this momentum for in-person learning and travel across its wide range of accredited study abroad experiences. Through its faculty-led programs, semester study abroad, summer study abroad, and even college prep programs for high-schoolers, WorldStrides enables students to view themselves, and the world, in new ways that will provide them with the life skills needed for future success.

“Students are eager to get back out into the world and experience for themselves the life-changing encounters that are inevitable during a study abroad program,” said Sara Easler, Director, International Programs & Study Abroad, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Haslam College of Business. “More than ever, we are seeing students gravitate toward real connection with new places and people after being deprived of these experiences. Given geopolitical events of the last few years, it is critically important for students to have their ideas of their world and of their own culture challenged so they can develop a global perspective.”

Back-to-school season dominated by the opportunity to study abroad

Most U.S. higher education institutions surveyed by the International Education Exchange reported a return to in-person teaching and learning. Experiential learning provides students with a global passport for life, giving them the opportunity to gain perspective into how people of different backgrounds see the world. Founded by teachers, WorldStrides has more than 50 years of experience creating life-changing moments for students and teachers through immersive education experiences of all shapes and sizes.

“WorldStrides created a rich, impactful one-week experience for 400 Boston University students who had missed their abroad opportunities in the previous two years because of the pandemic,” said Natalie McKnight, Dean, College of General Studies, Boston University.  “Our group was large, but WorldStrides managed to coordinate our activities and meals so that the numbers were never overwhelming, and everyone—students, faculty and staff (myself included!) had a really wonderful experience.”

Europe, Costa Rica among top destinations

As educational travel returns, popular destinations for WorldStrides students include its programs traveling to France, Greece, Italy, Spain, London, Prague as well as Costa Rica. WorldStrides aims to provide a wide range of affordable education abroad opportunities with a commitment to exceptional support for all participants and their institutions.

“There is a resounding eagerness to emerge from the pandemic and explore the world, and we’re seeing this momentum in our programs this year,” said Bob Gogel, President and CEO, WorldStrides. “Seeing and experiencing the world as we live it in 3-D can truly be a life-changing moment for a student. Our programs encourage participants to explore the world beyond their comfort zone, benefit from the effects of immersive learning and become global citizens.”

In addition to Boston University and the University of Tennessee Knoxville, WorldStrides offers study abroad experiences with a number of university partners, including New York University, London School of Economics, University of Georgia, and University of Colorado Boulder, among others.

“The impact of studying abroad on students is powerful: in evaluation comments, students regularly say that their visits to museums, galleries and plays have helped them better remember the subjects they are studying and apply what they’ve learned beyond the classroom,” said Boston University’s McKnight.  “Students often comment that their study abroad experience was completely transformative and has given them a whole new perspective on themselves and the world around them.  ‘I will never be the same,’ wrote one student this year, ‘and for that, I am grateful.’”

“Our students are returning to campus energized and full of enthusiasm for what they’ve gained and learned through study abroad,” said UT Knoxville’s Easler. “It’s evident in their interactions in our classrooms, with other students, and in their passionate advocacy to peers to go experience a study abroad program for themselves.”

For more information about study abroad, visit https://worldstrides.com/programs/#study_abroad.

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About WorldStrides
WorldStrides is the global leader in educational travel and experiential learning. The company was founded in 1967 to provide middle school travel programs to Washington, D.C., and has grown to provide a wide range of programs for more than 550,000 students annually from more than 5,000 schools and universities to over 100 countries around the world. WorldStrides offers experiential learning programs in educational travel, performing arts, language immersion, career exploration, service-learning, study abroad, and sports. Each of these experiences helps students to see beyond the classroom and to see the world – and themselves – in new ways.

