Items
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HSE
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2021-02-11
Vaccine Censorship 1: RFK
RFK Jr has been censored for his opinions on vaccines. The secondary factor from this whole pandemic has been the evolution of social media and internet censorship of certain opinions and individuals. -
2021-02-10
Resist COVID Take 6! public art campaign targets misinformation, encourages vaccination
The grassroots public awareness campaign Take 6! has started an art-focused COVID-19 awareness campaign. Their goal is to raise awareness of COVID-19, the safety measures against it, and the importance of getting vaccinated. -
2021-01-27
Covid-19 Vaccines Mean an End to Isolation at a Retirement Home
Retirement home residents have started to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. For many, this means they can visit loved ones in different care units and see family. However, high COVID-19 rates are keeping some retirement and other care homes from letting their residents visit or have visitors. -
2021-02-07
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Growing up in Tampa seeing the Bucs win is a good thing. The first time in history a team played in their home city for a Super Bowl.... but COVID. It will be interesting to see if they do the parade and if they do what will happen. Undoubtebly people in Tampa are partying. I expect to see a 15% increase of COVID cases in Tampa at the very least. The 7-day average is currently 420 for cases reported. I have to recheck in 7-10 days. It will be interesting to see how big of an impact America's game will have. -
2021-02-07
Yearly Vaccine
Nobody I asked knows when they started doing the flu vaccine every year. With the rapid mutation of this virus, it seems COVID will be with us permanently like the flu. So yearly vaccines for COVID-19 would be necessary. It made me think if in a controlled environment the entire world went into lockdown for a month how many viruses and illnesses would that erase? -
2021-02-07
Super Bowl Sunday on a Balcony
Super Bowl Sunday on the balcony. Some occupants who live in an apartment across the way from us brought out a huge t.v. onto their balcony and have people over to sit outside on the balcony to watch the Super Bowl. This is a pure and precious moment. -
02/07/2021
Jo Ann Richey Oral History, 2021/02/07
This is an interview with Jo Ann Richey about her COVID-19 vaccination experience in January of 2021. She talks about how pandemic restrictions have affected her work and social life. She also speaks about where and how her vaccine was conducted. She includes personal insight into how she hopes the vaccines may change her life and society as whole in the future. Contributed by Clinton P. Roberts, HSE, for Arizona State University for the #RuralVoices and #VaccineStories collections -
2021-02-03
Victoria teachers applaud new B.C. school mask mandate
Victoria, B.C teachers appreciate the new mask mandate for middle and high students to wear masks in the classroom. Some teachers note that they wish they had also included elementary school students as well. Students will be allowed to remove their masks at their desks when there is a barrier present. British Columbia provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says that they are continually reviewing the guidelines. -
2021-02-05
Tempe Chiropractor Knows How to Bring Back Taste and Smell
A local Tempe chiropractor claims he found a fool-proof way to bring back the taste and smell of people who were once infected with Covid. The article states, "Dr. Ross said he simply stimulates the olfactory nerve and taste buds. Demonstrating how it works, Dr. Ross said, 'Have someone put their hand on their heart. The other finger, index finger, is going to be put right at the olfactory nerve, which is at the base of the brain, just above the sinuses. At that point, you're holding both of those. It's literally just a flick on the back of the head. The second part is they stick their tongue out and touch their finger to the tongue. Same thing again, flick them on the back of the head.'" This process has not been reviewed and Dr. Ross stated it might not work for everyone. -
2021-02-05
Troops to Help with Vaccine Roll-Out
The White House announced that 1,000 troops will be deployed to California in the next few weeks to aid with the vaccine roll out process. This is a single part of the Biden administration's "whole government" approach to ended the virus. The administration is already setting the goal of 1 million doses per day and may up that to 1.5 million. -
2021-02-05
Johnson & Johnson's Single-Dose Vaccine
Johnson & Johnson has submitted a request for emergency approval of their single dose vaccine. As the current vaccines require two doses, this would, in no doubt, help speed up the vaccination process. The down side is that this vaccine is around 30% less effective than the current vaccines. -
2020-02-04
Only in Florida...
