Policy

With the dramatic drops in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, California is lifting its indoor masking mandate in public settings. Governor Gavin Newsom tweeted that due to stabilizing hospitalizations across the state and a 65% decrease in cases since the Omicron peak the indoor mask mandate for…

What started as a class-action lawsuit from a woman who was with her partner for 27 years, although not married as she was not legally allowed to do so has turned into another step forward in equality for same-sex couples. Gay men and lesbians are now able to receive survivor's benefits, usually…

In light of the flattening Omicron surge, the White House has discussed what coexisting with COVID-19 without interruptions to normal life would look like. White House COVID-19 response coordinator Jeff Zients on Wednesday said vaccines and other treatments will be the main tools in treating and…

The Biden administration has officially withdrawn its vaccine and testing mandate aimed at large businesses after the Supreme Court blocked the rule earlier this month. The mandate would have required businesses with one hundred or more employees to make full vaccination, regular COVID-19 testing,…

In January 2022, California will be initiating the nation’s largest mandatory residential food waste recycling program. Most people in California will be required to toss food waste into green waste bins instead of the trash. In addition, grocery stores would be required to donate edible food to…

Arizona is one of many states that has banned mask mandates in schools. However, the state is still happily accepting relief funds from the federal government. Essentially, the state is providing funding to all public and charter schools that abide by all state laws regarding COVID. Being that mask…

It has been ten months since Jodee Pineau-Chaisson, a 55-year old woman without pre-existing conditions, contracted COVID-19. Now, she is unable to work due to a myriad of symptoms. She experiences body pain, heart murmurs, memory problems, depression, and chronic fatigue. Many long-haulers also…

In response to President Biden's executive order on promoting COVID-19 safety, the CDC requires masking for travelers into, within, or out of the United States. As of February 2nd, this applies to airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-shares. While non-essential travel…

On Monday, Trump announced a new visa policy for International students that state students not taking any in-person courses are required to travel back to their home countries. Harvard and MIT sued Trump’s administration, and are in desperation for a temporary restraining order of the enactment of…

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is at the global front of responding to public health threats, but their role in the COVID-19 response has been significantly affected and filtered politically by the White House. Two CDC retirees, Bruce G. Weniger, MD, MPH (medical…

On May 6th, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Education revised Title IX, releasing new guidelines for universities and K-12 schools to follow for handling cases of sexual assault and misconduct. The new guidelines focus predominantly on giving alleged perpetrators more protections;…

Congress passed the CARES Act which will send $14 billion dollars to colleges to provide emergency living expenses grants for students. However, Secretary Betsy DeVos released new criteria for who is eligible, limiting the grants to only U.S. citizens and some noncitizen. Undocumented Deferred…

Author: Sarita Lee Contributors: Meredith Steinberg and Isabella Poschl Introduction Gun violence is a global health issue that is particularly pressing in the United States. Intimate partner homicide (IPH) is a type of gun violence that can be overlooked for a multitude of reasons. Fully…

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economy Security (CARES) Act that pass in the House of Representatives on March 27 outlines the $2 trillion stimulus bill that provides payments up to $1,200 for those who make less than a certain limit. Yet, many Americans will not make the cut due to a variety of…