Not the day I imagined, but it could have been much worse. My schedule's being thrown off course at least gave me the time to make bread. Bagels are coming tomorrow, but possibly not until after breakfast. This way, The Professor can have toast with his fried eggs should that be his breakfast choice. He's even been known to eat toast for dessert.
The US says it has more than 40 million doses of vaccine and is confident there will be enough for adult boosters and young children's first and second shots. Pfizer is just days away from asking for emergency use authorization for its vaccine in children ages five to 11. Let's hope they get it, because nearly 26 percent of covid cases nationwide are reported to be in children. Over 70 million Americans are still not vaccinated. Low vaccination rates mean that many places are discarding expired doses. Doses unfortunately do not come in single-use sizes, and the vaccines only remain usable for six to 12 hours once a vial is opened. Moderna comes in vials holding 11 to 15 doses; Pfizer vials hold up to six doses; and Johnson & Johnson vials hold five doses.
Tens of thousands of New York health care workers defied the state's vaccine mandate and were not vaccinated by today. The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says that vaccine mandates are legally allowed. What is being contested in two separate lawsuits is the state's refusal to allow religious exemptions. The governor has said that she will call up the National Guard or bring health workers in from Ireland or the Philippines should staffing help be needed.
Sydney, Australia plans to start to lift covid restrictions in early October if milestones are met in vaccination rates. Should 70 percent of the state's population over the age of 16 be vaccinated by October 11, people will be able to attend weddings, funerals, and small gatherings as well as visit a hairdresser. Should 80 percent be vaccinated by late October, residents will be able to attend larger events and (I absolutely love what comes next) drink standing up in restaurants and bars. Unvaccinated people will still be barred from all these activities but will be able to go to church. More Australians stranded overseas will be able to return as well. By December 1, most venues will reopen, masks will no longer be required indoors, and restrictions on unvaccinated residents will be lifted. Melbourne is set to start to lift its restrictions October 26 when 70 percent of residents over the age of 16 are expected to be fully vaccinated. Nationwide, Australia currently has 41 percent of residents fully vaccinated and 63 percent having had at least one dose.
Nepal is joining the countries discussed in recent days as lifting or lessening restrictions. It began offering visas last week to foreigners landing at the airport in Kathmandu. Vaccinated tourists and those with negative PCR tests will no longer have to quarantine.
A Walmart employee in Louisiana reports that if he asks people to put on a mask or socially distance and they tell the manager, he has to "get coached." Get "coached" too many times, and he could be fired. When asked, a Walmart spokesperson did not dispute this. "Getting coached" fits in well with viewing the current times as something out of a dystopian novel.
The governor gave a briefing this afternoon. The best line was his advice to unvaccinated Virginians: Think how you want your obituary to read.
And that seems like a good place to end today's post.
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