Dive Brief:
New clean energy technologies with increasingly cheaper costs will replace an aggregate of the residual fleet of technology which has different operating characteristics, Henbest said, paving the way for a different demand shape.
As the world transitions away from coal energy and other large baseload power plants to smaller generators and more distributed models, the demand curve will become "more choppy," and volatile, he added. This distinction will not be addressed by energy storage alone, Henbest said, but will require coal and natural gas for ramping.
The gas sector is not expected to fully recover from the COVIDshock to the economy, although the resource continues to play an important role. The generators most affected by COVID are the "coal and gas plants that have to pay for their fuel in a declining demand environment," Henbest said. However, gas capacity will continue "to rise across the world and it does so because gas is the cheapest way of meeting those seasonal requirements of backing up wind and PV and batteries."
Beyond 2030, fossil fuel generation will consist of mostly peakergas plants, running very low capacity factors for a few, highly variable hours of the year, he said. The cheap gas, at that point, "actually blocks deeper transition to renewables, and gas gets sort of stuck in the system."
Per BNEF's economic transition scenario, 56% of electricity generation by 2050 will be made up of wind and solar, and about 20% will be hydropower,nuclear and other clean energy,with fossil fuels dropping from over 60% of generation today to about 24% in 30 years.
BNEF's outlook report is "just one input" on the future of emissions, showing reductions on a gradual slope that keeps the world below two degrees of global warming by 2100, Henbest added.
Lewis Hamilton is hoping to recover from COVID-19 in time to race at this weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after posting his first video message on Instagram since he started his isolation.
The seven-time world champion tested positive for COVID on Monday last week and missed last weekend's Sakhir Grand Prix while he isolated in Bahrain.
In an update to his fans on Tuesday, he spoke about his fight against the virus and revealed that he had completed his first workout since developing symptoms.
He is hoping to return to the cockpit of his Mercedes this weekend in Abu Dhabi for the last Formula One race of the season.
"Hi everyone, I hope you're all well," he said in the message. "I know I've not been in touch this past week, but it's definitely been one of the hardest weeks that I've had for some time.
"I've just been focusing on recovering and trying to get back in shape so I can get back in the car and race in the final race in Abu Dhabi.
"I woke up today feeling great and got my first workout in, so I just wanted to send you guys a message of positivity and let you know that I'm OK. I want to thank every single one of you for sending the amazing messages and videos.
"I really, really appreciate it and I hope that wherever you are you are staying positive and fighting through whatever it is that you are facing. I hope that I can get back in the car soon and, yeah, I'm sending you guys love."
Hamilton was replaced by Williams driver George Russell at the Sakhir Grand Prix, who remains on standby in case Hamilton is unable to race in Abu Dhabi.
"If Lewis recovers -- and he's getting better every day -- and he's considered Covid-free, negative [test result], then he will be in the car," Wolff confirmed on Sunday.
In order to be declared fit to return to the F1 paddock, Hamilton will have to return a negative test result for COVID in line with the FIA's testing procedures. He will also have to comply with government guidelines in both Bahrain and Abu Dhabi in order to travel from Bahrain to the United Arab Emirates and arrive at the track.
"The main part with all of this has always been complying with the respective governments' laws and regulations," FIA race director Michael Masi said.
"So it's very much a decision for a the Bahraini health authorities to determine if Lewis is fit and complies with their regulations and then further for the Abu Dhabi authorities to determine their criteria. So it's effectively two government entities that determine entry criteria.
"If he meets the entry criterias of the respective governments and then further complies with the testing protocol from an FIA perspective -- to test negative prior to entering the paddock -- then there's no problems from our perspective."
In order to enter Sunday's race, he must also take part in either Saturday's qualifying session or one of the three practice sessions on Saturday and Friday.
We have heard a lot about the coronavirus vaccines, but what about drug treatments for people who are infected with the virus?
WASHINGTON Coronavirus cases continue to surge across the country. Drug companies Pfizer and Moderna have sent their vaccines to the FDA for emergency approval. But what about people who have COVID-19 already?
Each day we get more information on coronavirus medications. Thats why the Verify team is here to sort through the information and give you the facts.
In the last few weeks, the development of vaccines has gotten most of the attention. However, drug companies are also still working on treatments for people already infected.
What drug treatments has the FDA approved for COVID-19?
The FDA has given emergency authorization to three drug treatments.
The FDA, and drug companies Eli Lilly and Regeneron.
