INSIDER
Meet the medical contrarians picked to lead health agencies under Trump and Kennedy
Read full article: Meet the medical contrarians picked to lead health agencies under Trump and KennedyDonald Trump's health team picks includes outspoken critics of the medical establishment and COVID-19 health measures.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom nudges school districts to restrict student cellphone use
Read full article: California Gov. Gavin Newsom nudges school districts to restrict student cellphone useCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom is sending letters to school districts, urging them to restrict smartphone use on campuses.
US surgeon general was warned by his mom to avoid politics, but he jumped into the fray anyway
Read full article: US surgeon general was warned by his mom to avoid politics, but he jumped into the fray anywaySurgeon General Vivek Murthy isnāt shying away from politics, as his mother had once hoped when he was a kid.
Should gun store sales get special credit card tracking? States split on mandating or prohibiting it
Read full article: Should gun store sales get special credit card tracking? States split on mandating or prohibiting itA new national divide is emerging among states over whether to track sales by gun stores.
US surgeon general declares gun violence a public health crisis
Read full article: US surgeon general declares gun violence a public health crisisThe U.S. surgeon general is declaring gun violence a public health crisis, driven by a growing number of injuries and deaths involving firearms in the country.
Tobacco-like warning label for social media sought by US surgeon general who asks Congress to act
Read full article: Tobacco-like warning label for social media sought by US surgeon general who asks Congress to actThe U.S. surgeon general has called on Congress to require warning labels on social media platforms similar to those now mandatory on cigarette boxes.
Ashley Judd and Aloe Blacc help the White House unveil its national suicide prevention strategy
Read full article: Ashley Judd and Aloe Blacc help the White House unveil its national suicide prevention strategyActor Ashley Judd and singer-songwriter Aloe Blacc have helped the Biden administration promote its new national strategy to prevent suicide.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle say social media is harming kids' and teens' mental health
Read full article: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle say social media is harming kids' and teens' mental healthPrince Harry and Meghan Markle are calling for social media platforms to adopt better content-moderation policies and other fixes.
Georgia kids would need parental permission to join social media if Senate Republicans get their way
Read full article: Georgia kids would need parental permission to join social media if Senate Republicans get their wayChildren in Georgia would need their parents' permission to create social media accounts if some top Republicans in the state get their way next year.
Loneliness poses risks as deadly as smoking: surgeon general
Read full article: Loneliness poses risks as deadly as smoking: surgeon generalThe U.S. surgeon general says loneliness poses health risks as deadly as smoking up to 15 cigarettes daily, costing the health industry billions of dollars annually.
US Surgeon General discusses need for more mental health services in Latino community
Read full article: US Surgeon General discusses need for more mental health services in Latino communityU.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy spoke with KSAT to discuss what his office is doing to help Latinos gain access to mental health treatment.
Harris, surgeon general warn of health care worker burnout
Read full article: Harris, surgeon general warn of health care worker burnoutVice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy are warning of burnout among the nationās health care staff after more than two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
WATCH LIVE: First Lady Jill Biden, Selena Gomez team up to raise awareness about youth mental health
Read full article: WATCH LIVE: First Lady Jill Biden, Selena Gomez team up to raise awareness about youth mental healthFirst Lady Jill Biden and actress Selena Gomez are teaming up to raise awareness about youth mental health.
America's doctor, family get COVID-19 despite safeguards
Read full article: America's doctor, family get COVID-19 despite safeguardsSurgeon General Vivek Murthy says he and his young family have COVID-19 despite their best efforts to avoid infection by getting vaccinated and taking other precautions.
Feds urge schools to provide COVID-19 shots, info for kids
Read full article: Feds urge schools to provide COVID-19 shots, info for kidsThe Biden administration is encouraging local school districts to host clinics to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to kids and information to parents on the benefits of the shots.
The Latest: Hawaii gov seeks to limit visits to the islands
Read full article: The Latest: Hawaii gov seeks to limit visits to the islandsHawaiiās governor is urging residents and potential visitors to limit travel to the islands to essential business while the state struggles to control outbreaks of the delta variant of the coronavirus.
Conservative media offers mixed messages on COVID-19 vaccine
Read full article: Conservative media offers mixed messages on COVID-19 vaccineSkepticism about the COVID-19 vaccination is a common theme in media appealing to conservatives, despite assurances from doctors and scientists that the vaccine is safe and effective.
