Is anyone safe?

Editor’s warning: mentions of gun violence.

Happening in the World: An investigation undergone by the United Kingdom’s Minister of Equalities has revealed that the risk of catching and becoming significantly ill from COVID-19 remains higher for people belonging to Black and South Asian ethnicities. While age and underlying medical conditions remain the primary risk factor for severe illness, studies show that living conditions related to occupation, household size, and population density are disproportionately linked to a higher rate of infection amongst ethnic minorities (BBC).

Happening in the US: Fifteen-year-old Ethan Crumbley has been charged with murder, attempted murder, and terrorism following the Oxford High School shooting that resulted in the death of four students. The act was said to have been premeditated following the discovery of copious amounts of digital evidence indicating that Crumbley intended to murder as many students as possible. Prosecutors, as well as the public, are now calling for criminal charges to be pushed upon Crumbley’s parents (ABC).

Happening in NYC: A Minnesota man who recently traveled to New York City has tested positive for the omicron COVID-19 variant, the second reported case in the United States. Minnesota health officials state that the traveler attended the Anime NYC convention in mid-November and has since recovered from his mild illness. New York City’s Test and Trace Corps are expected to reach out to the events 50,000 attendees in the following days to track the spread of the new variant (Gothamist).

Happening in Our Community: Ah… the dreaded internship acquisition. The bane of every Columbia student’s existence. Luckily, Columbia’s Center for Career Education has you covered! Join the CCE for a virtual info session at 2 pm to learn more about our spring and summer internship programs and how you can take steps towards securing an opportunity. Click here to register!

anime via Flickr