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Special Issues (7)

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Jewelry

Jewelry (0)

"Turkey's gold export was 842.6 million dollars in 2004. The total volume of the sector is around 4.5 billion dollars. This corresponds to 2.3 percent of the GNP. When considered within its own dynamics, the gold sector is very precious to Turkey. What if this were evaluated taking into consideration the U.S. market? What would the picture look like?" View items...
Tourism

Tourism (0)

"During 2007, 650,000 American tourists visited Turkey. This is the highest number ever recorded. In recent years, the number of tourists visiting Turkey has increased at a rate that is almost three times the world average, with 23.3 million people visiting Turkey in 2007. In 2006, there were 19 million, while in 2005, 21 million visited Turkey. The Culture and Tourism Ministry, which has established a 10 million dollar budget for the North American market in 2008, plans on bringing 1 million American tourists to Turkey by the end of the year." View items...
September 11

September 11 (0)

"For the first time in the U.S., the events of September 11 are being viewed through the eyes of a particular ethnic group. Elif Ozmenek brings together issues such as the impact of this historical event on Turkish people living in New York, the witnesses to the terrorist attack, and people who lost their loved ones in a documentary called “The Yellow Leaf.” Ozmenek writes about the terrorist attacks which changed the world through the eyes of Turks for TurkofAmerica." View items...
Foreign Trading

Foreign Trading (0)

"For Turkey’s $100 billion export target for the year 2010, the US economy is an important market, with its capacity of $12 trillion.  However, Turkey’s share from this market is currently 3 per thousand. Turkey has made huge effort and within the following two-year period the government will organize special activities in the six target states (New York, Texas, California, Illinois, Georgia and Florida.) " View items...
Europe

Europe (0)

"A large number of the Turkish entrepreneurs in the EU (68 percent) live in Germany. France and Holland follow close behind. In the 10-year period between 1996 and 2006, the investment volume of Turkish entrepreneurs increased from 5.6 billion Euro to 10.9 billion Euro. The turnover of 21.8 billion Euro in 1996 has increased as of 2006 to 43.9 billion Euro." View items...

The United States Doubles Its Order of COVID-19 Pills

The United States Doubles Its Order of COVID-19 Pills

President Biden joined the briefing held by the White House COVID-19 Response Team. Speaking at the beginning of the briefing,President Biden stated that the United States' order of COVID-19 pills was doubled from 10 million.

Biden emphasized that the Pfizer pills would dramatically decrease hospitalizations and deaths in high-risk individuals He stated that the first batch of the COVID-19 pills was delivered on Christmas Eve and that more would be delivered this week.

Biden said he directed the government to buy an additional 10 million courses of Pfizer, increasing the purchase amount to 20 million. Biden emphasized that this pill will be a game-changer for the pandemic.

"Omicron's effects depend on whether we are vaccinated or not."

Pointing out the increase in daily cases up to 1 million in the United States, Biden said that Omicron is highly transmissible and different from all the other previous variants. "However, you can protect yourselves," Biden added.

"Get vaccinated, get boosted, wear a mask while you are in public," Biden repeated.

Biden said that the increase in cases would depend on the vaccination status of every individual, also noting that while the fully vaccinated plus a booster shot still have the risk of getting COVID-19, their risk of severe prognosis decreases greatly.

Pointing out to the increase in cases across the country in the organizations and workplaces, including the White House, Biden also said, "However, if you are fully vaccinated plus a booster shot, it means you are well protected."

"Worry but do not panic," Biden said, adding that the unvaccinated are more susceptible with a higher risk of severe prognosis and mortality.





Recently elected New York City Mayor Eric Adams officially took office. Adams was sworn into office in Times Square on January 1, 2022, just after the New Year's ball drop.

Adams was sworn into office as he placed his hand on the Bible. It was reported that Adams brought his family's Bible for the oath ceremony. Some 15,000 are joining in the New Year's Eve celebrations at Adams's inauguration in Times Square, New York. Usually crowded with around 60,000 people, the New Year's Eve celebrations this year saw a mere 15,000 revelers due to COVID-19.

The mayoral election in New York City was held on November 2. Adams, who had the position of Brooklyn Borough president before, became the second African American mayor of New York City.

President Biden To Make An Announcement On Omicron

Ali Cinar-White House : It was reported that President Joe Biden will deliver a speech tomorrow to address the omicron variant and unveil new steps his administration is taking to help communities and businesses  in need of assistance.

