Outside Iona
November 18, 2021
Throughout our hectic student lives, we should always remain aware of what is happening around us. In this column, I find some of the most significant things around us and provide you with a small blurb and nitty-gritty details. Here are some of the major events that have been taking place:
General COVID-19 update.
Rising cases of COVID and COVID antibodies found in animals have created concerns. However, according to the CDC, the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to humans is low, but in certain situations the virus can spread from people to animals. A vaccine has been developed for animals, which was authorized for experimental and case-by-case basis by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In Canada, wildlife experts are monitoring deer populations. A study has found that 40% of white-tailed deer in four states had SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, which are the antibodies of the virus that causes COVID-19. Hunters are warned to be careful and to take precautions. Three snow leopards and beloved members of the community of the Lincoln Children’s Zoo – Ranney, Everest and Makalu died from complications of COVID-19.
Austria has introduced a new policy- a national lockdown for unvaccinated citizens. Those who are unvaccinated must remain in their homes and are only permitted to leave for limited reasons such as working or buying food. Children below the age of 12 and people who recently recovered from COVID-19 are exempt.
Information from CBC, CBS News and BBC.
Kyle Rittenhouse trial.
Last year, during an anti-police brutality protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Kyle Rittenhouse shot three men, killing two and injuring the other. Rittenhouse, despite not living in the state of Wisconsin, arrived in Kenosa after protests broke following the death of Jacob Blake after being shot several times by the police.
Rittenhouse faces seven counts, including first-degree reckless homicide, use of a dangerous weapon; two counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety, use of a dangerous weapon; first-degree intentional homicide, use of a dangerous weapon; attempted first-degree intentional homicide, use of a dangerous weapon; possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18 and failure to comply with an emergency order from state or local government. Rittenhouse has claimed that he fired in self-defense after the men attacked him.
As the trial comes to an end with closing arguments on Monday, many citizens of Kenosha hope for peace. Governor Tony Evers urges that visitors stay away from the area.
Information from ABC, The New York Times and NBC News.
Infrastructure bill updates.
On Nov. 5, Congress passed an historic $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill. The federal money is set to repair and replace bridges, roads and ports. It will distribute $500 billon of new federal investments to projects over the next five years. The funds will be allotted to a variety of programs that are mostly run by the U.S Department of Transportation, while some will be dispersed directly to state transportation agencies or awarded to selected applicants through competitive grant programs. In the past, several plans of infrastructure have been pushed back because of local governments struggling to find funding.
The bill was sent to be signed on Monday.
Information from CNN.
Sources:
General COVID-19 Update.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-deer-covid-19-1.6248274
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/three-snow-leopards-die-of-covid-19-at-nebraska-zoo/
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-59283128
Kyle Rittenhouse Trial
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/11/10/us/kyle-rittenhouse-trial-testimony
Infrastructure Bill Updates.
https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/14/politics/biden-infrastructure-roads-bridges/index.html.
