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Public Law 116-257: Criminal Antitrust Anti-Retaliation Act of 2019
From the Document: "An Act [t]o provide anti-retaliation protections for antitrust whistleblowers."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2020-12-23
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Communicable Disease Threats Report, Week 6, 7-13 February 2021
The Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) is a weekly bulletin that provides updates on threats monitored by European Union and European Economic Area (ECDC). The Week 6 report covering February 7-13, 2021 assesses current threats and non-threats and provides an epidemiological overview of each in individualized reports. Threats covered in this issue include COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), Influenza, Ebola, and Measles.
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
2021
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H. Rept. 116-697, Part 1: Telemental Health Expansion Act of 2020, Report to Accompany H.R. 5201, December 24, 2020
From the Purpose and Summary: "H.R. 5201, the 'Telemental Health Expansion Act of 2020', introduced by Representative Doris O. Matsui (D-CA), would permanently include a patient's home as an eligible originating site for mental health services delivered via telehealth and remove Medicare's geographic restrictions for such services, enabling providers to be reimbursed by Medicare for mental health services delivered via telehealth throughout the country in the patient's home."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2020-12-24
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Holding Wells Fargo Accountable: CEO Perspectives on Next Steps for the Bank That Broke America's Trust, Hearing Before the Committee on Financial Services, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Sixteenth Congress, Second Session, March 10, 2020
This is the March 10, 2020 hearing on "Holding Wells Fargo Accountable: CEO Perspectives on Next Steps for the Bank That Broke America's Trust," held before the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services. From the opening statement of Maxine Waters: "Wells Fargo has opened 3.5 million fraudulent accounts in their customers' names, which cost consumers over $6 million; charged consumers for automobile insurance policies they did not need, resulting in some consumers losing their automobiles; engaged in illegal student loan servicing practices; charged consumers inappropriate overdraft fees; overcharged veterans for refinance loans; and fraudulently sold complex financial products to retail investors. [...] This hearing is the first of several the committee will be convening to hold Wells Fargo accountable." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Charles W. Scharf.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2021
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H. Rept. 116-699: Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act of 2020, Report Together with Minority Views, to Accompany H.R. 5191, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, December 28, 2020
From the Purpose and Summary: "H.R. 5191, the 'Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act of 2019', reauthorizes and strengthens federal programs that support youth experiencing homelessness and youth who are at risk of experiencing homelessness. Recent research revealed that a staggering four million youth ages 13 to 25 experience homelessness in any given year, a figure much higher than previously known. H.R. 5191 provides a robust response to this public health crisis and addresses the needs of this vulnerable population by strengthening and expanding services to ensure that more youth experiencing homelessness can access and benefit from these programs."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2020-12-28
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Holding Wells Fargo Accountable: Examining the Role of the Board of Directors in the Bank's Egregious Pattern of Consumer Abuses, Hearing Before the Committee on Financial Services, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Sixteenth Congress, Second Session, March 11, 2020
This is the March 11, 2020 hearing on "Holding Wells Fargo Accountable: Examining the Role of the Board of Directors in the Bank's Egregious Pattern of Consumer Abuses," held before the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services. From the opening statement of Maxine Waters: "Directors at Wells Fargo and institutions across this country must understand that they are the last line of defense when it comes to protecting their company's shareholders, employees, and customers. [...] Over the past decade, Wells Fargo's board, management, and regulators have all failed to fix the company's internal control weaknesses that caused enormous harm for millions of consumers throughout the country. The Majority staff's report examines Wells Fargo's compliance with five consent orders that required the company's board and management to clean up the systemic weakness that has led to widespread consumer abuses and compliance breakdowns." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Elizabeth A. Duke and James H. Quigley.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2021
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High-Risk Series: Dedicated Leadership Needed to Address Limited Progress in Most High-Risk Areas, Statement of Gene L. Dodaro, Comptroller General of the United States, Testimony Before the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate
From the Document: "Since the early 1990s, our high-risk program has focused attention on government operations with greater vulnerabilities to fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, or that are in need of transformation to address economy, efficiency, or effectiveness challenges. This effort, supported by this committee and the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, has brought much needed attention to problems impeding effective government and costing billions of dollars each year. Our 2021 High-Risk List, which is being released today, includes 36 areas, listed in the appendix. In most areas, progress since our last high-risk update has been limited. Overall ratings for 20 high-risk areas remain unchanged from 2019. In five areas, the ratings actually declined, while in seven areas they improved."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Dodaro, Gene L.
