Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Wake-Up Call: TWH Announces Vaccine Expansion


The Biden administration said yesterday that it's moving to expand access to coronavirus vaccines, make more doses available for states, and starting to send them to retail pharmacies. Coronavirus coordinator Jeff Zients said that one million vaccine doses will be distributed to some 6,500 pharmacies across the country next week, providing more locations for people to get vaccinated. Additionally, the weekly allocation of vaccines sent directly to states is being increased by 500,000 doses for the coming weeks, up to 10.5 million. The number of participating pharmacies and the allocation of vaccines will grow as drugmakers increase production, with the White House saying the goal is to ultimately have more than 40,000 pharmacies involved. Major chains including CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid are participating, as are large store chains like Walmart and Costco, and supermarket pharmacies.

➤BIDEN SIGNS IMMIGRATION EXECUTIVE ORDERS, INCLUDING ON TASK FORCE TO REUNITE SEPARATED FAMILIES: President Biden signed new executive orders related to immigration yesterday, including one to create a task force to reunite families that were separated at the border during the Trump administration. It's estimated that the parents of more than 600 children still have not been located of the 5,500 families that were separated. A second order begins a review of another program from the previous administration that has left tens of thousands of people waiting in Mexico while their requests for asylum in the U.S. are processed. A third orders a review of Trump-era policies that have made it harder for legal immigrants to get green cards or to become naturalized U.S. citizens.

The Wall Street Journal 2/3/21



➤RUSSIAN COURT ORDERS NAVALNY JAILED FOR MORE THAN TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS: A Russian court ordered opposition leader Alexei Navalny to be jailed for more than two-and-a-half years yesterday, ruling that he'd violated the terms of his probation while recovering in Germany from nerve-agent poisoning that he's blamed on the Kremlin. The probation violation charge related to a 2014 embezzlement conviction that Navalny charges was fabricated and politically motivated. Earlier in the court proceeding, Navalny had charged that he was arrested because of President Vladimir Putin's "fear and hatred," stating, "The aim of this hearing is to scare a great number of people. You can’t jail the entire country." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned the sentence, saying, "We reiterate our call for the Russian government to immediately and unconditionally release Mr. Navalny . . . "




➤TWO FBI AGENTS KILLED IN SEARCH ATTEMPT RELATED TO CHILD PORN CASE: Two FBI agents were killed and three wounded, none of them critically, in Sunrise, Florida, yesterday morning (February 2nd) when a suspect opened fire as they arrived with a warrant to search an apartment in a child pornography and violence against children case. The suspect also died and is believed to have killed himself. The two agents killed were identified as 36-year-old Daniel Alfin and 43-year-old Laura Schwartzenberger. The suspect wasn't named, with the FBI saying his family had to be notified first. President Biden offered his condolences from the White House, saying, "They put their lives on the line and that’s a hell of a price to pay. My heart aches for the families."

➤CAPITOL POLICE OFFICER KILLED IN JAN. 6 ATTACK LIES IN HONOR AT CAPITOL: Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who was killed in the January 6th attack on the Capitol as he tried to hold off the mob, lay in honor last night (February 2nd) at the same building in the Capitol Rotunda. Capitol Police have said the 42-year-old Sicknick was hurt, quote, "while physically engaging with protesters." There have been media reports that he was hit in the head with a fire extinguisher and collapsed. President Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, paid their respects at the Capitol during the ceremony last night, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and a few other congressional leaders also paid their respects. A viewing period was held overnight for Capitol Police members, and lawmakers will pay tribute during a ceremony this morning. Sicknick's cremated remains will leave later in the day for Arlington National Cemetery.


➤CDC COULD POSSIBLY RECOMMEND DOUBLE MASK USE, FAUCI SAYS:  Wearing two masks might be the norm soon. America’s top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, spoke to the Washington Post recently, and said that it’s “possible” that federal health officials could soon recommend “double masking” in an effort to better prevent the spread of COVID-19. He emphasized that researchers with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are still looking into this matter, and that more data is needed before a decision will be made. On Friday (January 29th) the CDC said it’s studying the effectiveness of double masks, specifically a cloth mask placed over a medical mask, in stopping coronavirus spread, though they do not yet have “hard data” to support whether this is better than using a single mask.


