SNBC NEWS FOR LIFE SUNDAY OCTOBER 17th, 2021

Local politician wants NC LT. Governor to resign over comments
North Carolina’s first black Lt. Governor, Mark Robinson is being criticized for comments he made this summer at a church. Robinson made comments about the use of graphic materials in schools that have been approved for school curriculum. Robinson said children in America should not be exposed to transgenderism, homosexuality, or any filth. The comments were met with praise from conservatives and the audience at that church. LGBT community leaders say the comments could be “hurtful” and would they want to talk with Robinson concerning the comments. Local representative North Carolina State Senator Jeff Jackson, who represents Mecklenburg County, says North Carolina does not need open discrimination from a high-ranking public official. Jackson is calling for Robinson to resign. Lt. Governor says he was not operating in his officials at the church but speaking as a person holding onto his religious beliefs and did not target a particular group. A demonstration was held in Raleigh to protest Lt. Governor Robinson. He is expected to be a front-runner in the upcoming North Carolina Governors’ race. 

LEGO announces controversial change to toy line
Just in time for the holiday shopping season LEGO is announcing some changes to their company line. The toy company announced they will no longer market their toys to certain genders. According to the announcement the company says that their research finds girls feel less restrained by gender biases when it comes to creative play, and they want to help girls and boys who battle prejudice to play with toys not associated with gender. The company says 7-thousand parents were surveyed in the study. LEGO is now working with the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media and UNICEF to “ensure LEGO products and marketing are accessible to all and free of gender bias and harmful stereotypes.”  The company did not actually survey any children that consider themselves gender non-conforming, according to the study information. Previous companies including Mattel announced they would produce gender non-conforming toys. Critics have called these decisions a mistake and a plot to influence impressionable children. 

SNBC news updates: Texas, Florida, and New York 
The governor of Texas has joined a growing list of governors defiant of the Biden Administration. Governor Greg Abbott has announced the state will not issue mandate requirements for businesses, employees, or customers in that state. The Biden administration recently announced this summer mandatory covid shot requirements for all businesses and governments places of employments with 100 employees or more.  Abbott has further issued an executive order banning shot requirements for local governments and schools. 

The governor of Florida Ron DeSantis also recently announced a similar ban. A county in that state has already been fined 3.5 million dollars for mandating the shot. DeSantis is another governor who has resisted and is a vocal opponent of mandates. 

A justice has ruled the state of New York must accept religious exemptions for employees who file the request to refuse the shot. US Northern District Justice David Hurd granted a temporary injunction that blocks New York State and employers from enforcing mandates against medical staff with legitimate religious exemption requests. Most staff in the medical field with this request was suspended following the September 27th deadline in New York. There was also news this week that OSHA has not actually created an official mandate, only a draft. Most critics believe companies acted on the mandates too quickly instead of fighting back in court. 

SNBC Health report a top doctor is calling for more research concerning a medicine. 
Professor Dr. Eli Schwartz with Sheba Medical Center in Israel is commenting over a drug widely debated in the press; Ivermectin. The drug is being credited by patients and doctors as a method to help combat Covid-19 with minimal chance of side effect. According to Schwartz, more research needs to be done on the medication as a line of defense against the virus. The doctor has worked with Travel Medicine and Tropical Disease Institute in various areas around the world. He was also assigned to help find a solution for the illness by the Israeli Defense Ministry. The doctor says Ivermectin was used as part of his research with the Tropical Disease Institute, and it was found to have antiviral activities. According to his research 84 percent of patients recovered in four days when given the medicine, and 94 percent recovered in just six days. Dr. Schwartz says Ivermectin works faster and killed the virus with the additional benefit of making patients non-infectious. Several media outlets have called the medicine “horse medicine” or a
de-wormer.  The stigma around Ivermectin has caused several medical journals to decline publishing the study, except one which is currently reviewing the doctor’s findings.

SNBC NEWS NOTE: Critics claim Ivermectin is a “horse de-wormer”; this accusation is incorrect. The medication has three versions: Avermectin- used on animals, Ivermectin (version one) used for horses and dogs, and Ivermectin (as second version) used exclusively for humans. The medication has also been praised in previous research.Three doctors: Dr. William C. Campbell, Dr. Satoshi Omura, and Dr. Tu Youyou won the 2015 Nobel Prize for Medicine for their work with the three versions of this drug. The medications were used to treat Malaria and parasitic worms around the world in underdeveloped countries. Some critics believe the medication is dangerous due to the FDA’s hesitancy to approve the medication for COVID-19 treatment. The FDA claims there is still no evidence of Ivermectin’s effectiveness concerning COVID-19. 

