Jun 01, 2020
Our country is hurting. From the virus of the last few months to the violence of the last few days, many of us are reaching our limit. Let’s come together to pray for and work for peace while we demand justice. Heritage Foundation President Kay C. James shares an important perspective. She also marks the weekend's important milestone of sending two American astronauts to space. Regarding the spread of COVID-19, Heritage’s Center for Data Analysis has found that new cases and fatalities are concentrated in small areas. Learn more about why they say that broad lockdown restrictions go too far in most areas, and not far enough in hotspots. Overseas, China is rapidly expanding its influence (and surveillance systems) in Africa. The U.S. needs a plan to address this influence and espionage. Find out what Heritage’s expert on Africa, Joshua Meservey, says Washington can do right now to counter this. Lastly, Heritage headquarters is still closed, but social distancing isn’t stopping us from hosting great events that you can “attend” online! Check out our list of upcoming webinars to find an event that interests you <[link removed]>.
How America Can Stand for Peace While Demanding Justice <[link removed]>
In the days after George Floyd’s
death in Minneapolis, Americans are struggling to make sense of the unjustified killing of an unarmed black man by a white police officer. Recorded for the world to witness, it has shocked our conscience. Heritage Foundation President Kay C. James, writing for FoxNews.com, says Floyd’s horrific and needless death must serve as a turning point to finally end the ugly racism that stains our nation’s history. “Individually, we can make a difference by promoting peace and prosperity for all people, knowing that life is better for everyone when we as Americans succeed together. It will take courage to speak up, but it is the only way we can overcome racism and the problems plaguing our nation. Simple acts like starting a dialogue with a neighbor or teaching your children the difference between right and wrong can have a profound impact now and for generations to come.” Read her powerful words and call to action. <[link removed]>
1% of Counties Are Home to Half of All COVID-19 Cases and Over Half of Deaths <[link removed]>
The spread of COVID-19 in the United States has been
concentrated in a small number of counties and states. In fact, according to Heritage research by Norbert Michel, director of our Center for Data Analysis, and research fellow Drew Gronshorowski, just 1% of all counties, representing 15% of the U.S. population, are responsible for almost half of the country’s COVID-19 cases and more than half of the deaths. “With the pandemic spread unevenly across the country, new data suggest that broad lockdowns are not needed in most places, and insufficient in hot spots,” write Michel and Doug Badger, Heritage visiting fellow in domestic policy studies, in their latest report. “Policymakers should shift to responsible reopening with traditional public health interventions in hot spots and special protections in nursing homes.” Read Michel and Badger’s full report to learn more about how we can better adapt our
national response to the pandemic <[link removed]>.
Government Buildings in Africa Are a Likely Vector for Chinese Spying <[link removed]>
Beijing may have better surveillance access to Africa than anywhere else in the world after building or renovating at
least 186 African government buildings. Why would Chinese espionage in Africa matter to the United States? Because Beijing likely uses that surveillance to spy on U.S. officials, influence African officials, and give an edge to Chinese companies competing for contracts, according to Joshua Meservey, Heritage’s senior policy analyst on Africa and the Middle East. “While the longer-term challenge of Beijing’s extensive influence in Africa can only be addressed by a comprehensive U.S. strategy, Washington can take a number of immediate steps to complicate Chinese surveillance access to Africa,” Meservey writes in his latest Heritage report, which was highlighted by Fox News <[link removed]>. Read Meservey’s full report to find out what steps the U.S. can take to combat Chinese espionage abroad <[link removed]>.
Become a Heritage Member <[link removed]>
The Heritage Foundation has long been the bastion of the American conservative movement. And now with more than 500,000 members, our ranks grow stronger every day. Ensure your values are advanced in Washington, in the Media, and across this great nation when you. Become a Heritage Member Today <[link removed]>.
HAPPENING AT HERITAGE
"Almost nine years after the last American-launched manned flight into space, it is a significant moment of the new Space Age to see an American rocket lift off from an American launch pad with an American crew aboard. America once again can ‘slip the surly bonds of Earth’ through its own efforts,” said Heritage Foundation President Kay C. James after the successful launch of the American-manned SpaceX mission. Read the full statement <[link removed]>.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R.-Tex., and Sen. Mike Lee, R.-Utah, engaged in a lively virtual discussion about COVID-19 and reassessing the regulatory landscape. Watch the event <[link removed]>.