A car was stolen in Florida containing up to 30 vials of the Covid-19 vaccine, worth around $10,000. Police issued a nationwide alert, and do not know if the suspect knew they were in the car or not. Only in Florida. -
2020-02-05
Pandemic Brand Reviews: Sprouts Farmer's Market Grocery
There is a Sprout's less than 2 miles away from my house. My parents would often go to buy fresh produce and snacks from the bulk section. Due to the pandemic, Sprout's no longer offers their self serve bulk section. Instead, there are prefilled bags. My parents no longer frequent Sprout's, I think because of this new policy, or perhaps better prices elsewhere. Because my close friend works at Sprout's, I visit her at work. With the exception of the bulk section, everything is still the same. However, I do see the curbside pickup and grocery delivery options being used more. My local Sprouts has designated some parking spots for curbside pickup. One time when I was visiting my friend, she was on Instacart (grocery delivery) shopping duty that day. I walked around with her around the store as she picked up the items that the customer requested. She had to be very quick and find the items immediately. Not only that, but if the phone beeped, she had to drop everything she was doing to deliver a curbside order. Being an essential worker in customer service is very hard work. I hope that people can acknowledge and appreciate their hustle. -
2020-02-05
Pandemic Brand Reviews: I Miss Costco
Costco is my absolute favorite place. It genuinely makes me so happy. Even going during the pandemic makes me happy. However, Costco is definitely not the same as pre-pandemic. Obviously, there are no free samples anymore. This is because it would be a health concern. Although I will miss munch and shopping, I understand that this cannot be expected during a pandemic. As of now, they have the free sample stations up but with just a display of the food. I know that the free sample employees are contracted by Costco. I haven't seen some of the familiar faces recently. This makes me worried, I hope they are still doing okay during the pandemic. I know that Costco cares about their employees, so I hope they found away for the free sample people to still keep their jobs. Another change I've noticed in my local Costco is the food court. The food court is Costco's loss leader, the delicious and extremely affordable food lures customers in and in turn makes them shop. Due to COVID, Costco's food court menu has been severely shorted. Fan favorites, such as the $1.50 hotdog with a free drink, chicken bake, and pizzas are still available. However, they are not the same products anymore. The hot dog, although still delicious, has a smaller bun. The chicken bake is completely different now. It looks more machine-made, and according to my father, does not taste the same. This really disappoints me, as the chicken bake is my absolute favorite item on the menu. The pizzas are only offered in cheese and pepperoni; the combo flavor has been kicked off. This also disappointed me because I only like the combo pizza. In addition, there are self checkout kiosks where you order and pay, then go up to the window to pick up your food. Other than the food, Costco is still the same. I think life will only be normal again for me when I can go to Costco on the weekend, shop and nibble on the free samples, and still leave room for a chicken bake and combo pizza to go. -
2020-02-05
Pandemic Observations: Unique Mask Problems
I often feel naked without a mask now. Sometimes I get the same scare of losing my mask that I get with my cell phone. It is without a doubt that masks have become an important motif in our pandemic-lives. I wanted to share some random struggles of wearing a mask. They are only minor inconveniences, but I think they provide excellence context to the current lifestyle. -Glasses fogging: Glasses wearers often find their glasses fogging up whenever they breathe with a mask on. Luckily, this is an easy fix. As long as the glasses are fitted over the mask, there should be no fogging. Sometimes the mask has to be pulled up a bit higher on the nose to achieve this. There are also sprays that prevent glasses from fogging. -Makeup: People who wear makeup often find the undersides of their masks smudged with foundation, concealer, blush, lipstick, etc. Some people opt not to put makeup on the bottom half of their faces to prevent this problem, others just embrace the makeup smudges. -Acne: many (typically young) people who wear masks for a prolonged find acne around where their masks were. This makes sense, as sweat and moisture collects in the mask. Proactive skin care, such as washing the face with a gentle cleanser or other acne-treatment solutions can alleviate this issue. I personally see this as a non issue, as no one can see the acne anyways because of the mask! -
2020-02-05
Father Received 2nd Dose
The other day I went with my dad to the State Farm Stadium vaccination site in Glendale and he got his 2nd Pfizer dose. It's amazing to know that for him the pandemic is "over", as he likely will not be hospitalized if he does contract Covid-19 in the future. As my father was my main concern being a young person, it lifts a weight of my shoulders knowing if I come back from class with Covid that I won't hurt him. Currently, he is the only one in my family, including extended, who has received it. He's apart of the minority of Americans who are fully vaccinated, hopefully the numbers will increase soon. -
2021-02-03
The Joy Of Receiving A COVID-19 Vaccine In A Nursing Home
Residents at a Colorado assisted living faclity got their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. They are now allowed to have gatherings as long as they continue social distance and wear a mask. Their family can also visit them once again as long as certain safety measures are followed. -
2021-02-03
Masks mandatory inside middle and high schools in B.C.