With pandemic worsening in US, surgeon general worried
Read full article: With pandemic worsening in US, surgeon general worriedThe U.S. surgeon general says he's worried about what lies ahead with cases of COVID-19 increasing in every state, millions still unvaccinated and a highly contagious virus variant spreading rapidly.
Surgeon general urges US fight against COVID misinformation
Read full article: Surgeon general urges US fight against COVID misinformationU.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy is urging technology companies, health care workers and everyday Americans to do more to stop the spread of misinformation about COVID-19 and vaccines.
As variant rises, vaccine plan targets āmovable middleā
Read full article: As variant rises, vaccine plan targets āmovable middleāThrown off-stride to reach its COVID-19 vaccination goal, the Biden administration is sending A-list officials across the country, devising ads for niche markets and enlisting community organizers to persuade unvaccinated people to get a shot.
The Latest: Utility regulator shares discredited theories
Read full article: The Latest: Utility regulator shares discredited theoriesAn elected Arizona utility regulator has shared discredited conspiracy theories while trying to persuade energy and power providers not to require their employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
The Latest: SKorea's daily virus increase tops 500 again
Read full article: The Latest: SKorea's daily virus increase tops 500 againSouth Koreaās daily increase in coronavirus infections exceeded 500 for the fourth straight day, a pace unseen since January, as experts raise concern about another viral surge amid a slow rollout in vaccines.
Biden launches community corps to boost COVID vaccinations
Read full article: Biden launches community corps to boost COVID vaccinationsThe Biden administration is unveiling a coalition of community, religious and celebrity partners to promote COVID-19 shots as it seeks to overcome vaccine hesitancy.
Newly confirmed surgeon general to focus on COVID, opioids
Read full article: Newly confirmed surgeon general to focus on COVID, opioidsSurgeon General speaks during an event at The Queen theater in Wilmington, Del. The Senate has confirmed Murthy as surgeon generral on March 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)WASHINGTON ā The Senate confirmed a soft-spoken physician as President Joe Biden's surgeon general Tuesday. He told senators during his confirmation hearing that he wants to help individuals and families protect themselves by conveying āclear, science-based guidanceā to the general public. Murthy has drawn opposition from gun rights advocates because of his longstanding assessment that mass shootings amount to a public health problem.
Asian Americans seek greater political power after shootings
Read full article: Asian Americans seek greater political power after shootingsIt's also spurring her and other Asian Americans to push for greater political influence in Washington and other power centers. President Joe Biden and his aides have been repeatedly pressed to include Asian Americans in his Cabinet. AdāI think symbolism and representation matters, but only up to a point,ā said Aarti Kohli, executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice. āThose things all contribute to lower rates of political participation among Asian Americans, but people ā mistakenly, I think ā assume that Asian Americans are somehow less interested in U.S. civic life.āAdThat's evolving. āAsian Americans didn't necessarily grow up with that vocabulary of advocacy and how to fight for ourselves," Meng said.
Biden Cabinet near complete but hundreds of jobs still open
Read full article: Biden Cabinet near complete but hundreds of jobs still open(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)WASHINGTON ā President Joe Bidenās Cabinet is nearly complete with the confirmation of Labor Secretary Marty Walsh. A panel will also vote on advancing the nomination of Polly Ellen Trottenberg to be deputy secretary of transportation. And even as the Biden administration moves through picking nominees, there's no guarantee they'll all receive a smooth confirmation. And some of the deputies have become political footballs for Republicans looking to score concessions from the Biden administration. Cruz continues to hold up Bidenās nominee for deputy secretary of state, Wendy Sherman, until sanctions are imposed.
Biden Cabinet near complete but hundreds of jobs still open
Read full article: Biden Cabinet near complete but hundreds of jobs still open(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)WASHINGTON ā President Joe Bidenās Cabinet is nearly complete with the confirmation of Labor Secretary Marty Walsh on Monday. A panel will also vote on advancing the nomination of Polly Ellen Trottenberg to be deputy secretary of Transportation. And even as the Biden administration moves through picking nominees, there's no guarantee they'll all receive a smooth confirmation. And some of the deputies have become political footballs for Republicans looking to score concessions from the Biden administration. Cruz continues to hold up Bidenās nominee for deputy secretary of State, Wendy Sherman, until sanctions are imposed.
