Staff Reporter

Do smoking rules apply to reservation? VetsÞ club seeks tribal court review | Archives

April 18, 2022 by Staff Reporter

SALAMANCA ã Several Salamanca businesses and the county health
department are struggling with interpretations of the Clean Indoor
Air Act.

The law itself does not discuss exceptions for establishments on
a Native American reservations, leaving all sides questioning when
the act can be enforced on the reservation.

The Salamanca Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5296 was cited by
the health department as going against the act due to observed
smoking in the Wildwood Avenue establishment on Oct. 25. The act
prohibits all indoor smoking in public buildings, including bars
and restaurants.

The VFW asked that the matter be heard by the Peacemakers Court
in their hearing with the health department.

Eugene C. Frost and Stanley Milanowski, respondents from the
organization, offered evidence at their hearing Nov. 25, including
a photo ofg the sign from the Dudley Hotel saying ßsmoking
permitted,à and a copy of a 1986 law that ßgives the Seneca Nation
the complete authority and jurisdiction over county health
department to see over all its Seneca-owned businesses on its own
reservation.à

The respondents wrote in a statement that the organization has
20 percent Native American members, and the matters should be
brought before the Seneca NationÞs Peacemakers Court for decision
as per the 1986 law. The respondents also submitted a copy of a
newspaper article describing a smoking waiver given out by Onondaga
County for a bingo hall. Frost apologized for the incident.

The health departmentÞs recommendation on enforcement was to
wait for the respondents to ßsubmit motions in a legal manner and
the CCHD can submit its answers. RespondentÞs motions shall be in
the hands of the CCHD no later than Dec. 19, 2003. The CCHD shall
prepare its answers for presentation at the first Board of Health
meeting in 2004.à

The act does not have jurisdiction over Native American-owned
businesses on the reservation, said Environmental Health Director
Eric Wholers.

However, at the Board of Health meeting Wednesday, Public Health
Director Barbara Hastings said there may be a complication with
such establishments. She said she had been in contact with Sandra
Abrams, owner of the Dudley Hotel, to discuss the issue.

Wholers said the issue is not with the law itself, but rather a
clause on liquor licenses. Liquor licenses are given out with the
stipulation that the establishment will follow all state health
laws.

ßThe liquor license is the connection,à he said.

In the first four months the act has been in affect, the health
department has sent 40 official warning notices, conducted
inspections and personal interviews.

On an enforcement level, 11 facilities have been formally cited
for violations. Two businesses are repeat offenders, fined $1000
each. Otherwise fines are $500 for a first offense and in one case
$250.

Waivers are still not being granted because the department is
waiting for state direction on criteria for determining financial
hardship, said Hastings.

She said the state will not give a date for completion of those
criteria.

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We can avoid mask mandates if we do a better job of removing COVID from indoor air

April 18, 2022 by Staff Reporter

As someone who studies indoor air quality, watching people debate the Philadelphia mask mandate — which is supposed to return Monday — has been incredibly disheartening.

Ultimately, I view Philadelphia as a national leader for reinstating indoor masking at the earliest sign of rising cases. A well-fitted, high-quality mask is still more effective at preventing infection than vaccines are alone. Even if only a small percentage of people adhere to this mandate, it can save the lives of dozens of working Philadelphians, and spare even more from disabilities related to long COVID-19.

But let’s also be realistic. It is not 2020 anymore. We are all exhausted. Compliance and enforcement of this mandate will be low. And since our neighboring counties are not mandating masks, this policy may drive customers away from visiting restaurants and booking venues.

Toggling mask mandates on and off is not sustainable as the city’s only long-term public health strategy. But neither is leaving masking up to individual choice. On their own, both approaches produce economic costs and social inequities. Citywide squabbling over the pros and cons of mask mandates is an unproductive use of social and political capital.

We cannot continue to fight about saving lives vs. livelihoods — that is a false choice. The only path back to normalcy is to clean our indoor air by enhancing ventilation and filtration in Philadelphia’s buildings, which can remove viral particles from the air before they can be inhaled. Enhancing ventilation and filtration can blunt the impact of future waves and reduce the need for future mask mandates.

