Repurposing Unused Capacity for Vaccination Sites

Repurposing Unused Capacity for Vaccination Sites

February 17, 2021
David Little, Ph.D.

Mall retail store vacancies are at historic highs of 10.5%.  Meanwhile, vaccination sites require significant parking spaces near major transportation routes, with room for a large number of vaccinated patients to wait the required 15 minutes after treatment while under observation for allergic reactions.  Colder weather makes indoor facilities ideal for this 15-minute waiting period.

Empty mall space is an ideal solution for local health departments to utilize for vaccine administration.  As such, mall owners across the country have been partnering with local health departments.

Video Spotlight: 

This post is based on the CNN article, Vaccination megasites pop up in empty malls, by Parija Kavilanz, January 15, 2021, and the YouTube videos in the Spotlight. Francis Zera/Spaces Images/Blend Images LLC

Discussion Questions:

1.  Choose a local mall that students might be familiar (or draw a typical mall layout on the Continue reading →

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California’s Maxed ICU Capacity and Lockdowns

California’s Maxed ICU Capacity and Lockdowns

January 8, 2021
Lisa M. Spencer

California led the nation in early lockdown measures for COVID during the holiday season at the end of 2020.  This followed the pattern set in spring 2020, when California locked down early and swiftly, stemming a tide of rising COVID cases and flattening the curve successfully.

This time, the state pointed to dire forecasts for December to justify another rapid shutdown, with the trigger being ICU capacity.

The state is divided into five regions. If available ICU capacity drops below 15% in a given area, that region goes on lockdown for at least three weeks.

Two days after the announcement was made, two regions were already in that category, with a third voluntarily adopting the lockdown pre-emptively to stem the tide sooner rather than later.  By the middle of December, Central California had reached zero percent ICU capacity.

The California Government’s About COVID-19 restrictions site provides updates on lockdown status based on ICU capacity.

Video Spotlight: 

This post is based on the AP News Continue reading →

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Disruptions to Tea Supply Chain

Disruptions to Tea Supply Chain

October 21, 2020
Anita Lee-Post, Ph.D.

Disruptions to the global tea supply chain, from the movement restrictions of the pandemic to weather issues, are causing serious supply problems with tea.

These disruptions, coupled with an increase in tea consumption at home for its health benefits, have resulted in a 50% surge in wholesale prices of tea, a 1.7% cost increase in packaged tea bags, and a 9.6% price increase in liquid tea.

Video Spotlight: 

This post is based on the Forbes article, Here Is Why Your Next Cup Of Tea Will Cost More Money, by Lana Bandoim, September 24, 2020, and the YouTube video in the Spotlight. Image source: Shutterstock / Tatyana Soares

Discussion Questions:

1. What areas of the tea supply chain are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic?

Guidance: The pandemic affects the entire tea supply chain.  The lockdowns disrupted tea leaf-picking during the spring harvest season.  They also delayed shipments by a month.

2. What factors have contributed to a rise in tea prices?

Guidance: The factors include a shortage of tea supply and a surge in tea demand.  Tea supply is Continue reading →

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