The WHO declared a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) – the highest level of alarm in the global health regulations – on 30 January 2020, when, outside of China, fewer than 100 cases and no deaths had been reported
Will America fumble its once-in-a-generation opportunity to win back Europe? Or will it surrender its mantle of leadership and compassion to China, despite having given birth to the virus, which now aggressively seeks to exploit its vaccine availability to widen the wedge between the U.S. and its European allies.
While America rightfully basks in its incredibly successful vaccination program, the EU remains mired in incompetence and recrimination, leaving Italy and much of Europe with recurrent lockdowns, protracted economic devastation and tens of thousands of new infections each day. As countries such as the U.S., Israel and the UK move rapidly toward a more normal future, Italy, France and Germany are currently administering fewer doses per 100 citizens than far less prosperous countries such as Serbia, Chile and Morocco.
The risk: “Biden proposed a slew of tax increases during his presidential campaign that are expected to be on the table as part of the discussions. But they will face fierce opposition from Republicans and business groups, jeopardizing any attempt to pass an economic package on a bipartisan basis.” THE INFRASTRUCTURE DEBATE WON’T BE A WALK IN THE PARK:
Via The Hill’s
Jordain Carney, “Democrats are facing big headaches as they try to craft a sweeping infrastructure and jobs package.” https://bit.ly/2Q9kOJg
Not to give Democrats headaches or anything, but: “The goal could test Democratic unity due to razor-thin margins in both chambers and early signs of contention over how to pay for the spending, including talk of a tax hike, and whether the bill should be narrowed in order to make it bipartisan.”
Speaking on the anniversary of when COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic, President Joe Biden condemned the violence Asian Americans have endured since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.