“The only path back to normalcy is to clean our indoor air by enhancing ventilation and filtration in Philadelphia’s buildings.”

Bryan Cummings

Here’s an analogy. What if Philadelphia did not treat its drinking water, and it was up to us to boil the water that came out of our taps with our own equipment and heating costs? This wouldn’t be sustainable: waterborne disease would spread among those who do not boil thoroughly, and only the most privileged citizens would be well protected.

Today, the mask mandate is a reasonable policy in the absence of clean indoor air. But it’s also not sustainable. We need our government to ensure that our shared air is clean. If it is only up to individuals to filter air with our own masks, even if it is mandated, inequities will persist, many of us will continue to get sick, and this pandemic will drag on.

» READ MORE: Was Philly right to bring back the indoor mask mandate? | Pro/Con

Plus, imagine how much more business the city of Philadelphia would attract back to its convention center, offices, coffee shops, and bars if we were truly on the leading edge of the healthy buildings movement. I would bet that it would bring in way more economic vibrancy than this mask mandate will deter. Indoor air quality investments also bring benefits beyond COVID, such as suppressing the spread of other viruses like influenza. Research shows that cleaner air can also lower asthma rates, improve students’ academic performance, and reduce employees’ need for sick leave.

Such investments need not be reserved only for privileged business owners. It’s less expensive to make these changes than you might think. Businesses don’t have to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to retrofit a building’s HVAC systems to provide more ventilation. Instead, they can upgrade filters within recirculating HVAC systems to filter out viral particles more effectively. Appropriately sized, portable HEPA filters also work well. A DIY option that combines filters and a box fan could be considerably cheaper and even more effective than off-the-shelf options. While the risk of infection can never be reduced to zero, cleaner indoor air will help lessen future waves and usher in a faster return to normalcy.

Yes, this costs money, but Philly schools spent $4.5 million on air purifiers last year that weren’t really effective. The city clearly has the resources to fund these projects, but it lacks experts to guide our policymakers toward effective (and cost-effective) engineering solutions and hold them accountable when so much money is squandered.

The American Rescue Plan Act has given the state more than $6 billion for COVID relief efforts, which can include ventilation upgrades. And it’s only fair that the state offers help to tackle the challenge.

Whichever side of this mask mandate debate you’re on, let’s stop arguing about it, and instead channel this energy together to demand that our leaders implement policies, incentives, and technologies to clean our indoor environments and end this pandemic once and for all.

Bryan Cummings is a research scientist at Drexel University studying indoor air quality.

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Inspiring tales of warriors on the front line

April 18, 2022 by Staff Reporter

Editor’s note:

Medical staff have been the warriors on the front line since the outbreak of the pandemic. Here, we have some stories about Songjiang’s medics working at nucleic acid testing sites, or the district’s emergency center, or who are about to be dispatched to various quarantine sites, or are responsible as drivers for patients going to quarantine.

Hospital medical staff at forefront of battle against epidemic

As well as ensuring the normal operations of the city’s hospitals, medical staff are fighting against the epidemic on the frontline.

Some go to communities to conduct nucleic acid testing, and some to quarantine sites for days.

Chen Lin is a nurse at Songjiang Center Hospital who rushed to the frontline when assigned tasks. She worked there more than ten hours. During that time, her ill husband also needed hospital care but she insisted on staying at her post.

“My husband supported me, and he said the frontline needed me more,” she said. “I was touched, and of course I love him very much.”

Guo Beifen is also a nurse at the hospital and her husband is a policeman. When she heard the hospital needed volunteers at the quarantine sites, Guo asked to go.

Ti Gong

Medical staff conduct nucleic acid testing.

“My husband already went to the quarantine site so I can not fall behind him in this fight against the epidemic,” Guo joked.

Fan Jiena is a chief nurse of the hospital. When assigned a task, she accepted without any hesitation even though it meant she has no time to care for her young daughter. She had to ask her neighbor for help.

“She is very good girl and she knows her parents are both medics, and their task is to protect the health of people,” Fan said.

