Some retirees’ Social Security benefits could dip unless Congress acts

  • The Covid-19 pandemic will prompt an unprecedented drop in one measurement, the Average Wage Index, which is used to determine Social Security benefits.
  • Specifically, people born in 1960 could have lower retirement benefit calculations unless a fix is made.
  • Congressional lawmakers have proposed a couple of bills aimed at resolving the issue. Meanwhile, Social Security experts say it’s more important than ever to plan your claiming strategy carefully.

Source: Some retirees’ Social Security benefits could dip unless Congress acts

Covid-19 may spread more easily in schools than thought, report warns

Coronavirus may be more easily transmitted in school and summer camp settings than previously understood, after the emergence of new details of outbreaks in the US state of Georgia and in Israel that have underscored the risks of school reopenings.

A report by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) into an outbreak at a summer camp in Georgia suggests children – even asymptomatic cases – may play an important role in community transmission of Covid-19.

US health body highlights risks of reopening after outbreaks in state of Georgia and Israel

Coronavirus may be more easily transmitted in school and summer camp settings than previously understood, after the emergence of new details of outbreaks in the US state of Georgia and in Israel that have underscored the risks of school reopenings.

A report by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) into an outbreak at a summer camp in Georgia suggests children – even asymptomatic cases – may play an important role in community transmission of Covid-19.

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Mississippi Governor Issues Order Delaying School Reopenings as COVID-19 Cases Rise

Mississippi state Governor Tate Reeves released on Tuesday an executive order postponing the start of seven through 12-grade schools in the state’s hot spot areas.

Mississippi state Governor Tate Reeves released on Tuesday an executive order postponing the start of seven through 12-grade schools in the state’s hot spot areas.

Virginia GOP official posted personal info of people who reported mask violations: report | TheHill

“Only part of the snitches in Arlington County,” he wrote, according to a screenshot obtained by the Post. “If y’all want to try to destroy businesses via the health department, we will make sure your name, email, phone numbers and addresses are well known to activists who want to peacefully protest you.”

The ‘Arlington Neighbors’ Facebook group is… being driven by misinformed busybodies who are wreaking havoc on businesses they don’t like. I posted about those busybodies, and the partisan admins block people they don’t agree with.”

“The board and any Nazis who want to support this can pound sand,” he reportedly added in the Facebook group, responding to commenters who criticized his actions.

“We have removed and blocked the chairman of the Arlington County Republican Committee, Mr. Andrew Loposser, from Arlington Neighbors Helping Each Other Through COVID-19,” Joshua Farrar said, adding: “Comparisons of those who support public health restrictions on local business to Nazis are horrid and inappropriate, and diminish the experiences of Holocaust survivors, and are an affront to the memory of the millions of lives upended and extinguished, murdered, by Hitler and his machinery of extermination.”

As well as serving as the top official for Arlington County’s branch of the GOP, Loposser works as a legislative aid for state Del. Michael J. Webert (R), the Post noted.

 

Source: Virginia GOP official posted personal info of people who reported mask violations: report | TheHill

GOP senator on Trump accepting nomination at White House: ‘Is that even legal?’

Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.) on Wednesday raised possible legal concerns when asked about President Trump potentially accepting the Republican presidential nomination on the South Lawn of the White House….

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Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.) on Wednesday raised possible legal concerns when asked about President Trump potentially accepting the Republican presidential nomination on the South Lawn of the White House….

Deadly diseases from wildlife thrive when nature is destroyed, study finds | Environment | The Guardian

The human destruction of natural ecosystems increases the numbers of rats, bats and other animals that harbour diseases that can lead to pandemics such as Covid-19, a comprehensive analysis has found.

The research assessed nearly 7,000 animal communities on six continents and found that the conversion of wild places into farmland or settlements often wipes out larger species. It found that the damage benefits smaller, more adaptable creatures that also carry the most pathogens that can pass to humans.

 

Source: Deadly diseases from wildlife thrive when nature is destroyed, study finds | Environment | The Guardian