Thirteen NFL, six MLB and 19 NBA teams will offer their precincts as polling places.
Few things in the United States move people more than sports, which is why a strategy has been put in place where teams from the country's various leagues are calling for a vote that will determine whether Donald Trump is re-elected in November or Joe Biden becomes president of the United States.
Of the 30 franchises that make up the NBA, 19 will adopt the voting center at their facilities during this election period, and it is not surprising that this makes the 'sport blast' the most involved, since, in a movement led by the Los Angeles Lakers superstar, LeBron James, the league has consistently protested racism and police abuse experienced by Latino and African American communities in the U.S.
So much so that, after pausing the season because of the Covid-19 outbreak at the Utah Jazz, the Association, headed by commissioner Adam Silver, decided that when the activity returned to the staves, the campaign would take on a special name: Black Lives Matter.
In addition, to strike a blow on the table and warn that the campaign against racism and brutality was serious, last August 26 the Miwaukee Bucks decided not to play the fifth game of the series against the Orlando Magic, a move that was joined by all the franchises that were in the postseason, even threatening not to resume and cancel the season.
In this regard, the president of the United States, Donald Trump, said he did not know the causes of the protests in the NBA, in addition to recommending that the league find a way to increase its audience levels. "They have become a political organization and that is not good for the sport or for the country," the president said.
LeBron James' power and identity as a symbol of the African American community led him to link his campaign "More Than A Game” with the election period, where he changed the slogan to "More Than A Vote" and staying active in social networks, calling for a change in the country's direction.
This is not a minor issue. In 2016, when the Republican leader competed against Hillary Clinton, only 59.6% of those eligible to vote exercised it, while in 2012 it was 66.6%.
The use of the precincts as polling stations will have to do with sanitary conditions, but, according to Eugene Jareki, head of the project Elections Super Centers Project, there are many teams practically all over the country who have applied. "The mission is not only to provide large precincts, but to help thousands or millions of voters count on an accessible place to exercise their right to vote with security guarantees," he said.
The precincts that will maintain activity for the votes in California are:
MLBDodger Stadium, Los Angeles Dodgers.
NFL: Levi's Stadium for the San Francisco 49ers and SoFi Stadium for the Los Angeles Chargers and Rams.
NBA: The Chase Center of the Golden State Warriors, the Staples Center of the Los Angeles Clippers and Lakers and the Golden 1 Center of the Sacramento Kings.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is preparing a series of targeted actions and operations during the month of October that focus on cities that have adopted sanctuary city policies.
Operation Sanctuary," as it is informally known, could begin in the state of California this month and in the following weeks expand to cities like Denver and Philadelphia, among others, according to a Washington Post report.
The newspaper mentions that Chad Wolf, acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), could travel to one of these cities to push President Donald Trump's claims about the lack of protection for citizens from immigrant criminals. It should be noted that the Republican candidate, who is seeking re-election in the upcoming elections, has made immigration enforcement a key part of his campaign and has cracked down on illegal immigration both at the northern border, as well as inside the U.S. Similarly, last Friday ICE launched a billboard campaign in the state of Pennsylvania which, according to the agency, will serve to inform about the danger of sanctuary policies in cities like Philadelphia.
The move comes just weeks after Amnesty International also ran a billboard campaign (one of them very close to an agency office in Philadelphia) to demand the release of immigrants held in family detention centers. According to city spokesman Mike Dunn, this type of advertising is intended to generate "anti-immigrant fervor," as it has for the past four years, especially in the run-up to the Nov. 3 election.
In this sense, the Washington Post also agrees that Ice's raids are a "political messaging campaign" rather than a major operation, which will focus on catching immigrants with criminal records.
ICE said in a statement that sanctuary city policies often limit cooperation with the agency and result in various public safety concerns.
On Sept. 1, ICE returned to the streets to detain more than 2,000 undocumented immigrants in a six-week series of operations in Texas, Florida, Virginia and California. Sanctuary cities limit or prohibit local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration officials, and specifically with ICE detainers.
Listen to this note. In compliance with accessibility standards.
The life of poets is often tragic. Not only because of the sadness, happiness or melancholy that their verses evoke, but because poetry becomes, for them, a way of being on Earth and directing their actions without limits.
Courtesy of the British Library. Shelfmark: 992.a.34.
