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New algorithm can track mental health through skin

Researchers at New York University’s Tandon School of Engineering have come one step closer to creating a wearable device that can track mental health.  

For the past seven years, associate professor of biomedical engineering Rose Faghih has developed technology that measures certain brain activity directly connected to a person’s emotional state — specifically electrodermal activity (EDA), through the skin.  

EDA is an electrical phenomenon of the skin that changes based on certain emotional stressors. For example, stress caused by pain, exhaustion or being rushed at work can change a person’s EDA.  

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Faghih and her former PhD student Rafiul Amin were able to, for the first time, develop a novel inference engine that can monitor brain activity through the skin in real time with accuracy and high scalability, according to a statement from NYU.  

Details of the crucial task were recently published in the journal Computational Biology. 

Faghih hopes to eventually create a device that can monitor the wearer’s mental state and “offer nudges” to help them go back to a more neutral state of mind when under stress.  

One example of how the yet-to-be completed device, dubbed MINDWATCH, could do this is by playing relaxing music when the wearer is experiencing a moment of severe work-related stress, according to the statement. 

“Inferring autonomic nervous system activation from wearable devices in real-time opens new opportunities for monitoring and improving mental health and cognitive engagement,” said Faghih.  

The new device was tested on 26 healthy people and showed that it could reliably decipher brain signals and translate them into insights in a matter of seconds.  

The device could have other health benefits beyond adjusting a person’s mental state, according to Faghih.  

The technology could be used to help diagnose a complication of diabetes called neuropathy, or severe nerve damage that causes numbness, pain or weakness.  

Small nerves transmit brain stimulation to parts of the body including those connected to skin conductance response.  

EDA can be measured and monitored regularly on neuropathy-prone areas of the skin like the hands or the bottoms of feet to see if the area has the condition.  

If the wearer does have neuropathy, those small nerves will not be able to transmit anything – and thus will not activate the brain. Observing these changes in brain activity could help physicians determine how the condition has progressed and how to better treat it.  

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USDA says religious schools will be granted automatic Title IX exemption

Religious schools will not be required to follow new Title IX regulations in order to receive federal meal funding, the Agriculture Department (USDA) said in new guidance.

USDA in May announced it would be broadening its definition of sex-based discrimination to include sexual orientation and gender identity, and said schools and other qualifying organizations would need to update their nondiscrimination policies accordingly to receive funding from the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), including for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).

The announcement set off a firestorm of protest from religious institutions who said the new mandate infringes on their rights to freedom of speech and religion, and accused the Biden administration of holding school lunches hostage to further its agenda.

But in a document dated Aug. 12, USDA clarified that it does not require religious schools to submit written requests for a Title IX exemption in order to claim one.

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There are several exceptions to Title IX – the federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination – the department said, including one permitting an institution to be exempt “if there is a conflict between Title IX and a school’s governing religious tenets.”

Earlier this month, the Biden administration said it would grant such an exemption to Grant Park Christian Academy in Tampa, Fla., a private school of 56 pre-K through eighth-grade students from low-income families. 

Attorneys for the school last month sued the administration, along with Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, arguing that a new federal mandate expanding the definition of sex to include sexual orientation and gender identity would hinder its ability to execute its educational mission of helping students develop “lifelong Christian character traits.”

The federal mandate has been the subject of other complaints and legal challenges since it was announced in May. A group of 22 attorneys general in May filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration over the new rule, which they argued is unlawful and unconstitutional, in part because it is “based on a misapplication of U.S. Supreme Court precedents.”

“We all know the Biden administration is dead-set on imposing an extreme left-wing agenda on Americans nationwide,” Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita (R), who is leading the lawsuit, said last month. “But they’ve reached a new level of shamelessness with this ploy of holding up food assistance for low-income kids unless schools do the Left’s bidding.”

In a statement on Friday, Erica Steinmiller-Perdomo, legal counsel at the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), which had been representing Grant Park Christian Academy, said the administration was “rightly honoring” the beliefs of other religious schools across the nation.

“While it shouldn’t have taken a federal lawsuit, at least now, all religious schools like Grant Park Christian Academy who rely on the USDA’s funding to serve nutritious meals to kids in need can continue this vital service in their communities,” she said.