Masks are now mandatory inside middle and high schools in British Columbia, Canada. Elementary students are currently not required to. Schools are also asking for more money in order to help with improving safety for returning staff. While much of the population is currently wearing masks, the government has been relatively laissez-faire compared to the United States on compliance. -
2021-01-25
GoToトラベルと感染拡大の関係 詳しく分析すると・・・(2021年1月25日) - A detailed analysis of the relationship between GoTo Travel and the spread of infection ... (January 25, 2021)
This is a news that talks about the Go To Travel. Go To Travel in simple is a plan that the government set up in order for local areas to gain back the economy by supporting up to half the amount of travel fees. Using this A LOT of people traveled around Japan despite being in a pandemic. I always have thought that this traveling plan will cause more trouble, which it did. I translated the video. A group at Kyoto University has published a research paper stating that GoTo Travel "may have affected" the spread of the new coronavirus. The survey was conducted by a group of Professor Hiroshi Nishiura of Kyoto University and was published in the international medical journal "Journal of Clinical Medicine" on the 21st. The group survey analyzed about 4000 people infected with the new coronavirus in 24 prefectures from May to August last year. As a result, it was found that about 20% traveled across prefectures or were in contact with travelers. What is interesting is the comparison of the "incidence rate" of infected people around July 22, last year when Go To Travel started. According to the initial 5 days survey when Go To Travel started, the incidence of travel-related infected people has increased 1.44 times compared to the 5 days of the previous week. Furthermore, if the purpose of travel is limited to "sightseeing," the incidence rate jumps up to 2.62 times. Late July last year is the time of the "second wave" in Japan. However, the compared 5 days were also days with special conditions. That is, 4 out of 5 days from the start of GoTo were holidays and other holidays. And at this time, it was still before Go To was implemented in Tokyo. Professor Nishiura et al. paper did not conclude that GoTo Travel was the cause of the spread of the infection, but pointed out that it may have affected it, at least in the early stages. GoToトラベルが新型コロナウイルスの感染拡大に「影響した可能性がある」とする研究論文を京都大学のグループが発表しました。 調査は京都大学の西浦博教授らのグループが行い、21日に国際的な医学誌「ジャーナルオブクリニカルメディスン」に掲載されました。 グループの調査では去年5月から8月にかけて24の県で約4000人の新型コロナウィルスの感染者を分析。その結果、約2割が県をまたいで旅行したか、旅行者と接触していたことが分かりました。 興味深いのは、GoToトラベルが開始された去年7月22日前後の感染者の「発生率」の比較です。 GoToトラベル始まった当初5日間の調査だと、旅行に関連した感染者の発生率は前の週の5日間に比べて1.44倍に上がっています。さらに、旅行の目的を「観光」に限定すると、発生率は2.62倍にまで跳ね上がるのです。 去年7月下旬といえば、国内だと「第2波」の時期にあたります。 ただ、比較した5日間は特別な条件の日でもありました。それは、GoTo開始から5日間のうち4日が祝日などの休みであったということ。そしてこの時期、東京ではまだGoToの実施前だったということです。 西浦教授らの論文ではGoToトラベルが感染拡大の原因とは結論付けていないものの、少なくとも初期の段階では影響した可能性があると指摘しています。 -
2021-01-27
ワクチン集団接種“初訓練”3分想定も最大26分に(2021年1月27日) – Vaccine mass vaccination "first training" assumed 3 minutes and up to 26 minutes (January 27, 2021)
This was a news video where Kawasaki city in Japan conducted a practice round of vaccination process. Personally, I do get the reason why the practice is happening; however, Japan still doesn't have a set date of when vaccinations will actually happen. This news and event itself could lead to people having high hopes of getting vaccinations soon when in reality, it could take much longer. Unlike U.S., Japan does not have a culture of drive through, meaning people physically have to go to locations for the vaccines. Also, having large gatherings like this I personally think should be avoided and maybe they should have videotaped it and posted on YouTube on how to get vaccinated, instead of many people physically going to the place and learning how to be vaccinated. I have translated the video. After 1:00 pm on the 7th, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and Kawasaki City conducted a training for mass distribution of the new coronavirus vaccine. The training also cooperated with Pfizer, which supplies vaccines. About 40 vounteers of doctors, nurses, and patients checked the actual flow. At the venue, there was also a freezer where vaccines could be stored at a minus temperature 70 degrees or less. