Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Wake-Up Call: CDC Reduces Recommended Isolation Time


The Centers for Disease Control has cut in half the number of days it recommends that people quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19. It now says five days in isolation should be sufficient for people who don't develop symptoms, but still recommends wearing a mask in in public for another five days. The change was motivated by studies that show most virus transmissions occur soon after infection.

Early numbers suggest that the now-dominant omicron variant is often milder and less deadly than previous variants, but health officials still warn that the sheer number of new infections could crush overburdened hospitals.

In New York City, the increasing number of children hospitalized with COVID has led health officials to urge parents to get their kids vaccinated. The vaccination rate for children is low, especially in the age 5 to 11 group.

Florida is experiencing a dramatic spike in cases. New reported infections quadrupled, reaching 125,000 new cases in the week from December 17th to December 23rd.

 
🛬AIRLINES GROUND MORE TRAVELERS: Another 2,800 flights were canceled yesterday as the airlines continue to wrestle with staff and crew shortages at their busiest time of the year. About 11,000 flights to or from U.S. destinations were delayed. Around the world, more than 6,000 flights were canceled between Christmas Eve and Sunday. The airlines say they're trying to reschedule customers.

ࣸ➤BIG DEFENSE BILL SIGNED INTO LAW: President Joe Biden has signed a big new defense bill into law. The price tag totals almost $770 billion, which is $24 billion more than he asked Congress to approve. The bill includes new funding to counter military expansion by China, bolster the defense of Ukraine, and procure advanced aircraft, ships, and high-tech hardware. The bill received bipartisan support in Congress.


➤FOUR DEAD IN DENVER SHOOTINGS: At least four people were killed and at least three others were injured in a string of shootings at several locations across the Denver area, police said. A single gunman suspected of all of the shootings is among the dead. Many of the details were unclear early this morning, but the final incident occurred at a Hyatt Place hotel in Lakewood, where a clerk was shot. The suspect was attempting to flee when he was confronted by police. A police officer was injured and the suspect was killed in that confrontation.


➤WHAT TO DO WITH GIFTS YOU DON’T WANT:  It’s possible you got some holiday gifts that you just don’t want. So what should you do with them? Carey Riley is a lifestyle and retail expert and says you should first know that if you’re struggling to use a tech gift you got, like a laptop or a tablet, there are services that can help you. Riley says, “You can call 855-355-TECH,” and they will help you set up any new tech items you have, including cell phones. But if you have items you really don’t want—you can always re-gift them. Riley explains, “Re-gifting used to have a bad stigma, and it doesn’t anymore—or secondhand gifting. It’s actually very much appreciated.” There are several ways to do this, including using the online platform MPB.com, which allows you to sell unwanted gifts. Finally, you can return an item for store credit. Riley notes many stores offer “a lot of leniency” right after Christmas.

🌲WHAT’S THE MOST ECO-FRIENDLY WAY TO DISPOSE OF YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE? Christmas is over, and you may be ready to take down your tree. But how should you dispose of it? If it’s an artificial tree, you should box it up and save it for next year. If it’s really at the end of its life, you should do your best to recycle it or donate it—your local Goodwill is a good place to start. Many people displayed real trees this year as well. PopSci says the ideal way to get rid of your real tree is to have it made into mulch. If you live in an urban area, you probably have access to a public works department that will take your tree and turn it into useful wood chips for gardens and parks. Also, Home Depots across the US recycle trees, just call your local store to confirm. You can also search Earth911’s database by zip code to find a tree recycling program near you. Wherever you bring your tree, be sure to remove all ornaments, lights, tinsel, nets, etc. before dropping it off. If none of these options work for you, you could always just drop your real Christmas tree into a forest, pond, or lake, as it is biodegradable, though you may want to check with your local fish and game department first.


➤SECOND TIME CAPSULE FOUND UNDER ROBERT E LEE STATUE: Workers dismantling a giant pedestal that once held up a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee in Richmond, Virginia, recently found a time capsule that had apparently been placed there in 1887. That turned out to be a dud. The sealed box held several damp books, a coin and some paper. But that's not the end of the story. A second capsule has been found. It hasn't been opened yet, but contemporary records suggest that dozens of Confederate artifacts may have been placed there. The box will be opened next Tuesday.

🐮COW FINDS SANCTUARY IN THE SUBURBS: A nine-month-old cow that made a daring break for freedom from a New York City slaughterhouse on December 21st has found her forever home in a New Jersey suburb. Police and urban rangers rounded up the adventurous bovine in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, where she had found her way after fleeing from her captors. Her new home is the Skylands Animal Rescue and Sanctuary in Sussex County, New Jersey.

🏀NBA CUTS QUARANTINE TIME: The NBA has cut to six days the length of time that pro basketball players and coaches have to spend in quarantine if they have been vaccinated but test positive for COVID-19, according to ESPN. The previous policy had required a 10-day wait before getting a chance to "test out" of quarantine and return to the game. Still in place is a rule allowing someone to leave quarantine after two negative tests in 24 hours. As of yesterday, 205 players have been in quarantine this season.


🏈SUN BOWL IS BACK ON AGAIN: Two good teams were desperately seeking someone to play against, and fortunately they've found each other. The Washington State Cougars will play against the Central Michigan Chippewas at the Sun Bowl this Friday. It was supposed to be Washington State versus Miami and Central Michigan versus Boise State, but both those teams had to withdraw due to COVID outbreaks. The Arizona Bowl is still canceled.

🏀WARRIORS' WIGGINS RETURNS: The NBA's updated COVID-19 health and safety protocols have already been good news for Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins. He entered protocols on December 19th but was taken off the list yesterday. He rejoined the Warriors for practice and is likely to be in tonight's game against the Denver Nuggets, according to The Mercury News.

🏈GAROPPOLO NURSING A SORE THUMB: San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has got a seriously sore thumb. He suffered a torn ligament and a fracture in his right thumb early in last Thursday's game against the Tennessee Titans. He was not at practice yesterday, and his status for Sunday's game against the Houston Texans is uncertain, according to ESPN.

🏈SEVERAL OHIO STATE PLAYERS OPT OUT OF ROSE BOWL: Four of Ohio State Buckeyes' best players are declaring for the 2022 NFL draft and will not play in the Rose Bowl against the Utah Utes this New Year's Day. Coach Ryan Day announced yesterday that receivers Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere and defensive lineman Haskell Garrett all are declaring for the draft.

➤STORMY WEATHER IN THE WEST: A major winter storm system continued to wreak havoc in parts of the West. Heavy snow fell in the mountains of northern California and Nevada. Interstate 80 was still closed late last night from the Nevada state line to Placer County, California due to heavy snow. Washington State and Oregon recorded record-low temperatures.



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