February Update
from the
Social Liberal Union
Greetings once again from the Social Liberal Union!
I am Courelli, World Assembly Delegate and newly-appointed Ambassador to the North Pacific. I am honored to serve as the representative of my region to yours, and look forward to getting to know you all in the days to come.
The Open Parliament
The Open Parliament, the legislature of our region, has seen quite a bit of action this past month. Here's a quick summary of what's been going on.
Passed:
The Versutian Federation Embassy Closure Resolution
- Orders the closure of our embassy with The Versutian Federation.
Amendment 2 to the Regional Honours and Awards Act
- Establishes a new regional Order of Merit, and amends an existing Order.
Amendment 3 to the World Assembly Membership Requirement Waiver Resolution
- Grants a new waiver to the World Assembly membership requirement for citizenship.
T-5 Ratification Resolution
- Ratifies and enacts the Charter of the Interregional Legislative Coalition.
Proposed:
Law Commission and Library Act
- Establishes procedure for the maintenance and upkeep of the Library of Parliament.
Mandatory Notices Act
- Establishes formal procedure for several types of notices, such as resignations and states of emergency.
Voting Reform and Fair Political Practices Act
- Reforms election procedure and establishes regulations for political campaigning.
Amendment 4 to the Third Constitution
- Establishes new regulations and procedure regarding citizenship.
Elections
It's election season in the Social Liberal Union. Here's the rundown.
Speaker of the Union Election
The Speaker of the Union is the chief legislator of the Social Liberal Union and the presiding officer of the Open Parliament.
In this election, Anaaxes, the incumbent Speaker, was challenged by Hirematia, incumbent Deputy Minister of Domestic Affairs.
At the end of the voting period, the vote tally was 19 for Anaaxes, 2 for Hirematia, and 2 full abstentions.
As such, Anaaxes was re-elected as Speaker of the Union, and began his second four-month term on February 19, 2018.
Delegate Election
The World Assembly Delegate is the chief executive officer of the Social Liberal Union and the presiding officer of the Cabinet and Administration.
In this election, Courelli, the incumbent Delegate, was challenged by Omerica, the incumbent Minister of Immigration.
Nominations conclude and voting begins on Saturday, March 3, 2018.
Ministerial Election
The Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Domestic Affairs, and Immigration make up the main body of the executive branch.
Nominations for the Ministerial offices begin directly following the conclusion of the Delegate election.
Roleplay
The Ministry of Domestic Affairs has begun a new regional roleplay.
The roleplay revolves around an outbreak of a new strain of the flu in Blackacre, a territory of the Social Liberal Union. In response to the growing epidemic, the region has assembled the
Council of Leaders to handle this situation.
Below are transcripts of the recent editions of
The Social Liberal Union Tribune, the premiere roleplay news agency of the region.
The Social Liberal Union Tribune
2018-02-19
The Flu Becomes an Epidemic
(NEW NEW YORK) -- The Flu rages on in Blackacre, a territory of the Social Liberal Union.
A report from the Federated Councils of Blackacre -- the largest unrecognized Blackacriot government -- shows 1 of every 13 visits to the doctor was for fever, cough, and other symptoms of the flu last week, the highest level seen in the Social Liberal Union since "The Green Death" of 2012. The scale of the epidemic is unknown as of yet with other Blackacriot governments not having the resources or skill to draft such reports.
"We've been looking at this from every angle and all we can do is hope it doesn't become a pandemic, considering the state of Blackacre. The flu could become unrestrained," said Dr. Yan Sanja, director of the Union Disease Control Center.
While the flu in the SLU is usually a non-event every year, this year's flu season started early in many nations, including the North American Republics. No other territories or nations have reported the resurgence of H2N2 and trade and travel restrictions have yet to be put into place.
The Federated Councils of Blackacre report not only shows a remarkable increase in infant and elderly deaths related to H2N2, but the death of the first healthy adult as well.
Stores of H2N2 vaccines are low and all already distributed vaccines do not protect against H2N2.
Governments are being asked to develop a flu strategy by attending the Council of Leaders meeting being held later this week. A spokesperson for the SLU stated that they hoped to have a plan in place by Monday to prevent a pandemic from happening.
P.S. That means check the region page for a new poll
The Social Liberal Union Tribune
2018-02-26
Flu Continues to Ravage Blackacre
Special Report by Indra Neil
(RAGNOVILLE, BLACKACRE) -- In the flu-ravaged land of Blackacre, one town has been able to keep it at bay: Ragnoville.
