All in Current Events

America's Attention Bias on Disaster (Copy)

America's Attention Bias on Disaster (Copy)

Ariel Siton
Current Events

At this moment in time, and indeed in history, the world that we all live in is a dangerous, chaotic place in so many ways. However, many Americans have their attention fixed on some tragedies as opposed to others. Stories of the Russian invasion into Ukraine, such as the siege and destruction of the city of Mariupol, have gripped the minds and hearts of many in the U.S. However, within this ocean of empathy for Ukraine, many Americans lose awareness of the multitude of disasters and loss of life occurring in other parts of the world at worst, and they devote less attention to them at best.

The Consequences of Roe v. Wade

The Consequences of Roe v. Wade

Drew Pagaduan
Current Events

The topic of abortion has long been a divisive topic in the political landscape of the United States, sparking fiery debates at all levels of governance. Protests and counter-protests have broken out across America, oftentimes with abortion clinics as the battlefield. For decades, the right of pregnant women to an abortion was protected by the landmark Roe v. Wade. However, with the overturning of Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022, it is time to analyze the political, social, and economic consequences of reversing a policy decision that has stood as a pillar of women’s bodily autonomy for decades.

The Emergence of Monkeypox in The U.S.

The Emergence of Monkeypox in The U.S.

Mia Christina Cancio
Current Events

The monkeypox virus (MPXV) is a rare infectious disease that has emerged in the past two decades. Originating in animals, MPXV was then transmitted to humans, thus classifying it as a viral zoonosis. The virus is now primarily spread through close contact between humans. MPXV primarily affects the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic (1). However, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are public health concerns regarding its recent emergence in the United States.

Raising the Minimum Wage: Evidence from Empirical Research

Raising the Minimum Wage: Evidence from Empirical Research

Celia Schurman
Economics, Current Events

With the Biden administration looking to deliver on its campaign promises and ease the country’s political tension, the minimum wage debate has resurfaced with more potency than ever before.The issue is largely partisan and is often divided into two sides: advocates for a higher minimum wage argue that workers would benefit from having more of a living wage and that they are entitled to such pay, while opponents argue that paying higher wages will cause businesses to pass expenses onto consumers via inflation, lay off workers, cut hours, and shut down entirely. While this simplification doesn’t capture all of the arguments’ nuances, it gives the main strife: will people be better or worse off?

Remote Work: The New Commonplace?

Remote Work: The New Commonplace?

Jasmine Rawson
Current Events

The CDC confirmed the first coronavirus case in the United States on January 21, 2020. Although it was the first of many, no one foresaw the perilous snowstorm to come. Rapidly, more deadly cases popped up around the country and the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020 (AJMC 2021). It was then that fear began to spread, and businesses worldwide began to close their in-person operations due to health concerns. Thus began months of work from home. Due to health concerns, opportunities for businesses to cut costs, and increases in employee productivity from working remotely, remote work will likely become a more common and frequent occurrence after the pandemic ends.

The Food Delivery Industry During COVID-19: Pinnacle Perseverance

The Food Delivery Industry During COVID-19: Pinnacle Perseverance

Jasmine Rawson
Current Events, Economics

Nowadays, we expect our packages to arrive within two days. Convenience has become so highly desired that it is now prioritized over other features, such as quality and price. Due to the widespread implementation of technological advancements in our everyday lives, convenience has become ingrained in our daily lives. Given the huge desire for convenience, the food industry jumped at the opportunity to capitalize on this trend. Companies created websites and apps, allowing customers to simply add an item to cart, and press order for food to be delivered right to their front doors. With this easy accessibility there has become a lack of transparency in the food delivery industry as it is unclear what goes on behind the scenes of an order. Surprisingly enough, the partnership between restaurants and food delivery apps is more parasitic than appears at first glance.

How Will We Go Forward?

How Will We Go Forward?

Keri Gilligan
Current Events, Political Theory

For almost a year, the United States has experienced the horrors of the COVID-19 virus. From the hundreds of thousands of lives already taken, to the questioning of America’s leadership, this year has been nothing short of chaos. As we look forward, there is still a high level of uncertainty and anxiety amongst many. With a new president comes new policy; president Joe Biden took immediate steps in trying to overcome the pandemic that has already proved to be destructive. As one of his first presidential actions, on January 20, 2021, Biden implemented an executive order to require anyone who is working for or with the Federal Government or in a Federal building to wear masks and maintain social distancing. These orders were put in place to “halt the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by relying on the best available data and science-based public health measures,” showing that this new administration is using scientific evidence to back their policies (The White House, 2021). While this may help certain parts of the United States, Section 3 “Encouraging Masking Across America” merely provides a suggestion to the American people. There should be more local and state-level intervention to mitigate the spread of the virus. As of March 29, 15 states have no restrictions with the use of masks. Moreover, there are six states that sometimes require masks (The New York Times, 2021). Although there are not clear trends with states with no-mask policies having higher COVID-19 cases, it is clear that this inconsistency across the country reveals the differing values between states, but also the United States’ values.

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