Items

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  2021-06-08

  Back To "Normal"

  With the distribution of the vaccine everyone thought things were going back to normal. The pandemic seemed like it was coming to a close. Institutions were beginning to lift the indoor mask-wearing requirements for vaccinated individuals per the CDC's announcement. St Mary's University was one of these of these places. Unfortunately with the rise of the Delta variant St. Mary's had to revoke their decision regarding masks a few weeks later. It was back to "normal" mask-wearing policies no matter what your vaccination status. I, like many others, was disappointed by masks being required again. Too often I had been made late by trying to find a mask to take or even running back to my house or car because I forgot mine. Or ran embarrassed out of a store because I forgot to wear one the entire time I was shopping. I also missed putting on makeup below my eyes, a ritual that helped me feel more put together. They're simple, silly reasons for not wanting to wear a mask anymore but to me they represented normalcy.
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  2021-09-02

  The Delta Variant Is Hammering the Southeastern U.S.

  This is a news article about Southern U.S. states and the rising number of cases involving the delta variant of the coronavirus. This article presents statistics of in Louisiana, Florida, Mississippi, and Arkansas where the highest rates of delta variant cases is the highest.
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  2021-09-16

  "Masks at the Big E: Mask mandate will take effect in West Springfield as Big E begins 17-day run"

  This MassLive article reports on the Board of Health's decision to enact an indoor mask mandate, which will affect the Eastern States Exposition, or Big E, held annually in West Springfield, MA. The New England fair was cancelled in 2020 and is trying to make a comeback in 2021 despite the pandemic.
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  2021-09-20

  "Despite COVID and mask mandate, The Big E had its largest Sunday attendance for an opening weekend in a decade"

  This article reports on the crowds on the third day of the Eastern States Exposition. Commonly referred to as the Big E, the Eastern States Exposition is a New England fair held at the end of September in West Springfield, Massachusetts. It was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic, and town residents have concerns about the Big E in 2021.
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  2021-08-04

  Tips from the ER

  Steve is a retired ER tech who has combined comedy with medical advice. In this clip, he uses humor to break down why being vaccinated is better than avoiding the vaccine even though it is still possible to contract the covid virus.
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  2021-08-03

  Returning to Campus Fall 2021 at KSU

  This email document's Kennesaw State University's approach to addressing the delta variant of COVID-19 through encouraging vaccination.
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  2021-07-28

  The spread of Covid-19

  "cnn Covid-19 cases have jumped as the Delta variant gains in prominence across the US. Every state saw more Covid-19 cases reported in the past week than the week previous, according to John Hopkins University data."
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  2021-07-29

  Delta Surge

  "CNN Arkansas Children's Hospital reports a record number of children are hospitalized with Covid-19 as the illness continues to prey upon the state's unvaccinated population. Dr. Rick Barr said parents have been shocked because the messaging has been that kids don't really get sick with Covid-19 - but now child hospitalizations have become more common."
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  2021-07-14

  Protests in France against COVID-19 'health pass' rules

  Police in Paris clashed with protesters railing against President Emmanuel Macron's plan to require a COVID-19 vaccine certificate or negative PCR test to gain entry to bars, restaurants and cinemas from next month. Macron this week announced sweeping measures to fight a rapid surge in new coronavirus infections, including the mandatory vaccination of health workers and new health pass rules for the wider public. In doing so, he went further than most other European nations have done as the highly contagious Delta variant fans a new wave of cases, and other governments are watching carefully to see how the French public responds.