Nashville Sentinel
Daily Letter
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Florida Surgeon General Accuses Biden Administration of 'Actively Preventing' One Important Covid-19 Treatment
townhall
In a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, Florida’s surgeon general Joseph Ladapo accused the Biden administration of “actively preventing” the distribution of a life-saving Covid-19 treatment.
Ladapo detailed how Florida was ahead of the curve in using monoclonal antibodies, explaining that by mid-September, nearly 100,000 patients received this life-saving treatment.
“Shortly after Florida’s 100,000 treatment milestone, and without any advanced notice, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a dramatic reduction in the number of monoclonal antibodies to be allocated to the State of Florida,” Ladapo said. “Governor DeSantis moved quickly to acquire Sotrovimab from GlaxoSmithKline to help alleviate the artificial shortage caused by this sudden shift from HHS. However, the lack of allocation of this life-saving treatment from the federal government continues to cause another immediate and life-threatening shortage of treatment options” amid the spread of Omicron.
Ladapo recognized the evidence that some treatment options may not be as effective for Omicron as Delta, but still argued that federal agencies shouldn’t limit any treatment options, as providers are still caring for Covid-19 patients in areas with a low prevalence of the new variant.
“The federal government is actively preventing the effective distribution of monoclonal antibody treatments in the U.S. The sudden suspension of multiple monoclonal antibody therapy treatments from distribution to Florida removes a health care provider’s ability to decide the best treatment options for their patients in this state,” he said. “This shortsightedness is especially evident given that the federal government effectively prohibited states from purchasing these monoclonal antibodies and serving their populations directly.”
Ladapo concluded by reminding Becerra that President Biden recently acknowledged “there is no federal solution” to the pandemic, but that it “gets solved at the state level.” He requested the federal government not hinder Florida’s ability to provide treatment options.
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Betty White jokes about her diet secret before her 100th birthday: ‘I think it’s working’
foxnews
Betty White is getting ready to turn the big 100 – and she’s reflecting on her health habits.
In this week’s cover story of People magazine, the veteran actress was asked about her diet.
"I try to avoid anything green," the 99-year-old joked. "I think it’s working."
The star also revealed that being "born a cockeyed optimist" has been the secret behind her positive outlook in life.
"I got it from my mom, and that never changed," the TV icon explained. "I always find the positive."
"I’m so lucky to be in such good health and feel so good at this age," she shared. "It’s amazing."
After working in show business for more than 75 years, White now enjoys a quiet life in Los Angeles where she keeps busy playing crossword puzzles and card games.
According to the outlet, she also enjoys watching animal documentaries, "Jeopardy!" and sports, especially golf. In addition, White is a longtime supporter of the Wildlife Learning Center, the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Actors and Others for Animals.
"Betty lives a life of happiness," said Jeff Witjas, White’s longtime agent and pal.
"She always thinks of others first, and she stays positive no matter what, even when I beat her at our favorite game of gin rummy!"
Back in 2018, White told Parade magazine her recipe for a long, happy life was vodka and hot dogs, "probably in that order."
When White turned 99 on Jan. 17, 2021, she kept her birthday plans low-key. She fed a pair of ducks that regularly visit her home and she enjoyed hot dogs with French fries.
"Since I am turning 99, I can stay up as late as I want without asking permission!" she told The Associated Press.
White’s TV credits stretch from 1949’s "Hollywood on Television" to a 2019 voice role in "Forky Asks a Question," with "The Golden Girls" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" among the enduring highlights.
In January alone, White was on screen in reruns including "The Golden Girls" and "Hot in Cleveland"; the 2009 Sandra Bullock movie "The Proposal," and the 2018 documentary "Betty White: First Lady of Television," about her life and career.
Her work, always marked by top-drawer comedic timing, has earned her five Emmy Awards, including a 2010 trophy for a guest-host appearance on "Saturday Night Live."
A native of Oak Park, Illinois, White was married to game show host and producer Allen Ludden from 1963 until his death in 1981.
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Coronavirus in Williamson County: Active cases spike during omicron wave
tennessean
Williamson County doubled its number of active coronavirus cases over the past two weeks. The sharp increase comes amid a national surge in cases linked with the highly infectious omicron variant.
According to state data, the county recorded 725 active cases on Dec. 14 and 1,653 cases on Dec. 27. The spread of the omicron variant may lead to even higher case numbers in the coming weeks.
Hospitalizations have also risen but at a slower rate than the case number surge. That could provide good news: Although the omicron variant is highly infectious, early evidence suggests it is less likely to cause serious health complications or hospitalizations among vaccinated patients.
Around 61% of Williamson County residents are fully vaccinated, according to the state health department. Around 51% of all Tennesseans are fully vaccinated.
Williamson County's peak in active cases came after a similar winter surge last year before vaccines were widely available. On Jan. 11, 2021, the county reported 2,587 active cases, its highest number to date. The greatest number of daily active cases since came on Sep. 11, 2021, during the delta variant wave, when 2,191 active cases were reported.
Tennessee recorded a nearly 102% week-over-week increase in cases between Dec. 21 and Dec. 27, and at least one county has recorded its highest ever infection levels during the omicron wave.