SNBC NEWS FOR LIFE SUNDAY OCTOBER 10th, 2021

LA announces strictest covid mandates in the nation
The city of Los Angeles has passed the strictest covid shot mandate in the nation. The city council passed 11-2 a sweeping mandate this week. Starting November 4th all patrons of indoor spaces (gyms, restaurants, movie theaters, stores), must show proof they have received the covid shot. Those who have received medical or religious exemptions must also present proof to enter buildings. Mandates will also apply to outdoor venues of five thousand or over to show proof of the covid shot or a negative test. The policy has been criticized for its clear prejudiced towards those who have refused the shot. Limiting access to venues is seen as pressure and clear discrimination by critics. New York city has also issued a similar strict mandate for its residents. The mandate in that city is strict, but not as extensive as Los Angeles. The Los Angeles city council also recently implemented mandatory covid shot requirements for children attending public school ages 12 and up. The policy will also be required statewide. Governor Gavin Newsom says of the shot for students’ other vaccines are already mandated and his belief in the shot justifies its requirement to attend public school in California. Breaking news from Charlotte- The city will now require new hires to receive the covid shot. Current employees do not have to receive the shot, but could lose benefits from the health incentive package offered by the city of Charlotte.

LA Times publishes study admitting vaccine efficacy is waning
The announcement of covid shot restrictions and mandates in LA comes at an interesting time. The city’s newspaper, the LA Times recently released an article, confirming the covid vaccine shots are waning in its effectiveness.  The LA Times recently confirmed Pfizer’s vaccine protection does in fact wain overtime. This is something that most critics of the shot have been saying for quite some time. In a new study the paper found effectiveness of the shot fell 47 percent in just five months. The study was published and funded by Pfizer, with the findings published in a medical journal. The study shows evidence that the efficacy would have waned even without the introduction of any suspected new strains of the virus. Another study by researchers at Emory University and Stanford University also found young adults and middle-aged adults who took the shot had a reduced immunity against the virus, in particular mutated strands. This story is significant because most vocal critics have stressed the efficacy of the shots but were largely ignored by secular media. The LA Times is one of the first major publications now questioning the shot’s effectiveness. 

  US Justice Department announces investigation of parents who protest at school board meetings
Parents across the US are protesting a new and controversial order from the US government. The US Justice Department has been assigned to investigate parents who show hostility towards school boards. The order was issued after complaints from the National School Board association. The organization claims parents protesting at school board meetings is the equivalent of domestic terrorism. US Attorney General Merrick Garland later issued the order for US attorneys and the FBI to help with these investigations. Parents across the nation have been vocal in protesting new school curriculums such as critical race theory, controversial rights for transgender students, and mask and shot mandates concerning covid-19. Republican representatives criticized the decision. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy tweeted this latest decision by the Democrat Party is a disturbing trend to silence parents. Senator Ted Cruz says Biden has not kept his promise not to weaponize the Department of Justice. Several education organizations called the efforts an attempt by the Justice Department to intimidate parents. 

SNBC Health report: Scientists give warnings about lab created meats
Researchers are warning about the dangers of artificially created meat. Supporters of this factory produced meat say the product will help the environment. The cost of animal care, production and costs to consumers would also go down according to pro-lab meat supporters. Researchers however believe this form of alternate meat will cause more problems down the road. According to experts the first problem is this meat is not naturally produced from animals. They believe this can cause serious issues long term. Researchers believe lab created meats could cause chronic illnesses, obesity, and other health issues. Researchers in their findings reported that alternatives such as Beyond Meat and Impossible Burgers also contain an unhealthy number of processed items. Those alternative meat sources contain at least 68 percent of linoleic acid which could lead to long term health issues. The oil is used to add a healthy fat to these produced meat sources. Experts also mentioned the effects on the environment may be the opposite of what supporters claim. The study researchers advised eating real foods as an alternate to lab or alternative meat sources or limiting meat from your diet if you want to cut back. Please note there are still some nutrients that are found only in meat and supplements/or other sources with medical advice could be used to receive those benefits. 