Former Michigan Gov. Granholm confirmed as energy secretary
Read full article: Former Michigan Gov. Granholm confirmed as energy secretaryJennifer Granholm, D-Mich., testifies before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee during a hearing to examine her nomination to be Secretary of Energy, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021 on Capitol Hill in Washington. Granholm, who was sworn in late Thursday, is just the second woman to serve as energy secretary. She tweeted her thanks to senators and said, "Iām obsessed with creating good-paying clean energy jobs in all corners of America in service of addressing our climate crisis. āWe can buy electric car batteries from Asia, or we can make them in America,ā Granholm told senators. Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, the top Republican on the Senate energy committee, said Biden āseems to want to pull the plug on American energy dominance.
Centrist Democrats flex muscles, create headaches for Biden
Read full article: Centrist Democrats flex muscles, create headaches for BidenHe can send the White House into a tailspin with a single five-minute interview or three-sentence statement. With a 50-50 split in the Senate leaving little room for error on tough votes, other moderate Democrats like Sens. He received a call from the White House shortly after his complaint to try to smooth things over. AdThe White House shares those political concerns. Their significance to the final vote on the COVID-19 bill means some moderates are already getting extra attention from the White House.
Biden picks transgender woman as assistant health secretary
Read full article: Biden picks transgender woman as assistant health secretaryIn this Jan. 15, 2021 file photo, President-elect Joe Biden speaks during an event at The Queen theater in Wilmington, Del. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)WASHINGTON ā President-elect Joe Biden has tapped Pennsylvania Health Secretary Rachel Levine to be his assistant secretary of health, leaving her poised to become the first openly transgender federal official to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Tom Wolf in 2017, making her one of the few transgender people serving in elected or appointed positions nationwide. A transition spokesperson also said Tuesday that Dawn OāConnell will serve as senior counselor for coronavirus response to the health and human services secretary. O'Connell most recently served as director of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and was the senior counselor and deputy chief of staff to Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell during the Obama administration.
EXPLAINER: Are new coronavirus strains cause for concern?
Read full article: EXPLAINER: Are new coronavirus strains cause for concern?Johnson imposed a new, higher level of coronavirus restrictions to curb sharply spreading infections in the capital and other areas. (Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP)Reports from Britain and South Africa of new coronavirus strains that seem to spread more easily are causing alarm, but virus experts say itās unclear if thatās the case or whether they pose any concern for vaccines or cause more severe disease. New variants, or strains, of the virus that causes COVID-19 have been seen almost since it was first detected in China nearly a year ago. The one in the U.K. has the two changes and more, including eight to the spike protein, Gupta said. But vaccines may need fine-tuned over time as changes accumulate, and changes should be more closely monitored, he wrote.
Panel: People over 75, essential workers next for vaccines
Read full article: Panel: People over 75, essential workers next for vaccinesBoxes containing the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine are moved to the loading dock for shipping at the McKesson distribution center in Olive Branch, Miss., Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. The essential workers include firefighters and police; teachers and school staff; those working in food, agricultural and manufacturing sectors; corrections workers; U.S. At least a dozen states reported they would receive a smaller second shipment of the Pfizer vaccine than they had been told previously. āAnd unless itās perfectly right, we will not release vaccine doses for usage,ā he said. āThat is something that I have been assured of.āBoth the Moderna vaccine and the Pfizer-BioNTech shot require two doses several weeks apart.
The Latest: Tenn. governor enacts new virus restrictions
Read full article: The Latest: Tenn. governor enacts new virus restrictionsAll Australian states have imposed restrictions on travelers from Sydney and parts of New South Wales because the coronavirus risk. The state on Sunday reported 1,536 new COVID-19 cases and 46 more deaths. ___TOPEKA, Kan. ā A FedEx executive says a higher-than-normal volume of Christmas-season package deliveries wonāt interfere with the companyās effort to ship coronavirus vaccine doses. The first wave of coronavirus infections in New York ācame from Europe and we did nothing,ā the Democratic governor said. ___WASHINGTON ā President Donald Trumpās surgeon general is defending Trumpās not getting a coronavirus vaccine, saying there are medical reasons for it.
