Bus Strike Ends and Dangerous Schooling
A federal mediator is stepping in and bus drivers will be returning to work by Saturday, some already back in the saddle this morning, after a tentative agreement between for profit operator Keolis and Teamsters Local 533. As previously noted by the union, the nearly two-week strike impacted mostly the less affluent, particularly those relying on public transportation to get to their medical appointments. Here’s one comment we got on Facebook today, alluding to the combined effects of the strike and smoky skies: “Between the smoke and the buses not running I've been pretty much stuck home. I have a very bad heart and have had multiple surgeries and am extremely sensitive to it. I can't even open my windows right now and it's definitely taking a toll on my mental health.”
Speaking of mental health, we sent our kids back to school this week in smoky conditions outside, in crammed classes inside, with just their masks for the under 12 group amid a surging Delta variant. At UNR, faculty mandated to be vaccinated themselves to teach, or pay for their own regular testing, are trying to get similar rules for students. One COVID-19 positive parent apparently knowingly sent an equally positive child to the Marce Herz elementary school, two days after their tests, forcing dozens of non vaccinated middle schoolers into a ten-day quarantine. “We are not seeking to invest our limited resources in bringing charges against the parent at this time,” the health district said in a statement. “We are seeking cooperation from our community members.” Should they press charges though? In 45 states, it’s illegal to keep your HIV status secret.
Our podcast this week is with Mark Salinas and how to make public art better for the communities already living here, and not as an exclusionary, purely gentrifying agent. We also posted an anonymous citizen’s forum about someone quitting their job after being forced to work outside in the unhealthy air without any protection. Photographer Carley Olson shared an essay and photo series on resistant local flora. As part of our #keeprenogreen series we also gave an update on Urban Roots, which has been through many challenges but perseveres in its second decade as a leader in the growing non-profit small garden planting to table movement.
Did you know we now have a Tik Tok? Follow us there if you enjoy that app. Recent videos include enjoying the Truckee River and Reno Riviera despite the smoke and going to hump day Feed the Camel food trucks on Wednesday nights.