Biden announces plans to purchase 100M more Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine doses
President Joe Biden on Wednesday directed his administration to order another 100 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine, growing a likely U.S. surplus of doses later this year when much of the rest of the world struggles with deep shortages.
Even before Wednesday s order, the U.S. was to have enough approved vaccine delivered by mid-May to cover every adult and enough for 400 million people total by the end of July. Enough doses to cover 200 million more people is on order should vaccines from AstraZeneca and Novavax receive approval from the Food and Drug Administration. The new J&J doses, which would cover another 100 million people, are expected to be delivered in the latter half of the year.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo made the announcement Wednesday.
Starting March 19, restaurants in New Jersey and NYC can expand their indoor dining.
The capacity for indoor dining in both areas is currently 35%.
Cuomo previously announced that starting March 19, restaurants outside of NYC can increase to 75% capacity. In New York State, our decisions are based on science and data and we are encouraged by the continued decline in infection and hospitalization rates, Governor Cuomo said. In partnership with the State of New Jersey, we have adjusted with rigorous testing and limited capacity indoor dining openings in New York City to expand to 50 percent. We will continue to follow the science and react accordingly. If we keep the infections down and vaccinations up, we will continue to stay ahead in the footrace against this invisible enemy and reach the light at the end of the tunnel together.
Alaska becomes first state to allow anyone over 16 to get vaccine
The governor of Alaska announced Tuesday night that effective immediately, Alaska will become the first state to allow anyone over the age of 16 to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
LIRR to restore previous timetable by March 29 after cuts spark COVID concerns
The Long Island Rail Road will restore service at the end of the month after planned service cuts this week sparked social distancing concerns amid wide criticism of packed trains. COVID arm : Some develop delayed skin reaction after Moderna vaccine shot
Some people who have received a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine are having a delayed reaction that causes a red, and sometimes bumpy rash on the arm.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a $65 million relief fund for financially distressed taxi medallion owners, immediately drawing the ire of cab drivers and the alliance that represents them, who called the plan a "betrayal."