Throughout our hectic  lives as students, though it may be difficult, we should always remain aware of what is happening around us. In this column, I find some of the most significant things going on around the world and  

provide you with a small blurb of all the nitty-gritty details! Here are some of the major events  

that have been happening: 

General COVID-19 update.  

As of late, it has been reported that 5,800 fully vaccinated individuals    contracted COVID-19. The CDC reports that 7% of those inflected have been hospitalized with 74 fatalities. In the upcoming week, they are expected to publish findings regarding this information. Because of these results, some are questioning if the effectiveness of the vaccine.   

However, the breakthrough of infections were expected as all three COVID-19 vaccines currently available are not 100% effective in preventing individuals from contracting and falling ill from this disease.. Dr. Fauci told the New York Post that despite the effectiveness of a vaccine there will always be breakthrough infections.  

There are other factors to consider before dismissing the vaccine entirely. For instance, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems may be unable to release an immune response and build the necessary antibodies to fight the virus. Additionally, research has found that new variants of COVID 19 are more transmissible and can circumvent the vaccine’s protection.  

Additionally, accounts that blood clots may be linked to the Johnson and Johnson vaccine has scared the American public. Only six cases of blood clots have been reported out of the estimated 7 million administrated doses. The administration of the vaccine has been paused and there is currently an ongoing investigation.  

Information from New York Post and CNN Health. 

Adam Toledo. 

The Chicago Police have released the body cam footage of the officer that murdered Adam Toledo.  On March 29, 2021, the thirteen-year-old boy was murdered in the Little Village neighborhood on the West Side of Chicago. The minor was accompanied by Ruben Roman, a 21-year-old man who is being investigated and charged with felonies including child endangerment.  

 In the video, it shows Toledo begin to raise his hands as the officer Eric Stillman fatally shoots him. The death of the seventh grader has sparked outrage through the country, leaving a grieving mother asking why this police officer killed her little boy. The prosecutor who asserted that Toledo had the gun in his hands when he was shot has been placed on leave, stating they did not review the video properly.  

Information from New York Post and CNN Health. 

Daunte Wright.  

A young father, 20-year-old Daunte Wright was fatally shot on April 11, 2021 by a police officer at  a traffic stop in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. The Minnesota Police Department responded that the incident was “an accidental discharge,” explaining that Officer Kim Potter was trying to arrest Wright for his outstanding warrant for expired registration tags. However, moments before the shooting, Wright called his mother claiming he was stopped because he had air fresheners hanging from his rearview mirror. The city’s former police chief, who last week contended that Kim Potter had mistaken her taser for her gun, resigned. Potter, who also resigned, was charged with second-degree manslaughter by a prosecutor. 

Information from CNN and APNews. 

Updates on the Chauvin Trial  

Only 10 miles from Brooklyn Center, the trial of the police officer involved in the death of George Floyd, Derek Chauvin is taking is place. Furthermore, another connection to Daunte Wright is that Floyd’s girlfriend, Courteney Ross, was a teacher’s assistant and counselor at Wright’s high school.  

The trial is expected to move to closing statements and jury deliberations this week. Chauvin is accused of second-degree unintentional murder, second degree manslaughter, and third-degree murder for the death of Floyd. In almost three weeks of testimony, the jury has heard from 45 witnesses from both sides that have rested their cases.  

The trial’s closing arguments began at 9 am Monday.  

Information from Duluth News Tribune and CNN.