Bidenās health team offers glimpse of his COVID-19 strategy
Read full article: Bidenās health team offers glimpse of his COVID-19 strategyWASHINGTON ā President-elect Joe Bidenās choices for his health care team point to a stronger federal role in the nationās COVID-19 strategy, restoration of a guiding stress on science and an emphasis on equitable distribution of vaccines and treatments. āThese are not turf-conscious people,ā said Drew Altman, CEO of the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation, a clearinghouse for health care information and analysis. Under Trump, āthose of us who practice in medicine today have been dismayed,ā said Dr. Wendy Armstrong, an infectious disease specialist at Emory University medical school. āShe was a real leader when it came to COVID,ā said Dr. Rajesh Gandhi, an infectious disease physician at Mass General. That challenge faces widespread skepticism among minorities that the health care system has their best interests in mind.
Biden's health team offers glimpse of his COVID-19 strategy
Read full article: Biden's health team offers glimpse of his COVID-19 strategy(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)WASHINGTON ā President-elect Joe Biden's choices for his health care team point to a stronger federal role in the nationās COVID-19 strategy, restoration of a guiding stress on science and an emphasis on equitable distribution of vaccines and treatments. āWe are still going to have a federal, state and local partnership,ā commented Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the nonprofit American Public Health Association. āThese are not turf-conscious people,ā said Drew Altman, CEO of the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation, a clearinghouse for health care information and analysis. A Secretary Becerra ācan't get up every morning and think only COVID,ā she said. That challenge faces widespread skepticism among minorities that the health care system has their best interests in mind.
The Latest: Trump questions Pa. speaker on electoral votes
Read full article: The Latest: Trump questions Pa. speaker on electoral votesWASHINGTON ā The Latest on President-elect Joe Biden (all times local):9:15 p.m.President Donald Trump is continuing his futile appeal to battleground state lawmakers to subvert the votes of their constituents. A person briefed on the matter said Trump pressed for the stateās legislature to replace the electors for President-elect Joe Biden with those loyal to Trump. Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., said Monday the group was specifically asking Bidenās team to elevate the nomination of Vivek Murthy for Surgeon General to a Cabinet-level position. He also tapped former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy to serve in that post again. __9 a.m.President-elect Joe Biden is naming some of his most prominent allies to be the co-chairs for his upcoming inauguration.
Biden picks Latino to lead HHS, coronavirus response
Read full article: Biden picks Latino to lead HHS, coronavirus responseSeparately, Biden picked a Harvard infectious disease expert, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, to head the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Biden also announced other top members of his health care team, though some posts remain unfilled. But overseeing the coronavirus response will be the most complicated task he has ever contemplated. The core components of HHS are the boots on the ground of the governmentās coronavirus response. Early in Californiaās coronavirus response, Becerra defended broad shutdowns Gov.
Next for Biden: Getting the right health team as virus rages
Read full article: Next for Biden: Getting the right health team as virus ragesWASHINGTON ā Up soon for President-elect Joe Biden: naming his top health care officials as the coronavirus pandemic rages. Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus made a fresh push during a virtual conference call Thursday for Biden to nominate Lujan Grisham as HHS secretary. Biden is expected to announce his choice for HHS secretary next week. In the running for a top health job is former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, co-chair of Biden's coronavirus task force. Alongside his health secretary, Biden is expected to name a top-level White House adviser to coordinate the governmentās extensive coronavirus response.
AP Interview: Biden adviser says race central to virus fight
Read full article: AP Interview: Biden adviser says race central to virus fightAddressing racial disparities in the U.S. coronavirus crisis cannot be an afterthought, a top adviser to President-elect Joe Biden on the COVID-19 pandemic response said Tuesday. āWe cannot get this pandemic under control if we do not address head-on the issues of inequity in our country," she said. The virus in the U.S. has killed more than 268,000 and caused more than 13.5 million confirmed infections. Gathering that information became easier last week when the federal government recognized Biden as the winner of the Nov. 3 election, she said. ___The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Instituteās Department of Science Education.
Biden faces tough choice of whether to back virus lockdowns
Read full article: Biden faces tough choice of whether to back virus lockdownsWASHINGTON ā Joe Biden faces a decision unlike any other incoming president: whether to back a short-term national lockdown to finally arrest a raging pandemic. But the debate has been livelier among members of the coronavirus advisory board Biden announced this week. One member, Dr. Michael Osterholm, suggested a four- to six-week lockdown with financial aid for Americans whose livelihoods would be affected. That's a sign of the tough dynamic Biden will face when he is inaugurated in January. But Biden himself fueled some of the confusion about his stance on lockdowns during the campaign.
