COVID-19 vaccine, saving rural hospitals, three-word emergency locator system

| Posted on November 11, 2020 |

Photo: CDC/Unsplash (CCO)

In today’s edition of Squirrel News, we’re looking at the development of a COVID-19 vaccine which is over 90% effective, saving community hospitals in rural US towns, and a new emergency services locator system helping those requiring assistance in remote areas.

Hopes rise for end of pandemic as Pfizer says vaccine is 90% effective

Global stocks surge and experts are optimistic as a new COVID-19 vaccine exceeds expectations.

Source: The Guardian

A rural US community has used sustainable healthcare solutions to save their local hospital

Medicare initiatives and innovative approaches to healthcare have secured the continued existence of Georgia’s Clinch Memorial Hospital.

Source: Time

A three-word locator system is revolutionising emergency services

What3Words is able to provide accuracy to 3 metres of a patient’s location, making it easier to find those requiring assistance in remote areas.

Source: Canadian Geographic

Conservationists are replacing palm oil plantations with wildlife corridors in Borneo

By planting native tree species in the place of legal palm oil plantations, threatened animals will be able to move between the Tabin and Kulamba wildlife reserves safely.

Source: Mongabay

Colorado has guaranteed new fathers three months of paid family leave

The move signals a shift away from traditional caregiver roles, which disproportionately affected women and their careers.

Source: Reasons To Be Cheerful

New York City will trial the use of mental health crisis workers under a new scheme

Following months of protests across the US over police brutality, law enforcement officials will no longer respond to mental health calls.

Source: Reuters

Asian grassroots activists are tackling the war on plastic waste

“Rubbish cafés”, mango seaweed bioplastic solutions and “trash barrier booms” are just a few of the innovative solutions conservationists are using to clean up their cities and oceans.

Source: The Planetary Press

A UK-based initiative is making sustainable fashion production more accessible

The new fashion centre in East London uses responsible economic regeneration as a model for boosting the prospects of the region’s young people.

Source: Metropolis

A carpenter in Toronto is building insulated shelters for homeless people

The tiny shelters are built of wood, insulated with home insulation and have a door and a window.

Source: Goodnet

A non-profit is helping homeless people find purpose by cleaning up San Diego’s streets

Wheels of Change pays people to pick up litter around San Diego, in an effort to lift them out of homelessness – with some workers now able to afford college.

Source: CNN