First and foremost.... welcome to 2021. I fully expect nothing less than what we're doing now to continue for this new year. Just another day, after all.
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Interesting read from an interview on the book Broke in America: Seeing, Understanding, and Ending U.S. Poverty.
https://www.jacobinmag.com/2020/12/broke-in-america-ending-us-poverty
$600/individual.
What a wonderful late Christmas present.
(Sarcasm intended)
Something is better than nothing...but we gotta do better!
-David
"While overall poverty levels are low by historical standards, the increase in poverty this year has been swift. It is the biggest jump in a single year since the government began tracking poverty 60 years ago."
As I've said before, and I'll say again... poverty in the first world is not the same as in the third world...but the psychological aspects of it can cut deep.
-David
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/12/16/poverty-rising/
From Seattle,via Daily Mail...
"‘In a situation where you took that sandwich because you were hungry and you were trying to meet your basic need of satisfying your hunger; we as the community will know that we should not punish that. That conduct is excused,’ Khandelwal said, according to KOMO .
The proposal, however, excludes misdemeanors related to domestic violence and impaired driving.
Khandelwal also suggested the creation of a public fund for restitution, to compensate theft victims even if the offender cannot pay them."
First time I've heard this seriously discussed... it's definitely a lot to think about...
-SGAF
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9048471/Seattle-City-Council-considers-new-poverty-defense-excuse-misdemeanor-crimes.html
"Credit-scoring algorithms are not the only ones that affect people’s economic well-being and access to basic services. Algorithms now decide which children enter foster care, which patients receive medical care, which families get access to stable housing. Those of us with means can pass our lives unaware of any of this. But for low-income individuals, the rapid growth and adoption of automated decision-making systems has created a hidden web of interlocking traps."
Though the story to kick off this article may be on the "upper" end of sanity...the point rings true. Credit scores are yet another number which can help the old "rich get richer" adage hold true. It's hard to tell the whole story in words if you've never experienced it yourself.
-David
Source:https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/12/04/1013068/algorithms-create-a-poverty-trap-lawyers-fight-back/
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/10/29/covid-vaccine-black-americans-hesitancy-trials/3744257001/
"Clear communication and "collaborative engagement" can help overcome vaccine hesitancy, he said."But these steps need to be taken urgently," White said. "I don't think it's too late, but I think we're running out of time."
There's a long list of reasons why minorities, especially African Americans, are concerned about vaccination...and medical care in general.
It's hard enough to comprehend the effect COVID has had on minority communities as it is...it's even more difficult to envision what a low vaccination rate will do.
-David