Sun Jia jia is a nurse at the Fangta Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine who was at home ill. But knowing her hospital was short of medics, she asked to return to work.

The chief nurse was worried but Sun said: “Don’t worry, I am almost recovered. I can work in the daytime and get an infusion after work.”

Zhou Renming is the director of Respiratory Medicine at Sijing Hospital. Although he is 58 years old, Zhou still came to fore at the moment of crisis.

“Though my physical strength is not as good as that of youngsters, one more medic means one more physical strength,” Zhou said. “It is our responsibility to protect the health of the people.”

Yan Shuting is a nurse at Songjiang Maternity and Child Health Hospital. She actively joined the nucleic acid testing team of the hospital. The average age of the team is under 25.

“As a young nurse, I should step forward bravely,” Yan said. “There are a lot of more experienced medics in the team and they have overcome many difficulties to persist in the work.”

Songjiang medics go into a ‘battle without bullets’

A medical team comprising 141 doctors and nurses and 31 support staff gathered at the Songjiang Central Hospital to build morale ahead of being dispatched to various central quarantine sites in the district on March 31.

Members of the team came from the central hospital’s cardiology, respiratory, gastroenterology, radiology, pediatrics and pharmacy departments.

“In this battle without bullets, we’re now asking for a battle assignment,” said Xu Xun, a doctor from the respiratory department of Songjiang Central Hospital.

“We will be soldiers in harm’s way and we’ll be victors. We’ll use our medical skills and knowledge to win this battle.”

Among the 141 medical workers are 106 nurses.

“We’ll make every effort and show our empathy in every aspect,” said Zhang Jianfeng, a head nurse.

In addition to boosting the morale, Gao Zhen, chief of the hospital, also reminded the medical workers of ensuring their own elf-protection.

Ti Gong

A medical team gathered at the Songjiang Central Hospital to build morale ahead of being dispatched to various central quarantine sites in the district on March 31.

Songjiang medical staff embrace huge responsibility

All staff at the Songjiang medical emergency center are standing firm, with it entering emergency status due to the COVID-19 resurgence.

Shen Tiejun is responsible for the disinfection of ambulances at the Chendun site of the medical emergency center.

The Chendun site has 12 ambulances, and after each run Shen and his team disinfect all vehicles.

Shen is a veteran in the fight against the epidemic. Each time Shen comes to the disinfection site, he will persist in the position for more than one month.

“We have huge responsibility on our shoulders as it is important to disinfect the vehicles and cut off the transmission of virus,” Shen said.

“An ambulance is a closed environment, and every part of the compartment must be disinfected. If you just use disinfectant to wipe every corner, it will be inefficient and will leave areas. The automatic hydrogen peroxide disinfection machine will improve efficiency and is safer.

Shen and his team-mates have explored one efficient method to disinfect the ambulance, known as the human-machine complementary operation process.

“First, use the machine for disinfection, that is, two sprays, each sealed for half an hour, then manually wipe for the second disinfection, and then use the ultraviolet for the third disinfection,” Shen said. “The complete process takes one-and-a-half hours.

Peng Chengyuan is an ambulance driver at the medical emergency center. At 2am one day, he received an emergency task. Peng rushed to the center immediately. During work, Peng only ate and drank small amounts to avoid going to the toilet so he would be immediately available for a call-out. Peng’s wife is a nurse, busy with nucleic acid testing. As a result, Peng has had to send his son to his home village to be cared for.

For staff at the medical emergency center, despite constant phone calls and fatigue, everyone steps forward.

Ti Gong

Workers at Songjiang medical emergency center stand firm to battle against the COVID-19 resurgence.

Retired soldier steps forward to serve as driver

Wearing heavy protective clothing and driving a car, Yang Chenfeng sets off once again.

As a full-time driver of a transport car of the Epidemic Prevention and Control Office at Yongfeng Street, Yang has gone through two extraordinary winters since the outbreak of the epidemic in 2020.

Being ready to go anytime, anywhere, and quickly take people to quarantine sites, is his and his colleagues’ task.

“As a retired soldier, we should step forward, we don’t need any reason,” Yang said.

