COVID-19: How Orthodox Jews became America’s biggest donors of blood plasma
One Saturday in mid-April, a group of Orthodox Jewish leaders held a conference call with a Minnesota doctor as they grappled with spiking coronavirus cases in their New York area communities. Dr. Michael Joyner of the Mayo Clinic is leading a nationwide study on the use of blood plasma to treat Read More...
BLM protests didn’t spike COVID cases. Here’s why and what we can learn from them
Preemptive reopening, poor tracing capabilities, a refusal to wear masks...the list of factors contributing to the new COVID-19 spike in the US is very long, but one thing that didn’t seem to contribute to rising case numbers were the Black Lives Matter protests. Why not? Let’s take a Read More...
The pandemic led to biggest drop in emissions in human history
When the coronavirus first started putting nations into lockdown-mode, many publications including our own shared stories about the environmental impact of these lockdowns. Emissions plummeted, skies cleared, and native animals started to appear in streets and waterways usually occupied by humans. Read More...
America’s digital divide: Why Internet access should be a basic human right
It may sound odd to you, but there’s a huge digital divide in America. In fact, over 40 million Americans live without access to reliable internet. As COVID-19 forces more individuals to work remotely and families to navigate distance learning for their children, the need for access to broadband Read More...
Renewables could usher in a green economic recovery for Europe
As Europe aims to be climate neutral by 2050, countries like Sweden and Belgium are making real progress towards that goal by shutting down coal plants and investing in renewable energy sources. Eastern Europe, however, has been considerably slower – in part because the switch to renewables has Read More...
This restaurant owner in Colorado fed her town through the pandemic
Kyleena Falzone's restaurants in Crested Butte, Colorado generated $6 million in revenue last year, but when the pandemic hit and the tourism cash flow dried up, she had no choice but to close her doors. Rather than dwelling on the loss of her business, Falzone rolled up her sleeves and spent the Read More...
COVID testing has become less painful and safer for healthcare workers
If you haven’t been tested for COVID-19 yet, chances are you will be at some point this year. Luckily though, the experience now may be more pleasant than the first tests, which are not only deeply uncomfortable but also added to the early problems of testing. The first tests involved a Read More...
Drones light up the sky in Seoul to remind South Koreans to stay safe
Not long ago we wrote about how a group of artists in Rotterdam have put up a breathtaking light show using drones, as a means to thank healthcare workers for their heroic efforts in the fight against the pandemic. A similarly spectacular showcase happened recently in the South Korean capital of Read More...
How groups of gleaners are bridging the gap between farms and the food insecure
Whether it was stopping on the side of the road to pick wild plums or gathering apples from a neighborhood tree, most of us have gleaned at least once in our lives. Now, this practice of gathering leftover produce throughout the community is finding new purpose as a source of food for those in need Read More...
10 ways to safely celebrate the 4th of July this year
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the US, governors and local officials are urging citizens to continue practicing social distancing, wear masks, and stay home when possible. This means the Fourth of July will certainly look very different this year, but just because you’re at home Read More...