Updates
First COVID-19 Vaccine Doses To Go To Health Workers, Say CDC Advisers-NPR
Health care workers will almost certainly get the first doses of COVID-19 vaccine in the U.S. when one is approved, according to Dr. José Romero, head of the committee that develops evidence-based immunization guidelines for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That's a decision based on the science of what will quell the pandemic fastest. NPR, … Continue Reading
November 05, 2020
South Korea Approves Combined COVID-19, Flu Test-The Hill
South Korea approved a combined COVID-19 and seasonal influenza test, allowing health officials to check for both illnesses using the same sample. The dual sample will help prevent disruptions at medical facilities as the pandemic enters the flu season, The Associated Press reported. The Hill, … Continue Reading
November 05, 2020
Fed Confronts A Shaky US Economy That Likely Needs More Help-ABC News
Federal Reserve officials are meeting this week with the economy facing growing threats from a resurgence of the coronavirus and from Congress' failure to provide any further aid for struggling individuals and businesses. Yet the Fed will likely end its latest policy meeting Thursday by deciding to wait before determining whether or how to expand the economic support it has been supplying through ultra-low interest rates. ABC News, … Continue Reading
November 05, 2020
Officials Clarify Military Role In Coronavirus Vaccination Amid Wariness-Roll Call
President Donald Trump has often touted the role of the military in distributing a COVID-19 vaccine, but health officials close to the process who are concerned about public distrust are taking pains to say the federal government won’t actually be handling vaccines. The president said at the final presidential debate that the distribution of a vaccine would be swift because he’s “counting on the military.” But Paul Mango, a spokesman for Operation Warp Speed, the federal effort to develop … Continue Reading
November 05, 2020
TSA Sees Spike In Positive Coronavirus Cases Among Airport Workers-Fox News
COVID-19 infection rates are surging among Transportation Security Administration workers as more Americans take flight during the pandemic. The TSA has had 2,493 federal employees test positive for the coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic in March, the majority of whom are in closest contact with travelers, according to agency data. Of those, 2,061 have recovered, while eight have died as a result of the virus. Fox News, … Continue Reading
November 05, 2020
Task Force Warns New Coronavirus Cases Are Increasing 'Exponentially' In Weekly State Reports-CNN
Despite President Donald Trump's claims at campaign rallies that the pandemic would vanish on November 4 and members of the media would stop covering it, rising cases, hospitalizations, and deaths nationwide are causing the White House coronavirus task force to sound dire warnings in weekly reports released to states. In multiple states, the task force warned state and local officials that "there must be clear messaging ... to act now," which largely focused on masks. Those strong … Continue Reading
November 05, 2020
U.S. Unemployment Claims Held Nearly Steady Last Week-The Wall Street Journal
The pace of the labor market recovery showed fresh signs of cooling last week, with new applications for unemployment benefits holding nearly steady as virus cases surged in several states. Weekly initial claims for jobless benefits fell by 7,000 to a seasonally adjusted 751,000 in the week ended Oct. 31, the Labor Department said Thursday. That was the lowest level since mid-March, but was well above the 217,000 claims filed in late February, before economic shutdowns to control the spread of … Continue Reading
November 05, 2020
COVID-19 Is Just Part Of The Story For NGOs In The Pacific-Devex
In the Pacific region, COVID-19 has placed a magnifying glass on preexisting environmental and social challenges. It has highlighted flaws in government policy, partnerships, and delivery of development and humanitarian services — including those of international NGOs. “COVID did not bring the social and environmental issues we face — it just made it worse,” Emeline Siale Ilolahia, executive director at the Pacific Islands Association of Non-Governmental Organisations, told the Oceania Connect … Continue Reading
November 05, 2020
In Spain, Coronavirus Puts The Poor At The Back Of The Line-The Associated Press
Lower income families around the world have often suffered most from the pandemic for several reasons: their jobs might expose them more to the virus and their savings are typically lower. In Spain, their situation has been worse than in much of Europe due to the big role of hard-hit industries like tourism and weaker social welfare benefits. The Associated Press, … Continue Reading
November 05, 2020
In COVID-19 Clampdown, China Bars Travellers From Britain, France, India-Reuters
China has barred non-Chinese travellers from Britain, France, Belgium, the Philippines and India, imposing some of the most stringent entry curbs of any country as coronavirus cases surge around the world. The restrictions, which cover those with valid visas and residence permits and take effect in conjunction with a more restrictive testing regime for arrivals from several other countries, drew a frosty response from Britain. Reuters, … Continue Reading
