Items

2020-05-11

"Lankford Announces Continued Financial Support for Oklahoma Tribes Amid COVID-19 Pandemic"

"Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued details after US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt announced a path forward for Coronavirus Relief Funds to Oklahoma Tribal nations. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided $8 billion to respond to the coronavirus preparedness, response, and recovery for American Indians and Alaska Natives. Lankford spoke with the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Tara Sweeney about the allocations provided to the Bureau of Indian Affairs through the CARES Act to Oklahoma tribes today. Lankford plans to continue conversations with Secretary Mnuchin this week on the status of disbursements and the impacts of the Coronavirus Tribal Relief Fund dollars."

May 2, 2020

Plague Journal, Day 50: Feeling very Brooklyn

I'm keeping a Covid-19 journal. The most recent entry discusses Brooklyn's motto; the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake; the uncertainty that forms the foundation of CoronaWorld; and our latest and best edition of NYC's nightly 7 p.m. cheer for front-line workers.

2020-07-02

"Coronavirus Relief Fund Reporting and Record Retention Requirements"

"Title VI of the Social Security Act, as amended by Title V of Division A of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (Public Law 115-136), provides that the Department of the Treasury (Treasury) Office of Inspector General (OIG) is responsible for monitoring and oversight of the receipt, disbursement, and use of Coronavirus Relief Fund payments. Treasury OIG also has authority to recover funds in the event that it is determined a recipient of a Coronavirus Relief Fund payment failed to comply with requirements of subsection 601(d) of the Social Security Act, as amended, (42 U.S.C. 801(d))."

2020-07-19

Celia Capira pide ayuda al presidente Martín Vizcarra

Celia Capira y su familia se hicieron conocidos, luego que ella corriera tras la comitiva del presidente Martín Vizcarra que llegó hasta Arequipa. Capira pedía ayuda para su esposo que se contagió de la COVID-19, a quien no recibían en dicho hospital porque no había camas disponibles. Las autoridades de Arequipa se comprometieron a trasladar a su esposo Mamani Tacuri a una cama en la unidad de cuidados intensivos; sin embargo nunca cumplieron. Él ingreso el martes pasado por problemas al respirar, fiebre y tos; estuvo esperando por una cama a las afueras del hospital honorio Delgado Espinoza ahí su salud empeoró. En diálogo con RPP Noticias, Celia Capira manifestó que el personal que atendía a su esposo, en una de las carpas del hospital, siempre le manifestó que él se encontraba estable. “Hoy le llevé el desayuno y me dijeron que estaba estable, con una saturación de 93”. Ella invocó al presidente de la República Martín Vizcarra que se dote de más personal médico a los hospitales de Arequipa. “Que por favor ponga más médicos especializados por favor, es demasiado este dolor, que haya más medicinas. FECHA 7/19/20 FUENTE: Frase Corta

2020-06-06

A prayer

This is the prayer I wrote the night that President Trump poses with a bible in DC after tear gassing protesters after the death of George Floyd. I was so upset and so distraught I felt called to do some. As an offering of peace, a plea to God, a form of action that would hopefully help and to provide me with a simple, small way I could take action in my life, I sat down to write. About 20 minutes later I had penned this prayer. From time to time in my adult life I have written prayers like these - poems, thoughts to help me meditate and resolve problems in life. A way of lamenting. It hangs on my bathroom mirror so that I might pray it each time I wash my hands. (When I read it, it takes more than 20 seconds, so I can accomplish a thorough hand washing and prayer for peace and a cure simultaneously.)

2020-07-28

Interview of a military spouse during Covid-19

This is an interview I conducted with a military spouse about her experience during this time. Many military families have noticed a difference in the personal experiences and what the "official" military stance is.

2020-07-17

Getting Out Of Prison Sooner

This NPR Planet Money podcasts discusses extremely long sentences, early release due to change in laws, particularly in Oklahoma, the cost of incarceration, and criminal justice reform from the ideal of physical conservatism. Plus a brief mention of early release due to the pandemic.