Since July 2020, Yang has undertaken the transfer of people. He works continuously for a month, and then is quarantined for 14 days. He must be ready to adjust his schedule, according to the epidemic situation.

“At the busiest time, I had to transport more than 20 people a day,” Yang said. “The farthest trip took about three hours to go back and forth. There is no need for too much explanation, the citizens are very cooperative.

“There is no daytime or night time for transfer work. It is often an order, and we will set off immediately. Sometimes we can only use fragmented time to rest. It is common to have dinner and breakfast combined.”

Wang Yan, a staff member of the office, added: “On one transfer mission, Yang Chenfeng set off at 11pm and completed the transfer at 4am the next day. When he returned to the isolation hotel, before taking off his protective suit, he received an urgent task. Yang set off immediately.”

Yang commented: “I just did what I could, it’s nothing important”.

In the process of transportation, it is inevitable to encounter various emergencies. A tire is punctured, the mobile phone is out of power, or there is no drinking water. These are not rare things but Yang always has a sincere heart to serve everyone.

When transferring special groups such as children and the elderly, Yang sets off earlier than usual to give them enough time to pack their luggage. When transferring people from ethnic minorities, he will inform the quarantine hotel about their eating habits.

“I never feel tired as driving the car is serving the people,” said Yang.

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214 Km Foot March Protest for clean drinking water

April 18, 2022 by Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR– ( By Geli Riba ) Sol Dodum, a Social Activists with his 4 companions started a foot March on 15th of April from Seppa to Itanagar, to protest against the failure of Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department Seppa, East Kameng district for providing clean drinking water system in seppa town. The distance between Seppa and Itangar is 214 km and it’s been 4 days and 3 night of foot march.

Along the way people has join his foot march protest from pakke-kesang and papum pare district, today he will be reaching Itanagar and there he informed he have a permission from capital DM Talo Potom, to protest peacefully at Tennis Court itanagar.

Dodum said “ on 12th of April with the permission of Deputy commissioner Seppa, a peaceful protest rally was to be organized in Seppa, but in the morning some miscreants attacked my team members, and damaged my vehicle to prevent me from conducting a peaceful protest rally . An FIR was also lodged against the miscreants and four of them have been arrested so far” Dodum informed.

He informed that ” Section 144 of IPC imposed on my name by Seppa Deputy commissioner, which means I can’t roam around with people more than 3 or 4, or I can’t perform any protest, that is why I am marching towards Capital to louder my voice and fight against the corruption”. informed Dodum.

When he was asked about his demands he said “clean drinking water system in Seppa, is the myprimary demand, then immediate arrest of the miscreants, compensation for my property damaged, and proper investigation of corruption by PHE department, are the others main demands.

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The full range of what schools and campuses need — Campus Technology

April 18, 2022 by Staff Reporter

Complete Building Care: The full range of what schools and campuses need

Download our welcome guide to Complete Building Care to learn firsthand all the ways that ABM can streamline and strengthen your college and university operations with integrated facility solutions.

Inside, you’ll see detailed information on how our dedicated facility experts handle HVAC & Mechanical, Indoor Air Quality, Disinfection, Electrical Power, Lighting, Parking & Transportation and more. You’ll even get case studies demonstrating exactly how we can help your separate building systems work together as one.

ABM makes campus facilities more efficient, more dependable and more cost-effective. That’s the power of Complete Building Care.

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Songjiang medical staff embrace huge responsibility

April 18, 2022 by Staff Reporter

All staff at the Songjiang medical emergency center are standing firm, with it entering emergency status due to the COVID-19 resurgence.

Shen Tiejun is responsible for the disinfection of ambulances at the Chendun site of the medical emergency center.

The Chendun site has 12 ambulances, and after each run Shen and his team disinfect all vehicles.

Shen is a veteran in the fight against the epidemic. Each time Shen comes to the disinfection site, he will persist in the position for more than one month.

“We have huge responsibility on our shoulders as it is important to disinfect the vehicles and cut off the transmission of virus,” Shen said.