➤SURVEY: AMERICANS MOST STRESSED NOW SINCE PANDEMIC START: We are getting close to being one year into the coronavirus pandemic, and instead of things getting easier as people have adjusted, a new survey out yesterday found that Americans are the most stressed out now that they've been since the pandemic began. But it's not all about the pandemic, with people feeling stressed about things like political unrest and economic uncertainty too. In the Harris Poll for the American Psychological Association (APA), respondents reported the highest average levels of stress since last April, when Covid-19 cases and deaths first started rising, with 84 percent reporting feeling at least one emotion tied to prolonged stress in the last two weeks. The largest stress trigger was the future of America, named by 81 percent, followed right behind by the pandemic at 80 percent, and political unrest across the nation at 74 percent. Two-thirds, or 66 percent, named the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol as a "significant source of stress," even though the survey was taken nearly three weeks after it happened. The APA offered some advice to help manage stress, including taking a break from the news and social media, staying connected with friends and family, and taking 15- or 30-minute self-care breaks throughout the day, such as taking a short walk, calling a friend or watching a funny show.

➤VEEP'S LOVE OF CONVERSE CHUCK TAYLORS HAS GIVEN SALES A BOOST: America got to know about Vice President Kamala Harris' love of Converse's classic Chuck Taylor high-top sneakers when she was seen wearing them on the campaign trail in a viral moment after being chosen by Joe Biden as his running mate. Now it seems like that attention has given sales a boost. Research firm NPD Group says that sales of women's Chuck Taylors doubled during inauguration week, as Harris supporters wanted to wear them for Inauguration Day, even forming Facebook groups to promise to do so. There was also another boost for Chuck Taylors when Harris was seen wearing them in a recent photo on the cover of Vogue. Converse itself won't say if they believe Harris' influence is affecting sales, but said in a statement, "We are pleased that the Madam Vice President has chosen our sneaker as a staple in her wardrobe."



⚾ANGELS SUSPEND CALLAWAY OVER ALLEGATIONS HE 'AGGRESSIVELY PURSUED' WOMEN IN SPORTS MEDIA: The Los Angeles Angels suspended pitching coach Mickey Callaway on Tuesday, one day after a report in The Athletic that alleged he'd "aggressively pursued" women in sports media. The Angels said the team, quote, "will work closely with MLB to conduct a full investigation." Callaway has denied wrongdoing. Five unnamed women spoke to The Athletic about actions over at least five years with three teams. Callaway was the Cleveland Indians’ pitching coach before managing the New York Mets from 2018 to 2019. After being fired, he was the Angels' pitching coach last season. The allegations include sending uninvited messages via email, text or social media, and sending three women inappropriate photos and asking one to send nude photos back.

🏈25K FANS TO BE ALLOWED IN STADIUM FOR SUPER BOWL: The NFL announced Tuesday that 25,000 fans will be allowed in Tampa, Florida's Raymond James Stadium this Sunday for the Super Bowl, one-third of its maximum capacity of 75,000. There will be an additional 30,000 cardboard cutouts of fans in the stands. Some tickets will be given coronavirus vaccinated healthcare workers from the Tampa area.


🏀RAPTORS' VANVLEET SETS FRANCHISE RECORD WITH 54 POINTS: The Toronto Raptors' Fred VanVleet set a franchise record with 54 points last night in Toronto's 123-108 win over the Orlando Magic. It was also a career best for the 26-year-old, who additionally had a career-best 11 three-pointers. The previous franchise record was 52 points, scored by DeMar DeRozan in January 2018.

🏀NUMBER 2 BAYLOR REMAINS UNBEATEN WITH 83-69 WIN OVER TEXAS: Number 2 Baylor remains unbeaten on the season after a 83-69 win over sixth-ranked Texas last night. Davion Mitchell scored 27 points for Baylor, and Jared Butler added 21. Baylor, which is now 17-0, has won every game this season by at least eight points. They've also matched the best start in school history and took a three-game lead in the Big 12 standings.

➤EA SPORTS ANNOUNCES RETURN OF NCAA FOOTBALL VIDEO GAMES: Video game maker EA Sports announced yesterday that it's bringing back its NCAA college football games, although it didn't give a timetable for a release. EA Sports had stopped making the games eight years ago after the NCAA was sued for not sharing revenue with college athletes. The NCAA is currently trying to change the rules to allow athletes to earn money from their names, images and likenesses, but there are still issues and complications with getting it done.
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