Three things for September 16
1. Walker announces new COVID-19 case numbers
Today, Lee University President Mark Walker announced Lee’s current number of positive COVID-19 cases has decreased.
“As of last night, our active, positive COVID-19 cases are three,” said Walker. “None of them have required any type of hospitalization or serious medical attention.”
Walker thanked the faculty, staff and student body for their diligence in wearing masks and maintaining social distancing regulations on campus. In closing, Walker encouraged the “Lee Family” to remain positive and flexible during this time.
“This is a marathon. It is not a sprint,” said Walker.
2. Aurora temporarily bans the use of ketamine after the death of Elijah McClain
On Monday, in a unanimous vote, the city council of Aurora, Colorado, voted to temporarily ban ketamine, a powerful sedative used by first responders during arrests, until the investigation into the death of Elijah McClain is completed.
McClain, a 23-year-old Black man, was confronted by the police in August 2019 after a person called 911 to report a man walking in a ski mask and waving his arms. McClain was put into a choke-hold, and once first responders arrived on the scene, 500 milligrams of ketamine was injected to sedate him.
The dose was 1.5 times more than what should have been administered. McClain died from cardiac arrest six days later.
Once a finalized report of McClain’s death is given, the ban will expire after 30 days.
3. Scientific American endorses Biden in first presidential candidate endorsement
Scientific American is endorsing presidential candidate Joe Biden, marking the first time the magazine has done so in its 175-year history.
Published in the October issue, the magazine editors state, “Scientific American has never endorsed a presidential candidate in its 175-year history. This year we are compelled to do so. We do not do this lightly.”
Scientific American is the oldest continuously published monthly magazine in the United States. Laura Helmuth, editor-in-chief of the magazine, told AP News, “The magazine hopes it doesn’t have to make a presidential endorsement again.”
“The evidence and the science show that Donald Trump has badly damaged the U.S. and its people—because he rejects evidence and science,” the editors wrote. “That is why we urge you to vote for Joe Biden, who is offering fact-based plans to protect our health, our economy and the environment.”
