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‘I understand your concern': Sedgwick County's COVID Ambassador program beats back vaccine hesitancy

Celia Hack

October 21, 2021 |

The Wichita Beacon |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Sedgwick County, Kansas

The COVID Ambassador program trains people to listen, be empathetic, and acknowledge people’s COVID-19 vaccine concerns. Ambassadors’ training includes substantial practice talking to people who are resistant to getting vaccinated and they receive ongoing support at bi-monthly meetings, which has increased their confidence and led to more conversations with community members hesitant to get vaccinated. Like other community health worker programs, the ambassador program’s ability to be successful relies on the idea that people trust information from their peers more than from the government.

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Despite a Punishing Drought, San Diego Has Water. It Wasn't Easy.

Jill Cowan

October 17, 2021 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Diego, California

While much of the state is still facing a severe drought, San Diego has access to plenty of water. Restrictions - like not allowing restaurants to serve water unless it’s asked for and barring residents from watering their yards during the day – have helped. Diversifying where the city gets their water from and investing in water-saving infrastructure, like lining Imperial Valley canals with concrete to prevent water from seeping into the earth, growing desalination capabilities, and adding more capacity to the reservoir, have also helped diversity and save water.

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Spain has one the highest vaccination rates in the world without government mandates or incentives. Here is what's behind the Spanish success story and what others could learn from it.

Anne-Sophie Brandlin

October 17, 2021 |

Deutsche Welle (DW) |

Video |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: Spain

Spain achieved one of the highest vaccination rates among Western countries in part because of longstanding trust and confidence in the public health system and data-informed strategies. The public generally trusted the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine because of a history of cooperation and positive public health outcomes. The norm of inter-generational living also gave young people more incentive to get vaccinated to protect their elderly residents and officials used this as part of the public health messaging. Officials also personally called and set up vaccine appointments for everyone they could reach.

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Building Alliances: How rural St. Landry Parish gave its Covid vaccination effort a boost

Ty Baniewicz

October 14, 2021 |

The Current (Louisiana) |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Saint Landry Parish, Louisiana

A pre-existing resource directory formed by a consortium of local groups addressing community health allowed St. Landry Parish to react quickly to the COVID-19 pandemic and deploy resources more effectively. The network was quickly mobilized and representatives from government agencies, the police, hospitals, and business owners met daily to coordinate care, answer questions and dispel misinformation, and eventually, ensure access to vaccines.

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By boat, by motorbike, by foot

Samantha Schmidt

October 12, 2021 |

The Washington Post |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Colombia, La Giajira

IPSI Palaima is working to vaccinate Indigenous families who live in hard-to-reach areas of La Guajira, where there are no paved roads, electricity, or running water and staff must use cars, boats, and motorbikes to reach them. A team of nursing assistants and a doctor spend 15 days at a time at a local outpost and travel by motorbike to surrounding communities, carrying vaccines in cooler bags. The organization was founded by an Indigenous woman who grew up in the area. Many of the staff members speak the local language, which can ease the communities’ vaccine hesitation and mistrust of authorities.

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Inside United Airlines' Decision to Mandate Coronavirus Vaccines

Niraj Chokshi Noam Scheiber

October 02, 2021 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

The key to United Airlines successful vaccine mandate, even in areas that have low vaccination rates, was gradually phasing in the mandate after a year-long effort laying the groundwork. The airline worked with the union to set up vaccine clinics at its major hubs and offered incentives to employees who got vaccinated. Incentives, like extra pay or vacation days that declined over time until they expired, led the majority of employees to get vaccinated, and the mandate proved to be the final push that was needed.

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Partner Notification services vital in HIV Control

Joyce Chimbi

October 01, 2021 |

Sayansi Magazine |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Kenya, Siaya County

The Assisted Partner Notification Service is a World Health Organization-backed strategy that aims to reach out to sexual partners of people diagnosed with HIV to encourage them to get tested in an effort to contain the HIV pandemic. From May 2018 to September 2019, the notification service tested a total of 29,249 women, detecting 1,120 positive cases which then led the service to reach out to a number of male partners to continue to facilitate testing.

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Narrow escape from the cut of creed

Bill Odidi

September 27, 2021 |

Kenya Broadcasting Corporation |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Kenya

Maria Adelaide Rescue Centre shelters girls who are escaping the practice of female genital mutilation and early marriage. The girls, who often have harrowing stories of escape, are provided a safe place to live and go to school. If possible, the Centre will work with village chiefs and family members to ensure the girls are protected and are able to get an education. The Center follows up and monitors girls’ progress and also educates community members on the dangers of FGM and child marriage.

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George Floyd Square COVID-19 vaccine drives target misinformation, mistrust

Susan Du

September 25, 2021 |

Minneapolis Star Tribune |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Though police have removed barricades from the protest zone around George Floyd Square, it remains a popular gathering place for people. The church across from the spot where George Floyd was murdered in May 2020 has partnered with the Cultural Wellness Center to offer COVID-19 vaccines at the square in order to raise the vaccination rate of the surrounding community. The shots are free and recipients receive a $50 gift card for each dose of the two-dose series. While many people have come to get the vaccine begrudgingly, largely due to workplace and travel mandates, organizers are happy for any gains.

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Nigeria is struggling to end open defecation, but a grassroots campaign is trying to change that

Samson Toromade

September 24, 2021 |

Pulse Nigeria |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Nigeria

Open Defecation Free Nigeria works to stop people from disposing of human waste in public areas by building public toilets. The organization has built 66 so far and manages a group of volunteers who educate residents about the dangers of public defecation. Encouraging behavioral change is key to ending the practice of open defecation. Fundraising and the sale of private household toilets funds the public toilets, which are tailored to the needs of a community. Most contain a biodigester system that turns waste to liquid or compost manure, which can last for decades and is easy for communities to maintain.

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