Casa Círculo Cultural, in collaboration with the San Mateo County History Museum and the Redwood City Library, celebrates the “Day of the Dead” by approaching the cultures of Mexico and Central America through unique and folkloric traditions. Photo: Casa Círculo Cultural.
Food, music, flowers, and kites will be the perfect setting for Redwood City to come to life this Sunday, November 5, when residents and visitors will be able to celebrate the “Day of the Dead” by getting closer to the cultures of Mexico and Central America through unique traditions full of folklore.
Casa Circulo Cultural, in collaboration with the San Mateo County History Museum and the Redwood City Library, have called on everyone to celebrate this incredible celebration starting at 1:30 p.m. at Redwood City's Courthouse Square, located at 2200 Broadway.
This year, Mayan culture will be the common thread for the celebration, which will allow us to immerse ourselves in how death and the return of loved ones are conceived and celebrated in places with Mayan traditions, such as in southeastern Mexico and parts of Guatemala.
In Guatemala, a significant portion of the population is made up of mestizos, a dynamic fusion of Spanish and Mayan heritage.
A notable tradition that stems from their Mayan ancestry is the eerie practice of flying kites during the Day of the Dead festivities.
The essence of this tradition is to make and fly giant colorful kites over the cemeteries of Guatemala, a moving and vibrant way to honor and connect with ancestors, loved ones, and friends who have traveled beyond this realm.
Join this incredible annual celebration, the welcoming speech and procession will begin at 6:00 p.m. with honored guests. But, you can come as early as 3:30 p.m. to see the majestic ceremonial altars created by community members inside the San Mateo County History Museum.
These altars are part of a temporary exhibition that will be on display from this Sunday, November 5th until November 11th.
The exhibition includes a special altar, where tribute is paid to the victims of hate crimes in the country.
Among other activities, face painting, free children's activities, food court and live entertainment throughout the night.
There will be vendors selling traditional Day of the Dead food such as hot chocolate, pan de muerto, tamales and more!
On November 5th, starting at 2:00 a.m., all smart devices will be automatically updated at 1:00 a.m., while analog devices will have to be changed manually.
Daylight saving time ends on November 5th, and California will set its clocks back one hour before going to sleep this Saturday. Starting at 2:00 a.m. this Sunday, the West Coast will wake up under standard time.
Starting at 2:00 a.m. on November 5, all smart devices will be automatically updated at 1:00 a.m., while analog devices will have to be changed manually.
Daylight saving time changes are implemented to make the most of sunlight and reduce energy consumption.
Thus, in the summer months, when there is more sunlight, you can set the clock forward and take advantage of its benefits. However, in winter it is necessary to return to “standard time” in order to have the greatest amount of sunlight in the mornings.
Currently, the U.S. maintains a system in which clocks are changed twice a year, in March, when “daylight saving time” begins, and in November, when it returns to “standard time.”
Many people welcome the change to standard time, as it will allow them to sleep an extra hour.
The current March-November system in the United States began in 2007, although on March 15, 2022, the United States Senate unanimously passed the Sunshine Protection Act of 2023, with the goal of maintaining daylight saving time year-round.
The bill must be approved by the House of Representatives and promulgated by the president, a situation that has not yet occurred.
It is worth noting that Hawaii and most of Arizona are among the states where this change does not apply, since they have their own enactment.
Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam and American Samoa, meanwhile, argued that they had also refrained from changing their time zones for commercial and geographic reasons.
Five firearms, including an AR-15 rifle with a 60-round magazine, drugs packaged for sale and $4,000 in cash were seized in the arrest of three East Palo Alto teenagers following a shooting, East Palo Alto police said Friday.
Five firearms, including an AR-15 rifle with a 60-round magazine, drugs packaged for sale and $4,000 in cash were seized in the arrest of three teenagers in East Palo Alto following a shooting, East Palo Alto police said Friday.
The teens, two 15-year-olds and one 16-year-old, were arrested Thursday when their homes were searched, police said.
Images of the three were captured on surveillance video in connection with a shooting on Oct. 13 in the 2300 block of Cooley Avenue, police said. No one was injured in the shooting.
