Items

• 
  2022-04-09

  Coping with humor

  Sometimes coping through humor is what gets us through.
• 
  2021-04

  COVID conditions for the homeless

  This is a news story about some of the solutions to homelessness that people are trying in Phoenix. The specific solution covered was tenting for homeless people as a way to provide more protection and layers during COVID. It's especially important that this was a solution done in Phoenix considering how hot it gets here. With tents being the main way to "help the homeless" during COVID it shows a continued general disregard for homeless people and their health and safety. The article goes on to discuss broader criticisms and issues people have taken with the COVID-19 response specifically for homeless populations. I wanted to include this source because it shows a general disregard for homeless populations especially in the face of a pandemic that they are the most vulnerable population for.
• 
  2020

  International mobilization to save Indigenous Lives

  "A Articulação dos Povos Indígenas do Brasil (APIB) apresenta um plano emergencial indígena de enfrentamento da Covid-19 no Brasil e conclama todos a apoiarem medidas que possam salvar vidas e exercitarem a solidariedade. Os povos indígenas estão entre os grupos mais vulneráveis ao avanço da pandemia e encontram-se desprovidos de condições para enfrentar a doença. Precisam do apoio de todos." "The Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB) presents an indigenous emergency plan to confront Covid-19 in Brazil and calls on everyone to support measures that can save lives and exercise solidarity. Indigenous peoples are among the groups most vulnerable to the advance of the pandemic and are devoid of conditions to cope with the disease. They need everyone's support."
• 
  2020-08-26

  Unintended Consequences

  Devi Sridhar from the London School of Economics covers some things we don't think about when we think about consequences of the pandemic. She compares outbreaks to black holes, as society focuses attention to the pandemic, other priorities are put to the side. Juliet Bedford talks about the vulnerabilities of poorer communities. This interview covers lots of unintended consequences and outcomes of the pandemic.
• 
  2021-03-01

  Homeless Vaccines

  This is a blog post about the current struggles states are having with getting homeless populations vaccinated. The article focuses on how shelters are the most common points of contacts for homeless populations to be reached.
• 
  2020-12-30

  Beyond Control

  Kelsie Grazier talks about her hearing loss, the uncertainty of pregnancy during Covid-19 and how both are heavily influencing her art. Her story resonates with me as I loose my own hearing and seek out representation in a world that ignores deafness. Kelsie Grazier's story resonates. Especially with the daily frustrations Covid-19 has brought upon us.
• 
  2021-02-05

  Reducing Jail Sentences for Inmates with Preexisting Health Conditions

  The study conducted by the Brennan Center for Justice (BCJ) found that prisons, jails, and detention facilities are rushing to make an effort to release unnecessarily incarcerated people to improve healthcare and conditions of confinement for the remaining inmate population. As part of a larger project to end mass incarceration, the BCJ analyzed the unique health challenges posed by the inmate population both 65 and older, as well as those with preexisting medical conditions. "Brennan Center Recommendation: Elderly and sick people and those incarcerated for parole violations should be released or recommended for release under compassionate release provisions or another authority. Barring that, prison officials should use their discretion to transfer people to community corrections options."
• 
  2021-02-07

  Homelessness During a Pandemic

  A population that gets put last for many things is not going to be completely last for the COVID vaccine. Each individual US state is in charge of the vaccine distribution, but some states, like Connecticut for example, have homeless shelters and similar places under the “congregate settings” part of the vaccine rollout, typically in the first few phases. The homeless population is far too high in the US, and during the COVID pandemic, not much more than the bare minimum has been done. The CDC and many other health organizations have the homeless and other vulnerable populations written into the big picture, with guides and recourses for cities and governments. However, these vulnerable populations are high risk during this pandemic. Food banks have seen a major rise in 2020 as more people are facing economic hardships. Attached are a few related articles. While there are some people working tirelessly to improve the homeless situation in the US, more needs to be done. The articles give a glimpse into the various aspects of the homeless crisis in America, and how we are trying to help during the pandemic, but simultaneously not doing enough.
• 
  2021-01-28