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has already conveyed the message of mass distribution to each local government. First, at the reception, complete the temperature measurement and identity verification, and fill in the questionnaire about your health condition and chronic illness. Next, a pre-examination will be conducted to see if the doctor can actually vaccinate, and if there are no problems, vaccination will be given. You will then need to wait 15-30 minutes to receive a vaccinated certificate and follow up for any side effects. According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, it takes 3 minutes per person from pre-examination to vaccination, and if it takes 7 hours, 280 people can get the vaccine a day. However, it is said that some people took up to 26 minutes from the pre-examination to the vaccination in the training. Kawasaki City College of Nursing, President Noboru Sakamoto: "I was a simulation patient today, but I feel like I would continue asking questions like ‘I am really scared of allergies from this vaccination’. People who are receiving the vaccination are most likely afraid so we would need to consider and adjust the fact that people will ask questions, for future vaccination sessions” the issue of selecting a venue was also pointed out. Kawasaki City College of Nursing, President Noboru Sakamoto: "I think it's okay if it's a gymnasium, but when it comes to elementary, junior high and high schools, we use it in regular class for students. Once vaccination starts, we have to use it for at least half a year or a long period of time. Given that it is unbearable, we will not be able to use gymnasiums that are used for education every day.” Some local governments cannot prepare large venues. In Izu Oshima, which has a population of about 7,500, we plan to vaccinate at the Oshima Medical Center, the only medical institution on the island. Oshima Town Welfare Health Division, Tetsuya Yoshizawa, Chief: "We plan to have Saturdays and Sundays, which are holiday medical treatment days, considering the system of medical staff. If that is not enough, we are considering about one day from the weekday. However, the trouble is that we have to vaccination twice. This is just new for us.” The vaccine will be shipped by ship, but the schedule may be affected depending on the weather. Tetsuya Yoshizawa, Chief of the Oshima Town Welfare Health Division: "Of course, depending on the weather conditions, it may be canceled. If we can't see when the vaccine will arrive, it's hard to prepare.” Vaccines are first transported from warehouses that can be stored at ultra-low temperatures to hospitals equipped with freezing facilities. However, since the number of facilities equipped with freezing facilities is limited, we plan to refrigerate the facilities and transport them to each vaccination site and facilities for the elderly. The government plans to secure 10,000 ultra-low temperature freezers and aims to complete the installation by the end of May. At a facility for the elderly in Chiba City, we have begun to consider whether vaccination can be done at the facility. This is because elderly people with dementia are admitted and it is difficult to take them to the vaccination site. Chiba Workers Welfare Association, Megumi