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2021-04-10
Gargle Test Provided to Vancouver Schools, Easy & Accessible Testing at Home
In order to relieve some stress for COVID-19 testing, the BC Children's hospital in Vancouver, Canada is supplying 1,200 testing kits to 1,000 schools. It's supposed to be replenished as needed. However, the main purpose is to make testing more accessible (without medical facility visitations). Those who show symptoms, or simply get a runny nose, may be sent home. -
2021-04-17
North Dakota begins testing sewage for COVID-19 variants
Like many other states, North Dakota has started to test their sewage for COVID-19 variants. Although the testing can't track down the virus to specific households, it can determine if the city still has COVID-19 and what variants are present. -
2020-02-09
Drop-off COVID testing
ASU just announced a drop-off COVID-19 saliva testing program. Testing at ASU and in the community, thanks to the ASU Biodesign Institute, has been more accessible and efficient compared to other states. Now, ASU is letting people pick up kits, fill them, and drop them off at a collection box. Results are speedy, returned within about 48 hours. It's reassuring to work in an enivornment that takes the public health crisis seriously and is actively taking measures to reduce risk and exposure. -
2021-02-05
Antibody test in 5 cities nationwide 0.91% antibody possession in Tokyo (February 5, 2021)
This news covers the antibody rate in Japan, specifically in main cities like Tokyo, Osaka, etc. Because the rate of COVID-19 increased A LOT because people are still outside not taking social distance rules, I did expect the percentage to be higher, and it was. In trains, it is packed with people, and Japan is very analog in terms of remote working. A lot of companies still do not allow remote working plus do not change the time that the employees need to clock in and thus everyone commutes around the same time. Plus, because its winter and its cold, the trains and just local restaurants cannot open windows the whole time. Video translated by me. The antibody test conducted by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in five cities nationwide to check the infection history of the new coronavirus found that 0.9% of people in Tokyo have the antibodies. It has increased nine times from half a year ago. Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Tamura: "There is considerable variation in numbers among local governments. Many people are infected and there is no herd immunity." Last December, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare conducted antibody tests on approximately 15,000 people in Tokyo, Osaka, Miyagi, Aichi, and Fukuoka. Using two types of tests, those who are confirmed to have the antibodies in both tests are judged as "positive". As a result, it was found that 0.91% in Tokyo, 0.58% in Osaka, 0.14% in Miyagi, 0.54% in Aichi, and 0.19% in Fukuoka had antibodies. In the survey conducted in June last year, Tokyo was 0.1%. 厚生労働省が全国の5都市で新型コロナウイルスの感染歴を調べる抗体検査をした結果、東京都では0.9%の人が抗体を持っていることが分かりました。半年前の9倍に増えています。 田村厚労大臣:「かなり自治体でばらつきが出ている。多くの方がかかって集団免疫という話では全然ない」 厚労省は去年12月、東京・大阪・宮城・愛知・福岡で約1万5000人を対象に抗体検査を実施しました。 2種類の試薬を使い、両方で陽性が確認された人を「陽性」と判定しています。 その結果、東京で0.91%、大阪で0.58%、宮城で0.14%、愛知で0.54%、福岡で0.19%の人が抗体を持っていたことが分かりました。 去年6月の調査では東京は0.1%でした。 -
2020-11-11
Just One Positive Wedding Guest
What started with one positive wedding guest, led to 50 infected guests, 10 infected households, and a deadly outbreak in a long-term care home which resulted in 81 cases. In total, this large outbreak triggered three hospitalizations and one COVID-19 death. -
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. -
2020-01-19
Third Semester Teaching during COVID-19
I teach a few medical-based courses at Northeastern University. We are now in our third semester during the COVID pandemic. Working with the university, we have been able to keep our courses in-person which has been critical for the students to be able to practice the skills required to be healthcare providers. The students wear full PPE (facemasks, eye protection, medical gowns, and gloves) to enable them to work closer than 6 feet with each other. This, along with the university's robust testing procedures allow the students to come in for classes. Thankfully this is the case, as these are skills and experiences that cannot be properly learned in a remote setting. Our students feel safe, and appreciate the university working with us to be able to provide the in-person experiences during this pandemic. -
2021-01-30
Round Valley Indian Tribes, COVID testing and welfare checks
This is a webpage hosted by the Round Valley Indian Tribes to present COVID-19 testing information (downloadable flyer), procedures to follow to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, and a form to request assistance related to COVID-19 impacts. -
2020-10-15
COVID Scare
