Solving problems by addressing the underlying factors. By digging deep and attacking the root causes of a problem, changemakers are able to treat the disease rather than just the symptoms. These solutions offer help to those in need, employ a comprehensive approach to problem-solving, and address the determinants that keep individuals and communities from succeeding.
Treating underlying conditions, specifically those that are structural and systemic that cause social problems. These issues arise as a consequence from the way a society is organized. For example, a solution that addresses patriarchy or a lack of jobs in a poor neighborhood.
Help rather than punishmentThinking of behaviors such as addiction as diseases that require treatment.
Using a comprehensive approachProviding people with services that address multiple challenges at once.
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https://www.csmonitor.com/World/2020/0406/The-doctor-won-t-see-you-now.-Rethinking-health-care-delivery-in-a-crisis?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Lenora Chu
The Christian Science Monitor
6 April 2020
Text / 1500-3000 Words
To contain the coronavirus and manage overwhelmed health care systems, nurses and doctors are returning from retirement, recent medical graduates are being asked to report early to their hospitals and telehealth is gaining viability and validity. Across the world, nations are working to rapidly reform the health care system to better care for this influx of patients, and some of these changes may last beyond the pandemic.
https://www.boredpanda.com/south-korean-government-care-package?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Judita Kusaitytė
Bored Panda
3 April 2020
Multi-Media / Under 800 Words
As told through the words of citizens on social media, this article lays out a number of ways the government of South Korean has been able to contain the virus. A notable thing is the care package mailed to everyone, containing hygiene essentials such as face masks and hand sanitizer, fresh produce, quarantine garbage disposal instructions, and a letter expressing concern for people’s well being. This cuts down on people in quarantine leaving home to shop for essentials. Other tactics include rapid testing and follow-up with infected patients.
https://www.routefifty.com/health-human-services/2020/04/cambridge-homeless-restaurants/164307?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Emma Coleman
Route Fifty
2 April 2020
Text / Under 800 Words
Social distancing has negatively affected homeless shelters, because the volunteers who prepare the meals aren't considered essential employees. The city of Cambridge pledged to pay local restaurants to provide bagged or boxed meals for lunch and dinner at shelters for as long as social distancing guidelines remain in place. This also helps restaurants who are struggling without customers. The operation started in March of 2020 and has since distributed 1,800 meals to eight homeless shelters and meal programs. Other cities like Detroit and Portland are following their lead.
http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20200331-the-law-of-generosity-combatting-coronavirus-in-pakistan?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Aysha Imtiaz
BBC
1 April 2020
Text / 1500-3000 Words
In Pakistan, where many citizens earn a daily wage from street businesses that have now been forced to close due to the coronavirus pandemic, Pakistanis are continuing to contribute zakat, "the traditional Muslim charity tax." The contributions – regarded as "one of the most important religious duties for Muslims" – are used to create packages containing basic grocery items and anti-bacterial soap for the daily-wage workers.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/04/01/lockdown-coronavirus-california-data?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Heather Kelly
Geoffrey A. Fowler
Reed Albergotti
Washington Post
1 April 2020
Text / 1500-3000 Words
California and Washington were both early to adopt social distancing measures in the United States as a response to the coronavirus pandemic, and are now emerging as successful models for how this protocol could work if enacted early. Although these states have not been immune to a heavy caseload, they have not experienced the spikes that have overwhelmed the hospitals in states like New York.
https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/how-henrico-firefighters-respond-to-covid-19-nursing-home-calls?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Melissa Hipolit
WTVR-TV
31 March 2020
Broadcast TV News / 3-5 Minutes
When Henrico County Fire Department began to respond to calls for people exhibiting signs of coronavirus, they began utilizing recommendations of how best to stay safe. Although restrictive, this new playbook helps emergency responders stay safe by "limiting the number of responders that go into a facility" and encourages nursing homes to bring patients "as close to the ambulance entrance as possible."
https://www.politico.com/states/california/story/2020/03/30/bend-it-like-the-bay-area-doctors-see-flatter-curve-after-2-weeks-of-social-isolation-1269663?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Debra Kahn
Carla Marinucci
Politico
30 March 2020
Text / 800-1500 Words
As the coronavirus outbreak began to show signs of spreading the United States, six counties in the Bay Area of California quickly instituted stay at home and shelter-in-place orders. Although the virus is still spreading in much of the country, the early and aggressive measures taken in this region are believed to have contributed to the lower-than-expected caseload reported by hospitals in these counties.
https://thediplomat.com/2020/03/a-democratic-response-to-coronavirus-lessons-from-south-korea?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Eun A Jo
The Diplomat
30 March 2020
Text / 800-1500 Words
South Korea is one of the few countries that has reported success in containing the coronavirus, and it's due to both government action and a united societal response. Even before the social distancing was imposed on the society, many in the community began to take that action themselves, businesses closed voluntarily and church services were moved online as the country took a united approach to managing the virus.
https://www.abqjournal.com/1438504/new-mexico-got-aggressive-start-on-testing-for-virus.html?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Ryan Boetel
Albuquerque Journal
30 March 2020
Text / 800-1500 Words
New Mexico has been able to test at a higher rate for coronavirus than states double its population size due to aggressive measures taken by local government to obtain tests early on and a public and private collaboration between medical facilities and a local business. The local business, TriCore, is used to process "tests for the major hospitals in the state," unlike other hospitals across the country which "process their own tests or rely on a national lab."
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/29/us/seattle-washington-state-coronavirus-transmission-rate.html?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Mike Baker
The New York Times
29 March 2020
Text / 1500-3000 Words
After learning of the first cases of coronavirus that weren't contracted by direct exposure or from foreign travel, officials in Washington took quick and strict measures to start introducing social distancing, which may have helped slow the transmission. Although the hospitals are low on supplies, they have not yet been "overrun," indicating that modeling and widespread testing, along with limiting human-to-human interactions and gatherings, were all beneficial parts of the strategy to slow the spread.
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