  State expands access to COVID-19 vaccinations in rural areas

  In Tennessee, the state has announced new partnerships with rural pharmacies to more effectively reach the elderly outside of urban areas. This particular article focuses on East Tennessee and the rural counties surrounding the Knoxville metropolitan area. This is great news to those who do not live in cities as Tennessee is a mostly rural state. For some elderly people, they would potentially have to drive two hours to get to the city to get a vaccine. However, because of this new partnership, it will make it far easier for those in rural areas to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
• 
  2020-04-25

  Ontario allows redeployment of staff

  The Ontarian Government allowed hospitals and long-term care homes to redeploy staff to new roles and duties for the better care of the vulnerable.
• 
  2020-10-04

  Half of Folsom Prison Inmates Have Covid

  Nursing homes and prisons provide the perfect breading ground for coronavirus. For this reason the nation's correctional facilities have been hard hit by the virus. This Tweet, by James King, a formerly incarcerated man, draws attention to the continued spread of the virus within Folsom Prison in California. The news story King links to in his Tweet contains a video of Governor Gavin Newsom explaining the measures already taken to mediate the spread of the virus and upcoming plans. In the video Newsom mentions several things that alarmed me. 1. Numerous individuals with active Covid infections were released from California correctional facilities. Was this a wise decision? Or was it the smart decision that shows compassion for the individual. Prison is no place to suffer through a horrible illness. 2. When talking about releasing people from correctional facilities early he stresses these were individuals who are "non, non, non, non sex offenders". This sounds like they are only considering releasing those convicted of non-violent crimes, but isn't there a chance someone who has spent 20+ years in prison been reformed? Isn't that the point of incarceration, to reform the person? 3. There are individuals that meet the criteria laid out for early release but they have no where to go or no plan. In speaking with criminal justice reform advocates in California personally I was told there are numerous non-profit organizations ready to assist anyone that is released early.
• 
  2020-09-14

  Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest (LSS-SW)

  OUR MISSION We stabilize people during crisis and transition, build a foundation where people can thrive, and preserve dignity and respect for the most vulnerable. OUR VISION A future where all people thrive. OUR STATEMENT OF SHARED VALUES Dignity: We demonstrate through our actions that all people have value and are worthy of respect. Diversity: We recognize and accept the differences among people, fostering an environment inclusive of all. Social Justice: We model and promote a culture of open-mindedness, compassion, and inclusiveness, promoting fairness, justice, and equal opportunities for all. Quality: We commit to excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement through anticipation and dynamic response to opportunities for change. Community Partnerships: We build collaborative partnerships to strengthen individuals, families and communities. Faith-based: We serve all people with an attitude of compassion and caring, recognizing and honoring our Christian heritage of God’s love in Christ for all.
• 
  2020-08-18

  THE IMPACT OF CORONAVIRUS ON THE MOST VULNERABLE

  Several of my friends are high risk to contract the virus because of compromised immune systems. This article is written to sensitize people to this group
• 
  March 30, 2020

  Medical neglect in psychiatric institutions

  Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, people in nursing homes, psychiatric institutions, prisons, and other group settings are trapped without the ability to protect themselves by practicing social distancing from others, and their health is at risk from those bringing the virus in from outside. Zoe Gross, Director of Operations at the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, criticizes a Spokesman-Review article written by Martha Bellisle. The article highlights the infection risk to workers at a psychiatric institution, but does not discuss the safety of patients as a priority, portraying them not as people in need of protection, but as ‘occupational hazards’ to the people whose safety matters more.
• 
  2020-06-12

  Racism and coronavirus add stress to already vulnerable communities

  This is the third episode of the Boston Children's Museum's podcast, Big & Little, a podcast for adults about kids and families. "In this episode, Carole [Charnow} talks with Manny Lopes, the CEO of the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center and a leader in community health care, about the ways in which Boston's vulnerable communities are coping during this challenging time and how today's uncertainty offers room for positive change to come."
• 
  2020-06-06

