Extreme Winter Storms: Environmental Impacts of Public Utility Policies on Vulnerable Populations

Winter Storm Uri, one of the coldest in decades, brought snow and ice to Texas along with record subfreezing temperatures for 5 days February 13-17, 2021, and was followed by Winter Storm Viola, which brought more of the same February 18-19, 2021. Millions of Texans lost electricity and clean, running water for several days, which some suggest was due in part to a state-regulated energy market. Many Texas schools shut down for the entire week, as the death toll rose from these storms due to hypothermia and exposure, carbon monoxide poisoning, fire, drowning, and poor road conditions. Not only were COVID-19 vaccinations halted due to impassable roads but also Texas hospitals struggled to provide electricity and water pressure needed to perform life-saving medical treatments for their patients. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the historic winter storm event, identify vulnerable populations and key public health policies, and highlight the potential environmental public health risks associated with the storms.

Communication strategies to facilitate emergency preparedness for Generation Z and college food pantries: Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of research on college food pantry operations, especially in relation to emergency preparedness and disaster relief. However, there are multiple research studies confirming the efficacy of using social media to communicate with younger adults, especially Generation Z (Gen Z). METHODS: This study examines a college food pantry's social media posts and pantry utilization in a midsize, public university in Texas, prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Collegiate food insecurity was analyzed through the lens of the socioecological model. Social media data during the spring 2019 semester were compared using a two-way ANOVA prior to and following the origination of the COVID-19 pandemic within the state, and pantry utilization over the spring 2019 and fall 2020 semesters was evaluated using a t-test. RESULTS: There were significantly more likes per post on Instagram than other social media outlets, and there were significantly more impressions per post on Twitter as opposed to Facebook, with a trend toward more impressions per posts, after COVID-19. There was no significant difference in food pantry utilization between the fall and spring semester aside from a spike after return following the spring recess, confirmed as Grubb's outlier. Application of the socioecological model emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and multitiered interventions during an emergency, including the use of social media. CONCLUSION: This information can help collegiate organizations reach more students through targeted posting on select social media platforms used by their students. Interdisciplinary, inclusive approaches are recommended to reduce food insecurity for Gen Z students.