Feb 13 Watch 6:50 An unexpected pitfall for some cities' mandatory hazard pay for essential workers By Laura Fong Despite the rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations, hazards for frontline workers continue. Early in the pandemic, many large companies increased pay for essential workers, but many of those raises have now expired. Seattle and several cities across California have passed mandatory… Continue watching
Feb 13 Watch 6:47 Some cities made hazard pay for essential workers mandatory— what companies, and local governments, have to say about it By PBS NewsHour When the COVID-19 pandemic swept the nation last March, many large food retailers increased their frontline workers’ pay by several dollars an hour. Dubbed ‘hero pay,' the programs have since ended, despite the remaining dangers for workers. Some cities have… Continue watching
Feb 12 Biden administration to undo Medicaid work requirements By Alexandra Jaffe, Associated Press Federal health officials planned Friday to inform 10 states that they would revoke permissions granted by the Trump administration to impose such requirements. Continue reading
Feb 12 WATCH: Pentagon approves 20 more COVID-19 vaccination teams By Associated Press The Biden administration has said that delivering the vaccine to Americans is a top priority, raising questions about why the rollout of the teams hasn't moved more quickly. Continue reading
Feb 12 Czech Republic in chaos after political infighting amid COVID-19 surge By Karel Janicek, Associated Press The lower house of the Czech Parliament late Thursday refused the minority government's request to extend the state of emergency. Ministers have warned that will further worsen the situation and might cause the struggling health system to collapse. Continue reading
Feb 12 WHO chief cautions against easing restrictions By Associated Press Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says the number of reported cases of globally has declined for the fourth week in a row, and the number of deaths also fell for the second consecutive week. Continue reading
Feb 12 CDC says strong evidence in-person schooling can be done safely By Collin Binkley, Mike Stobbe, Associated Press Its roadmap for reopening schools emphasizes mask wearing and social distancing and other actions, saying vaccination of teachers is important but not a prerequisite for reopening. Continue reading
Feb 12 WHO says COVID-19 restrictions still needed to prevent spread By Associated Press While the figures reported by countries to the WHO for the week ending Feb. 8 are still incomplete, the global body said so far about 1.9 million newly confirmed cases were registered worldwide, down from more than 3.2 million the… Continue reading
Feb 12 Britain's COVID infection rate lowers to July numbers By Associated Press The U.K. is in lockdown to try to curb Europe’s worst coronavirus outbreak, which has caused more than 116,000 deaths. Continue reading
Feb 12 Cuomo administration 'froze' over nursing home data requests By Marina Villeneuve, Associated Press Republicans are calling for resignations of both Cuomo and the aide, secretary to the governor Melissa DeRosa. Progressive Democrats are blasting the Cuomo administration for its lack of transparency. Continue reading