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Media Contact
Edward Ruddy
Sloane & Company
eruddy@sloanepr.com

The Italian Grand Prix, held on Sept. 11, was business as usual with Max Verstappen having a comfortable lead over Charles Leclerc, but that all changed when Daniel Ricciardo’s McLaren had to pull over to one side due a mechanical failure with just eight laps remaining. This is when the race director, Niels Wittich, followed the rules and brought out a safety car in order to properly remove the car while keeping both the marshalls and drivers safe. The removal process took longer than anticipated and resulted in the race finishing behind the safety car. The race director did nothing wrong, but fans and commentators alike were not pleased — so much so that after the completion of the race, the Tifosi, Ferrari’s diehard fans, booed the winner, Verstappen, when he went to the podium to collect his trophy. The reaction from the fans and pundits might not seem justified, but in order to understand the scenario, take a look back at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2021.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was one of the most highly anticipated races in Formula One history. Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton were tied on points going into the race, so whoever performed better on race day would win the Formula One World Championship. Everything was on the line on race day, so when Hamilton took the lead and started to gap Verstappen, there was some dread that one of the most climactic Championship fights ever would go out in a whimper. But after some heroic defensive driving from Sergio Pérez, Red Bull’s second driver, Verstappen started to close in on Hamilton. 

That was when the incident happened. Nicholas Latifi, a driver for Williams, crashed into the wall with just six laps remaining and the safety car was brought out right away. There was still some hope for some racing at the end, but with the laps slowly dwindling, most people were losing hope for the end of the race. With just under two racing laps left, Latifi’s car was cleaned up and racing was ready to be resumed. Verstappen would eventually win the race and the championship in the last lap, but the ending of the race was filled with controversy, mostly having to do with the decision of what race director, Michael Masi, did with the lapped cars. 

The proper procedure for lapped cars is that every car that has been lapped would need to unlap themselves before the racing resumed, but Masi only let the cars between Verstappen and Hamilton go and then started the race with one lap remaining. Masi’s decision led to one of the most intense laps in Formula One history, but it also brought into question the sporting integrity of Formula One and sports as a whole. Fans of the sport were not happy with the outcome which led to Masi eventually being fired.

The 2022 Italian Grand Prix and 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix had the exact same problem and the race director went about solving the issue in the only two possible ways and people were not satisfied with either solution. In Italy, Wittich chose sporting integrity, but in Abu Dhabi, Masi chose the spectacle. Which way was the correct way to solve the issue? 

The argument for sporting integrity is quite simple — just because an incident happened later on in the race does not mean it should be treated any differently than it normally would. The only issue with the plan is that it is less entertaining for the fans. The argument for the spectacle is that although it may be artificial, the racing would go to the last lap of the race thus keeping the viewer intrigued. For the sake of Formula One, Wittich did the right thing in Italy because it meant that the race as a whole meant more than just the last few laps and the reaction of the fans was not justified. 

People watch Formula One because of the sporting aspect. They enjoy seeing cars go around different circuits as quickly as possible and the tension in the race is an added bonus. Overall, there is no solving the issue that Formula One has faced in those two races, but with the firing of Masi, all that can be looked for is consistency.

Emory University’s 41st annual Jimmy Carter Town Hall featured U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT) forward and outspoken social advocate Megan Rapinoe as the keynote speaker on Sept. 19. She was greeted by an audience of nearly 2,000 students during the town hall, which was held in-person for the first time in three years. 

“To be able to speak to such a young group of kids is just such an honor of mine,” Rapinoe said. “It’s something that I really, truly love doing.”

The Carter Town Hall is an annual speech event to welcome first-year students to Emory, although athletes and student leaders were invited as well. 

Rapinoe is considered one of the most decorated athletes in women’s soccer history with two World Cup wins and an Olympic gold medal under her belt. Off the field, she is widely known for fighting for gender equality and leading the fight to close the gender pay gap between the women’s and men’s U.S. national teams. Rapinoe is also a strong proponent of LGBTQ+ and racial equality.

Megan Rapinoe addresses Emory University’s Class of 2026 during the 41st annual Carter Town Hall. (Gabriella Lewis/Managing Editor)

Carter Center Chief Executive Officer Paige Alexander spoke at the event, noting that Rapinoe’s dedication to social justice aligns with the values of former U.S. President and University Distinguished Professor Jimmy Carter, who is the town hall’s namesake at 97 years old. He spoke at the first 38 town halls but did not attend this past event for the third year in a row due to retirement. His first absence in October 2020 was attributed to recovery from a November 2019 brain surgery.  

“She’s been a true champion on and off the pitch,” Alexander said. “Looking at the fight that she had for LGBTQIA rights, for women’s equity and salary equity, for human rights in general, really means this is part of what the Carter Center is all about.”

