Edition 60: why handing out money to the homeless isn’t such a bad idea

(This newsletter was sent to email subscribers on October 14, 2020.)

Happy Wednesday, muggles. Singapore airlines is taking to the ground in its newest popular offering: lunch aboard a stationary airplane. Even though the meal costs $496, the airline sold out two seatings almost immediately! To follow social distancing rules, the plane is only booked at half capacity. As we all stay put on land, here are some stories worth the visit.

POLICY

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative is putting millions into CA’s prop 15

Mon Oct 12

Did you know that many commercial properties in California have been paying the same property taxes since 1978? Neither did we. Proposition 15 aims to change that by raising taxes to market rate, which could result in $11.5 billion more dollars annually going towards California schools, housing, and local governments.

If Proposition 15 passes, it would…

• Change the rules of Proposition 13 (passed 40 years ago), which made it possible for businesses and homeowners to continue paying taxes based on what their properties were originally worth — say 40 years ago
• Tax commercial and industrial properties, but not residential properties, commercial agriculture, and property owners with less than $3 million in holdings

Why is Zuckerberg involved?

Naturally, it seemed pretty cut and dry with unions on the side of raising taxes on businesses, and corporations against it. Zuckerberg was the first major Silicon Valley leader to endorse the measure because the cap on property taxes has led to underfunding of schools and housing, two issues Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan have prioritized. Through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, they have spent almost $11 million to back this reform.

Recently, Salesforce, led by Marc Benioff, joined those in favor and will be contributing $400,000 in support of Prop 15.

SOURCES: Recode, LAist, Ballotpedia

CLIMATE CHANGE

Doctors are now learning how to address health conditions brought on by climate change

Mon Oct 12

Climate change is not just changing our weather, it’s also impacting infectious disease in the United States. As a result, some medical programs are offering an elective course on the subject. While there isn’t an exact curriculum yet, a framework was recently published that explains changes in care from climate change, suggests ways doctors can adapt, and prepares doctors for when climate change may interfere with care.

Wait, how is climate change affecting healthcare?

The U.S. is seeing an increase in…

• Various diseases including respiratory, cardiovascular, and even the West Nile virus
• Injuries and premature deaths from extreme weather events
• Water-borne illnesses (some studies found wildfires can create toxic drinking water)
• Mental health concerns from those displaced during a disaster

While the framework itself is getting increased support, some doctors have raised concerns.

• Some worry that other programs will be left out to make room for lessons on climate change
• Others worry about the political nature of the subject
• Even those who have treated patients affected by the warming climate and see the need for such education worry these topics won’t make the cut until they’re required on actual licensing tests

SOURCES: NPR, Stat News, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, CDC

HOMELESSNESS

Research shows benefits of giving money to people who are homeless

Fri Oct 9

There’s always been this argument that giving money to the homeless can lead to the wrong outcomes, but a new study from Canada has proved otherwise. The study gave 50 people who were recently experiencing homelessness $7,500 Canadian dollars (about $5,700 USD) and monitored them for 12–18 months. They then compared these 50 individuals to a control group that didn’t receive any payment.

Researchers found that those who received the lump sum:

• Spent more on food, clothing, and rent, while spending less on alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs
• Found stable housing faster
• Secured permanent housing about 12 months before those who didn’t receive the payment
• Were able to access the food they needed faster and maintained greater food security through the year
• Had an average of $1,000 in savings
• Were able to trickle down investments to help children and family members
• Saved the shelter system about $8,100 per person

The group that was studied ranged in age from 19 to 64, and have been homeless for an average of six months. The group was also screened and had a low risk of mental health challenges and substance abuse.

SOURCES: Gizmodo, CNN, Business Insider

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That’s all for today. Have a magical week.✨