SNBC NEWS FOR LIFE SUNDAY OCTOBER 3rd, 2021

Charlotte-Mecklenburg County votes in favor of county wide mask mandate
The Charlotte Mecklenburg County board voted in favor of an indoor mask mandate county wide. The vote was made in mid-August with the rule going into effect on August 31st. There was some confusion about where exactly the indoor mask mandate was required; here is a brief rundown. In Mecklenburg County all schools, private or public, are mandated to wear masks indoors. Children as young as 5 are required to wear masks indoors. Ages 5 and up are also required to wear masks inside all businesses and buildings, public and private. Board members during the meeting said the rule was to help stop the spread or covid 19 and protect the vulnerable in the county. County Health Director Gibbie Harris said during the meeting that the masks protect and the shots work, encouraging county residents to get the covid shot. Churches, wedding events and funerals and residential homes are the only areas exempt from mask mandate requirements. Many board members previously voiced concern that churches in the Charlotte area would sue and win just like churches nationwide. The mandate passed 6-2 with only Pat Cotham and Ella Scarborough voting against it. Cotham in her comments said she wanted other towns in the county to choose for themselves. The mandate is supposed to be lifted if Mecklenburg County stays under 5 percent positive cases and stays under that for 30 days. A month after the mandate the county is at ten percent positive rates. (Critics at the board meeting and by live stream pointed out that the board acted on emotions, not science. Some continued by referencing accredited institutions - ex. Harvard University that conducted studies with proof that masks do not work as well a previously thought. Many commented that masks and rules are now about control and not stopping the spread of the illness).

NY Governor says God wants people to take covid shot
The new governor of New York is pushing the covid shot and using some inspirational words to appeal to skeptics. Governor Kathy Hochul recently spoke with parishioners at the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn. During the speech the governor encouraged those present to convince others to receive the shot. Governor Hochul said,” I need you to be my apostles. I need you to talk about it and say (to skeptics) we owe it to each other. There are people out there who are not listening to God and what God wants. You know who they are.” She continued claiming because Jesus taught us to love one another people should get the shot to show they care. Hochul also called those who received the shot smart people, and that God sent smart men and women to create this shot to combat the virus. The governor also boasted about a necklace she wears that has the word “Vaxed” on it.  The comments by the governor were made after mandates for healthcare workers became mandatory in New York in September. Several employees have walked off the job in New York making some hospital departments short staffed as a result. The New York Times is reporting thousands of employees did receive the shot ahead of the mandate. New York is one of the strictest states in the nation for employees requiring covid shots. Despite the governor’s claims about her faith, the state government will not be allowing religious exemptions for state and private business employees. The state’s former governor forced all religious institutions closed over the past year claiming the spread was mainly due to churches and synagogues refusing to close. Governor Cuomo later resigned after several sexual harassment claims by several women.

Video streaming service bans Covid “anti-VAX” content
Social media giant YouTube has announced the company will ban all videos that are in opposition to the covid shot. The company says it will ban anti-covid shot advocates. The ban will go into effect immediately. YouTube executives said in their statement that the ban is to help combat “false information and those who are spreading false claims about vaccines in general. The company also said bans will include claims of the covid shot causing cancer, infertility, and other side effects. YouTube will allow videos against the covid shot if the author is talking about a personal experience, but they still must follow the platform’s guidelines. The ban has been widely criticized by critics who call it an infringement on first amendment rights. Dr. Joseph Mercola one of those banned says his channel was immediately taken down without notice and called the ban an override of free speech. Among those banned: The National Vaccine Information center, Mercola.com, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s channel, Children’s Health Defense organization. 

SNBC Health report: Researchers’ find link between Vitamin D and Albumin
 Researchers continue to find more benefits from Vitamin D this time when combined with albumin. Researchers studied the two nutrients concerning building natural immunity against viral illnesses. In their studies it was found that patients who were deficient in Vitamin D were also deficient in albumin. This discovery was important because albumin is found in the liver and helps the body absorb vital nutrients into the bloodstream. The researchers concluded their study verifying that Vitamin D was significant in defense of the body from viral illnesses. Including sunlight Vitamin D can be naturally found in foods such as herring, mackerel, liver, and egg yolks. Albumin is used in the body to help with nutrient absorption and helps replenish the body’s blood supply in addition to its benefits to the vascular system. It can naturally be found in eggs, nuts, and dairy.

