COVID-19 Update: December 15, 2020: And Now Moderna

Events are beginning to pick up the pace: As the Pfizer vaccine rolls out nationwide, the FDA signs off on the efficacy of the Moderna vaccine; as soon as the expected FDA signoff happens, we'll have new weapons in the armory. Meanwhile, it's lockdown time, here and elsewhere, as new infections surge and the US sets a terrible new record. New questions arise having to do with fairness and priorities in vaccine distribution. London's West End, facing a new shutdown, is in a state of turmoil. And exactly why did the governor of Florida take his family to a crowded football game where practically nobody wore a mask?

The latest:

There are now 300,000 Americans dead from COVID-19: tinyurl.com/y7wkyqzg.

The FDA confirms the effectiveness of the Moderna vaccine, clearing the way for its approval: tinyurl.com/y9br32u6.

That bipartisan group of lawmakers splits the relief bill in two, in a new strategy to get them passed: tinyurl.com/ydy9txme.

Vaccine nationalism: The world's wealthy countries have cleared the shelves, so to speak, of the available vaccines, leaving poorer nations to fend for themselves: tinyurl.com/yd62u6al.

The German health minister says the EU will approve a vaccine by December 23: tinyurl.com/yd2q8fea.

Food for thought:

If teachers get inoculated, how fast can schools reopen? tinyurl.com/y7ynvuuu.

The prioritization of who gets the vaccine varies by state: tinyurl.com/yd26ovdv.

Around the county:

In California:

Record numbers of hospitalizations are seen in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, along a new high COVID-19 cases in San Francisco: tinyurl.com/yaed5qb9.

A cluster of nine cases breaks out during pre-production on the new Netflix series Colin in Black and White: tinyurl.com/y8ao4bxv.

In Florida:

The state adds 8,452 new COVID-19 cases and passes 20,000 deaths: tinyurl.com/yc925b3e.

Controversy swirls around a high school football game attended by a large, maskless crowd, including the governor and his family: tinyurl.com/y73oycy8.

In Maryland:

The state has its most daily deaths since mid-May: tinyurl.com/y9lymvw4.

In Massachusetts:

The mayors of Boston, Somerville, and Newton agree to close gyms, museums, and cinemas: tinyurl.com/ydh9rqn5.

The state records 3,572 new COVID-19 deaths: tinyurl.com/ycpcpg3r.

An outbreak of 700 cases in Medford is traced back to two Thanksgiving gatherings: tinyurl.com/ybpu6p8f.

In Texas:

Willie Nelson books a concert in Frisco for May 23: tinyurl.com/yd48ome3.

Around the country:

In the Netherlands:

Non-essential shops, schools, museums, and gyms will be shut until January 19: tinyurl.com/y8d7vvr3.

In South Africa:

Beaches will be closed over the holidays in an attempt to stem the spread of the coronavirus: tinyurl.com/y7kx47sm.

In the UK:

Will the planned "Christmas relaxation" cost many lives? Two leading medical journals say yes: tinyurl.com/y9x37vfn.

With the West End poised to shut down again, Julian Bird, chief executive of the Society of London Theatres, issues an urgent call for government relief: tinyurl.com/y9dpmx7c. Producer Sonia Friedman seconds the motion: tinyurl.com/y99gl2uy.

Entertainment:

Now streaming from Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: Resident choreographer Jamar Robert's A Jam Session for Troubling Times, inspired by saxophonist and composer Charlie "Bird" Parker. It's available through December 21: tinyurl.com/y7hxvdxp.

The York Theatre Company will present the special holiday benefit cabaret Broadway's Great American Songbook: The Holiday Gala hosted by Michael Feinstein with master of ceremonies Gerry McIntyre. Under the direction of MAC Award winner Barry Kleinbort, the evening will feature Ben Vereen, Lillias White, Klea Blackhurst, George Abud, Robert Creighton, Karen Mason, Lee Roy Reams, and Alton Fitzgerald White. Special guests will include Jeremy Benton, Kylie and Kaydin Kuioka, Cheryl Stern, Haley Swindal, The Skivvies (Nick Cearley and Lauren Molina), featuring Donna McKechnie, legendary songwriting team Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire with the premiere of a new holiday song, and more. The one-night only virtual event is set for Monday, December 21 7:00pm: tinyurl.com/ycrllyfn.

For your pleasure:

And farewell to Ann Reinking, the great Broadway dancer/choreographer, who died Saturday: tinyurl.com/y86zqr9q.

That's all for today. Stay safe. -- DB

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