Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated several known risk factors for mental health issues, unsurprisingly causing a spike in symptoms of depression and anxiety and exacerbating existing mental health conditions. Such risk factors for mental health issues include, but are not limited to, uncertainty and fear of the future, economic instability, social isolation, physical inactivity, … Continue reading
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Prioritizing Our Private Sector
As we near the end of the month, we are nearing the expiration of the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. This program issues a $600 weekly benefit for Americans that typically do not qualify for unemployment insurance. Those eligible include the individuals who are self-employed, part-time employees and others who do not have qualifying work … Continue reading
Potential Benefits and Costs of US Backed Nuclear Power Plants Abroad
Last month the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) announced its reversal of a legacy policy that banned the financing of nuclear power projects abroad[1]. The decision, currently in the public notice and comment period, was lauded as a victory by the energy, environmental, and national security spheres[2][3] but raises several concerns around carbon emissions, … Continue reading
Bringing Out the Worst in Each Other: COVID-19 and Opioid Use Disorder
The COVID-19 pandemic is raising concerns about the medical and psychological implications for those with Substance Use Disorders (SUD), in particular, Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). A White House drug policy office analysis indicates an 11.4% increase in overdose fatalities in the first four months of 2020, compared to the same time last year. Non-fatal overdoses have increased by 18.6% in the same time frame. [I] Individual states have … Continue reading
The Prospects of Vocational Education
Out of every 100 students who enter ninth grade, 18 will fail to graduate high school on time, 25 will earn their high school diploma but not enroll in college, and 29 will enroll in college but fail to complete a degree[i]. Even then, among the remaining students, 12 will graduate high school and … Continue reading
The Continued Costs of COVID-19 and Lack of Flights
Today, we are living in a historical period of the first “services recession.” This recession started with the invisible enemy, or better known as the COVID-19 virus, which interrupted our daily lives. With this widespread impact and unexpected conditions on our economy, it is difficult to detect any similarities or patterns from past recessions. As … Continue reading
Who is Excluded from the Stimulus Package?
College students across the nation are angered by the stimulus package presented in the CARES act, specifically their exclusion from the $1,200 stimulus checks. As outlined in the bill, adults with incomes under $75,000 will receive a $1,200 check, couples filing jointly will receive $2,400, and those with children will receive $500 for each additional … Continue reading
How to Lower Health Care Costs: A Webcast from The Hamilton Project
The goal of this webcast, held on March 10, 2020, was to explore how competition, regulation, and reduced administrative expenses can help lower health care costs, strengthen the health care sector, and drive economic growth in the United States. In the United States health care sector, administrative costs are high and competition is generally low— … Continue reading
What does the constitution say about restricting immigration ?
One of the hallmarks of Trumpism is the increasingly intense dialogue surrounding immigration, ushering in a wave of xenophobia and a brighter distinction between “them” and “us”. Although the Federal Government has mobilized this sentiment in the form of immigration restriction, it is unclear whether or not the Constitution explicitly bestows this authority. This article … Continue reading
Assessing the Value and Feasibility of Telehealth
In light of the current pandemic, everyday life for Americans across the country has been looking significantly different than anyone is used to. Whether we like it or not, life is going digital, at least for the next few weeks. People are being forced to work remotely, take their classes online through platforms such as … Continue reading
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