(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement regarding the Food and Drug Administration’s decision to grant an emergency use authorization for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine.
“I’m grateful to the researchers and experts who have worked tirelessly to develop this vaccine and evaluate its safety and efficacy. But while this is good news for the world, it is far from mission accomplished. To go from vaccines on shelves to vaccinations in arms, we are going to have to roll up our sleeves—literally and figuratively.
“The undertaking ahead—rapidly and equitably distributing and administering this vaccine across the nation at no cost to patients—is enormous, and I remain deeply concerned the Trump Administration’s preparations so far are not adequate for the task at hand. The fragments of a plan we’ve seen from them don’t come close to the comprehensive national vaccines plan I have called for, and leave far too many unanswered questions about what happens next. Will we be able to get enough PPE? How can we store, transport, and distribute vaccines at super cold temperatures most efficiently? What are we doing to promote vaccine confidence?
“States and Tribes need more leadership from the federal government, as well as serious funding from Congress dedicated specifically to vaccine distribution. They’ve gotten very little of either so far—and I’m not going to stop until that changes. I’m glad the incoming Biden Administration is already showing it understands the enormity of this challenge, and I look forward to working with them to tackle it.”--Sen. Patty Murray 12.14.20
Inslee announces COVID-19 vaccine approval by multi-state workgroup.
Gov. Jay Inslee today announced the authorization of the first COVID-19 vaccine by the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup. The governor was joined for the announcement by workgroup members Drs. Ed Marcuse and John Dunn and State Health Officer Dr. Kathy Lofy.
The announcement comes after the FDA and CDC granted their initial authorization to the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. The Western States Workgroup, comprised of vaccine experts from Washington, California, Oregon and Nevada, have been meeting to review the data and analysis to ensure the safety and efficacy of all vaccines federally authorized.
“I’m pleased that the Western States Workgroup gave their unanimous recommendation to the vaccine last night and encourages immediate use of the vaccine in our states,” Inslee said during a press conference Sunday morning. “It cannot come soon enough – with Washington closing in on 200,000 total COVID cases and approaching 3,000 deaths – this help is much needed to prevent further infection, hospitalization and loss of life.”
Workgroup members hope that their independent review inspires confidence in Washingtonians around the vaccine’s safety.
“I was enormously reassured by the rigor and transparency of the FDA and CDC reviews,” Marcuse said. “I am now confident in the safety and efficacy of this Pfizer vaccine. We have sufficient information to recommend its immediate use so we can begin to reduce the horrific toll of this pandemic.”
“After looking at all of the available data, our workgroup unanimously agreed that at this time the benefits of this vaccine greatly exceed any theoretical risks,” Dunn said. “I personally am reassured by the safety profile and look forward to being vaccinated as soon as I am eligible.”
The first of the vaccine doses are expected to start arriving from the federal government tomorrow and will begin to be administered as soon as Tuesday.
Vaccinations will begin as soon as possible in health care and long-term care facilities and tribal governments across the state. Health systems and local public health departments have been preparing for the arrival and distribution of the vaccine.
“This doesn't mean we are out of the woods yet,” Inslee said. “We can’t let up on masking, physical distancing and restrictions on indoor activities. We need to continue to slow the rate of infection as we work to get Washingtonians vaccinated. We must keep up the fight a little longer and I know we will get through this, together.”
IN OTHER STATE NEWS HEADLINES;
Vaccines arrive in Washington State, people in Phase 1a will begin to receive vaccinations this week
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is happy to announce that COVID-19 vaccines are on the ground in Washington state, and this week, the first doses will be administered to high-risk health workers, as well as patients and residents of long-term care facilities.--DOH
SR 203 repair effort near Carnation hits milestone
Drainage installation complete at site of slide near Northeast Stillwater Hill Road
CARNATION – Two weeks into an extended closure of State Route 203, contractor crews reached a milestone on the critical repair project. On Saturday, Dec. 12 they finished installing four drainage systems under the roadway and an additional four in the hillside above. Arranging the drains in a fan-like shape helps push water out and away from the highway. This helps control the source of water that led to a February slide that caused the highway to sink several inches between Stillwater Hill Road and Northeast 88th Street.
What's next
This week, contractor crews will be demolishing and removing the rubble of the old highway, compacting the road base and applying new asphalt on top. Progress can be tracked through pictures posted to the project's Flickr album.