University President Greg Fenves agreed while introducing Rapinoe, highlighting her role in leading the USWNT’s years-long legal battle for equal pay with the U.S. men’s national soccer team, which began in March 2019. The U.S. Soccer Federation settled in February, agreeing to pay the national women’s and men’s soccer teams equally.

“Like President Carter, she has played a pivotal role in changing history,” Fenves said.

Rapinoe kicked off her speech by explaining that speaking to Emory’s Class of 2026 brought her back to her first semester at the University of Portland (Ore.), when she was a new student with “wide-eyed wonder.”

“It’s just this opportunity where you have a bit of a safety net, but you’re still sort of required and put in a situation where you have to ask yourself questions,” Rapinoe said. “I just encourage all of you to be really curious about that, to give yourself the space to answer those questions, to give yourself the space to show up as a full human in the world.”

An internationally-known soccer player, Rapinoe noted that a team’s success comes from the people who learn who they are and unapologetically take up space.

“The most successful teams are not full of people who sacrificed everything to be on the team,” Rapinoe said. “It’s full of people who refuse to sacrifice themselves, and they bring whatever their work is, whatever their special talent is, whatever that personality trait is, for the greater good, and not only do they bring that themselves, they allow a space for everyone else to bring that as well.” 

A Q&A was held during the second half of the town hall where Barkley Forum members Mia Leutzinger (25C) and Sam Shafiro (25C) asked Rapinoe student-submitted questions.

“She kept looking over at me and it made me feel like I was having a conversation with her,” Leutzinger said. “It was amazing. She’s one of the coolest people I’ve ever met.”

Rapinoe discussed the 2019 World Cup, during which the USWNT beat the Netherlands in the final to secure their second consecutive World Cup title. She said coming out on top felt “surreal.”

“It’s like this childhood dream,” Rapinoe said. “It seems sort of fake in a way. It’s lived in your head for so long.”

The 2019 World Cup came three months after members of the USWNT filed a gender discrimination lawsuit against U.S. Soccer, accusing the governing body of paying women less and subjecting them to more dangerous playing conditions.

Additionally, Rapinoe was in a public quarrel with former U.S. President Donald Trump after she told a reporter in June 2019 “I’m not going to the f****** White House” if she were to win the World Cup. Trump responded in a series of Tweets stating that while he is a fan of the USWNT, Rapinoe was disrespecting “our Country, the White House or our Flag.” He also criticized her for protesting the U.S. National Anthem before games.

“Megan should WIN first before she TALKS!” Trump tweeted. “Finish the job!”

University President introduces Megan Rapinoe as the Carter Town Hall’s keynote speaker. (Gabriella Lewis/Managing Editor)

Rapinoe explained that the controversy made the tournament “unique,” but added that “dunking the president” was one of the best parts of her World Cup win.

“A former president getting involved, I’m like, ‘Are you rooting for the team?’” Rapinoe said. “‘You seem really into it, but you’re getting a little confused by the fact that it’s women, but you’re into the confidence that we have. … You wish you could root for us.’”

Rapinoe noted that off the field, she is most proud of how her team has leveraged their talent to promote change in the world, especially when it comes to achieving equal pay, which she called a “monumental” accomplishment. 

She added that knowing she will be leaving women’s soccer in better conditions than what she faced as a young player will be a “big legacy point” for her and her teammates.

“Just knowing that no one else, no other woman coming up in this federation, playing a sport in this country, will ever have to deal with what we did, and knowing that we have it so much better than those who came before us,” Rapinoe said. “The only reason we were able to really do this and achieve this is because we were standing on the shoulders of so many other women.” 

Rapinoe is also known as a strong supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and transgender inclusion in sports. She explained that to break into generally-ostracized spaces, queer people need to show up as their full selves and find a community that can support them. She added that it was also on straight people to create welcoming environments.

She also noted that it helps to find LGBTQ+ people who have walked the same path before. Although Rapinoe noted that the number of openly-queer public figures was slim when she was younger — citing Ellen DeGeneres and Billie Jean King as examples — she said the community has grown in recent years. This includes Rapinoe, who is open about her five-year long relationship with WNBA player Sue Bird.

“When we sort of keep ourselves small and internal, the stories can go any which way, and it can feel very lonely,” Rapinoe said. “But I think the more we talk about it, the more we show up as our full selves, the more we kind of demand that space, I think the easier it becomes to step into it.” 

