Lucas Voss – Plymouth Gazette

12Sep

By Lucas VossNo Comments

Entertainment, Events, Music, Student's Union, SU Policies

The Mis-sold Freshers Week

BY LUCAS VOSS Amidst a pandemic, nightclub venues are unable to reopen due to the difficulties in operating with sufficient social distancing measures. Despite the fear of permanent closures in the industry, event ticket representatives continue to sell tickets to unsuspecting students. Live entertainment. Image: Copyright Lucas Voss After the exam results chaos for the class of 2020, the incoming students who secured a university place this year will be excited to experience the much anticipated ‘freshers week’. Unfortunately, the Prime Minister announced nightclubs will remain closed for the foreseeable future. UCAS data in June showed deferred entry is 0.7 percent lower than the previous year. With grade inflation supporting an increased intake of university students a...

28Jul

By Lucas VossNo Comments

COVID-19, Plymouth

Don’t Forget to Take Your Mask

BY LUCAS VOSS © Lucas Voss New rules come into force in England today, Friday 24th July, that require you to wear a face covering in shops and supermarkets by law. This is in addition to the rules that already applied to users of public transport since 15th June. The government also suggests wearing a face covering in other confined spaces where social distancing may be difficult. If you don’t have a mask already, you may be worried how you will shop this weekend with this new rule in place. The government have noted that a face covering does not have to be a mask. It could be a scarf, bandana or home-made covering – they have even provided instructions to make your own! It has been stated by the Cabinet Office that face coverings are ‘largely intend...

Remote Learning Highlights Technological Inequalities

22Jul

By Lucas VossNo Comments

COVID-19, Plymouth

Remote Learning Highlights Technological Inequalities

BY LUCAS VOSS 'Home working' is often used as a blanket term to imply business will continue as usual, albeit from another location. A glimpse into the student or worker's home office is offered in a video call, however this is only a select view or virtual background. So, what is a home office really like? An idealistic space adorned with a desk, ergonomic chair, computer, and top of the range coffee machine to fuel the day, is not accessible to most of the UK's working population. Even so, it would not cater for a whole family now simultaneously working from home, including children being home-schooled. This would resonate with Robert Kelly, as his BBC interview was interrupted by his children in 2017, leading it to go viral - although now it is the new normal for students to witn...

4Jul

By Lucas VossNo Comments

Health, Plymouth

Get Movember 2020 Ready

BY LUCAS VOSS Behind the scenes, work is underway in preparation for this year’s Movember, with ambassadors ready in their roles for the upcoming campaign in November 2020. Despite months until the foundations’ annual peak of awareness, the importance in the present day could not be more relevant. Social immobility across the globe has significantly changed everyone’s lives, increasing loneliness, depression and anxiety. The Guardian reported that "young men aged 18-25" mainly required admission during the pandemic. “What’s happening now is impacting us all in different ways” - Brendan Maher, Global Director of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention for Movember. On average men die nearly six years earlier than women, with poor mental health, and testicular and prostate cancer ...

18Jun

By Lucas VossNo Comments

COVID-19, Plymouth

Is Remote Working the Future We Want?

BY LUCAS VOSS Image: © Lucas Voss Lifestyles have been turned upside down, and the norms of daily routines challenged. The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken everyone up, despite plenty of warning signs and time to prepare for the arrival of the virus that severely struck China, Italy, Iran and Spain, as authorities hurried to set lockdown law in the respective nations. Amongst twiddling thumbs, and twenty-second long cries of “happy birthday” echoing from the SU toilets, there was a quiet unease trembling beneath the surface of the Plymouth students. As the new week commenced, it seemed we would be left lingering a little longer, so normal work proceeded. This was soon to change before the end of business that same day. All was thrown up in the air, as everyone hurried to adapt to hom...