Thereโs still no way of telling where the UARS satellite will land on the globe. Could be Texas. Could be Michigan. Could be England or China or Australia. But according to this map, it wonโt hit New York. [Achenblog/WP]
Manchin got over his reservations about Haaland, a day after everyone pointed out that he had no problem confirming Jeff Sessions
Democratic Senator Joe Manchin will throw his support behind Congresswoman Deb Haaland to lead the Biden administrationโs Interior Department, he said in a statement on Wednesday, likely securing her confirmation to become the first Native American in a cabinet position.
Manchinโs โyesโ vote is seen as crucial to Haalandโs confirmation because he is a supporter of fossil fuel development who wields significant power in a U.S. Congress split 50-50 among Democrats and Republicans, meaning every Democratic backer counts. He had previously said that he was undecided on her bid.
โWhile we do not agree on every issue, (Haaland) reaffirmed her strong commitment to bipartisanship, addressing the diverse needs of our country and maintaining our nationโs energy independence,โ Manchin said in a statement. โFor all these reasons, I believe Deb Haaland will be a Secretary of the Interior for every American and will vote to confirm her.โ
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine could be authorized in the U.S. as soon as this weekend
A Food and Drug Administrationย reviewย released Wednesday of the single-shot coronavirus vaccine made by pharmaceutical giantย Johnson & Johnsonย found it was safe and effective and completely prevented hospitalizations and deaths in a large clinical trial.
โฆ The review, though positive, was more nuanced than regulatorsโ assessments of theย firstย twoย coronavirus vaccines, reflecting a pandemic that has entered a more complicated phase asย variantsย capable of slipping by some aspects of immunity have emerged. Theย Johnson & Johnson vaccineย was more than 85 percent effective at preventing severe illness, including in a region dominated by a concerning variant, but only 66 percent protective overall when moderate cases were included.
The FDA scientists found that the โknown benefitsโ of the vaccine included reducing the risk of symptomatic and severe cases of covid-19 at least two weeks after vaccination. The review found vaccine efficacy against severe covid-19 โwas similarly high across the United States, South Africa, and Brazil.โ
โWe know this vaccine prevents 85 percent of the severe disease. โฆ It was 100 percent effective in preventing hospitalization and deaths, and thatโs really whatโs important,โ said Nancy M. Bennett, a professor of medicine and public health sciences at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. โThose facts are the most important thing to recognize.โ
Imagine a future in which we donโt run out of masks (or toilet paper)
President Biden on Wednesday will formally order a 100-day government review of potential vulnerabilities in U.S. supply chains for critical items, including computer chips, medical gear, electric-vehicle batteries and specialized minerals.
The directive comes as U.S. automakers are grappling with a severe shortage of semiconductors, essential ingredients in the high-tech entertainment and navigation systems that fill modern passenger vehicles.
Bidenโs executive order, which he is scheduled to sign this afternoon, also is aimed at avoiding a repeat of the shortages of personal protective gear such as masks and gloves experienced last year during the early months of theย coronavirusย pandemic.
โWeโre going to get out of the business of reacting to supply chain crises as they arise,โ said one administration official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to brief reporters.
Tiger Woods injured in car crash
Ron Johnson is just asking questions at the Capitol-riot hearing
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