These are still pandemic times—especially for birds. The world is in the midst of the largest outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza since its discovery in 1996. This strain has affected a wide range of bird species and spread to an unprecedented number of mammals, including humans. This week, Erin Sorrell, Michael Montague, and Richard Bruns argue that outdated trade policies are hampering the benefits vaccination could have for birds, and people.
Ted Alcorn continues his coverage of global gun policies with an interview of Eyal Fruchter, a surgeon in the Israeli Defense Force, and Leah Shelef, a former military mental health officer, on the Israeli military’s suicide prevention tactics. Eliminating off-duty weapons availability, especially on weekends, and improving psychological education are just two of the strategies the United States can use to prevent suicide among its soldiers.
Christina Bouri wraps up this week’s content by shedding light on Lebanon’s crumbling health-care sector. Years of corrupt governance, high inflation, and a lack of health-care staff are all making good, affordable health care less attainable for the average Lebanese person.
As always, thank you for reading. —Thomas J. Bollyky, Editor