Phillis Wheatley - from 1753 to 1784 - well represents this strange destiny for people who live within a certain normality, and tragic destiny for those who, perhaps, without knowing it, already embodied a struggle, and without intending it, would prefigure more than a struggle: an ideal of equality.
Born in Senegal, she was caught and taken to the United States at the age of seven and sold by the slave traders to John and Susanna Wheatley, a name she would adopt along with the name of the schooner that crossed the Atlantic: Phillips.
Settling down next to the servants of this Boston family, they soon realized the enormous talents that the young woman, who had been bought in the slave market, was displaying and educating her. They taught her - along with the couple's twins, Nathaniel and Mary - theology, philosophy, astronomy, and literature, in addition to studying English and classical languages.
Influenced by her Bible readings - she was initiated into Christianity - the poems of John Milton and the philosophy of Alexander Pope, little Phillips showed her poetic gifts in the gatherings that the family held at that time in Massachusetts. In the face of a racist society, whose production was based on the slavery that the young slave girl claimed must have been a blow, even emotional, since in that society, people of colour were considered to be soulless and generally intellectually inferior.
In this context, the poet was interrogated by prominent local people -Massachusetts- to corroborate that the writings belonged to the slave. Even the state governor was in on this interrogation.
Phillips was the third woman to publish in the United States. Her book Poems Various Subjects was published in 1773, just two years before the outbreak of the Civil War in North America. Although his work had only been valued as a historical document, which beyond having a literary value in itself, was seen as something like a document that had opened a new path for a vilified social sector in the American Union.
Just as George Washington greeted and celebrated his lyrics, so did Voltaire. He had the opportunity to go to England, where he also met with important figures of the time - Franklin, the Earl of Darthmouth and the Mayor of London - who were able to express their admiration for him, as well as receiving a copy of "The ingenious hidalgo Don Quixote of La Mancha", the work of the greatest exponent of Spanish literature, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, and one of "The lost paradise"by John Milton.
Despite becoming a famous writer and publishing her works, she fell into a deep depression after the death of the Wheatley twins, who died unexpectedly. Philis Wheatley bought her freedom and she married a free man who couldn't get her out of the poverty she was living in. They both had three children who later died.
Her husband left her and Phillis died at the age of 31 in poverty and his work fell into oblivion.
Photo: Manuel Ortiz. The Blue Lady is the blue-clad female legend who is seen lurking in and around the Moss Beach Distillery restaurant.
Calapiz Stela. Peninsula 360 Press.
Moss Beach Distillery
We had driven along bumpy roads from "La Casa de la Playa" bordering the sea to the misty cliffs that covered the steep limits of the raging ocean. At last an old board read: "Moss Beach Distillery". A historical monument that, during the prohibition of alcohol in the United States, distilled it for sale in San Francisco.
While we ate, we listened to country music that evoked that time. We enthusiastically went down to the floor and, as in the Old West movies, on the shelves of the big mirror in the bar, there were bottles of liquor from that time, where the bartender was serving a woman dressed in red, a few musicians were playing on the small dance floor across the street, and near them a blonde girl dressed in a blue flapper was wiggling.
One man played masterfully the washboard with two spoons harmonizing with the group - formed, moreover - by the banjo, a guitar, the harmonica, the dobro, and the fiddle. The music was great, emulating that time of smuggling. We ordered beer from the house while we commented on the thinness of the woman in red, her body lengthening as it touched the ceiling, her bony legs coming out of the side openings of her dress. As I saw the bearded faces of the men and the bodies of the dancing women disappearing from their clothes, I dropped the glass of beer splashing my pants; the woman in blue who had observed the scene came to my aid; when I raised my face to thank him, the lifeless holes in his eyes looked at me as his bony hand offered me a napkin to wipe me off and as I wanted to lean on my partner, my hand was lost in a gelatinous mist, he was not there. I went up to the dining room looking for him, I asked the hostess if she had seen him, she said:
-Mrs., you arrived alone and there is no bar here where music is played.