Changing America has contacted USDA for comment. 

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Democrats' impeachment counsel leads NY House primary: poll

The attorney who served as counsel for House Democrats during former President Trump’s first impeachment trial is leading the Democratic primary in New York’s 10th Congressional District, according to a new Emerson College Polling/Pix11/The Hill poll. 

The survey showed Daniel Goldman leading the crowded field with the support of 22 percent of Democratic primary voters. New York State Assemblymember Yuh Line Niou followed at 17 percent support. Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.) and New York City Councilmember Carolina Rivera both received 13 percent support. 

Seventeen percent of primary voters said they were undecided. However, when undecided voters were asked who they are leaning toward ahead of the primary, Godman’s support increased to 24 percent, while Niou’s ticked up to 18 percent. Jones’ support went up to 17 percent and Rivera’s went up to 15 percent. 

Last month, former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-N.Y.) dropped out of the race after his candidacy struggled to gain traction. 

The Empire State’s 10th Congressional District was redrawn earlier this year as part of the decennial redistricting process. The district is represented by Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), who is now running in the 12th Congressional District, facing off in the primary against Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D). The 10th District previously included the Upper West Side and parts of Brooklyn, but now includes all of lower Manhattan and a large section of Brooklyn. 

Emerson College Polling executive director Spencer Kimball predicted that turnout in the Aug. 23rd primary could be low. 

“Overall, the response rate in this survey was low, suggesting minimal voter interest in this race, which may keep turnout low,” Kimbell said. “The results in next Tuesday’s primary will likely be determined by which age and racial demographics have the highest turnout. Goldman has a base of support among those over 50 with 31 percent, whereas voters under 50 are split between Niou at 20 percent, and Rivera at 17 percent.”

“White voters break for Goldman, Hispanic voters break for Rivera, and Asian voters break for Niou,” he added. 

The Emerson College Polling/Pix11/The Hill poll was conducted on August 10-13, 2022 among 500 Democratic primary voters. The margin of error is plus or minus 4.3 percentage points. 

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Climate legislation is finally here: It's time to vote for your future

Just when despair seemed unyielding, when gridlock in Washington was an accepted norm, when extreme heat, droughts and floods wrought suffering and global temperatures hit records, congressional Democrats gave us hope for a better future and a time to be proud of our country.  

Let’s celebrate the landmark climate change legislation they just passed. Combined with the climate change funding included in the infrastructure bill and the CHIPS Act, the U.S. is now a global leader in confronting the greatest challenge of our time.  

But as much as this historic agenda has charted a path towards progress — one that helps protect the planet while fostering sustainable growth — it also faces an army intent on undermining it. We must not forget that Republican support for the Inflation Reduction Act was nonexistent and their support for the infrastructure and CHIPS legislation was meager. 

The planet is warming, sea levels are rising, extreme weather is mounting and staple crops face unprecedented threats. The midterm elections are coming into view and, with our future on the line, we must remember that Republicans don’t seem to care about it. It’s time that we elect those who do. 

Fortunately, we have that opportunity on Nov. 8. The seats of 22 Senate and all House Republicans are on the line, of which 109 — that’s over 50 percent — don’t accept the science of climate change. In addition, there will be elections for Republican governors, state legislators and other elected officials. This includes close to two dozen Republican state treasurers who are thwarting progress by protecting fossil fuel companies and punishing companies that are trying to reduce their emissions. Other Republicans are attacking Wall Street for efforts to factor in the long-term environmental risks when making investment decisions.  

This is our opportunity to ensure a less dangerous and more climate change resilient future. It’s time to get involved politically. If we don’t, then the Republicans will continue to deny, obstruct and delay progress in addressing climate change. 

Here’s the future that the Republicans apparently want for all of us: 

For me, with an estimated remaining life expectancy of 12 years, I will witness a world with heat waves occurring every other year instead of once per century like today and an Arctic melting four times faster than expected, affecting the intensity of the weather where I live. If you live about another 20 years, the chances are very large wildfires will increasingly be scorching the Western U.S., and even the Southeast, including Florida and Georgia. If another 30 years, you will witness disruptions and flooding occurring 10 times more often than today because of sea level rise. If 50 more years, it may feel very crowded in the northern states as millions of people will have moved there for cooler climes. And if born in current times, with 80 years to go, you will face up to seven times the amount of extreme weather as a child born in 1960 and a U.S. up to 12°F hotter. 