Over the past two weeks, doctors in the small town have made house visits to teach residents best practices for keeping healthy, including frequent hand washing and keeping hands or fingers away from the nose, mouth, and ears. "Some people seem to be understanding that they need to keep healthy, for themselves and their family. We haven't seen an outbreak this bad in a long time, but if the whole territory were -- if the whole region were like Ragnoville -- the region would not have to worry about the spread of disease, but it comes down to education," said Dr. Reinhold, a traveling physician from Avaerilon.
In response to the epidemic in Blackacre, resident states of the Social Liberal Union are ramping up H2N2 vaccine production. The entire region should be covered by the vaccine within 4 months as supplies trickle out. Citizens across the region have been streaming in to doctor's offices, leading doctors to limit the vaccines to the young and elderly. Sick adults are being asked to stay home, rest, and drink plenty of fluids. Doctors are asking these adults to replenish their electrolytes with certain infant drinks and the Crocade sports drink.
A small contingent of nations have pledged to sign up or incentivize more doctors to join Physician Without Borders, which is currently stationed across in Blackacre. Two doctors from Michutopia have already contracted the flu and are being kept in quarantine tents. Physicians Without Borders has directed resources to making sure that those doctors make a full recovery. "We will take good care of them. We work beside them; we know they're strong and will make it. They just want to get back to helping others," said Dr. Svendsen, president of the group.
There have yet to be significant efforts to teach citizens how to prevent the spread of diseases beyond brief public announcements on AM radio. Courelli has been the only nation thus far to suggest travel and trade reductions from Blackacre until the epidemic passes, instituting health checks for people traveling in from Blackacre.
Governments are being asked to attend the next Council of Leaders meeting on 2018-02-28 (February 28, 2018) to discuss mid-week updates on this flu epidemic. Chairperson Amanda Tamia of the North American Republics has thanked nations for their participation in solving this crisis.
P.S. That means check your telegrams for a news update and the region page for a new poll on February 28!
P.P.S. If you would like to be unsubscribed from these updates, please respond back. We don't want to be annoying; we just want to have some fun.
The Social Liberal Union Tribune
2018-02-26
Cases of H2N2 Hit New Lettia and Lawattsia
Special Report by Artjoms Jansons
(NEW BEERINI, NEW LETTIA) -- Nearly one week after the call was put out to implement a flu strategy, doctors in the New Lettian city of New Beerini are beginning to report a multitude of H2N2 infections. A customs official at Frederick International in Lawattsia also caught an H2N2 patient after the airline passenger collapsed at the booth. While initially believed to be a fainting due to a mistake the official made, the passenger was taken to Frederick Memorial Hospital where she was diagnosed with a severe H2N2 infection. These cases demonstrate the pressing need for regional governments to work fast and coordinate properly to stem the spread of the infection.
"Our patients have been seen coughing in the waiting rooms into open air, which facilitates the transmission of the virus. Some are covering their mouths with their hands, which stops the aerial transmission, but they go on to touch our doorknobs, clipboards, magazines...that only spreads [the virus] even further," said the exasperated Dr. Ozolinsh, a general practitioner in New Beerini. A survey of 5,000 citizens, sampled from across the region and released on February 27th, states that 61% of respondents "Believe that they are doing their best to reduce transmission" while 54% of respondents state that their primary method of transmission reduction is either "Cough into my hands" or "Cough towards the ground."
The airline passenger who collapsed at Frederick International is the first reported case of H2N2 in Lawattsia, although airline passengers on the patient's flight are being contacted so as to be informed. They will be advised by the Union Disease Control Center to stay home if they are feeling the slightest bit unwell and to rest and drink plenty of fluids if that is the case.
While there are a smattering of infections outside of Blackacre, five more doctors have fallen ill with H2N2, two from The United Piratical Provinces of Aegishjalm and three from The United Federation of Intermedium. Dr. Svendsen, president of Physicians Without Borders, said early this morning: "We are reviewing the equipment we have out on the field and workflows our doctors are using to ensure that proper precautions are in place."
With the flu increasingly putting otherwise healthy adults into the hospital, predicted economic output decreasing significantly over the next four months, and social media abuzz with discussions about governments not caring about their citizens, the Council of Leaders is tasked with the question: should governments re-evaluate their stance on vaccine distribution?
P.S. If the vote goes 65% in favor of one option, all nations adopt it. Otherwise, we will get a divided council which will lead to different paths for nations in each category.
