I live in Marin County, about 20 minutes from the frontlines of one of the massive Northern California fires raging on today. I write this from my parents’ house -- my daughter and I have left home because it was too smoky and school has been canceled. Many friends have lost homes, are evacuated, or are on advisory to leave at a moment’s notice. Ash covers the front porch of my home, the sun is blazing red as if stuck on sunset mode. Our thoughts turn once more to a population that has not be in the news: Where are the farmworkers? Every fall, thousands of workers fill vineyards and farms across a region that is now in flames, but their stories have largely been untold.  As in Puerto Rico, Mexico, Florida, Texas, and elsewhere, those already held back from a healthy life due to many things beyond their immediate control -- from poverty, language and cultural barriers, transportation issues, lack of access to health care, education, and training, and many other social determinants of health -- are hit the hardest when disaster strikes. Our thoughts and prayers are with all who are affected. We try to carry on as best we can; here are some of the news pieces and resources that crossed the desks of MCN staff this week. 

A New Documentary Celebrates the Life and Work of Dolores Huerta

Alma, Senior Program Manager of Environmental and Occupational Health, recommends this interview with Dolores Huerta about the new documentary celebrating her powerful work as a labor organizer.

HITEQ Center’s Resources: Impact of Emergencies on Protected Health Information and EHR Safety

Candace, Specialist in Clinical Systems and Women’s Health, sent us HITEQ Center’s roundup of resources addressing the impact of emergencies on protected health information and EHR safety, which included Limited Waiver of HIPAA Sanctions and Penalties During Declared Emergency and Emergency Situations: Preparedness, Planning, and Response.

AAPCHO Responds to Trump Administration’s Immigration Priorities

Del, Director of International Projects, Research, and Development, shared AAPCHO’s statement on immigration priorities.  

Honduras Is Pioneering a New Approach to Refugees from Gang Violence

Claire, Writer and Editor, recommends this op-ed exploring how “Honduras Is Pioneering a New Approach to Refugees from Gang Violence.”

These 15 Documentaries Dive Deep Into the Experience of Undocumented Immigrants

Got some down time this weekend? Theressa, Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator, offered up this list of movies, which our dear friend Ricardo Garay shared with her: “These 15 Documentaries Dive Deep Into the Experience of Undocumented Immigrants.”

Stay safe this weekend. Thank you for your continued support of MCN.

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