Going through the pandemic, I always knew how serious the situation was especially considering how large the number of cases were in Arizona. However, despite all of the people that were getting sick, I never had anyone that I knew who contracted the virus through most of the Pandemic. That was until late 2020. Now due to the precautions I knew I had to take, the only two places that I ever really visited apart from staying at my own home were my parents' houses. My mom and step-dad were extremely cautious when it came to the Pandemic and so too were my dad and step-mom however, I knew because my dad was an essential worker he would be exposed a bit more. One October day, my heart sank when I got a call from my Father telling me that he tested positive for the virus. This sparked a number of fears throughout my head like: "Is my father going to be okay, especially considering he has pre-existing conditions that would make it worse?", " When was the last that I was exposed to my father in timing when he tested positive for the virus?", "Who else could have gotten sick from my father... my step-mom or worse my 6-year-old sister?". The first thing I did, despite remembering that luckily it had been about two weeks from seeing my father, was get tested. I ended up testing negative, but I was extremely worried for my father and my step-mother who I later learned also contracted it. This was the first time I ever dealt with knowing that someone I knew that was close to me got the Virus. I truly feared for my family member's lives. I remember constantly calling my father to see how he was doing and hearing the struggle with the virus in his voice. Luckily, both my parents would make it through the sickness okay. My sister also was able to be taken care of by my step-aunt which was also a relief. As time passed and as my family tested negative for COVID-19, I would be able to visit them again. But, now I truly understood the severity of the pandemic and that the virus held no bias in who it targeted. -
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. -
2020-11-19
the impact covid had in my life.
Covid had kind of a big effect i my family due to my aunt that had got covid and had to be looked up in her room. It was bad because my grandma was over at her house the whole time she had it and we couldn't bring her over to are house. After she found out she had covid me and my brothers had to go take the test also because we had been so close to her those past weeks. We went to go get the test done and had to wait 7 days for the results after the 7 days we called to get are results and we all came out negative. My mom and dad had gone before me and my brothers because we were scared it was going to hurt but my parents said it didn't that's why me and my brothers went to get the test done. It didn't hurt it just tickled when they were putting it in your nose. -
2020-12-09
Covid Testing Zones
as April as covid was trending upwards becoming more of a concern I decided to get tested along with my father. Knowing the virus is such wide spread and many people would be getting testing they would have a fast functioning and safe testing center, this is not always the case. Typically you would find yourself in a Long line with many others waiting about 30-1hr to first get seen than tested. most people would not abide by the social distancing rules, get to close to each other in line. -
2020-12-14
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Coronavirus Tracker
An interactive website that lets users look through the path of COVID-19 in Canada -
2020-12-07
Newfoundland and Labrador out of Atlantic bubble until at least January, according to Premier Furey
Newfoundland and Labrador premier Andrew Furey states why the province pulled out of the Atlantic Bubble. -
2020-11-26
New Brunswick (N.B.) pulls out of Atlantic bubble; Fredericton region moving to orange phase
This new article includes statements from N.B. premier Blaine Higgs and why it was necessary for New Brunswick to pull out of the Atlantic Bubble. -
2020-12-07
Untraced Outbreak Causes Stress on P.E.I.
A statement from Prince Edward Island Public Health Department concerning a recent outbreak with no known source -
2020-12-02
Epidemiological Summary of COVID-19 in Canada
A summary of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths in Canada -
2020-12-13
COVID-19 Canada Canadian Outbreak Tracker
This is an interactive outbreak map that provides information regarding the total number of cases, deaths, and recoveries. -
2020-12-08
Drive-Thru Testing in P.E.I.
Despite showing symptoms or not, residents between the ages of 20 to 29 were asked to get tested in Charlottetown, P.E.I.. Responding to the provinces demands many showed up to drive-thru testing clinics causing long lines and wait times. During this time, P.E.I tested 2,000 people. All results were negative. -
2020-12-13
How it Feels to Get Tested for COVID-19
Local Halloween decoration humorously depicts how it feels to be tested with a nasal swab. This test is uncomfortable as the swab is inserted through your nasal cavity and brushed against the back of your throat. The irritating sensation causes your eyes to water but it should not feel painful. -
2020-12-13
Chengdu has began to test everyone in Pidu
Chengdu has been to test every members in Pidu community to make sure there were no more members that were infected with COVID-19. The local government plans to test 34 thousands people within 24 hours. -
2020
Know the Difference: Self-Monitoring, Self-isolation, and Isolation for COVID-19
Table created by the Public Health Agency of Canada, for determining the difference between self-monitoring, self-isolation, isolation -
2020-05-26
Accessible Testing
In response to Premier Doug Ford's disappointment about the number of tests being done in Ontario, the County of Renfrew Paramedic Service is mobilizing to offer drive-thru clinics for anybody in the county who wants to be tested for COVID-19 in order to keep up with the provinces' testing demands. Dr. Theresa Tam and chief public health officer of Canada says, "This is a wonderful example of the health-care system coming together to ensure that no one is left behind and it highlights the important role paramedics play in linking communities to health-care settings". -
2020
How effective is Quebec's contact tracing?
