Tagged: 2021

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The U.S will open its land borders for fully vaccinated travelers.

By Zolan Kanno-Youngs and Emily Cochrane

Read the full article from The New York Times, here.

The lifting of the bans will effectively mark the reopening of the United States to travelers and tourism, signaling a new phase in the recovery from the pandemic after the country closed its borders for nearly 19 months.

But the new requirements also indicate that the United States will welcome only visitors who are vaccinated. Unvaccinated travelers will continue to be banned from crossing the borders with Mexico or Canada, officials said. Those who were never banned from traveling across the land borders, including commercial drivers and students, will also need to show proof of vaccination when crossing starting in January, giving them some time to adjust to the new rules, officials said.

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Masten still a Byron Brown stronghold, but voters’ desire for change cuts into his support

By Deidre Williams

Read the full article from Buffalo News, here.

Community leaders say Brown still has support in Masten for the Nov. 2 election. But Walton has picked up support here, too, and holding down his vote totals in Masten could be pivotal to her chances.

The Masten District extends from Main Street to as far east as Bailey Avenue, and extends generally from East Amherst Street to as far south as Best Street, encompassing all or parts of the Hamlin Park, Delavan Grider, Fillmore-Leroy, Kensington Bailey, Genesee-Moselle and MLK Park neighborhoods.

House to vote to extend debt ceiling through early December

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House to vote to extend debt ceiling through early December

By Clare Foran & Kristin Wilson

Read the full article from CNN, here.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has warned lawmakers that the federal government will likely run out of cash by October 18 unless Congress raises the debt ceiling, setting up a ticking clock and high stakes. Congress may not even have that long to act since the deadline is more of a best-guess estimate than a set-in-stone deadline. That dynamic intensified pressure on Democrats and Republicans to reach a deal to address the debt limit.

But the temporary debt limit extension is only a short-term fix and sets up another looming potential fiscal crisis later this year when it runs out.

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Moderna argues the F.D.A. should authorize a half-dose of its vaccine as a booster.

By Sharon LaFraniere

Read the full article from The New York Times, here.

Moderna cited the rate of breakthrough infections, “real world evidence of reduced effectiveness against the Delta variant,” and falling levels of neutralizing antibodies from its vaccine six to eight months after a second dose. The company said its clinical trial studies showed that a third injection boosted antibody levels — one measure of the immune system’s response — higher than what they had been before the second dose.

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Brown, Walton stress housing and development platforms in bids for support

By Deidre Williams & Mark Sommer

Read the full article from Buffalo News, here.

Housing and development emerged as a theme for both mayoral candidates as they hit the campaign trail less than a month before the general election.

Walton touted land trusts, and Brown acknowledged they have a role in the city’s future – to a degree.

Brown said he would continue working with developers on housing and commercial initiatives, and Walton acknowledged they also have a role in the city’s future – to a degree.

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The rate of Covid-19 cases is dropping nationally but rising in these 5 states

By Aya Elamroussi and Holly Yan

Read the full article from CNN, here.

In 45 states, the rates of new Covid-19 cases either declined or stayed relatively steady this past week compared to the previous week, according to data Saturday from Johns Hopkins University.
Five states — Montana, Colorado, Minnesota, Michigan and Pennsylvania — had at least 10% more new cases this past week compared to the previous week.

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Merck requests FDA authorization for COVID-19 antiviral pill

By Joseph Choi

Read the full article from The Hill, here.

Merck has said that its pill, which targets the enzyme that allows the COVID-19 virus to make copies of itself, is likely effective against COVID-19 variants, including the highly infectious delta variant.

The U.S. government already has a supply agreement with Merck to acquire about 1.7 million courses of molnupiravir if it receives emergency use authorization from the FDA.

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As Biden’s vaccinate-or-test mandate approaches, questions arise over enforcement

By Heidi Przybyla and Laura Strickler

Read the full article from NBC News, here.

President Joe Biden says his sweeping Covid-19 vaccination and testing mandate will boost the economy and save lives, but as businesses prepare for the new requirement, they’re wondering not only what will be in the regulation, but how it will be enforced.

The mandate, which will apply to organizations with at least 100 employees and cover an estimated 80 million workers, has already drawn threats of lawsuits from two dozen Republican attorneys general and prompted some people to vow to quit their jobs. But a greater challenge for the administration could lie within the agency tasked with ensuring compliance.

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Moderna, Racing for Profits, Keeps Covid Vaccine Out of Reach of Poor

By Rebecca Robbins

Read the full article from The New York Times, here.

Moderna, whose coronavirus vaccine appears to be the world’s best defense against Covid-19, has been supplying its shots almost exclusively to wealthy nations, keeping poorer countries waiting and earning billions in profit.

After developing a breakthrough vaccine with the financial and scientific support of the U.S. government, Moderna has shipped a greater share of its doses to wealthy countries than any other vaccine manufacturer, according to Airfinity, a data firm that tracks vaccine shipments.

2021 election issues: Does Byron Brown deserve credit for Buffalo’s population increase?

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2021 election issues: Does Byron Brown deserve credit for Buffalo’s population increase?

By Jerry Zremski

Read the full article from Buffalo News, here.

This summer, Brown’s prediction came true. The U.S. Census Bureau reported that Buffalo’s population grew 6.5% between 2010 and 2020 – its first such increase in 70 years, coming at a time when cities such as Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Milwaukee and Detroit continued to lose residents.

But is Brown responsible for the turnaround?

The answer could be key to voters choosing between Brown, a four-term incumbent who is waging a write-in campaign against India Walton, the democratic socialist who unexpectedly beat him in June’s Democratic primary.

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