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Covid-19: The government officials only visit our shacks when they want our votes, not when we need food

Antonio Capalandanda

May 29, 2020 |

#Kizola |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: South Africa

South Africa took decisive steps to contain the spread of Covid-19, including closing borders, requiring strict social distancing, and making screening and testing available nationwide. The lock-down, however, made citizens who already lacked money, food, and access to clean water more insecure. Social services increased in some areas, but not enough to provide sufficient food and secure access to clean water to those who needed it. Some local organizations, such as the KASI Arts School & Rehabilitation Centre, shifted their operations to supply food to their local communities, but many remain in need.

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Some Countries Have Brought New Cases Down To Nearly Zero. How Did They Do It?

Jason Beaubien

May 27, 2020 |

KPBS Public Media |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: New Zealand

Taking swift action, quickly banning all incoming visitors, remaining apolitical, articulating a coherent and straightforward plan to follow, and connecting with citizens by being approachable and appealing to their sense of duty to protect their fellow country-people are the strategies taken by those countries that have better prevented or most quickly contained the spread of Covid-19. Some countries still see frustration among the public, but for the most part these are the components that have led to a positive response from everyday citizens.

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These Unsung Countries Are Vanquishing the Virus

Will Doig

May 22, 2020 |

Reasons to be Cheerful |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Finland

During the onset of the pandemic, countries around the world took a variety of different measures to protect its citizens and economies. While some countries continue to be negatively affected by the coronavirus, places like Vietnam, Canada, Croatia, Finland, and New Zealand reacted by taking restrictive measures from the start and have successfully contained the virus. Responses include distributing funds to individuals and businesses on the honors system, closing down everything except grocery stores, hospitals, and pharmacies, as well as rapid implementation of widespread testing.

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Sweden's Coronavirus Strategy Should Not Be the World's

Josh Michaud

May 20, 2020 |

Foreign Affairs |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Sweden

Others can learn from the so-called Swedish model for managing the pandemic, while at the same time should be wary of adopting its undeclared mission to achieve herd immunity. From the start of the crisis, Sweden has placed the responsibility for risk reduction on individuals and businesses rather than through government mandates. The gamble appears to have paid off, as people for the most part behaved responsibly and cautiously, suggesting a less damaging approach for the long haul. But whatever progress the country has made toward widespread immunity carries a big health cost.

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As Europe comes out of lockdown, what lessons can be learned from Sweden?

Catherine Edwards

May 20, 2020 |

The Local |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Sweden

Sweden’s refusal to enact strict lockdown rules turned out to be far from an unqualified success, but in both its failures and modest benefits it offers lessons on managing through a pandemic while minimizing economic harm. The country’s responses were more nuanced and detailed than a simple hands-off approach. Its economy has not been spared a severe downturn, nor is its death toll anything to brag about. But, in numerous ways, Sweden’s softer approach lives up to its billing as more sustainable than many other countries’.

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After April's election difficulties, would a vote-at-home system make more sense for Wisconsin?

Patricia McKnight

May 20, 2020 |

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

States that use universal voting by mail can be models for all states to protect voters amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Voting by mail can also increase voter turnout. After sending 2020 primary ballots to all registered voters, two Wisconsin districts had voter turnout about twice that of the statewide turnout. States also report that, after high startup costs, voting by mail is cheaper over the long term. Colorado successfully uses intelligent bar codes to track ballots and avoid fraud. Setting up the system before the November 2020 election would be difficult, as is reaching those without a permanent address.

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More Productive from Home: Governments Learn to Love Remote Work

Alan Greenblatt

May 18, 2020 |

Governing |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Many local government employees have shifted to remote work as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite previous resistance to remote work, employers are finding that workers are more efficient at home and even working longer hours. Managers needed to develop new measures of productivity for remote work. While there may not be a widespread or permanent shift to remote work, some of the adaptations might persist and the success of the quick response will make it easier for governments to alter their operations for social distancing moving forward.

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How 'overreaction' made Vietnam a virus success

Anna Jones

May 15, 2020 |

BBC |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Vietnam

Vietnam's approach to handling the Covid-19 pandemic prioritized prevention over eradication which, so far, has helped the country avoid virus-caused deaths. Although the restriction in places, such as quarantine facilities, are aggressive and may not work in other countries, some public health experts commend the approach saying, "it's better to overreact."

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PA should follow California's lead and mail ballots to every registered voter in the state

Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

May 15, 2020 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Pennsylvania

Governor Gavin Newsome in California ordered vote-from-home ballots be sent to all registered voters for the November 2020 election due to the Covid-19 pandemic. While some states allow people to vote by mail for any reason, a ballot is usually obtained only by request, which evidence shows does not lead to the same increased voter turnout as automatically receiving a ballot. Absentee voters do tend to be white and upper-middle class, but some voter-rights organizations such as Committee of Seventy have shifted priorities to getting everyone who is eligible to request a vote-from-home ballot.

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In an Attempt to Help Struggling Restaurants, Cities Regulate Food Delivery Apps

Emma Coleman

May 15, 2020 |

Route Fifty |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States

To provide financial relief to restaurants during Covid-19 related closures, officials in several cities have capped the commission food delivery apps can take from restaurants. Some apps normally take as much as 40% from restaurants but in order to remain viable while in-store dinning is shut down some cities have capped commissions between 10-15%. Although the apps claim that mandated caps are damaging their business and will force them to alter operations, local restaurants have expressed enthusiasm that the caps will allow them to use third-party delivery apps and stay open.

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