The Road goes ever on and on ... Day 111 (611)

The UK's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has approved coronavirus boosters for people ages 40 through 49 and a second injection for youth ages 16 and 17. There is already a program for additional doses for people with compromised immune systems. Whether to extend boosters to people under the age of 40 is still under consideration. WHO continues to oppose boosters in high-income countries when so few people in low-income countries have been vaccinated; they have referred to the coronavirus as "a pandemic of poor nations." It's not clear how many vaccinations boosters are directing away from the poorer nations. Fewer Americans than expected are taking advantage of booster doses; the CDC reports that only 36 percent of Americans ages 65 and older have gotten a booster shot. 

Various cities including New York City are facing questions about the future of outdoor dining. For example, before the pandemic, the Bronx had just 30 sidewalk cafes or the equivalent. Now, it has over 650. People complain that such establishments are noisy, attract rodents, and lead to more trash left on the sidewalks. They can also block sidewalks, bike lanes, parking spots, and places where emergency vehicles might idle. In New York City, the Department of Transportation is expected to oversee and enforce a permanent outdoor dining program, and is currently negotiating legislation that might be needed. A permanent outdoor dining program would require approval by the City Council and could not start until 2023. As might be expected, the New York Hospitality Alliance supports outdoor dining. The city's mayor-elect, who takes office on January 1, 2022, says that he also supports keeping outdoor dining but a re-evaluation of the safety and spacing of structures is needed. 

Last year, New York City allowed only front-line workers and their families in Time Square for the New Year's Eve dropping of the crystal ball. All people are welcome this year as long as they are fully vaccinated or present evidence of a negative test in the 72 hours before the event.  Children under the age of five must be with a fully vaccinated adult. The plan is getting mixed reviews. A Columbia University epidemiologist offers, "I would say, 'I'll wait for another year and choose to watch it from home.'" Some major cities around the world have canceled New Year's Eve celebrations outright including London, Munich, and Amsterdam. 

Pfizer will allow its covid treatment to be made and sold inexpensively in 95 poorer nations home to over half of the world's population. Those nations must first approve the use of the treatment. Early data suggest that the treatment may prevent severe covid. Pfizer has halted clinical trials in the US because the results were so good. The company is now asking the FDA for Emergency Use Authorization. 

Yesterday's armadillos may wreak horticultural havoc, but they sound so much safer than the swarm of deadly scorpions in the Nile Delta that has killed three people and put 500 in the hospital.