Biden has room on health care, though limited by Congress
Read full article: Biden has room on health care, though limited by CongressAnd just like the Trump administration, Biden is expected to aggressively wield the rule-making powers of the executive branch to address health insurance coverage and prescription drug costs. With COVID-19 surging across the country, Biden's top health care priority is whipping the federal governmentās response into shape. āWeāre going to work quickly with the Congress to dramatically ramp up health care protections, get Americans universal coverage, lower health care costs, as soon as humanly possible,ā the president-elect said earlier this week. A factor that may work in Biden's favor is that many Republicans want to change the subject on health care. Coronavirus relief legislation could provide an early vehicle for some broader health care changes.
Biden pushes forward on transition despite Trump's blocking
Read full article: Biden pushes forward on transition despite Trump's blockingPresident-elect Joe Biden and Jill Biden, attend a service at the Philadelphia Korean War Memorial at Penn's Landing on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020, in Philadelphia. ā President-elect Joe Biden quietly pushed forward with the business of preparing to become America's next commander in chief on Wednesday, ignoring President Donald Trump's unprecedented push to block his Democratic rival's transition. Biden continues to shrug off Trump's refusal to accept the election outcome, even as officials in both parties warn that the Republican presidentās actions could be dangerous. The Republican president's allies on Capitol Hill, led by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, have encouraged the president's accusations. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, among six world leaders overall, congratulated Biden on his election.
GOP lets Trump fight election for weeks despite Biden's win
Read full article: GOP lets Trump fight election for weeks despite Biden's winThe delay has the potential to upend civic norms, impede Bidenās transition to the White House and sow doubt in the nationās civic and election systems. Trump would need to produce ample evidence of impropriety to undo Bidenās lead, which appears unlikely. During a closed-door lunch, Vice President Mike Pence told Senate Republicans about the legal strategy. Trump and his GOP allies havenāt offered evidence of election fraud, and their legal challenges have largely been rejected by the courts. McConnell noted the potential turmoil during the transition in praising ousted Defense Secretary Mark Esper, whom Trump fired on Monday.
The Latest: International observers see no fraud in US vote
Read full article: The Latest: International observers see no fraud in US votePresident-elect Joe Biden listens during a meeting with his COVID-19 advisory council, Monday, Nov. 9, 2020, at The Queen theater in Wilmington, Del. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)WASHINGTON ā The Latest on President-elect Joe Biden (all times local):9 p.m.International observers from the Organization of American States say they saw no instances of fraud or voting irregularities in the U.S. presidential election. Some Republicans are renewing their attacks on President-elect Joe Bidenās lead over President Donald Trump in Georgia, with Sens. Political appointees who are looking for job opportunities after President Donald Trumpās election defeat to President-elect Joe Biden should think twice. Carson is the first member of President Donald Trumpās cabinet known to have tested positive.
Trump faces calls to work with Biden team on transition
Read full article: Trump faces calls to work with Biden team on transitionPresident-elect Joe Biden speaks Monday, Nov. 9, 2020, at The Queen theater in Wilmington, Del. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241.
Biden eyes Washington veterans for key administration posts
Read full article: Biden eyes Washington veterans for key administration postsDelaware Sen. Chris Coons, a longtime Biden ally and friend, is seen as a potential choice for secretary of state. Rep. Karen Bass of California, whom Biden considered for vice president, is seen as a potential housing and urban development secretary. Biden is expected to move quickly to name a chief of staff, but other top Cabinet positions will likely take longer. The names under consideration represent Biden's effort to move Washington past the tumult of President Donald Trump's administration and fill out his government with more seasoned professionals. The General Services Administration is tasked with formally recognizing Biden as president-elect, beginning the transition process.
Biden targets virus as his White House transition begins
Read full article: Biden targets virus as his White House transition beginsāWe are still facing a dark winter.āHe called on Americans to separate politics from the virus and embrace mask-wearing. Biden noted the pandemicās disproportionate toll on people of color as he called on Americans to separate politics from the virus and embrace mask-wearing. Pfizer said Monday that its COVID-19 vaccine may be a remarkable 90% effective, based on early and incomplete test results. A top Trump administration health official delivered much the same message as Biden, although the timing was coincidental and the occasion apolitical. The advisory board that Biden announced on Monday includes doctors and scientists who have served in previous administrations, many of them experts in public health, vaccines and infectious disease.