Rapinoe explained that her parents — especially her mother — are her biggest role models. She said her parents “did equal gender roles” without ever discussing it, allowing her to grow up in an “equality-driven” home. 

Growing up, Rapinoe said she and her twin sister, Rachael Rapinoe, were both popular at school and excelled in sports, ultimately going on to play together in college. However, her mom always made it clear that using their social influence to help others was more important.

“I’m so thankful that she was always like that, and she lives her life like that, but also imparted that onto my sister and the rest of my siblings as well,” Rapinoe said.

She noted that students should strive to do the same in their daily lives so they can use their skills to advocate for change.

“Something that I wish someone would have told me in college, and I’m coming to it now at the tender age of 37, is that the work that we’re supposed to do in life really has nothing to do with the job that we do,” Rapinoe said. “I really encourage all of you, especially as you set out into your first semester, into your first year here, to think about not just what you want to do, but who you want to be in the world, and sort of marrying those two.”

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Social media has become such a large part of our lives, in part due to the isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people are wondering now if that connection might cause more harm than good. Pew Research reports that 64% of Americans believe social media has a negative effect, while only 10% said it emits a positive one. If this is the case, why do we use it so much? 

The World Economic Forum found that Americans spend an average of  two hours and 14 minutes on social media daily, while Forbes reported last year that Americans spent an average of 1,300 hours on social media annually. Generation Z spent a shocking average of nine hours of daily screen time, many of which are dedicated to TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram. That’s a lot of time, especially considering the numerous unhealthy effects. 

A University of Pittsburgh study found that increased social media use in people aged 19 to 32 correlated with higher levels of feelings of depression, anxiety and social isolation. A New York University study found that it significantly lowers our attention spans. Another from The University of Amsterdam found that social media use correlated with lower self-esteem. 

How can something that is meant for social connection cause such negative emotions, reactions and mental states? Well, that’s because it isn’t just harmless fun, by way of both design and nature. 

As indicated, social media platforms know their sites cause negative emotional and mental states within their users. Despite this, they continue to function as normal. According to recent leaks obtained by The Wall Street Journal, Facebook did nothing even though they knew that 32% of teen girls said they felt bad about their bodies, and Instagram made them feel even worse. 

Social media is also a depressant by nature, giving us unprecedented access to other people’s positive, negative and sometimes cruel opinions. Hurtful comments, trolling and even the number of likes can understandably ruin a person’s day. It also shows us other people having seemingly picturesque lives, therefore making us feel more insecure and unsatisfied with our own. 

Social media pages are precisely curated and often misleading, where only the best aspects of a person’s life can be broadcast while the worst parts are omitted. Unrealistic, heavily edited or completely fake portrayals and expectations of people’s bodies can also make users feel insecure about their own, as social media creates a false reality to aspire to.  

Social media’s harm is more gradual; the short-term effects are what keep us hooked. Whenever you log onto social media, dopamine signals in your brain increase. These neurotransmitters are associated with pleasure. When you experience an increase in dopamine, your brain identifies this activity as a rewarding one that you ought to repeat. You may react more strongly whenever you make a post of your own and gain positive feedback. The dopamine rush keeps users engaged, while the damage piles up little by little over time. 

There’s also a need to stay connected and informed when there’s always an important news story, a new post or story to view and other things that demand our immediate attention. We don’t want to be left out of the loop, so this creates a sense of urgency rather than a sense of enjoyment. 

Despite its flaws, social media still serves a purpose, and giving it up is not the ultimate solution. Social media allows us to connect with people who are miles away, meet new people, join clubs and organizations, learn about businesses or advertise our own and even temporarily make us feel good about ourselves. 

So, instead of abandoning it, there are other options to pursue. We can advocate for more transparency from social media sites and hold them accountable when they do us wrong. We can boycott platforms that choose to amplify hate and ignore warning signs. We can also limit our use, understand how it affects our health and stay aware of its addictive nature. 

Like how comfort food may make us feel good in the short term, we need to recognize social media is extremely unhealthy when excessively consumed. We have to keep in mind that many tech corporations are looking to cash in on our vulnerabilities rather than lift us up.