Category Archives: News

COVID-19, National

How racism and poverty made Detroit a new coronavirus hot spot

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By: Yanyoua Xiong

A report found in March, from the Pew Research Center, said that nearly 50% of black people, compared to 20% of white people, see coronavirus as a major threat to their health. Detroit has one of the largest African American populations in the country with 79% of the population African American. Even though African Americans make up only 14% of the population in Michigan, they make up around 40% of the deaths that occurred in that state.

Black people, of all ages, die in disproportionately higher numbers than white people in Detroit, due to asthma, heart disease, and other chronic lung disorders. Fabiola Cineas says the reasoning is because “hundreds of years of slavery, racism, and discrimination have compounded to deliver poor health and economic outcomes for black people.” 

Michigan’s governor, Gretchen Whitmer, commented on the difference in treatment of people of color and non people of color, “From basic lack of access to health care, transportation, and protections in the workplace, these inequities hit people of color and vulnerable communities the hardest. This task force will help us start addressing these disparities right now as we work to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Michigan.” 

In the ‘50s and ‘60s, Detroit was mostly white but we can start to see a shift in demographics with suburbanization and “white flight.” For some reason though, that didn’t decrease redlining and black people are still more likely than whites to be denied a loan today. 

However, it’s not just in Detroit but across the United States where inequalities between skin colors lead to experiencing higher numbers of COVID-19 cases. The death rates from COVID-19 are also disproportionate (by race) in places like Milwaukee, Georgia, and New York City.

Evidence of disadvantage is everywhere in Detroit: there are dozens of food banks, empty homes, and thousands of water shutoffs due to people being unable to pay their water bills. Detroit has remained one of the most segregated cities in the country despite being in a pandemic and it really shows.

National

Couple arrested for selling tickets to heaven

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A couple in Florida, Tito and Amanda Watts, were arrested for selling tickets to heaven. They sold each of the tickets for $99.99. They claimed the tickets were real gold, and all you had to do is show the tickets at the pearly gates at the entrance of heaven, and you would get full access to get in. They made over 10,000 dollars in cash from selling those tickets.

When searching their home, the police also found a baby alligator. No one knows where they found this alligator, but a witness said that they picked it up from the ocean. 

The spokesman for the Jacksonville Department said that “You can’t sell something as gold when it’s not. That’s where the Watts crossed the line into illegal.” 

In the police statement, Tito said, “The tickets are solid gold. And it was Jesus who gave them to me behind the KFC and said to sell them so I could get some money to go to outer space. I met an alien named Stevie who said if I got the cash together he’d take me and my wife on his flying saucer to his planet that’s made entirely of crack cocaine. You should arrest Jesus because he’s the one that gave me the golden tickets and said to sell them. I’m willing to wear a wire and set Jesus up” 

In Amanda’s statement, she said that “We just wanted to leave earth and go to space and smoke cocaine. I didn’t do anything. Tito sold the golden tickets to heaven. I just watched.” 

The couple has been charged for illegal possession of an alligator, several accounts of cocaine in their possession, and also for false advertising to hundreds of people.

For more information, please visit: http://news-af.feednews.com/news/detail/36f2f8934bbc1877a8594075bb3ea873?client=news

Science/Nature

Animal poaching

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Animal poaching is when an animal is killed illegally. It can also be defined as the illegal hunting or capturing of wild animals. These animals are killed for something that holds value. In some cases, it can be an animal’s fur or ivory. Some people believe that the rhino horn is important for medicinal purposes but in reality it has no significant use. 

Animal poaching happens mostly in the country of Zimbabwe. A country in Africa. Kenya comes in second place when it comes to poaching. The pattern that appears here is that most animal poaching happens in Africa because that’s where most of the rare animals are.

There can be many reasons as to why people decide to poach animals. One of the reasons people poach animals is because of their religion. Their religion can sometimes have obligations and/or traditions that involve poaching animals. Another reason can be for necessity or beliefs. Some poach animals and use them for their hides, skins, and the remaining parts are used for things such as clothing, food, or medicine. While some people have beliefs that it’s okay to poach animals.         

The most poached animals are elephants, walruses, rhinos, bears, and white-tailed deer. Elephants and walruses are poached for the ivory in their tusks. Their ivory tusks are often carved into jewelry and ornaments. Rhinos are poached for their horns. Its common use is to have it as a display to symbolize how successful and wealthy a person is if they have it. The American black bear is poached for its body parts that are used for exotic foods, they can also be used as aphrodisiacs. White-tailed deer is poached for its antlers and its meat. 

According to Onegreenplanet.org, there are many ways you can help stop the poaching of animals. One way to help is by signing petitions. There are many petitions that serve different purposes such as enacting wildlife protection or to end wildlife crime. Another way is by donating to foundations and volunteering. 

COVID-19

The positive side of COVID-19

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The coronavirus pandemic has definitely been difficult for a lot of people. Not only because of the constant fear of contracting it, but also due to the staying at home and not seeing friends or family. Even though times may seem very grim, there are still upsides to this virus that not as many people talk about. 