The Story
At the beginning of the 20th century, the massive influx of working class immigrants to the great Cities had led to the flourishing of a new urban culture based on the love of the alcohol and the noisy atmosphere of the Bars. It was a way of having fun that not everyone could tolerate. The conservative sectors, who defended the old values of order and strict morality, saw in this entertainment a threat to typical American principles and protested until they were abolished. And this began with "The Volstead Law" (named after its initiator, Lutheran Congressman from Minnesota Andrew J. Volstead) which was approved in 1919 by Congress after three months of debate. The following year, the rule prohibiting "the manufacture, sale or transportation of intoxicating alcoholic beverages" came into force.
Curious facts On the beaches, which was where the contraband arrived, a buoy marks the three nautical miles, the limit of American territorial waters; on the other side await ships loaded with prohibited liquor, and the bars that sold alcohol clandestinely multiplied throughout the country after the prohibition, to enter them used to require an invitation as, or know a certain password. These speakeasies were called "speakeasies" to avoid attracting the attention of the police and in the Midwest, as "blind pigs" or "blind tigers", a name that refers to the fact that they carried out their activity hidden "blind".
The "wine bricks" contained concentrated grape juice (whose production was legal) that allowed to make wine at home. On the label (and under the warning that such a thing was illegal) the procedure for obtaining it was explained.
"Moonshine is the name still given to illegally distilled liquor, one of the flourishing activities in Prohibition times. Drinking it was dangerous, as it lacked health guarantees.
The rural areas of the country with a long tradition of producing their local drinks increased illegal liquor production that allowed farmers to make money behind the back of the treasury by distilling the surplus of the harvest who created for this purpose ingenious systems to produce alcoholic beverages at home.
Moss Beach Distillery dates back to 1927 when Frank Torres built the bar-restaurant. He called it "Frank's Place" and turned it into a speakeasy (a place that sold alcohol illegally) during the Prohibition era. It was frequented by some very influential people of the time, and a place for a variety of criminal underground activities. Politicians, gangsters and silent movie stars were among Frank's clientele.
This turned out to be very advantageous for Frank. Since "Frank's Place" was used as a drop-off point for Canadian rum brokers. They would land on the beach below, take the rum up to the cliff where they would load it into vehicles and deliver it to other illegal establishments along the coast. Frank's connections provided protection for the operation and his nightclub was never raided, though others in the area were not so fortunate. But rum was not the only liquor in Frank's place, Prohibition became a challenge to the law, and a real diversion for many middle and upper class young people; among those women I will tell you the legend of Mary Ellen (Blue Lady).
Mary Ellen, she was a beautiful woman who loved to wear blue dresses. Blue Lady's story tells that she was a married woman who fell in love with a pianist, John Contina. John and Mary Ellen had an illicit love affair going on for quite some time. They enjoyed their love at a hotel right next to the Moss Distillery where they used to walk along the beach during their passionate encounters. The couple was stabbed one night while walking. But John survived and disappeared, turning up dead on the beach much later. Since then, it is said that "Blue Lady" appears in those places and, moreover, it is said that very strange things happen in that place as it happened to me.
The legend is confused with reality; the story tells a part of Reality and the Story is written by sharing these two realities with the introspection and perception, intense, deep, of another reality not because it is unreal.
Redwood City. October 2, 2020. Approximately 150 people marched with different demands for social justice. The congregation began at 6:40 p.m. at the mural located at 3090 Middlefield Street in North Fair Oaks.
Text and photos: Manuel Ortiz Escámez. Peninsula 360 Press
People of different ethnicities and ages came to the site with signs demanding justice for African-American Breonna Taylor (killed by agents in Kentucky), in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and with migrants, among other causes.
When they reached the intersection between Woodside Road and Middlefield, the protesters blocked traffic for a few minutes. Some motorists honked their cars in annoyance; others, most of them, waited patiently and even signaled their support for the protest.
The crowd, which increased as the march progressed, walked peacefully through the already dark streets of Redwood City, until they reached the centre of the city.
Some of the leaders launched slogans against racism and social inequity on the downtown board, and denounced the fact that in Redwood City there are only two high schools while there are two prisons. The rally ended without riot or confrontation at 9:30 p.m.
For some it was cause for joy, for others for concern and there were also those who lamented the situation just days before the elections, but definitely, the confirmation that U.S. President Donald Trump contracted the Covid-19 virus generated controversy in social networks.
Just a few hours ago, the 45th president of the United States wrote through his Twitter account: "Tonight, @Flotus and I tested positive for Covid-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this together.