The drugs included more than 22 ounces of cocaine, MDMA pills and marijuana, police said.
Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact the East Palo Alto Police Department via anonymous text message at epa@tipnow.org or (650) 409-6792. An anonymous voice message can be left at (650) 409-6792.
La industria artística en el condado de Santa Clara así como la industria cultural sin fines de lucro, generó 384.5 millones de dólares en actividad económica en 2022, de los cuales, 292 millones fueron aportados por la ciudad de San José, según el estudio recientemente publicado Arts & Economic Prosperity 6.
La industria artística y cultural sin fines de lucro del condado de Santa Clara generó 384.5 millones de dólares en actividad económica en 2022, de los cuales, 292 millones fueron aportados por la ciudad de San José, según el estudio recientemente publicado Arts & Economic Prosperity 6.
El estudio de impacto económico y social fue realizado por Americans for the Arts en asociación con OEDCA y SV CREATES, quienes discutieron los hallazgos durante el Almuerzo de Liderazgo para las Artes y la Prosperidad Económica este viernes en la Rotonda del Ayuntamiento de San José.
La Oficina de Desarrollo Económico y Asuntos Culturales (OEDCA) de la ciudad de San José detalló que, el estudio reveló que la industria artística y cultural sin fines de lucro de San José genera 192 millones de dólares en gastos relacionados con eventos por parte de sus audiencias.
Asimismo, detalló que el asistente típico gasta 43.88 dólares por persona por evento en San José, sin incluir el costo de la entrada.
De igual manera, los resultados del estudio informaron que 23.7 por ciento de los asistentes a las artes y la cultura procedían de fuera del condado de Santa Clara, quienes gastaron un promedio de 65.69 dólares, ingreso vital para las empresas locales; mientras que 86.4 por ciento de los encuestados de San José coincidieron en que la actividad o lugar al que asistían era “un motivo de orgullo vecinal para la comunidad”.
El 85.2 por ciento dijo que “sentirían una sensación de pérdida si esa actividad o lugar ya no estuviera disponible”.
“San José está experimentando un resurgimiento significativo de las artes y otras actividades culturales: el tráfico peatonal en el centro está aumentando y nuestros teatros y programas al aire libre se están recuperando constantemente a niveles de asistencia previos a la pandemia”, dijo el alcalde de San José, Matt Mahan.
“El estudio AEP6 nos ayuda a comprender el impacto económico de la industria artística y cultural sin fines de lucro, que el año pasado generó la impresionante cifra de $292 millones en actividad económica en San José”, agregó.
La administradora de San José, Jennifer Maguire, refirió que “San José es una de las grandes ciudades más diversas del país y nuestro sector artístico y cultural es una gran parte de lo que hace que esta ciudad sea tan única”.
“El informe muestra que nuestros residentes comprenden y valoran las artes y la cultura de esta ciudad y que los visitantes también lo hacen”, subrayó.
Para Kerry Adams Hapner, directora de Asuntos Culturales de la Ciudad de San José, AEP6 no sólo demuestra el valor económico de las artes, sino también su valor comunitario y social.
“Los residentes de San José dijeron abrumadoramente que las artes y sus lugares son una fuente de orgullo comunitario, que ayudan a construir comunidades más habitables y vibrantes”, dijo.
AEP6 abrió nuevos caminos con este estudio al priorizar la equidad, la participación comunitaria y la inclusión.
Con el objetivo de reducir el sesgo sistémico, Americans for the Arts transformó su enfoque y amplió la inclusión y participación de organizaciones que sirven o representan a BIPOC (afrodescendientes, indígenas, personas de color) y ALAANA (africanos, latinos, asiáticos, árabes, nativos americanos). identificando comunidades.
“Históricamente, los estudios sobre arte y prosperidad económica han subrepresentado y subreconocido a las organizaciones artísticas y culturales que sirven o representan a todas nuestras comunidades”, dijo Alexandra Urbanowski, subdirectora de SV CREATES.