2021-03-02
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High-Risk Series: Dedicated Leadership Needed to Address Limited Progress in Most High-Risk Areas, Statement of Gene L. Dodaro, Comptroller General of the United States, Testimony Before the Committee on Oversight and Reform, House of Representatives
From the Document: "Since the early 1990s, our high-risk program has focused attention on government operations with greater vulnerabilities to fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, or that are in need of transformation to address economy, efficiency, or effectiveness challenges. This effort, supported by this committee and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, has brought much needed attention to problems impeding effective government and costing billions of dollars each year. Our 2021 High-Risk List, which is being released today, includes 36 areas, listed in the appendix. In most areas, progress since our last high-risk update has been limited. Overall ratings for 20 high-risk areas remain unchanged from 2019. In five areas, the ratings actually declined, while in seven areas they improved."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Dodaro, Gene L.
2021-03-02
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Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [March 27, 2013]
"This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) program, which is carried out by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Navy, and gives Navy Aegis cruisers and destroyers a capability for conducting BMD operations. Congress's decisions on the Aegis BMD program could significantly affect U.S. BMD capabilities and funding requirements, and the BMD-related industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2013-03-27
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Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [October 26, 2018]
"This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) program, which is carried out by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Navy, and gives Navy Aegis cruisers and destroyers a capability for conducting BMD operations. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify Department of Defense (DOD) acquisition strategies and proposed funding levels for the Aegis BMD program. Congress's decisions on the Aegis BMD program could significantly affect U.S. BMD capabilities and funding requirements, and the BMD-related industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2018-10-26
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Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated February 6, 2019]
"This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) program, which is carried out by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Navy, and gives Navy Aegis cruisers and destroyers a capability for conducting BMD operations. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify Department of Defense (DOD) acquisition strategies and proposed funding levels for the Aegis BMD program. Congress's decisions on the Aegis BMD program could significantly affect U.S. BMD capabilities and funding requirements, and the BMD-related industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2019-02-06
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Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [March 17, 2017]
"The Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) program, which is carried out by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Navy, gives Navy Aegis cruisers and destroyers a capability for conducting BMD operations. Under MDA and Navy plans, the number of BMD-capable Navy Aegis ships is scheduled to grow from 33 at the end of FY2016 to 49 at the end of FY2021. The figure for FY2020 may include up to four BMD-capable Aegis cruisers in reduced operating status as part of a program to modernize 11 existing Aegis cruisers. Under the Administration's European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA) for European BMD operations, BMD-capable Aegis ships are operating in European waters to defend Europe from potential ballistic missile attacks from countries such as Iran. BMD-capable Aegis ships also operate in the Western Pacific and the Persian Gulf to provide regional defense against potential ballistic missile attacks from countries such as North Korea and Iran. The Aegis BMD program is funded mostly through MDA's budget. The Navy's budget provides additional funding for BMD-related efforts. MDA's proposed FY2017 budget requests a total of $1,774.8 million in procurement and research and development funding for Aegis BMD efforts, including funding for two Aegis Ashore sites in Poland and Romania that are to be part of the EPAA. MDA's budget also includes operations and maintenance (O&M) and military construction (MilCon) funding for the Aegis BMD program."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2017-03-17
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Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [May 12, 2017]
"The Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) program, which is carried out by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Navy, gives Navy Aegis cruisers and destroyers a capability for conducting BMD operations. Under MDA and Navy plans, the number of BMD-capable Navy Aegis ships is scheduled to grow from 33 at the end of FY2016 to 49 at the end of FY2021. The figure for FY2020 may include up to four BMD-capable Aegis cruisers in reduced operating status as part of a program to modernize 11 existing Aegis cruisers. Under the Administration's European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA) for European BMD operations, BMD-capable Aegis ships are operating in European waters to defend Europe from potential ballistic missile attacks from countries such as Iran. BMD-capable Aegis ships also operate in the Western Pacific and the Persian Gulf to provide regional defense against potential ballistic missile attacks from countries such as North Korea and Iran. The Aegis BMD program is funded mostly through MDA's budget. The Navy's budget provides additional funding for BMD-related efforts. MDA's proposed FY2017 budget requests a total of $1,774.8 million in procurement and research and development funding for Aegis BMD efforts, including funding for two Aegis Ashore sites in Poland and Romania that are to be part of the EPAA. MDA's budget also includes operations and maintenance (O&M) and military construction (MilCon) funding for the Aegis BMD program."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2017-05-12
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Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [April 6, 2017]