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Ty Cobb would have to go 0-2,529 for his career batting average to dip under .300. | |
In 1971, Gordie Howe retires at age 43. He later realizes "I'm Gordie Howe and I can do whatever I want" and comes back to play until he's 52. | |
Metro Nashville Public Schools board members speak out against partisan elections
fox17.com
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Lawmakers in October passed a controversial bill allowing school board members to run based on political affiliation. Now, one of the largest school districts in the state, Metro Nashville Public Schools, plans hold partisan elections.
GOP lawmakers pushed for this law to pass in October during the special legislative session, saying it’s important to know a person’s beliefs before electing them into a position.
Some Republicans also feel it would lead to more accountability for these school board members.
But in an email obtained by FOX 17 News, all nine Metro School board members pushed for non-partisan elections—including Fran Bush who represents District 6.
“It would basically kind of disturb the process of voting for the candidate that you feel can best represent our children,” says Bush.
With both parties in Davidson County approving the partisan school board elections, you'll now see Republican, Democrat, or another party affiliation next to each person running.
“It’s tough to be partisan when you’re talking about the education of kids and when they have no political stake in their future at that point,” John Little, a Metro School board member for District 4. Little believes these elections will distract from the real issues at hand.
“Our main focus should be the academic achievement of our students and in our communities and that’s just not happening,” says Little.
“What is your response to those who are for this that say they believe it’s important to know a person’s worldview before electing them?” asked FOX 17 News’ Amanda Chin.
“We have to evaluate our superintendent to pass a budget and increase academic achievement and three of those things - none are collected to politics. It’s really connected to understanding who a student is, what do they want to do, and how do we get them there,” says Little.
FOX 17 News reached out to House Speaker Cameron Sexton and Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally to ask what response they have for those who feel students are getting put in the middle of politics. We are waiting on a response.
A FOX 17 News Facebook post shows some families believe it might be a good idea for larger population counties, but others think politics have no place in schools.
“Please try to stay away from partisan just because it becomes more of a political thing and to me, that’s just not what we need for our kids,” says Bush.
School board members are also concerned with the cost of these elections since there will be a vote in May and August.
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Despite COVID Controversies, Biden Gives $580M to WHO and Other Organizations
The U.S. has donated a whopping $19.6 billion to global efforts against COVID
elamerica.com
The Biden administration announced Tuesday that it will donate $580 million to international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to combat COVID-19.
“The rapid spread of the Omicron variant reinforces that we must all continue to accelerate our efforts to end this pandemic and that none of us are safe until all of us are saf,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
The additional funds announced Tuesday by Blinken bring the total amount of U.S. foreign assistance against COVID-19 to $19.6 billion.
Specifically, the State Department on Tuesday announced a $280 million package for WHO, including $50 million for an emergency fund to increase access to diagnostic tests and help health systems in different countries.
In addition, Washington will provide $75 million to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), a WHO affiliate, to provide technical cooperation in the administration of vaccines in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Another $170 million will go to UNICEF to assist with vaccine distribution worldwide, while $20 million will go to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to address the economic and social impact of the pandemic, including programs to help find employment.
Washington will also donate another $20 million to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to support its policies on women’s reproductive health and to mitigate maternal and neonatal mortality rates, as well as other complications related to COVID-19.
Finally, $10 million will go to FAO and $5 million to the UN entity for “Gender Equality.”
This financial assistance is in addition to the 330 million doses of vaccines that Washington has sent to more than 110 countries alone or in collaboration with Covax, the WHO-driven mechanism to ensure global and equitable access to antiviral drugs.
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December 30th.
James Gadsden, the U.S. minister to Mexico, and General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, the president of Mexico, sign the Gadsden Purchase in Mexico City. The treaty settled the dispute over the location of the Mexican border west of El Paso, Texas, and established the final boundaries of the southern United States. For the price of $15 million, later reduced to $10 million, the United States acquired approximately 30,000 square miles of land in what is now southern New Mexico and Arizona.
The U.S.S. Monitor sinks in a storm off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Just nine months earlier, the ship had been part of a revolution in naval warfare when the ironclad dueled to a standstill with the C.S.S. Virginia (Merrimack) off Hampton Roads, Virginia, in one of the most famous naval battles in American history—the first time two ironclads faced each other in a naval engagement.
Within a year, they’d be big. Within two, they’d be huge. And within three, they’d be the biggest band in the world. But on December 30, 1968, the quartet of British rockers preparing for their fifth-ever gig in the United States were using propane heaters to keep themselves and their equipment warm while they waited to go on as the opening act for Vanilla Fudge at a concert in a frigid college gymnasium in Washington State. A few serious rock fans in attendance had at least heard about the new band formed around the former guitarist from the now-defunct Yardbirds, but if those fans even knew the name of this new group, they might not have recognized it in the ads that ran in the local newspaper. The Spokesman-Review of Spokane, Washington, ran an advertisement on this day in 1968 for a concert at Gonzaga University featuring “The Vanilla Fudge, with Len Zefflin”—a concert of which a bootleg recording would later emerge that represents the first-ever live Led Zeppelin performance captured on tape.
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