“Debido a la rica y vital diversidad cultural del condado de Santa Clara y la profundidad de nuestras comunidades artísticas BIPOC y ALAANA, nos complace que AEP6 cree nuevas narrativas que representen mejor nuestro ecosistema artístico local”.
A nivel nacional, el estudio AEP6 revela que el sector artístico y cultural sin fines de lucro de Estados Unidos es una industria de 151 mil 700 millones de dólares, que sustenta 2.6 millones de puestos de trabajo y genera 29 mil 100 millones de dólares en ingresos gubernamentales.
The Board of Supervisors is seeking bold, innovative ideas to execute Measure K funding to provide services to residents in three priority areas: children, families and seniors; emergency preparedness; and housing and homelessness.
San Mateo County announced Friday the release of Measure K funding opportunities to serve residents with innovative ideas in three priority areas: children, families and seniors; emergency preparedness; and housing and homelessness.
The county anticipates that approximately $35 million will be available.
“The Board of Supervisors is looking for bold, innovative ideas,” said County Executive Mike Callagy. “This is not business as usual. This is a great opportunity to make a real difference, drive equity and improve lives here in San Mateo County.”
Applicants may be non-profit organizations, private companies, or joint ventures of any size, however individual projects are not eligible to apply.
The announcement is a continuation of a process that began months ago to listen to residents about the needs of their community, with applicants expected to tailor proposals to address those needs in priority areas.
Some examples include providing additional transportation options for seniors and people with disabilities, developing linguistically and culturally diverse child care centers and home-based options, providing emergency housing assistance, and developing specific community plans to address natural hazards such as fires, earthquakes, and floods.
The funds will come from Measure K, a voter-approved, countywide half-cent sales tax that provides local funding for local needs.
Information about the process and future public meetings will be posted on the County website.
Potential applicants are directed to the county's procurement portal, where they must register to obtain more details about this funding opportunity.
Between 50,000 and 70,000 undocumented immigrants are currently enrolled in a California community college, which highlights the importance of having reliable legal services to seek to change their immigration status in the United States.
Thousands of Californian “dreamers” face legal limbo as the battle continues to protect this group of the population that remains undocumented and does not live a “via crucis” in their immigration process in the U.S., so the support of an “ally” is highly necessary for undocumented students.
Given this, the legal support program Find Your Ally (findyourally.com) offers free immigration legal services and case support to students, staff, and faculty on California community college campuses in person or virtually.
“More than 10,000 students have benefited from the program” since it was launched nearly four years ago, said Alonso Garcia, senior equity program manager for the California Community Colleges Foundation, during a briefing held by Ethnic Media Services.
García said that last year alone, more than 5,700 young people benefited.
Find Your Ally—offered through the Higher Education Legal Services Project—is an unprecedented state-funded effort to provide all students enrolled in California Community Colleges and their families with free immigration legal assistance, including the opportunity to have their DACA fees covered.
Students qualify either full-time or part-time, taking credit or non-credit courses, dual enrollment, and adult education courses.
Garcia said Californians who need reliable legal help can find it free of charge at any of the state's 115 brick-and-mortar community colleges.
The attorney's time, he said, is free and continues regardless of when the community college affiliation ends; services include support for legal permanent residency (green cards), and DACA Temporary Protected Status (TPS), among other services.
And, starting this November, it offers assistance with naturalization procedures and advance parole.
Between 50,000 and 70,000 undocumented immigrants are currently enrolled in a California community college, which highlights the importance of having reliable legal services to seek to change their immigration status in the United States.
Likewise, García assured that all the information provided remains private, since the legal teams, previously approved by California or the U.S. Department of Justice and with at least three years of experience in immigration work, work confidentially.
“I would encourage people to enroll in their local community college to get at least one credit so they can access services like ours and hopefully find a way forward,” said Manoj Govindaiah, an attorney with Oakland-based Immigrant Legal Defense.
The specialist explained that undocumented people generally face two major obstacles when it comes to accessing legal services: finding quality lawyers and being able to meet with them in person, which is why he highlighted the importance of this program.