Since the pandemic began, the FDA has approved three drug treatments for people infected with the coronavirus.
According to the FDA in October, the government approved the anti-viral drug 'remdesivir' as a treatment. Early studies suggest it may speed up recovery time in COVID-19 patients.
In November, the FDA approved two more treatments. Drug companies Eli Lilly andRegeneron both created antibody cocktails.
According to both companies, these treatments are to be used in mild or moderate cases of COVID-19 to prevent the virus from becoming severe.
The FDA reports all of these treatments are still being studied for effectiveness in already hospitalized patients.
A reminder that each of these treatments received emergency authorization from the FDA. As the pandemic goes on, we will be getting more information on how effective these treatments truly are.
Data helps show how Washington residents are listening to COVID-19 recommendations and restrictions.
During Thanksgiving week, the TSA reported nearly 5,000 fewer people traveled through Sea-Tac International Airport than the week before. But the question is: Were travelers heeding advice from the CDC or were fewer people traveling because of the West Coast's recommended 14-day quarantine upon arrival?
Connecting regulations, even voluntary ones, to reality can be difficult. Especially if it takes two to three weeks before the impact through COVID-19 data can be measured.
In the restaurant industry, a handful of establishments like Spiffys in Lewis County, are defying Gov. Inslee's ban on indoor dining. But for the vast majority of business owners following the rules, it's been tough.
"Were estimating its costing the (restaurant) industry $800 million with this four-week closure," said Anthony Anton, head of the Washington Hospitality Association. "After Thanksgiving to Christmas is where you make enough money to survive January, February and into the spring."
Besides the impact on travel and dining, hospital capacity is another key indicator.
California is using the percentage of available ICU beds as its trigger point for stay at home orders per region. That trigger is 15%. Overall, California is below that, and Southern California is well below that.
It's unclear if that system will be adopted by Washington. Overall, close to 18% percent of the state's ICU beds are available. But in some western Washington counties, less than 11% of beds are available.
That leads to speculation if Washington's ban on indoor dining and fitness centers could be extended past Dec. 14, or if a new stay at home order could be coming.
"Its always good to be on high alert," Anton said. "I know health department officials and the governors office are considering options. Ones that will be difficult for us to support."
Anton said the hospitality industry is also left wondering if the government will provide any more financial relief soon.
Rockland County COVID-19 hospitalizations rise while active cases go up slightly The Journal News
TheWest Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) reports as of December 7, 2020, therehave been 1,226,697 total confirmatorylaboratory results received for COVID-19, with 56,128totalcases and 841 deaths.
DHHR hasconfirmed the deaths of a 91-yearold female from Roane County, an 89-year old male from Kanawha County, and an 87-yearold female from Kanawha County.
Eachdeath of a West Virginian is a loss if felt by all, said Bill J. Crouch, DHHRCabinet Secretary. We extend our sincere condolences to these families and encouragecontinued abidance of the guidelines and safety measures.
CASESPER COUNTY: Barbour(520), Berkeley (3,932), Boone (728), Braxton (154), Brooke (826), Cabell(3,414), Calhoun (91), Clay (158), Doddridge (140), Fayette (1,268), Gilmer(221), Grant (500), Greenbrier (681), Hampshire (460), Hancock (996), Hardy(399), Harrison (1,726), Jackson (789), Jefferson (1,612), Kanawha (6,367),Lewis (283), Lincoln (483), Logan (1,152), Marion (1,083), Marshall (1,531), Mason(666), McDowell (691), Mercer (1,542), Mineral (1,629), Mingo (1,053),Monongalia (3,691), Monroe (427), Morgan (372), Nicholas (430), Ohio (1,822),Pendleton (137), Pleasants (129), Pocahontas (273), Preston (845), Putnam(2,280), Raleigh (1,805), Randolph (798), Ritchie (213), Roane (223), Summers(301), Taylor (438), Tucker (196), Tyler (182), Upshur (573), Wayne (1,198),Webster (88), Wetzel (476), Wirt (139), Wood (3,124), Wyoming (873).
Please note that delaysmay be experienced with the reporting of information from the local healthdepartment to DHHR. As case surveillance continues at the local health departmentlevel, it may reveal that those tested in a certain county may not be aresident of that county, or even the state as an individual in question mayhave crossed the state border to be tested.
Please visit the dashboard located at www.coronavirus.wv.gov for more information.