From the Summary: "The Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) program, which is carried out by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Navy, gives Navy Aegis cruisers and destroyers a capability for conducting BMD operations. Under MDA and Navy plans, the number of BMD-capable Navy Aegis ships is scheduled to grow from 33 at the end of FY2016 to 49 at the end of FY2021. The figure for FY2020 may include up to four BMD-capable Aegis cruisers in reduced operating status as part of a program to modernize 11 existing Aegis cruisers. Under the Administration's European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA) for European BMD operations, BMD-capable Aegis ships are operating in European waters to defend Europe from potential ballistic missile attacks from countries such as Iran. BMD-capable Aegis ships also operate in the Western Pacific and the Persian Gulf to provide regional defense against potential ballistic missile attacks from countries such as North Korea and Iran. The Aegis BMD program is funded mostly through MDA's budget. The Navy's budget provides additional funding for BMD-related efforts. MDA's proposed FY2017 budget requests a total of $1,774.8 million in procurement and research and development funding for Aegis BMD efforts, including funding for two Aegis Ashore sites in Poland and Romania that are to be part of the EPAA. MDA's budget also includes operations and maintenance (O&M) and military construction (MilCon) funding for the Aegis BMD program."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2017-04-06
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Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [August 4, 2015]
"The Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) program, which is carried out by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Navy, gives Navy Aegis cruisers and destroyers a capability for conducting BMD operations. Under MDA and Navy plans, the number of BMD-capable Navy Aegis ships is scheduled to grow from 33 at the end of FY2015 to 48 at the end of FY2020. The figure for FY2020 may include up to four BMD-capable Aegis cruisers in reduced operating status as part of a program to modernize 11 existing Aegis cruisers. Under the Administration's European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA) for European BMD operations, BMD-capable Aegis ships are operating in European waters to defend Europe from potential ballistic missile attacks from countries such as Iran. BMD-capable Aegis ships also operate in the Western Pacific and the Persian Gulf to provide regional defense against potential ballistic missile attacks from countries such as North Korea and Iran."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2015-08-04
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Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [April 27, 2018]
"This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) program, which is carried out by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Navy, and gives Navy Aegis cruisers and destroyers a capability for conducting BMD operations. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify Department of Defense (DOD) acquisition strategies and proposed funding levels for the Aegis BMD program. Congress's decisions on the Aegis BMD program could significantly affect U.S. BMD capabilities and funding requirements, and the BMD-related industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2018-04-27
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Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [August 14, 2017]
"The Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) program, which is carried out by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Navy, gives Navy Aegis cruisers and destroyers a capability for conducting BMD operations. Under the FY2017 budget submission, the number of BMD-capable Navy Aegis ships was scheduled to grow from 33 at the end of FY2016 to 49 at the end of FY2021. The figure for FY2020 may have included up to four BMD-capable Aegis cruisers in reduced operating status as part of a program to modernize 11 existing Aegis cruisers. Under the FY2018 budget submission, the number of BMD-capable Aegis ships is scheduled to be 33 at the end of FY2017 and 36 at the end of FY2018."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2017-08-14
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Iran: Internal Politics and U.S. Policy and Options [Updated April 30, 2019]
From the Introduction: "The United States and Iran have been at odds, with varying degrees of intensity, since the 1979 Islamic Revolution there. U.S. officials have identified Iran's support for militant Middle East groups as a significant threat to U.S. interests and allies, but Iran's nuclear program took precedence in U.S. policy after 2002 as that program advanced. In 2010, the Obama Administration led a campaign of broad international economic pressure on Iran to persuade it to agree to strict limits on the program--an effort that contributed to the June 2013 election of the relatively moderate Hassan Rouhani as president of Iran and the July 2015 multilateral nuclear agreement--the 'Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action' (JCPOA). That agreement exchanged sanctions relief for limits on Iran's nuclear program, but did not contain binding limits on Iran's ballistic missile program or on its regional influence or human rights abuses."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2019-04-30
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Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated September 19, 2019]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) program, which is carried out by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Navy, and gives Navy Aegis cruisers and destroyers a capability for conducting BMD operations. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify Department of Defense (DOD) acquisition strategies and proposed funding levels for the Aegis BMD program. Congress's decisions on the Aegis BMD program could significantly affect U.S. BMD capabilities and funding requirements, and the BMD-related industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2019-09-19
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Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated July 24, 2019]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) program, which is carried out by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Navy, and gives Navy Aegis cruisers and destroyers a capability for conducting BMD operations. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify Department of Defense (DOD) acquisition strategies and proposed funding levels for the Aegis BMD program. Congress's decisions on the Aegis BMD program could significantly affect U.S. BMD capabilities and funding requirements, and the BMD-related industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2019-07-24
