Nursing homes, contagious Clauses, toy drive boost: News from around our 50 states From USA TODAY Network and wire reports, USA TODAY
Alabama
Montgomery: A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit challenging the state’s mandatory face mask mandate, which opponents claimed is unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Keith Watkins, in a decision Tuesday, dismissed the lawsuit calling it a “shotgun pleading” that makes a lot of accusations without organization or solid legal claims. The same judge in October had refused the suit’s request to block the mask rule, which health officials have credited with lessening the impact of COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus. The mask order, which was first imposed in the summer and extends at least through Jan. 22, requires anyone over the age of 6 to wear masks in indoor public spaces and outdoors when it’s impossible to stay at least 6 feet away from others. The lawsuit was filed by former Alabama Chief J
Published December 15. 2020 11:34PM
By STEVE LeBLANC and COLLIN BINKLEY, Associated Press
Boston After months of anticipation, the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have begun trickling into Massachusetts, although Gov. Charlie Baker and state health officials cautioned Tuesday that it will be some months more before vaccines are available to the general public.
Four hospitals received about 6,000 doses on Monday.
On Tuesday, the state expects the federal government to ship more than 53,000 doses to 17 hospitals statewide, Baker said. Among those receiving the first doses are health care workers providing coronavirus care.
It’s all part of the expected 300,000 first doses that should arrive in the state before the end of December. The doses are delivered directly from the government to hospitals.
MA Schools Must Provide Live Student Interaction Daily
Schools that are teaching online during the pandemic will be required to give every student at least some live interaction with a teacher every day under new rules approved Tuesday by Massachusetts officials.
According to a story reported on by WTEN/News 10 Albany, the state’s Board of Elementary and Secondary Education adopted new standards around online education amid concerns that it has left many students dealing with anxiety and depression.
“Many of our children are struggling with the isolation that comes with remote or even hybrid learning,” Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley said as he proposed the standards.
Baker urges caution even as COVID-19 vaccine begins arriving
By STEVE LeBLANC and COLLIN BINKLEYDecember 15, 2020 GMT
BOSTON (AP) After months of anticipation, the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have begun trickling into Massachusetts, although Gov. Charlie Baker and state health officials cautioned Tuesday that it will be some months more before vaccines are available to the general public.
Four hospitals received about 6,000 doses on Monday.
On Tuesday, the state expects the federal government to ship more than 53,000 doses to 17 hospitals statewide, Baker said. Among those receiving the first doses are health care workers providing coronavirus care.
It’s all part of the expected 300,000 first doses that should arrive in the state before the end of December. The doses are delivered directly from the government to hospitals.