For 139 Years, the American Red Cross has been a helping hand during uncertain times and 2020 has been no exception. Recently the organization has had its hands full, offering relief from natural disasters like wildfires in California and Hurricane Laura, amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"My heart goes out to the people that have been experiencing these back-to-back-to-back disasters," said Gail McGovern, president and CEO of The American Red Cross. "Within the last 30 days we had the derecho in the Midwest, we had wildfires in California, and now, of course, we're dealing with Hurricane Laura."
Hurricane Laura left significant devastation in its path, affecting about 700,000 homes. "It's either they're out of power or the sewage system isn't working. or the water isn't working," said McGovern. "It's very, very difficult out there."
The organization has been distributing about 45,000 meals per day throughout this hurricane relief effort.
While it is not uncommon for the Red Cross to juggle multiple disaster response efforts simultaneously, 2020 has brought the additional challenge of helping large numbers of people with COVID-19 still spreading."We're still delivering our mission despite the pandemic," said McGovern.
In addition to staff members, the aid organization relies heavily on volunteers. "I have to say that I am so proud of our volunteers because they are coming out in the same numbers that they had been pre-COVID, which is remarkable," said McGovern. "These people are humanitarians: they see a need and they just have to jump in and fill it." She noted they could still use more volunteers and there are opportunities for people to volunteer virtually.
"We're still fulfilling our mission, but the way we are doing it is completely different. Wherever possible we are trying to put people in hotels, and we're doing that so that they can social distance so that we're not in large congregate shelters where the disease can spread," said McGovern. "If we have to open up a shelter we're trying to open up multiple shelters so there are fewer people in each."
People using the shelters receive health screenings when they enter and are required to wear masks. Inside, cots are socially distanced and hand sanitizer is readily available, she added. The organization has been able to secure a large number of hotel rooms, though, so people have a safe place to go where they are not surrounded by crowds.
Donations are still needed, however. "We think Hurricane Laura is going to probably cost about $20 million dollars and so far only $2.1 million has come through the door. Any gift would be deeply, deeply appreciated regardless of the size," she noted. Donations can be made at Redcross.org.
"It's a different world and yet we're still out there helping people to the best of our ability."
The UK-based augmented reality startup, Dent Reality, raised the equivalent of $3.4 million USD in its most recent funding round. Dent Reality has created an AR app for smartphones that helps shoppers navigate retail locations by providing a layout of a store's aisles, while showing where to find specific items. The company works mainly with grocery stores but aims to integrate its tech with all types of physical spaces. Dent Reality CEO Andrew Hart joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
It’s no secret that America’s infrastructure is aging. The average American bridge is 43 years old. 49% of our streets and highways are in poor condition. That’s why rebuilding our roads is near the top of President Biden’s to-do list. But repaving is just surface level, some suggest we need to rethink the structures themselves.
We all know drivers in the UK drive on the left side of the road, but what if I told you that’s just where the differences begin. Europe and the United States have evolved to each have a unique set of rules of the road.
TikTok isn't just for remixing the best trending sounds. The social media platform is having a positive impact on animal shelters and helping pets find forever homes, according to Katie Grissum, the communications and design coordinator for the non-profit animal shelter charity KC Pet Project. Grissum joined Cheddar to break down just how TikTok is being used to raise money and draw more eyes to animals in need of adoption.
The upcoming HBO documentary, "The Forever Prisoner," zeros in on the Saudi-born Palestinian, and the failures of the CIA torture program. The documentary includes first-hand accounts, classified documents, never-before-seen images, interrogation notes, and testimony that you will have to see to believe. JD sat down with the mastermind behind the lens, director, and narrator of ' The Forever Prisoner,' Alex Gibney to discuss.
'Bing Bong!' has become a rallying cry for Knicks fans and New Yorkers. Cheddar's None Of The Above dives into the origin of the sound in this edition of Tik Talk.
The current supply chain crisis could last well into 2023. Some see this as an opportunity here for retailers to be early adopters of zero-emission technology. The 'Shady Routes' report highlights the relationship between retail companies and their cargo carriers, and how both can make real change from a public health and climate perspective. Angeline Robertson, senior researcher, Stand.Earth Research Group and Dawny'all Heydari, campaign lead, at Ship it Zero join Cheddar News.
Earnings season continues in the week of December 6 - 10, and that's only the start of a slate of events on the calendar that may move markets. We will also see executives from the crypto world and Instagram Head Adam Mosseri testify before members of Congress, and Square's name change to Block officially goes into effect.
Many restaurants across the country have lately turned off delivery and online orders during peak hours, as eateries are still struggling with labor shortages and as many are also seeing more customers return for in-person dining. Wall Street Journal reporter Heather Haddon joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