Detour
The around-the-clock signed detour routing travelers past this worksite since Dec. 1 remains in effect until mid-January. When the work is done, all lanes of SR 203 will reopen and WSDOT will spend the winter finalizing a permanent repair.---WSDOT
https://wsdot.wa.gov/news/2020/12/14/sr-203-repair-effort-near-carnation-hits-milestone
Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee to announce equity proposals at 3 p.m.--The Olympian
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is holding a virtual press conference Monday, Dec. 14, to announce an equity policy package as part of his 2021-2023 budget proposal, according to a press release from his office.
https://www.theolympian.com/news/state/washington/article247832485.html
Washington state auditor warns unemployment agency on ‘interference’ with audits into massive fraud--Seattle Times
Since May, the head of Washington’s unemployment agency has been buffeted with criticism for a slow-footed response to a massive fraud that leeched away hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars.
IN OTHER HEADLINES TODAY
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WORLD NEWS HEADLINES:
ILO study finds migrants earn much less than locals, and the gap is widening.
The gap between wages paid to migrant and national workers is big and growing, and may widen further because of the pandemic, the International Labour Organization (ILO) said in a report published on Monday.--UN NEWS CENTER
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/12/1079962
UN human rights chief ‘appalled’ at Iran execution, questions trial process and verdict.
Iran’s decision to hang media activist Ruhollah Zam on Saturday was an appalling violation of human rights that followed a deeply flawed trial process, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said in a statement on Monday.--UN NEWS CENTER
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/12/1079982
First glimmer of hope in decades for Black Sea and Mediterranean fish stocks.
The number of fish stocks subject to overexploitation in the Mediterranean and Black Sea has fallen for the first time in decades, offering some hope that a dangerous decline can be turned around, according to a report published on Monday by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).--UN NEWS CENTER
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/12/1080002
UN chief calls for immediate release of abducted children in Nigeria.
The United Nations Secretary-General has called for the “immediate and unconditional” release of hundreds of boys, believed abducted by suspected bandits, after an attack on their school in northwest Nigeria. --UN NEWS CENTER
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/12/1079942
NATIONAL HEADLINES:
Presidential Message on the Occasion of the 60th Anniversary Commemoration of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development--WH
Department of Justice Announces Joint Final Rule Regarding Equal Treatment of Faith-Based Organizations in Department-Supported Social Service Programs
The Department of Justice announced a joint final rule with eight other Agencies — the Agency for International Development and the Departments of Agriculture, Education, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Labor, and Veterans Affairs — to implement President Trump’s Executive Order No. 13831, on the Establishment of a White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative (May 3, 2018). This rule ensures that religious and non-religious organizations are treated equally in DOJ-supported programs, and it clarifies that religious organizations do not lose their legal protections and rights just because they participate in federal programs and activities. --DOJ
Department of Education Announces Joint Final Rule Regarding Equal Treatment of Faith-Based Organizations in Department-Supported Social Service Programs--Dept. of Education
Religious liberty is a bedrock founding principle that this Administration consistently demonstrates its commitment to vigorously defend,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. “At the Department of Education, we’re continuing to ensure faith-based organizations, including faith-based institutions, do not give up their First Amendment rights as a condition of participating in taxpayer programs. We will continue to ensure faith-based educational providers are treated equally alongside their secular counterparts. Under this Administration, religious discrimination in education is never tolerated.”
HUD SECRETARY BEN CARSON APPLAUDS WHOLE OF GOVERNMENT APPROACH TO PROTECTING RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Nine government agencies unite to ensure religious organizations are treated equally---HUD
https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_20_209
BUSINESS & FINANCE:
Treasury Sanctions Senior Iranian Intelligence Officers Involved in the Abduction and Detention of Robert Levinson--US TREASURY DEPT.
https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm1210
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ANNOUNCES THE AVAILABILITY OF APPROXIMATELY $89 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDING FOR YOUTHBUILD PROJECTS.
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20201214
ICYMI: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ACTS TO HELP AMERICAN WORKERS AND EMPLOYERS DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC.
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osec/osec20201214
FTC Issues Orders to Nine Social Media and Video Streaming Services Seeking Data About How They Collect, Use, and Present Information.
News Story Spotlight
Texas GOP Chairman Slammed After Suggesting Secession From United States--Forbes.
Editorial Note: I Imagine that the people who had to fight, and endure the first civil war in 1861, are twisting in their graves now.
What would happen if Session actually happens this time around, it would mean that anyone who voted for Trump, who can't move away from a Democrat strong hold will be trapped behind enemy lines. At least that's how I see this crazy talk of secession.
Plus, what would happen to those living on SSA, SSI, and VA, get their monthly benefit, what going to happen, they going to say, sorry buddy sense we are a divided nation now, tough luck!?
Bible Verse:
Luke 1:26-28 (New King James Version)
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
