August 5, 2019

Andrew Yang's comments on recent mass shootings

https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/watch/andrew-yang-discusses-gun-reform-in-response-to-el-paso-dayton-shootings-65300037753

August 5, 2019

Andrew Yang on INVEST IN AMERICA'S MENTAL HEALTH

There is a mental health crisis in America. Our life expectancy is declining due in part to increasing rates of suicide. Anxiety and depression levels are at record highs and being made worse in young people by excessive use of smartphones. In 2014, an American College Health Association SURVEY of close to 100,000 college students reported that 86% felt overwhelmed by all they had to do, 54% felt overwhelming anxiety, and 8% seriously considered suicide in the last 12 months. Use of anti-depressants and prescription medications are also at unprecedented levels.

On the treatment side, too few Americans receive adequate treatment and many communities lack mental health resources. At the extreme end, some of the mentally ill become threats to others.

"Americans are not doing well, and we need to change it. My brother is a psychology professor and I believe strongly in the power of counseling and treatment to improve people’s mental and emotional well-being. One major priority is to integrate mental health with our greater health care system - if someone comes to the hospital suffering from diabetes, obesity or substance abuse, there is often a link to their holistic mental health. Too many Americans don’t seek treatment, don’t have the resources, or resort to self-medication. A healthy population is a productive one. We will do all we can to establish a sense of well-being for millions who are currently suffering and remove the stigma from depression in particular."

PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED

There is currently a mental health crisis in America as suicides, anxiety and depression are at record highs

Mental health is often treated as a separate set of issues and resources rather than integrated into the greater health care system

Many communities lack access to psychologists and social workers

Mental health issues continue to be stigmatized

GOALS

Improve the mental health of millions of Americans

Integrate mental and emotional wellness into the greater health care system

Increase access to mental health resources

Diminish the stigma around mental health issues, particularly depression

"Begin a national anti-stigma campaign for mental health issues, “Everybody Needs Help Sometimes.”
Encourage major health care systems to integrate mental health professionals into their primary care.
Initiate mandatory coverage for postpartum depression screening for new mothers.
Increase resources and incentives for counselors, social workers and psychologists in rural areas.
Invest in AI counselors and other technology that may be helpful in identifying and treating mental health issues across a broad population. The AI would refer issues to a human psychologist.
Promote the use of AI for social workers.
Promote the use of AI and telecounseling for those who need a psychologist.
Explore revision of licensing requirements that limit the supply of treatment providers.
Provide robust incentives via a “Race to the Top” for health care systems to improve mental health outcomes and preventative care holistically. "

https://www.yang2020.com/policies/mental-health/

August 5, 2019

Andrew Yang on INVEST IN AMERICA'S MENTAL HEALTH

There is a mental health crisis in America. Our life expectancy is declining due in part to increasing rates of suicide. Anxiety and depression levels are at record highs and being made worse in young people by excessive use of smartphones. In 2014, an American College Health Association SURVEY of close to 100,000 college students reported that 86% felt overwhelmed by all they had to do, 54% felt overwhelming anxiety, and 8% seriously considered suicide in the last 12 months. Use of anti-depressants and prescription medications are also at unprecedented levels.

On the treatment side, too few Americans receive adequate treatment and many communities lack mental health resources. At the extreme end, some of the mentally ill become threats to others.

"Americans are not doing well, and we need to change it. My brother is a psychology professor and I believe strongly in the power of counseling and treatment to improve people’s mental and emotional well-being. One major priority is to integrate mental health with our greater health care system - if someone comes to the hospital suffering from diabetes, obesity or substance abuse, there is often a link to their holistic mental health. Too many Americans don’t seek treatment, don’t have the resources, or resort to self-medication. A healthy population is a productive one. We will do all we can to establish a sense of well-being for millions who are currently suffering and remove the stigma from depression in particular."

PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED

There is currently a mental health crisis in America as suicides, anxiety and depression are at record highs

Mental health is often treated as a separate set of issues and resources rather than integrated into the greater health care system

Many communities lack access to psychologists and social workers

Mental health issues continue to be stigmatized

GOALS

Improve the mental health of millions of Americans

Integrate mental and emotional wellness into the greater health care system

Increase access to mental health resources

Diminish the stigma around mental health issues, particularly depression

"Begin a national anti-stigma campaign for mental health issues, “Everybody Needs Help Sometimes.”
Encourage major health care systems to integrate mental health professionals into their primary care.
Initiate mandatory coverage for postpartum depression screening for new mothers.
Increase resources and incentives for counselors, social workers and psychologists in rural areas.
Invest in AI counselors and other technology that may be helpful in identifying and treating mental health issues across a broad population. The AI would refer issues to a human psychologist.
Promote the use of AI for social workers.
Promote the use of AI and telecounseling for those who need a psychologist.
Explore revision of licensing requirements that limit the supply of treatment providers.
Provide robust incentives via a “Race to the Top” for health care systems to improve mental health outcomes and preventative care holistically. "

https://www.yang2020.com/policies/mental-health/

August 5, 2019

Andrew Yang Policy on GUN SAFETY

From his policy page. Previously posted

For many Americans, guns are a big part of their culture and identity. However, guns are a major responsibility and thus we need to have common-sense gun safety measures, especially considering that there are already approximately 300 million firearms in the United States. Responsible gun owners should continue to enjoy the right to bear arms, subject to licensing and education requirements that will encourage the public safety.

"Most Americans agree on common-sense safety requirements and restrictions on firearms. As President, I will support sensible regulation of guns that allows their continued enjoyment by responsible gun owners in a framework that promotes the overall public safety."

GOALS

Create a common sense licensing policy, requiring investment and safety precautions
Prevent dangerous individuals from owning guns
Encourage innovation in firearm personalization and safety
Enhance mental health resources available to people who need help

"Promote a stringent, tiered licensing system for gun ownership (think a CDL vs. a regular driver’s license):
All tiers
Pass a federal background check, eliminating the gun show loophole.
Tier 1 – Basic hunting rifles and handguns
Pass a background check
Pass a basic hunting/firearm safety class
Provide a receipt for an appropriately-sized gun locker, or trigger lock per registered gun.
Tier 2 – Semi-automatic rifles
Have a Tier 1 license for at least 1 year
Be at least 21 years of age
Pass an advanced firearm safety class.
Tier 3 – Advanced and automatic weaponry
Maintain current restrictions and definitions (National Firearms Act of 1934)
Ban high-capacity magazines
Require submission of fingerprints and DNA to the FBI
Submit to a gun locker inspection to ensure it can house the weapons
Undergo yearly refresher trainings on the use of these firearms.
Anyone with a history of violence, domestic abuse, or violent mental illness would be restricted from receiving a license.
Those who currently own any firearms will:
Be grandfathered in with their current license, and for the 1-year requirement if they decide to apply for a Tier 2 license
Receive a one-time “Good Gun Owner” tax credit for adhering to the additional requirements implemented by the new system
Be allowed a tax write-off for the purchase of any equipment required to adhere to the new standards
Be allowed to register any currently unregistered firearm without facing any penalties.
Individual states will determine their concealed carry/open carry laws, and reciprocity will not be federally enforced. However, a concealed or open carry license in one state would satisfy all licensure requirements in all states.
Prohibit the manufacture and sale of bump stocks, suppressors, incendiary/exploding ammunition, and (yes, this is currently legal) grenade launcher attachments.
Create federal safety guidelines for gun manufacture and distribution, similar to federal car safety requirements, with strict penalties for the violation of these guidelines.
Encourage gun manufacturers to implement designs that prevent interchanging parts that alter the functionality of the firearm.
Implement a federal buyback program for anyone who wants to voluntarily give up their firearm.
Invest in innovative technology that would make firearms harder to fire for non-owners of the gun, and create a federal, bipartisan panel to determine when technological innovations are advanced and reliable enough to be included in manufacturing safety requirements.
As stated here, invest in a more robust mental health infrastructure. This will help to identify and treat people with mental health illnesses that make them prone to violence.
Increase funding to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and drastically increase funding to the US Department of Veterans Affairs Suicide Prevention efforts.
Initiate and fund mindfulness programs in schools and correctional facilities, which have been demonstrated to reduce violent behavior.
Invest heavily in law enforcement training to de-escalate situations involving firearms. "

https://www.yang2020.com/policies/gun-safety/

August 5, 2019

Andrew Yang Policy on GUN SAFETY

From his policy page. Previously posted

For many Americans, guns are a big part of their culture and identity. However, guns are a major responsibility and thus we need to have common-sense gun safety measures, especially considering that there are already approximately 300 million firearms in the United States. Responsible gun owners should continue to enjoy the right to bear arms, subject to licensing and education requirements that will encourage the public safety.