Kadowaki, Director of Nursing Care: "If possible, it is safest to ask a" family doctor "and inject the vaccine." However, whether the family doctor is given permission to inject the new corona vaccine is still unknown. In addition, Ms. Kadowaki wants the procedure for vaccination to be as simple as possible. Chiba Workers Welfare Association, Megumi Kadowaki, Long-term Care Manager: "Employees are doing their best to prevent infection and protect users of the center, so I would like you to reduce the new office work as much as possible" because there are still those who cannot visit the vaccination. Dr. Tomitsuka is visiting the clinic in Ota-ku, Tokyo. There are currently 60 patients on-site. In the middle of this month, Ota-ku recruited doctors to register as vaccination doctors for patients, including me. He says he intends to join, but he is worried about carrying the vaccine. Director of Seseragi Clinic Tamagawa Taro Tomitsuka: "The biggest fear is that the vaccine's effect is lost after transportation because the environment of minus several ten degrees cannot be maintained. At the end, I have to vaccinate it. I am accustomed to storing and transporting the vaccine. I really want people who are used in transporting and maintaining the temperature to do it.” It is said that cooperation with doctors will become more important in the future toward the first vaccination. Director of Seseragi Clinic Tamagawa / Taro Tomitsuka: "I think it's safer and more secure if you leave it to your family doctor, but on the other hand, it's a vaccination that requires speed, so you can involve local doctors well.” Minister Kono met with the presidents of the National Mayors' Association. Minister Kono, in charge of vaccination: "I told you that vaccination of the elderly will be after April 1st at the earliest. 7日午後1時過ぎ、厚生労働省と川崎市による新型コロナウイルスワクチンの集団接種の訓練が行われました。訓練は、ワクチンを供給するファイザーも協力。医師や看護師、患者役などのエキストラ約40人で、実際の流れを確認します。会場には、マイナ70度以下でワクチンを保管できる冷凍庫も用意されました。 厚労省は、すでに、集団接種のイメージを各自治体に伝えています。まず受付で、検温や本人確認などを済ませ、健康状態や持病などを問診票に記入。次に、実際に医師が接種できるかどうかを診る予診を行い、問題がなければワクチン接種を行います。その後、接種済みの証明書を受け取り、副反応が出ないかの経過観察のため、15~30分、待機する必要があります。 厚労省は、予診から接種まで1人3分で、7時間行えば、一日280人が、ワクチンを打つことができるとしています。ただ、訓練では予診から接種まで、最大で26分かかった人もいたといいます。 川崎市立看護短期大学・坂元昇学長:「きょうは模擬患者だったが、つい本音で『これってアレルギーが怖いんですね』とか、お医者さんを目の前にすると、そういう話が延々と続いてしまう。受けられる方は不安だろうから、たくさん質問するというものを今後、どうやって調整するか」 会場選びの課題も指摘されました。 川崎市立看護短期大学・坂元昇学長:「体育館だったらなんでもいいやと思われるが、小中高校になると、通常の授業で使う。いったん予防接種が始まれば、少なくとも半年とか、長い期間、使わざる負えないということを考えると、日々、教育で使うような体育館等は使えないだろう」 大きな会場が用意できない自治体もあります。人口約7500人の伊豆大島では、島内唯一の医療機関・大島医療センターで接種を行う予定です。 大島町福祉けんこう課・吉澤哲也課長:「医療従事者の体制等も考えて、休日の診療日にあたる土曜、日曜を予定。それで対応しきれない場合は、平日いずれかの曜日1日くらいを考えている。ただ、厄介なのが2回、接種しなければいけないというところで。いかんせん何もかも初めてなので」 ワクチンは船で運ばれる予定ですが、天候次第でスケジュールに影響が出る可能性もあります。 大島町福祉けんこう課・吉澤哲也課長:「当然、天候状況によっては“欠航”ということもある。我々もワクチンが、いつごろ手元に届くのか、その辺が見えてこないと、準備のほうもなかなか進めるに進められない」 ワクチンは、超低温保存ができる倉庫から、まずは、冷凍設備が整った病院などに運ばれます。ただ、冷凍設備が整った施設は限られているため、その後は、冷蔵で、各接種会場や高齢者施設などに運ばれていく予定です。政府は、超低温冷凍庫を1万台確保する方針で、5月中の設置完了を目指しています。 千葉市にある高齢者施設では、施設で接種ができないかと検討を始めました。入所しているのが認知症の高齢者で、接種会場へ連れていくことが難しいためです。 千葉勤労者福祉会・門脇めぐみ介護部長:「できれば“かかりつけ医”が問診をして、ワクチンを接種してしただくのが一番、安心」 ただ、かかりつけ医に新型コロナのワクチンの接種許可が下りるかは、まだ、わからないといいいます。さらに、門脇さんは、接種までの手続きなどを、なるべく簡潔にしてほしいと訴えます。 千葉勤労者福祉会・門脇めぐみ介護部長:「職員は、感染対策と利用者さんを守ることで精いっぱいなので、新たに生じる事務作業は極力減らしていただきたい」 接種会場に足を運べない人は、まだいます。東京都大田区で訪問診療を行っている富塚医師。訪問診療している患者は現在60人います。今月中旬には、大田区から患者にワクチン接種をする医師として登録するよう呼び掛けられました。応じるつもりだといいますが、ワクチンを運ぶことに不安があるといいます。 せせらぎクリニック多摩川・富塚太郎院長:「マイナス数十度の環境が保てなくて、ワクチンの効果が運搬後になくなっているというのが最大の恐怖。最後は私が打つ。ワクチンの保存と運搬は慣れた人にしていただきたいのが本音」 初めてのワクチン接種に向け、今後は、医師の連携が、より大切になってくるといいます。 せせらぎクリニック多摩川・富塚太郎院長:「かかりつけ医に任せていただければ、より安全・安心で、対処できると思うけど、一方で、速さを求められているワクチン接種なので、うまく地域の医者を巻き込んでいただければなと」 河野大臣は、全国市長会会長らと会談しました。 “ワクチン接種”担当・河野大臣:「高齢者のワクチン接種が、早くても4月1日以降になるとお伝えした。 -
2021-02-03
Is COVID-19 vaccine distribution fair and equitable in Arizona?