“This program goes into schools…bringing support where it is needed,” Govindaiah said, noting that Find Your Ally also offers up-to-date legal advice, helping those who did not know they were eligible find pathways to change their immigration status.
For Kelly Fletes, dean of student services at Monterey Peninsula College, California's community colleges serve as gateways to higher education, accepting all who apply.
In that regard, she noted that community colleges are ideal for reaching out to newly arrived immigrants, many of whom often enroll in English as a Second Language (ESL) classes shortly after arriving.
“There’s a different level of anxiety that happens when you literally have to look out for yourself or watch your back because you or your parents could be deported or at risk of not coming home every day,” she said. “How could you possibly focus on your education?”
Added to this is the financial burden, as the cost of legal services is beyond the means of many students who, in most cases, work at the same time.
“I have students who have to work three to four jobs,” Fletes said, explaining that some of them already have significant debts for legal services that have not yet been completed.
Sabrina P, a beneficiary of the program, is well aware of the situation thousands have experienced, as she is a first-generation college student with undocumented status.
She, like many others, did not know if she could qualify for a change of immigration status, a worrying situation, since when they leave these community colleges they do not know if they will be able to work in what they invested so much time in.
“Every case is different… (but) now I can say that I am in the process of obtaining my green card. I can work and do other things that I was previously denied because I didn’t have any kind of papers. I can support my family a little better,” he said happily.
He reminded that anyone who wants to obtain this aid must do so immediately, since the process is long and the date on the original application influences the decision.
“I would suggest just not being afraid. Honestly, that’s the best thing you can do for yourself, because just asking won’t hurt anyone and maybe it will help you.”
Casa Círculo Cultural honors victims of hate crimes with a captivating altar against hate at the San Mateo County History Museum during Día de Muertos in Redwood City. The names and photographs on this altar represent lives, families, and communities forever altered by the destructive forces of discrimination and intolerance.
In a heartfelt tribute, Casa Círculo Cultural honors victims of hate crimes with a captivating altar against hate at the San Mateo County History Museum during the Day of the Dead in Redwood City, California. This moving ofrenda is a powerful symbol of remembrance and collective determination to stand against the destructive forces of hate.
Hate is a strong, intense feeling of extreme hostility toward a person, group, or idea. It often arises from deeply rooted prejudices, fears or negative perceptions in society.
The social construction of hatred is a phenomenon that involves the development, perpetuation and reinforcement of negative attitudes, stereotypes and behaviours aimed at exercising power and control over certain individuals or groups within a society. This construction of hatred often has its origin in the desire for domination.
Its aim is to establish power over specific groups through division, dehumanization and exploitation. Hate often employs tactics such as differentiating between us and “the others” (the good guys and the “others”), perpetuating discrimination, violence and fear.
Understanding where hate comes from is essential to combating it, as it requires awareness, education and the dismantling of oppressive structures to foster an inclusive and empathetic society.
Manifestations of hatred against specific groups are revealed in micro doses of discrimination in our society, but frequently lead to extreme situations such as acts of violence.
Casa Círculo Cultural honors victims of hate crimes with a captivating altar against hate at the San Mateo County History Museum during Día de Muertos in Redwood City. The names and photographs on this altar represent lives, families, and communities forever altered by the destructive forces of discrimination and intolerance.
The altar of Casa Circulo CulturalAdorned with the vibrant color of cempasúchil flowers, flickering candles, and intricate papel picado, the cempasúchil serves as a sanctuary for reflection and remembrance. Known as the “flower of the dead” in Mexican culture, the cempasúchil symbolizes the fragility of life and the cycle of death.
Today, hate has a profoundly destructive impact on human lives. Hate speech, hate crimes and prejudice leave indelible scars on our shared humanity.
The names and photographs on this altar represent lives, families and communities forever altered by the destructive forces of discrimination and intolerance, including Lori Gilbert-Kaye, Anthony Lowe Jr. and many others. Their stories, their faces and their memories are preserved as a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of hate.
With candles, a symbol of hope and the light of understanding in the face of darkness, victims of hate crimes are not forgotten, but celebrated for the love they brought to the world.