“An ambulance is a closed environment, and every part of the compartment must be disinfected. If you just use disinfectant to wipe every corner, it will be inefficient and will leave areas. The automatic hydrogen peroxide disinfection machine will improve efficiency and is safer.

Shen and his team-mates have explored one efficient method to disinfect the ambulance, known as the human-machine complementary operation process.

“First, use the machine for disinfection, that is, two sprays, each sealed for half an hour, then manually wipe for the second disinfection, and then use the ultraviolet for the third disinfection,” Shen said. “The complete process takes one-and-a-half hours.

Peng Chengyuan is an ambulance driver at the medical emergency center. At 2am one day, he received an emergency task. Peng rushed to the center immediately. During work, Peng only ate and drank small amounts to avoid going to the toilet so he would be immediately available for a call-out. Peng’s wife is a nurse, busy with nucleic acid testing. As a result, Peng has had to send his son to his home village to be cared for.

For staff at the medical emergency center, despite constant phone calls and fatigue, everyone steps forward.

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Cheektowaga, NY Home Air Duct Cleaning – Germicidal UV Light Installation launch

April 18, 2022 by Staff Reporter

Niagara Falls,United States – April 18, 2022 /MarketersMEDIA/ —

With the announcement, the company reaffirms its ambitious mission to help homeowners throughout Western New York state transform their properties. Available on a 7-day basis, Cleanway Cleaning & Restoration facilitates the creation of home environments that are conducive to a healthy daily life by destroying common household allergens.

For more information see https://www.nycleanway.com

The newly expanded services widen access in and around the Buffalo and Western New York region to the company’s locally-renowned plans. Cheektowaga residents can now experience the advantages of thoroughly sanitized air duct systems thanks to the use of high-performance, eco-friendly equipment and products by the cleaning specialists. As a result, they can ensure a cleaner, safer home for their family and pets.

The local HVAC cleaning experts advise that services such as theirs are crucial in battling indoor air pollutants. Common pollutants such as bacteria, fungi, pet dander and dust mites can trigger allergies with symptoms ranging from headaches and sore throats to coughing and watery eyes. Cleanway Cleaning & Restoration’s services are specifically geared towards cleaning homes and eliminating such issues.

Cheektowaga homeowners will benefit from a versatile array of cleaning plans focused on the significant improvement of air quality throughout households. The company is equipped to create healthier indoor living spaces by cleaning air ducts, carpets, and upholstery.

The Western New York-wide company can also install special germicidal UV lights designed to eradicate harmful bacteria fungi and viruses including all covid-19 strains. This revolutionary technology, originally developed for usage in healthcare and pharmaceutical facilities, is brought to Cheektowaga homeowners as a continuation of the company’s ongoing commitment to providing advanced cleanliness solutions.

Drawing on more than three decades of industry experience, Cleanway Cleaning & Restoration continues to serve homes throughout Buffalo, Niagara County, Erie County, and beyond. Further details about the company as well as the means to arrange service quotes can be found at https://cleanway-cleaning-restoration.business.site/?m=true

“We called because we purchased an older home and were having a terrible time with dust/allergies,” said one recent customer. “They were able to do the job 2 days after I called. The workers arrived on time and were very friendly. Answered all of our questions and showed us before and after photos. They also sanitized the ducts before they left.”

Interested parties in and around Cheektowaga are invited to visit https://www.facebook.com/NYCleanway to learn more about Cleanway Cleaning & Restoration and its extensive range of residential programs.

Contact Info:
Name: Doug p Neumann
Email: Send Email
Organization: Cleanway Cleaning & Restoration
Address: 1426 Elderberry Place, Niagara Falls, NY 14304, United States
Phone: +1-716-990-2110

Release ID: 89072897

If you detect any issues, problems, or errors in this press release content, kindly contact [email protected] to notify us. We will respond and rectify the situation in the next 8 hours.