Upcoming free COVID-19 testing daily events:
December7, 2020
BarbourCounty
1:00 PM 5:00 PM, Junior Volunteer Fire Department, 331 Row Avenue,Junior, WV
BerkeleyCounty
CabellCounty
GrantCounty
10:00AM 2:00 PM, Petersburg Elementary School, 333 Rig Street, Petersburg, WV
Hancock County
HarrisonCounty
9:00 AM 12:00 PM,Harrison-Clarksburg Health Department, 330 West Main Street, Clarksburg, WV (by appointment; 304-623-9308 andpre-registration: https://wv.getmycovidresult.com/)
JeffersonCounty
MarshallCounty
MasonCounty
5:00PM 7:00 PM, Mason County Health Department, Annex Parking Lot, 5thStreet and Viand Street, Point Pleasant, WV (pre-registration: https://wv.getmycovidresult.com/)
MineralCounty
MingoCounty
11:00AM 4:00 PM, Chattaroy Volunteer Fire Department, 1412 Firefighter Lane,Chattaroy, WV
NicholasCounty
1:00PM 5:00 PM, Nazarene Camp, 6461 Webster Road, Summersville, WV
OhioCounty
11:00AM 4:00 PM, Valley Grove Volunteer Fire Department, 355 Fire House Lane,Valley Grove, WV
11:00AM 4:00 PM, Warwood Fire Station #9, 1301 Richland Avenue, Wheeling, WV
11:00AM 4:00 PM, Wheeling Island Fire Station #5, 11 North Wabash Street, Wheeling,WV
TaylorCounty
WayneCounty
10:00AM 2:00 PM, Wayne County Health Department, 217 Kenova Avenue, Wayne, WV
WirtCounty
WoodCounty
11:00AM 3:00 PM, New Hope Baptist Church, 1777 Rosemar Road, Parkersburg, WV (pre-registration www.ipsumcovidresults.com)
WyomingCounty
11:00AM 3:00 PM, Old Board of Education, 19 Park Street, Pineville, WV
Additional testing will be held on Tuesday, December 8 in Barbour,Berkeley, Brooke, Cabell, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Marshall, Mason,Mercer, Nicholas, Taylor, Wayne, Wood, and Wyoming counties.
There are many ways to obtain free testing in West Virginia. Pleasevisit https://dhhr.wv.gov/COVID-19/pages/testing.aspx for more testing options.
TheWest Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) reports as of December 8, 2020, therehave been 1,236,850 total confirmatorylaboratory results received for COVID-19, with 57,060totalcases and 870 deaths.
DHHR has confirmed the deaths of an 85-year old female fromHancock County, a 77-year old male from Mason County, a 59-year old female fromMarshall County, a 62-year old male from Lincoln County, a 90-year old femalefrom Boone County, a 95-year old female from Hancock County, a 76-year oldfemale from Cabell County, a 54-year old female from Cabell County, an 81-yearold female from Kanawha County, a 65-year old male from Randolph County, a 92-yearold male from Kanawha County, a 72-year old male from Berkeley County, a 97-yearold female from Greenbrier County, a 90-year old female from Greenbrier County,a 97-year old female from Greenbrier County, a 67-year old male from MingoCounty, a 96-year old male from Marshall County, a 74-year old female fromJefferson County, an 81-year old female from Putnam County, a 70-year oldfemale from Fayette County, a 93-year old female from Kanawha County, a 53-yearold female from Grant County, an 80-year old female from Putnam County, a 78-yearold female from Hancock County, a 75-year old male from Raleigh County, an 86-yearold male from Kanawha County, an 89-year old male from Wood County, a 62-yearold female from Harrison County, and a 65-year old male from Cabell County.
Over the past few days, we have lost anadditional 29 West Virginians, said Bill J. Crouch, DHHR Cabinet Secretary. Aswe extend our deepest sympathies to the loved ones, we also encourage all resident to recognize the continued need to take every possible step to slowthe spread of this disease.
CASESPER COUNTY:
Barbour (536), Berkeley (4,009),Boone (736), Braxton (153), Brooke (845), Cabell (3,470), Calhoun (92), Clay(161), Doddridge (147), Fayette (1,272), Gilmer (225), Grant (507), Greenbrier(707), Hampshire (476), Hancock (1,035), Hardy (420), Harrison (1,747), Jackson(798), Jefferson (1,638), Kanawha (6,478), Lewis (290), Lincoln (490), Logan(1,160), Marion (1,104), Marshall (1,538), Mason (685), McDowell (693), Mercer(1,581), Mineral (1,645), Mingo (1,062), Monongalia (3,738), Monroe (432),Morgan (373), Nicholas (442), Ohio (1,850), Pendleton (139), Pleasants (136),Pocahontas (277), Preston (871), Putnam (2,310), Raleigh (1,832), Randolph(808), Ritchie (215), Roane (223), Summers (302), Taylor (443), Tucker (204),Tyler (188), Upshur (579), Wayne (1,220), Webster (89), Wetzel (481), Wirt(141), Wood (3,191), Wyoming (876).
