The COVID-19 pandemic has brought with it more than just the expected food and labour shortage within the restaurant industry. Thanks to disrupted supply chains, restaurateurs are having difficulty not only constructing new restaurants but also renovating existing restaurants to adhere to safety protocols. Alex Stupak witnessed this first-hand when he tried to buy reflective tape and plywood to provide outdoor seating. Once cheap and incredibly common, both materials were nigh-impossible to find, let alone get delivered at a reasonable price. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