Republicans voted in favor of this future — your future.  

It’s time to fight the fight and make the political changes that are essential to our future and that of our country. Republicans are out of sync with what we want and need. Over 70 percent of us believe that the climate is changing, over half understand that it is mostly caused by humans, and 30 percent are very worried about it. In addition, about 60 percent of us think that climate change should be a government priority. It’s time to elect those who accept the facts, and truly represent most Americans.  

Between now and the November general election make sure you are registered and understand your state’s rules associated with early, absentee and mail-in ballots. Volunteer, donate, spread the word door to door and talk to your neighbors who are likely also thinking about climate change, or those who may be deniers. Reach out to unaffiliated and independent voters. There‘s a long list of actions you can take.

If you need a little motivation, consider that most of our youth feel frightened about their future. Now imagine a Republican majority in the Senate or the House. Absolutely frightening for all of us. 

Your future is on the line, and they don’t care about it — it’s time that we elect those who care. 

Mike Hoffmann is professor emeritus at Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and a faculty fellow with the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability. He is lead author of “Our changing menu: Climate change and the foods we love and need (Cornell Press 2021).” He has done a TEDx, “Climate Change: It’s time to raise our voices” and teaches an eCornell climate change leadership course. 

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GOP House hopeful: Calling US a banana republic 'an insult to Banana Republics across the country'

Republican North Carolina congressional candidate Bo Hines said in a recent interview that referring to the U.S. as a banana republic is “an insult to Banana Republics across the country.”

During an appearance on the “The John Fredericks Radio Show,” Hines and Fredericks discussed the FBI’s search of former President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence last week, where authorities reportedly obtained classified documents that Trump took from the White House. 

“You know, a lot of people have likened the situation that’s going on right now as, you know, they say we’re in a banana republic,” Hines told Fredericks, deploying the term commonly used to describe an unstable country that is heavily reliant on natural resources such as produce. 

“I think that’s an insult to Banana Republics across the country,” Hines said, referring to the retail clothing chain of the same name. “I mean, at least the manager of Banana Republic — unlike our president — knows where he is and why he’s there and what he’s doing.”

Hines, a former college football player, also said that it’s time for Congress to address the Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBI “head-on.”

“I mean, we have a president right now that doesn’t know where he is and know who he is or what time it is,” Hines said. “And he’s attempting to run our country at the same time this fourth unregulated branch of government, which is the FBI, the DOJ, targeting Americans every single day.”

“I mean, it’s unbelievable,” he added.  

The Hill has reached to Hines’s campaign for further comment.

Republicans have roundly criticized the FBI and DOJ in the wake of the Mar-a-Lago search, with many saying the move was politically motivated.

In May, Hines won the GOP nomination for North Carolina’s 13th Congressional District, where he is set to face off against state Sen. Wiley Nickel (D) in November. They are fighting to replace Rep. Ted Budd (R), who is running for the North Carolina Senate seat being vacated by the retiring Sen. Richard Burr (R). 

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Five of Salman Rushdie's best books

British-American author Salman Rushdie is on the mend, days after the author of “The Satanic Verses” suffered serious injuries in a stabbing at a lecture in New York.

Rushdie, who has been nominated for the Booker Prize seven times, won the prestigious award in 1981 for his book “Midnight’s Children,” and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth for services to literature in 2007.

He has authored more than 20 books including a children’s novel, Haroun and the Sea of Stories (1990), as well as a book of essays titled Imaginary Homelands (1991).

Here are five of the books that made Rushdie an international literary darling:

Midnight’s Children (1981)

Rushdie’s second novel, “Midnight’s Children,” is set against the backdrop of India’s independence from British rule and follows the protagonist Saleem Sinai – who is born at the exact moment of independence – at the stroke of midnight on August 15, 1947.

The book chronicles the country’s struggles under the weight of the chaotic partition of the Indian sub-continent and the pain and trauma faced by the two new nations – India and Pakistan. 