Minorities have been hard hit by COVID-19 and some want to ensure that they are receiving the vaccine. However, some states, like Arizona, are not providing that information. It is unclear whether the demographics data isn't being collected or if the information just isn't being released to the public. -
2021-01-08
Where Campuses Reopened, Covid-19 Cases Spiked. Where Colleges Went Remote, They Declined.
This article compares the responses taken by higher ed institutions during the pandemic. -
2021-01-30
Arizona doctors issue warning about MIS-C; a rare condition possibly caused by COVID-19
It is believed that children that contract COVID-19 are developing Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C) after recovering. MIS-C can cause organs and skin to become inflames as well as cause high fevers. Doctors are warning parents about MIS-C because it can be deadly when not treated. -
2021-02-01
Vaccine Story
Introduce yourself, where you live, age, and occupation Randall McNerlin, 73, of Phoenix Arizona. Retired airline pilot. · How did you feel before getting the vaccine Physically, I felt find before getting the vaccine, although I was a little concerned about the possible consequences of getting the virus before I could get vaccinated. I had had numerous instances of close contacts with people not wearing masks. I had always worn a mask in public since the early spread of the virus but still felt exposed on occasion. · You can record the moment you get the vaccine/if you already received it, what do you remember and where were you? The day I got the vaccine, I had received word that there was a walk in line, referred to as aisle four, at the State Farm coliseum. I took my wife and son with me in hopes we could all be vaccinated but we were turned away when I told the admittance guards that I had no appointment. I determined to try again the next day but came alone. I told the guard that I had an appointment but once in line I told the volunteer agents that I was hoping to get in as a stand-by. They offered me the shot and I was very relieved to have started down the path of getting some immunity started. · What vaccine did you get (if you know) Pfizer · How did you feel about getting the vaccine? Grateful to science, grateful to the luck of being where one was available and relieved. · Why did you get the vaccine? I listened to science and logic dictated that the achievement of herd immunity of the public was of paramount importance. I wanted to be part of the solution. -
2021-02-01
Covid-19 in One Word VI: Exhausting
This word comes from a peer, an over-worker overthinker, someone who lost much in the pandemic. Exhausting: extremely tiring Too much of anything is tiring. Too much of a bad thing is exhausting. It’s like never being able to shut your eyes and take a rest. There is no break from living in a pandemic. Leave the house for a break? Mask. Relax with friends? Social distance. Go out for a fun time? Entertainment closed. We are not living in a pandemic; we are living the pandemic. This means there are no breaks. There are no pauses. There are no escapes. Even when you get tired of living this way, you still have to do it. That makes things exhausting almost daily for some people. So where can people go for relief? When it all gets too much, how do you find rest? This is something many people have had to find the answer to during this time of isolation. Without a determined end in sight, it is crucial that people learn how to live in a world permanently changed. For some, this has taken a mental form in meditation, yoga, writing, art expression. For others, physical outlets such as running, lifting, creative ways to stay active, new sports, and more have helped give breaks from a crazy world. Most have tried many new hobbies with various successes and failures. On the other hand, for some, this has been the break. Without corporate ties and office hostages, people are finding themselves more relaxed now than they have been for years. Being home has opened families to more time together and opportunities to grow closer. Still, even these people, at times, find this new life exhausting. In all cases, too much of this pandemic is exhausting. -
2021-01-30
Promising COVID-19 Vaccine News Has Some Itching To Travel Again
COVID-19 has led to many restrictions on travel, both domestic and international. Some families have already started planning for their next trip after the pandemic. The travel industry has taken a major financial hit due to the pandemic and many are hoping that regular travel will resume this year. -
2021-01-31
Phoenix Municipal Stadium to Serve as Valley's Second State-Run Vaccination Site
Already more than a month into Arizona's vaccination program, the state has just announced its second vaccination site for the Phoenix area, one of the largest metro areas in the US. The rollout has been slow, with only a little more than half of one million people having received the vaccine as of 30 January, 2021. -
2020-01-28
IMMY Labs offers POD to help distribute Oklahoma vaccinations
IMMY Labs is a local company in my area that had previously offered free COVID testing to Oklahomans. Starting last week IMMY Labs created a POD at the Embassy Suites in Norman, Oklahoma. This offered senior citizens and healthcare workers the opportunity to receive the Pfizer vaccine and automatically sign up for the follow up vaccination. The POD is processing approximately 1200 people a day. Before many people in my area were driving up to 150 or more miles, roundtrip, to try to get vaccines. This has greatly improved availability for the elderly in my area. -