George Floyd symbolises a powerful catalyst for change and an icon of the urgent need to address racial injustice and police brutality. His tragic death under the knee of a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2020 sparked a global movement against racism. His story highlights the urgent need for institutional reform and addressing systemic racism. Likewise, the story of Anthony Lowe Jr., a wheelchair-bound man killed by California police for carrying a knife in January 2023, is a stark reminder of the violence that disproportionately affects young African Americans in the United States, and underscores the pressing need for change to combat racial bias.
Lori Gilbert-Kaye's life was tragically cut short in a horrific act of violence at the Chabad of Poway synagogue in California. Her story is a poignant reminder of the deadly consequences of hate, as she was singled out simply for her faith.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza is a clear example of the terrible consequences of hatred on a large scale. This long-running conflict has claimed countless innocent lives and inflicted deep wounds on the Palestinian and Israeli community. The suffering of those caught in the fire, besieged by the genocide of an entire people, highlights the urgency of stopping hatred.
The case of six-year-old Wadea Al Fayoume, who was stabbed 26 times by a person who proclaimed: “You Muslims must die” underlines the importance of addressing discrimination against the Muslim community. Hate speech, discrimination and violence against people like Wadea have no place in a just and equitable society.
The San Francisco Bay Area is a place where we live as a multiplicity of people, of different ethnicities, religions, orientations, and this makes this environment a valuable place especially because of our differences. It takes the collective effort of governments, communities, civil society, and individuals to achieve a significant impact in preventing and addressing hate crimes. Our efforts must be dedicated to building a society where everyone is treated with dignity, respect, and equality.
The altar is not only a place of mourning, but also of celebration. In keeping with the spirit of the Day of the Dead, Casa Círculo Cultural's offering sends a resounding message: there is no room for hatred in our community and we must remain united against it and discrimination.
This publication was supported in whole or part by funding provided by the State of California, ayou administeredred by the CaliFornia State Library.
Conferencia de prensa en el Centro de Eventos del condado de San Mateo. De izquierda a derecha: Laura Bent, Samaritan House; Michael Callagy, Ejecutivo del Condado; el senador estatal Josh Becker; la supervisora Noelia Corzo; Dana Stoehr, Centro de Eventos; Michael Flores del Departamento de Alimentación y Agricultura de California. Crédito: Oficina del Ejecutivo del Condado de San Mateo.
El condado de San Mateo ha recibido una subvención estatal por 7.2 millones de dólares que ayudarán a que el Centro de Eventos del condado de San Mateo sirva como centro de evacuación y zona segura durante terremotos, incendios, inundaciones y otros desastres, para afrontar emergencias e impulsar la resiliencia.
Así lo informaron este jueves funcionarios estatales y locales durante una conferencia de prensa en el Centro de Eventos, sede de la Feria del Condado de San Mateo, espectáculos y conferencias privados y, durante la pandemia de COVID-19, pruebas desde el vehículo y clínicas de vacunas.
De acuerdo con los funcionarios, la subvención del Departamento de Alimentación y Agricultura de California mejorará la capacidad del centro para albergar hasta 600 personas cuando sea necesario.
Michael Flores, izquierda, y Dana Stoehr, funcionarios estatales y locales se reunierón durante una conferencia de prensa en el Centro de Eventos, sede de la Feria del Condado de San Mateo. Crédito: Oficina del Ejecutivo del Condado de San Mateo.
Además, está previsto que Samaritan House, una organización sin fines de lucro con sede en San Mateo, reciba una parte de la subvención para mejorar el servicio de cocina y despensa, pendiente de la aprobación de su junta directiva.
“El Event Center y Samaritan House han demostrado ser socios invaluables una y otra vez durante los tiempos de crisis que hemos enfrentado, así como en tiempos que no son de emergencia. Esta subvención, junto con los fondos de contrapartida asignados por la Junta de Supervisores, nos permite ser aún más resilientes para mantener protegida a nuestra comunidad”, señaló el ejecutivo del condado, Mike Callagy.
