Topic: California

CDC Swine flu outbreak a public health emergency

By Terry McMoore | May 1, 2009 |

Swine Flu (Influenza A/H1N1) is rapidly spreading, and has become a item of major concern to public health agencies around the globe. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has declared a public health emergency in the United States. Their response goals are to help reduce transmission and illness severity, and provide information to help health care providers, public health officials and the public to address the challenges posed by this emergency.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the outbreak. To assist in this endeavour, the CDC has activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to help coordinate the investigation.

The United States Government has thus far reported 109 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death in Texas. Mexico has reported 97 confirmed human cases of infection, including seven deaths. The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths – Austria (1), Canada (19), Germany (3), Israel (2), Netherlands (1), New Zealand (3), Spain (13), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (8).

The World Health Organization raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 5 on April 29, 2009. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: News | No Comments

Gay marriage: race isn’t a scapegoat

By David W. Shelton | November 12, 2008 |

Three anti-gay marriage amendments were passed in this year’s election, and some gay activists are pointing fingers at the black community while ignoring their own failure to educate the very groups who would later vote against them.

This year’s election was indeed a bittersweet moment for those of us who supported President-Elect Obama and also gay marriage. While Obama was elected to be the 44th president of the United States, all three of the proposed constitutional amendments in Florida, Arizona, and California passed, even with slim margins.

I am keenly aware of what these election results actually mean. For me, there are two things: First, that voters were willing to write discrimination into their states’ constitution. Second, that gay marriage supporters spent a lot of money and time in trying to reach the wrong people.

One of the most frustrating consistencies in the gay marriage debate is in just how little discussion really occurs. No one really talks about their views on same-sex nuptials, unless they know they’re in safe territory to voice their opinion. Pastors tell their flock that gay marriage will lead to the downfall of society, and nearly everyone in their congregation will nod their heads and “amen” without ever once questioning whether such an absurd statement is actually true. On the flip side, pro-gay activists and politicians will opine on their positive views on gay marriage to their own crowds, whether they’re in campaign rallies or poetry readings. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Opinion, Politics | 9 Comments

Little man meets big trees: Exploring the alien world of Sequoia National Park

By David W. Shelton | June 1, 2007 |

Clarksville Online Across America: While visiting central California, CO Co-Editor David W. Shelton was told that Sequoia National Park was less than an hour’s drive away, so off he went.

Photography by David W. Shelton

While visiting Visalia, CA on business this week, I had a day to explore the area. I was told that Sequoia National Park was less than an hour’s drive away, so off I went. Visalia is in the central valley of California which is about as flat as one could imagine. There aren’t many trees in the area (unless they’re citrus).

Needless to say, I was in no way prepared for the world that I was to encounter.My first indicator that the scenery was about to take a dramatic turn was the sudden onset of hills as I drove along highway 198 toward the park. The instructions to get there were pretty simple: “Get on 198 and keep going.”

Once I reached the entry of the park, I opted for the $20 one-time visit fee, which would have allowed me to come back any point in a seven-day period. Oh, if I only had that much time! I was directed to the welcome center, which was about a mile down the road. I didn’t make it that far before I was distracted by one of nature’s spectacles.

«Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure | No Comments

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