Please note that delaysmay be experienced with the reporting of information from the local healthdepartment to DHHR. As case surveillance continues at the local healthdepartment level, it may reveal that those tested in a certain county may notbe a resident of that county, or even the state as an individual in questionmay have crossed the state border to be tested. Such is the case of Braxton County in this report.
Please visit the dashboard located at www.coronavirus.wv.gov for more information.
Upcoming free COVID-19 testing daily events:
December 8, 2020
Barbour County
1:00 PM 5:00 PM, Junior Volunteer Fire Department, 331 Row Avenue,Junior, WV
Berkeley County
11:00 AM 3:00 PM, Hedgesville High School, 109 Ridge Road N.,Hedgesville, WV (pre-registration: https://wv.getmycovidresult.com/)
1:00 5:00 PM, Shenandoah Community Health, 99 Tavern Road,Martinsburg, WV (pre-registration: https://wv.getmycovidresult.com/)
4:30 PM 8:00 PM, Dorothy McCormack Building, 2000 FoundationWay, Martinsburg, WV (pre-registration: https://wv.getmycovidresult.com/)
Boone County
Cabell County
Grant County
10:00 AM 2:00 PM, Petersburg Elementary School, 333 Rig Street,Petersburg, WV
Hampshire County
Hardy County
8:00 AM 12:00 PM, Wardensville War Memorial Building, 190 E.Main Street, Wardensville, WV
4:00 PM 8:00 PM, Moorefield High School, 401 N. Main Street,Moorefield, WV
Jefferson County
9:00 AM 1:00 PM, Jefferson County Health Department, (frontparking lot), 1948 Wiltshire Road, Kearneysville, WV (pre-registration: https://wv.getmycovidresult.com/)
Marshall County
Mason County
Mercer County
Mingo County
11:00 AM 4:00 PM, Delbarton Volunteer Fire Department, 68 FarleyAvenue, Delbarton, WV
Nicholas County
1:00 PM 5:00 PM, Nazarene Camp, 6461 Webster Road, Summersville,WV
Ohio County
11:00 AM 4:00 PM, Valley Grove Volunteer Fire Department, 355Fire House Lane, Valley Grove, WV (pre-registration: https://wv.getmycovidresult.com/)
11:00 AM 4:00 PM, Warwood Fire Station #9, 1301 Richland Avenue,Wheeling, WV (pre-registration: https://wv.getmycovidresult.com/)
11:00 AM 4:00 PM, Wheeling Island Fire Station #5, 11 NorthWabash Street, Wheeling, WV (pre-registration: https://wv.getmycovidresult.com/)
Taylor County
Wayne County
10:00 AM 2:00 PM, Wayne County Health Department, 217 KenovaAvenue, Wayne, WV
Wood County
Wyoming County
11:00 AM 3:00 PM, Old Board of Education, 19 Park Street,Pineville, WV
Additional testing will be held on Wednesday, December 9 inBarbour, Berkeley, Boone, Cabell, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Harrison, Jefferson,Logan, Marshall, Mason, Mercer, Mineral, Nicholas, Ohio, Taylor, Wayne, Wirt, andWyoming counties.
There are many ways to obtain free testing in West Virginia. Pleasevisit https://dhhr.wv.gov/COVID-19/pages/testing.aspx for more testing options.
The Cape Cod Fairgrounds in East Falmouth will become a testing site for COVID-19 this week.
The site will be opened using the $300,000 in funding that was secured by state Representative Dylan A. Fernandes (D-Falmouth) and will allow for drive-through access to symptomatic and asymptomatic testing.
A dry run of the site is scheduled for Tuesday, December 8. The site is expected to be open for at least six months.
A COVID-19 testing site is also going to be opened in Hyannis in the Cape Cod Melody Tent parking lot. Hyannis Fire Chief Peter Burke told the Barnstable Town Council at its meeting Thursday last week, December 3, that the site could be open as early as Friday, December 11.
