2020 Coronavirus Outbreak

“Kevin G’s Big L Meme Self-Quarantine (UNC)” is here to make UNC laugh during crisis

An admin for “Kevin G’s Big L Meme Self-Quarantine (UNC)” said the Facebook group's activity peaks around Duke games. When he checked the stats recently, curious how engagement had fared amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he found a spike over three times as tall as the others, and he attributed this activity to the student body’s collective boredom. 

Here's how UNC's Writing and Learning Centers are helping students remotely

Each year about a quarter of the undergraduate population uses UNC's Writing and Learning Center services at least once. Now that classes are online, the centers are still offering remote services over Zoom and more. 

North Carolina Museum of Art opens its virtual doors to the public

Much of the museum’s collection has been digitized and made available in an online catalog. Visitors can browse through featured selections from the collection and use keywords to search for their favorite works.

Here's how UNC's political groups are staying active while campus is shut down

Various political organization leaders share their thoughts on how they continue to engage with members and make strides toward achieving club goals in spite of coronavirus pandemic. 

Chapel Hill art gallery creates virtual exhibit, makes art available for the public

Chapel Hill's FRANK Gallery has put images of most of its exhibition online so that people can access it from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here's how COVID-19 changed life in the University and state over the course of a month

The University, city and state have seen dramatic changes over the past month due to the COVID-19 pandemic. From classes going remote and campus shutting down to North Carolina residents being directed to stay at home, coronavirus and the related restrictions impact nearly every aspect of people's daily lives. From the first case in North Carolina to a statewide stay-at-home order and everything in between, here's how COVID-19 has impacted UNC, Chapel Hill and North Carolina so far.  

Editorial: Curbing misinformation during the coronavirus pandemic

COVID-19 is the world’s first social media pandemic, and we all have a responsibility to fight back — especially when misinformation can have life-and-death consequences. Stay informed, and stay safe. 

Refugees in Orange County struggle to make ends meet amid COVID-19 economic hardships

As COVID-19 continues to change the dynamics for families everywhere, refugee families in Orange County are facing their own unique set of challenges.

Column: Wash your hands, stay six feet apart and fact-check your sources

Assistant City & State editor Sonia Rao shares why one should fact-check information during a time when "misinformation and disinformation are already rampant on social media."

UNC swimming and diving won't let COVID-19 cancellations slow team progress

“I feel like this could be a motivating factor for us, I think we just need to keep in mind that the hard work didn’t just disappear,” Cole said. “It’s not like we’re having to start over next year, it’s just going to be a kind of different transition.”

Cartoon: What could be worse?

Gov. Cooper issues stay-at-home order for North Carolina effective Monday

Enforcement will begin on Monday at 5 p.m., but Cooper said at a news briefing that he encourages residents to start following the order immediately. 

Common Cause files complaints against Burr and others for alleged insider trading

Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and three other senators are facing allegations of insider trading after selling off large amounts of stock following a confidential meeting on COVID-19. Common Cause has launched an investigation into their actions.

‘Everything is getting worse and worse’: coronavirus deepens homeless population struggles

As the rapid outbreak of COVID-19 pushes counties across North Carolina to issue stay-at-home orders, individuals experiencing homelessness are left to grapple with an increasingly restricted reality. Organizations dedicated to serving these populations are trying to maintain normal operations while protecting both volunteers and community members.

Here's what happened at the Board of Trustees' (virtual) Thursday meeting

Via Zoom, the UNC Board of Trustees discussed renovations to the Undergraduate Library and upgrades to parking decks, as well as the potential development of a data science on school on UNC's campus. The Board also discussed research, curriculum development and more issues regarding the History, Race, and a Way Forward Commission. 

Re/Collecting Chapel Hill podcast connects community members through voicemails

The podcast calls on members of the community to share their stories during this time of uncertainty.

UNC women's tennis seniors await eligibility decision for another chance at NCAA title

"UNC is my home, it's where I want to be, and I have loved being here for every second of it," Makenna Jones said. "If I could get more time here, I would take it in an absolute heartbeat."

'A holding pattern': Here's how student government is adjusting to reduced operations

Now that classes are remote and campus is in reduced operations, student government must decide how to do work for a University that is somewhat shut down. 

Hillsborough Mayor Jenn Weaver gives virtual "State of the Town" address

Instead of addressing a room full of people, Mayor Jenn Weaver gave her first State of the Town Address to an empty board meeting room.

School districts work for equitable remote education amid coronavirus closings

With the closing of all public schools until March 30, students in CHCCS and OCS face a new struggle: remote learning.