James Carafano, vice president of Heritage’s Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy and E.W. Richardson Fellow, has been selected as a new member of Homeland Security Advisory Council, a group of public and private sector experts and leaders who advise the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on a broad range of issues. Learn more about Carafano’s role <[link removed]>.
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert recently signed into law a new school choice program, after vetoing an earlier version of the bill. Heritage scholar Jonathan Butcher and conservative allies played a role in helping the proposal move forward. Learn more about Heritage’s impact <[link removed]>.
The Heritage Foundation strongly supports recently announced efforts by the British government to reduce, and ultimately eliminate, the role of Chinese telecommunications firm Huawei in the development of the United Kingdom’s 5G network. Heritage has been at the forefront of urging the British government against giving Chinese companies a stake in its 5G infrastructure. Learn more about Heritage’s impact <[link removed]>.
UPCOMING WEBINARS
Monday at 1 p.m., Nick Loris, deputy director of Heritage’s Roe Institute for Economic Freedom and Herbert and Joyce Morgan Fellow, will participate in a webinar hosted by the Foundation for Economic Education discussing the environment and free market solutions in a time crisis. Register for the event <[link removed]>.
Tuesday at noon, John Venable, a senior research fellow in Heritage’s Center for National Defense and former commander of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, will host a virtual discussion with the Leadership Institute on how to build and lead high-performing teams. Register for the event <[link removed]>.
Tuesday at 2 p.m., Heritage will host a webinar on capitalism vs. socialism. Featured speakers include Morgan Zegers, founder and CEO of Young Americans Against Socialism, and Romina Boccia, director of Heritage’s Grover M. Hermann Center for the Federal Budget. Register for the event <[link removed]>.
Wednesday at 10 a.m., Heritage will host a webinar on the 15th anniversary of the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Deal. Featured speakers include Ashley J. Tellis, Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs and senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; Ted Jones, director for National Security and International Programs at the Nuclear Energy Institute; and Ambassador Richard Verma, vice chair and partner at the Asia Group. Register for the event <[link removed]>.
Wednesday at 11 a.m., the Leadership Institute will hold a virtual breakfast with Becky Norton Dunlop, Heriage’s Ronald Reagan distinguished fellow. Dunlop will discuss Reagan's legacy (June 5 is the anniversary of his death), the state of the conservative movement, and free market environmental policies. Register for the event <[link removed]>.
HERITAGE PODCASTS
This week on “Heritage Explains,” James Carafano, vice president of Heritage’s Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy and E.W. Richardson fellow, explains the type of person who survives a major disaster. Listen to the podcast <[link removed]>.
On the latest “SCOTUS 101” episode, Heritage legal experts GianCarlo Canaparo and Amy Swearer discuss a new Roe v. Wade documentary, and emergency petitions to Supreme Court by churches challenging stay-at-home orders. Canaparo interviews veteran legal journalist Stuart Taylor Jr., and they discuss his career and the state of the modern news media. Listen to the podcast <[link removed]>.
HERITAGE IN THE NEWS
Here are highlights from Heritage experts on TV. This week they talked about reopening America, state and local bailouts, all-mail elections, Hong Kong and more. Watch the clips <[link removed]>.
POLICY PICTURE
After states closed schools in March, parents were left with few options but to homeschool their kids—especially in districts where schools failed to provide online instruction or made limited attempts to do so. “At this point, it almost feels as though taxpaying parents deserve a refund,” says Lindsey Burke, director of Heritage’s Center for Education Policy and Will Skillman Fellow, in her latest article. “An immediate, prorated refund would be a targeted response tied to the coronavirus right now to ensure that students don’t have to wait any longer to continue their learning.” Read Burke’s full article to learn more about how a refund
could help students receive the education they deserve <[link removed]>. She also has 10 recommendations for helping schools reopen across the nation, based on our National Coronavirus Recovery Commission recommendations <[link removed]>.

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