We have seen communities respond to the current crisis in very positive ways, from coming together to clap for our nurses and doctors – daily in cities like New York and weekly here in London – to locally self-organising and providing mutual support to help their most vulnerable neighbours. However, with many groups remaining overlooked, we have also seen the crisis fuel a toxic mix of fear and resentment in some countries, including rising xenophobia, inter-generational angst, and rising tensions between cities and regions.

Whilst everyone is at risk of catching COVID19, it has become apparent that the impact of the pandemic is not being felt equally, particularly in the most developed nations of the world. Data from the UK Government shows that ethnic minorities have statistically significant raised risks of death involving COVID19 than those of white ethnicity, with black males 4.2 times more likely, and black females are 4.3 more likely.

You are cordially invited to an e-book launch via Zoom at 5:15 pm EST on April 14 for Professor Valerie Hansen’s The Year 1000: When Explorers Connected the World— and Globalization Began, which Scribner will release on that day. Professor Fabian Drixler will start off by asking Professor Hansen questions and then Q+A will be opened to everyone.

Understanding America: Refugee Resettlement & Immigrant Services: Connecticut & U.S. Landscape
OISS is pleased to announce our next conversation in our Understanding America series where we will be joined by Ann O’Brien, the Director of Community Engagement for IRIS - Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services, and IRIS Ambassador, Azhar Ahmed.

The Program for Humanities in Medicine, Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library, and Social Medicine in Action Seminar will present the Kenneth and Georgia Barwick Lecture: Disability Worlds: Genetic Testing, Neurodiversity, Disability Activism.