"Most Americans agree on common-sense safety requirements and restrictions on firearms. As President, I will support sensible regulation of guns that allows their continued enjoyment by responsible gun owners in a framework that promotes the overall public safety."

GOALS

Create a common sense licensing policy, requiring investment and safety precautions
Prevent dangerous individuals from owning guns
Encourage innovation in firearm personalization and safety
Enhance mental health resources available to people who need help

"Promote a stringent, tiered licensing system for gun ownership (think a CDL vs. a regular driver’s license):
All tiers
Pass a federal background check, eliminating the gun show loophole.
Tier 1 – Basic hunting rifles and handguns
Pass a background check
Pass a basic hunting/firearm safety class
Provide a receipt for an appropriately-sized gun locker, or trigger lock per registered gun.
Tier 2 – Semi-automatic rifles
Have a Tier 1 license for at least 1 year
Be at least 21 years of age
Pass an advanced firearm safety class.
Tier 3 – Advanced and automatic weaponry
Maintain current restrictions and definitions (National Firearms Act of 1934)
Ban high-capacity magazines
Require submission of fingerprints and DNA to the FBI
Submit to a gun locker inspection to ensure it can house the weapons
Undergo yearly refresher trainings on the use of these firearms.
Anyone with a history of violence, domestic abuse, or violent mental illness would be restricted from receiving a license.
Those who currently own any firearms will:
Be grandfathered in with their current license, and for the 1-year requirement if they decide to apply for a Tier 2 license
Receive a one-time “Good Gun Owner” tax credit for adhering to the additional requirements implemented by the new system
Be allowed a tax write-off for the purchase of any equipment required to adhere to the new standards
Be allowed to register any currently unregistered firearm without facing any penalties.
Individual states will determine their concealed carry/open carry laws, and reciprocity will not be federally enforced. However, a concealed or open carry license in one state would satisfy all licensure requirements in all states.
Prohibit the manufacture and sale of bump stocks, suppressors, incendiary/exploding ammunition, and (yes, this is currently legal) grenade launcher attachments.
Create federal safety guidelines for gun manufacture and distribution, similar to federal car safety requirements, with strict penalties for the violation of these guidelines.
Encourage gun manufacturers to implement designs that prevent interchanging parts that alter the functionality of the firearm.
Implement a federal buyback program for anyone who wants to voluntarily give up their firearm.
Invest in innovative technology that would make firearms harder to fire for non-owners of the gun, and create a federal, bipartisan panel to determine when technological innovations are advanced and reliable enough to be included in manufacturing safety requirements.
As stated here, invest in a more robust mental health infrastructure. This will help to identify and treat people with mental health illnesses that make them prone to violence.
Increase funding to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and drastically increase funding to the US Department of Veterans Affairs Suicide Prevention efforts.
Initiate and fund mindfulness programs in schools and correctional facilities, which have been demonstrated to reduce violent behavior.
Invest heavily in law enforcement training to de-escalate situations involving firearms. "

https://www.yang2020.com/policies/gun-safety/

August 3, 2019

Missouri Public Defender Suit Settlement Faces Fierce Resistance From State Attorney General

Two years ago, a pair of public interest law firms filed suit against the state of Missouri, saying it had failed to provide “meaningful” legal representation for indigent defendants, as the U.S. Constitution requires. Because the public defenders’ office is overworked and underfunded, the ACLU and the MacArthur Justice Center argued, poor people charged with a crime are denied their constitutional rights.

The case has seen a number of twists and turns — and a great deal of drama in recent weeks. On Friday’s St. Louis on the Air, we spoke with Amy Breihan, director of the MacArthur Justice Center, and Nicholas Phillips, a reporter at Missouri Lawyers Weekly, about these developments.

For decades, Missouri has ranked near the bottom of public defender funding. The state is 49th of the 50 states in per capita indigent defense spending, Breihan said.