The biggest positive of the pandemic is the lowering of emissions. This is caused by less people going to work in factories. This lowering of emissions is very positive and proves that it is possible to cut emissions. Although this lowering of emissions may not be sustainable long term because it gives a lot of people jobs, it still shows that it’s possible to lower the emissions. 

Another positive to COVID-19 is how much happier pets are. Many dogs and cats are stuck at home while their owners are at work or school, or just out of the house. These pets need attention and most good owners give their pets as much attention as possible, but when owners are at home pets get so much more attention than normal. Dogs and cats all thrive when they get more attention so having their owners around is good for them. One issue with this is extra attention these dogs and cats are getting is that when owners go back to work and leave them at home again they could get stressed out and be more unhappy when they don’t get the extra attention.

The final positive is the positivity in communities around the world. Around the world people are coming together to celebrate health care workers for doing what they do. People are doing favors for their neighbors, who may not be able to leave their house, and wearing masks and taking proper precautions for people who are at higher risk.

COVID-19, Tech/Games

Conspiracy theorists burning down 5G towers in delusion that they are causing the corona-virus

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There have been a lot of theories on the coming of the new COVID-19 virus, but this conspiracy has been one of the most damaging. This theory involves the work of 5G mobile towers being accused of having connections to the virus. People say the towers have been emitting radiation poisoning, and that people are getting sick because of it. People have said that these towers, for mobile communication, can have an effect on giving people cancer as well as killing wildlife.

The news has been spreading through social media networks, but only recently there have been acts of arson. There is a Facebook group called “Stop5G Australia,” that’s filled with many people that believe the towers are making us all sick.

These theories are easily put down due to scientific facts, but that doesn’t stop individuals from continuing their beliefs. COVID-19 is a virus that spreads through human contact.

Because the attacks continue, it has had a saddening effect on emergency services that depend on the mobile networks provided by 5G. It’s not just the abuse of the towers, as reported by TheVerge,  there have been reports of worker harassment and people attempting to stop repairs and management of the towers as well.

National

Illegal immigration in the United States

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Image taken from: https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/should-i-use-the-term-illegal-immigrant

There are four types of immigrants: citizens, residents, non-immigrants and undocumented. Today I will be talking about undocumented immigrants. Undocumented immigrants are people who are foreign-born and who also don’t have a legal right to stay or be in the United States. 

You may ask, where do they all come from? Half of illegal immigrants come from Mexico or other Latin American countries such as: El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Cuba, or Colombia. The other half comes other countries like Poland, Sweden, Pakistan, Somalia, and Iraq, which all provide large numbers of illegal immigrants here in the United States. 

Illegal immigrants come to the United States often because of new job opportunities that could be offered. They are able to build a better life in the United States because their own country is lacking certain things such as resources, decent living conditions, or safety. They could also flee to the United States because of war. 

A myth that has been well ingrained in peoples heads is that immigrants steal other’s jobs. The truth is they don’t. They take jobs that the American workers decide not to take. They also start their own businesses and spend their income on American services and goods. According to the ACLU, over 100 years, Immigrants pay more than $90 billion in taxes every year and only receive $5 billion in welfare. Without any contributions to the public treasury, the economy would then suffer huge losses. 

Some people ask the question “Why don’t they come here legally?” The answer to that question is that, it’s not that easy. The first thing immigrants have to do is get a visa and have a qualified reason to be in the United States.

There are many ways to be here temporarily, such as being a student, tourist, or being here for short term business. But all of these require for you to prove that you intend to go back to your home country. Each year visas are allowed globally for each type of relationship and once they are all issued, the rest are put on a waiting list. The process can take from anywhere up to 27 years. 

The Pledge of Allegiance states “with liberty and justice for all.” We don’t see any of this going on with illegal immigrants. They instead are kept in detention centers. Families are being pulled apart; women and men are housed separately and they are not allowed to know how long they will be detained, their personal belongings are taken away from them and they are not treated as humans, they are treated as ‘aliens’ and outsiders. This is a worldwide issue that deserves more attention than it gets. 

Advice/How To, COVID-19

Things to do during quarantine

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By: Linda Tellez-Ruiz

Quarantine can be very stressful and very boring. Although you may have a lot of time on your hands, no one‘s quite sure what to do with all that time. You and your family might be tempted to go out to a park, or do something outdoors, but you just don’t want to risk it.

Well, I have a lot of family friendly ideas to pass the time.

The first thing that’s fun, and also kind of expensive, but is totally worth it, is to get an inflatable pool. It doesn’t even have to be new; they’re basically sold everywhere and they’re probably only maybe $100. If you invested in one it would last you way longer than just quarantine so you could be using it for the summer, and just for family fun whenever you want.

Another thing that would be fun for the whole family is a big 1000 piece puzzle. They are very time consuming but also very fun. You can get them online for a couple of bucks.

Something you can do as a family is binge watch a TV show and also prepare to watch that show by cooking a family dessert. It’s a fun and tasty activity for the whole family.