Public health PhD Carl-Etienne Juneau speaks about difficulties of contact tracing in Quebec. -
2020-07-04
Suivre la trace du coronavirus dans les égouts
In anticipation of a second wave of COVID-19, Canadian scientists are currently working to set up a detection system based on organic waste that ends up in sewers. -
2020
COVID Alert App
The Government of Canada created the COVID Alert App to breaking the cycle of infection. This app can let app users know of possible exposures to the virus before any symptoms can appear. Thanks to this app, we can reduce the spread of infection, take care of ourselves and protect our communities. -
2020-09-10
North West Territories Unique Tracing Method
A news article from the CBC detailing the use of a wastewater surveillance system for early warning of outbreaks in the North West Territories -
2020-07-15
Yukon Testing Guidelines
The guidelines from the Yukon Government on who should be tested and how healthcare professionals should perform those tests. -
2020-11-04
Isolation
This is a picture of the gifts that Northeastern had sent to me while I was in Isolation after testing positive. This story is special to me because it shows the community that is shown towards others even through hard times. Northeastern still took care of me as a student and person even after I had tested positive. This attention towards students is what creates a strong academic community and should be displayed towards everyone. -
2020-12-02
The Covid-19 Pandemic
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit America in March of 2020, all of us were caught off guard and unaware of how long this would last. Today we have adjusted our way of living with the promise that things would go back to how they used to be but with no promise date. Being honest, i don't think life will ever return to the way things were before this pandemic, but that could have positive effects potentially. Surface level things like wearing a mask on public transportation and to doctors offices and such, but also deeper things like the public movement for young people to be conscious of the effects their actions have and a need to protect our elderly. My story was that of a high school senior, graduating during a pandemic, and now a college freshman at Northeastern University still trying to learn while a pandemic is going on. Not to mention I live in a hotel instead of a dorm, making my freshman year housing the best housing I'll have during my whole college career. There have been many adjustments that is just part of the social norm now, like me freaking out when i forget my mask in my room; a mask being just as important as having my phone and my wallet. Getting tested every three days is now not only normal, but expected and upheld by the students. Even with all these precautions taken by the university and myself, I currently am positive for Covid-19. It's been an experience to say the least, and I was not one of those fortunate patients to have no symptoms partly because I do have asthma. Yet through this the Northeastern Wellness department has done an amazing job of making sure I was connected to a doctor and safely isolating as well as quickly contact tracing everyone. I'm currently recovering and still able to do my work thats thankfully online as well as in person, but I could easily switch to remote learning. -
2020-11-24
Putin Not Allowed To Take Russian Vaccine
Interesting how Donald Trump was given experimental treatments for his COVID-19 incident but Vladimir Putin is not allowed to take the Russian vaccine. This is not a good look for the vaccine. Understandable though you wouldn't want the head of state taking an experimental drug barring a critical circumstance -
2020-11-24
England Allowing Visitors To Come After Taking Covid Test
The UK is setting plans to allow visitors to come to the UK after taking a Covid-19 test. This is a huge step considering the country has been under a major travel ban and had been requiring individuals to partake in a 14-day quarantine. This new testing protocol is great for those wanting to see family and loved ones in the UK. -
2020-11-20
“新型コロナ”分科会会長「札幌『ステージ3』か」(2020年11月20日) - Chairman of the "New Corona" Subcommittee "Sapporo" Stage 3 "?" (November 20, 2020)
政府の新型コロナウイルス対策分科会の尾身会長は、感染が拡大している札幌について、個人の見解として、「『ステージ3』に入っているのではないか」との認識を示しました。GoToトラベルキャンペーンの見直しを提言したことについては、「感染の早期鎮静化につながり結果的には、経済的なダメージも少なくなる」と説明しました。また、「感染の可能性を自覚しながら検査を受けない事例も増えている」と指摘し、改めて、症状が出れば早期に受診するよう呼び掛けました。 Mr. Omi, chairman of the government's new coronavirus control subcommittee, expressed his personal opinion about Sapporo of Hokkaido, where the infection is spreading, that he may be in "stage 3". He explained that he recommended a review of the GoTo Travel Campaign, which will lead to early sedation of the infection and, as a result, less financial damage." He also pointed out that "the number of cases where people are aware of the symptoms of infection but do not get tested is increasing," and once again called for an early checkup if symptoms occur. Video translated by Youngbin Noh -
2020-11-18
As COVID-19 soars in many communities, schools attempt to find ways through the crisis