La subvención estatal, parte de los 89 millones de dólares que el California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) otorgó en todo el estado para desarrollar resiliencia en los recintos feriales del estado, especialmente en respuesta al cambio climático, será igualada por 4 millones del condado de San Mateo y un millón del Centro de Eventos del Condado de San Mateo.
Las subvenciones están destinadas a mejorar las instalaciones y programas comunitarios existentes, en particular para los residentes económicamente vulnerables y con inseguridad alimentaria.
El Centro de Eventos del Condado de San Mateo es una instalación para eventos de 48 acres en la ciudad de San Mateo con más de 200 mil pies cuadrados de espacio para exhibiciones ubicado en siete edificios.
El espacio es un Centro de Operaciones de Emergencia designado, y que fue invaluable ayuda durante la pandemia de COVID-19, los incendios relámpagos de CZU y otros eventos a gran escala, y estos fondos estatales aumentarán su capacidad para responder a futuros desastres.
En concreto, los fondos colectivos se utilizarán en el Centro de Eventos para construir 20 nuevos baños y nueve duchas; actualizar la banda ancha y el respaldo de Internet; actualizar Fiesta Hall, el principal refugio para hasta 600 personas; y reubicar y actualizar los sitios para vehículos recreativos con marquesinas solares.
Asimismo, servirá para ampliar potencialmente los servicios alimentarios de Samaritan House durante todo el año agregando una cocina comercial de 6 mil 700 pies cuadrados y renovando el Redwood Hall de 14 mil pies cuadrados para convertirlo en un espacio de comedor que pueda servir hasta 2 mil comidas diarias; además de la actualización a los estándares sísmicos actuales.
Se prevé que la construcción comience en junio de 2024.
Los funcionarios del condado dijeron que la subvención se alinea claramente con el objetivo del estado de prepararse para desastres relacionados con el cambio climático.
Cabe resaltar que, durante los últimos tres años, el condado ha experimentado incendios forestales, pandemias, inundaciones y condiciones climáticas adversas, además de que corre riesgo de terremotos, deslizamientos de tierra y fallas de presas, según el Plan de Mitigación de Riesgos Local Multijurisdiccional del Condado de San Mateo.
“A medida que se vuelve cada vez más claro que los impactos del cambio climático son más frecuentes y severos, esta subvención de resiliencia es una inversión oportuna en infraestructura, tanto en tiempos de crisis como para sostener a nuestras familias más vulnerables en este momento”, destacó la supervisora Noelia Corzo, cuyo Distrito Dos incluye el Centro de Eventos.
La directora ejecutiva del Event Center, Dana Stoehr, refirió que la subvención es muestra de la larga asociación entre las tres entidades co-solicitantes.
“La subvención de resiliencia reconoce el trabajo sobresaliente del condado de San Mateo, el centro de eventos y recinto ferial del condado de San Mateo y Samaritan House. También es un testimonio de la colaboración y dedicación que significa el compromiso inquebrantable de hacer que el condado de San Mateo sea inclusivo y seguro para todos los residentes”, dijo Stoehr.
Además de atender a los clientes que se refugian en el Centro de Eventos durante un desastre, Samaritan House también servirá comidas durante todo el año.
Un año después de la finalización del proyecto, la organización sin fines de lucro dice que potencialmente podrá casi duplicar su capacidad para alimentar a las familias y distribuir alimentos.
El proyecto se conectará con un estacionamiento, agregando la capacidad de permitir la distribución de alimentos desde el vehículo.
Según datos de la Encuesta Nacional sobre Tabaco en Jóvenes (NYTS), recopilados entre marzo y junio de 2023, el consumo general de productos de tabaco disminuyó de 16.5 a 12.6 por ciento entre los jóvenes estudiantes de secundaria de EE. UU. en 2022-2023.
El consumo general de productos de tabaco disminuyó de 16.5 a 12.6 por ciento entre los jóvenes estudiantes de secundaria de EE. UU. en 2022-2023, debido principalmente a la reducción en el uso de cigarrillos electrónicos entre jóvenes, el cual pasó de 14.1 a 10 por ciento.
