The Miami Herald’s Linda Robertson describes the recent birth experience of the Costume family in her piece Childbirth in the age of coronavirus: Parents in South Florida balance joy and fear. Photo credits: Emily Michot, Miami Herald.
Abortion funds see an increase in calls during the coronavirus pandemic
By Alexandra Svokos
ABC News
The increase in need comes as unemployment reaches new highs…”The Tampa Bay Abortion Fund reported a 30% increase in callers in April from March.”
Doctors sue to block FDA abortion pill rule during pandemic
By Michael Kunzelman
Associated Press
Requiring patients to visit a hospital, clinic or medical office to get an abortion pill is needlessly risking their health during the COVID-19 pandemic, a group of physicians allege in a lawsuit that seeks to suspend the federal rule.
More Patients Seek Abortion Pills Online During Pandemic, But Face Restrictions
By Sarah McCammon
NPR
Even before the coronavirus crisis, there were lots of abortion restrictions in South Dakota. But now the procedure has become unavailable, officials say.
Progress Florida crowns 27 ‘champions’ on the left with 2020 ‘People First’ scorecard
By Renzo Downey
Florida Politics
Progress Florida issued Thursday its annual “People First” scorecard, grading lawmakers on their floor votes during the recent Legislative Session. This year, 27 lawmakers received “People’s Champion” awards for perfect left-leaning voting records on issues from parental consent for abortion to Medicaid expansion for children. Grading was based 14 Senate votes and 21 House votes pitting the people against “powerful special interests.”
Gov. DeSantis appoints 2 to state Supreme Court, including first Caribbean-American
By Richard Tribou and Gray Rohrer
Orlando Sentinel
Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed two South Floridians to the Florida Supreme Court on Tuesday, filling seats that had remained vacant since December as he tended to the coronavirus pandemic… John Stemberger, president of the Orlando-based Florida Family Policy Council, a socially conservative advocacy group that pushes for abortion restrictions among other issues, called Francis a “’textualist’ in the tradition of Clarence Thomas in her judicial philosophy” and a “brilliant choice.” He cited Couriel as “a highly respected lawyer with stellar credentials and a conservative judicial philosophy.”
Abortion rights groups drop suit over abortion ordinances
Staff Report
Associated Press
Two reproductive rights groups have dropped their lawsuit against seven small East Texas towns that had declared abortion-rights organizations “criminal organizations” in anti-abortion ordinances that prohibit them from operating within city limits.
It’s Time for Congress to Give All Young People the Sexual Health Resources They Need to Thrive
By Leah H. Keller
Guttmacher Institute
All young people deserve high-quality sex education and sexual health care, yet not all of them have access to these vital resources.
Childbirth in the age of coronavirus: Parents in South Florida balance joy and fear
By Linda Robertson
Miami Herald
Jean Costume drove his pregnant wife Alena to the hospital, nudging the accelerator. It was time. Hallelujah and not yet, they thought.
Using Telehealth For Birth Control During The Pandemic Might Make It More Accessible Post-COVID
By Jennifer Gerson
Bustle
As a busy college student working for a major grocery delivery service, Amina, 22, got the Nexplanon implant in October 2018 to avoid spending any more time thinking about birth control.
Planned Parenthood Got COVID-19 Funds. Why Are Republicans Trying to Take It Back?
By Paige Alexandria
Rewire
Congressional Republicans have been on a never-ending quest to make sure Planned Parenthood goes broke—now, they’re using a federal relief funding program to try to accomplish that mission during the COVID-19 pandemic.