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Pandemics, like revolution, war and economic crises, are key determinants of historic change. We look at the history of epidemics, from Black Death to smallpox to COVID-19, and discuss how the coronavirus will reshape the world with leading medical historian Frank Snowden, author of “Epidemics and Society: From the Black Death to the Present.” He is a professor emeritus at Yale University who has been in Italy since the pandemic began, and himself survived a COVID-19 infection.
As more than a dozen states are seeing an uptick in cases, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns the U.S. death toll will pass 100,000 by the beginning of June. Last week, ousted U.S. vaccine chief Rick Bright testified that if the U.S. fails to improve its response to the virus, COVID-19 could resurge after summer and lead to the “darkest winter in modern history.” Coronavirus hot spots Italy and United Kingdom are both also slowly reopening businesses.
This comes as the World Health Organization will meet virtually today with all 194 member states, and the global coronavirus death count passes 315,000 with more than 4.7 million confirmed infections. This is Dr. Mike Ryan, head of the World Health Organization’s Emergencies Programme, speaking at a recent briefing.
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Lawsuit Filed Against the U.S. for Conditions of Terminal Island Prison in San Pedro
The American Civil Liberties Union and other groups are suing the federal government over conditions at the federal prison at Terminal Island in San Pedro.
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"They Don't Care for Our Lives": McDonald's Workers Strike Demanding Protections From Covid-19
Demanding McDonald's prioritize public health and worker safety over profits, hundreds of employees at the fast-food chain (140,000 U.S. restaurants) went on strike May 20, a day before the company was set to hold its annual shareholders' meeting.
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L.A. County Targets July 4th 'Safe Reopening,' Falls Short of State Requirements for Looser Restrictions
As more and more businesses come back online in Los Angeles, vast portions of the economy remain locked down, despite looser guidelines announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday.
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Housing, Homelessness Funds Mostly Spared in Proposed Budget Cuts
Before phrases like “social distancing” and “mask hoarding” entered the day-to-day lexicon, Newsom staked much of his political capital on fixing the state’s painfully visible homelessness woes.
