1. Father’s tip helps stop potential mass shooting
After a 27-year-old man stopped taking his medication, his father was worried about what his next move might be. The man was well-known to police on the Fort Worth area. Once the father notified police of what was taking place, and off-duty officer who knew the man rushed to find him. The call came in around lunchtime on September 3rd, according to Officer Landon Rollins. If it was not for the father or quick-to-act police, another mass shooting could have taken place.
The problem presented is this story is America’s mental health crisis. Some people who are unfit for society due to mental health issues are still living amongst the common folk. These people need help and can be too rash and violent to live in society. America needs to do a better job of helping these people get back on the right path with the proper healthcare and treatment, instead of just using prescription drugs to “solve” the problem.
Who has this problem: Well, it is two-sided. There are the people who unfortunately have the mental health problems. And then there is the rest of the population, who might end up on the wrong side of a bullet at any time if said individual continues to live in society without proper treatment.
2. Romney pushes for recall of e-smokes
With more and more reports surfacing that tie e-smokes to lung disease and death, Senator Mitt Romney is pushing for the FDA to recall them. E-smokes have become particularly popular among the youth of America. However, they were designed as a better alternative to help smokers stop using cigarettes. Romney highlighted his concern for the youth in his statement. As cases linking e-smokes to lung disease a rise, a ban from the government is expected to happen soon.
The problem presented in this story is America’s vaping epidemic. This generation of youth ages 14-24 are the first to have been introduced to vaping. Unfortunately, it has become a trend and is causing all sorts of health problems for otherwise healthy kids.
Who has this problem: The youth of America, ages 14-24. These are the people who are addicted to vaping and need the most help before it is too late, as the long-term effects of vaping are unknown.
3. Rare form of disease confirmed
Five cases of a rare form of gonorrhea have been confirmed in Traverse City, Michigan.
The Grand Traverse County Health Department is aware of the issue and acting as fast
as possible to fix the situation. The DGI (disseminated gonococcal infection) occurs when a common gonorrhea infection is untreated. These five cases are the only known cases in America at the time, although the Department of Health continues to monitor the situation cautiously. To contain the issue, safe sex practices are encouraged for all.
The problem presented in this story is people not practicing safe sex or going in for treatment when they have an STI. Why people aren’t practicing safe sex is up for debate, one reason being that condoms can be pricey. The other problem is people not getting tested regularly or if they feel something wrong. This again could be due to the price of the test.
Who has this problem: The five people in Michigan do right now, however if the issue is not contained many more people could find themselves in a similar situation. Also, the outbreak is not strictly in Michigan, a case like this could pop up anywhere at any time if people don’t practice safe sex and get tested regularly.
4. Health Dept. tells public to stop vaping
Eau Claire County has sent out a warning to its constituents to stop vaping due to health risks. A nationwide problem of lung disease and death has arisen in the past few months as the ramifications of vaping are starting to be seen. This article goes more in depth than others on the topic, explaining that THC products are the reason for the problems and not the addictive nicotine in the vape devices. Over 450 cases have been reported and the number rises every single day.
The problem presented in this story is America’a vaping addiction. These are just the short-term consequences of vaping, so who knows what will happen to these people in twenty or thirty years. If they live that long, that is.
Who has this problem: While most articles focus on the youth of America, many adults and older people also have a vaping addiction. This is a widespread epidemic that knows no age or gender.
5. Neighbors on alert as coyotes kill cats
Neighborhood cats in the College Park area of Orlando, Florida are being killed by coyotes. Residents of the area have been reporting countless sightings of coyotes recently and are fed up. As more and more cats are going missing, more people are becoming angry, including local cat owner Michelle Conklin, who’s feline Thomas is missing. It is only a matter of time before action takes place in this town. As of right now, they are planning a sign campaign in the coming days to try and bring awareness to and solve the issue.
The problem presented in this story is a rise in the number of coyote sightings in an urban area. Why this is occurring is unknown, but the reality of the situation is that as long as these coyotes are on the loose in packs, more cats will die, and potentially a person if this issue is not addressed soon.
Who has this problem: The residents of College Park in Orlando. The issue could spread to nearby towns as well if not solved and the coyotes continue to run wild.
Hello Christopher, I really enjoyed reading your post. Mental health is something to be taken more seriously in society and sometimes more extreme measures need to be taken place to ensure everyone's safety. Hopefully this incidence will spark new development. Vaping is definitely becoming a large issue, there are talks about restricting/banning flavored e-cigarettes as that is what draws in the crowd more.
ReplyDeleteHey Christopher! It was interesting to see the articles that you picked. Like you, I also chose an article that dealt with vaping. This issue is all over the news as it’s become a multi-state epidemic. A lot of the big name organizations are trying to increase regulation on the product to minimize the health risks. Hopefully all the awareness will reduce the use too. Also, as a cat owner, I hope the coyote problem in Orlando is solved soon! I’m surprised no one has done anything about it yet. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHi Christopher,
ReplyDeleteI like how the stories you chose touch on major issues facing this country today; especially issues like mental health and vaping. These are huge epidemics that we as a people need to find solutions to, because the current climate of these problems can't continue like this. It seems that the people who could use the most help are the ones receiving the least.
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ReplyDeleteHey Christopher! I love how you have a wide variety of news articles you picked! I defiantly agree with the anti-vapers that vaping can be incredibly harmful, and youth consumption should be drastically minimized. The article about the father saving a school shooting was incredibly interesting as well. I enjoyed clicking on it and reading the entire article! Great post!
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