Category: Coronavirus
No time to party: With omicron surging in Arizona, officials stress masks, tests, COVID vaccines
by Molly Hudson, Cronkite News January 20 2022 Phoenix – Arizonans who have had COVID-19 shouldn’t count on immunity from the highly contagious omicron variant, which continues to spread in the state, a leading health expert said…
The Federal Government gave billions to America’s schools for COVID-19 relief. Where did the money go?
The Education Department’s limited tracking of $190 billion in pandemic support funds sent to schools has left officials in the dark about how effective the aid has been in helping students. by Annie Waldman and Bianca…
The pandemic has made it harder for one in three Americans to obtain healthy, affordable food
by Sheril Kirshenbaum, Michigan State University and Douglas Buhler, Michigan State University October 26, 2021 COVID-19 has made food access more challenging for many communities. In Michigan State University’s Fall 2021 Food Literacy and Engagement Poll,…
We’re losing our humanity, and the pandemic is to blame
“What the hell is happening? I feel like we are living on another planet. I don’t recognize anyone anymore.” by Sarah Smith, ProPublica October 8, 2021 Kurt Thigpen clenched his hands around the edge of…
Ban on school mask mandates was unconstitutionally enacted, judge rules
“The survey data presented in this report reinforces what we already know to be true – masking is an important and effective way to help control the spread of the virus,” said Franco, with Phoenix Union….
A boy went to a COVID-swamped ER. He waited for hours. Then his appendix burst.
Non-COVID patients die waiting for emergency procedures and hospital beds because – non-vaxers are taking up the space by Jenny Deam, ProPublica September 15, 2021 ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. What first struck Nathaniel…
MASK REVOLT – really?!?
by Wade Rathke August 18, 2021 New Orleans f all of the revolts we might imagine in the fever dreams of our lives, the anti-mask rebellion has to be one for the comic books. Much of…
Correctional officers are driving the pandemic in prisons
New research shows correctional officers are vectors of infection, driving COVID-19 rates both inside prisons and in their communities. While prison may isolate people from the larger community, it does not isolate them from COVID-19. Scott…
WHO declares Covid mutation found in India a ‘variant of concern’ for global health
“I think what we’re seeing is more transmissible,” said WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan. by Jake Johnson, staff writer Monday, May 10, 2021 The World Health Organization on Monday classified a coronavirus mutation first detected in…
Meatpacking industry fought feeble Covid-19 safeguards under Trump
“These documents show that the industry actively pushed back against the few steps the Trump administration took to try to ensure the safety of meatpacking workers and federal inspectors.” by Brett Wilkins, staff writer Thursday, March…
Rural Americans in pharmacy deserts hurting for Covid vaccines
by Markian Hawryluk March 3, 2021 As the Biden administration accelerates a plan to use pharmacies to distribute covid-19 vaccines, significant areas of the country lack brick-and-mortar pharmacies capable of administering the protective shots. A recent…
How inequity gets built into America’s vaccination system
People eligible for the coronavirus vaccine tell us they are running up against barriers that are designed into the very systems meant to serve those most at risk of dying of the disease. We plan to…
Grave warnings as Texas Gov. Abbott lifts Covid restrictions
‘Endangers the Entire Country and Beyond’ “Make no mistake: opening Texas prematurely will only lead to faster Covid spread, more sickness and overcrowding in our hospitals, and unnecessary deaths.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Wednesday, February…
No venues, no sales, no money
by Wade Rathke March 1, 2021 New Orleans One week, we have the southern end of the polar vortex. The next week, it’s spring, while I’m still hacking away at freeze-damaged night-blooming jasmine, bougainvillea, and the…
Trump-appointed judge strikes down pandemic eviction moratorium
‘The CDC Must Appeal Immediately’ The pause on evictions was put in place to help stem the spread of Covid-19. by Andrea Germanos, staff writer Friday, February 26, 2021 A Trump-appointed federal judge in Texas on…
Sanders rips Netanyahu for sending Covid vaccines to foreign allies as Palestinians denied access
‘Outrageous’ The U.S. senator from Vermont denounced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for sending spare vaccines overseas “while so many Palestinians in the occupied territories are still waiting.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Thursday, February 25,…
As US mourns 500,000 lives lost, report shows billionaires added $1.3 trillion to their fortunes during pandemic
“It is unseemly that billionaires have experienced such gains as we mark a half a million lives lost and millions more who have lost their health, wealth, and jobs.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Wednesday, February…
Why we can’t make vaccine doses any faster
President Biden has promised enough doses for all American adults by this summer. There’s not much even the Defense Production Act can do to deliver doses before then. by Isaac Arnsdorf and Ryan Gabrielson February 21,…
Sedentary and stressed? Get outside to improve health during COVID, experts advise
by James Paidoussis, Cronkite News Sunday, February 21, 2021 Phoenix Nearly a year of isolation and widespread closures has harmed the mental and physical health of many Americans. But Arizona state parks saw record visitation over…
Masks off: Bill would allow Arizona businesses to ignore city, county mandates
by Victoria Hill, Cronkite News Thursday, February 18, 2021 Phoenix – A House committee has passed a Republican-sponsored bill that would allow Arizona business owners to decide whether to enforce mask mandates for employees and customers,…
Dying on the waitlist
In Los Angeles County and around the country, doctors have had to decide who gets a lifesaving COVID-19 treatment and who doesn’t. by David Armstrong and Marshall Allen Thursday, February 18, 2021 In early December, Miguel…
AstraZeneca told to justify unequal vaccine pricing amid soaring profits
“Why is the global south paying more than rich countries for your #Covid19 vaccine?” Global Justice Now asks the pharmaceutical giant, which has pledged not to profit from the vaccine during the pandemic. by Jessica Corbett,…
People over 75 are first in line to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The average Black person doesn’t live that long.
Prioritizing COVID-19 vaccinations for people 75 and up can leave out Black Americans, who tend to die younger than their white counterparts. In one majority-Black county, this age gap raises questions about how to make the…
Fauci: Vaccines for kids as young as first graders could be authorized by September
For this to happen by the start of the next school year, trials need to prove the vaccine is safe and effective in children. Experts say manufacturers aren’t moving quickly enough, and that this is important…
