COVID Corner
- Here is when kids can get the COVID-19 vaccine (Deseret News) – Dr. Fauci says expect kids to be able to get it before the end of the summer.
- Biden Covid adviser tells providers to stop stockpiling vaccine (Politico) – Providers should now be confident that there will be a steady supply of doses and that stockpiling “does not need to happen and should not happen.”
- Seth Meyers Accuses Biden of Falling for GOP’s Coronavirus ‘Scam’ (The Daily Beast) – The Late Night host criticized Biden for engaging in what he views as a “futile and preposterous exercise” by “indulging” Republicans’ demands of “bipartisanship” when it comes to COVID relief.
- Why is Arizona worst for COVID-19 nationwide? Here are 7 contributing reasons (AZ Central) – Bars and restaurants remain open and Arizona does not have a statewide mask mandate, haphazard enforcement of mitigation measures, elected officials who downplay and deny the severity of pandemic and more.
- Captain Tom Moore, 100-year-old veteran who raised millions for coronavirus relief, has COVID-19 (USA Today) – The 100-year-old British Army veteran who raised nearly $45 million for his country’s National Health Service has tested positive for the coronavirus.
- Two million Australians in lockdown after one COVID-19 case found (New York Post) – Authorities ordered a five-day lockdown of Perth after a security guard at a hotel used to quarantine people returning from overseas was found to have contracted the virus.
- Here’s how the Biden administration is tracking vaccine progress (Yahoo News) – Detailed data from the day of their inauguration. FEMA has now established a Civil Rights Advisory Group “to help ensure equity in the allocation of scarce resources, including any additional future allocations of vaccine.” Minority communities have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 infections and deaths, and early vaccine distribution has also seen racial disparities.
- Don’t post your COVID-19 vaccination card on social media (Deseret News) – The BBB says hold off from sharing a selfie of you COVID-19 vaccination card because it can be used for identity theft.
- Fewer than 600 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Utah on Monday (Salt Lake Tribune) – The state’s death toll rises to 1,668 as three more Utahns die.
Salt Lake Tribune
- Critics see law firm’s debt collection maneuver as an abuse of the court system – In 2020 the Law Offices of Kirk Cullimore filed 45% of all eviction lawsuits in Utah and a judge denounced their maneuvering as questionable, if not ‘unconscionable.’
- Petition to remove Utah school board member cites comments about LGBTQ students, Black Lives Matter – Natalie Cline defends her statements, saying she’s “the latest target of the mob.”
- Registration fees in Utah for electric, hybrid cars may soon skyrocket to highest in the nation – Fees for some could quintuple under a bill that advanced on Monday.
- Utah State Prison allows inmates to connect with loved ones via video calls – The prison initially stopped in-person visits in March. Video visiting is available in most prison housing units. (Feels like this is long overdue)
- Utah Rep. John Curtis joins bipartisan group seeking to build bridges in evenly divided Congress – “Problem Solvers Caucus” was group that former Rep. Ben McAdams, D-Utah, belonged to.
- Mitt Romney says Biden shows ‘genuine interest’ in working with GOP on pandemic aid package – They spend two hours discussing differences, but vow to keep discussion moving forward.
- Utah has its independent commission to help redraw voting boundaries for the coming decade – Governor names BYU professor Rex Facer as chair; GOP House speaker names former Congressman Rob Bishop.
- Utah’s 10-year battle over disputed roads crisscrossing public lands likely just got a lot longer – Appeals court holds wilderness advocates are entitled to participate in lawsuits over 12,500 routes.
Other
- Video visiting has launched across the Utah State Prison in Draper (KUTV) – To schedule a visit, email [email protected].
- AARP Utah offers advice and warnings for seniors seeking vaccines (Cache Valley Daily) – First, that Utahns over 70 now have priority in the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine and secondly, that there are scammers afoot who want to take advantage of those seniors.
- Fourth Street Clinic begins mobile COVID-19 vaccinations for homeless population (FOX 13) – The homeless population can be difficult to track, but Fourth Street Clinic has partnered with other local organizations to come up with a system to reach members of the homeless community in time for their second doses.
- ‘Hybrid and flexible:’ Salt Lake Chamber looks to future of the workplace (FOX 13) – Teleworking has proven people can be just as, if not more productive, Derek Miller said.
Deseret News
- How judicial activism on the right and left is threatening the Constitution – Former federal judge Thomas Griffiths says “Judges aren’t supposed to make laws. They settle fights by interpreting them.”
- The new Congress and the new president should be bipartisan in word and deed – From former Congressman Ben McAdams (D) – “I’m with Romney on this one.”
- What to expect from President Biden on international religious freedom – People who know President Joe Biden say he cares deeply about helping persecuted people of faith around the world.
- ‘Emotional’ debate on changing Dixie State University name expected at Utah Capitol – Dixie State University President Richard Williams said discussions about the name have been going on for 30 years but intensified after protests across the country following George Floyd’s death last summer.
- How did Mitt Romney, GOP senators’ sit-down with President Biden on COVID-19 relief go? – there are differences in almost every area. “I can tell you there was not an agreement reached.”
- Petition claims State School Board member’s Facebook posts support ‘racism, homophobia’ – Natalie Cline says she is ‘latest target of the mob,’ believes parents have right to choose what is taught in classroom
- Case of slain Utah athlete Lauren McCluskey prompts new revenge porn bill – Utah lawmaker Craig Hall wants to allow charges to be brought in cases even after victims have died.
- Free COVID-19 testing continues as 3rd case of U.K. variant found in Utah – The variant, believed to be more contagious although the vaccines now in use are viewed as effective against it.
- Postcard vehicle registration reminders may be on the horizon for forgetful Utah drivers – In a clear case of “unintended consequences,” people forgot to renew their plates without the postcard reminder. Oops.
