https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news A class repository to ponder how well news media are serving democracy during the pandemic. en-us 2017-07-26 14:45:30 UTC 2021-05-02 16:56:07 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f5c3.png beefar https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/179569181 1. Double click on the wall to open a new text box.
2. Click on the link icon at the bottom of the box and copy-paste the URL to your chosen news story or news item. Your item can either be in a text format or in video format.
3. Annotate your link (200-250 words): Summarize the gist of the news article and briefly explain why you think this article is either a good or a bad example of news media serving democracy during the pandemic: is this article unfair or inaccurate in its account of the crisis? Is this article reliable in its management of information? You can either write or leave an audio comment.     
(See my example on this board and a student's sample as models).
4. INCUDE YOUR NAME at the top of your post.
5. You can like, comment or leave audio messages to your classmate's post if you wish (click on the three-dotted icon at the bottom of the box to discover all the options!)
6. Choose the article you want to analyze in your blog entry from the  Padlet Board and to call dibs on it, write your name underneath by adding a comment! ]]> 2017-07-27 08:59:26 UTC https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/179569181 beefar https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/741792547 This article from BBC news, refers to the “exponential” increase of Covid-19 cases in France in August 28 which according to the author, “It was the largest daily spike since 31 March, when 7,578 cases were tallied at the peak of the first wave”. In other words, this article argues that In France the number of reported cases is now as high as it was at the peak of the epidemic. The reason why I’ve chosen this article is because I believe it manages statistics of diagnosed cases in an imprecise an misleading way, something that has become the norm when reporting figures related to Covid-19 diagnosed cases and deaths in Europe. By comparing the current infection rate with those reported in March, this article is downplaying the fact that at the start of the epidemic, the only people being tested were those who were being admitted to hospital, who were seriously ill. Many of them died. Which is why, in France, there was this very sharp, initial case fatality rate of 35% (World Health Organization, 13/09/2020). In addition, this articles fails to remind the readers that these figures leave out the majority of people who have been infected, mainly those who do not have symptoms, which means that on the one hand, infection rates are potentially higher, and fatality rates potentially fall further. In other words, test results do not equal the number of cases! My conclusion is that news media are generally failing to report figures and rates appropriately, advising readers and viewers on the right way to interpret numbers. (260 words). ]]> 2020-09-13 11:57:47 UTC https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/741792547 https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/753366950 In the Politico article, "The U.S. vs. the world: How major nations are recovering from the coronavirus", Ryan Heath argues that there is a direct correlation between economic recovery (in terms of GDP) and government mandates surrounding COVID-19. Through analyzing the cultural norms of countries (such as Eastern Asian countries e.g., China, Vietnam), health systems and access to widespread tests (Germany), and the reluctancy of political leaders to enforce a nationalized plan (UK, and U.S.), Heath gives a series of examples of what worked and what did not - in regards to keeping number of cases down - as well as the economic implications for each country in regards to their response and the ways they attempted to mitigate the damages. I chose this article because it provides a good example of gathering an array of credible sources (government reports, published medical studies, and interviews with esteemed officials), contextualizing that data, and also providing counterarguments to the sources used in order to allow for the reader to be fully informed and able to weigh the legitimacy of the argument presented by Heath. ]]> 2020-09-16 22:10:14 UTC https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/753366950 https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/1177286061 In this Politico article, "Greek PM accused of breaking coronavirus lockdown rules -again", Nektaria Stamouli discusses the recent actions of Greece's Prime Minster Mitsotakis and his continued flouting of the country's Covid 19 restrictions. While the article does not condone the PM's actions it does highlight the opinions of other government officials including that of Alexis Tsipras, leader of the main opposing political party. Leading by example, especially in these turbulent times of Covid 19 is of paramount importance, especially in smaller, tourist dependent countries such as Greece who need to be in a position to open their borders over the summer and all tourists to safely enter without the risk of jeopardizing all of Greece's counter Covid 19 measures. This is a very interesting read, especially when one considers how well Greece dealt with the first wave of the pandemic.]]> 2021-02-08 14:59:04 UTC https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/1177286061 https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/1179334638 This article from BBC News, "Coronavirus in Tanzania: the country that's rejecting the vaccine", details the Tanzanian government's stance on the COVID-19 pandemic, and how the country's president, John Magufuli, has declared the country "Covid-19 free". Even though the government claims there are no cases of the virus, the article demonstrates that there actually are. In fact, it starts off with a true story centering the death of a woman's husband, who she suspected had Covid-19 himself, after losing his sense of taste and having a dry cough. However, the real name of the woman and her husband cannot be included in the piece because of the government's restrictions on anybody publicly speaking about the disease. In fact, the only people that can speak out about COVID-19 are the president, the country's health minister and three other top officials, with the government not even disclosing the actual cases of COVID-19 in the country. Multiple perspectives from the president and the health minister are included in the article, giving the government's stance on the topic. However, perspectives from WHO, local doctors, and even locals are also included (even though they had to contribute anonymously fearing the government). Therefore, I believe that this piece is accurate and that it is a source of reliable information. This article is a super interesting read!
