Biden projects 600K COVID deaths

Scores of new COVID cases among responders to the Jan. 6 insurrection, advice on COVID-safe car riding and new concerns about British coronavirus variant.

Here’s a quick look at some of the important COVID-19 developments as this week ends:

• President Biden took additional steps to get COVID-19 relief such as food aid and eviction protection while predicting that the USA will likely reach 600,000 deaths before the pandemic ends. The USA death toll is now at 413,000.

• With vaccine supply still painfully tight, Pfizer got FDA clearance to count the “suprise” extra dose in each vial towards its delivery commitment. People administering the shots discovered they frequently could get six or sometimes even seven doses out of a vial labeled to contain five doses.

• The current surge in the USA may have peaked, but experts fear that another surge could occur if travel and gatherings pick up around spring break in March.

• White House medical advisor and NIAID Director Dr. Tony Fauci said Friday that misinformation from the former president and other members of leadership “very likely cost lives.”

• At least 150 National Guard members, 19 Capitol Police officers and 82 DC Metropolitan Police officers have tested positive for COVID-19 since the January 6 assault on the Capitol.

• The NFL announced that 22,500 people will be in the stands for the Super Bowl, which is scheduled for February 7 in Tampa Bay, Florida. Vaccinated healthcare workers will be offered 7,500 of those seats.

• British authorities now think that the B117 coronavirus variant may be somewhat more deadly than other COVID strains. This is the strain that is spreading rapidly and expected to become the dominant strain the USA within the next two months.

• Researchers in Massachusetts have determined that opening car windows opposite — instead of next to — where people are seated provides the best ventilation to prevent COVID-19.

Please keep those masks on, and consider doubling up on them.