  Chronically ill and highly vulnerable amid Covid-19

  During this Covid-19 pandemic, we’ve learnt that some people might be more vulnerable than others. Who is high risk? I am! A quick google search shows that a person taking high doses of steroids or immunosuppressant medication can be considered as clinically extremely vulnerable. I take both. The fear is real. It has always been here but now I need to be even more careful. The lines are blurred; how ill do I need to feel before deciding that I need to go to the hospital, an incubator for all kinds of infections and an even more potential risk in catching the deadly virus? As much as the hospital is the solution, it might as well be death welcoming me with arms open. The number of infected persons has rocketing at a time, and I could not help falling sick despite not having gone out a single time during the 3-month lockdown. It was finally time to go there, the hospital! I went armed to the teeth with my mask, gloves, and a sanitiser, cautious but still anxious, and I was met with an eerily almost empty building. The place which was usually buzzing with activity at all times of the day only had a handful of doctors and nurses but no patients! It seemed like everyone had respected the lockdown measures to the letter. I was relieved and I was cared for with the staff following all precautionary measures. In a measure of solidarity, the people had decided to respect the lockdown rules to avoid the spread of the virus and had in unthinkingly doing so, potentially saved the health of many vulnerable patients. I felt safe and I still do. Caring for others is after all a social responsibility and an expression of what it means to be human and humane.
• 
  2020-03-21

  Graffitti on MBTA fence, Jamaica Plain neighborhood, Boston, MA

  Poor people, Black people, and Latinx people are suffering and dying during the pandemic more than others. Most frontline workers in Jamaica Plain-- from the cashiers and stockers at Whole Foods and Stop & Shop grocery stores, to the pharmacy's staff, to the aids at Brookside Community Health and Spaulding Rehab, are mostly low wage workers, many of them immigrants and/or people of color. The pandemic is forcing people to address longstanding social inequities, and the White House is failing to gain any trust that it will help those suffering. As recently as the day before I'm writing this, Donald Trump was pushing for all states to begin re-opening businesses that are not necessary at this time, largely staffed by people who are financially and socially vulnerable. Someone is taking out their frustrations by graffito-ing walls around JP; this is but one sample. *Graffitto painter is unknown. Photo taken by Ashley Enochs *03/22/2020; graffitti was painted over within a week of this picture being taken *Ashley Enochs, Boston MA
• 
  2020-05-01

  Indigenous Peoples of Africa Co-ordinating Committee (IPACC) Statement on Indigenous Peoples of Africa and COVID-19

  “The COVID-19 pandemic poses a great danger to humanity, including the indigenous peoples of Africa. If the spread of the virus is not urgently arrested and is allowed to infect African indigenous communities, the virus may decimate our member communities. Africa’s Indigenous Peoples are extremely vulnerable to the dreaded virus, owing to a lack of essential resources such as clean water, food, housing, medical supplies and even basic information.” IPACC is a network of 135 Indigenous peoples' organizations in 21 African countries.
• 
  2020-05-10

  "LGBTQ Americans are getting coronavirus, losing jobs. Anti-gay bias is making it worse for them."

  From the article: "The coronavirus outbreak is pummeling LGBTQ Americans, especially those of color, leaving a population already vulnerable to health care and employment discrimination suffering from high job losses and a growing rate of positive cases, according to preliminary data collected from multiple LGBTQ advocacy groups."
• 
  2020-04-29

  Quarantine

  A personal account
• 
  2020-03-26

  God Doesn’t Want Us to Sacrifice the Old

  This article was written by Rusell Moore, the president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. in this article is stated to learn during this pandemic not only the survival but to also focus on other than yourself. people are suffereing because the pandemic has not hit a certain wealth status but over all, rich poor, young or old families or inviduals. Moore suggested to take away from this pandemic how to love your neighbours as yourself. also she reminds us that every life is vulnerable at this time not only us.
• 
  2020-04-10

  Feeding the Neighborhood

  COVID-19 has been particularly hard for Chicago’s homeless. My auntie and I tried to help out on the West Side, by making turkey and Italian beef and serving them. We also provided kits to individuals, so they could use them to feed their families. #DePaulHST391
• 
  2020-04-11

  Gobierno evalúa indulto a internos más vulnerables frente a epidemia del COVID-19

  El Ejecutivo evalúa el tema del indulto para los internos más vulnerables que se encuentran en los 68 centros penitenciarios que existen en el país para hacer frente a una eventual propagación del COVID-19, informó el presidente del Consejo de Ministros, Vicente Zeballos.
• 
  2020-03-23

  Coronavirus TikTok

  A TikTok showing the creator's perspective that young people are staying inside while older generations are still socializing. #HIST5241
• 
  2020-03-25

  Trabajadores de limpieza exigen bono

  Trabajadores de limpieza, workers in municipal cleanup demand a bonus similar to the S/380 bonus given to Peru's poorest citizens