After which, the wave of reactions was not long in coming and @realDonaldTrump's tweet has so far more than 1.4 million likes, more than 834 thousand retweets and more than 445 thousand comments.
His Democratic contender in the November presidential election, Joe Biden, wrote on his Twitter account, "Jill and I send our thoughts to President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for a speedy recovery. We will continue to pray for the health and safety of the president and his family."
Jill and I send our thoughts to President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for a swift recovery. We will continue to pray for the health and safety of the president and his family.
After Trump reported his condition, Biden and his wife decided to take a test, since this Monday was the first presidential debate. This morning the Democrat announced that the result was negative for both, for which he thanked everyone for their concern and hopes "this serves as a reminder: wear a mask, keep a social distance and wash your hands".
I'm happy to report that Jill and I have tested negative for COVID. Thank you to everyone for your messages of concern. I hope this serves as a reminder: wear a mask, keep social distance, and wash your hands.
One of the first leaders to comment on the matter was his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, who sent a letter of encouragement in the difficult moment. "I am sure that your vitality, vigor and inherent optimism will help you overcome the dangerous virus," he said.
Vladimir Putin sent a message of encouragement over the COVID-19 diagnosis to President Donald Trump and the First Lady https://t.co/I9KsrMq5HD
For his part, the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, said on his Twitter account: "Like millions of Israelis, Sara and I are thinking of President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, wishing our friends full and speedy recovery".
Like millions of Israelis, Sara and I are thinking of President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump and wish our friends a full and speedy recovery. https://t.co/UcxQpsxBLE
They were joined by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who a few months ago reported testing positive for Covid-19: "My best wishes to President Trump and the First Lady. I hope they both make a speedy recovery from the coronavirus".
My best wishes to President Trump and the First Lady. Hope they both have a speedy recovery from coronavirus.
Vice President Mike Pence wrote on the same network: "Karen and I send our love and prayers to our dear friends, President @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS MelaniaTrump. We join millions across America praying for their full and speedy recovery. God bless."
Karen and I send our love and prayers to our dear friends President @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS Melania Trump. We join millions across America praying for their full and swift recovery. God bless you President Trump & our wonderful First Lady Melania.
He was joined by senators, representatives and governors of the different states of the American union, as well as religious leaders in the USA.
The social network has also been a voice for millions of people who disagree with the Trump administration, who have shown their happiness at the infection of the president by the virus, who on several occasions disavowed the Covid-19.
Phrases like: "It's the best thing that has happened all year", "it's just karma", "it is what it is, he deserves it" can be read in various accounts; also, it did not take long to create hundreds of memes that make fun of the situation through which Donald Trump and his wife are going through.
This has caused those who are happy about the situation and those who are worried to turn to discussions about whether it is right to wish a tragedy on someone, but above all, it has made it clear to many that the use of masks, social distancing, and constant hand washing is necessary to avoid contributing to the spread of the virus that has killed just over a million people worldwide.
While in the United States 200,000 people have died, 26 million have lost their jobs and one in six small businesses could close permanently.
Donald Trump is positive for COVID-19. Melania TrumpThe U.S. First Lady, also tested positive for coronavirus. This was announced tonight by the US president through his Twitter account. Trump would have held a debate between candidates for the U.S. presidency on Wednesday against his Democratic opponent Joe Biden, what puts his presidential re-election campaign in jeopardy with only 33 days to go before the country's elections..
On Thursday afternoon, it was announced that U.S. President Donald J. Trump and his wife, Melania Trump, were tested for COVID-19 after being in contact with one of his aides.
Through his Twitter account, the president confirmed that the test result was positive for the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. which causes the disease COVID-19 - the origin of which was detected in a maritime market in the Wuhan region of China.
In the tweet, the president mentions that: "Tonight, @FLOTUS - official account of U.S. First Lady Melania Trump - and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately - we'll get through this TOGETHER!".
It was followed by Melania Trump's statements: "Like many Americans this year, @potus - the official account of the President of the United States - and I are under quarantine at home after testing positive for COVID-19. We feel fine and I have postponed all my upcoming engagements. Please make sure you're safe and, everyone, we'll get through this together."he commented sensibly.
As too many Americans have done this year, @potus & I are quarantining at home after testing positive for COVID-19. We are feeling good & I have postponed all upcoming engagements. Please be sure you are staying safe & we will all get through this together.
