Regardless of political standings, here are five news stories that will shed some positivity post-2016 elections:
Historic Animal Protection Law Passed
On November 8, 2016, Massachusetts voters passed a law that prohibits "breeding pigs, calves raised for veal, and egg-laying hens from being held in confined spaces," defining confined as preventing "the animal from lying down, standing up, fully extending its limbs, or turning around freely." It is also applied to business owners who "knowingly sell pork, veal, or eggs from animals held in this way, even if the source is outside of Massachusetts."
In the United States, about 9 billion animals are killed annually for food. The goal is to avoid needless suffering and torture of animals raised for eggs and slaughter.
Program Pairing Veterans With Service Dogs
94 year-old Irwin Stovroff, WWII airman veteran who returned with PTSD has now helped more than 250 veterans and their families cope with PTSD by providing them with service dogs. He runs the organization (Vets Helping Heroes), making calls to raise funds and spends time talking to vets, along with the help of his own two service dogs, who accompany him everywhere.
"I didn't think I'd get to 21 when I was flying," Stovroff said, "but I'm here and am committed to keep going so we can get more vets the help they need."
The Williams Sisters Have Opened A Resource Center For Victims Of Gun Violence
Venus and Serena Williams opened the Yetunde Price Resource Center in Compton, California in honor of their late older sister who died due to gun violence. Its goal is to provide accessible resources and vital counseling within the community for affected families.
USB Stick Performs HIV test
Scientists in the United Kingdom from Imperial College London and tech firm DNA Electronics have developed a USB stick that efficiently measures the amount of HIV in a patient's blood. It can produce a result in under 30 minutes, in contrast to current tests that can take up to several days to determine results, while also requiring patients to send blood samples to a lab.
While the technology is still in its initial stages, "it could allow patients to regularly monitor their virus levels similar to the way people with diabetes check their blood sugar levels" (Gizmodo).
This disposable test could be used by HIV patients to monitor their treatment, and also makes HIV testing more accessible to help patients in outlying regions of the world where such tests are unreachable.
The Number Of Women Of Color In The U.S. Senate Quadrupled
Tuesday night, the election of women of color in California, Illinois, and Nevada has augmented the count of women of color in the Senate from one to four.
Mazie Hirono, a Japanese-American elected in 2012 to represent Hawaii, was, at first, the only woman of color in the Senate.
Democrat Tammy Duckworth, another Asian woman, won the election, becoming the second woman of color in the Senate representing Illinois.
California Attorney General Kamala Harris, who is black and Indian-American, won the election against her opponent Loretta Sanchez for California's seat - a race that would have led to the addition of a woman of color in Congress either way, as Loretta Sanchez is Latina.
Finally, Catherine C. Masto, who is Latina, won the seat for Nevada against her opponent Joe Heck (Vox).
Out of 100 seats, four is still a small number. But progress is progress - no matter how small - and should be recognized as such.
