Our Top 5 Stories for the Week of August 30, 2021
It’s been a busy week, from the controversial Texas abortion ban to the rare terrorist attack in New Zealand. Who has time to keep track of it all? That’s why we’ve boiled it all down to our top five stories of the week.
Covid Restrictions and Battles Continue
Photo Source: AP Photo/Lynne Sladky
- ICUs Continue to Reach Capacity: On Tuesday, August 31, it was reported that Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Arkansas, and Florida are now at less than 10% ICU capacity. Hospitals in Idaho and Kentucky are quickly joining them, as they have been forced to turn hallways into makeshift wards and treat some Covid patients in their cars. The CDC released data reporting that the cases for children continue to rise and suggesting that the hospitalization rate of the unvaccinated is 16 times higher than those who are vaccinated.[1]
- Travel Restrictions Put in Place: On Wednesday, September 1, President Biden remained strict in his policy regarding nonessential foreign travel. The US currently has restrictions against people traveling from the EU, which has caused some tension among the two entities. The EU is calling for looser restrictions, which the US has said it will examine.[2] However, on Friday, September 3, the EU officially advised that the 27 countries drop the US from its safe list in response to the US restrictions. A few countries have chosen to ignore the advice since their economies rely on tourism and the new restrictions would ban nonessential travel. Other EU countries have simply added some stipulations, requiring visitors to be fully vaccinated, quarantine for 10 days upon entry, and provide a negative Covid test.[3]
- Legal Battles in Florida Continue: On Friday, September 3, Florida Governor DeSantis appealed the court ruling that he didn’t have the authority to ban mask mandates in schools. Thirteen school districts across the state have imposed mask mandates without a parent opt-out option, directly defying the original order from DeSantis. Parents have already filed a petition to vacate the law, which the appeal allows a temporary stay.[4]
- Change in Policies Across the Board: On September 3, the White House unveiled a new plan designed to better respond to future pandemics and biological threats. The beginning of the plan will be funded with $15 billion to start, and consists of five elements. The plan is designed to increase vaccination and awareness, strengthen the public health systems, build a stockpile of resources, and increase accountability.[5] On Friday, September 3, South Africa announced it is suspending the shipment of Johnson & Johnson vaccinations set to go to Europe. The shipments will now stay in Africa and be distributed throughout the continent. Only 3% of Africa’s 1 billion people have been vaccinated, making this decision quite important. The J&J vaccine is especially ideal for the continent because it only requires one dose, allowing flexibility and ease for the continent.[6]
Source: [1]CNN [2]CNN [3]CNN [4]CNN [5]CNN [6]CNN
Check out some more Covid resources.
Controversial Texas Abortion Ban
Photo Source: AP Photo/LM Otero
On Wednesday, September 1, Texas passed a controversial abortion ban (the Heartbeat Act), banning abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, even in the cases of rape and incest. Heartbeats are usually detected at around 6 weeks of pregnancy, which many times is before women know they are pregnant. The law also imposes a $10,000 penalty for those who do not follow the new ban and gives individuals the right to sue doctors who perform abortions past this point. In a 5-4 vote, the Supreme Court voted to allow this law after many had hoped it would vote to block it.[1] President Biden has condemned that law, stating that it is an attack on women’s rights. On Thursday, September 2, President Biden launched a “whole of government” response to oppose the new law. President Biden has said that the failure of the Supreme Court to block the law has created “constitutional chaos.” [2] On Friday, September 3, a district judge in Texas temporarily blocked anti-abortion groups from suing Planned Parenthood under the new law. The group, Texas Right to Life, has been issued a temporary restraining order. The group was also told to find a new hosting platform for their site, as GoDaddy announced that it has 24 hours before being dropped due to a breach of terms and services.[3]
Source: [1]BBC [2]BBC [3]CNN
Learn more about Roe V. Wade.
Afghanistan on the Verge of Economic Collapse
Photo Source: AP Photo/Wali Sabawoon
- Last US Plane Withdraws from Kabul: On Tuesday, August 31, it was revealed that the Taliban helped escort Americans with required credentials to the airport safely. There, US troops, secret gates, and call controls awaited them for evacuation.[1] The Taliban officially declared victory once the last plane withdrew. They were seen parading through the airport and Kabul streets, shooting gunfire and displaying the weapons left behind.[2]
- Potential Economic Collapse: As the group waits to name a new government, some glaring issues have come to a head. One of which is that the country itself has changed quite a bit since the Taliban’s last rule. Many Taliban members aren’t familiar with the more current way of life. One of the leading concerns is in regards to banks, which have been closed for weeks.[3]
- War on Women’s Rights: On Friday, September 3, it was reported that women in Afghanistan were asked where their male escorts were. Women are now forced to bring their husbands to Taliban checkpoints, despite the previous promise that women would have rights this time around.[4] In protest, the Women’s Political Participation Network marched down the streets of Kabul in a small demonstration. The women were chanting slogans and calling for the government to step in and give them constitutional rights. The Taliban is still attempting to form a new government, but continues to claim women will have a place in society.[5]
Source: [1]CNN [2]CNN [3]CNN [4]BBC [5]CNN
Learn more about Afghanistan under the Taliban rule.
Terrorist Attack in New Zealand
Photo Source: AP Photo/Brett Phibbs
On Friday, September 3, an ISIS supporter was shot dead in a New Lynn supermarket after stabbing and injuring at least 6 people. The Sri Lankan man was a “known threat,” having been released from jail just two months prior. He was allegedly under surveillance by multiple government agencies, grabbing the knife in the store. It took police 60 seconds to shoot him dead once the attack started.[1] On Saturday, September 4, New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern vowed that she plans to make tighten anti-terrorism laws. The changes should be seen by the end of September.[2]
Source: [1]CNN [2]BBC
Learn more about the New Zealand Department of State.
Fires and Hurricanes Continue to Ravage Areas
Photo Source: AP Photo/Mark Lennihan
- Caldor Fire Updates: On Thursday, September 2, it was reported that weaker winds may bring relief to California firefighters fighting the Caldor Fire. Containment of the fire, which has burned 210,259 acres, is now 25% contained. It is quickly approaching the Nevada border, making it one of the only fires to do so.[1]
- Hurricane Ida Causes Massive Flooding: On Thursday, September 2, massive flooding affected six states in the East as Hurricane Ida blew over the US. At least 45 people have died since the hurricane made landfall. Many of the deaths were caused by people caught in their vehicles during flash flooding. Many cars were left abandoned as flash flooding got worse throughout these states.[2] At least 9 of the deaths were from New York and New Jersey, which had such severe flooding, thousands were stranded for 14 hours in the subway. New York declared a state of emergency due to the impediment on all forms of travel.[3] On Friday, September 3, officials announced that most of the hurricane deaths in New York City were due to people living in illegally converted basements and cellars. Five of the six structures that flooded were illegal, and ten of the thirteen victims were living in them.[4]
- More Storms on the Horizon: On Saturday, September 4, meteorologists discussed more possible storms as people continued to pick up the pieces from Hurricane Ida. Tropical Storms Julian and Kate both formed last week, but dissipated before making landfall. However, Hurricane Larry is now churning in the central Atlantic. The National Hurricane Center reported that winds are now as high as 115 mph and the hurricane has reached Category 3. Larry is not a threat to any land for at least the next few days.[5]
Source: [1]CNN [2]CNN [3]CNN [4]CNN [5]CNN
Take a look at the Worst US Forest Fires.
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