Stars and Stripes Coronavirus Update

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August 26, 2022 | View in browser

 

Millions in COVID aid went to retrain veterans; only 397 landed jobs The $386 million Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program — part of the American Rescue Plan — fell victim to a host of problems: hasty design, poor timing, and inadequate promotion and misuse of VA money. Read more >

Status hearing set for Japan-based Marine who refused COVID-19 vaccine The Marine Corps next month plans to “assess the status” of the case against Lance Cpl. Catherine Arnett, who faces court-martial on charges linked to her refusal of a COVID-19 vaccine. Read more >

Life expectancy in US dropped by nearly 2 years in 2020, CDC says Life expectancy dropped in 2020 by nearly two years across the United States — mostly due to COVID-19 and drug overdoses, according to new data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read more >   COVID-19 cases and deaths drop worldwide, though WHO warns decline in surveillance could be factor Confirmed coronavirus cases fell by 15% worldwide over the past week and new infections declined by 9%, the World Health Organization says. Read more >   Wastewater surveillance has become a critical COVID-19 tracking tool, but funding is inconsistent Even though wastewater surveillance is proving to be the most accurate and economical way to gauge COVID-19 activity in communities across the country, funding for this type of tracking hasn’t been consistent. Read more >

NJ will assess its response to COVID, Murphy says, but sets no time frame for review Gov. Phil Murphy on Tuesday reiterated his long-standing promise that New Jersey will conduct a review of the state’s response to COVID-19, including how it handled the crisis in long-term care facilities — yet he said he still does not have a time frame for when that will happen. Read more >   COVID-19 concerns wane as DOD students worldwide go back to class Students at Department of Defense Education Activity schools around the world started a new school year Monday as the COVID-19 pandemic faded into the scholastic background. Read more >   Japan’s COVID-19 testing requirement will end for fully vaccinated travelers on Sept. 7 Japan plans to drop its requirement that arriving, vaccinated international travelers show proof of a negative COVID-19 test, even as the country is posting record-high levels of the respiratory disease. Read more >   IRS will wipe away $1.2 billion in late fees from pandemic The IRS estimates that nearly 1.6 million taxpayers will receive more than $1.2 billion worth of penalty relief. Read more >   Trump administration sought to pressure FDA on COVID vaccines and treatment, House panel concludes The report offers new details on contemporaneous reports about the Trump White House’s efforts to sway the FDA in the first year of the coronavirus pandemic. Read more >   NJ will assess its response to COVID, Murphy says, but sets no time frame for review Gov. Phil Murphy on Tuesday reiterated his long-standing promise that New Jersey will conduct a review of the state’s response to COVID-19, including how it handled the crisis in long-term care facilities — yet he said he still does not have a time frame for when that will happen. Read more >

 

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