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How Europe manages to keep a lid on coronavirus unemployment while it spikes in the U.S.

Michael Birnbaum

April 11, 2020 |

The Washington Post |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: France

European countries like France and Germany have been able to keep their unemployment rates low because of pre-existing programs that have been called to action during COVID-19. In France, the government subsidizes up to 84% of wages to incentive companies not to lay their employees off. In Germany, their short-time work program pays up to two-thirds of employee pay. While not an inexpensive method, some say it could help their economies replenish quicker after the pandemic.

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How custodians in Durham Public Schools were granted paid emergency leave

Victoria Johnson

April 09, 2020 |

The Daily Tar Heel |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, North Carolina

In March 2020, North Carolina’s Board of Education, in response to COVID-19, approved paid emergency leave for all school employees – but with 100% pay only going to those that qualify as “high risk.” With many of the affected employees being Spanish-only speakers explanations of the detailed leave policies were not comprehensive, making the roll out of the relief confusing and inaccessible.

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Why Is Germany's Coronavirus Death Rate So Low?

Billy Perrigo

March 30, 2020 |

Time Magazine |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Germany

In the midst of the COVID19 outbreak, Germany has maintained one of the lowest rates of death at just 0.9%. While also one of the countries worst affected by it, both of those numbers are because of its widespread testing. The more people being tested, the more they’ve identified milder cases, which has effectively lowered the rate of fatality.

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How some cities ‘flattened the curve' during the 1918 flu pandemic

Nina Strochlic

March 27, 2020 |

National Geographic |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States

What can the 1918 Spanish Flu teach us about how we can effectively respond to the 2020 coronavirus? Researchers are comparing the death rates during the Spanish Flu in different U.S. cities to see which governments' methods were most effective at flattening the curve.

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Talking to your neighbours is mandatory if you live here

Maddy Savage

February 21, 2020 |

BBC |

Video |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: Sweden, Helsingborg

To combat loneliness, a flat in Helsingborg rents only to retirees and people under 25, and their contract requires that they spend at least 2 hours a week socializing together. The building, a former retirement home run by a housing company and funded by the city council, has many common areas to socialize including spaces to cook, workout, do arts and crafts, and play games. Most of the over 70 residents are happy to socialize and some have formed strong bonds, although there have been a few small conflicts. The managers hope to open more housing using this model in Sweden and internationally.

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Crazy Mascots Flooded Japan. Can This Grouchy Boar Survive?

Ben Dooley

February 16, 2020 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Japan

Kumamon, a black bear with rosy cheeks, is a mascot for a Japanese town who helped sell millions in merchandise, drive up tourism, and increase tax revenue because citizens can direct some of their income taxes to the locality of their choice. As a result, hundreds of towns rushed to create mascots to cash in on the approach to enticing visitors and investment. Towns spent a lot of money on these oftentimes whacky characters, however there has been no evidence that the vast majority of characters deliver any economic benefits, and therefore most are quietly being discontinued.

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Seattle nonprofits and Zillow launch affordable housing search tool

Julia Falcon

February 14, 2020 |

HousingWire |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

The City of Seattle partnered with Zillow to create a searchable database of affordable vacant rental units. Case managers are using the tool to get homeless residents into housing.

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How South Africa Ended Its Secret Births

Rashiq Fataar

February 07, 2020 |

Reasons to be Cheerful |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: South Africa

By expanding access, using financial incentives, and increasing transparency, the South African government increased universal birth registration rates from under one-quarter of the population to 95 percent of the population over 30 years. Long associated with restricting access during Apartheid, registration rates now help residents gain access to more resources and opportunities and help the government maintain more accurate demographic data.

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How Fines and Fees Reform Became a Priority for Cities Across the Country

Emma Coleman

February 06, 2020 |

Route Fifty |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Durham, North Carolina

From North Carolina to California, states and cities are taking a new approach to fines and fees – people are having their charges dismissed, warrants for minor offenses cleared, and many municipalities are actually saving money by spending less on collections. With a system that was built because it provided cities and states with revenue, there has been a realization that it disproportionately targets communities of color and often keeps people stuck in cycles of debt. With this national awakening, resources and networks are being created so other places can implement the same change.

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Books behind bars: Pilot Pell Grant program helps inmates look toward the future

Kelan Lyons

January 24, 2020 |

The Connecticut Mirror |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Suffield, Connecticut

At Connecticut’s MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution, people experiencing incarceration have the opportunity to participate in postsecondary classes, even completing a certificate or degree. They’re able to do this because of the Second Chance Pell pilot program, started in 2015, which offers financial aid for inmates to access education. With bipartisan support, there’s hope that the pilot program will grow, as current research shows how the programming reduces recidivism and saves tax dollars.

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