Now, something that I like to do, that’s not really hard, but it takes a lot of time and dedication, is if you have a pet take the time and try to teach it some cool new tricks. I’ve done this and I’ve taught my dog how to roll over. It’s very easy, and very cute, and fun, just put on a tutorial on YouTube and follow the instructions.

COVID-19, World

Coronavirus in Mexico

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By: Heidy Ramirez

There are top 10,000 corona virus cases in Mexico. Latin America’s second biggest outbreak. There have been 970 deaths because of the coronavirus and Mexico is entering “phase 3.” Mexico does not really have hospitals that can help them all at the same time and if they do, Mexicans do not really trust it to be the top best thing.

It’s worse for Mexicans for the corona to be out there, because everyone is always out and around people. The Mexico metropolitan area is home to more than 20 million people so for the corona to be there, it will expand more than in most countries and states.

They do not have as many hospitals or doctors and nurses to help with the coronavirus stuff as Americans and other people do. They are also telling elderly people to stay indoors, even if they work, for their safety.

Most Mexicans are saying they don’t deserve what they have coming but they deserve moral support and help from other countries. Many doctors and nurses have to take more shifts because of how many people have the virus there and not many people that can help treat it.

There is at least around 1 million Mexicans trying to cross the border to get some good help
because they don’t really have much in Mexico. The government of Mexico did not give the
announcement to stay at home until April even though as I write this, we’re waiting to see
what the government and president has to say about all of this.

The system of health will be overloaded faster than other countries. Mexico had about 65 tests per million inhabitants (2,250 per million in the United States).

The National AIDS council of Mexico said that people who are testing are doing better than
other countries. Not everything will be solved when you take the test. There are going to be
more things you have to do so it’s better to be clear from it.

A virus never really goes away so in conclusion no one will ever be clear from it and in Mexico it’s probably worse to be because everyone’s always together like they’re one big family. The numbers started on March 18 which was 25 deaths and on April 22 there were 970 deaths because of the Coronavirus.

What are the things that nurses in Mexico are doing? They are avoiding wearing masks to avoid
sowing panic and two doctors and one hospital administrator have died. Also, there were at least
51 staff members that have been infected by corona.

Some Mexicans are attacking the doctors and the nurses with bleach and burning them and a lot more things because they’re scared of the coronavirus. There have been a lot of attacks since the corona virus started. There have been a lot of threats of who might be sick and who will try to do anything to get rid of the sickness. Mexico is just trying to be clear from it just as everyone else is having to do whatever they need to.

Getting To Know/History, Science/Nature

What is Seasonal Depression?

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Image taken from: https://www.evidentlycochrane.net/preventing-seasonal-affective-disorder-sad/

As the seasons are changing, people are able to do more outside and are less confined to their houses. Many people also find that they have more energy than they did in the winter months.

This could be because of Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. It is a type of depression that, according to the Mayo Clinic, is related to changes in seasons. They also say that most symptoms, in people with SAD, start in the fall and continue through the long winter months. In some less common cases, people have been known to be affected in the spring and early summer.

SAD is very common in the United States, according to the Cleveland Clinic, with approximately half a million people suffering from it each year. This is more likely to start in young adulthood, but children and teens could also experience SAD. People who live far north and south of the equator are also found to be more likely to be affected. 

Most of the symptoms are the same as depression. The most common symptoms, according to Cleveland Clinic, are:

  • Sadness
  • Anxiety
  • Increased need for sleep
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Withdrawal from social activities
  • Loss of interest in usual activities 

The treatment for SAD varies depending on the severity of the case. Anti-depressants work in some cases but the most recommended treatment is light therapy and spending more time outside. Light therapy is when a device containing white fluorescent light is placed at a distance of 2-3 feet away from the patient. It is used as a substitute for sunlight, which has been shown to improve the patient’s moods. 

If you have diagnosed with SAD there are multiple things to do to keep your symptoms from returning. One thing to do is to try and spend time outside, even when it’s cloudy, the sunlight will still help. A second thing that is helpful is to eat well-balanced meals with lots of vitamins, even though you body might be craving starchy and sweet foods. Another thing that would help with SAD is exercising for thirty minutes a day, at least three times a week. 

COVID-19, Movies/TV/Theaters, National

Louisiana police use siren from ‘The Purge’ to signal quarantine

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The Purge siren goes out with an announcement.

The police used a siren to signal that curfew had begun and to stay inside. However, they were unaware that the siren was used in the 2013 movie The Purge. In the film, the siren announces the beginning of a twelve hour period where all crime is legal. I’m sure for people who knew about the movie, this would have been terrifying to hear, especially at night.

The police issued an apology, and stated that the siren would be not used again. After getting numerous complaints, they assured the public that it was not a prank set out by the department, and it was an honest mistake.

The Purge is an incredibly successful horror film franchise. It has spawned four films and a T.V. show. A fifth film was slated for a 2020 release, but production was most likely stopped due to the virus. In the series, all crime is legal for a 12 hour period once a year. Hearing this type of siren late at night must have been scary for some people, and luckily the police department was able to catch their mistake on the first night they used it.