As schools reopened around the world, countries saw surges in new COVID-19 cases. In response, some countries have re-closed schools while others have remained upon and employed strict guidelines. -
2020-11-12
Negative COVID-19 Test
Last week I felt sick and had a slightly metallic taste in my mouth. I completely understand that many underlying issues can cause this, but because the testing at ASU is fairly quick and easy, I decided to get a test. The test is super fast and easy. You sign up, get a QR code, and drive through a huge parking lot off of Rio Salado behind the stadium. You spit into a cup through a straw, they scan your code and take the sample, and that's it. I had my results in less than 48 hours and all electronically. COVID-19 infection rates are on the rise across the United States, and it's better to know. My test came back negative, but my daughter was sent home from school Monday for coughing and a runny nose. She can't go back to school without a doctor's note or a COVID test, and unfortunately, she can't use the ASU testing site. There's community testing, Embry Women's health, and as far as I can tell, a rapid response site in Mesa that charges $100 for quick results. -
2020-11-18
Attending College in Boston During the Pandemic
I graduated high school in 2020 and decided to attend Northeastern University in Boston, MA. For my first semester I planned on traveling to London to study there through the NU.in program (program offered by Northeastern for alternate admission). Unforuntaly, once COVID ravaged through the world, we were no longer allowed to go to London. Instead, I decided to start my college career as a normal Northeastern student living in Boston. I think this experience is important to share because it gives one insight on what college life is like in a city school. Northeastern has very strict rules for obvious reasons, testing every 2-3 days, limited indoor gatherings, mask mandate on campus and much more. This is the safest way to go about this semester and it has allowed us to stay open, but if does hinder the college experience for students. It can be very hard to make friends in college and then on top of that, there is a pandemic which makes it hard to meet people under normal circumstances. Students voiced their concerns over this and got some rules to change (allowing a single guest per room, opening more meeting spaces, indoor dining etc). The school aspect is also very interesting, I think the majority of kids have 75% of their classes online, meaning learning through a zoom call/recorded video. Although it gets old quickly, learning online is a really good skill because it forced me to start taking learning into my own hands and be more independent with my work. However, I feel like this skill is a skill all college students learn early on in order to pass classes but I think that it was accelerated this semester due to the lessened student-to-teacher interactions. Overall, the experience has been an interesting one; there has been many highlights including exploring Boston and living in a hotel, but there have been lowlights as well, including, harder to be motivated during class, may be harder for some to meet people. -
2020-11-13
College During a Global Pandemic
I am currently a freshman in the Northeastern NU.in program living in Boston. Although initially on track to spend my first college semester living in London, I feel very fortunate to be able to attend in-person classes and get to explore the city of Boston. I know a lot of students who have to attend the entirety of their college experience online, and quite a few of my friends opted to defer to next year. 2020 has started a new era, not the roaring 20's everyone had hoped for but rather a complete cultural reset. Social activities are limited to small socially distanced groups and meeting new people in college just became 20x more difficult. It's interesting how conversations with friends has evolved to rely on heightened expressions of the eyes where most of the time you have no idea what faces lie beneath masks. I do however find that having these difficult experiences bonds the community in ways that weren't there before. Businesses ensure the safety of the public with health and safety precautions. The YMCA next to Northeastern campus has started to serve free meals, and Copley square continues to hold socially distanced farmers markets to support local produce. There is a sense of mutual understanding, shared emotions. Having in-person classes and NU.in events has helped me find a community of my own. With in-person classes however, comes cyclical COVID testing. I, myself, have become quite skilled at swabbing the back interior of my nose. It's hard to imagine life resorting back to normal, but I feel like my experiences of safely exploring Boston and navigating a bizarre college experience has proven to me that we are a resilient population that can endure and grown from the stresses of the pandemic. -
2020-09-07
An Unexpected University Routine in 2020
