Aug 23, 2021

Greetings from Washington, D.C., where the news continues to be unwelcome. The CDC is confusing the public about the delta variant. The Biden administration continues to bungle the fiasco in Afghanistan. Our kids could soon face critical race theory propaganda thanks to prodding from the White House. Heritage experts look at each to provide context, understanding, and advice. There’s also the usual roundup of podcasts, webinars, events, and more in this week’s Agenda.

Is the CDC Needlessly Scaring People About ‘Breakthrough Infections’?
The American public has been whipped up into fearful fervor over the COVID Delta variant and recent infection spikes. But does the reality of the situation warrant that level of panic and worry? Heritage research fellow Kevin Dayaratna and director of Heritage’s Center for Data Analysis Norbert Michel looked at the data to find out. “CDC officials and other government officials have added to Americans’ confusion with conflicting messages, often unconnected to any supporting data,” write Dayaratna and Michel in their latest report. Read the full backgrounder to learn the truth.

I Served in Afghanistan. This Chaos Was Avoidable and Biden Is to Blame.
The fall of the Afghan government and the chaos that ensued unfolded quickly, but was it inevitable? Not according to Luke Coffey, director of Heritage’s Douglas and Sarah Allison Center for Foreign Policy and recipient of the Bronze Star for his service in the Army during his deployment to Afghanistan. “There is one person responsible for the horrific scenes coming out of Afghanistan today: President Joe Biden,” Coffey writes. "The fall of Kabul and the hasty, messy, and chaotic evacuation of the American Embassy is a stain on America’s honor and prestige.” Read Coffey’s full commentary to learn more.

How to Fight Back Against Critical Race Theory in Our Schools
As students return to school, a major question looms: What to do about critical race theory? The Biden administration has, at best, given mixed messages about using CRT in schools to reframe our national history and identity. So, what should parents, teachers, and policymakers do? “While progressives decide how to explain away critical race theory’s bigotry, parents and policymakers should call the theory what it is—discrimination—and reject it,” writes Heritage’s Jonathan Butcher, the Will Skillman fellow in education. Read Butcher’s full commentary to find out how, why, and when to push back against CRT in schools.

DID YOU KNOW?

Heritage has a Twitter account that features our award-winning charts and infographics. Follow @HertiageDataViz.

The Academy is now accepting applications. The Academy is Heritage’s virtual educational and leadership program, which is designed to teach students, professionals, and engaged citizens the foundational principles of American political thought, important policy debates facing our country, and leadership skills to succeed. Learn more and apply today.

Policy Pulse: The Fall of Afghanistan. Monday, 10 a.m. Featured speakers at this 30-minute virtual event include Luke Coffey, director of Heritage’s Allison Center for Foreign Policy, and Jeff M. Smith, a research fellow in Heritage’s Center for Asian Studies. Register for this event.

This week on “Heritage Explains,” we close our three-part series on welfare reform with former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum. Listen to the podcast.

The Bloodthirsty Days of the Taliban Are Ahead
Jim Carafano, vice president of Heritage’s Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy and E.W. Richardson fellow, joined Fox Business to discuss the unfolding crisis in Afghanistan. Watch the interview.

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