The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center has issued a rare "high risk" Level 5 out of 5 alert for parts of the Midwest and Mid-South, impacting nearly 3 million people. Severe weather in the form of damaging wind gusts, large hail, and several tornadoes are expected, with hail reaching up to apple size and wind gusts reaching up to 70 mph. People in the affected areas should take the necessary precautions and stay alert for further updates.
Posts published in “Health”
After decades of captivity, Lolita the killer whale is one step closer to returning to her natural habitat in the Pacific Northwest. An unlikely coalition of the Miami Seaquarium, an animal rights group, and Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay have announced a binding agreement to relocate Lolita in the next 18-24 months. The plan is to reunite Lolita with her nearly century-old mother, who still swims in her home waters.
Key takeaways: U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor has struck down a requirement that private insurers cover a variety of preventive services for free. The ruling…
A federal judge in Texas has ruled that some provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) cannot be enforced nationwide, potentially jeopardizing coverage for preventive services such as screenings for cancer, reproductive health, and mental health. The ruling has been met with criticism from healthcare advocates and could have a major impact on the healthcare industry. The decision is expected to be appealed, and the ACA remains in effect until then.
Pope Francis is recovering from a respiratory infection and is being treated in Rome's Gemelli hospital. He has expressed his gratitude for the many messages of support he has received, and the Vatican has reported that his health is "progressively improving" as he continues with his planned treatments. The Pope is working from the hospital and the Vatican has not yet said when he is expected to be discharged.
Kentucky Legislature Passes Extreme Anti-Transgender Bill, Sparking Outrage from LGBTQ Rights Groups
Kentucky Legislature Passes Extreme Anti-Transgender Bill, Sparking Outrage from LGBTQ Rights Groups
Kentucky's legislature has passed SB150, an extreme anti-transgender bill that bans gender-affirming health care for minors, prohibits discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in K-12 schools, and bars transgender students from using bathrooms that align with their gender identity. The bill has been met with strong opposition from LGBTQ rights groups, who argue that it is unconstitutional and will have a detrimental impact on the mental health of transgender youth. The bill is set to go into effect in July 2021.
NFL player Ryan Hamlin recently joined Representatives Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and Bill Posey on Capitol Hill to introduce the Access to AEDs Act, which seeks to raise awareness of the dangers of sudden cardiac arrest in children and increase access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in schools. Hamlin, who experienced sudden cardiac arrest himself, shared that more than 7,000 children under the age of 18 experience sudden cardiac arrest every year in the US, and that 1 in every 300 youth have an undetected heart condition that puts them at risk. The Act is supported by organizations such as the American Heart Association and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, and would provide grants to schools to purchase AEDs and provide training for staff and students on how to use them.
Pope Francis has been admitted to a Rome hospital after experiencing difficulty breathing in recent days. Tests have revealed a respiratory infection, though Covid-19 has been ruled out. The Pope has canceled his audiences for the next two days to undergo medical therapy, though the Vatican has not released any further information on his condition.