President Biden is expected to go beyond his already unveiled winter plan and 2022 with additional measures in his speech. According to a White House official,President Biden will issue a stark warning of what the winter will look like for Americans that choose to remain unvaccinated.

Biden's speech took place during a time where an increase in COVID-19 cases were seen, and health authorities once again advised the public to get vaccinated.The White House officials state that the Administration is prepared to face the surge in cases, and President Biden wants to explain how his team plans to tackle this challenge.

President Biden has been receiving additional Covid briefings from his Covid-19 task force. It was reported that he had told his team the message to the American public must be direct because the Omicron variant is more transmissible and expected to spread more quickly.

Number of cases on rising throughout the country

Having had high cases at the beginning of the pandemic, New York sees the number of cases increase again. The state has been witnessing record daily highs in cases recently, and the state reported more than 21,000 cases last Thursday. While some of the plays in the city are canceled due to cases seen among actors, tourists delay their city break plans.New York reports the highest case numbers in the last 24 hours since the beginning of the pandemic due to the Omicron variant. Governor of New York Kathy Hochul announced that they recorded 21 thousand and 27 cases in the last 24 hours and that this figure was the highest case count since the beginning of the pandemic. A total of 59,000 people died due to the pandemic in New York, which reported a record 19,942 cases 11 months ago.

New York State was leading in case of numbers last week, with Ohio and Illinois following suit. Daily case numbers are on the rise in half of the states in the country. This includes Washington, DC.

The 6th US Federal Court of Appeals reinstated President Joe Biden's mandate for making weekly tests and masks compulsory for the unvaccinated employees of big corporations.

President Biden announces COVID-19 vaccine mandates that will affect 100 million Americans

To combat the Delta variant, which kills thousands every week and jeopardizes the country's economic recovery, President Joe Biden required federal employees and government contractors to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.President  Biden described the last wave of the pandemic as the "pandemic of the unvaccinated."

Holding a press conference at the White House, President Biden announced that he would sign an executive order that requires all federal employees to be vaccinated, and the Department of Labor would sign a presidential decree that requires all employers with 100 or more employees to ensure that their workforces are fully vaccinated or test negatively for the virus  once a week.

President Biden declared a six-step plan to stop the spread of Delta variant and increase vaccination rates across the US. According to this plan,

•      All employers with 100 or more employees will be required to ensure that their employees are vaccinated or tested weekly.

•      Access to booster vaccine doses for all suitable Americans will be provided.

•      Students and school staff will be tested regularly.

•      At-home tests will be made more cost-effective.

•      The loan forgiveness process will be made more manageable within the scope of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

•      Support will be increased for hospitals that are having a hard time due to the coronavirus.

The new measures announced by Biden are a part of a broader and more intensive effort to get Americans vaccinated. The plan also covers nearly two-thirds of all employees in the US.

The measures will affect millions, including those working at hospitals that have an agreement with the government to provide treatment covered by federal health insurance and those working in social welfare programs for low-income people, individuals with disabilities, and the elderly.

President Biden pointed out that despite America having an unprecedented vaccination program, nearly 80 million Americans still do not want to get vaccinated.

Biden said, "The vast majority of Americans are doing the right thing. Nearly three-quarters of the eligible have gotten at least one shot but, one-quarter have not gotten any. In a country as large as ours, that means nearly 80 million Americans are not vaccinated. That 25 percent can cause a lot of damage, and they are."

President Biden's message to unvaccinated Americans is as follows: "What more is there to wait for? What more do you need to see? We made the vaccines free, safe and effective. Over 200 million Americans have gotten at least one shot. We have been patient, but our patience is wearing thin. Your refusal has an impact on every one of us. Do the right thing. Listen to the voices of unvaccinated Americans who are lying in hospital beds taking their final breaths, saying, 'If only I had gotten vaccinated.' 'If only.' This is a tragedy. Please do not let it become yours."

President Biden has recently required the unvaccinated federal employees to adhere to testing and mask protocols strictly. In the new presidential decree, these requirements will be removed, and complete vaccination will be mandatory.

More Details: https://www.whitehouse.gov/covidplan/

Turkish-American Dr. Oz has been appointed to the White House Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition.

The list of the appointments to be made by President Trump to the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition was announced in the White House's written statement.

The Turkish Cardiologist Mehmet Öz, M.D., who lives in the U.S. State of New Jersey, was among the 29 names. 
 