SNBC NEWS FOR LIFE SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 26th, 2021

US House of Representatives passes funding for Israel
The US House of Representatives has approved of funding for Israel’s Iron Dome. The one-billion-dollar funding was previously pulled as part of the government spending bill. The pressure to pull the funding is blamed on mainly eight progressive Democrats nicknamed the squad. The group of politicians, in particular Illhan Oman, Rashida Tlaib and Alexandria Oscasio-Cortez are liberals and fierce opponents of Israel. The representatives claim Israel is occupying Palestine and have encouraged boycotting the nation. The bill called the Iron Dome Supplemental Appropriations Act passed 420-9. All eight members of the group nicknamed the squad voted against it or abstained from voting. One Republican, Tom Massie also voted against the bill. It is now expected to go to the Senate, where it is expected to pass. The Iron Dome is Israel’s form of defense that launches missiles to intercept and stop missile attacks from the nation’s enemies such as Hamas and other terrorist organizations. The nation of Israel is the only Democracy in the Middle East. Israeli officials applauded the bill’s passing. 

Satanic Temples sues for religious exemption for abortions in Texas
The Satanic Temple has filed a lawsuit against the state of Texas. The lawsuit was filed recently on behalf of a member the organization referred to as Ann Doe. In their statement the organization says the state’s new ban on abortion after six weeks is a violation of the woman’s religion. According to the Satanic Temple’s website the ban violates what they call a religious abortion ritual. The ritual is allegedly apart of a ceremonial affirmation of self-worth and body autonomy. According to the group abortion is a part of this ritual and has been compromised due to the new restrictions in Texas. Representatives of the Satanic Temple claim because abortions are a part of their religious beliefs that the state attorney general Ken Paxton should also work to allow exemptions for this ritual the same way Native Americans are allowed to use peyote, which is a hallucinogenic drug used for their religious ceremonies. The state of Texas recently passed Senate bill 8 also nicknamed the heartbeat bill. The law bans abortions in the state after a heartbeat is detected, usually when a woman is around six weeks pregnant. 

SNBC Covid watch: North Carolina, Australia, Nebraska
In North Carolina,hundreds of Novant Health employees have been suspended for refusing to receive the covid shot. According to reports 375 workers across 15 hospitals, clinics, and outpatient facilities were suspended. Representatives for the hospital system say 98 percent of their employees have taken at least one shot, or were granted a religious or medical exemption. Employees who received the shot now have until October 15th to receive the second dose. Employees who received exemptions must now wear hospital approved masks, protective gear, and submit to weekly tests.  

In Australia violence broke out during anti-shot protests. This time that nation’s construction workers are protesting mandatory covid shots. Thousands protested after construction sites were shut down for two weeks due to protests and a rise in covid-19 cases. Some workers clashed with police in Melbourne after the mandate was announced. Union representatives blamed the violence on right wing extremists. The construction workers have until October 5th to receive at least one dose of the covid shot. Melbourne according to the area’s governor will be on lockdown until at least 70 percent of eligible residents have received the shot. 

In Nebraska four college students have filed a lawsuit against a university. The students’ filed a lawsuit against Creighton University for refusing religious exemptions concerning the covid shot. The refusal was a surprise since the university was founded by the Catholic Church. The university had previously allowed medical exemptions, but has not granted religious exemptions. Attorneys for the students say they have religious objections because of the process used to develop the shots, (which were developed or tested on abortion derived fetal cell lines) and a Catholic university should not place students in a position to violate the church’s teachings. Representatives for the university say they are currently reviewing the lawsuit.  Also, here in Charlotte the city council recently passed an indoor mask mandate. We will have a full story on the mandate next week. 