2020-07-20

Camp Hansen COVID-19 Restrictions

This screenshot provides a more specific look into what facilities and services were closed or modified as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak at Camp Hansen, Okinawa. Note to the right where one comment from a member of the 12th Marines tells his fellow "devil dogs" not to worry about the barbershop closures, since his CO shaved his head without any need of such a service.

2020-07-11

HPCON C Guidance at Camp Hansen, Okinawa

These orders, captured in this screenshot from Marine Corps Base Camp Hansen's Facebook page, stipulate what personnel can and cannot do as the III Marine Expeditionary Force battled a COVID-19 outbreak on this and other bases on Okinawa in early July 2020. A testament to COVID's sneaky transmission, not even secure military facilities could seal themselves off from the virus, prompting them to close down even tighter as their European counterparts did in the early months of the pandemic. Note: "HP Con C" stands for "Health Protection Condition Charlie," which means that there is substantial community transmission of a pathogen in the area.

2020-07-15

Camp Hansen COVID Update From the Camp Commander

This screenshot of a letter distributed to all Marine Corps and Navy personnel and their families aboard Camp Hansen in Okinawa details the service's priorities in the weeks ahead, as Marine Corps bases across the island do battle against a potentially deadly pathogen. Those priorities include preserving the Force, protecting the Marine Corps-Okinawa relationship, and "generate combat power" to deal with the COVID threat that struck Camp Hansen in July of 2020.

2020-07-15

Limited Reopenings on Okinawa

Following an outbreak on US Marine Corps facilities on Okinawa, the branch closed down most on-base community services in order to slow the virus's spread. On July 15, some installations cautiously re-opened a select few, although not all bases restored services immediately. Some services resumed with minimal staffing in place, while others only applied to unit training, while others offered a virtual alternative. However, this partial restoration was short-lived, when MCCS shut down the fitness centers the following day.

2020-07-21

Outbreak on Okinawa

In July 2020, a COVID-19 outbreak struck the US Marine Corps bases at Camp Hansen and MCAS Futenma on the island of Okinawa. This screenshot shows one of the countermeasures the Marine Corps Community Services took to halt the spread, which not only applied to Hansen and Futenma, but all USMC facilities on Okinawa. Due to the ease of transmission in crowded gyms, all fitness centers and gyms shut down, thus depriving the fitness-minded Marines of a key component to maintaining their physical readiness.

2020-06-01

06/01/2020 The Equinox Report

An inmate at San Quentin prison in San Francisco, California, has been sending letters out to someone who is posting them on this blog. Today the writer reflects on the news coverage since George Floyd's murder and President Trump hiding out in his "battle basement." He mentions Trump praising the police while blaming Antifa. He mentions a moment of hope because Fox News was discussing Covid hitting black communities harder but then realized they are only doing this to help Trump woo black voters. He also checked in on rumors of two men testing positive for Covid. These two men do appear to be sick and were part of over one hundred men that were transferred in from another prison. [I suspect these men were from Chino prison].

2020-03

MIRA’s agenda for an inclusive response to COVID-19

The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition collected a series of helpful documents for immigrants and refugees in Massachusetts about the COVID-19 pandemic. At the start, they created an agenda on how the federal and local governemnts should react to the pandemic in relation to immigrant communities. Part of the agenda calls on Trump to release detainees that cannot be kept safe, but as the news as shown, ICE continues to detain immigrants and some have died in detention centers of the virus.

2020-07-07

ICE Guidance on COVID-19

This PDF documents highlights all of the statements and guidelines ICE has released since March when the COVID pandemic began to largely affect the United States. They have slowly added more guidelines but have also rolled back some that have been highly criticized.

2020-07-01

COVID-19 Cases Surge In ICE Detention article

"The number of immigrants with COVID-19 in Immigration Customs Enforcement custody has risen rapidly. More than 2,700 detainees nationwide have tested positive, according to ICE data, and the Eloy detention facility is among the hardest hit by the pandemic. More than 200 detainees there have tested positive — a tenfold increase in less than three weeks." NPR published an article highlighting the vast spread of COVID amongst immigrants in detention centers. As the pandemic has spread, ICE has continued to arrest and hold detainees in detention centers, while not providing safety measures to curb or prevent the spread of the virus.

