The state of Michigan was locked down for months, and then in March it started opening up in the midst of a new surge of coronavirus cases. Michigan's experience, and other outbreaks across the country involving new foreign strains, once more raise questions and debates about whether we should close our borders to travelers from some countries, impose new restrictions in some areas, or both. But more on those questions in a minute. Unfortunately, when you suddenly give people their treasured freedom back, they are more likely to take fewer precautions than if you reopened gradually. On top of this, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky Rochelle Walensky Overnight Health Care: White House rebuffs call to send more vaccine doses to certain states | White House warns states to expect low weekly J&J vaccine shipments Watch live: White House COVID-19 response team briefing CDC data shows rise in Brazil variant detected in US … [Read more...] about Would closing the borders limit deadly foreign strains of COVID-19?
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The GOP is stuck in a losing battle against immigration
Our politics have become painfully and pointlessly polarized. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Republican Party’s hardline stance on immigration. Even as our southern border faces the biggest migrant surge in two decades , Republicans won’t budge on immigration. To score points against the Biden presidency and the Democratic majority in Congress, too many Republicans are willing to throw bipartisanship to the wind and hold the line against any sort of Democrat-led immigration reform. But while playing hardball may put points on the board in the short term, the GOP’s broadly anti-immigration platform is a losing strategy in the long term. To win hearts and minds for generations to come and expand its voter base, the GOP must change its tune and join the fight for immigration reform before it's too late. It’s easy to see why Republicans are reluctant to side with Democrats on immigration. The GOP remains spellbound by the extremist rhetoric that defined the Trump … [Read more...] about The GOP is stuck in a losing battle against immigration
WHO chief laments ‘shocking imbalance’ in vaccines for poor countries
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Friday that there is a “shocking imbalance” in coronavirus vaccine distribution for poorer countries. “On average in high-income countries, almost one in four people has received a COVID-19 vaccine. In low-income countries, it’s one in more than 500,” Tedros said during a briefing, Reuters reported . The COVAX program that is focused on getting vaccines to developing nations has stalled in its distribution. ADVERTISEMENT The program wants to deliver 2 billion doses of the coronavirus vaccine by the end of the year, but has so far only delivered 38.4 million doses to 102 countries. The delays caused people in over 60 countries to get their first shot but miss getting their second shot, The Associated Press reported . Additional delays have occurred because the COVAX program relied heavily on the AstraZeneca vaccine that is being hit with safety concerns over the formation of rare blood clots in … [Read more...] about WHO chief laments ‘shocking imbalance’ in vaccines for poor countries
“It’s exhausting.” A year of remote learning wears thin
AMERICUS, Ga. — At first, many schools announced it would last only a couple weeks. A year later, the unplanned experiment with remote learning continues for thousands of students who have yet to set foot back in classrooms. Comfortable homes and private tutors have made it easier for those with access. Expectations are higher at some schools than others. And growing numbers of students are being offered in-person instruction at least part time. But students of all backgrounds have faced struggles with technology, the distractions of home life, and social isolation. The Associated Press followed four students on a typical day to find out how they’re coping a year into the coronavirus pandemic. It’s not quite 9 a.m. and Kristen King is on her living room couch, a Chromebook propped on a TV tray. “It’s been challenging,” says the 17-year-old junior at Americus-Sumter High School in Georgia. “I like hands-on help from my teachers. We can’t really see our friends, like our … [Read more...] about “It’s exhausting.” A year of remote learning wears thin
Jill Biden is rocking a new look for first ladies
Peggy Drexler is a research psychologist, documentary producer and the author of "Our Fathers, Ourselves: Daughters, Fathers, and the Changing American Family" and "Raising Boys Without Men." The opinions expressed in this commentary are hers. View more opinion on CNN. (CNN) First lady Dr. Jill Biden stepped off a plane last week in a short black leather skirt, black patterned tights (floral fishnets, InStyle called them ) and black stiletto booties. Cue the uproar. Some on Twitter deemed her ensemble -- often in quite unkind terms -- more appropriate for a woman half her age and nowhere near her station. Others sprang to her defense, called the look "rockin'" and "classy," and noted the inherent sexism of the criticism. Let's take a breath, shall we? After four years of actual craziness, this incident is pretty tame. And yet, the brouhaha is not at all surprising, and, I would argue, offers an opportunity for us to examine a few things about our persistent (and, as … [Read more...] about Jill Biden is rocking a new look for first ladies