COMTEX_405857887/2773/2022-04-18T01:05:06

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Celebrating our one and only planet | Opinion

April 18, 2022 by Staff Reporter

On April 22, we will celebrate the 52nd anniversary of the first Earth Day held in 1970. This event was the culmination of an environmental movement that gained momentum in the 1960s with the publication of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, that exposed the detrimental effects of pesticides, and with the world’s very first view of the whole planet from space. Images such as Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders’ “Earthrise” along with those of environmental disasters, such as the Cuyahoga river near Cleveland on fire from oil pollution in 1969, made many Americans more aware of the irreparable environmental damage that we were doing to our beautiful, one and only planet.

After the first Earth Day, Americans worked together to protect the environment and, importantly, our own health by establishing the Environmental Protection Agency and passing several landmark environmental laws during the Nixon administration, including the Clean Air Act in 1970, the Clean Water Act in 1972, and the Endangered Species Act in 1973. In 1971, Pennsylvanians voted by a 4-to-1 margin for Article 1, Section 27 of our state constitution, the Environmental Rights Amendment, that guarantees that the people of Pennsylvania have the right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic, and esthetic values of the environment. Here in rural Pa., this right is very important to us.

Now, 52 years later, we stand once again on the precipice of another disaster of our own making, as climate change threatens the lives and livelihoods of current and future generations. I don’t have to convince you that the climate crisis is happening, you can see it all around you in news of extreme wildfire behavior, droughts, unprecedented flooding events, and bigger, more deadly hurricanes. We even have new words for these events, like “atmospheric river,” and the new “superstorms” are so big, meteorologists are considering expanding the hurricane classification scheme to account for their ferocity.

The good news is that we know what is causing the problem and we have proven technological solutions to fix it. The increased global warming we are seeing that is causing our climate to experience more extreme weather is caused by increased greenhouse gas pollutants, such as carbon dioxide and methane. The main source of these pollutants is the mining, fracking, and burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas for electricity, transportation, and industrial processes, and to make products such as single-use plastics. Right now, we have the technology we need to replace these planet-warming fuels with clean, renewable sources such as wind, geothermal, and solar energy. In fact, Pennsylvania could produce 10 times its current electricity consumption with solar energy alone. We just need to step out of our current path and start out on a new, cleaner path to a renewable energy future that will sustain our children and grandchildren.

This Earth Day, a number of local groups of concerned citizens are hosting a celebration called “Joy to the Earth,” at Rotary Field in Selinsgrove from 4-8 p.m. on April 22. The event will feature food, music, and activities for children. Participants will be able to see and ask questions about electric vehicles. There will be tables with information about home solar installation; the work of local groups who are concerned about preserving the health of our air, water, and forests; how young people are making their voices heard; and how people of faith are heeding the call to be good stewards of the Earth. Learn what part you can play in fighting the climate crisis because taking action eases the anxiety we all feel, when facing the enormity of the work that must be done to transition to renewable energy. Just as we have accomplished other seemingly insurmountable tasks, such as sending people to the moon, we can each play our part and inspire each other to step into a better future, if we work together. So, join us on Earth Day and learn more about how people are working together to fight the climate crisis, and consider joining the movement. It’s not too late to save our one and only planet.

Sandy Field is chair of the local chapter of the Climate Reality Project and lives in Lewisburg. For more information: [email protected].

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UC Berkeley study shows safety of drinking water treated with chlorine

April 17, 2022 by Staff Reporter

A study conducted by UC Berkeley scientists shows it is safe to drink water treated with chlorine.

Chlorine is often added to drinking water as a disinfectant, yet little is known about its effects on the gut microbiome, according to a UC Berkeley news release. The study, published in Nature Microbiology, found that chlorinated water reduced child diarrhea by 23% without damaging the gut microbiome, according to campus civil and environmental engineering assistant professor Amy Pickering.

“I think the results are reassuring considering that chlorination is one of the most widely used water treatment methods in the world,” Pickering said in an email.

Pickering led the team with Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology researcher Tim Julian as co-principal investigators, working alongside co-authors from places such as Stanford University, Tufts University and Bangladesh’s International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research.

According to the news release, the gut microbiome consists of important microorganisms such as beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract, which support overall health. The study, conducted in Dhaka, Bangladesh, compared the gut microbiomes of children living in communities with installed chlorination devices versus those without.

