The coming vaccine passports

Jackson's water crisis, Facebook's uneven extremism policy, Tiger Woods

THE BIG STORY   In Jackson, Mississippi, you can go into debt trying to take a shower   In February, freezing temperatures knocked out power and water across the Southeast, leaving millions of people scrambling to stay warm and unable to access basic supplies for days. But in Jackson, Mississippi, most of the city's 160,000 residents, 82% of whom are Black, were without safe, reliable water for more than a month.   The crisis is in the aging infrastructure, and it's a reality that is especially devastating for Black women. People working in shops and restaurants lost entire paychecks when their workplaces closed due to lack of water. Kids couldn't go to school or daycare, so parents had to shell out extra money for food and babysitters.    They had to divert money away from rent or other bills to buy bottled water and cover the costs associated with being unable to bathe, do laundry, or cook in their own homes.   When people think of climate change, they might not think of Jackson. But it is here where extreme weather can do damage — hitting a decaying infrastructure so hard that residents who are already on the brink are made more precarious. Gwen Robinson, outside the Econo Lodge Inn & Suites in Flowood, Miss. Eric Shelton for BuzzFeed News STAYING ON TOP OF THIS   Despite a ban, Facebook continued to label people as interested in militias   Last August, Facebook said it would take down any Facebook pages, groups, and Instagram accounts "tied to offline anarchist groups that support violent acts amidst protests, US-based militia organizations and QAnon." It was a significant step in tackling the problem of violent extremism.    But for months after the ban, Facebook's advertising preference system, which lets advertisers deliver targeted ads, continued to identify and categorize some people as interested in militias — another misstep in the already spotty and haphazard enforcement of its policy.   A spokesperson for Facebook told us, "We removed this targeting term last summer and are working to understand why it could appear in Ad Preferences." SNAPSHOTS   A college athletics coach has been charged with stealing nude photos from student athletes. Former Northeastern University track and field coach Steve Waithe, 28, who had been fired after multiple sexual harassment complaints, was charged with stealing nude photos from six student athletes and trying to dupe them into sending more.   Tiger Woods was driving 40 mph over the speed limit when he crashed his SUV, authorities said. Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said there were no signs that the golf legend was impaired by drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash. Demi Lovato opened up about feeling "fooled" by Max Ehrich and said their relationship was "false advertising." In the latest episode of her new documentary series, Dancing with the Devil, Demi opened up about how she felt in the aftermath of her split with actor Max Ehrich. THE COMING PASSPORTS   Stop freaking out: You probably already have some type of vaccine passport   There's evidence that Americans are skeptical of a COVID-19 vaccine passport. But here's the thing: most people already have some form of documentation verifying they've been vaccinated against certain diseases. And many public health experts say a vaccine passport will be key to getting life back to normal while preventing future COVID-19 outbreaks.   Here's where things stand: the prospect of COVID-19 vaccine passports is already becoming a reality for many people. The European Union is likely to launch them in June. Israel has already introduced one, as has China.   Meanwhile, the UK is debating its own version. New York state has introduced a voluntary pass that shows proof of vaccination or a negative test for access to sporting events, music venues, and businesses. At least eight major airlines are working on a version of a coronavirus passport, as is Walmart. Vaccine passports are likely to be a part of the future. But before they've even been developed, in the US, they've already become highly politicized. Here's what comes next. A vaccination booklet, issued by the World Health Organization, already required for some international travel. Picture Alliance / Getty Images LOST IN A BOOK What book do you wish you could read again for the first time?   There's no feeling like the feeling of getting completely lost in a book — you disappear into it, and the whole world vanishes. But as a result, you take it all in so quickly and you feel the deep mourning of leaving that world behind.   What book did that for you? We want to know the book that makes you wish you could time travel and read it again for the first time. Let us know right here! Start the day by grounding yourself in your values, Elamin 📝  This letter was edited and brought to you by Elamin Abdelmahmoud and BuzzFeed News. You can always reach us here.     👉 Your support of BuzzFeed's journalism does not constitute a charitable donation, and your contribution is not eligible for a tax-deduction. This is part of an effort to explore a deeper relationship with our most active supporters. 🔔  Want to be notified as soon as news breaks? Download the BuzzFeed News app for iOS and Android (available in Canadian, UK, Australian, and US app stores). 💌  Did a friend forward you this email? Sign up to get BuzzFeed News in your inbox! Show privacy notice and cookie policy. 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