SNBC HEALTH REPORT: the health benefits of pumpkins
 For those who don’t know or not a part of the PSL or pumpkin spice latte fan group, there is a lot more to the pumpkin than just a popular drink, a pie, or a decoration at Thanksgiving. First, it’s a fruit, not a vegetable, but it is a part of the winter squash family. This fruit is known for its high nutritional value and is rich in vitamins A, C, B2, and E. It also has at least 10 percent of three other daily recommended nutrients: potassium, copper, and manganese. Pumpkins are low in calories and help boost immunity. It’s high antioxidant content help fight against chronic illnesses including heart disease, helps lower the risk of eye disease and protects the body’s cells against damage from free radicals. Nutrients found in pumpkins help promote healthier skin, and pumpkin seeds are also beneficial to bladder and hearth health. This fruit is very versatile and can be consumed in a variety of ways; researchers advise avoiding this fruit if you have an allergy and please keep in mind that most pumpkin based foods are loaded with sugar and you will not receive the same benefits. (So, there’s probably no nutrients in your pumpkin spiced latte, but you can still enjoy it in moderation.)

SNBC NEWS FOR LIFE SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 19th, 2021

Employees quit jobs in protest of covid shot mandates in
US & Australia
Employees are taking a stand against shot mandates. A hospital announced the shutdown of its maternity ward after several employees walked off the job. Six members of the Lewis County General Hospital in New York state, resigned in a sign of solidarity against being forced to take the COVID shot. Hospital representatives say they still have seven other members of the staff in that department that have not decided on whether they will take the shot. The administration announced due to the shortage of staff they will suspend the delivery of babies at the hospital until further notice. Officials say five other departments’ services in the hospital may also be suspended if staff quite due to the mandate. State officials in New York announced mandatory shot mandates for hospital staff and long-term care staff. The deadline for employees is September 27th.  A similar protest occurred in Australia recently. Truck drivers in South Australia threatened to stop driving supplies to the region if they were forced to take the shot. The boycott would have affected all regions of South Australia including the shipment of food to the region. The mandate was quickly ended following the threat of the boycott. 

Mayor issues demands entire School board resign after controversial book
The mayor of Hudson, Ohio has taken a stand against a disturbing curriculum approved by the city’s school board. During a meeting the mayor, Craig Shubert told the school board that he expected each of them to resign or face criminal charges. The demand for the board’s positions is over a controversial book ‘642 things to write about’. The book used by some high school students in the school district asks students to describe various disturbing situations. Sexual activity, including writing about a sex scene to show or not show your parents, graphic violence, and underage drinking. The mayor says he and his staff have apologized for the curriculum. Shubert continued telling the Hudson Board of Education that they would either resign or face prosecution on child pornography charges. The mayor told the crowd and the board that he had consulted with the courts and the charges could be filed against them. Hudson City Schools Superintendent Phil Herman later apologized for the controversy calling the content of the book inappropriate and offensive writing prompts". The books were pulled following the controversy. The principal of the school has also apologized saying none of the inappropriate topics were selected, but they were in the book and could not be unseen. (Additional side notes: students alerted parents to the disturbing content of the book. The book is also listed at online bookstores as for ages 18 and up. This information means it should not have been selected for high school students since the majority are considered underage for the content.) Other examples from the book include questions such as: describe what you would do if you caught your lover cheating…if your uncle’s child died at night describe the night sky. Additional scenarios from the 642 things young writers edition: write about something you love to hate, write about a crush following you home.

 Health Department issues mandate to private school
A private Christian school in Colorado is facing a mandate: comply or be shutdown. The mandate was issued by the local health department in Loveland, Colorado.  Health Department officials says the rise in cases in the school is cause of alarm; they claim Resurrection Christian School has experienced 36 confirmed cases and 12 possible cases since school resumed on August 17th. The health department is also requiring the school to comply with all their covid protocols. The protocols include social distancing, universal mask mandates for staff and students, complete rosters of students, including the vaccination status for all students and staff, and requiring quarantine and contract tracing for all close contacts of students and staff who have not received the covid shot or tested positive in the past 90 days. The school’s superintendent say parents have the right to have their child receive the shot or wear a mask. The school is currently seeking legal counsel concerning their rights in the case. 

SNBC HEALTH REPORT the health benefits of pomegranates
This traditionally fall fruit is beneficial to the brain and the human body in other ways. Just one cup of pomegranate seeds provides seven grams of fiber and three grams of protein. The fruit is considered a great source of vitamins K and C. Pomegranates are high in antioxidants and helps reduce inflammation in the body. It also assists the brain concerning memory function. Researchers believe the nutrients in pomegranates help improve workouts and workout recovery. This fruit can be consumed in supplement form or juice and still contains it benefits. Pomegranates are traditionally harvested between September and December and is considered a good choice to add to your food regimen for the fall season.