Dec 19 UK nixes Christmas gatherings, shuts London shops over virus By Sylvia Hui, Associated Press British Prime Minister Boris Johnson imposed a new, stricter level of coronavirus restrictions on London and much of southern England on Saturday to curb rapidly spreading infections. In announcing the more restrictive category, Johnson said that a fast-moving new variant… Continue reading
Dec 19 Tight supplies for virus gear cost U.S. states billions By David Lieb, Camille Fasset, Associated Press The AP tallied more than $7 billion in purchases by states this spring for personal protective equipment, or PPE, and high-demand medical devices such as ventilators and infrared thermometers. Much of the buying happened outside normal competitive bidding procedures, and… Continue reading
Dec 19 1 in 5 prisoners in the U.S. has had COVID-19, 1,700 have died By Beth Schwartzapfel, Katie Park, The Marshall Project, Andrew DeMillo, Associated Press One in every five state and federal prisoners in the United States has tested positive for the coronavirus, a rate more than four times as high as the general population. Now the rollout of vaccines poses difficult decisions for politicians… Continue reading
Dec 19 Watch 9:55 A second COVID-19 vaccine is on its way. What’s next? By PBS NewsHour The U.S. has approved a second COVID-19 vaccine, made by Moderna, to begin rollout on Sunday. With America regularly recording more than 3,000 COVID-19 deaths per day, the much-needed additional doses will provide a boost to efforts to vaccinate healthcare… Continue watching
Dec 19 Fight over Fed powers stalls $900 billion aid plan By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press An arcane battle over emergency Federal Reserve powers is frustrating efforts to lock down an agreement on an almost $1 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package. Saturday’s impasse is just the latest stumble in a partisan, monthslong fight, and feelings hardened… Continue reading
Dec 18 How COVID-19 could worsen America’s childhood trauma crisis By William Brangham, Cat Wise, Laura Santhanam, Jaywon Choe, Sam Lane, Leah Nagy, Rachel Wellford, Vika Aronson, Erica R. Hendry, Emily Carpeaux In this episode, PBS NewsHour correspondent William Brangham talks to special correspondent Cat Wise and reporter Laura Santhanam about why the pandemic is likely making the childhood trauma crisis worse and how caregivers can help their kids and themselves through… Continue reading
Dec 18 COVID-19 models plot dire scenarios for California hospitals By Brian Melley, Associated Press Hospitals were on the brink of being overrun with nearly 15,000 coronavirus patients when Gov. Gavin Newsom made the announcement Tuesday. Continue reading
Dec 18 Pelosi, McConnell get COVID-19 vaccine, urge others to do so By Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press The top Capitol doctor urged all members of Congress to join them. Both Pelosi and McConnell tweeted photos of themselves receiving the vaccine from Capitol physician. Continue reading
Dec 17 Biden adviser Cedric Richmond tests positive for coronavirus By Aamer Madhani, Associated Press Biden transition spokesperson Kate Bedingfield says Louisiana Rep. Cedric Richmond tested positive on Thursday, two days after traveling to Atlanta to attend a campaign rally that Biden headlined for Democratic Senate candidates. Continue reading
Dec 17 Watch 6:36 Local governments face cutbacks without federal aid While Congress continues to debate another round of COVID economic relief aid, funding for state and local governments appear to be on the chopping block. Judy Woodruff spoke with Dayton Ohio Mayor Nan Whaley and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Mayor David… Continue watching