What we’re reading: Obama campaigns for Biden, University of Michigan imposes a stay-at-home order

By Shaina Looker

Published Oct 21, 2020

In this combination photo, president Donald Trump, left, speaks at a news conference on Aug. 11, 2020, in Washington and Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks in Wilmington, Del. on Aug. 13, 2020. The conventions, which will be largely virtual because of the coronavirus, will be Aug. 17-20 for the Democrats and Aug. 24-27 for the Republicans. (AP Photo)

Women may be less prone to COVID-19, study finds

A new survey suggests women may be less vulnerable to contracting COVID-19 because they are more likely to adhere to social distancing guidelines, according to U.S. News.

The survey was conducted in March and April across eight different countries and showed that 59% of women considered COVID-19 to be a serious health problem, and only 49% of men agreed.

The study was published Oct. 15 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and two of the authors, Vincenzo Galasso and Paola Profeta, are affiliated with Bocconi University’s COVID Crisis Lab in Milan, Italy.

“The biggest differences between men and women relate to behaviors that serve to protect others above all, such as coughing in the elbow, unlike those that can protect both themselves and others,” said Profeta.

Galasso said “policy makers who promote a new normality made of reduced mobility, face masks and other behavioral changes should, therefore, design a gender-differentiated communication if they want to increase the compliance of men.”

The University of Michigan on lockdown due to COVID-19

In this Oct. 13, 2018, file photo, fans cheer as the Michigan team takes the field at Michigan Stadium for an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin in Ann Arbor, Mich. The University of Michigan says fewer fans, if any, will attend games at “The Big House” if the Wolverines play college football games this year. The athletic department says a final decision will be made after conferring with medical experts, the school’s leadership and the Big Ten Conference, along with government officials and agencies. (AP Photo/Tony Ding, File)

Local health officials have ordered students at the University of Michigan to stay in their residences to control an increasing campus outbreak, according to the New York Times.

In an email to students and staff members, university leadership said, “Most of the cases on our campus can be traced back to small- and medium-size gatherings without appropriate face coverings and social distancing.”

The stay-at-home order applies to all undergraduate students through Nov. 3. However, students who are not showing symptoms can still attend in-person class, participate in sports and receive medical attention.

Jimena Loveluck, the health officer for Washtenaw County, which encompasses the university, said although the restrictions do not construct a quarantine, there is a possibility of fines for violation of orders.

Obama rallies support for Biden in attempt to end Trump’s presidency

In this Aug. 23, 2008, file photo Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., listens as vice presidential running mate Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., speaks at a rally in front of the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Ill. Biden has won the last few delegates he needed to clinch the Democratic nomination for president. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Former President Barack Obama returned to the campaign trail today to try and rally support for former Vice President Joe Biden, according to CNN.

Obama appeared in Philadelphia in the first of a handful of stops he will make in key battleground states with the election less than two weeks away.

His appearance will test the power of his appeal and determine whether his popularity is transferable to his former vice president, according to CNN.

Obama is also attempting to help Democrats win control of the Senate by appearing in television ads for candidates in Maine, Michigan, South Carolina and Georgia.