2020-07-14

"Why We Can't Reopen Schools Without Addressing School Infrastructure"

From the video description: "As the conversation about reopening America’s schools grows, safety must be a primary concern and it will cost about $200 billion to bring all schools into a state of good repair. Share this video if you think Congress should include dedicated and significant funding for school infrastructure in the next Coronavirus bill"

2020-07-14

ICE Prison Sees Outbreak of Coronavirus article

"The director of Farmville, a privately run immigration detention center in central Virginia, recently stated in court papers that at least 267 people currently detained there have tested positive for the coronavirus—and the numbers may spike further, with 80 people still awaiting test results. It took until July 2 to test all 366 detainees. Only 19 people tested negative. In addition, 22 employees of the detention center have tested positive. The detained population inside Farmville, as of Jul. 13, now totals 360 people." This article from The Daily Beast highlights the mistreatment of immigrants in detention centers as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds. With a lack of testing, proper isolation methods, and mistreatment by guards, numerous detainees are getting sick and some are dying.

2020-04-21

Plague Journal, Day 39: Dreaming in CoronaWorld

I'm keeping a Covid-19 journal. Here's the latest entry, describing our family's new routines; weird dreams; my laundromat reopening; presidential flailing; and the death of a friend's mother.

2020-07-20

Covid-19 Diary

The story shares my personal experience of the pandemic and it is important because it demonstrates a reaction at the face of adversity.

6/29/2020

Richard Wamai Oral History 2020/06/29

This is an Oral History interview with Dr. Richard Wamai by interviewer Christina Lefebvre from June 29, 2020. Dr. Wamai speaks about the epidemiology of COVID and the global response to it versus other epidemic, as well response comparisons between Africa and the United States.

2020-07-19

'I exempt myself:' Protesters march against mandatory masks

"About 60 people gathered outside Ottawa City Hall on Sunday for an event called March to Unmask. "Some were skeptical about the evidence for making masks mandatory in indoor public spaces. Some argued that it’s a human rights issue. Others were skeptical of government in general."

2020-07-16

Covid shuffle in corrections facilities

These images show the Tweet of Adnan Khan, a formerly incarcerated person and activist. Adnan explains that corrections facilities are moving people all over the prison and between facilities. The result is spread of the corona virus when the officials are charged with slowing the spread.

2020-07-16

"Our Covid 'research'" editorial comic

A one panel comic in which several scientists in lab coats stand around a lab bench with the usual equipment. One, who is facing the rest of the group is pointing to a man sitting at a computer desk typing away while wearing a hoodie, sunglasses, and large earphones, the usual monikers of a hacker. The scientist pointing is saying "Yuri here will head up our Covid 'research' while the rest of you can continue your work on athletic doping and poisoning enemies of the state." This is a reference to the news, this week, from Canada, the US, and UK, that all have discovered a prominent hacker group associated with the Russian government attempting to hack their covid-19 and covid-19 vaccine research at various institutions. The response to the Russian government was that they are conducting their own research and are "close" to developing a vaccine of their own. This alleged imminent breakthrough is something of which many in Canada and other countries, including the creator of this comic (it would seem) are skeptical.

2020-07-17

School Reopening Editorial Cartoon

A editorial cartoon which depicts four children, wearing backpacks and masks, standing in front of a brick school building. Over the door of the building hangs a neon sign which read "BAR" with two martini glasses. One of the children is saying "LOOKS LIKE SCHOOL DILEMMA SOLVED..." in reference to the fact that bars were allowed to open very early in the pandemic but the ability of schools to open in the fall is still up in the air and varies by region and board.

2020-07-10

Freed From Prison, Dead from COVID-19, Not Even Counted

The Butner prison complex in North Carolina is also a medical facility. Basically a prison that is set up to take care of inmates with chronic illness and disease, like cancer, etc. This facility has so mismanaged the covid pandemic that the few people being released early in an attempt to slow the spread were released, only to find out they already had covid and died after boarding planes to travel home.

