Current Event Local Issue
The first week assignment deals with current event affecting populations in the state. Texas remains the most affected state by the current Winter Storm that devastated different parts of the country. As such, this paper discusses the storm as local current event and its ramifications on health care.
Summary of the Article
The Winter storm that occurred across different states in the country has created more problems impeding the transportation and distribution of vaccines against the Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) (Stevens, 2021). However, Texas was the worst hit by the storm and according to an article by Montgomery and Romero, many hospitals lost resources and got more patients. According to the article, the state witnessed chaotic scenes in its health facilities as people require treatment for chronic conditions like dialysis. The state witnessed acute water shortage leading to the officials and public health officers asking Texans to boil. The storm caused widespread power outages with millions going without clean and safe water to drink.
The authors assert that close to 13 million Texans had to boil water for their safety following the breaking and bursting of water mains with the storm bringing freezing rains, snow and very low temperatures. The article notes that many hospitals in the state were transferring patients to other facilities to conserve the few resources at their disposal for acute cases. The author observes that the healthcare system in Texas was experiencing these problems because of its fragility. The article observes that influx of patients requiring dialysis was exacerbating the situation and placing strain on emergency rooks as these individuals need electricity, heat and increased amounts of filtered water to offer care.
Effects of the Issue
The storm in Texas and near overrunning of the state health system affects health care providers as frontline responder to emergencies. The article is categorical that many facilities cannot withstand and are overwhelmed by the influx of patients who require treatment, especially for chronic conditions like dialysis. As a healthcare provider, it is essential to have enough resources in health facilities to cater for populations and patients. The issue requires effective policy as the event has demonstrated the need for robust state health system in collaboration with federal health agencies. The winter storm has affected all aspects of care, especially as the nation grapples with COVID-19 pandemic and the need to vaccinate, ensure that health protocols are observed to reduce infections and more deaths. Health care providers and as a local resident require better services and access for quality living.
Neutrality of the Article
The article is neutral since it shows the effects of the storm on the health system and individuals seeking treatment interventions. The authors are reporting on an issue that has affected different states and their effects on social amenities and response from state and federal officials. The article is neutral as it also paints a picture of the situation in Texas and the need to have effective response measures when such a situation happens.
Influencing Policy in the Future
Nurses and other health providers are patient advocates and seek transformation in health care delivery. Therefore, I will influence the state policy on health care by emphasizing the need to have effective responses by state officials to natural disasters and coming out to support the most vulnerable and at risk populations.
Conclusion
As illustrated, health care policies are critical and allow individuals to access services during disasters and limiting adverse effects. Therefore, the response to the winter storm by state officials in Texas requires comprehensive policy shift in the future for a better population.
Montgomery, D. & Romero, S. (2021). Texas Seeks Relief as Winter Storm Damage Piles Up:
Hospitals in Texas are losing resources and gaining patients. Retrieved on March 1, 2021 from https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/02/18/us/winter-storm-weather-live#hospitals-in-texas-are-losing-resources-and-gaining-patients
Stevens, P. (2021). How the Texas power grid failed and what could stop it from happening
again? Retrieved from https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/17/how-the-texas-power-grid-failed-and-what-could-stop-it-from-happening-again.html
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
- Textbook: Chapters 1, 2
- Lesson
- Local newspaper
- APA style manual
- Citation and Writing Assistance: Writing Papers At CULinks to an external site.
- Library OverviewLinks to an external site.
- How to Search for Articles – the Everything TabLinks to an external site.
Instructions
Find an article in your local newspaper about a local policy issue that affects you. For example, an article concerning your county’s decision to privatize your trash collection service. Summarize the article and explain how this issue affects you. Is the article neutral? Why or why not? How might you influence this policy in the future?
Be sure to include a scanned copy of the article in your submission in addition to citations. There are several free scannable apps on the market such as Scannable. If printing is an obstacle, you may include a hyperlink to the article. However, if the link breaks or can not be accessed the burden falls on you to produce that article or to risk losing points.
Articles may not be more than one month old.
Writing Requirements (APA format)
- Length: 3 full pages (not including title page or references page)
- 1-inch margins
- Double spaced
- 12-point Times New Roman font
- Title page
- References page
Grading
This activity will be graded based on the Current Event Grading Rubric.
Course Outcomes (CO): 1
Due Date: By 11:59 p.m. MT on Sunday