Category: COVID-19
COVID-19, Health and Education
by WREN Staff on Aug 17, 2021
In response to school reopening, the state Superintendent of Education, Molly Spearman and State Epidemiologist, Dr. Linda Bell hosted a press conference. They were joined by representatives from the S.C. chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics to discuss the safe return to schools. Spearman, Bell, and the pediatricians all recommended masking and vaccinations as
COVID-19, Economic Opportunity, Health and Education, News
by WREN Staff on Aug 9, 2021
Columbia, SC- Today, Governor Henry McMaster held a press conference on COVID-19 and school reopening. Despite overwhelming evidence that masks are the most effective tool we have to curtail the surge in Covid infections among children, the Governor has refused to take decisive action. Unfortunately, his wishful thinking about “personal responsibility” will hurt children and
COVID-19, Economic Opportunity, News, Policy Updates
by WREN Staff on Jan 5, 2021
As of January 1st, while still in the middle of a public health emergency, Congress decided that emergency paid leave is no longer mandatory in the United States. 87 million workers have lost their guaranteed emergency leave amidst the worsening public health crisis and continued school closures. Rather than extending the requirement for employers to
COVID-19, Economic Opportunity, Freedom from Violence, Health and Education, Leadership and Civic Engagement, News, Policy Updates
Dec 11, 2020
WREN’s policy agenda framework is rooted in the principles of fairness, equity, and inclusiveness, so that all women, girls, and gender expansive** people —of every race, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, family status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression – can prosper and thrive. It reflects the importance of policy that serves
COVID-19, Economic Opportunity, Health and Education, Policy Updates
by WREN Staff on Nov 20, 2020
Millions of people across the country are struggling to get by, including kids who aren’t getting enough to eat because their parents don’t have enough money for groceries and families that are behind on rent and could lose their homes. Programs intended to aid Americans struggling financially due to the ongoing coronavirus will expire at
COVID-19, News
by ACLU, Able SC, P&A, AARP, YWCA of Greater Charleston, WREN on Oct 19, 2020
COLUMBIA – South Carolina disability rights, gender justice, and racial justice advocates today joined forces to urge Governor McMaster to implement protections during COVID-19 and beyond for residents of congregate facilities for seniors and people with disabilities and those who care for them. AARP South Carolina (AARP), Able South Carolina (Able SC), the American Civil Liberties
Advocate Stories, COVID-19, Economic Opportunity, Health and Education
by WREN Staff on Oct 15, 2020
What is paid leave? Paid leave was the number one relief policy voters wanted in recent polling. Paid leave saves lives, and livelihoods, but what is it? Paid leave enables workers to take time to care for themselves or a loved one without risking their job or paycheck. We know that families and the nation
Advocate Stories, COVID-19, Economic Opportunity, News
by Deitra Matthews, Conservation Voters of S.C. on Oct 12, 2020
The phrase “energy poverty” may sound strange, but it’s a vivid reality for far too many here in South Carolina. Energy poverty is reached when a household can no longer afford to pay the full cost of its utility bills and is instead forced to make difficult and often unhealthy decisions. In our efforts with
COVID-19, News
by WREN Staff on Jul 15, 2020
This morning Governor Henry McMaster convened a press conference with leaders from the South Carolina General Assembly to address school reopening in the Fall. The Governor and others emphasized the importance of choice in deciding whether students have in-person instruction or continue virtual learning. However, without guaranteed paid leave from their jobs, parents do not
COVID-19
by Melissa Moore on May 26, 2020
I’m living a blessed life online these days. I just celebrated Mother’s Day, a couple of birthdays, and a handful of happy hours in front of my laptop. Virtual boot camp classes have been boosting my heart rate every weekday morning before I sign onto Zoom for my daily staff check-ins. After I log a