2020-07-15

military deals with coronavirus for recruits

This is a news article discussing how the military is testing new recruits for coronavirus.While only 2% test positive 60% of those are asymptomatic ringing how the fact that a vast majority of people would have further spread it without this preliminary test.The article also mentions higher than average retention rates which is probably due to the fact that with the economy suffering from the pandemic more people are opting to re-enlist and have the safety net of a secure paycheck and healthcare at this time.

2020-05-15

Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma Receives Grants

"Per the Health Services Director: The White Eagle Health Center immediately began the process of applying for multiple grants related to COVID-19 as they became available. To date, we have been awarded the following grants:"

2020-07-16

ICE covid stats

ICE has been updating their statistics online for COVID cases. As of July 16, 2020, ICE says they have 22,340 detainees, 13,562 have been tested, and 1,110 are positive. It says they are either in isolation or monitored which is slightly confusing. If someone is positive and being monitored, are they not in isolation? Washington DC has the highest amount of cases.

2020-07-10

How Ice Exported the Coronavirus

The New York Times and the Marshall Project released an investigation into ICE's treatment of immigrant detainees. The investigation says it "reveals how Immigration and Customs Enforcement became a domestic and global spreader of COVID-19." The report tells stories from immigrants who were deported, some who had tested positive for COVID, reported it, and were still deported, thus allowing them to infect others on the plane who could then infect others upon landing.

2020-06-22

ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations COVID-19 Pandemic Response Requirements

ICE hasn't stopped deporting during the COVID pandemic, but they did release a document citing rules for deporting during COVID. Interviews with detainees and immigration employees have contradicted the rules for deportation during COVID.

2020-05-26

The Accidental Quarantine Family

This is the story of a family from China who were renting an AirBnB basement in a home. COVID hit, travel was prohibited, so they had to stay put. They were stranded together and became a temporary family. They all pitched in together and made it through, helping with chores, meals, and babies. The stranded couple came to Salt Lake City to complete their surrogate pregnancy since it wasn't allowed in China. Their advice? "Never quarrel with each other. Cooperate with each other. If we have some difficulties, just get it together."

2020-04-27

I'm in Porn to Make Ends Meet During COVID

This is an article about a mother who was a stripper before the clubs had to close due to COVID laws. Now she is using porn to pay her bills while in quarantine. She does webcam work along with sexting and other things. She has an 8 year old daughter and discusses how she explains her work to her. She is conflicted about what other people think of her activities, her difficulty taking money becuase the usual venues don't accept sext trade payments, how to get social media followers, how privacy acts are affecting her, and the benefit of porn to people who partake in it. She ends with "Porn is literally saving many people's lives during quarantine."

2020-04-10

04/10/2020 The Equinox Report

An inmate at San Quentin prison in San Francisco, California, has been sending letters out to someone who is posting them on this blog. Today he mentions that Fox News has stated Covid-19 is the number one cause of death in the U.S. and it is recommended that everyone wear a face mask. This makes it extra problematic when none of the guards in the facility are wearing a mask. This inmates posits it is a way to say they don't matter. He also notes the over masculine culture of prison workers and that the prison work environment may be just as toxic to work in as it is to live in.

2020-07-14

Northeastern responds to ICE reversal on international student rule

ICE last week instituted a rule that said if international students took all online classes, they couldn't stay in America on a visa. Schools in Boston, including Harvard and MIT filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security. Northeastern joined the lawsuit, and on July 14, ICE rescinded the rule, allowing students to stay in the US and continue their education, even if all of their classes are online because of the pandemic. It's not safe to gather in large groups yet, especially indoors, and schools are starting to release fall plans mainly online.

2020-07-13

Sentry program at National War Memorial restarts with COVID-19 safety measures in place

"To limit any possible spread of COVID-19, members of the national sentry program will follow protective health measures of the government and the Canadian Forces. Visitors are asked to keep a minimum two-metre distance from the sentries at all times, the military noted in its statement." An article relaying that the sentries at the National War Memorial will be in place again. They normally stand guard every summer but have not so far this year due to the pandemic. The Canadian Armed Forces have had particularly strict regulations in place for the members since March, in an attempt to ensure should military personnel be needed to respond to a crisis, health or otherwise, there will be sufficient healthy staff available to do so. The presence of sentries at the memorial, which is also the site of the tomb of the unknown soldier, is not particularly representative of the city or military for most Ottawans or visitors but has taken on added significance since a lone gunman shot and killed one of the sentries, from behind, before storming the parliament buildings, several years ago. The sentry was the only victim to die in that attack and his death on duty has given an even deeper value in the post to those who hold it.

