Outside Iona
September 22, 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.
As winter approaches the CDC recommends to both get the new booster and flu shot. Sept. and Oct. are ideal months for receiving the vaccines. The CDC is concerned that the upcoming flu season will affect the country particularly hard as it has in New Zealand and Australia. Many local health departments are planning to have joint vaccine appointments. Experts hope that joint vaccine appointments will be more accessible to patients.
President Biden has just declared that the COVID-19 pandemic is over. However, the number of deaths from COVID-19 continues to rise. It is estimated that over 400 Americans on average are dying from the virus every day. Last Monday, Dr. Fauci acknowledged that the situation has improved, but he still urges people to be careful. He warned that new variants might arise in the upcoming winter months. Dr. Fauci also mentioned the news booster shots to help combat the virus.
Information from CNN, New York Times and BCC.
Queen Elizabeth Dead at 96.
On Sept. 8, the longest regaining monarch of the United Kingdom, Queen Elizabeth II, died. She ruled for over seventy years, assuming the Crown at the age of 25. She was put to rest 10 days later on Monday Sept. 19. She was buried at the King George VI Memorial Chapel next to her husband Prince Philip, who died last year. His body was moved from the Royal Vault of St. George’s Chapel in Windsor to be with his wife of over seventy years. The state funeral took place in the morning. London was somber as many paid their final respects. President Biden was one of the more than 200 foreign dignitaries that were invited to the service. Hundreds of thousands of mourners quietly paid their respects outside of Westminster Abbey for the funeral. The Queen’s children, which included King Charles III followed behind her coffin after it left the abbey. The King’s children Prince William and Prince Harry also joined them.
Information from Royal Family website, CNN and the Guardian.
Hurricane Fiona devastates Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico has once again become the victim of a natural disaster. The majority of people on the island has no power. It is expected that the outage will last days. Floods and mud slides wreak havoc. An astounding 32 inches of rain hit Puerto Rico. So far there have been two official deaths with the death toll expected to rise.
The Governor of Puerto Rico, Pedro Pierluisi, estimated that the damages are in the billions. President Biden pledged support to the island. Recuse workers and federal workers are expected to help Puerto Rico in the upcoming weeks. It is likely that the hurricane will be a Category 3 as it moves along the Caribbean waters. As of late, the Dominican Republican has also been hit.
Information from New York Times, Washington Post and Reuters.
Sources:
General COVID-19 Updates.
https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/12/health/covid-booster-flu-shot-timing-explained-wellness/index.html
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-62959089
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/18/us/covid-vaccine.html
Queen Elizabeth Dead at 96.
https://www.cnn.com/uk/live-news/funeral-queen-elizabeth-intl-gbr/index.html
Hurricane Fiona devastates Puerto Rico.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/09/19/us/hurricane-fiona-puerto-rico
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/09/19/hurricane-fiona-puerto-rico-live-updates/
