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Airport concessions in crisis as coronavirus takes toll on air travel
Matt Falcus Travel, Hospitality & Event ManagementVictims of the coronavirus outbreak and its effect on air travel include the thousands of airport concessions across the country, and indeed the world, that have been forced to endure closure and laying off employees or, if still open, next to minimal sales. Now, with airports and airlines receiving funds to help them through these difficult times, airport concessions are also calling on the government to recognize their plight and provide relief before many are forced out of business.
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Law enforcement access to COVID-19 patient details sparks controversy
Bambi Majumdar Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityA national investigation by The Associated Press found that there has been widespread information sharing between emergency dispatchers and public health officials across the U.S. concerning individuals testing positive for COVID-19. Per the AP, local governments in at least 35 states have shared COVID-19 patient details with dispatch centers. The premise behind this information sharing is to keep law enforcement informed of potential risks. However, it has also caused concern among some civil liberties groups.
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Associations: An indispensable partner to members
Dan Tjornehoj and Bob Harris Association ManagementAssociations must forge through the pandemic, realizing they are needed more than ever to guide and support their members. Stop to think about it. The essence of association existence is to work as a group to address the needs of members. This is an opportunity for associations to be their best. We are positioned as a trusted confidant with members. Our value is to "ask," then "listen" to members' challenges during this unprecedented time.
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How much inequality is enough?
Patrick Gleeson Civil & GovernmentEighteenth century French moralist Joseph de Maistre observed, "Every nation gets the government it deserves." What he meant is that in a democracy, to some very considerable extent, the shape of the government is determined by the people. The same can be said for economic inequality. In this country, how much inequality is enough?
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Coronavirus restrictions are easing, but cautionary measures should not
Linchi Kwok Travel, Hospitality & Event ManagementPeople are eager to get back to their normal routines. Businesses are preparing for post-pandemic travel. Governments have begun easing coronavirus restrictions. Do you see the light at the end of the tunnel already? Possibly, but the pandemic is not over yet. So, please remain cautious even as stay-at-home restrictions are lifted.
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Infighting continues over healthcare pricing transparency rule
Scott E. Rupp Medical & Allied HealthcareThe healthcare price transparency argument continues. The latest battlefront came with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) adding a new element to its policy, saying it plans to collect data on hospital median payer-specific negotiated rates. That information could be used to set Medicare payment rates. Hospitals immediately returned the volley. It’s not a new development that health systems and some payers loathe the idea of making their pricing models and negotiated rates public.
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An overview of education policies proposed by Trump, Biden
Patrick Gleeson EducationIn a recent article, I compared the views of President Trump and former Vice President Biden on K-12 charter schools. Let's compare their views on six of the remaining important education issues as we approach what promises to be an unusually combative election. For starters, how much money is in each candidate's education budget is almost certainly the most significant indicator of their positions on almost every other education issue. Without funding, no education initiative, no matter how well-designed, can be implemented effectively.
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Many educators want to reboot the US school system
Sheilamary Koch EducationToday's colossal interruption in class as usual has inspired teachers around the country to boldly speak out about changes they want to see in education. They're urging drastic measures to solve problems magnified during this time of COVID-19-related closures — before things get swept under the rug again. "COVID-19 has torn down the barriers that long hindered schools from trying new things and threw open the window allowing them to observe the effects of changes in real-time," says Casey M. Bethel, who serves as the K-12 science, STEM and computer science coordinator for 35 schools in Douglasville, Georgia.
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Fledgling screening trials could pave the way for new standard procedures…
Matt Falcus Transportation Technology & AutomotiveThe U.K.'s Heathrow Airport is trialing new measures for screening passengers as the aviation industry looks for a way to emerge from the current crisis. With no definitive end to the risk posed by the coronavirus pandemic, the measures taken could become the new norm for travel by air. First to be implemented at Heathrow is facial recognition thermal screening technology, which monitors passengers moving through Terminal 2's immigration halls. This will then be scaled up to other areas such as departure areas and security screening, followed by other terminals.
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COVID-19 has put a severe strain on law enforcement resources
Bambi Majumdar Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityGovernments around the world and their various departments are spending a lot of time, energy, and money to suppress COVID-19. Law enforcement is an important part of that, and law enforcement agencies across the country are focused on their roles and responsibilities. While police in Los Angeles and New York City have seen crime rates fall since outbreaks emerged in their cities, law enforcement officers in crime-heavy cities like Chicago and Detroit are facing severe trials.
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