The study found that children who drank chlorinated water had significantly higher beneficial gut bacteria. Some populations who drank chlorinated water even had more than twice the amount of beneficial bacteria compared to those who did not, the release adds.

“Chlorination did not disrupt the developing gut microbiome of children receiving treated water,” Pickering said in the email. “It was also nice to see increased abundance of several bacterial species among children drinking chlorinated water that have been linked to beneficial gut health.”

Researchers randomized children to receive either an automated chlorine dose or a vitamin C dose — which acted as an active control, or a treatment with known, effective impact — in the randomized controlled trial, Pickering said. While the whole study spanned 18 months, the chlorine intervention ran for about one year before stool samples were collected from the children, Pickering added.

The results are significant in helping children in low-income countries who do not have access to safe drinking water. According to the news release, one in four people do not have access to safe drinking water, which leads to issues like diarrhea which must be treated with antibiotics — which in turn can impact long-term health.

The study’s findings around the safety of chlorinated water can thus improve diarrhea and antibiotic issues for children in low-income countries.

“Chlorination is used worldwide to disinfect water and prevent recontamination of drinking water,” Pickering said in the email. “These results support the use of chlorination as a low-cost approach to increase access to safe water globally.”

Cindy Liu is an academics and administration reporter. Contact her at [email protected], and follow her on Twitter at @_CindyLiu_.

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Shippers threaten to yank business out of Texas over Gov. Greg Abbott’s border traffic slowdown | Texas News | San Antonio

April 17, 2022 by Staff Reporter

click to enlarge

Instagram / govabbott

Gov. Greg Abbott’s talks tough at the border during a 2021 news conference touting his immigration crackdown.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s efforts to paint himself as both pro-business and as an immigration hardliner ahead of this year’s election appear to be on a collision course.

The two-term Republican has slowed commercial border crossings to a crawl over the past six days by having state troopers inspect northbound haulers — a job historically handled by the federal government. Now, shippers are warning that the his unprecedented move is threatening Texas’ ability to compete.

“Warehouses have staff sitting idle, with no trucks to unload,” Dante Galeazzi, president of the Texas International Produce Association, told CBS News. “Buyers in other parts of the country cannot understand why their product is not available. U.S. trucking companies are losing money as they sit around for days with no loads to haul.”

Galeazzi added that a one trucking company is refusing to send trucks south of San Antonio because officials worry there will be no cargo available.

“This is destroying our business and the reputation of Texas,” he told CBS. “I foresee companies making plans to move their business to New Mexico and Arizona.”

The backlash comes as Abbott continues to make his multi-billion-dollar border crackdown the centerpiece of his bid to win reelection this fall. He argues the state inspections, which started last week, are necessary as the Biden administration phases out Title 42, a Trump-era policy that let federal officials turn away migrants without letting them to seek asylum.

However, Beto O’Rourke, the former El Paso congressman who’s challenging Abbott in the gubernatorial race has already seized on the slowdown. During a presser on Tuesday, the Democratic contender slammed the governor’s crackdown as an “very expensive stunt.”

O’Rourke also invited businessman Joe Arevalo, owner of border warehouse firm Keystone Cold, to speak out against Abbott’s plan.

“We’re living through a nightmare, and we’re already suffering through a very delicate supply chain from the pandemic and to try to regrow the business,” Arevalo warned, according to the Austin-American Statesman.

Delays at border bridges triggered by the Abbott-ordered inspections slashed commercial traffic at the Texas-Mexico border by 60% in a matter of days, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials told the Texas Tribune. Traffic was further stymied as truckers on the Mexico side of the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge blocked lanes to protest the policy.

It’s also unclear how thoroughly the state troopers are scrutinizing commercial vehicles and whether they’re even looking inside cargo areas, the Tribune reports. The troopers’ inspections are being conducted after federal authorities have already conducted extensive searches of the trucks.

What’s more, it’s unclear whether troopers have seized any drugs or detained undocumented migrants since the program got underway, the Tribune reports. The Department of Public Safety didn’t respond to the news organization’s request for comment.

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Originally Appeared Here