This site will also be by appointment only, although the out-of-pocket cost for people without insurance will be lower than the typical $160 cost. The chief said it could cost under $50 and potentially much lower than that.
The test being offered at this site will be a self-administered nasal swab under the observation of medical personnel. The swab will then be sent to the Brodt Institute in Cambridge for processing.
Turnaround time is expected to be between 24 and 48 hours.
Chief Burke said the size of the parking lot will mean cars will not be spilling onto the roadway while awaiting testing.
Residents with insurance will have their insurance billed for the testing.
The site will be open to all people, not just to residents of Barnstable, and will not require that a person prove exposure or be symptomatic, Chief Burke said, who added that the site is still in the planning stage, but more information about how people will be able to be tested there will be available soon.
This site is being funded with money secured by state Senator Susan L. Moran (D-Falmouth).
In addition to the Falmouth and Hyannis testing sites, a third testing site is expected to be available for outer Cape residents soon as well. No further information has been announced about the outer Cape site at this time.
None of these sites is a Stop the Spread sitelocations where residents can drop in without an appointment and be tested at no cost. Cape Cod does not have a Stop the Spread site, and the nearest location of that type is in New Bedford.
The state is starting to see the impact of people not following the guidance surrounding Thanksgiving, with cases surging statewide.
On Monday afternoon, December 7, Sandwich Assistant Town Manager Heather B. Harper, who is a member of the town's COVID-19 Response Team, sent out a press release indicating that the town now has 38 active cases. This is up from just 10 last Thursday.
"This is the highest total number of positive cases that the Town of Sandwich has had at any time during this pandemic," she said. "This rise in cases appears to be reflective of the gatherings held over the Thanksgiving holiday and contacts people make in public and at work."
She said this number is expected to rise even further.
Ms. Harper said if the town starts to see evidence of community spread, officials will evaluate the possibility of partial or full closure of schools and town offices.
Between Friday, December 4, and Sunday, December 6, 188 new cases of COVID-19 were reported on Cape Cod.
This brings the Barnstable County total to 3,702 confirmed and probable cases since the outbreak began in March.
Two deaths from the virus were reported on Friday for a total of 197 deaths related to the disease.
TheWest Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) reports as of December 6, 2020, therehave been 1,214,692 total confirmatorylaboratory results received for COVID-19, with 54,997totalcases and 838 deaths.
DHHR has confirmed the deaths of a 67-yearold female from Wood County, an 82-yearold male from Wood County, a 91-year old male from Mineral County, an 80-yearold male from Fayette County, a 94-year old male from Preston County, an 83-yearold male from Mineral County, a 71-year old male from Berkeley County, a 95-yearold male from Hancock County, and an 81-year old male from Ohio County.
Itis with great sadness that we announce more lives lost to this pandemic, saidBill J. Crouch, DHHR Cabinet Secretary. Our sympathies and thoughts go out tothese families.
CASESPER COUNTY: Barbour (507), Berkeley (3,847),Boone (715), Braxton (149), Brooke (799), Cabell (3,366), Calhoun (90), Clay(149), Doddridge (138), Fayette (1,257), Gilmer (222), Grant (485), Greenbrier(659), Hampshire (443), Hancock (966), Hardy (388), Harrison (1,682), Jackson(779), Jefferson (1,584), Kanawha (6,264), Lewis (278), Lincoln (479), Logan(1,141), Marion (1,057), Marshall (1,508), Mason (649), McDowell (677), Mercer(1,495), Mineral (1,568), Mingo (1,040), Monongalia (3,626), Monroe (414),Morgan (342), Nicholas (412), Ohio (1,791), Pendleton (130), Pleasants (123),Pocahontas (270), Preston (823), Putnam (2,237), Raleigh (1,781), Randolph(785), Ritchie (209), Roane (218), Summers (297), Taylor (425), Tucker (190),Tyler (182), Upshur (567), Wayne (1,177), Webster (80), Wetzel (473), Wirt(134), Wood (3,066), Wyoming (864).
Please note that delaysmay be experienced with the reporting of information from the local healthdepartment to DHHR. As case surveillance continues at the local healthdepartment level, it may reveal that those tested in a certain county may notbe a resident of that county, or even the state as an individual in questionmay have crossed the state border to be tested.
Please visit the dashboard located at www.coronavirus.wv.gov for more information.