The current dispute goes back to May, when the ACLU and the MacArthur Justice Center reached a proposed settlement of their lawsuit with the state public defender’s office. The settlement requires public defenders to limit their caseloads, stop using a waitlist that delays when defendants first get access to an attorney, and take timely action in the cases they handle. It would also appoint a monitor to track compliance.

https://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/missouri-public-defender-suit-settlement-faces-fierce-resistance-state-attorney-general

August 3, 2019

Here's Where The 2020 Democratic Candidates Stand On Guns

Polling shows guns are among the top priorities for many Democratic voters and gun issues remain a big topic in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary.

The candidates spent precious minutes talking about their gun-related proposals during the first round of debates. Gun control groups spent big — and won big — in the 2018 midterms, including in a few key races that helped Democrats retake control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Throughout the 2020 campaign, Guns & America will be tracking policy proposals made by candidates for president.

https://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/here-s-where-2020-democratic-candidates-stand-guns

August 3, 2019

Sesame Allergies Are Likely More Widespread Than Previously Thought

As an ingredient, sesame is pretty popular— it's in tahini and sushi; it's often mixed in granola, sprinkled on bagels or used as a flavoring in an array of dishes. But according to new research, this may be a problem for a substantial number of Americans.

While previous studies suggested sesame allergies affected about .2% of U.S. children and adults, new research published this week in JAMA Open estimates the number of sesame-allergic Americans could be as high as .49% — around 1.6 million people.

The study's findings come at a time when the FDA is considering adding sesame to its list of top allergens that must be noted on food packaging. Last October, then-commissioner Scott Gottlieb issued a request for information on the "prevalence and severity" of sesame allergies in the U.S. to aid in its decision.

Luckily, a team of researchers led by Dr. Ruchi Gupta, director of the Science and Outcomes of Allergy and Asthma Research Team at Northwestern Medicine Northwestern Medicine and a physician at Lurie Children's Hospital, already had data on hand — information from a national survey of food allergies they conducted between Oct. 1, 2015, and Sept. 31, 2016. For this study, researchers distributed surveys on food allergy diagnoses and symptoms to nearly 80,000 different people in over 50,000 households. To meet Gottlieb's request, all they had to do was pull out their sesame data and give it a look.

https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2019/08/02/747545877/sesame-allergies-are-likely-more-widespread-than-previously-thought

August 3, 2019

Get Ready For Higher Prices If New Tariffs Hit Goods From China, Retailers Warn

Higher prices will be coming to stores this fall, retailers warn, if President Trump follows through with his threat to slap new tariffs on Chinese imports.

The White House pressed the tariff threat on Friday, even as Trump announced a new agreement aimed at boosting beef exports to Europe. A day earlier, Trump threatened to set a new 10% tariff on $300 billion worth of products imported from China.

Rising trade tensions prompted another sell-off on Wall Street on Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down nearly 100 points, or 0.4%, recovering from steeper losses earlier in the day.

More than 40% of all the clothes sold in the United States are made in China, as are nearly 70% of the shoes and 88% of the toys.

https://www.npr.org/2019/08/02/747713371/get-ready-for-higher-prices-if-new-tariffs-hit-goods-from-china-retailers-warn?

August 2, 2019

A New Tool Can Help Mississippi River Cities Plan For Future Floods

A new online data and mapping tool went live today, and its creators hope municipalities in flood-prone areas will use it to plan for and respond to natural disasters.

The Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative and the U.S. Department of the Interior created an electronic portal in response to this year’s near-record flooding. The MRCTI Imagery and Information Viewer aggregates maps, weather forecasts and up-to-date data on floods and droughts — all information necessary for cities to better plan for natural disasters.

Scott Morlock, acting U.S. Geological Survey director for the Mid-Continent Region, said the idea for the portal came about when MRCTI asked for satellite imagery after the floods. In addition to the frequently updated satellite imagery, the portal gives users access to live rain and flood forecasts through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as well as data from USGS stream gauges.

“If cities are going to do a mitigation plan looking at future events, they can use that historical record to see what’s going to happen,” Morlock said.

https://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/new-tool-can-help-mississippi-river-cities-plan-future-floods