(220 words)]]> 2021-02-08 20:51:11 UTC https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/1179334638 tlusardi https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/1187456874 The article “ SARS-CoV-2 Isn’t Going Away, Experts Predict” was written by David Adam, and was taken from The Scientist. It revolves around the debate between Politicians trying to schedule  an end to the pandemic, whilst scientists argue that the epidemic will forever be in the air, much like the common cold. Adam makes reference to Boris Johnson, who utilized several verbal contortions to predict the end of COVID-19, however, the author points out that in spite of the accelerated vaccine programs, the end of it is not what Political figures are advertising. Kate Baker, an expert in infectious disease stated that “The chances of this disease going away are very small.” In other words, this article argues that the future of COVID-19 will either be eradicated, or it will not. If it is not, this indicates that future generations will share their world with SARS-CoV-2 too. The reasoning behind my choosing of this article is because it presents statistics from professionals in an unbiased manner by providing evidence which makes arguments supporting the vaccine through previous eradications much like smallpox in the 1970's, and polio today, which is still an epidemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan, yet also counterarguing it in a more realistic fashion. This is because alongside vaccination, comes consent, which many might be hesitant about, considering there is not hard core evidence which can confirm immunity, as well as eradication demanding a large global coordination through the means of political, social, and economic structure. My conclusion surrounding this article is that it provides an array of credible sources, and contextualized data which argues affirmatively in and against favor of pinpointing the end of the pandemic, which hence reduces bias. This allows for readers to be more rational in their thinking process, in order to determine and make smart judgements concerning their health. (304 words)]]> 2021-02-10 14:12:28 UTC https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/1187456874 https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/1187821103 This article by ‘El Pais’ describes the economic impacts of the third (current) wave of covid-19 on Spanish businesses and how the government and EU have diagnosed the situation. The article points out that according to the ECB Spain has ‘less money than other countries on the coronavirus classics’. Moreover the ministry of economy admitted that as things are the pandemic will ‘negatively affect growth, at least in the first quarter of the year’. Then, the article goes on to highlight the economic plans of the Spanish Government and the ECB to stimulate the economy and aid small businesses.]]> 2021-02-10 15:12:40 UTC https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/1187821103 https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/1188448906 This article, written by The New York Times in the earlier period of the pandemic, “Texas Hospital Says Man, 30, Died After Attending a “Covid Party”, talks about precisely that: a man who died after attending a “Covid Party”, with the intention of testing if the virus was real or not. The article begins describing what happened with the man, and later continues by going in depth about the trans-course of such parties, providing different examples of other parties and suggesting the meaning behind the so-called “Covid Parties”, for example, that people attend to get immune or just to place bet with friends over who will get infected first. I think this article is somewhat inaccurate, but they do state in the beginning that they are not sure about the reliability of such parties, so at least the reader is aware. This article was written to inform the Corona parties, but also had a deeper intention of scaring, and providing awareness so that people do not continue to undergo such activity. I find this article to be a little unfair, since they indirectly suggest that the latest outbreak of the virus should be blamed on these parties.