Interestingly, Sinai is gifted with telepathic powers that connects him to India’s other “midnight’s children,” who were born in the hour following independence. The novel places him at every pivotal moment in the sub-continent over the course of the next three decades. 

Rushdie was born in Bombay (now known as Mumbai) two months before India was given independence. In 1993, the book was picked as the best Booker Prize novel in 25 years.

The Satanic Verses (1988)

His most controversial work – “The Satantic Verses” – is a magical realism work of fiction published in 1988 that resulted in the fatwa against him and was panned by some Muslims who considered the novel to be blasphemous. While his second novel resulted in international acclaim, it was his fourth novel that led to him spending the next decade in hiding. The book’s descriptions of Islam and the Prophet Mohammad garnered fierce backlash from Iran’s former supreme leader, the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. 

Rushdie was criticized for his character’s name in the book – Mahound – which is a medieval corruption of “Muhammad,” according to The Associated Press.

The character was a prophet in a city called Jahilia, which in Arabic refers to the time before the advent of Islam on the Arabian Peninsula, and implies that Muhammad, not Allah, may have been the Quran’s real author.

[RELATED: What you need to know about Salman Rushdie and the fatwa against him]

The Ground Beneath Her Feet (1999) 

Rushdie’s sixth novel, “The Ground Beneath Her Feet,” is set in three cities that prove to be important markers in his life – Bombay, London and New York City. 

The book follows three protagonists: Vina Apsara, a famous rock singer; guitarist and songwriter Ormus Cama, who is her lover and band mate; and the narrator, a tone-deaf photographer known as Rai.

The book is inspired by the myth of Eurydice and Orpheus, where the latter descends to the underworld to retrieve her. Vita is lost in an earthquake in Mexico and Ormus tries to bring her back. The book begins with an earthquake that takes place on February 14, 1989, the same day Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa against Rushdie.

Shalimar the Clown (2005)

His 2005 novel, “Shalimar the Clown,” is set in Kashmir – known as the crown jewel of British India and famed for its beauty. Kashmir has bitterly fought over by India and Pakistan since independence and has resulted in two wars between the countries.

The novel follows as U.S. diplomat Max Ophuls, who worked in the Kashmir Valley, is murdered by his former chauffeur, Shalimar. It is story of love and politics.

The book was named as one of the finalists of Britain’s prestigious Whitbread Book Awards in 2005. However, the reviews of the book panned Rushdie. The New York Times review said that the novel is “hobbled by Rushdie’s determination to graft huge political and cultural issues onto a flimsy soap-opera plot.”

Joseph Anton (2012)

Rushdie wrote about his experience in hiding in his memoir published in 2012 called “Joseph Anton,” which was his alias for a decade while he was on the run following the fatwa. The New York Times noted that the memoir is “a record of his relocation from Bombay to London to New York, where he settled in 2000.”

The name is a combination of his favorite writers: Anton Chekhov and Joseph Conrad.

He told NPR that the alias was necessary so that he could rent property because doing so in his own name would be dangerous.

“And I was asked to make it not an Indian name. And so, deprived of one nationality, I retreated into literature — which is, you could say, my other country — and chose this name from the first names of Conrad and Chekhov: Joseph Conrad, Anton Chekhov equals Joseph Anton,” he added.

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Alaska’s ‘Final Four' voting can be a model for the nation

Regardless of the outcome of this week’s special election, Alaskans are demonstrating to Americans that there’s a better way to elect our leaders — one that encourages politicians to appeal to all citizens, not just the party faithful.     

Tomorrow, Alaskans will use ranked choice voting (also referred to as “instant run-off) to select the person to complete the term of the late Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska). This special election is the first time Alaskans will use “Final Four voting” — an election innovation that replaces party primaries with an open primary and uses ranked-choice voting in the general election.   

One fact is undeniable: At the moment, our democracy is not working. Political discourse is characterized by extreme polarization, nearly unprecedented incivility and legislative dysfunction. However, these are not bugs in our current political system, but rather features working exactly as designed. The incentives built into the system (gerrymandered districts, closed primaries and winner-take-all voting) perpetuate extreme polarization. Those we elect are not rewarded for working cooperatively across party lines to solve our nation’s problems. Rather, consensus builders are more often punished and defeated in their next party primary for not being partisan enough. It’s a structural design problem.    

