Lucy Yama Archives - Washington Square News

All content by Lucy Yama

Opinion: A premature vaccine passport can threaten public health and equity

The vaccine passport has arrived in New York and is being debated around the country. Vaccine hesitancy poses a fundamental challenge to reaching herd immunity – therefore, a vaccine passport is contingent on increased vaccination efforts.

Lucy Yama, Staff Writer • May 6, 2021

The stark ideological and political divide between American conservatives and liberals has been considered a proxy for one’s views on pandemic-related mandates, including mask-wearing...

Opinion: Andrew Yang’s police reform plan is insufficient

New York City needs a mayor that will tackle police brutality with bold and radical reform. Andrew Yang’s current proposal imitates the timid nature of past proposals while simultaneously avoiding the true source of the problem.

Lucy Yama, Contributing Writer • April 30, 2021

In the wake of Derek Chauvin’s conviction, the former officer who murdered George Floyd, New York City mayoral candidates, have renewed calls for police reform. There is a vigorous...

Opinion: New York State’s marijuana legalization bill sets a promising precedent

As the 16th state to fully legalize adult use of marijuana, New York has instituted both corrective and preventative efforts to ensure racial and social equity in the legal cannabis market.

Lucy Yama, Contributing Writer • April 23, 2021

This year’s annual celebration of 4/20 in New York City took on renewed meaning in light of the state’s most recent marijuana-related legislation. On March 31, Governor Cuomo...

OPINION: New York City’s next mayor must prioritize supportive housing

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated New York City’s homelessness problem. Supportive housing is a sustainable solution that addresses both the financial and rehabilitative needs of many homeless individuals.

Lucy Yama, Staff Writer • April 21, 2021

Homelessness is an enduring crisis in New York City. Today, the number of homeless New Yorkers sleeping in shelters increased 40% compared to 10 years ago. This rise does not even...

Dispelling the model minority myth must include Jewish Americans

The national conversations sparked by recent attacks against Asian Americans are necessary and long overdue, but action must also be taken to combat discrimination against Jewish Americans.

Lucy Yama, Contributing Writer • April 6, 2021

The recent attacks on people of Asian descent in Atlanta and New York City sparked a national discourse around hate and intolerance against Asian American communities. While anti-Asian...

New York City has an obligation to vaccinate prisoners

Incarcerated New Yorkers face a higher risk of exposure and death from COVID-19. They should be prioritized in the city’s vaccine distribution plan.

Lucy Yama, Contributing Writer • March 29, 2021

New York City’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan has excluded prisoners, one of the city’s most vulnerable populations. The Legal Aid Society accused Gov. Cuomo and New York...

Vaccine entitlement is unacceptable

Cutting in line for the COVID-19 vaccine threatens marginalized communities and undermines public trust in our healthcare system.

Lucy Yama, Contributing Writer • March 11, 2021

As New York City accelerates COVID-19 vaccine distribution, the threat of vaccine entitlement jeopardizes the lives of the city’s most vulnerable populations. Vaccine entitlement...