This Thursday afternoon, the president offered a press conference where he announced that Hope Hicks, close adviser to Trumphad a COVID-19 test, which had come back positive. "Let's see what happens," he stated.
Later, via Twitter, Donald J. Trump said that they had established to remain in quarantine while awaiting the results of the test. Tonight, The White House released the medical report which confirmed that both the President and the First Lady are infected by the new coronavirus.
Beginning this Friday, October 2, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will increase fees for certain types of nonimmigrant and naturalization petitions, as well as Visas of various types. (USCIS) will increase fees for certain types of nonimmigrant and naturalization petitions, as well as Visas of various types.
This October 1 marks the beginning of the new fiscal year for USCIS, and the number of available employment-based visas has increased due to a significant drop in processing capacity due to closures of consular offices and service centers because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
This year's October Visa bulletin notes an increase in the most common application fees, including nonimmigrant and adjustment of status, as well as nonimmigrant (H,L,TN,O-1, etc.) and naturalization applications.
USCIS also announced that it will launch new I-129 forms for each of those Visa types, while detailing that the I-485 (adjustment of status) will no longer be bundled with the I-765 (employment authorization) and I-131 (travel document), so applicants will have to pay a total of $2,270, where previously the combined fee was $1,140.
Some of the most common types of forms and petitions that change their price are:
Nonimmigrant Visa Petitions
Form I-129 filing fee for H-1B petitions (for professionals with specialized jobs): increased from $460 to $555.
Form I-129 filing fee for H-2A petitions (Temporary Agricultural Visas): $460 to $850.
Form I-129 filing fee for H-2B petitions (Temporary Nonagricultural Worker Visas): $460 to $715.
Form I-129 filing fee for L-1 petitions (intra-company transferee foreign employees): $460 to $805.
Form I-129 filing fee for O-1 petitions (Individuals of Extraordinary Ability or Achievement in the Sciences, Arts, Education, Business, Athletics, Film or TV): $460 to $705.
Form I-539 filing fee for applications to change or extend nonimmigrant status: $370 to $400.
The filing fee for Form N-400 naturalization applications increases from $640 to $1,170; in addition, children under the age of 14 applying for adjustment of status with their parents will no longer be eligible to file Form I-485 at a reduced fee, so a standard fee of $1,130 will apply to all applicants, regardless of age.
With some exceptions, USCIS will eliminate the separate biometric service fee for $85 and instead establish a filing fee for most forms that incorporates the cost of services.
It's not all bad, among the fee adjustments, immigrant visa ("green card") petitions have had their costs lowered, as the filing fee for Form I-140 employment-based immigrant visa petitions goes from $700 to $555.
While the Form I-485 filing fee for adjustment of status applications decreases from $1,140 to $1,130 (this amount will no longer cover the filing fees for Forms I-765 and I-131, as well as Employment Authorization and Travel Authorization applications, whose fees are $550 and $590, respectively).
After a review of the fees, USCIS determined that the current fees did not recover the full cost of providing adjudication and naturalization services, so prices were increased by a weighted average of 20 percent.
It is worth noting that some costs increase by up to 535 percent as is the case of the I-881 application which is for suspension of deportation or cancellation of removal by special rule which went from $285 to $1,810.
Also, Form I-929, which is a petition for a qualifying relative of a U-1 nonimmigrant, increased 546 percent, from $230 to $1,485.
While Form N-470 (application to preserve residency for naturalization purposes) increased from $355 to $1,585, an increase of 346 percent.
The adjustment is intended to ensure that the agency has the resources it needs to provide adequate service to applicants and petitioners, and gives it greater flexibility in the use of those resources, he said.
The San Francisco Forty-Niners announced Tuesday an agreement to make Levi's Stadium a polling place for the Nov. 3 election as part of the "NFL Votes" initiative to increase voter awareness and participation.
Pam Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press.
So the San Francisco Forty-Niners, California Secretary of State Alex Padilla and the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters, among others, are looking for a safe and easily accessible place for residents to participate in early or in-person voting on Election Day.
Thus, the atrium of the stadium's SAP Tower will be open for early voting from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time on Oct. 31 through Election Day, Nov. 3, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., with free parking on Great America Parkway.