]]> 2021-02-10 16:54:26 UTC https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/1188448906 plozabarrera https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/1188846245 This article talks about the spread of COVID-19 on a scientific level and how there have been many studies that prove the spread through air droplets on a surface level. The author points out that COVID is contracted through particles in the air, especially in closed spaces, and adds information that makes the statements reliable (like specific data). The argument made is that there is a current contradiction in society and it is seen through the emphasis on deep cleaning all spaces  as a form of COVID protection.  The conclusion I get from this article is that people are very afraid of any type of germs anywhere, as this, in concept, could translate to COVID. Like in the beginning of the pandemic there was a big emphasis on washing your hands, there is now a big emphasis on cleanliness overall. I believe that this is a positive impact. While deep cleaning may not protect us from COVID, being clean allows us to be safer from other diseases. ]]> 2021-02-10 18:00:36 UTC https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/1188846245 https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/1189235952 In this article "Covid Variants and Vaccine Resistance: all you need to know" by The Guardian, they discuss the Covid Vaccine and how it will affect the new strands that have appeared in different areas of the world. While the world has had the vaccine to look forward to,  there has been concern expressed over whether or not the vaccine will be effective with every single strand. The article's purpose is to assure the public that although the vaccine won't be able to cover the strands as well as the original version of COVID-19. In limited testing, the vaccine has been able to prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and death from the strands even though it hasn't outright prevented the illness. I think this article serves the public well as it is fair in it's assessment of the pandemic and it's current solution. While it states that it is going to help prevent death and serious illness. They also mention and constantly source researchers which adds to the credibility and prevents the viewer from being misinformed.]]> 2021-02-10 19:09:31 UTC https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/1189235952 https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/1189303658 The article that I chose is about the investigation of the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic. Scientists believed that the virus originated from bats, but this theory has not been yet verifies. A virus expert from the World Health Organization (WHO), Peter Ben Embarek says that there aren't any bat environments in Wuhan, so it could have been transmitted to people through another animal. Testing for the virus has been carried out among animals in China, but they have not found any results on which animal it could have originated from. WHO experts have denied the hypothesis that the virus originated from a lab leak. They also found no indication that there was any sign of the virus before December of 2019. It took some time for the Chinese government to allow this visit from WHO experts and they only agreed to it because of the international pressure they were receiving. Authorities in China have controlled the information about the possible causes of the pandemic. This article is a good example of media serving democracy during the pandemic because it is showing all sides of the story. It starts by talking about the investigation that is going on in order to find the origin of the virus, but explains to the readers why it has taken so long to fin an answer. It also points out that authorities in China have not always wanted to cooperate and let others investigate the origin. This article is not unfair because at the end of it they point out that Chinese authorities have controlled how much information has been given to the people about this topic. This article is reliable on the information that they are giving because in many parts of the article they are directly quoting experts on this topic.]]> 2021-02-10 19:22:32 UTC https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/1189303658 mvives19 https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/1189490133 This article "vaccines are not enough to beat covid" by Kevin J.Tracey, explains how vaccines won´t be enough in the battle against covid. He begins by explaining how despite vaccines getting developed, this doesn´t mean covid will be over. Vaccines arent always 100% effective and on top of that, not everyone has access to them. Tracey compares the coronavirus with the flu, explaining how despite the fact that the flu has a vaccine, medicine is needed in order to combat said virus and protect us from it. He highlights the fact that without medicine we might never fully fight coronavirus, and emphasizes on the fact that more research towards potential FDA approved medicine should be done, since there is only one current treatment which is FDA approved which helps covid related hospitalized patients. He explains how President Biden recently approved an executive order  to perform "more large-scale randomized clinical trials and further studies on the most promising treatments to date". This article provides with good arguments, i truly believe that by making research for potential medicine, this could get better. He mentions an argument , which is the flu, and comments on other things that have already been done in this aspect, but begs for change and comments on what he believed the government should be doing to help improve this global issue.]]> 2021-02-10 19:59:55 UTC https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/1189490133 https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/1189517252 The article "Fast-spreading coronavirus variant is doubling every 10 days in the US" by Yasemin Saplakoglu, talks about the concerns of new mutations and variants of Covid-19. Studies have discovered a new strain called "B.1.1.17" which is spreading at an exponential rate and by March it will likely by the most common variant of the virus. According to the article, the "B.1.1.17" variant has multiple mutations on its spike protein which it uses to latch into and evade human cells and thus allowing the virus to spread at a faster rate and more efficiently. Moreover, the article then talks about how researchers attempt to understand how fast this new strain of virus is spreading. Researchers began to examine data from half million corona positive samples and they concluded that it began spreading in the U.S. around the end of November. However, even though they found the strain is still at a "low level frequency" yet it appears more transmissible than previous variants. Moreover, since its still not widespread in the U.S there is still a chance to implement stricter guidelines and regulations to stop the spread.]]