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Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated June 21, 2019]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) program, which is carried out by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Navy, and gives Navy Aegis cruisers and destroyers a capability for conducting BMD operations. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify Department of Defense (DOD) acquisition strategies and proposed funding levels for the Aegis BMD program. Congress's decisions on the Aegis BMD program could significantly affect U.S. BMD capabilities and funding requirements, and the BMD-related industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2019-06-21
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Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated April 25, 2019]
From the Document: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) program, which is carried out by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Navy, and gives Navy Aegis cruisers and destroyers a capability for conducting BMD operations. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify Department of Defense (DOD) acquisition strategies and proposed funding levels for the Aegis BMD program. Congress's decisions on the Aegis BMD program could significantly affect U.S. BMD capabilities and funding requirements, and the BMD-related industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2019-04-25
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Navy Frigate (FFG[X]) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [November 30, 2017]
"This report provides background information and discusses potential issues for Congress regarding the Navy's FFG(X) program, a program to procure a new class of 20 guided-missile frigates (FFGs). The FFG(X) program was initiated as part of the Navy's FY2018 budget submission. The Navy wants to procure the first FFG(X) in FY2020. The Navy's proposed FY2018 budget requests $143.5 million in research and development funding for the program. The FFG(X) program presents several potential oversight issues for Congress. Congress's decisions on the program could affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the shipbuilding industrial base. This report focuses on the FFG(X) program. A related Navy shipbuilding program, the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program, is covered in a separate CRS [Congressional Research Service] report. Other CRS reports discuss the strategic context within which the FFG(X) program and other Navy acquisition programs may be considered."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2017-11-30
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Navy Frigate (FFG[X]) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [October 26, 2017]
"This report provides background information and discusses potential issues for Congress regarding the Navy's FFG(X) program, a program to procure a new class of guided-missile frigates. The FFG(X) program was initiated as part of the Navy's FY2018 budget submission. The Navy wants to procure the first FFG(X) in FY2020. The Navy's proposed FY2018 budget requests $143.5 million in research and development funding for the program. The FFG(X) program presents several potential oversight issues for Congress. Congress's decisions on the program could affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the shipbuilding industrial base. This report focuses on the FFG(X) program. A related Navy shipbuilding program, the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program, is covered in a separate CRS [Congressional Research Service] report. Other CRS reports discuss the strategic context within which the FFG(X) program and other Navy acquisition programs may be considered."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2017-10-27
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On the Brink of Homelessness: How the Affordable Housing Crisis and the Gentrification of America is Leaving Families Vulnerable, Hearing Before the Committee on Financial Services, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Sixteenth Congress, Second Session, January 14, 2020
This is the January 14, 2020 hearing on "On the Brink of Homelessness: How the Affordable Housing Crisis and the Gentrification of America is Leaving Families Vulnerable," held before the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services. From the opening statement of Maxine Waters: "Today, this committee convenes for its first hearing of the year to examine our country's rental housing crisis and how it is causing many Americans to live on the brink of homelessness. In 2019, homelessness increased by 2.7 percent, resulting in almost 568,000 people experiencing homelessness. Areas with high rental costs, such as Los Angeles, have seen particularly high increases in homelessness. Los Angeles experienced a 16 percent jump in homelessness in 2019 alone. Between 2010 and 2017, L.A.'s homeless population increased by 42 percent. While more than half-a-million people have no place to call home, there are millions more who are on the brink of experiencing homelessness because they can't afford to pay rent." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Karen Chapple, Matthew Desmond, Michael Hendrix, Priya Jayachandran, and Jeffrey Williams.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2021
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Silenced and Endangered: Clinicians' Human Rights and Health Concerns About Their Facilities' COVID-19 Response
From the Executive Summary: "Public health and health care systems throughout the world were woefully unprepared for the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. As hospitalizations surged, frontline health care workers caring for patients with COVID-19 have grappled with shortages of protective personal equipment (PPE) and of necessary resources and equipment for patient care, often with little guidance to inform their allocation decisions. Many health care workers have been infected with and died from COVID-19. And many more have experienced high levels of stress, anxiety, and burnout. [...] And in the face of all these threats and challenges, health care workers who have spoken out about their safety concerns or allocation decisions have faced reprisals and retaliation worldwide, from both their employers and their governments. Health care workers have been fired, faced new restrictions, and even been detained for voicing their safety concerns. [...] As many countries and U.S. states continue to experience additional surges of COVID-19 cases and increased hospitalizations, it becomes even more crucial to ensure that the human rights and safety of health care workers are protected. Health care workers are protected by international human rights law and various domestic laws and are entitled to workplace safety and a right to health. In the context of this pandemic, these rights are being violated and employers and governments are failing to meet their legal obligations to the rights of health care workers."