Así lo informaron este jueves la Administración de Alimentos y Medicamentos de EE. UU. (FDA) y los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC), quienes precisaron que los resultados se traducen en 580 mil estudiantes de secundaria menos que informaron el uso actual de cigarrillos electrónicos.
Dichas cifras forman parte de los datos de la Encuesta Nacional sobre Tabaco en Jóvenes (NYTS), recopilados entre marzo y junio de 2023, que refieren que, entre los estudiantes de secundaria, también se observaron disminuciones en el uso actual de puros y tabaco combustible en general, lo que representa mínimos históricos.
“Es alentador ver esta disminución sustancial en el uso de cigarrillos electrónicos entre los estudiantes de secundaria durante el último año, lo cual es una victoria para la salud pública”, dijo Brian King, director del Centro de Productos de Tabaco de la FDA. “Pero no podemos dormirnos en los laureles. Hay más trabajo por hacer para aprovechar este progreso”.
Si bien se observó una disminución en el uso de cigarrillos electrónicos entre los estudiantes de secundaria, hubo un aumento en el uso general actual de productos de tabaco (4.5 a 6.6 por ciento) y el uso múltiple de productos de tabaco (1.5 a 2.5 por ciento).
Sin embargo, entre los estudiantes de secundaria en general, no se observaron cambios significativos durante 2022-2023 en el uso actual de cualquier tipo de producto de tabaco individual, incluidos los cigarrillos electrónicos.
Actualmente, el 10 por ciento de los estudiantes de secundaria y preparatoria de EE. UU. (2.8 millones de jóvenes) informaron el uso actual de algún producto de tabaco.
Los cigarrillos electrónicos siguieron siendo el producto de tabaco más consumido entre los estudiantes de secundaria y media por décimo año consecutivo. Entre los jóvenes que informaron el uso actual de cigarrillos electrónicos, aproximadamente una cuarta parte informó que los usaba todos los días.
Los cigarrillos electrónicos desechables fueron el tipo de producto más común utilizado por los jóvenes; sin embargo, las marcas más populares incluían productos tanto desechables como de cartucho. Entre los usuarios jóvenes de cigarrillos electrónicos, las marcas más reportadas fueron Elf Bar (56.7 por ciento), Esco Bars (21.6 por ciento), Vuse (20.7 por ciento), JUUL (16.5 por ciento) y Mr. Fog (13.6 por ciento).
Casi todos usaron productos saborizados (89.4 por ciento), siendo la fruta, los dulces, la menta y el mentol los más utilizados.
Por primera vez en el NYTS, el cuestionario preguntó sobre el uso de sabores que incluían la palabra “hielo” o “helado” en su nombre, junto con otros nombres conceptuales de sabores (es decir, nombres que implican sabor, pero no indican uno en particular, como “fiesta isleña”).
La contabilidad de estos productos proporciona una imagen más sólida del uso de productos de tabaco con sabor entre los jóvenes, y los resultados sugieren que el uso de productos de tabaco con sabor entre los jóvenes podría ser mayor de lo que se pensaba anteriormente.
“La FDA sigue preocupada por el consumo de productos de tabaco entre los jóvenes, y no podemos bajar la guardia en este tema, ni lo haremos”, dijo King. “La agencia tiene una variedad de herramientas de aplicación de la ley a nuestra disposición y estamos comprometidos a utilizarlas según corresponda. No nos quedaremos quietos mientras los malos actores anteponen las ganancias a la salud de la juventud de nuestra nación”.
Después de presentar 22 acciones de multas monetarias civiles (CMP) en septiembre, por las cantidades más grandes solicitadas hasta la fecha, la FDA anunció una nueva ola de acciones de aplicación de la ley dirigidas a los cigarrillos electrónicos ilegales con atractivo para los jóvenes.
La agencia busca multas por montos similares contra 20 minoristas adicionales por la venta de productos no autorizados de Elf Bar, la marca más popular entre los jóvenes, según el NYTS de 2023. La FDA emitió previamente una carta de advertencia a cada uno de estos 20 minoristas, advirtiéndoles que dejaran de vender productos de tabaco no autorizados.