Bill Belichick, the head coach of the New England Patriots, and Mariano Rivera, the legendary captain of the New York Yankees, are also on the list. T
 
he council founded in 1956 by 34th U.S. President Dwight David Eisenhower, aims to lead U.S. citizens towards a more active and healthy life.
 
Who is Dr. Mehmet Oz?

Dr. Mehmet Oz was appointed to serve as a member of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition.  Dr. Oz has 9 Daytime Emmy Awards for The Dr. Oz Show, and is an attending physician at New York Presbyterian - Columbia Medical Center. His research interests include heart replacement surgery, minimally invasive cardiac surgery, complementary medicine, and health care policy. He has authored over 400 original publications, book chapters, and medical books, has received several patents, and performs several dozen heart surgeries per year. 

Dr. Oz was born in Cleveland, Ohio, raised in Delaware, received his undergraduate degree from Harvard University (1982), and obtained a joint M.D. and MBA (1986) from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Wharton Business School. He was awarded the Captain’s Athletic Award for leadership in college where he played intercollegiate football and water polo.  He was elected Class President twice, followed by President of the Medical School Student Body.  He lives in Northern New Jersey with his wife Lisa of 33 years and has four children, Daphne, Arabella, Zoe, and Oliver, and three grandchildren Philomena, John, and Domenica.

Previously, Dr. Oz was a featured health expert on The Oprah Winfrey Show for over five seasons, spanning 55 episodes. In addition to regular appearances on the Today show, he visits his colleagues on other daytime TV shows frequently. Dr. Oz has appeared on network evening news broadcasts and late-night comedy shows.   He served as chief medical consultant to Discovery Communications, where his “Transplant!” series won both a Freddie and a Silver Telly award. He also served as medical director of Denzel Washington’s film, “John Q,” and performed in the hip-hop video, “Everybody” as part of the Let’s Move! campaign.

Dr. Oz authored eight New York Times best sellers, including YOU: The Owner's Manual, YOU: The Smart Patient, YOU: On a Diet, YOU: Staying Young, YOU: Being Beautiful, YOU: Having a Baby, YOU: The Owner's Manual for Teens, Food Can Fix It, as well as the award-winning Healing from the Heart. He has a quarterly bookazine, "The Good Life," a regular column in O, The Oprah Magazine, and a daily newspaper column syndicated by King Features in 175 newspapers internationally.  His article, "Retool, Reboot, and Rebuild," for Esquire magazine, was awarded the 2009 National Magazine Award for Personal Service. He co-founded Sharecare.com which won “Best Medical App” award for AskMD in 2014, and its DoctorOz app was nominated for an Emmy in 2017.  In 2003, he founded Healthcorps which puts energetic recent college graduates into high schools around the country to teach diet, fitness, and mental resilience.

In addition to belonging to every major professional society for heart surgeons, Dr. Oz has been honored as one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People (2008), Esquire magazine's 75 Most Influential People of the 21st Century, and a Global Leader of Tomorrow by the World Economic Forum (1999-2004). He has also won the prestigious Gross Surgical Research Scholarship, received an honorary doctorate from Istanbul University and was voted a "Doctor of the Year" by Hippocrates magazine. Dr. Oz is annually elected as a highest quality physician by the Castle Connolly Guide as well as other major ranking groups.  He is also an honorary police surgeon for New York City..

 

Dr.Sadtler:”We are researching to quantify undetected cases of coronavirus infection"

A new clinical trial initiated by the U.S. National Institute of Health (NIH) explores how much the coronavirus spreads nationwide than has been detected. Dr. Kaitlyn Sadtler, who heads the unit that conducted the experiment, answered the questions of Turk of America.

- Can you explain the details of your antibody clinical trial?What is the scope of the study?

Our study seeks to understand the proportion of undiagnosed cases within the United States in healthy adults. We will be testing 10,000 volunteers from across the country for the prevalence of SARS-CoV2 antibodies in their blood. 

-What is the main importance having the antibody tests?

These antibody tests allow us to understand where the virus has been, and where it has spread, and the true extent of the infection in the United States.

-I believe these are available at home blood collection kits. Is it different from antibody tests which is available at pharmacies or small medical clinics such as CityMD?

Our at home blood collection kits are exactly that – collection kits. They are not at home tests. When a donor sends their sample back to the lab, we extract the antibodies, then analyze them in the laboratory using an ELISA. This is different test than the rapid “lateral flow” tests that look like pregnancy tests. ELISAs are more sensitive, and we have the ability to run multiple different controls (samples that we know the theoretical outcome of, such as blood serum before 2019 when SARS-CoV2 didn’t exist, and blood from known COVID19 patients). This allows us to have strong validation on our tests, determine what level of signal intensity in our assays is determined “positive” versus “negative”, and ensures that what we measure is correct.