2021-01-07
A Virtual Funeral is Now Normal
On January 7, 2021 I attended a virtual funeral service for a friend's husband. This was the first time I had seen an online funeral. It was streamed on Youtube while the closest family and friends attended in person. I watched the service from my phone alone at work. It felt surreal. I recognized several friends on the tiny screen with familiar voices, but it felt far away. Since then I have spoken to a few people and mentioned how I felt disconnected to be on the other side of the screen. Many others had similar stories about these kinds of services. It was now normal to experience these things, but I can't shake the feeling of how much the experience continues to bother me. I hope some day online services won't be necessary. -
2020-12-17
Attending a Family Funeral During COVID-19
Standing outside in the cold dry wind, everyone was wearing masks. Small groups were huddled together but each grouping apart from the other. This was not how it was meant to be. The week before Christmas, I experienced this attending a relative's funeral. The pandemic made a traditional funeral impossible. Typically the gathering would be large and focused on coming together for strength. The service was minimized to a graveside service where social distancing could be practiced. The death was not COVID related, but the resulting affects of COVID completely disrupted our most guarded family traditions. The inconveniences of daily COVID restrictions seem trivial in comparison to the large moments that can never be replaced. Our family hopes for a future day when we can properly mourn this loss hand in hand. -
2021-01-28
B.C. couple accused of flying to Yukon to get COVID-19 shots face six months in jail
Vancouver couple faces up to six months of jail or fines due to them traveling to the Yukon territory to get vaccinated, skipping the line. The vaccines were reserved for First Nations which have less access to healthcare. -
2020-10-19
Olivine and their Art
Sometimes all we have to do in times of stillness is to create, and with some people lucky enough to be granted with a few extra bits of time they create, whether for projects for an art class or for personal reasons, humanity will always be able to communicate complex ideas through the ideography we all know that is art. Olivine is a friend of mine and I wish to share art from all walks of life to this archive to share the story of individual artists and how they speak to us through their art. Whether it be emotion or just an idea for a story, it will always translate between languages and cultures. -
2021-01-29
Nostalgia in the Pandemic
For those who have been on the Internet for longer which is the norm, many will remember what memes were in their early days. This Twitter has been working on showing them off to cause both nostalgia and a tinge of nausea from things that have been sleeping deep in the back of some people's mine, including my own. -
2020-07-11
Q Anon Shaman Video
Back when there was a rumor that COVID-19 couldn't survive in the Arizona heat. This guy is one of the people who got a platform during the Trump COVID era. This is a must-see video for future research into pandemic skeptics. -
2021-01-28
The New Utopia
This Vox article by Sarah Khan is about the phenomenon of "pandemic tourism" to tropical places such as Tulum, Mexico; and Honolulu, Hawaii. According to Khan, these tourists, usually Western, seek to escape quarantine restrictions in their home countries and risk the health of foreigners by bringing COVID-19 with them. -
2021-01-25
"The Pandemic Is Finally Softening. Will That Last?" - The Atlantic
This Atlantic Monthly article, written by Robinson Meyer, details the race to vaccinate millions of Americans in the face of loosening mitigation efforts, new COVID-19 strains, and supply bottlenecks. According to Meyer, with the advent of several COVID-19 vaccines, some states and municipal governments across the country have loosened their quarantine restrictions in the belief that vaccination and lower death rates make lockdowns unnecessary. This is not true, and this loosening of restrictions may precipitate further surges in COVID-19 cases, especially as new strains from the UK and South Africa become endemic. Fewer vaccine doses will be delivered by Pfizer, due to an agreement signed by the Trump administration. -
2020-01-28
Forced Quarantine
Earlier this year, during my winter break, my brother was sent home two days before his high school finals. Someone in his class that he sat next/near to had contracted COVID, so as a precaution, he was sent home to quarantine. My brother was less worried about possibly having COVID himself, and more angry about having to make up his finals the next quarter (speaks a lot about our education system). I asked him who was the person that got COVID, and he said it was probably the girl behind him, but she said she didn't have it, and her friend that sat next to her backed it up. We drew out the seating chart and concluded that it HAD to be that girl, because everyone who was sent to quarantine was sitting around her. I told him that she probably just lied about not having COVID, because people would probably get mad at her. I personally would get angry myself if I was prevented from taking my finals, but I understand the girl's reasoning. No want wants to be bullied for getting sick, or called "COVID-girl," or whatever. -
2020-01-28
