American College of Physicians President on Gun Violence: This Is Our Lane
*By Max Godnick*
This is our lane.
That was the rallying cry from doctors that sounded across the United States after the NRA appeared to mock a position paper from the American College of Physicians earlier this month. Following an October report on ["Reducing Firearm Injuries and Death in the United States"](http://annals.org/aim/fullarticle/2709820/reducing-firearm-injuries-deaths-united-states-position-paper-from-american), the advocacy group found itself on the receiving end of an [NRA tweet](https://t.co/oCR3uiLtS7) instructing doctors to "stay in their lane" on the national gun-control debate.
"Our lane is taking care of people, our lane is saving lives, and our lane is really public health and taking a look at these questions from a scientific perspective," Dr. Ana Maria Lopez, president of the ACP, said Monday in an interview on Cheddar.
The NRA's barb inspired hundreds of doctors and nurses to share photos on social media depicting [first-hand accounts](https://www.npr.org/2018/11/11/666762890/after-nra-mocks-doctors-physicians-reply-this-is-our-lane) of how gun violence affects their lives every day. The graphic imagery includes pictures of blood-stained operating rooms and other visuals of the aftermath of shootings around the country. In most cases, the images are paired with either #ThisIsOurLane or similarly biting responses to the NRA's initial message.
"These are folks who, on a daily basis, are saving lives and are experiencing this," Dr. Lopez said, adding that she was "very surprised" that the back and forth has taken on a life of its own online.
According to Lopez, last week's tragedy at a country-music bar in Thousand Oaks, California, was the 307th mass shooting of 2018.
"There have not been 307 days \[in the year\]," she added, pointing out that the NRA's tweet was posted just hours before the shooting that left 12 people dead.
The position paper in question assesses the rise in firearm-related injuries as a "public health crisis" requiring the nation's "immediate attention."
"We're very concerned that this is a public-health epidemic," Dr. Lopez said. "It's very important for the dialogue that we be able to work together to save lives."
Now, the ACP's priority remains securing the necessary funding to properly research and understand "the best approaches to help address this escalating violence," Dr. Lopez said. But, with conservatives still controlling the White House and Senate, she said the medical community's hands are "somewhat tied" moving forward.
But the social campaign highlighted how passionately many doctors feel about the issue ー and how personally they are affected by gun deaths.
"There is hardly anyone in the country who is not in some way connected to someone who has been touched by this personally," Dr. Lopez said.
For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/the-president-of-the-american-college-of-physicians-to-the-nra-this-is-our-lane).
The drama surrounding tennis star Novak Djokovic continues after he was deported from Australia over the weekend due to the nation's COVID-19 vaccine requirements. Djokovic was forced to leave the country on the eve of what was to be his first match in defense of his Australian Open title after three judges ruled in favor of his removal and revealed their reasoning for doing so. Adding to his woes, a law recently passed in France is putting his chances of defending his French Open title in jeopardy. The director of Marist's Center for Sports Communication, Jane McManus, joined Cheddar to discuss the ongoing fallout.
Alex Silverman, senior reporter covering the business of sports at Morning Consult, joins Cheddar News to discuss why the number of those betting on sports doubled in 2021 and what's next for the industry in 2022.
Alec Baldwin is facing a lawsuit from the family of a fallen marine, Rylee McCollum, for defamation of Rylee's sister Roice. The lawsuit claims Baldwin, who had donated to a fund for the family of Rylee, called Roice an insurrectionist for being present during the January 6 Capitol riots.
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit is marking the 58th anniversary of its first print issue with the announcement of a new advertising mandate called Pay With Change. The magazine's annual print will now only feature brands who are helping drive gender equality forward, creating a sweeping call to action for the publishing industry. MJ Day, editor-in-chief of SI Swimsuit, joined Cheddar to discuss the goals of the new initiative.
Cost of living in the U.S. is getting higher and higher, as inflation pushes up the prices of everything from food to gas. According to a recent Ipsos poll, more than two thirds of people around the world are feeling the squeeze, and low income households are feeling it the most. Garrett Boorojian, Managing Partner at WaveCapital Partners, breaks down some of the factors driving cost of living and how to adjust your budget accordingly.
Sonia Thompson, inclusive marketing strategist and consultant, breaks down the need to retool the hiring process and how organizations can make for a better workplace environment.
Each year plenty of people decide to kick off their new year's resolutions by participating in what is known as "Dry January." Basically one month without alcohol. The practice has gained popularity as a way for social drinkers to take a break from booze for a bit. However, some people are making the decision to take it beyond January. CMO at Heineken USA Jonnie Cahill, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
On this episode of Cheddar Innovates: Vrai CEO discusses the process of creating lab grown diamonds, Entrupy CEO breaks down how the app uses artificial intelligence to analyze authenticity for luxury goods and sneakers; A look at Curiosity Stream's 'Red Elvis.'
