Archive for April 2024

From left, Lia S. and Sam Schmidt of Our Streets Collective, founded by the Pittsburgh chapter of Food Not Bombs, and Howard Ramsey, walk away from Second Avenue Commons after delivering a letter to its staff and Pittsburgh Mercy leadership

Library interim CEO Beth Cote said violence isn’t the only concern. Over the last few years, a variety of social, mental health and addictions issues have been worsening inside libraries. Without any options for refuge, many people are spending more time at the library.

All clinicians brought up the struggle of trying to treat patients without the proper staffing, resources and time. Dr. Romajit Yatoome continued, “The big reason that we are on strike is because we are all feeling the pinch of the staffing shortages. It’s not just the physicians, but the nurses, techs, and social workers as well. We are all so overworked and patients are waiting 10 to 15 hours just to see a physician. This is not acceptable for anyone.

The Dunning-Kruger effect describes a disturbing cognitive bias that afflicts us all. People with limited expertise in an area tend to overestimate how much they know—and we all have gaps in our expertise.

As a pro-choice member of the clergy, I’m sometimes pressed about moral justification for abortion. While most Christians (according to a Pew Research Center survey, May 6, 2022) view abortion as morally permissible depending on the situation, white evangelical pastors and Catholic priests have so dominated the airwaves on this issue for years that it appears (incorrectly) that the pro-life position is the only Christian point of view.

I have been a health care professional for more than fifty years. During that time I have risen in my profession and helped thousands of men and women to live fully, love deeply, and make a positive difference in the world. I have also been stressed, depressed, and suicidal during much of my professional life. I’m not alone.

A new report contends that two-thirds of kids in California foster care’s system have never met with their legal counsel outside of court, but critics call the data and conclusions flawed.