When I imagined my daily college experience growing up, it always included going to class, going to the dinning hall, and meeting up with friends. Never would I have thought that this routine would include setting aside 15 minutes of my day to go inside a socially distanced tent while wearing a mask, to submit a nasal sample to a testing lab. I knew coming to college during the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic would be different than what I expected and I had accepted that frequent COVID-19 testing would be a large part of my experience. As a student at Northeastern University, it is policy to get tested at the university's testing site every three days. This process includes making an appointment, completing a daily wellness check, getting tested, and scanning your student ID to confirm compliance with the testing policy. Testing has become part of my daily routine as a student and is oddly something that feels very normal, when the whole concept of it is quite the opposite. I expect testing, along with socially distanced classes, online classes, and this altered reality to continue to be a part of my routine as a Northeastern student for a quite a while. However, I have accepted this and am glad to do so in order to participate in the college experience have awaited my whole life. -
2020-11-10
It's done: The NBA comes back on Dec. 22, a 72-game season
The NBA restart date is set Dec 22. The NBA playoff bubble was the most successful example of a sports handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. They shut down quickly and then created a lockdown bubble to handle the playoffs. I wonder if the NBA will be able to handle a whole season as effectively as they handled the playoffs. -
10/17/2022
Sachiko Mortia-Mulaney Oral History, 2020/10/17
This is an Oral History interview with University of Cincinnati student Sachiko Morita-Mullaney. Sachiko discusses her experience as a student at the University of Cincinnati. She brings up her identity as a Japanese-American woman and how that has affected her personally during the pandemic due to anti-Asian racism. She also talks about her small online business, and the different ways her and her family’s employment have been affected by Covid-19. Sachiko, a Political Science major at the University of Cincinnati, is very informed about the government’s response to Covid-19. She shares her opinions about healthcare in the United States and how racism and classism have affected the United States’ response to the coronavirus. Finally, we talked about the future and the quality of the US response to the coronavirus. -
2020-07-16
Ten Days of Self-Isolation
The following is a reflection on my experience in COVID-19 testing and self-isolation, after returning to my home country Bahrain from Australia, where I am a student. Upon arriving in Bahrain International Airport, travellers are taken aboard buses into a giant white tent-structure. Here, my temperature was taken. Then, I was escorted to one of the desks (mostly staffed by young volunteers) where I give my personal details, including where I intend to spend my 10 days of self-isolation (the Government of Bahrain had only recently reduced the requirement from 14 days). After that, I had the COVID-19 PCR test taken (quick but unpleasant nose swab). The results are published via the “Be Aware” app within 24 hours. It was, thankfully, negative. I was also given an electronic bracelet that acts as a tracker, to ensure that I am where I say I would be. I am driven from the airport by my brother, it was decided that he would pick me up because he had recently caught the virus himself, and so, supposedly he would have developed some immunity. Spending 10 days in one’s bedroom was as boring as one might expect. My main source of entertainment would be, as it turned out, Ancient Rome. I was still taking a university subject, which was moved online the week prior due to renewed restrictions in Melbourne after COVID-19 infections spiked in the State of Victoria. I did however have to get up at 3:00 in the morning to attend classes! I did, moreover, end up gaining about 2 kilograms of weight in those 10 days. The whole experience of travel and self-isolation in the age of COVID-19 is just one example of how simple aspects of our lives (travel, privacy, education, exercise, social life etc.) were changed so drastically by the pandemic. Everything would somehow be more complicated. This reflection was submitted as part of the HIST30060 Making History project at the University of Melbourne. -
2020-11-04
UK parliament approves month-long COVID-19 lockdown for England
As COVID-19 ramps up in the UK, the government had to implement another lockdown. Parliament put the official stamp on it. I wonder who the 38 people against were? -
2020-04-22
AOC Tweet 4/22/2020
This tweet is by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and reads: “GOP is seriously arguing that it’s worth sacrificing the lives of hourly workers so they can get a spray tan again. If they really wanted to reopen the economy, they’d fund mass testing, contact tracing, & healthcare for people. Instead they’re fighting against hospital funding.” This tweet briefly brings up the not-scientifically-founded idea of “re-opening” in order to boost the economy. And the lack of funding for mass covid testing/tracing, and general healthcare is also mentioned. -
2020-10-01
Should I Go Home?
