Hong Kongers hold first protest in years under strict rules
Dozens of people on Sunday joined Hong Kong's first authorized protest since the lifting of major COVID-19 restrictions under unprecedentedly strict rules, including wearing a numbered badge around their necks. During the pandemic, protests were rare due to COVID-19 restrictions. In addition, many activists have been silenced or jailed after Beijing imposed a national security law following massive protests in 2019.
news.yahoo.comMA approves spending plan to extend COVID-19 programs including outdoor dining regulations, to-go cocktails
Lawmakers in Massachusetts approved a spending plan that would extend COVID-19 programs including outdoor dining, to-go alcohol sales, and remote access to public meetings.
foxnews.comRestaurants and post-COVID expansions (March 23, 2023) โ Houston Public Media
On Thursday's show: Houston-area restaurants want to keep expanded outdoor seating established early during the COVID-19 pandemic. Houston City Council is considering it. We learn more and discuss the state of area restaurants.
houstonpublicmedia.org'Don't Say Gay' lawmaker pleads guilty to COVID relief fraud
The former Florida lawmaker who sponsored the controversial law critics call โDonโt Say Gayโ pleaded guilty Tuesday to committing $150,000 in COVID-19 relief fraud. Joseph Harding, a 35-year-old Republican, pleaded guilty in Gainesville federal court to wire fraud, money laundering, and making false statements in connection with COVID-19 relief fraud, according to court records. Harding resigned from the Florida House in December, a day after federal prosecutors announced his indictment.
news.yahoo.comOver $700 million in COVID aid for US schools never made it to the classroom: study
A study by the National Opportunity Project found that $736 million of federal aid has not reached the nonpublic schools and students it was set aside for and at least $157 million has ended up back in the hands of governors
foxnews.comCOVID hospitalizations see slight uptick in Hidalgo County
The number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 increased slightly this week in Hidalgo County. Though the county began the week with a lower number of people hospitalized with COVID than there were at the close of last week, COVID hospitalizations went back up slightly as the week progressed. On Tuesday, Hidalgo County officials reported 42 patients were hospitalized with COVID including 38 adults and four children. Hidalgo County did not report any additional COVID-related deaths this week, keeping their total number of COVID deaths at approximately 4,121. However, the county did report 419 new cases this week, including 124 confirmed cases and 295 probable cases.
myrgv.comFood distributions continue as economic insecurities linger on
In 2020, UWSCC began to have food distribution events for the public to help families of all income levels. UWSCC has seen a lot of people showing up to the food distribution events that are held every other Friday at two separate locations in Brownsville. De Leon said the food distribution program, sponsored by UWSCC and others, has been extended to at least the summer of 2023 because food insecurities remain a great concern for everyone. Pretty much every food bank across the nation is experiencing food shortage in that regard.โRodriguez said what the nonprofit saw in the last two to three years is that every time federal or state governments issued additional benefits, the lines at the food bank had gotten shorter. The RGV Food Bank is hoping Valley businesses will step up and hold food drives or for the public to donate food items to the nonprofit.
myrgv.comUS agencies debunk Florida surgeon general's vaccine claims
U.S. health agencies have sent a letter to Florida's surgeon general, warning him that his claims about COVID-19 risks are harmful to the public. The letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was sent Friday to Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo. Ladapo was appointed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2021 and has attracted national scrutiny over his close alignment with the governor in opposing COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other health policies embraced by the federal government.
news.yahoo.comRand Paul blasts Fauci after freeze-out allegations: a โfactโ Fauci โconvincedโ scientists to change minds
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., blasted Dr. Anthony Fauci after the latter disputed allegations of freezing out a former CDC director from a conference call on the origins of COVID-19.
foxnews.comSexual attacks against teen girls increased at school, online and at home during lockdown
The recentย reportย from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that found anย unprecedented wave of grief and sadnessย among teenage girls uncovered a stunning statistic: In 2021, nearly 20 percent said they had been victims of violent sexual behavior. More than one in 10 had been raped, they said.
Seoul lifts visa limits on short-term travelers from China
South Korea says it will remove the entry restrictions it placed on short-term travelers from China since the start of the year as officials see the COVID-19 situation in that country as stabilizing South Korea in early January stopped issuing most short-term visas at its consulates in China, citing concerns about a virus surge and the potential for new mutations.
57-year-old Houston man found guilty to fraudulently seeking $35M in PPP loans
A federal jury convicted a man on Wednesday for his role in a scheme to fraudulently obtain and launder millions of dollars in forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
EU to try again for coordination on China Covid policies
European Union nations will try again on Wednesday to mold a coordinated approach on if and how to check incoming airline passengers from China for any new COVID-19 variants after several member nations announced individual efforts over the past week.
Canada, Australia impose COVID rules on travelers from China
Australia and Canada have joined a growing list of countries requiring travelers from China to take a COVID-19 test prior to boarding their flight, as China battles a nationwide outbreak of the coronavirus after abruptly easing restrictions that were in place for much of the pandemic.
Using public transportation Christmas and New Yearโs weekends? See METROโs adjusted schedule
As many of us utilize public transportation to visit family and friends for the holidays, METRO has released its adjusted schedule to help us with our travel plans. In observance of the Christmas and New Yearโs holidays, METRO will operate on the following schedule:
Seen at 7: Concerns over RSV, Covid, and Flu
RSV is highly contagious and can spread like a wildfire through local communities; in some cases, forcing early learning centers to shut their doors. RSV usually circulates from late December to mid-February. But this year, an early spike in cases is resulting in markedly higher numbers of infections and hospitalizations. More importantly, RSV infections among young children and now older adults are filling many U.S. hospitals to capacity.
Mayor Turner to unveil 10 art commissions created during COVID-19 pandemic for Houston airports
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner will join the Mayorโs Office of Cultural Affairs and Houston Airports Tuesday to unveil 10 works of art commissioned by the City of Houston during the first stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a news release.
China vows to drop some travel tracking in COVID rule easing
China said it would stop tracking some travel, potentially reducing the likelihood people will be forced into quarantine for visiting COVID-19 hot spots That's part of an uncertain exit from the strict pandemic policies that helped fuel widespread protests.