Pharmacy Tech: The Forgotten Frontline Worker
Hola amigxs,
It’s Wednesday! We’re back with a new issue of Pero Make It Newsy. This week, we have our first Q&A with a frontline worker written by Nikki, steps on how to help the folks down in Texas and more.
Vámanos (let’s go)!
Conversations With Women: A Frontline Worker on the Pandemic and Getting the Vaccine 🦠
By Nikki Rojas
In the early weeks and months of the raging pandemic, my 26-year-old sister Allison suited up in her scrubs and PPE as she headed to work at a neighborhood pharmacy as a frontline worker. Through curfews and quarantine restrictions, Ally continued to work as a pharmacy tech, exposing herself to a deadly virus for the sake of our community.
I spoke to Ally about being a frontline worker during a pandemic that has killed more than 2.4 million people worldwide and her feelings about the vaccine.
Read Nikki’s full Q&A here.
Women In The News 📰
Biden’s COVID-19 Relief Plan Includes $800 Million for Federal Programs to Protect Survivors of Domestic Violence: This week, the House of Representatives will consider the Biden administration’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan. Although the package is missing the key element of raising the federal minimum wage to $15 over the next four years, the plan does include numerous measures to address economic struggles and the pandemic. If passed, the bill will include $800 million for federal programs to protect survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Read more about the plan here.
Suicide Among Japanese Women Spiked Last Year: A report in The New York Times found that the suicide rate among Japanese women increased in the past year. The Times reported that 6,976 women in Japan died of suicide in 2020, which is a 15 percent increase from 2019. The spike in the suicide rate is related to the physical and psychological toll many women are experiencing from the pandemic.
Read more about the report here. And if you are struggling, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.
Fifth Grade Student Speaks Up About The Lack of Education on Slavery and Racism in Schools: We are praising 10-year-old Iris Haq Lukolyo for standing up to her white social studies teacher after she told the students they would not learn about slavery during a lesson plan about how America was built. In her viral essay titled “Muted: Fifth Grade Conversations About Slavery,” Iris wrote about the importance of incorporating the history of racism and slavery into teachers’ lesson plans.
Read more about Iris and her essay here.
How To Help Texans ❄️
Like everyone (except Ted Cruz), we've been horrified by what has been going on in Texas. Though the winter storm is gone, Texans are hurting and need our help. We've rounded up mutual aids and other organizations that are accepting donations during this critical time. If you're unable to help with money, we urge you to amplify these groups and encourage others to donate.
HTX Mutual Aid Coalition: This amazing Houston-based, Black woman-led collective of activists is raising money and giving it directly to Texans in need. #BLMHTX raised more than $13K from 2.19-2.23 from 160 donors.
Austin Mutual Aid: This mutual aid group in Texas' capital is raising funds to book hotel rooms for Austin's unhoused populations. The group isn't stopping there. It's also accepting donations of food, water and other goods from locals. Austin-area drivers can also volunteer.
Feed the People Dallas Mutual Aid: This Black/Latinx, female-led collective has a free grocery program and provides care packages, meals, laundry and more to the DFW community. Feed the People Dallas is also provided funds directly to Texans in need.
The Family Place: This Dallas-based domestic violence shelter was forced to evacuate after the winter storm devastated its building. On 2.20, The Family Place announced they'd found a semi-permanent housing solution until repairs are done. However, they still need donations to provide meals, transportation, or a night of safety for an entire family.
You Should Read This 📚
Find Yaa Gyasi on Goodreads | Pick up “Homegoing” from Frugal Bookstore
Princess Party Time’s Paw-nderings 🐶
Henlo hoomans! I’ve been pawn-dering a lot this week, but this cold weather has made me wanna snuggle up and stay in bed all day.
I love doin zoomies outside and playin fetch, but I do not liek the snow! It makes my paws cold and when it falls from the sky, it makes my nose and coat all wet. My mama and papa have tried to get me to tolerate it, but all I wanna do is run back inside.
A lot of my frens in Texas do not liek the snow either and there are lots of them who need new homes after the state went through some crazy winter storm. If you wanna help the shelters that are taking them in, place your paw here.
Thank you so much for reading! If you’d like to send us questions, suggestions or just say hello, you can email us at peromakeitnewsy@gmail.com. We’re looking forward to curating future issues of Pero Make It Newsy for all of our amazing subscribers!
- Maria Elena and Nikki
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