COVID-19 has created a situation like no other. You can honestly go and study abroad. With all classes being online and there being no in-person meetings you could pack your bags and study wherever there is WIFI. Ironically this also proves risky. Going to places that have high-risk family members is difficult. I could go visit my grandma in The Bahamas, but what if I bring COVID... It's interesting seeing how countries and managing their own issues of travel. Countries like The Bahamas that are dependent on tourist travel, are desperate for a time of reopening, often crafting plans that allow travel. -
2020-10-21
CDC Expands Definition of "Close Contact"
The CDC expanded its definition of "close contact." The article states, "The CDC had previously defined a “close contact” as someone who spent at least 15 consecutive minutes within six feet of a confirmed coronavirus case. The updated guidance, which health departments rely on to conduct contact tracing, now defines a close contact as someone who was within six feet of an infected individual for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period, according to a CDC statement Wednesday." -
2020-09-18
Party Leader of Bloc Québécois Has Tested for Covid-19
Yves-François Blanchet and his wife have tested positive for Covid-19. Ottawa is considered to be currently in a second wave, which poses questions how to protect members of parliament. -
2020-07-17
‘They’re scared’: A look inside the COVID-19 crisis in Arizona prisons
As COVID-19 began to spread across the Southwest in March, lawyers representing incarcerated Arizonans reported “unsanitary conditions,” “inadequate medical staffing and treatment” and a “failure to take strong and sensible precautionary measures” in state prisons. The combination left prisoners “highly vulnerable to outbreaks,” the attorneys wrote in a letter to the state before asking a federal judge to intervene. The judge did by issuing an order for officials to release more information, but prison advocates say it hasn’t been enough. Nearly four months later, complaints of insufficient safety measures and subpar medical care continue to plague Arizona prisons. At least 569 prisoners at 13 of the state’s 16 prison complexes had tested positive for COVID-19 as of July 15, according to the Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry, and at least 371 staffers have reported positive results. Justice reform advocates and others with ties to the correctional system worry the state is running out of time to prevent an even more dangerous surge in cases. COVID-19 can spread swiftly in crowded indoor spaces and among individuals with chronic health problems. -
2020-09-29
Incarcerated people are humans, with human rights
This series of Tweets illustrates the number of Covid cases inside of prisons that go largely unnoticed by the general public. It also points to a larger problem of seeing "inmates", those who should be referred to in people first language as incarcerated persons, as fully human. -
2020-09-27
My Experience Taking A COVID Test
I had been feeling progressively more sick for 2 weeks when my boyfriend got positive results from an antibody test he did through work. Apparently his results meant that he may have had the virus and was asymptomatic but he no longer had the virus, though he seemed unclear on the details. In any case, he came into contact with the virus at some point. Since I have asthma and I started coughing pretty bad very early Sunday (9/27) morning on top of other COVID symptoms, I worried that I had also come into contact with it through him and figured I should get tested if I fit the criteria to do so. California has you take a symptom test before you can make an appointment for drive-thru testing, and I checked off more symptoms than I realized I had. It was very fast and easy to make an appointment, and I got one for literally a few minutes later at a nearby hospital. We followed the signs taking us to a few covered tables and stations in the back where they handed me instructions through a small opening in the window with one of those long grabby things usually used to pick up trash. They then had us pull forward and show my appointment number and ID card to a women through the window. She then gave me a sticky note with my name and number on it to stick on the windshield and instructed me to pull forward. At the next station they gave me a test kit. With the window closed, I took my mask off and stuck the swab into each nostril and for a 10 second turn as instructed, about an inch in, but not so far in that it was painful. I then put the swab into the provided tube, broke the end off of the swab and capped the tube. I dropped the bag containing my test into a bucket and they said I'd get my results in 1-3 days and that I must self-isolate until I got my results. Easy, I haven't left my apartment save for 2-3 outside walks and 1 doctor's appointment since March. There are too many people walking around without masks, and with my asthma I'm not taking any risks, a big reason why I was surprised to even be taking the test in the first place. When I woke up this morning (9/28) I already had a text message saying my results were in. Negative! I'm very glad for that. Honestly it was so fast and easy I was sort of surprised considering the mess testing was at the beginning of the pandemic. -
09/18/2020
Anonymous Oral History, 2020/09/18
This is an interview that I did with a fellow Northeastern student about the pandemic.