-If a person has antibodies that has prior covid-19 infection,does it mean that they are immune to Covid-19? Who is eligible to take the test?

We do not know for certain whether or not the presence of antibodies equals immunity. In partnership with serosurveys, we need to evaluate whether or not these antibodies can neutralize the virus (prevent it from spreading from cell to cell in a petri dish), what level of antibodies would then be protective, and ultimately, if someone has these antibodies in their blood, do they get the disease if exposed again. The work we are doing is a research study, not a medical diagnostic, and we are testing individuals who have not yet tested positive for SARS-CoV2 by nasal swab, and are not currently ill.

-`Where do you see the coronavirus pandemic going? Your prediction?

When we look at the death toll, it surpassed 60k.IHME prediction for death toll was 68k two week ago and now they revised to 78k.Do you think U.S. would reach to 100k death toll by August?

I am not an epidemiologist, so I can’t comment too much on this. Stay distanced, wear a mask, wash your hands, and stay safe!

-What are your thoughts regarding the vaccine? How soon would vaccine be ready? 

I cannot comment directly on the vaccines, but scientists are working very hard on developing a vaccine, first testing to make sure it is safe, then testing to make sure it works, and then testing to make sure it really really works (more numbers of people tested).

Turkish-American Doctors are fighting coronavirus outbreak in NYC

Dr. Dogan: It is crucial to perform wide-spread testing.

I had chance to talk with a successful doctor working at New York Presbyterian Hospital, Özgen Dogan who is among the notable people in the Turkish-American society. Dr. Dogan said that situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic was dire in New York and that they were literally working in a battlefield. 

Dr. Dogan emphasized the importance of conducting extensive tests as a solution, saying, “I also have infected colleagues in my close circle.” Stating that they could get some results in the fight against the virus with the local and anticipatory measures and networking, Dr. Dogan said the quarantine in the region of New Rochelle was a success. Dr. Dogan stated that Hydrox or plasma therapies were the treatments where the benefits were not yet proven, and tests showing immunity or infection development should be widely conducted while life returns to normal.

 It is noteworthy that Dr. Dogan states that healthcare professionals who have tested negative so far should be tested daily; she constantly indicates the importance of tests in the fight against COVID-19. Remarking there was a large number of coronavirus cases among African Americans due to their living conditions and lack of adequate treatment opportunities, 

Dr. Dogan stated that Apple and Google had an agreement to develop a joint application for the detection of coronavirus infections in the field of technology, which was a major development.

Dr. Kıyıcı: We are seeing the benefits of staying home.

In my interview with Dr. Nejat Kıyıcı, who served as president of the Turkish-American Medical Association and works at Montefiore Hospital, he stated they had many COVID-19 patients at the hospital and staying home was quite beneficial. 

He said the number of infected was at least thrice the number announced, and people were still unable to get tests. Stating that the number of cases and deaths would reach a peak in New York that week, Dr. Kıyıcı added there would be a further drop in the numbers if people stayed home for 3–4 weeks more. 

While stating the normalization process should not occur before June, Dr. Kıyıcı also emphasized that cases might increase if all areas reopened. He also said that even though the hospitals in New York were well prepared, nationwide measures were taken too late.

Message from a Turkish-American Nurse: We are acting very carefully and cautiously.

Necmiye Kacaroğlu, working as a nurse in a notable hospital in New Jersey, which is among the states with the highest death toll numbers, stated that her hospital was full of patients with coronavirus, and they were acting very cautiously. 

Expressing that they no longer had a lack of medical equipment, Kacaroğlu stated that there was a need for healthcare professionals; nurses, especially, were being transferred from elsewhere. Stating that her son worked as a police officer, Kacaroğlu expressed that the police and fire departments visited the hospital the day before, and such supports were morale boosters for them.

 Necmiye Kacaroğlu not only works as a teacher at the New York-based Atatürk School on the weekends, teaching Turkish children the Turkish culture and language as a mindful Turk, but she also works as a nurse at a medical service.

New Jersey COVID-19  cases rise to 81,420 with 4,070 deaths confirmed. New Jersey Officials report 3,026 new cases, but say curve is flattening.

There are over 11 Turkish-Americans lost their lives in New Jersey due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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