Final Four voting is designed to change those incentives. With the top four vote-getters in the primary advancing to the general election, it rewards those who work cooperatively, reach out across party lines and appeal to the vast moderate middle of the political spectrum. And, according to researchers on the ground in Alaska, it’s achieving exactly that goal.  

Sightline Institute’s recent report, “In Alaska’s Special Election, A Bipartisan Mindset Makes Sense” noted: “Candidates are making subtle appeals to voters from the opposite party and avoiding attacks across party lines, at least so far…” and “Alaska’s U.S. House special election shows that, at least in some cases, ranked-choice voting can encourage voters and candidates to reach out to the opposite party.” 

In contrast to the “Wall Street Journal’s” recent characterization of the new system as making “a joke of Alaska politics,” we applaud the voters of Alaska for embracing a voting method that is reintroducing reasonableness into the election process. No matter who wins, Final Four voting is a better system that encourages collaboration among elected officials rather than the divisive politics we’ve all come to hate.  

Even before the election, the new incentive system was having an impact. Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s (Alaska) work in the last two years to forge bipartisan compromises on key legislation — from voting rights to infrastructure — is likely attributable to her freedom from a partisan primary. It’s interesting to note that two of the other leaders working across the political aisle with her in such efforts are often Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Independent Sen. Angus King, both of Maine — the only other state which also uses ranked-choice voting in its federal elections.    

Critics have argued that the new system is confusing. Yes, there’s been a lot to confound voters this year. The withdrawal of one of the top four candidates in the special election in Alaska has created some issues as the Final Four is now the Final Three. And the combination of tomorrow’s ballot having both the special “general” election and the primary for the same seat is a bit confusing. But the system is new, and we have faith in the ability of Alaska’s voters to sift through the noise and rank their preferences — just as our military personnel and overseas voters have been doing in at least five states for many years. We would also hope that critics are not suggesting that Alaskans are not as capable as the citizens of Maine, who have successfully used ranked-choice voting since 2018.    

We represent a group of business leaders dedicated to making our democracy work better. As Republicans, Democrats and Independents, we are Americans first, committed to nonpartisan efforts to make our democracy function to produce solutions that are in the common interest. We applaud Alaska’s citizens for approving the innovative ballot initiative that created Alaska’s Final Four voting system. We salute Alaskans for boldly deciding to change their election system.

While change is often difficult, it’s worth the effort.  We all deserve a system that incentivizes our elected officials to work cooperatively to address our nation’s pressing issues. We all deserve a democracy that works. 

Neal Simon is the former CEO of the financial advising firm Bronfman Rothschild. Todd Dipaola is the CEO of the marketing firm InMarket. They represent a coalition of business owners who are in support of ranked-choice voting systems.

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Pfizer CEO tests positive for COVID

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla on Monday disclosed that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and will be going into isolation while he experiences “very mild symptoms.”

Bourla tweeted Monday morning that he had tested positive for COVID-19 despite having received four doses of his company’s COVID-19 vaccine. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the way for second coronavirus booster doses from Pfizer and Moderna to be administered to those over the age of 50 as well as immunocompromised individuals over the age of 12.

“I am thankful to have received four doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, and I am feeling well while experiencing very mild symptoms. I am isolating and have started a course of Paxlovid,” he wrote.

Paxlovid is one of two COVID-19 antivirals that have been authorized for use by the FDA for the treatment of coronavirus, along with molnupiravir from Merck and Ridgeback.

Bourla, 60, added that he was confident that he would have a “speedy recovery” thanks to efforts that have been made over the past few years to combat the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

“I am incredibly grateful for the tireless efforts of my Pfizer colleagues who worked to make vaccines and treatments available for me and people around the world,” wrote Bourla.

Bourla is the most recent high-profile individual to test positive for COVID-19 while publicly disclosing that he has had four doses of Pfizer’s vaccine. President Biden and his chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci both recently tested positive for the virus despite having received second booster doses.

Like Bourla, both men started rounds of Paxlovid after testing positive and would both later experience “Paxlovid rebound,” which is when an individual tests positive again after initially testing negative for the virus shortly after finishing a round of antivirals. A similar phenomenon has been observed among those who use molnupiravir.

