article thumbnail

Personal Crusades for Public Health

Bill of Health

By Katherine Macfarlane Public health in the U.S. This essay describes the cost of casting aside what is best for the public’s health in favor of individual choice, especially to those who are high-risk for serious illness or death from COVID-19. In other words, public health is a group project.

article thumbnail

A Categorical No to Categorical Accommodation Denials Related to COVID-19?

Bill of Health

Remote accommodations were granted freely during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, but in 2021, the in-person aspect of teaching and learning was suddenly deemed essential, and at many institutions, remote classes came to an end. That same medication rendered him high-risk for severe illness or death from COVID-19.

COVID-19 364
Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

Negotiating Masks in the Workplace: When the ADA Does and Does Not Apply

Bill of Health

Workplaces are, by and large, no longer safe for employees who are high-risk for serious illness or death from COVID-19. During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was common for workplaces to require masks, at least in shared spaces. Unfortunately, the ADA does not reach every workplace.

ADA 364
article thumbnail

Public Health Law and Civil Rights Laws Must Work Together to Rise to the Challenge of Long COVID

Bill of Health

By Elizabeth Pendo Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the need for public health laws and policies that align with and reinforce civil rights protections for disproportionately impacted populations is greater than ever. reported symptoms of long COVID at some point, and 6 percent reported current symptoms.

article thumbnail

COVID-19 as Disability Interest Convergence?

Bill of Health

Some have suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic could be a moment of what critical race theorist Derrick Bell called “ interest convergence ,” where majority interests align with those of a minority group to create a critical moment for social change. Why Haven’t Interests Converged During the COVID-19 Pandemic?

COVID-19 144
article thumbnail

Achieving Economic Security for Disabled People During COVID-19 and Beyond

Bill of Health

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the pervasive inequities experienced by historically marginalized communities, including people with disabilities. Although disabled people have always experienced inequities concerning economic security, these disparities have grown substantially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 246
article thumbnail

Employers and the Future of Public Health

Bill of Health

By Sharona Hoffman As state and federal public health authority erodes, employers may increasingly find themselves playing a central role in promoting public health. In the future, they may frequently take the lead in implementing public health measures. Sharona Hoffman is the Edgar A.