Upcoming free COVID-19 testing daily events:
December6, 2020
Hancock County
JacksonCounty
1:00 PM 5:00 PM, Jackson County Health Department, 504 SouthChurch Street, Ripley, WV
Nicholas County
1:00 PM 5:00 PM, Richwood City Hall, 6 White Avenue, Richwood, WV
December7, 2020
BarbourCounty
1:00 PM 5:00 PM, Junior Volunteer Fire Department, 331 Row Avenue,Junior, WV
BerkeleyCounty
CabellCounty
GrantCounty
10:00 AM 2:00 PM, Petersburg Elementary School, 333 Rig Street,Petersburg, WV
Hancock County
HarrisonCounty
9:00 AM 12:00 PM,Harrison-Clarksburg Health Department, 330 West Main Street, Clarksburg, WV (by appointment; 304-623-9308 andpre-registration: https://wv.getmycovidresult.com/)
JeffersonCounty
MarshallCounty
MasonCounty
5:00 PM 7:00 PM, Mason County Health Department, Annex ParkingLot, 5th Street and Viand Street, Point Pleasant, WV (pre-registration: https://wv.getmycovidresult.com/)
MineralCounty
MingoCounty
11:00 AM 4:00 PM, Chattaroy Volunteer Fire Department, 1412Firefighter Lane, Chattaroy, WV
NicholasCounty
1:00 PM 5:00 PM, Nazarene Camp, 6461 Webster Road, Summersville,WV
TaylorCounty
WayneCounty
10:00 AM 2:00 PM, Wayne County Health Department, 217 KenovaAvenue, Wayne, WV
WirtCounty
Wood County
11:00 AM 3:00 PM, New Hope Baptist Church, 1777 Rosemar Road,Parkersburg, WV (pre-registration www.ipsumcovidresults.com)
WyomingCounty
11:00 AM 3:00 PM, Old Board of Education, 19 Park Street,Pineville, WV
There are many ways to obtain free testing in West Virginia. Pleasevisit https://dhhr.wv.gov/COVID-19/pages/testing.aspx for more testing options.
We asked you to tell us your biggest questions about the COVID-19 vaccines. Here are some answers. USA TODAY
More than a quarter of America's coronavirus cases have been reported since Nov. 16, showing how widespread and aggressive the current COVID-19 surge is, according to a USA TODAY analysis of Johns Hopkins Universitydata.
Most of the country'scases have been reported since Oct. 4, the analysis also found. On Sunday, Georgia becamethe sixth state to report 500,000 cases. Vermont, the state with the fewest cases, surpassed 5,000 on Sunday.
Meanwhile, New York City welcomed some of its students back into the classroom Monday after a shutdown kept them in a virtual-learning setting for a few weeks.
And in California, most of the stateentered a new stay-at-home lockdown that will last through the Christmas holiday. Indoor and outdoor dining is banned, people cannot gather with anyone outside their households, and hair salons, barber shops and movie theaters must shut down.
Today's numbers:The U.S. has reported more than 14.9millioncases and over 283,500 deaths,according to Johns Hopkins University data. The global totals: 67.4millioncases and 1.54 milliondeaths.
What we're reading:Are there side effects from the COVID-19 vaccines? How much will they cost? And what are the ingredients? We're answering your vaccine questions here.
Mapping coronavirus:Track the U.S. outbreak in your state.
This file will be updated throughout the day. For updates in your inbox, subscribe toThe Daily Briefing newsletter.
Autoplay
Show Thumbnails
Show Captions
The U.S. government should use its entire inventory of coronavirus vaccines right away instead of saving half of it to complete the two-dose treatment down the road, the former head of the FDA said.
The federal government hopes to have close to 40 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine by the end of the year, and itplans to distribute half of them in December and hold back the rest to administer the second shot to the same people in January.
Dr. Scott Gottlieb, a former Food and Drug Administration commissioner who's now aboard member of the vaccine-making company Pfizer, says that's the wrong approach.
We should get as many shots in our arms as possible right away, Gottlieb told the USA TODAY Editorial Board on Monday. The idea that we need to cut (the doses) in half and give half of it now and hold onto it, so we have supply in January to get the second dose I just fundamentally disagree with that.
Gottlieb said he anticipates another 40 million doses should be ready in time for the second shot of the regimen. The Pfizer vaccine requires a second dose to be administered three weeks after the first one, while the Moderna vaccine calls for a second shot four weeks after the initial one. Both have shown about 95% effectiveness in trials.
