Category Archives: News to use

Useful news for all to advance knowledge of the world and how it works

(1) AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine: Company to run new tests amid fresh doubts – YouTube (Investors in higher priced vaccines pushed attack of less expensive AstraZeneca?)

Opinion | Pope Francis: The Covid-19 Crisis Reveals What Is in Our Hearts – The New York Times

With some exceptions, governments have made great efforts to put the well-being of their people first, acting decisively to protect health and to save lives. The exceptions have been some governments that shrugged off the painful evidence of mounting deaths, with inevitable, grievous consequences. But most governments acted responsibly, imposing strict measures to contain the outbreak.

Yet some groups protested, refusing to keep their distance, marching against travel restrictions — as if measures that governments must impose for the good of their people constitute some kind of political assault on autonomy or personal freedom! Looking to the common good is much more than the sum of what is good for individuals. It means having a regard for all citizens and seeking to respond effectively to the needs of the least fortunate.

It is all too easy for some to take an idea — in this case, for example, personal freedom — and turn it into an ideology, creating a prism through which they judge everything.

God asks us to dare to create something new. We cannot return to the false securities of the political and economic systems we had before the crisis. We need economies that give to all access to the fruits of creation, to the basic needs of life: to land, lodging and labor. We need a politics that can integrate and dialogue with the poor, the excluded and the vulnerable, that gives people a say in the decisions that affect their lives. We need to slow down, take stock and design better ways of living together on this earth.

US records 2,300 COVID-19 deaths as pandemic rises with holidays | TheHill

The numbers are raising concerns that the United States could see deaths from COVID-19 rise the numbers initially seen in the spring, when the pandemic first hit the country. The rise in deaths on Wednesday represented a 57 percent increase in the 14-day average, according to the Times.

Source: US records 2,300 COVID-19 deaths as pandemic rises with holidays | TheHill

A Tip For All Writers

beetleypete

Ray Bradbury’s Greatest Writing Advice

“I’ve had a sign over my typewriter for over 25 years now: Don’t think!

Ray Douglas Bradbury; August 22, 1920 – June 5, 2012) was an American author and screenwriter. One of the most celebrated 20th- and 21st-century American writers, he worked in a variety of genres including fantasy, science fiction, horror, and mystery fiction.

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Alberta-wide mask mandate would create backlash, Premier Kenney says | Globalnews.ca (Premier’s lack of courage fails Alberta safety)

Premier Jason Kenney said Alberta doesn’t have a province-wide mask mandate because he thinks rural Albertans would ignore it.

Kenney made the remarks on a Facebook Live Wednesday evening where he took questions from Albertans about the new COVID-19 safety measures announced by the province on Tuesday.

READ MORE: Changes to visitation in certain AHS facilities announced as Alberta reaches 500 COVID-19 deaths

When asked in a written question “why rural Albertans don’t need a mask mandate,” Kenney said about 90 per cent of Albertans are already under some sort of a mask mandate, brought in by municipalities.

He also said the majority of confirmed COVID-19 cases are in the Edmonton and Calgary areas.

Source: Alberta-wide mask mandate would create backlash, Premier Kenney says | Globalnews.ca

Health officials report 12,022 new coronavirus cases, 131 more deaths – Chicago Sun-Times

Illinois health officials reported 12,022 new coronavirus cases and 131 more deaths on Thanksgiving Day amid worries that family gatherings over the holiday might spark another surge in cases. Currently at 11,963 total deaths and 697,489 total cases, Illinois is on track to breach over 12,000 deaths and 700,000 cases by Friday, and it could get worse if people disregard the warnings of medical experts for their Thanksgiving celebrations. The average statewide positivity rate has already climbed slightly to 12%, up from 10.6% on Wednesday, as over 107,000 people were tested in Illinois over the past 24 hours, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Source: Health officials report 12,022 new coronavirus cases, 131 more deaths – Chicago Sun-Times