Keeping it catastrophic

Well, well, well, here we are again. Another week, another series of events in which as of this week are wildly unfortunate. But hey, only a month left of school, right? So, while you avoid studying for your five upcoming AP tests, take a look at a brief summary of the week. Major news this week included the world’s oldest person passing away, multiple shootings, student debt not quite being wiped out and a man testing positive for bird flu.

April 25 – World’s oldest person passes at age 119

Kane Tanaka, a Japanese woman who held the record for the oldest living person, has died at the age of 119. Tanaka had been confirmed as the oldest living person on March 9 of 2019, and a Guinness World Records profile of her reported that she was born prematurely on January 2, 1903.

Tanaka had previously survived colorectal cancer. Throughout her lifetime, Tanaka raised five children and was part of the family restaurant business. According to Guinness World Records, she consistently woke up at 6 a.m. and filled her time with games of Othello and studying math.

Both former oldest living persons were Japanese women, including Chiyo Miyako, who lived until the age of 117. However, the title of the oldest person ever belongs to a French woman named Jeanne Louise Calment, who died in 1997 at the age of 122 years.

April 26 – People of interest in a shooting death of a mother have been released to the public

East Point police released new photos of people of interest in the shooting death of a mother in front of a recording studio. The police released these photos of people at another business. They believe that they witnessed the shooting. 

Over the last few months, shooting deaths have been rising at recording studios in East Point. The latest killed 26-year-old Tanasia Conwell, a mother of three. Family and friends of Conwell held a vigil for her, while the police still look for her shooter. 

Due to the increase in shooting deaths near recording studios, city officials say that they will be adding restrictions. Anyone who knows the persons of interest or have any additional information about the shooting are asked to contact the investigators. 

April 27 – Teenager found shot on front porch of Clayton County home

On Tuesday night, a 18- year old male was found shot and killed on the doorstep of a home in Clayton County. Officials say that around 10 p.m. police were notified of shots fired in the 4400 block of Richard Road in Conley, Georgia. The victim was found face down and pronounced dead on the scene.

Ms. Yvette, a friend of the victim’s family, said that there was screaming and that she later realized that she knew the victim. Yvette said that the event has traumatized the community due to the fact that the victim was well-liked in the community.

The investigation into the identity of the shooter is ongoing as investigators are searching for evidence in the house. Anyone with information that could lead to a suspect is asked to contact Clayton County police.

April 28 – Why is Biden hesitating to cancel student loan debt?

Lawmakers have been pushing Biden to cancel $50,000 for each of the 43 million federal student loan borrowers. Biden has already canceled more student debt than any president by creating forgiveness and relief programs, but it has not entirely stopped the political pressure.

On Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called on Biden again to cancel the debt using his executive action. Democrats argue that with the flick of a pen, Biden could repair financial issues for millions of Americans.

A report from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget shows the effect of this is possible inflation from 0.1% to 0.5%. Nothing major, but Biden has already received major backlash from the gas price increase.

April 29 – First person in U.S. tests positive for bird flu

A 40-year-old man tested positive for bird flu in Delta County, Colorado. He was working with infected poultry at a commercial farm in Montrose County, Colorado. It was confirmed by the CDC that the man got the virus on April 27 by doing a single nasal test. 

The bird flu is originally an animal health problem that appears to now be transferable to humans. More than 2,500 people tested for the bird flu and got a negative result. The Colorado inmate is the first U.S. citizen to test positive for the bird flu.

 Herlihy said that they have not confirmed yet if he has the virus now or he is a carrier of the virus. One test cannot confirm it, so they are trying other things. Health officials believe that bird flu cannot spread from person to person.