COVID Testing Troubles
I needed to submit a negative COVID test in order to go back to my apartment, so I went to a free drive-thru COVID test at my local community college. The lines were long, but surprisingly quick. However, I was surprised that I was not given a straw to spit my saliva into the tube with. In my previous COVID tests at my college, a straw was given. I had a bunch of saliva saved up in my mouth in anticipation, but I when I got my tube, I spit saliva on everything but the tube. My pants were drenched in my own spit, it was nasty. It was also kind of hard and awkward to drive through the line and spit at the same time. However, I was really impressed at how fast and efficient the testing process was. I ran into another issue later, when I got my test results via text but not through my official patient portal. I had to wait on call for around 20 minutes to request that my results be uploaded so that I could send proof of a PCR COVID test to my university. Despite these mild hiccups, I encourage people to get tested regularly if they think they have been in contact, or have symptoms. -
2020-01-28
Everyone But Me is Vaccinated
As of today, 1/28/2021, many people have already had their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Many of my friends and family members work in healthcare, so they are either on their first or second dosages. I myself have not had the vaccine, as I do not work in healthcare. I was surprised to see that this vaccine has more side effects than typical vaccines. After their shot, many feel their arm may be sore, or get exceptionally tired. My family member, after their second dose, felt slightly feverish. Luckily, these are the expected side effects, and they don't last more than around 1-2 days! I believe that they are now extending vaccines to front-line workers such as police, firefighters, etc in Arizona. Arizona has not been very good at social distancing, and I know many people personally who have gotten COVID (who luckily have recovered), so I hope that the general public can have access to the vaccine soon. -
2021-01-27
Pfizer Covid-19 Vaccine Works Against Mutations Found in U.K, South Africa Variants, Lab Study Finds
With the emergence of new COVID-19 mutations, people have been worried about the effectiveness of the new vaccine. Studies have been conducted to see how effective the vaccines are against the mutations with Pfizer's vaccine showing to be effective against both new strains. -
2021-01-25
Biden keeps COVID-19 travel restrictions for Europe and Brazil, adds South Africa
New travel bans. In reference to new strains discovered in South Africa and England. -
2021-01-18
Carl E. Skenes
Obituary of Carl E. Skenes The man was able to catch bullets in his mouth. what a savage. -
2021-01-09
Twitter hides post about COVID-19 vaccine conspiracy theory on Iran supreme leader's account
Another COVID related regional tension. Interesting to watch geopolitical conflicts play out regionally in relation to COVID. As China, Iran, and Russia strengthen their alliance and control over central Asia. -
2021-01-21
Iran’s Khamenei bans the import of U.S. and U.K. coronavirus vaccines
I wonder how local regions around Iran will react to this proclamation. Iran a country paranoid of America for legitimate reasons. How many other countries treat America with such a paranoid predisposition. The tragic answer to that question would be; we deserve it. -
2021-01-21
MW: Should I Get Tested
The CVS next to my house offers COVID tests. The test is the nose swab one and I really don't want that. I have gotten a nose swab before and remember it being very unpleasant. However, I have been exposed to a situation where I may potentially have been exposed. I don't have any symptoms but the thought of the nose swab is stressful. I wish they had less invasive tests near me. -
2021-01-13
Space Sweepers
The first Korean space blockbuster is set to release soon. Korean film and media and culture truly have advanced during the past 5 years of my life and it is good to see parts of my culture be spread far. -
2021-01-12
Mariya Takeuchi
With the re-release of Plastic Love onto Spotify, I have been listening to it on repeat for hours on end to help through the melancholic times of the monotony known as these wretched times. This art resonated with me, so thus I submit it along with other art that I feel encapsulates the soul of creative thinkers during this time. -
2021-01-11
Ominous Furbies
This piece of art was done by a Japanese artist during the pandemic. It is of various Furbies in various monochrome settings. -
2020-12-08
90-Year-Old Woman Becomes First Person to be Vaccinated
The 90-year-old woman, Maggie, became the first person to received the fully tested and approved COVID-19 vaccine as the United Kingdom became the first country to approve the vaccine. This was remarkable due to how fast the vaccine was developed. This could be considered the beginning of the end of the pandemic. -
2020-12-08
You Still Need to Wear a Mask Even if You're Vaccinated
Just because someone gets vaccinated does not automatically mean that they are completely immune to COVID-19. The article states, “A lot of people are thinking that once they get vaccinated, they’re not going to have to wear masks anymore,” said Michal Tal, an immunologist at Stanford University. “It’s really going to be critical for them to know if they have to keep wearing masks, because they could still be contagious.” People can be vaccinated and still contract and spread the virus.