Outside Iona
April 21, 2022
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 Updates.
Mask mandates are continuing to be lifted. Last Tuesday, the Justice Department declared that it would appeal a federal judge’s decision striking down the Center for Disease Control and Protection’s mask mandate for public transportation if the agency decides the mandate is still needed to protect public health. U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in a 59-page ruling stated that the CDC had surpassed its authority and failed to adhere to proper rulemaking procedures. The ruling struck down the federal mask mandate for airplanes and other modes of public transportation. White House press secretary Jen Psaki voiced frustration with the court’s ruling, believing that the public health decisions should be made by the courts, not by the public. Last Monday, Delta, United to Southwest, and American asserted that masks are now optional for passengers. Uber, Lyft and Amtrak have also followed suit, ending mask requirements, while the MTA has chosen to keep their mask mandates in place. President Biden commented on the situation, inserting that Americans should make the decision of whatever or not to wear masks on public transportation.
Information from NPR and the New York Times.
Russian-Ukraine War Updates.
On Monday, Russia launched missiles across the cities of Ukraine, with at least four reported in the city of Lviv with seven casualties. While the control of the town of Kreminna has been announced lost during heavy fighting. Allies of Ukraine have pledged to send more weapons to the country to aid in its defense against a renewed Russian offensive in the east. In particular, Russian forces are targeting the eastern Donbas, which includes the Luhansk and Donetsk regions.
President Biden has no scheduled plans to visit Ukraine following President Zelensky’s words against it. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials announced that they encountered more than 50,000 Ukrainians in March, including the 3,274 at the southern border. Hundreds have gathered along the U.S.-Mexico border in hopes to enter the U.S.
Information from CNN and BBC News.
Johnny Depp testifies against Amber Heard in defamation trial.
Actor, Johnny Depp recounted the final days of his marriage to ex-wife Amber Heard in court last Monday. He asserted that the relationship was abusive, and the aftermath has ruined his reputation. Depp denied Heard’s accusations, suing her over a 2018 Washington Post op-ed, where she stated she was a survivor of domestic abuse. Depp asserts that Heard was emotionally and physically abusive towards him. His emotional testimony included him describing the abuse he endured under his mother.
Information from Rollingstone and CNN.
Sources:
General COVID-19 Updates.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/04/19/world/covid-19-mandates-cases-vaccine
Russian-Ukraine War Updates.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61155035
Johnny Depp testifies agaisnt Amber Heard in defamation trial.
