Category Archives: News to use

Useful news for all to advance knowledge of the world and how it works

Next question. ‘Meduza’ talks to the lawyers involved in historian Yuri Dmitriev’s case

On September 29, the Karelian Supreme Court considered an appeal in the case of historian and human rights activist Yuri Dmitriev. The court ended up overturning his previous three and half year sentence and sentencing him to 13 years in prison. This decision is unprecedented, even among Russian courts — the historian’s defense lawyer has already announced plans to challenge the verdict. Meanwhile, human rights defenders and Dmitriev’s colleagues are calling the sentence the “system’s revenge” for his research on the Soviet Gulag. In a (not so successful) attempt to discuss the political dimension of Dmitriev’s case, Meduza spoke to his defense lawyer, Viktor Anufriev, and attorney Igor Perov, the representative for the victim in the case, Dmitriev’s foster daughter.

Recent Increase in COVID-19 Cases Reported Among Adults Aged 18–22 Years — United States, May 31–September 5, 2020 | MMWR

During August 2–September 5, weekly incidence of COVID-19 among persons aged 18–22 years rose by 55.1% nationally; across U.S. Census regions,* increases were greatest in the Northeast, where incidence increased 144.0%, and Midwest, where incidence increased 123.4%. During the same period, changes in testing volume for SARS-CoV-2 in this age group ranged from a 6.2% decline in the West to a 170.6% increase in the Northeast. In addition, the proportion of cases in this age group among non-Hispanic White (White) persons increased from 33.8% to 77.3% during May 31–September 5. Mitigation and preventive measures targeted to young adults can likely reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission among their contacts and communities. As colleges and universities resume operations, taking steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among young adults is critical (7). Source: Recent Increase in COVID-19 Cases Reported Among Adults Aged 18–22 Years — United States, May 31–September 5, 2020 | MMWR

Utah teacher with COVID-19 is leaving the hospital as she begins to recover – The Salt Lake Tribune (What happens when schools open too soon – she nearly died)

Jensen, 54, is one of the first teachers in the state to be hospitalized from COVID-19, which Talesha Jensen believes her mom contracted at the Draper school earlier this month. Corner Canyon High had reported having 15 cases on Sept. 11 among its students and staff, including a close colleague of Jensen’s. But the district’s board initially voted to keep the school open — against the recommendation from state health officials — despite the size of the outbreak. And a few days later, after testing positive, Jensen went to the emergency room unable to breathe. She was checked into the intensive care unit and put on a ventilator Sept. 17. It wasn’t until that point that the district decided to switch to online instruction for two weeks. By then, Jensen’s husband and two daughters also had the virus, with much milder symptoms. And the spread in the school ballooned to more than 70 people.

Source: Utah teacher with COVID-19 is leaving the hospital as she begins to recover – The Salt Lake Tribune

Florida finally releases COVID-19 data on schools | Miami Herald (Governor and schools continue to gamble over health and death)

In Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties, 429 cases were tied to K-12 schools and 326 cases to post-secondary schools.

Most schools in the three counties reported a single COVID-19 case over the 20-day period outlined in the report, with the exception of Oldsmar Christian School and Newsome High School, which reported 13 and 10 cases, respectively.

Source: Florida finally releases COVID-19 data on schools | Miami Herald

White House Blocked C.D.C. Order to Keep Cruise Ships Docked – The New York Times – (Trump wants more to die to promote cruises before it is safe)

The current “no sail” policy is set to expire on Wednesday. Dr. Robert R. Redfield, the director of the C.D.C., had recommended the extension, worried that cruise ships could become viral hot spots, as they did at the beginning of the pandemic.

But at a meeting of the coronavirus task force on Tuesday, Dr. Redfield’s plan was overruled, according to a senior federal health official who was not authorized to comment and so spoke on condition of anonymity. The administration will instead allow the ships to sail after Oct. 31, the date the industry had already agreed to in its own, voluntary plan. The rejection of the C.D.C.’s plan was first reported by Axios.

NYPD’s Violent Crackdown In Mott Haven Violated Human Rights Laws, Report Finds – Gothamist

As officers on bikes blocked the group’s path minutes before Mayor Bill de Blasio’s 8 p.m. curfew, a second line of cops charged them from behind, “unprovoked and without warning, whaling their batons, beating people from car tops, shoving them down to the ground, and firing pepper spray in their faces,” the report states.

The report calls for sweeping changes to the NYPD, most notably the discipline and possible termination of Commissioner Shea for misleading the public and Chief of Department Terence Monahan for leading the crackdown. “Shea, Monahan, and other top officials implicated in abuse and cover-ups should face disciplinary action including possible dismissal for their betrayal of the public’s trust and leadership in the violation of basic rights,” the report states.

It recommends that members of the community play a role in picking the next police commissioner.

Source: NYPD’s Violent Crackdown In Mott Haven Violated Human Rights Laws, Report Finds – Gothamist