Durante las inspecciones de seguimiento, la FDA observó que los minoristas no habían dejado de vender productos no autorizados, lo que dio lugar a las acciones del CMP.
Para septiembre, la FDA anunció acciones civiles de multa monetaria contra más de una docena de minoristas por la venta de cigarrillos electrónicos no autorizados Elf Bar/EB Design y envió cientos de cartas de advertencia más a los minoristas por vender los mismos productos.
Estas acciones marcan un paso más contra fabricantes, distribuidores, importadores y minoristas de cigarrillos electrónicos ilegales con atractivo juvenil.
Cabe destacar que, durante el año pasado, la FDA emitió más de 135 cartas de advertencia a fabricantes y distribuidores de cigarrillos electrónicos no autorizados.
Dr. Jess Ghannam speaks at a press conference calling for a ceasefire in Gaza in front of UCSF Parnassus Heights in San Francisco, CA, Wednesday, October 31, 2023. (Joshua Picazo via Bay City News)
Medical professionals at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center held a press conference calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.
The conflict, which began on October 7 following Hamas attacks on Israel, has resulted in thousands of civilian casualties as the Israel Defense Forces continues retaliatory measures, including a blockade of Gaza.
Nearly all speakers at the event called for an immediate ceasefire, explaining that the ongoing war is causing extreme difficulties in providing care to patients in Gaza, as well as causing additional loss of life.
“It is a moral imperative for the global medical community to call for an immediate ceasefire and the protection of an already devastated health care infrastructure in Gaza,” said Dr. Jess Ghannam, clinical professor of Psychiatry and Global Health Sciences at the UCSF School of Medicine. “Doctors and health care providers are unable to provide care. Basic medical supplies are not arriving. The devastation of health care infrastructure is occurring at every level and in every sector of Gaza right now.”
The mental health aspects of war were also on the minds of doctors at the news conference, noting the toll it can take, especially on children.
“At the local level, anyone who experiences the risk of losing the lives of their loved ones is going to experience flashbacks of these bombs that they’re experiencing,” said Dr. Amin Azzam, a professor of psychiatry at UCSF’s Weill Institute for Neurosciences, regarding the emotional issues faced by children in proximity to war. “That has lasting trauma from childhood into adulthood, so you have a hard time forming healthy adult relationships as a result of the trauma you experience as a child, if you survive at all.”
UCSF's Dr. Leigh Kimberg said the lack of supplies and contaminated water will likely lead to cholera outbreaks.
“The situation is so desperate that people contact us whenever they have a moment of internet connection with questions that have no solution, such as 'How do you treat severe dehydration without water?'” he stressed.
“There are no words powerful enough to describe the magnitude of the courage and compassion of our Palestinian medical colleagues as they refuse to abandon their patients,” Kimberg said. “As a physician, a mother, a person whose Jewish ancestors fled anti-Semitic violence and pogroms, and as a human being, I call on all physicians, healthcare workers, and healthcare institutions around the world to respond to this genocide with a firm and unwavering commitment to our sacred oath.”
Kimberg also called for an immediate ceasefire and safe passage for medical and humanitarian aid.
Doctors at the press conference also stressed the well-being of mothers and pregnant women.
“Women are forced to give birth without anesthesia,” said Dr. Nadia Elkarra, director of Clinical Research Operations at Stanford University. “If we do not intervene immediately, maternal and neonatal mortality rates are poised to rise even further amid this humanitarian crisis. I am here today as a voice for the lives we have the power to save.”
Rupa Mayra, co-founder of the Do No Harm coalition, which co-organized the conference, said her colleagues hear medical professionals in Gaza describe “clinical horrors.”
“Silence now is unacceptable complicity. Our doctors, nurses and healthcare colleagues in Gaza are under direct attack and are asking for our help,” Mayra explained.
This publication was supported in whole or part by funding provided by the State of California, ayou administeredred by the 
