Lena’s Recent Stories
Health Aug 10
In Alaska, geographic isolation delayed the pandemic — but hasn’t prevented itAlaska’s distance from the U.S. mainland delayed its pandemic pain -- but hasn't prevented it. Indeed, the mayor of Anchorage recently described the situation there as a coming “COVID storm.” New emergency orders restricting businesses and gatherings are being implemented…
Health Jul 27
30 years after ADA’s passage, what it means to these Americans with disabilitiesThis week marks the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a groundbreaking law that prohibits discrimination based on disability. The legislation has been invaluable for what it changed, but significant obstacles remain for Americans with physical or mental…
Health Jul 17
How Arizona became such a COVID-19 hot spotCoronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths are rising across the U.S., but Arizona’s downward spiral stands apart. Health experts there warn that if the state’s residents and leaders don't change policies and behavior, a bad situation will escalate into something even…
Economy Jul 06
‘We need help,’ say Latina workers, hit hard by pandemic job lossesWith the U.S. economy in shambles due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, Latina workers have suffered the worst job losses, with 19 percent reporting being unemployed in May. Latinx Americans are also among the groups most likely to contract COVID-19…
Health Jun 26
In Arizona, a tale of 2 pandemic realitiesThe epicenter of the coronavirus in the U.S. appears to be shifting south and west, with some states that were among the first to reopen, like Arizona, experiencing a surge of cases. As officials renew efforts to slow the virus’…
Nation Jun 19
Tulsa’s Black residents mark Juneteenth holiday amid anxiety about Trump rallyThe historic Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma, was known a century ago as “the Black Wall Street” for being among the most prosperous parts of the U.S. for Black Americans. But in 1921, a white mob murdered some 300 Black…
Arts Jun 12
The camera’s role in documenting a critical social movementToday, cameras are almost ubiquitous on mobile phones, and anyone can be a photographer. In this new technological landscape, millions of lenses are focused on the major events of a tumultuous period. For this Race Matters report, Jeffrey Brown looks…
Nation May 25
Native communities have been hit hard by COVID-19 — and fear for their survivalNative communities in the U.S. have suffered disproportionately from COVID-19, with higher rates of infection and death. The Navajo Nation has implemented a series of strict lockdown measures in an effort to protect its population, but health care facilities have…
Health May 11
Pandemic means Americans with disabilities aren’t getting the services they needFor more than 60 million Americans with disabilities, the rapid spread of COVID-19 is especially dangerous. Many live in long-term care facilities, and they are twice as likely to experience poverty as those without disability. But so far, legislation has…
Nation May 08
Coronavirus hasn’t hurt these areas of the U.S. — but its economic impact hasWhile COVID-19 has devastated parts of the U.S., including hot spots like New York, New Jersey and Louisiana, many counties in Western states have few cases and no deaths. Some officials and residents in those areas feel that pandemic restrictions…
