brooklynite
brooklynite's JournalIsrael begins fourth Covid-19 dose vaccine rollout for people 60 and over as Omicron cases surge
Source: CNN
Those eligible for the fourth dose can receive it provided at least four months have passed since the third dose, it said. In Israel, almost all vaccinated citizens have received the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.
One of the members of the expert panel told Israeli radio Tuesday evening that the decision to recommend a fourth dose had not been an easy one.
"We don't really have data yet on the level of immunity, like we did when we decided on the third dose, but on the other hand, there is really scary data out there in the rest of the world, Professor Galia Rahav said.
Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/21/middleeast/israel-fourth-covid-vaccine-booster-intl/index.html
Biden announces omicron battle plan to include a half-billion free at-home tests New federal testing
Source: Washington Post
President Biden on Tuesday outlined plans to expand coronavirus testing sites across the country, distribute a half-billion free at-home tests and deploy more federal health resources to aid strained hospitals, as the omicron variant drives a fresh wave of infections.
At the White House, Biden acknowledged that Americans are “tired, worried and frustrated” with covid-19, which he described as a “tough adversary.” But he stressed in remarks at the White House that “we’ve shown that we’re tougher; tougher because we have the power of science and vaccines that prevent illness and save lives.”
The president said Americans have an obligation to get vaccinated, calling it a “patriotic duty,” and pointed to former president Donald Trump’s comment that he got his vaccine booster shot.
Biden stressed that while the number of covid cases have soared to levels not seen since 2020, the outlook was far different with vaccines and other treatment.
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/12/21/biden-omicron-speech-covid-testing-hospitals/
O'Reilly Had to Comfort Trump After Fans Booed Him
Political WireSaid O’Reilly: “”I told him that today, he called me. I said ‘This is good for you, this is good that people see another side of you, not a political side, you told the truth, you believe in the vax, your administration did it, and you should take credit for it, because it did save, I don’t know, hundreds of thousands of lives.’”
Such a sensitive soul…..
Philippines' Typhoon Rai death toll rises further as areas remain cut off from help
Source: CNN
The death toll from the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this year surpassed 300 on Tuesday as humanitarian agencies warned the true scale of destruction remains unknown, partly because rescue workers are unable to access some disaster-hit areas.
Super Typhoon Rai -- known locally as Odette -- has now claimed at least 375 lives since it ripped through the archipelago late last week, CNN affiliate CNN Philippines reported, citing the Philippine National Police (PNP). At least 515 people are injured and 56 still missing, the PNP said.
More deaths are expected to be confirmed as rescue operations continue. But aid workers face The death toll from the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this year surpassed 300 on Tuesday as humanitarian agencies warned the true scale of destruction remains unknown, partly because rescue workers are unable to access some disaster-hit areas.
Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/21/asia/typhoon-rai-philippines-deaths-intl-hnk/index.html
First confirmed US death related to Omicron variant was unvaccinated and had been infected before
Source: CNN
A Texas man, whose death was the first confirmed Omicron-related in the US, was unvaccinated and had previously been infected with the coronavirus, according to a press release from Harris County Public Health.
"The individual was at higher risk of severe complications from Covid-19 due to his unvaccinated status and had underlying health conditions," the release said.
County Judge Lina Hidalgo announced the death on Monday, saying the man was in his 50s. The case is the first known confirmed Omicron-related death in the US.
Read more: https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-12-21-21-intl/h_4b2c2a65d6e94951dc987c52a4dd27f0
Japan hangs 3 death row inmates in first executions since 2019
Source: CNN
Japan executed three death row inmates by hanging on Tuesday, marking the first executions the country has carried out since 2019 and the first under Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
One of those put to death was Yasutaka Fujishiro, 65, who murdered seven people including his aunt and neighbors in 2004, according to Japan's Justice Ministry.
The other two, Tomoaki Takanezawa, 54, and Mitsunori Onogawa, 44, killed two employees in pachinko (game) parlors in 2003, the Justice Ministry confirmed.
"These are extremely brutal cases, taking precious lives for selfish reasons. I think these are terrible incidents not only for victims who lost their lives but also for bereaved families," Justice Minister Yoshihisa Furukawa said at a news conference.
Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/21/asia/japan-executions-death-row-intl-hnk/index.html
Laurie Garrett...
https://twitter.com/laurie_garrett/status/1473120199012491265We were part of the dinner group; now isolating and testing.
COVID Dilema
I had dinner Saturday night with a friend who has now tested positive for COVID and has symptoms. Fortunately I have done an at home test (negative) and will do another tomorrow. IF I turn out to be infected, I am staying with my MIL in a Senior living center, and got here on a full plane for a six hour flight…
Dallas QAnon Cultists Are Drinking Toxic Chemicals from A Communal Bowl, Family Says
Dallas ObserverMultiple members of the Leek family confirmed that their relative, who left her husband and children behind in Delaware to follow a fringe QAnon cult leader to Dallas last month, has been drinking a chemical cocktail containing chlorine dioxide, an industrial disinfectant, among other substances.
Their relative has been drinking this cocktail alongside her fellow cult members and has been the one to mix it up and distribute it amongst the group as well, says family, who have declined to reveal the name of their relative in the group.
"She was proud to tell us that she was the one mixing it up and giving it to everybody," a family member said.
I understand adding some Kool-Aid makes it taste better…..
Profile Information
Name: Chris BastianGender: Male
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Home country: USA
Member since: 2002
Number of posts: 94,736
