COVID-19 Pandemic Updates
ACLU Voices Concerns about “Immunity Passports”
The ACLU has serious concerns about the proposal of “immunity passports,” which would divide workers into two classes (immune and non-immune). There is no science to support the proposal, and even if there was there are serious civil liberties and civil rights harms from making workplace decisions on that basis. The ACLU predicts it would exacerbate racial disparities, disproportionately harm people with disabilities, and allow a possible expansion of the surveillance state.
More here.
Real World Study Show Vaccines 90% Effective
Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines reduce the risk of infection by 90% two weeks after the 2nd shot according to a study released Monday.
This week we saw developments related to the pandemic, and Biden hints at doing something good while doing a lot of bad
Pandemic Update
Big Pharma Plans to Price Gouge Consumers
Large Pharmaceutical companies have recently told their investors that they will start price gouging Americans for their COVID-19 vaccines as soon as they are given the opportunity. This should come as no surprise as this is the typical practice of the industry. The profit motive of these pharmaceutical companies makes necessary treatment too expensive and leads to people not getting the medicines they need.
Teacher Unions are Concerned New Guidelines are Based on Political Pressure, Not Science
The CDC recently released new guidelines for schools that reduce the social distance requirement from six feet down to three feet. Teacher Unions push back with concerns that the change was made because of political…
This week we saw the passing of a history relief package, western imperialism continues, coup leaders get arrested, #LulaLivre, and more.
Joe Biden Signs American Rescue ARP into Law
The long-awaited COVID-19 Stimulus Package promised by Democrats finally hit Joe Biden’s desk this past week. The bill will temporarily pull millions out of poverty while also giving a handout to insurance companies.
More here.
The ARP Passed without a single vote from Republican members of Congress despite support from 75% of the American public.
More here.
Western Nations Block Poorer Nations From Producing Cheaper Versions of COVID Vaccines
Over 100 countries supported a wavier that would have allowed poorer nations to produce cheaper versions of the COVID-19 vaccine. The wavier was blocked by the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.
More here.
Former Brazilian President Lula de Silva has Criminal Charges Against Him Dropped by Supreme Court Judge.
A Brazilian Supreme…
This week we saw a much-needed relief bill pass the Senate, Democrats kill one of their most important policy positions, and conservatives manufacture outrage over children’s books.
Senate Passes $1.9 Trillion COVID-19 Relief Bill
The Senate passed Joe Biden’s $1.9 Trillion COVID-19 relief bill on Saturday morning with no GOP votes. The bill will provide much-needed relief to Americans struggling during the pandemic and provide funding to states and localities. The best part includes a child allowance of up to $3,600 and is projected to cut child poverty in half. While critics argue it definitely could have been better, the bill will still “deliver the largest direct…
Welcome to our brand new weekly news brief. Check back every Sunday for a roundup of the week’s headlines you may have missed.
Baby’s First Bombing
This week we saw the first bombing of Biden’s presidency against Iranian-backed militias in Syria. The order came at the Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s recommendation, who is *currently* a board member for the weapons manufacturer Raytheon. The order also came without congressional approval, making it an unconstitutional act. The Biden administration claimed the attack was in self-defense, which critics have pointed out as strongly stretching the meaning of “self-defense.” Furthermore, bombing the ally of the country you’re trying to negotiate peace with (Iran) is not the best negotiation tactic. Read more here
Democratic Leadership Pretends They Can’t Pass $15 Minimum Wage.
Robinhood and other companies are actively protecting Wall Street’s profits by screwing over ordinary investors.
After members of the subreddit r/wallstreetbets took advantage of a market flaw in GameStop, Robinhood and others have attempted to protect Wall Street hedge funds. From preventing users from exploiting the flaw further by blocking trades to forcing users to sell shares they owned, they are attempting to push the price of GameStop shares downward.
Some r/wallstreetbets members had discovered that investors held 144% of GameStop stock in a short position. Simply put, a short position is betting on the stock price going down. If…
Joe Biden has proposed a $15 min wage, and conservatives are losing their minds.
Despite countless economists, studies, and real-world examples showing the economic benefits of raising wages, conservatives have completely melted down over Joe Biden’s proposed $15 minimum wage.
But the evidence is clear; raising the minimum wage will not significantly impact the prices of goods and services and provide millions with much needed higher wages. Here’s why.
The Economic Policy Institute has provided a list of economists who support increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour. The statement — provided with the list — states:
Today, workers who earn the federal minimum wage make $7.25 an…
Soon after a violent coup attempt broke out in Washington D.C., conspiracies started to spread that the perpetrators were ANTIFA.
Earlier today, a Trump protest broke out into a violent riot on Capitol Hill. White supremacists and Qanon groups overwhelmed the police and ran amuck in the halls of Congress. A conspiracy quickly spread through social media accusing ANTIFA — people who believe in opposing rising fascism in the U.S — of disguising themselves as Trump supporters as a stunt. These baseless claims fell flat after some of the identities of the Terrorists have been identified.
Pictures of this guy have been going around insisting he’s ANTIFA. His name is Jake Angeli, and he is known as the “Q-Shaman”…
Democratic Leadership has signaled that they are more concerned about appeasing their corporate interests over the broader population’s needs.
Democrats have failed to wield what little leverage they had during stimulus negotiations to secure much-needed provisions for workers. The Biden Campaign meanwhile has been lowering expectations for his upcoming administration. Failure to pass a stimulus bill focusing on helping workers would be catastrophic for millions of Americans, and Democrats have yet to show that they are willing to fight for the country’s workers.
The United States has been the hardest-hit countries by the pandemic, despite being the planet’s wealthiest country. Over 300,000 Americans are dead, and nearly 3,000 Americans are now dying every single day. The high death count…
The for-profit structure of the U.S. healthcare system allows unnecessary death and suffering.
Have you ever known someone who has passed away because they delayed medical treatment due to cost, rationed their unaffordable medication, or went bankrupt due to medical bills? Well, you wouldn’t be alone. 45,000 Americans die every single year from lack of health coverage. Medical Bills bankrupt hundreds of thousands of Americans every year. Over 14 million Americans have lost their health insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Compared to other developed countries, the United States consistently ranks in the bottom percentiles of overall health outcomes while spending double per capita. For readers unaware of how for-profit healthcare operates or even…
Shane Sarosy
Co-Host of Newsdive. Believer in Democracy and Human Rights
