1 Covid Relief Bill Passes House And Senate, Heads To Trump
A new coronavirus relief package is heading to President Trump's desk, where he’s expected to sign it. The 900-billion-dollar measure was passed by Congress as part of a larger spending package (which is actually worth more than $2.3-trillion). What’s in it? A little something for everyone...literally. While $600 stimulus checks for individuals (they’re expected to go out as early as next week), extended unemployed benefits, and $300-billion for small businesses is in there, there’s more – for things you might not have guessed...including:
Almost $4-billion for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration...for "the salaries and expenses associated with those activities"
$26.4-million for the Kennedy Center
$25-million for "democracy and gender programs"...in Pakistan
$450-million for water supply and sanitation projects in sub-Saharan Africa (that includes $15-million for toilets). By the by? $11.2-million for the Vaccine Injury Fund "for necessary administrative expenses."
What’s been upsetting for many, including Democrat Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, is that the bill – made up of more than 55-hundred pages – was given to Congress just two hours before they were expected to vote on it. Across the aisle, Michigan Republican Justin Amash said real help for Americans could have happened months ago. “Had leaders put a bill on the floor... open to deliberation and amendment,” he offers via Twitter. “We could have provided substantive, timely, and recurring direct cash relief to the people instead of a towering pillar of corporatism.”
2 Biden Gets Coronavirus Vaccine, Thanks Trump
President-elect Joe Biden is the latest top official to receive a coronavirus vaccination. In case you missed it, Biden got the Pfizer vaccine at a ChristianaCare Hospital in Delaware yesterday. It was the first of two doses. Incoming First Lady Jill Biden received her vaccination earlier and joined her husband while he got his. Biden praised the scientists and support staffs for their work in developing vaccines, but he also said the Trump administration deserves credit “for helping to get the vaccination program off the ground.” And while the mood was cheerful, Biden warned that it will take time to get all Americans vaccinated. He also urged Americans to wear facemasks, practice social distancing and avoid traveling during the holidays. VP Mike Pence, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have also received vaccinations, but President Trump has not. As you might recall, the President contracted the coronavirus in October and spent a long weekend at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. He hasn’t given a timeline on when – or if – he’ll get vaccinated.
3 Surgeon General Talks New Strain Of COVID
There’s a new ‘strain’ or variant of the coronavirus running around the UK – and a lot of people are slipping into panic mode about it. Now, U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams is trying to reassure people that this variant of the virus doesn't mean the virus is more dangerous or even more contagious. Dr. Adams noted that he talked about the new strain with Dr. Francis Collins, the director of the National Institutes of Health – and that they’re in agreement. Adams said the new mutation could have some from a super spreader event. Adams also said Dr. Collins mentioned there's no indication that coronavirus vaccines won't fight it. However, Adams noted that the new strain doesn't change the basic public health measures the nation and world have been following since the pandemic started. He says the best course of action is continuing to social distance, wearing your masks and wash your hands...as you’ve likely already been doing.