2020/05/22

Nancy Campbell Oral History 2020/05/22

University of Wisconsin Eau Claire Public History Seminar Covid 19 Project

3/30/2020

Jeannie Lehew Oral History 2020/03/30

[written by curator/transcriptionist] Edward and Jeannie Lehew, residents of Independence, Kentucky, have been married for 67 years. Interviewed by their granddaughter, Amanda, she talks with them about Covid-19, what they know about it, government response, how it has or will change society, and how it compares to other crises they’ve each faced. Jeannie compares it to a string of family deaths and Edward to his time as a small child during the Great Depression. They also talk about face masks.

3/31/2020

Keith Anthony Oral History 2020/03/31

From the interviewer: This interview discusses the experience of Keith Anthony during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The interviewee discusses how the pandemic impacted his personal life as he reflects on the pandemic’s larger impact. He also speculates on how society will look moving forward.

2020-04-08

Plague Journal, Day 26: Everything enrages

I'm keeping a Covid-19 journal. Here's the latest entry, in which I battle unwarranted rage, stoke warranted rage, and allow my mom's exercise regime to crack my armor.

2020-05

Tweets from Inside a Prison 5/31-6/6/2020 by Railroaded Underground

These images show the tweets from an incarcerated person, using a contraband cell phone to tell the world what it is like to be incarcerated during the pandemic. This week he continues to talk about the murder of George Floyd by the police, protestors and violence against them, his own fear of white officers in his prison which he blames on systemic racism, states his views on defunding police and the need for new politicians and laws, as well as fear of prison transfers spreading the virus.

2020-07-08

MIT/Harvard lawsuit joined by Northeastern

MIT and Harvard filed a civil action lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security against recent rules that would bar international students from legally remaining in the US if they take classes entirely online this fall. Thousands of students would lose scholarships, their inability to research, and their student status if the government decided to follow-through. These Boston universities are seeking a way to prohibit this ruling.

2020-07-02

Article on the Shaw Memorial Installation

Article from the Boston Globe covering the exhibit installation that has been placed on fencing surrounding the Memorial to the Massachusetts 54th Regiment, which serves as the starting point for the Black Heritage Trail. The exhibit covers the history and significance of the regiment, and includes pictures of primary sources related to volunteers. Outdoor exhibitions carry special importance during the time of the CoVid-19 pandemic, as they offer opportunities for the public to continue to interact with history even as museums remain inaccessible.

2020-07-07

Travel band lifted for U.S. Military

This is an article about how the military has lifted the travel band it had in place due to the coronavirus.My family is personally affected by this since we are slotted to P.C.S. this fall.Not all states are cleared by the military and I fear with the country opening back up there will be many more cases and possibly more delays in PCS orders because of it.

2020-06-28

Cover of The Advocate magazine references the AIDS epidemic to draw attention to another lacking government response

This cover of The Advocate’s latest issue draws attention to the AIDS epidemic. Criticisms about the lacking government response are especially poignant for LGBTQ+ people who lives through the AIDS pandemic.

2020-06-10

OPEN LETTER TO JAIR BOLSONARO: BRAZIL IS FAILING TO PROTECT THE HEALTH OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DURING THE #COVID19

"Brazil’s current policies concerning the health and protection of its Indigenous citizens are nothing less than genocidal."

2019-06-04

FOR THE RIGHT TO BE NAMED AND COUNTED: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES ARE EXCLUDED FROM COVID-19 STATISTICS

"We have a great diversity of Indigenous Peoples in the world, Peoples who have been affected in different ways by the COVID-19 pandemic. To name us is to recognize our existence, which is the result of hundreds of years of resistance against invasions and previous epidemics similar to COVID-19. "

2020-04-29

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