November 05, 2020
U.S. Sets Coronavirus Record With Daily New Cases Pushing Past 100,000-NPR
The U.S. has reached another grim coronavirus milestone, surpassing 100,000 new confirmed cases in a single day for the first time since the pandemic reached the country more than nine months ago. The record 102,831 cases reported on Thursday by Johns Hopkins University tops the more than 99,321 cases set just days ago, on Oct. 30. The university reported 1,097 additional COVID-19 deaths for the same day. NPR, … Continue Reading
November 03, 2020
Europe Is Locking Down A Second Time. But What Is Its Long-Term Plan?-Science Magazine
All restaurants, bars, gyms, and theaters in Europe’s largest economy will remain shut until at least the end of the month in a new bid to halt the spread of COVID-19. Hotels are no longer allowed to host tourists. Most countries are reacting without a long-term plan, simply trying to avoid the worst. Officials differ about the best way to bring the numbers down again, and how low a level they should strive for. And no one knows what comes next. Science Magazine, … Continue Reading
November 03, 2020
Venezuelans Face Mounting Challenges As Flow Increases Back To Colombia-Devex
Venezuelans have been crossing into Colombia at greater numbers in recent weeks as COVID-19 restrictions loosen, and NGOs are struggling to meet the expanding needs. Marianne Menjivar, Colombia and Venezuela country director at the International Rescue Committee, said many of the Venezuelans coming into Colombia are members of vulnerable groups such as children under age 6, pregnant women, older people, and unaccompanied minors. More are also beginning the “caminante” — or walking — route … Continue Reading
November 03, 2020
Huge Voter Turnout Expected Despite Virus, Political Rancor-The Associated Press
The scourge of a global pandemic produced an election season like no other in the U.S., persuading record numbers of Americans to cast their ballots early, forcing states to make changes to long-established election procedures and leading to hundreds of lawsuits over how votes will be cast and which ballots will be counted. The Associated Press, … Continue Reading
November 03, 2020
Rising COVID-19 Cases Push Spain's Regions To Call For Tighter Restrictions-Reuters
The northern Spanish region of Castilla and Leon ordered a shutdown of bars and restaurants on Tuesday and demanded tougher measures from the national government to defeat one of Europe’s worst outbreaks of the coronavirus. Announcing the restrictions, which come into force on Nov. 6, regional leader Alfonso Fernandez Manueco described the situation as one of “maximum risk,” adding that his administration favoured stricter measures but was stymied by Spain’s current legal framework. Reuters, … Continue Reading
November 03, 2020
Slovakia's Weekend Project: Test The Whole Country For Coronavirus-NPR
Slovakia undertook a massive effort over the weekend: to test nearly all adults in the country for the coronavirus. Amid a steep spike in cases, more than 3.6 million Slovaks were tested for the virus, according to Prime Minister Igor Matovic - that's about two-thirds of the population. Of those tested, 38,359 tested positive for the virus - 1.06%. NPR, … Continue Reading
November 02, 2020
Former FDA Commissioner Says Thanksgiving Will Be 'Inflection Point' As Coronavirus Spreads-Forbes
Former Food and Drug Administration commissioner Scott Gottlieb offered a dour view of the coming weeks on CBS’s Face The Nation Sunday, saying he believes Thanksgiving is going to be an “inflection point” of the U.S. coronavirus outbreak that could lead to winter surges, adding he thinks December will be the country’s “toughest month.” Forbes, … Continue Reading
November 02, 2020
Coronavirus Surging In Every Key Swing State As Voters Head To Polls-ABC News
With Election Day just hours away, coronavirus cases are rising in every key political battleground state around the country, according to an ABC News analysis, a striking reality that highlights the inextricable link between the pandemic and the 2020 race for president, despite Donald Trump's best efforts to refocus the conversation elsewhere. ABC News, … Continue Reading
November 02, 2020
Germany Starts ‘Wave-Breaker’ Shutdown As Europe Locks Down-The Associated Press
Several European countries are tightening restrictions this week, starting with a partial shutdown Monday in Germany, as authorities across the continent scramble to slow a rapid rise in coronavirus infections that threatens to overwhelm their health care systems. Britain and Austria will follow suit later in the week, closing restaurants, bars and many leisure activities. Italy, Greece and Kosovo also announced new measures. The Associated Press, … Continue Reading
November 02, 2020
T-Cell Study Adds To Debate Over Duration Of COVID-19 Immunity-Reuters
A small but key UK study has found that “cellular immunity” to the pandemic SARS-CoV-2 virus is present after six months in people who had mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 - suggesting they might have some level of protection for at least that time. Scientists presenting the findings, from 100 non-hospitalised COVID-19 patients in Britain, said they were “reassuring” but did not mean people cannot in rare cases be infected twice with the disease. Reuters, … Continue Reading