The Latest: Former WH officials urge cooperative transition
Read full article: The Latest: Former WH officials urge cooperative transitionThe White House in Washington, is seen early Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, the morning after incumbent President Donald Trump was defeated by his Democratic challenger, President-elect Joe Biden. Thatās a necessary move to free up money for the transition and clear the way for Bidenās team to begin putting in place the transition process at agencies. Saying the field was full of good candidates, Clyburn said he ācame to the conclusion that Joe Biden was our best bet.ā___9 a.m.President-elect Joe Biden will launch an āagency review teamsā this coming week. Bidenās campaign launched a transition team in May, and theyāve been working alongside designated staffers in President Donald Trumpās administration on transition planning for months. Bidenās transition team has also come out with a transition-focused website ā BuildBackBetter.com ā and is launching transition-focused social media accounts under the username āTransition46.ā
Biden seeks to move quickly and build out his administration
Read full article: Biden seeks to move quickly and build out his administrationā President-elect Joe Biden signaled on Sunday he plans to move quickly to build out his government, focusing first on the raging pandemic that will likely dominate the early days of his administration. White House officials would not comment on whether they would cooperate with Biden's team on the review. A bipartisan group of administration officials from the Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton administrations on Sunday called on the Trump administration to move forward āto immediately begin the post-election transition process." Biden aides said the president-elect and transition team had been in touch with Republican lawmakers. Biden senior adviser Ted Kaufman said the transition team will focus on the "nuts and boltsā of building the new administration in coming days.
Biden vows not to make āfalse promisesā about pandemic
Read full article: Biden vows not to make āfalse promisesā about pandemicBiden kept most of his focus on the virus, saying Trumpās handling of the pandemic was an āinsultā to its victims, especially as cases rise dramatically around the country. āEven if I win, itās going to take a lot of hard work to end this pandemic,ā Biden said during a speech in Wilmington, Delaware, where he lives. āIām not running on the false promises of being able to end this pandemic by flipping a switch. Trumpās team argues that enough of its supporters will vote on Election Day to overwhelm any Biden advantage. Thatās forced Trump to do more of his signature rallies as a substitute, despite a worsening pandemic.
Biden faces challenges in quickly combating the pandemic
Read full article: Biden faces challenges in quickly combating the pandemicā If Joe Biden wins next week's election, he says he'll immediately call Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious-disease expert. The early days of a Biden administration would be consumed by a pandemic response. āIām here to tell you we can and will get control of this virus,ā Biden said Tuesday during a campaign stop in Georgia. Some Republican governors, including in states like North Dakota where virus cases are on the rise, refuse to implement mask requirements. At the start of the pandemic, Biden and other Democrats criticized Trump for not more quickly moving to use the Defense Production Act to step up national production of ventilators and other medical and protective equipment.
The Latest: Health experts brief Biden on slowing virus
Read full article: The Latest: Health experts brief Biden on slowing virusWASHINGTON ā The Latest on the 2020 presidential election (all times local):12:40 p.m.Joe Biden is receiving a virtual briefing from a former U.S. surgeon general and a collection of health experts on how best to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Bidenās campaign created a virtual studio that connected the former vice president via video with former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and six other experts at a theater in downtown Wilmington, Delaware on Wednesday. Biden will give a speech on the topic later in the day. He suggested doing so could save thousands of lives and ultimately be more effective between now and early next year as vaccines are being developed. Others on the briefing endorsed a national requirement to wear masks, given the countryās āporous bordersā and rules that vary from state to state.
As business trickles back, hotels compete on cleanliness
Read full article: As business trickles back, hotels compete on cleanlinessMarriott, Hilton and other big hotel companies are used to competing on price or perks. But leisure travel is starting to pick up, and hotels see cleaning standards as a way to soothe jittery guests and possibly win back business from rivals like home-sharing companies like Airbnb. He notes that Accor Hotels, a French company, has developed accreditation standards that its hotels must meet in order to reopen. He stayed at Marriott hotels in Iowa and Ohio along the way. That will be a challenge for Airbnb, he said, which has developed its own cleaning standards but may have more trouble ensuring that hosts comply.