Podcast Summary
School closures caused significant harm to children academically: Studies show larger drops in test scores for students in remote or hybrid instruction, causing kids to fall more than half a year behind in math on average.
The school closures during the pandemic, which were widely supported by legacy media and Democrats, caused significant harm to children academically, with studies from Stanford, Harvard, and the National Assessment of Educational Progress showing larger drops in test scores the more time students spent in remote or hybrid instruction. The closures did little to stop the spread of COVID or protect children, and the damage was particularly pronounced on the district level, with kids falling more than half a year behind in math on average. The New York Times, which initially defended these policies, has now acknowledged these facts, albeit four years later. Elsewhere, Tyson Foods is facing backlash for recruiting illegal immigrant workers, and an autopsy has shed light on media bias in the reporting of a teen's death.
School closures during pandemic widened achievement gaps and caused social-emotional harm: The pandemic led to school closures, widening achievement gaps and causing social-emotional harm, especially in low-income districts. The debate around reopening schools was contentious, with strong opposition from teachers' unions and Democratic politicians.
The shift to remote learning during the pandemic was a major contributor to widening achievement gaps, particularly in low-income districts. The study also highlighted the negative impacts of halting extracurricular activities, including social and emotional harm. Despite this, fear rather than data drove many policy decisions during the pandemic. Critics of policies that prioritized reopening schools were accused of disregarding student safety, with some even being labeled as "death angels." The media, including The New York Times, ran coverage that often sided with those advocating for remote learning and mask mandates. Even after the dust had settled, some outlets acknowledged the harm caused by school closures but only years later. For instance, The Washington Post argued that it's easier to criticize policies after the crisis has passed. It's essential to remember that the debate around school closures was contentious, with strong opposition coming from teachers' unions and Democratic politicians.
COVID-19's Impact on Children and Tyson Foods Hiring Illegal Immigrants: Children are at low risk from COVID-19 and school closures haven't harmed their academic, mental, or physical health. Tyson Foods hires illegal immigrants for labor, offering perks and facing backlash from investors
Children are at low risk from COVID-19 and school closures, social distancing, masking, and testing have had no detrimental effect on their academic achievement, mental health, and physical health. At the same time, parents who advocated for normal schooling were often met with harsh treatment. On another note, Tyson Foods is recruiting illegal immigrants for labor, offering perks like legal assistance and on-site childcare to attract them. The company has hired dozens of migrants and is planning to bring in many more. Tyson has a history of helping illegal migrants, having paid for over a thousand workers to become US citizens last year. The immigrants are reportedly very loyal and seek stability. However, Tyson's actions have sparked backlash from investors.
Tyson Foods' Controversial Hiring Plan: Tyson Foods aims to hire 42,000 more immigrants and refugees, facing controversy over potential impact on native-born American wages and illegal immigration. The company is looking to hire 52,000 new employees due to high turnover rate, offering $16.50/hour and benefits.
Tyson Foods' plan to hire 42,000 more immigrants and refugees has been met with controversy due to concerns it incentivizes illegal immigration and undercuts native-born American wages. Critics argue that the company's actions are "America last" and a betrayal to long-term employees, particularly those affected by the closure of a Perry, Iowa facility and subsequent layoffs. The controversy has led to financial backlash, with the American Conservative Values ETF divesting from Tyson and rating its stock as "refuse to buy." Despite this, Tyson, which currently employs around 120,000 people in the US, is looking to hire 52,000 new employees due to a high turnover rate for frontline workers. The starting wage for these jobs is $16.50 per hour and includes benefits. Tyson has faced challenges in managing the public perception of its hiring practices, with some employees expressing deep sadness and frustration over the Perry facility closure. The company maintains that any suggestion it is cutting American jobs for immigrant workers is false.
Illegal migration and labor issues in New York City: The influx of illegal migrants in New York City creates a large labor pool, attracting companies like Tyson. However, allegations of labor violations persist, and accurate reporting is crucial to prevent misinformation.
The influx of illegal migrants into New York City has created an attractive labor pool for companies like Tyson, despite allegations of labor violations. New York has seen an increase of over 180,000 illegal migrants in the past two years. Tyson, who faced a labor department probe last year over allegations of child labor, maintains a zero-tolerance policy for child labor. Meanwhile, a tragic story involving a 16-year-old Oklahoma teen, Nix Benedict, was initially reported as an anti-trans violence case but was later revealed to be a drug overdose. Benedict, who identified as non-binary, died a day after a fight in a school bathroom. However, an autopsy showed that Benedict died from drug intoxication, which was intentional. Contrary to initial reports, there was no evidence of Benedict hitting her head or suffering visible injuries during the fight. It's unclear what pronouns Benedict regularly used, as her mother used female pronouns during a police interview. The real story was that Benedict reported being bullied by girls and threw water at one of them during the fight. The media uproar surrounding Benedict's death was based on incorrect information, highlighting the importance of accurate reporting.
Media reports on Benedict's death fueled division: Be cautious of media reports, ensure evidence-based reporting to avoid fueling division or making political statements without sufficient facts.
The death of Benedict, a non-binary teenager, was initially reported by some media outlets as being related to a school fight and bullying, despite no direct evidence linking the two. The focus on this connection was criticized for potentially inflaming division and making a political statement without sufficient evidence. Benedict's autopsy revealed an overdose of Benadryl and Prozac as the cause of death. The student who instigated the fight was initially a suspect but was later not charged. It's important to be cautious about the information we consume from media sources and ensure that reports are based on solid evidence rather than speculation or assumptions. The tragic death of Benedict serves as a reminder to approach sensitive stories with care and accuracy.
Shepherd's tragic love story revealed: The investigation into Shepherd's death uncovered a shocking revelation about his romantic involvement with one of his killers, adding complexity to the story and highlighting the importance of thorough reporting.
The untimely death of Shepherd, a prominent figure, was most likely due to a drug deal gone wrong. An unexpected revelation came to light much later, which added a tragic layer to the story. Shepherd had been romantically involved with one of his killers. This revelation not only shed new light on his death but also raised questions about the complexities of human relationships and the motivations behind violent crimes. It serves as a reminder that the truth is often more intricate than it initially appears and that every person has a unique story to tell. The investigation into Shepherd's death highlights the importance of thorough reporting and the role it plays in bringing clarity to complex situations. It's a reminder that even in the darkest of stories, there is always something new to discover.