Physicians for Human Rights (U.S.)
Leone, Joseph; Haar, Rohini J.; Heisler, Michele . . .
2021-02
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COVID-19 Field Feature: Pivoting to a COVID-19 Response in the Greater Houston Region
From the Document: "The novel coronavirus pandemic has forced health and public safety agencies across the U.S. to rethink every aspect of their day-to-day operations--and even their most reliable strategies for crisis preparedness and response. In small towns and large metropolitan areas alike, those responsible for the safety and security of their communities have had to pivot quickly to address large outbreaks and enforce a variety of mitigation actions to help 'flatten the curve' of surging infections. [...] The City of Houston and its five surrounding counties are home to 6.8 million people, spread across more than 7,000 square miles. Our metropolitan area is one of the 10 largest economies in the U.S. Since the pandemic began, the Houston Mayor's Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security has worked in close partnership with numerous law enforcement, emergency management, fire, healthcare, and other agencies in the region, alongside the private-sector companies that own a large portion of our critical infrastructure and supply chains."
Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical Assistance Center
Buenik, George T., Jr.; Hanagriff, Jack
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Sequencing of SARS-CoV-2: First Update
From the Introduction: "In January 2020, a previously unknown coronavirus strain was identified as the cause of a respiratory infection and death in humans. The first viral genome was sequenced using high throughput sequencing (HTS) from a sample collected in Wuhan, China. This virus, belonging to the viral species Severe acute respiratory syndrome- related coronavirus, has been subsequently named SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] and the associated disease coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Sequencing of (partial) genes and whole genomes (WGS) has been proven as a powerful method to investigate viral pathogen genomes, understand outbreak transmission dynamics and spill-over events and screen for mutations that potentially have an impact on transmissibility, pathogenicity, and/or countermeasures (e.g. diagnostics, antiviral drugs and vaccines). The results are key to informing outbreak control decisions in public health."
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
2021-01-18
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COVID-19 Field Feature: Keeping Montana Officers Trained During a Pandemic
From the Document: "With a population of just over one million inhabitants, served by approximately 2,500 state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers, Montana relies on one institution to train the vast majority of its peace officers: the Montana Law Enforcement Academy (MLEA). As news spread that police academies throughout the United States were shuttering and cancelling programs because of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019], MLEA's top-notch team improvised, adapted, and kept the academy fully operational. As Montana's governor began scaling back public services across the state in March 2020, a basic law enforcement class of 59 students was just a couple of weeks from graduation, and a new group of students was preparing to start shortly thereafter. Small, rural agencies were already short-handed and desperate to put officers on the street, and the larger agencies were still reeling from retirements and vacancies. Those factors combined with COVID-19 impacts made it the worst possible time for a disruption in MLEA training. Montana faced the prospect of significant long-term public safety consequences."
Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical Assistance Center
Lockerby, Bryan
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Hotbeds of Infection: How ICE Detention Contributed to the Spread of COVID-19 in the United States
From the Introduction: "Since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] a global pandemic on March 11, 2020, the virus has devastated communities around the world. The United States has seen more than twelve million confirmed cases at the time of writing this report, the highest in the world. The U.S. response to the deadly virus continues to be an example of what not to do, largely ignoring the advice of public health professionals and other experts, doing little to stop the spread of infection, and displaying a callous disregard for the safety and health of its residents. The results have been both tragic and predictable. [...] The response of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to the pandemic also played a role in the spread of COVID-19. The U.S. immigration detention system, operated by ICE, has a well-documented history of medically negligent and abhorrent conditions. Experts have long condemned the agency for violating international norms and placing the health and welfare of detained people at risk. Despite the overwhelming evidence, the restrictive and punitive detention system has continued to grow over the last several decades. While these defects and steady growth of the system predate 2016, the Trump administration further expanded the detention system, promoted punitiveness, and degraded health and safety conditions. In this context, it is not surprising that ICE detention facilities have been uniquely vulnerable to the novel coronavirus, with an infection rate that far outweighs the infection rate among the population."
Detention Watch Network
Hooks, Gregory; Libal, Bob
2020-12
