Here’s what you need to know to Get operational and get on with your day.
(You may also receive “5 Things You Need to Know Today” in your inbox daily. Sign up here.)
1. Coronavirus
Some who were once reluctant to get vaccinated seem to change their minds. Clinic in a heavily Latino part of South Texas works to overcome barriers such as transportation, language, and a lack of reliable information sources by ensuring patients get immunization information and adhere to their appointments. So far, 35 states have fully immunized more than half of their residents, while five others have fully immunized more than two-thirds. Meanwhile, CNN’s Dr Sanjay Gupta spoke to controversial podcast host Joe Rogan to try and communicate how important vaccines are. With these efforts comes good news: Covid-19-related deaths and hospitalizations are expected to decline over the next four weeks.
2. Social security
Let’s start with the good news: The roughly 70 million people on Social Security, including retirees and people with disabilities, will see their monthly payments skyrocket from next year. Benefits are expected to increase 5.9%, increasing monthly payments from $ 92 to an estimated average of $ 1,657 for 2022. This is the largest increase in about four decades. But as important as it looks on paper, that hike might not be the boost it seems, as the rise in prices due to inflation will likely offset the rise.
3. Norway
Five people were killed and two were injured in a bow and arrow attack yesterday in Norway. A 37-year-old man was arrested and charged, and he is said to have acted alone. Authorities said it was too early in the investigation to determine the suspect’s motive. The attack came on the eve of a new government after last month’s parliamentary elections toppled the long-ruling Conservative Party. Police officers across Norway have now been ordered to carry firearms as a precaution – a rarity for the country.
4. Taiwan
The Chinese military said this week it had carried out beach landing and assault exercises in the province directly across the sea from Taiwan. It is the latest in an increase in military activity in the Taiwan Strait after China sent a record number of warplanes to the Taiwan Defense Zone this month. Although so far it hasn’t looked like the fight is imminent, Western analysts say Beijing’s actions are meant to send a message. Taiwan, a democratically ruled island that China claims as its own territory, has complained about increased military and political pressure from Beijing to force it to accept Chinese rule.
5. John Deere
About 10,000 members of the United Auto Workers union went on strike against farm and construction equipment maker John Deere this morning. Union and employer negotiators had tried to reach a deal after grassroots members rejected a six-year draft contract with the company. The strike against John Deere is the largest private sector strike in the country since the UAW’s six-week strike against General Motors two years ago. This is part of the recent trend for workers to be more powerful as labor market dynamics lean more toward them and away from employers.
LUNCH BROWSE
Paul McCartney called the Rolling Stones a “blues cover band”
Coach to stop destroying unwanted luxury goods after TikTok outrage
Critics have drawn attention to the environmental impact of the policy.
Kyrie Irving has now publicly revealed he is unvaccinated
The Brooklyn Nets star won’t be allowed to play until he gets the shot.
Fish Known As “Living Fossil” First Found In Kansas
How he got there is still a mystery.
We’re drowning in a sea of salt, and the FDA says we must help ourselves save
However, reducing our salt intake will be harder than it looks.
THE NUMBER OF THE DAY
4,650
This is the number of firearms reported by the TSA at checkpoints in the first 10 months of the year, the majority of which were loaded. It’s a surge never seen before, the agency chief told CNN.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I hope I never get over it. I hope I can maintain how I feel now.”
William shatner, otherwise known as Captain Kirk from the original “Star Trek,” after hitchhiking on a suborbital spacecraft. The 90-year-old is now the oldest person to ever be in space.
TODAY’S WEATHER
Check your local forecast here >>>
AND FINALLY
The wonders of nature
There is perhaps nothing more calming than watching flowers bloom before your eyes. (Click here to see.)