Adrianna Rodriguez
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, a three-time All-Star and former NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and rookie center James Wiseman have tested positive for the coronavirus, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
Both players missed Monday's first group practice of training camp and will have to quarantine for 10-12 days. Theabsence from the team could be especially detrimental for Wiseman, the No. 2 overall pick in last month's draft, as he begins his NBA career after playing only three games in college.
Without masks and a vaccine, we could reach Herd Immunity from COVID-19, but deaths would skyrocket. We break down the science of it. USA TODAY
Get ready for even worse COVID news over the rest of the holidays.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nations top infectious disease expert, said the upcoming holiday season may be even worse than Thanksgiving in terms of spreading the coronavirus. Faucitold CNN on Monday that the prospects for virus transmission as people travel may be even more compounded than what we saw at Thanksgiving.
Fauci said its a very critical time in this country right now with the virus surging and more important than ever for people to take precautions like avoiding indoor gatherings, wearing masks and social distancing. The U.S. has been averaging nearly 200,000 new COVID-19 cases a day during the current surge.
-- The Associated Press
Tennessee state Rep. David Byrd has been hospitalized with COVID-19 after attending a House Republican caucus meeting with nearly 70 lawmakers on Nov. 24.
Byrd, 63, was flown by helicopter to a Nashville hospital over the weekend. Fellow Republican state Rep. Mike Carter was hospitalized earlier this year after contracting the coronavirus.
Nursing home residents and workers should get top priority for the nation's limited vaccine supply, advocates say.
American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living officials on Monday urged governors to ensure nursing home residents and workers are immunized with the two-dose vaccine by March 1.
Last week, an influential advisory committee of theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention recommended residents of long-term care facilities join frontline health workers as the first priority group for vaccines. But governors and state health departments can decide who gets first dibs on the vaccine.
About one in five nursing home residents with COVID-19 die from the illness, according to the CDC."The single best way to very quickly reduce the number of COVID deaths is to get the population vaccinated who is dying from the disease," said Mark Parkinson, president and CEO of the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living.
Ken Alltucker
The weekend death from COVID-19 of a third-grade teacher has provided further impetus for a South Carolina teacher group to ask school districts to return to virtual classes at a time when coronavirus cases are surging in the state.
The family ofStaci Blakely, 50, asked the Lexington One School District to announce her death publicly to remind people how serious the disease can be, District Superintendent Greg Little said in a statement.Blakely, who taught for 28 years,was diagnosed with the virus Nov. 11.
At least four school districts in South Carolina have returned to all virtual learning. Nearly a quarter of the states districts are teaching in person every day.
The yearly Pearl Harbor commemoration in Honolulu has joined the extensive list of public events impacted by the coronavirus.A moment of silence was held at 7:55 a.m. Monday,the same time the attack by Japanese forces on an American naval base began in 1941, but public health measures imposed because of the pandemic meant no survivors were present this year.
The military broadcast video of the ceremony live online for survivors and members of the public to watch from afar.USS Utah survivor Warren Upton, 101, said he would have liked to attend in person but couldn't for safety reasons. He planned to watch the ceremony from his home in California.
More than 2,400 people died inthe Pearl Harbor attack, which prompted the U.S. to formally enter World War II.
California hopesa smartphone app will help stem the worrisome spike of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations in the state, which has prompted the imposition of several restrictions. The app, called CA Notify, wouldalert people if they spent time near someone who tests positive for COVID-19.
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the voluntary tool Monday and said people can opt in to use it starting Thursday by activating it through the settings menu on iPhones or downloading the app on Android phones. The technology was developed ina joint effort between Apple and Google.
Officials say the tool doesnt track peoples identities or locations but uses Bluetooth wireless signals to detect when two phones are within 6 feetof each other for at least 15 minutes, then sends notifications when one of the phone users in that group tests positive for the virus.
Sixteen other states, plus Guam and Washington, D.C., have already made the system available, though most residents don't useit. The apphas been used on a pilot basis on University of California campuses.
Newsom has issued a set a new,restrictive mandates that went into effect Sunday night across most of the state and will be in place for at least three weeks.California, with a population of 40 million people,has reported more than 1.3 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 and about 20,000 deaths.
Nicole Hayden,Palm Springs Desert Sun, and John Bacon
Nearly allintensive care unit beds on theNavajo Nation reservation were being used as health care workers fear having to makedifficult decisions about providing care with limited hospital resources.
Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said Sunday evening that there are few options to transport patients to other regional hospitals that are near full capacity. This second wave of COVID-19 is much more dire and much more severe than the first wave we had in April and May, Nez said in a statement.
The tribe extended its stay-at-home order, which took effect Monday, to stop the spread of the virus.
About 50 hospitals in the United Kingdom will receive the first batch of the coronavirus vaccine created by American drugmaker Pfizer and Germany's BioNTech, according to the BBC.Vaccinations will be administered starting Tuesday in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The U.K. became the first country to authorize Pfizer's candidate vaccine for emergency use last week. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is scheduled to evaluate Pfizer's vaccine Thursday, anddistribution is expected to start within 24 hours of authorization.
The Arizona Legislature will close for a week "out of an abundance of caution" after Rudy Giuliani, President Donald Trump's personal attorney, possibly exposed several Republican lawmakers to COVID-19.
Trump announcedGiuliani had tested positive for the virusSunday afternoon, less than a week after the former New York City mayor visited Arizona as part of a multistate tour aimed at contesting 2020election results. Giuliani, 76, was later admitted to Georgetown University Medical Center.
Giuliani had spent more than 10 hoursdiscussing election concernswith Arizona Republicans including two members of Congress and at least 13 current and future state lawmakersat the Hyatt Regency Phoenix last Monday.He led the meeting maskless, flouting social distancing guidelines and posing for photos.
Giulianialso met privately with Republican lawmakers and legislative leadership the next day, according to lawmakers' social media posts.And Democratic legislators noted Sunday evening that some representatives-elect who'd attended the Hyatt event attended an orientation for new lawmakers later in the week, possibly exposing additional legislators and Capitol staff.
Maria Polletta, Arizona Republic
An Ohioclub has been citedfor "egregious violations" of public health orders after undercover agents said they observed about 500 people attending a concert there Saturday night.
Columbus' Aftermathwas citedby the Ohio Investigative Unit for improper conduct and disorderly activities in violation of its liquor permit, according to a news release.
The club was packed withhundreds of patrons who made no attempts to maintain social distancing, and most of the crowd and employees were not wearing facial coverings, the release said. Agents also observed patrons standing, walking freely and sharing alcoholic beverages from the same bottle, passed between groups.
Dean Narciso, The Columbus Dispatch
A COVID-19 vaccine could start having an impact on some people's lives as soon as January,Moncef Slaoui, the science adviser of the White House Operation Warp Speed said Sunday.
Slaoui, who is leading the vaccine development and distribution plan for the government, said "we have light at the end of the tunnel." Still, he urged Americans to continuesocial distancing, wearing a mask and washing their hands.
"We may start to see some impact on the most susceptible people probably in the month of January and February,"Slaoui told CBS News' "Face the Nation" when asked when infections will lower.
For most Americans, though, wondering when life will start getting back to normal: "We're talking about April or May,"Slaoui said. Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, is less bullish on the timing, saying last month he expects it to be the second or third quarter of 2021.Read more about Slaoui here.
A sign regarding mask use to help curb the spread of COVID-19 hangs on Sunday outside a business in Vancouver, British Columbia.(Photo: Darryl Dyck, The Canadian Press via AP)
Some of New York City's public school students are returning to the classroom Monday after a short-lived shutdown sent them home for virtual learning amid rising COVID-19 infection rates.
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced schools were closing for in-person instructionlast month, but less than two weeks later said they would reopen Monday for preschool and elementary school students.
De Blasio has vowed to try to keep the nation's largest school districtopen, using new testing protocolsinstead of relying on local infection rates to determine whether classrooms should shutter.
Austin Quinn-Davidson, the acting mayor of Alaskas largest city, is isolating at home after testing positive for COVID-19, her office announced Sunday. She felt cold-like symptoms beginning Nov. 29 and isolated at home until taking a test the next day. That test and another test came back negative. However, Quinn-Davidsons third test came back positive Saturday.
The 41-year-old is experiencing mild symptoms, the office said. Her wife, Dr. Stephanie Quinn-Davidson, has tested negative and is not experiencing symptoms, the mayors office said.
Quinn-Davidson became Anchorage's acting mayor on Oct. 23 following the resignation of Ethan Berkowitz. Shes the citys first female mayor.
Contributing: Mike Stucka and The Associated Press
Autoplay
Show Thumbnails
Show Captions
Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/12/07/covid-news-uk-vaccine-california-lockdown-us-deaths-cases/3850570001/
