UNR
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Covid-19 Resurgence Report:
The following are emails sent out to various high-profile individuals in an effort to nail down a meaningful interview, either by email correspondence, or by direct contact. They went out last week. As of tonight, no response, except for Secretary Becerra spokesperson who suggested sifting through meaningless online docs for answers, which will not satisfy the requirements of the assignment.
from: James Langelle <jlangelle@nevada.unr.edu
to:boehmec@who.int
date:Sep 21, 2023, 12:38 PM
subject:Covid Resurgence, Russian Federation
mailed-by:nevada.unr.edu
Hello Dr. Boehme,
I am a journalism undergraduate student at the University of Nevada, Reno with a lab interview assignment; perhaps you might be able to assist. Regarding the latest statistics in Russia, where the 7-day report shows approximately 11.5K new cases:
https://covid19.who.int/region/euro/country/ru
1.) Is it possible to get a breakdown in-country where the spike is concentrated?
2.) Is there a direct source in Russia where more data can be accessed?
3.) Will an international response be required to contain a possible major outbreak beyond the borders of the Federation?
4.) If so, in what form might it take?
Thank you in advance.
James C. L'Angelle
University of Nevada, Reno, Fall 2023
Medical Anthropology 426, Journalism Ethics 305
Journalism 103, Journalism 107
References:
https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/documents/about-us/who-hq-organigram.pdf
https://apps.who.int/gb/COVID-19/pdf_files/02_07/Russian_Federation.pdf
http://services.government.ru/en/letters/form/
http://services.government.ru/en/letters/form/
Mr. Secretary,
In February, 2020, I interviewed Dr. Mark Pandori, the director of the Nevada State Health lab; the topic was in relation to the little known virus known as Covid-19. Two weeks later the campus was shut down and all classes were presented remotely. What followed was the worldwide pandemic resulting in whole populations affected by the disease.
Now, three years later, following lockdowns, surveillance, tests and vaccination campaigns, the world and the United States, has returned to a marginal degree of being normal once again.
The purpose of this inquiry is to ask a few questions regarding your interpretation of the existing conditions. It is in regard to an assignment for my Journalism 107 Lab and I would be grateful if you would be able to respond briefly to some, not necessarily all, of the following:
Was the HHS adequately prepared for the response to the pandemic?
Where was the department most affected?
What is the key program that has changed at Health and Human Services because of the pandemic?
Going forward, where have changes been made to meet a new challenge such as the pandemic?
Thank you in advance for any response to this most important project.
Best Regards,
James C. L’Angelle
University of Nevada, Reno, Fall 2023
Medical Anthropology 426, Journalism Ethics 305,
Journalism 103, Journalism 107.
https://eyelessoncampus.blogspot.com/2020/02/coronavirus-usa-lab-testing-procedure.html
From: Becerra, Xavier (OS/IOS) <Xavier.Becerra@hhs.gov>
Sent: Thursday, September 21, 2023 11:56 AM
To: OS Scheduling (HHS/OS) <scheduling@hhs.gov>; OS Media (HHS/ASPA) <media@hhs.gov>
Subject: FW: University of Nevada, Reno: Journalism 107 Interview Request
From: OS Media (HHS/ASPA) <media@hhs.gov>
Sent: Thursday, September 21, 2023 2:53 PM
To: Zuniga, Ilse (HHS/ASPA) <Ilse.Zuniga@hhs.gov>
Subject: FW: University of Nevada, Reno: Journalism 107 Interview Request
Ilse Zuniga
Senior Advisor, Public Health Communications
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
(202) 989-5369 |ilse.zuniga@hhs.gov | @HHSgov
Hi James, I’m a UNLV grad so hello! Please check out our HHS website for a number of information and resources on pandemic lessons learned. Here also is our end of the PHE website with a plethora of resources, thanks!
https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/covid-19-public-health-emergency/index.html
Hello Ilse,
Thank you for the response.
I was hoping for a direct reply from Secretary Becerra; as is the requirement for the interview assignment.
James.
Sorry but his schedule is stacked for the foreseeable future.
Thank you Ilse,
Your responses have been duly noted for the interview.
I have since inquired with the World Health Organization directors and the Russian Federation Ministry of Health regarding its 11.5K spike in Covid-19 cases in just one week, perhaps related to President Biden's sudden decision to reinstate at-home testing kit accessibility.
And, by the way, thank Director Becerra.
Hello CDC Director Cohen,
In February, 2020, I interviewed Dr. Mark Pandori, the director of the Nevada State Health lab; the topic was in relation to the little known virus known as Covid-19. Two weeks later the campus was shut down and all classes were presented remotely. What followed was the worldwide pandemic resulting in whole populations affected by the disease.
Now, three years later, following lockdowns, surveillance, tests and vaccination campaigns, the world and the United States, has returned to a marginal degree of being normal once again.
The purpose of this inquiry is to ask a few questions regarding the CDC role in the pandemic. It is in regard to an assignment for my Journalism 107 Lab and I would be grateful if you would be able to respond briefly to some, not necessarily all, of the following:
1.) News reports indicate a possible resurgence of Covid-19, possible variants-strains, on the horizon. How serious is it?
2.) Was President Biden's sudden announcement of at-home access to test kits reflect a concern of a resurgence?
3.) Does the CDC feel that Americans have lapsed back into a nonchalant attitude about the dangers of Covid?
4.) How credible are the alternative remedies to the rigid vaccination policy now in place?
Thank you in advance for any response to this most important project.
Best Regards,
James C. L’Angelle
University of Nevada, Reno, Fall 2023
Medical Anthropology 426, Journalism Ethics 305,
Journalism 103, Journalism 107.
Dr. Pandori interview, 02/2020:
https://eyelessoncampus.blogspot.com/2020/02/coronavirus-usa-lab-testing-procedure.html