Pacific in the Press | April 7, 2020

Quote of the Week

“The only right is to be treated equally, like everybody else.”

— Leslie Gielow Jacobs, The Sacramento Bee, April 3, 2020

Examples of how University of the Pacific was represented in the news media in recent days:

“71 infected with coronavirus at Sacramento church. Congregation tells county ‘leave us alone’,” The Sacramento Bee, April 3, 2020: McGeorge’s Leslie Gielow Jacobs was quoted in this story about a church in Lodi refusing to follow COVID-19-related orders on large gatherings. Jacobs said the state has broad powers in such situations. As for church members, “the only right is to be treated equally, like everybody else,” Jacobs said. The order prohibits large gatherings, such as church services, to prevent the spread of COVID-19. She said the basis for the state’s power could weaken: “What happens if less of a spread (of the virus) is going on? Is it still permissible to prohibit services? This is an ongoing situation.” Professor Jacobs was interviewed and quoted in several other stories in the past week or so:
“Sacramento County Says Church With 71 COVID-19 Cases Ignoring Stay-At-Home Order, Leaders Dispute Claim,” Capital Public Radio News, April 2, 2020
“Can Lodi church stay open during health emergency? Expert weighs in,” KCRA3, May 3 and 4, 2020
“Lodi church refusing to comply with stay-at-home orders,” Lodi News-Sentinel, March 31, 2020
“Lodi church members show up for service, find doors locked,” Lodi News-Sentinel, April 6, 2020

“Coronavirus Update: Expert Predicts Unemployment Rate Will Reach Unprecedented High,” CBS 13, April 2, 2020: The Center for Business and Policy Research’s Jeff Michael was quoted in this online and broadcast story about COVID-19’s impact on the state unemployment rate. “During the Great Recession, unemployment peaked at about 12% for the state of California,” Michael told the outlet. “I expect the state could see peaks into the high teens maybe even the low 20s by this summer.” Professor Michael was interviewed and quoted in several other stories in the past week or so:
“Coronavirus: California, U.S. workers lose jobs in huge numbers, government reports: Jobless claims rocket higher as coronavirus fallout batters economy,” EastBayTimes.com, April 2, 2020. Sister newspaper The Mercury News published a slightly different version of the story that included additional analysis by Michael. The story was shared by other websites.
“California delays sales tax payments for small businesses; jobless claims skyrocket,” The Record, April 3, 2020. The story was published by other outlets, including the Paradise Post, The Daily Democrat, The Redwood Times and others.

“Food and Distribution in the Age of Sheltering in Place,” KCBS Radio, April 5, 2020: History’s Ken Albala was on KCBS to talk about food consumption and habits during COVID-19-related stay-at-home orders.

“McGeorge School of Law seeks food assistance,” Lodi News-Sentinel, April 2, 2020: The university’s effort to help students during the COVID-19 pandemic was reported in a news brief. The story also mentions this is one of eight such funds to provide students with emergency relief funding. It also provides the webpage URL. Here is that brief:
“SACRAMENTO — The Diversity Committee of the McGeorge School of Law is holding a fundraiser to provide students in need with grocery store gift cards during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Due to school closures and stay-at-home orders, many of the law students have lost part-time jobs or had hours reduced and are struggling.
“So far, the fund has raised $6,241 for the virtual food pantry. It’s one of eight fundraisers University of the Pacific — which runs the McGeorge School of Law — has kicked off to support students in need.
“For more information, visit pacific.scalefunder.com/cfund/project/20516.”

“Pacific researcher gets $1.15 million NIH grant,” Lodi News-Sentinel, April 2, 2020: A $1.15 million NIH grant was reported in a news brief. Here is that brief:
“STOCKTON — Melanie A. Felmlee, an assistant professor of pharmaceutics and medicinal chemistry at University of the Pacific’s Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy, has received a four-year $1.15 million grant for research that focuses on the differences in the way males and females process GHB.
“The grant is from the National Institutes of Health Support of Competitive Research Program.”

“California Law Students Push to Skip Bar Exam During Pandemic,” Courthouse News Service, March 30, 2020: McGeorge student Jake Pillard was interviewed for this story on concerns the bar exam would be postponed from July to fall. He said an online exam would be “ridiculous” because of security risks and compared the dilemma to differences in how professional sports leagues have handled the pandemic. “As with professional sports, we have leaders and we have clowns,” Pillard told the outlet. “We cannot ask students to put their lives at risk. Do we really think the restrictions on gathering will be lifted in 200 days? Life doesn’t stop, students have families and debt. The postponement of the bar is a position fit for a clown.”