> 2021-02-10 20:06:04 UTC https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/1189517252 https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/1190179261 In this article, reporter Tessa Wong explores the reasons that Taiwan, despite its widely praised measures taken to control Covid on the island, Taiwan will not be allowed to attend this year's WHO summit. Taiwan's disputes with China stem from the end of the 1949 chinese civil war, in which millions of Chinese people fled the soon-to-be victorious communist chinese forces and emigrated to Taiwan. Under China's 'One China' policy, Taiwan is viewed by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) as a breakaway province, whereas the ROC (Republic of China- Taiwan's official name) Views their island as an independent nation. Taiwan, ever since 1972 has been barred admission to the UN in large part due to the One China Policy, wherein china feels that the UN having 2 chinese delegations would 'split state sovereignty' Why is Taiwan ineligible for "participation in the United Nations"? (china-embassy.org) The article goes on to outline the problems of Taiwan not being allowed in to these WHO meetings, stating that while they have access to the member nations' data and have the ability to share their own,she states it is at a diminutive level not respective to the potential help theses insights could bring. The article links a recent interview bewteen Hong Kong World City and WHO deputy director general Bruce Aylward, in which the Deputy General appears to avoid questions about Taiwan's status, and when pressed further on it, states that the interview had already covered China' . This was seen by critics and the author alike as repeating the CCP line in regards to Taiwan's status as a part of China. The article has a general pro-taiwan feeling, but manages to stay very measured in the conclusions reached

]]> 2021-02-11 00:04:28 UTC https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/1190179261 https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/1190226456 This article in the Washington Post discusses the warning from health officials about the spread of new coronavirus variants that could be more deadly. They suggest that Americans should consider wearing two masks or knotting the ear loops to make the mask tighter, in order to avoid too much air flow. According to the article, health officials claim that the use of masks has been key in combating the virus, but it requires a global effort. The ability to persuade the public into doubling-up masks is in the hands of a new administration. The article adds that the Trump administration did a poor job of encouraging mask wearing at the start of the pandemic, the ex-President refused to wear a mask himself for the first few months. In my opinion, this article is very informative in that it discusses in detail how to properly wear two face coverings and repeatedly mentions the CDCs recommendations on a number of ways to properly wear a face mask. The article is strong in informing the public of proper health guidelines and also shares some mask regulations in European countries to emphasize that this is a global effort, that includes Americans. ]]> 2021-02-11 00:32:27 UTC https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/1190226456 bicbtc https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/1192187762 https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/10/stimulus-update-biden-white-house-builds-business-coalition-to-support-plan.html

]]> 2021-02-11 13:43:56 UTC https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/1192187762 https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/1196413349 This article from the BBC talks about how a commonly used arthritis medication can help treat life threatening cases of COVID. Clinical trials in which patients were given a mixture of a standardly used steroid, and tocilizumab, an anti-inflammatory drug known to treat arthritis, have produced promising results that could potentially reduce the number of intensive-care patients in hospitals. The main benefits of Tocilizumab come from how it can help reduce inflamed lungs and organs, one of the more serious symptoms of the virus. The article includes an anecdotal story from a woman who participated in the trial, who claims that the treatment stabilized her condition and prevented her from having to be placed in intensive care. Furthermore the article includes perspectives from a range of health professionals, including an intensive care medic and the national medical director of the NHS. I’d say this article is fair in how it delivers information. It’s democratic in that it provides information that could benefit the greater good of the public, and also appears reliable with numerous opinions from different people. ]]> 2021-02-12 13:48:49 UTC https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/1196413349 https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/1199293467 https://www.poconorecord.com/story/opinion/columns/2021/02/11/protecting-american-democracy-our-nations-future-after-jan-6-what-its-worth/4466815001/
This articule from Pocono Record talks about the after effects of January 6. This is a day that will forever be marked in American society as the day we almost all of our democracy. ]]> 2021-02-13 14:17:32 UTC https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/1199293467 https://padlet.com/beefar/Covid_19news/wish/1221606311 My chosen article comments on how Covid-19 has impacated the education system worldwide. Due to the rapid increase in Covid-19 cases, countries entered a lockdown. As children weren't aloud to leave their homes, education was delivered via online platforms. Research indicated online learning made the students retain the information better, and that It might still be utilized post-pandemic. It is reported that the continuation of e-learning will have a big impact on the worldwide education market. The artcle mentions there was already a large amount of money spent on e-learning educational resources, such as video conferencing tools. It follows up by commenting the rapid increase in usage of such resources, due to Covid-19.
I consider very interesting, how the article covers the geographical view on e-learning.  It is pointed out that in less developed countries, such as Indonesia, around 34% of students adquire the necessary hardware, such as computers; meanwhile 95% of students in  first world countries such as Switzerland, have access to them. The article also covers the social aspect, saying that the pandemic will widen the digital divide, and the age group aspect by saying younger children are affected more negatively by online learning, as sen in the sentence "A structured enviroenment is required."


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