Global Health

United States Sends First Batch of Promised 500 million Vaccine Doses to be Donated Internationally

On Tuesday, the Biden administration shipped nearly 500,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine to Rwanda as part of the administration’s promise to donate 500 million vaccines to low- and middle-income countries. Rwanda will receive 488,370 doses of the Pfizer vaccine, 188,370 of which come from the 500 million doses bought by the Biden administration earlier […]

Health On the Hill

Biden Announces Plan to Protect “Long Covid” Patients Under Federal Disability Law on 31st Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act

On Monday, President Joe Biden honored the 31st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act by announcing a new initiative to qualify “long Covid” symptoms as disability and grant Americans with “long Covid” protections under the ADA. People who suffer from “long Covid” experience serious and ongoing health issues that originated from a previous Covid-19 […]

Activism Economy Race

Black Lives Matter Launches $3M COVID-19 Survival Fund

Early this month the racial justice organization Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation launched the $3 million Survival Fund, which will provide microgrants to Black individuals and communities who have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. The Associated Press reports that organization plans to give out 3,000 microgrants of $1,000 each to “anyone who identifies […]

Health

US Reaches 500,000 COVID-19 Deaths After Nearly a Year

After nearly a year into the global pandemic, the U.S. has reached a dismal milestone of 500,000 COVID-19 related deaths. “The massive number and the loss of those people from our society has not been acknowledged,” said Dr. Camara Phyllis Jones, an epidemiologist and former president of the American Public Health Association. “We cannot think […]

Economy Health On the Hill

Biden and Senate Republicans Hold a Meeting to Discuss COVID Relief Plan

President Biden has proposed a $1.9 trillion COVID relief package, and a group of Republican Senators have countered with a narrower $618 billion proposal. Both plans call for $160 billion to be put toward a national vaccination program, expansion of testing and equipment, and reimbursement of hospital medical providers. While the Republican plan matches the […]

Health Police

Police Raid Former Florida Data Scientist’s Home

On Monday, Rebekah Jones’ home was raided by Florida law enforcement agents. She was fired in May from the state health department, after she helped create the Florida state COVID-19 dashboard, because she refused requests to manipulate data regarding Florida’s readiness to ease COVID restrictions. Additionally, Jones accused Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and his administration […]

Courts Health Politics

Senate in Recess Because of Coronavirus Cases

As of Monday, the Senate is in recess for two weeks due to many members of Trump’s staff, as well as three senators, testing positive for coronavirus. This is the first time since May that Mitch McConnell has adjourned the Senate because of coronavirus, and will potentially impact both the confirmation of Judge Amy Coney […]

Health

U.S. Coronavirus Cases Rising Rapidly Among Children

Amid school re-openings and 6 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the U.S., new data from the American Academy of Pediatrics shows that instances of COVID-19 related hospitalizations and deaths among children and teens are increasing at a more rapid pace than the general public. According to an article from the New York Times, while […]

Abortion Providers Clinics Reproductive Choice

Texas Clinics See a Rise in Later Abortions After a Temporary State Ban Expires

Many clinics in Texas have observed an increase in later-term abortions, following a temporary ban on the procedures lasting from March 22 until April 22. On March 22, Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order banning most abortions, citing coronavirus and hospital capacity as reasons for this ban. The order stated that “all licensed health […]

Health Immigration

ICE Expels Immigrant Children Even After Negative COVID-19 Tests

The Trump Administration is expelling immigrant children citing COVID-19 concerns, despite the children testing negative for the coronavirus before they are put on planes to their home countries. An article published Monday by The Texas Tribune and ProPublica reveals that the Trump administration had implemented a testing program in which every child is tested for […]

Education Health

Georgia Teen Who Posted Pictures of School Reopening Has Suspension Revoked

A teenager who was suspended after posting pictures on social media criticizing her high school’s reopening has had her suspension lifted. Hannah Watters posted pictures of her high school’s reopening which depicted scenes of crowded hallways with little social distancing and few students wearing masks. The pictures quickly went viral. Soon after posting them, Watters […]

Clinics Health

Safety Zones to Protect Patients from COVID-19 and Protestors Up For Debate in Louisville

In Kentucky, the Louisville Metro Council is set to debate legislation that would allow healthcare facilities to create “buffer zones” outside their entrances. This would provide protection from COVID-19 and preserve access to services. This access is especially important for medical centers that provide abortion services. The EMW Women’s Surgical Center is the only licensed […]