Following FDA authorization guidelines, Bourla will likely follow through with two daily doses of Paxlovid over the course of five days. Physicians are not currently permitted to prescribe longer courses as the drug is not fully approved by the FDA, with some public health experts calling for longer courses to be looked into and allowed in order to prevent rebound.

Bourla’s COVID-19 infection occurs as the BA.5 omicron subvariant now dominates the U.S., accounting for nearly 90 percent of current cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The subvariant is believed to be more capable of evading protection offered by immunization and prior infection, though current vaccines are still believed to be effective at preventing severe cases, hospitalizations and deaths.

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Academy apologizes to Sacheen Littlefeather over 1973 Marlon Brando Oscar controversy

The organizers behind the Academy Awards are apologizing to Sacheen Littlefeather nearly 50 years after she famously took to the stage on behalf of Marlon Brando and vowing to focus on inclusivity.

In a June “statement of reconciliation” released Monday by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, President David Rubin acknowledged to Littlefeather that his note “has been a long time coming since the 45th annual Oscars in 1973.

That year, “The Godfather” star Brando declined his Academy Award for the film and had Littlefeather represent him at the ceremony.

Littlefeather said the reasons for Brando rejecting the honor were “the treatment of American-Indians today by the film industry and on television, in movie reruns, and also with recent happenings at Wounded Knee.”

In his letter, Rubin called Littlefeather’s words a “powerful statement,” writing they continue “to remind us of the necessity of respect and the importance of human dignity.”

“The abuse you endured because of this statement was unwarranted and unjustified. The emotional burden you have lived through and the cost to your own career in our industry are irreparable. For too long the courage you showed has been unacknowledged. For this, we offer both our deepest apologies and our sincere admiration,” the Academy president said.

“We cannot realize the Academy’s mission to ‘inspire imagination and connect the world through cinema’ without a commitment to facilitating the broadest representation and inclusion reflective of our diverse global population,” the letter said.

Responding to the Academy’s apology, Littlefeather said in a statement, “We Indians are very patient people — it’s only been 50 years!”

“We need to keep our sense of humor about this at all times. It’s our method of survival,” she said.

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures announced Monday it would host a free Sep. 17 program of “conversation, reflection, healing and celebration” with Littlefeather.

The 75-year-old actor and activist called the program at the Los Angeles museum a “dream come true.”

“It is profoundly heartening to see how much has changed since I did not accept the Academy Award 50 years ago,” she said.

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More than 2,000 California mental health clinicians set to strike this week

Thousands of mental health workers from Kaiser Permanente are going on strike this week in Northern California.   

 More than 2,000 psychologists, therapists, chemical dependency counselors and social workers are expected to hold daily picket lines and rallies outside Kaiser Permanente facilities across the Bay Area, Sacramento and Fresno this week.  

The unionized workers are calling on Kaiser Permanente to provide “desperately needed” mental health services to its patients by boosting the number of providers, among other things.    

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Kaiser assigns roughly one full-time mental health clinician for every 2,600 members in Northern California, and as a result, some patients are left waiting months in between therapy sessions, according to the National Union of Healthcare Workers.  

 “Patients are getting ripped off while Kaiser’s coffers are bulging,” said union president Sal Rosselli in a statement.  

 The National Union of Healthcare Workers represents 16,000 health care workers in California and Hawaii, including more than 4,000 Kaiser mental health clinicians.  

 “We don’t take striking lightly but it’s time to take a stand and make Kaiser spend some of its billions on mental health care,” Rosselli added.  

The strike comes at a time when the rates of anxiety and depression among Americans are rising and have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.   

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that from 2019 to the early days of the pandemic the amount of people suffering from anxiety or depression, or both, tripled.   

Kaiser Permanente said in a statement the HMO has been negotiating with the union for more than a year and that the two key issues are wage increases and the time therapists spend on tasks other than seeing patients.   

 “We are working hard to be ready to meet our patients’ mental health needs during the strike. Beginning this week, our patients will receive care from those mental health clinicians who choose patient needs over the strike, as well as from our psychiatrists, clinical managers, and other licensed professionals,” the organization said in a statement. 

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