N.Y. Vaccine Shortage Eases; California Cases Slow: Virus Update
Bloomberg 1/23/2021 Bloomberg News
(Bloomberg) Governor Andrew Cuomo said more vaccines are on the way for New York, though he said the bigger challenge is getting skeptical Black and Latino residents to take the shot. U.S. governors are stepping up complaints that the federal government is not giving them enough vaccine.
California reported a 30% drop in new Covid-19 cases compared with the state’s 14-day rolling average. Fatalities in the U.S. dropped below 4,000 for the first time in three days.
A doctors’ group in the U.K. has urged the government to review the 12 weeks allowed for people to receive a second dose of the vaccine produced by Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE. The manufacturer suggests 21 days. Meanwhile, France’s top health authority recommends doubling that three-week gap as a way to stretch supplies and speed inoculations.
Eurostar Ridership Slumps 95%, Forcing U.K. and France to the Rescue Bloomberg 1/21/2021 Tara Patel and Tim Ross
(Bloomberg) France and the U.K. are negotiating an aid package for Eurostar International Ltd. after the coronavirus crisis wiped out 95% of the Channel Tunnel train operator’s passenger traffic.
One option under discussion could see the Bank of England provide funds from its Covid loan facility as part of the U.K. contribution, according to a person familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified. The person said the train operator is eligible despite French government majority ownership.
Talks are centered on support that reflects the interests of both countries, French Transport Minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari told a parliamentary committee on Thursday. France controls Eurostar via state railway SNCF, but the firm is based in London and seen as important to the British economy.