"Our partnership with Levi's Stadium and the Forty-Niners is yet another touchdown for democracy," said Alex Padilla, making the precinct one of 100 polling places in Santa Clara County, along with 98 polling locations.
"The addition of socially distancing voting venues is critical during the COVID-19 pandemic. We continue to be inspired by the sports venues that opened their doors to new and secure voting options this year and hope it inspires other teams to follow suit," he added.
For her part, Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters Shannon Bushey explained that Levi's Stadium offers an airy environment with plenty of room for social distancing. "We will follow all recommended protocols to minimize contact and make voting as safe as possible for those who choose to cast their ballot in person."
It should be noted that last month, on the 55th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the San Francisco Forty-Niners joined with the National Football League (NFL) to launch the nonpartisan "NFL Votes" initiative, which supports and encourages players' voting efforts and civic participation.
While in June, the 49ers announced that Nov. 3 would be recognized as a company holiday to ensure that all employees have the opportunity to vote, in addition to volunteering at a polling place.
"While 2020 has been a challenging year on many fronts, I am sincerely encouraged by the increased dialogue and action among our staff that I have seen as a result of these difficult times," said Jed York, executive director of the San Francisco Forty-Niners.
"We want to do everything we can to empower the community and our employees to make their voices heard at the ballot box. We thank our partners in this initiative and the NFL for prioritizing this message across the country," he added.
In addition to participating in league-supported voter education sessions, for several years San Francisco Forty-Niners players and staff have run ads promoting voter registration, voting and the 2020 census.
The designation of the stadium as a polling place builds on a series of investments that Levi-Strauss & Co. (LS & Co) has made to improve access to the polls and engage voters in the democratic process before, during and after Election Day.
This year, LS & Co is advocating for safe and accessible ways to vote in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and in conjunction with its foundation is working to grant $2.6 million to more than 20 organizations that promote voting rights and participation.
Stanford University and the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub research center launched a monitoring and surveillance platform that allows samples for COVID-19 testing to be collected directly from homes at a low cost: Vera.
Vera is an expanded testing platform that is scalable nationwide; it deploys quickly and is more affordable than other current options.
Pam Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press.
Vera is an expanded testing platform that is scalable nationwide, deploys quickly, and is more affordable than other current options. http://med.stanford.edu/
This technology, called "Vera", is a platform that allows any organization to create their own monitoring programs, which will also make it easier to protect their communities through large-scale testing.
It should be noted that Vera was designed as an extended test platform, which is scalable nationwide, can be deployed quickly and is much cheaper compared to other current options.
Vera was created in a public-private partnership between Stanford and other companies, such as Microsoft, to help reopen schools and workspaces that have been affected by COVID-19.
In a statement, Stanford University said Vera will be available on non-commercial terms to academic institutions, public health departments, laboratories and other interested organizations.
"The launch of this platform exemplifies how university and industry partners can come together to help. Collaborations like this are critical to addressing the challenges and complexities of COVID-19," said Jeff Raikes, chair of the Stanford University Board of Trustees.
Stanford School of Medicine Dean Lloyd Minor explained that since the beginning of the pandemic, Stanford has recognized the importance of testing.
"Vera is a step forward in our goal to support widespread testing of people not only in our community, but across the country," the dean said.
Vera integrates several components, such as a customizable registration system; a kit where users rub the inside of the nostrils and not the top of the throat (through the nose).
In addition, it has a secure user portal that provides test results and offers options to follow up with a healthcare professional. It also supports a wide range of self-assessment technologies, lab vendors and survey tools.
In this way, Vera intends to increase the use of software and testing capacity at local, state, and national levels and create survey models. It is designed not only for the current pandemic, but for future public health crises requiring widespread testing and surveillance.
Patrick Arensdorf, leader of the Vera program and director of the Community Alliance to Test Coronavirus at Home (CATCH) study, said one of the goals is to address inequity in testing.
With Vera, the goal is to narrow the social gap and reduce the factors that prevent underserved populations, who are at higher risk of infection, from being tested for COVID-19.
"These people often work in essential activities and have difficulty accessing testing done at a health care facility. Vera offers them a quick and convenient home testing option," said Arensdorf.
In addition to gathering information on vulnerable populations, "Vera could boost testing of schools and universities, and would allow for active monitoring of student health, thereby helping administrators prepare for reopenings.
