Hudson Valley Parents Debate Masks in Schools

As the Delta variant rages on, so does the debate over students wearing masks in schools come fall. Children across the country, especially those ineligible for the vaccine, are ending up in the intensive care unit for COVID-19. This is a concern for Tameka Arroy-Santiago, a Hopewell Junction parent of two school-aged children under theContinue reading “Hudson Valley Parents Debate Masks in Schools”

Connecticut Native Seeks to Brighten Up Community

New Haven, Connecticut brought longtime medical professional Doreen Abubakar positive memories as a child. Today, Abubakar makes the revitalization of one of its deprived neighborhoods her life’s work. The Newhallville area was a thriving working-class community before the 1980s. Like many working class areas across the country, an economic downturn left the area in direContinue reading “Connecticut Native Seeks to Brighten Up Community”

COVID Survivors for Change Founder Shares Story

Lawyer and gun control advocate Chris Kocher pivoted when the pandemic hit New York City the hardest last spring. After seeing friends survive COVID-19 or lose loved ones, Kocher knew there was a need to address the emotional trauma. “I wanted to see if there was something I could do to support families most impacted,”Continue reading “COVID Survivors for Change Founder Shares Story”

Spotlight On: Hudson Valley’s Dr. Denise Morett

As people begin to embrace a post COVID normal, Hudson Valley psychologist Dr. Denise Morett gives her take on having a balanced mind. Dr. Morett practices bioenergetic medicine, which emphasizes how one’s mental state impacts energy. “Everything is energy and affects energy,” she said via email. “Not just having ‘energy’ to take actions, but whereContinue reading “Spotlight On: Hudson Valley’s Dr. Denise Morett”

On the Frontlines: Nuvance Health’s Dr. Paul Wright

By: Mallika Rao While the COVID-19 virus began to ravage Nuvance Health’s New York and Connecticut facilities, another mysterious medical issue arrived not too long after. As the senior vice president and system head of the Neuroscience Institute, Dr. Paul Wright quickly noticed how patients fully recovered from COVID-19 reported other physical and mental healthContinue reading “On the Frontlines: Nuvance Health’s Dr. Paul Wright”

NYU Bioethics Expert Discusses Vaccine Hesitancy

Vaccine hesitancy remains an issue among conservatives across the United States, according to the latest Morning Consult poll. With 45.1 percent of the country fully vaccinated against COVID-19, rates for some conservative-leaning states are lower than the national average. This comes as the Delta variant poses an ominous threat of case increases, especially in vulnerableContinue reading “NYU Bioethics Expert Discusses Vaccine Hesitancy”

Reflecting on HIV/AIDS 40 Years Later

Forty years ago, the Center for Disease Control released the first report of a disease that would later become known as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, or AIDS. In light of this historical moment, the community relations director of the world’s first HIV/AIDS service organization reflects. Krishna Stone, 62, volunteered for GMHC, or Gay Men’s HealthContinue reading “Reflecting on HIV/AIDS 40 Years Later”

Assemblyman Gottfried Discusses New York Health Act

Since 1991, New York State Assemblyman Richard Gottfried (NY-75) has fought for single-payer healthcare in the state. This year, he may get his chance. In the wake of the pandemic, the New York Health Act–which Gottfried has co-sponsored with Assemblyman Gustavo Rivera– is gaining momentum in Albany. Assemblyman Gottfried credits this mainly to the supermajorityContinue reading “Assemblyman Gottfried Discusses New York Health Act”