Outside Iona
November 3, 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.
Last Tuesday, President Biden received his COVID-19 booster. Biden contracted COVID-19 more than three months ago. The CDC recommends waiting a period of time before getting the booster shot. The President urges Americans to do the same as the winter and flu seasons are approaching.
Research has shown that the updated Moderna COVID-19 booster shot gives additional protection, producing a stronger immune response to the Omicron variant than the original vaccine. However, it is important to note that the updated Moderna vaccine is different from the bivalent shot by Pfizer. Although it also provides additional protection when given as a fourth booster shot, the bivalent vaccine produced higher levels of antibodies against BA.1 than the initial vaccine, despite how many times a recipient has been infected with COVID-19. Studies have shown that the higher antibody response has lasted for at least three months. The good news is that the vaccines can be mixed and matched as experts have suggested. Doctors have stated that the effect on the body’s immune system should be similar either way.
Information from CNN, the Guardian and the LA Times.
Liz Truss resigns, Rishi Sunak becomes new U.K. prime minister.
After 45 days of holding office, Liz Truss resigned, having the shortest tenure of any U.K. prime minster. Truss’ resignation was due to a failed tax-cutting budget with the pound losing value. The new prime minster is Rishi Sunak, who is attempting to distance himself from Truss as much as possible. He is considered to be more moderate than Truss. Sunak is the first person of color and Hindu to be prime minster. Additionally, he is the youngest prime minister in the past 200 years at the age of 42. Sunak is a former banker and is extremely wealthy, which has caused some controversy. The Tory leader hopes to unite the country. He mentioned that difficult economic decisions are necessary to stabilize the UK economy.
Information from the BBC, CNBC and CNN.
Seoul Halloween accident.
Tragedy struck Seoul this Halloween weekend. On Oct 29, at least 153 people died in what appears to be a crowd surge in a popular nightlife area of the capital. Tens of thousands of people were celebrating the holiday, when suddenly things turned for the worse. Authorities are still trying to figure out the reason for the accident. Some witnesses believe there was no crowd control which could have prevented the accident. Almost all the victims have been identified with the majority being in their 20s. The president, Yoon Suk-yeol, has called for a period of national mourning.
Information from CNN, BBC and the Guardian.
Sources:
General COVID-19 Updates.
https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/23/politics/biden-covid-19-booster/index.html
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/19/updated-moderna-covid-booster-vaccine-response-omicron
Liz Truss Resigns, Rishi Sunak becomes the new U.K. prime minister.
https://www.cnn.com/uk/live-news/uk-prime-minister-rishi-sunak-tuesday-intl-gbr/index.html
https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/24/uk/profile-rishi-sunak-uk-politics-intl-gbr/index.html
Seoul Halloween Accident.
https://www.cnn.com/asia/live-news/seoul-south-korea-halloween-deaths/index.html
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-63440849
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/30/seoul-halloween-crush-itaewon-reaction
