Get Vaccinated | Aug. 11, 2021

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President Biden speaking at the White House on Tuesday.

​WH: Getting vaccinated "most important" step in hurricane preparedness

Aug. 11 - The "most important" step Americans can take to prepare for peak hurricane season is to "get vaccinated to ensure they will be protected from COVID-19 if they have to evacuate their homes," the White House said Tuesday.

Why it matters: The statement was released as President Biden met with senior administration officials on hurricane preparedness — hours before Tropical Storm Fred formed near Puerto Rico. Florida is in the path of the storm, which could possibly intensify into a hurricane...     more

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AUGUST 10, 2021
President Biden Receives Briefing
From FEMA, Homeland Security and COVID-19 Response TeamsPresident Biden encouraged people to get the COVID-19 vaccination to avoid compounding the crisis of the coronavirus pandemic and the hurricane and wildfire seasons. The president spoke during a meeting at the White House with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and members of his Homeland Security and COVID-19 Response teams.

Remarks by President Biden Before a Briefing from the FEMA Administrator, Homeland Security, and COVID-⁠19 Response Teams

AUGUST 10, 2021•SPEECHES AND REMARKS
State Dining Room

THE PRESIDENT:  Hey, folks.  I’ll make a brief opening statement here.  I want to thank you, Administrator Criswell, for the job you’ve been doing — outstanding work helping our country navigate what is overlapping challenges we’ve been facing.  And you’ve been very busy.

We’ve got wildfires in the West.  We’ve got — approaching the peak of Atlantic hurricane season.  All across the country, the Delta variant is spreading, as Dr. Fauci and others can tell you, and it’s spreading rapidly — rapidly among the unvaccinated.  When these crises intersect, they compound one another — natural disasters and the Delta variant.

And that’s what we’re going to be discussing today with the group I’ve assembled here.  We need to be ready to manage our natural disasters caused by hurricanes hitting the Southeast and the environment and with a broad community spread of COVID-19.
And the best thing we can do is — to prepare for that is for everyone who is not vaccinated — I know it’s a broken record, and I keep saying it — but to get vaccinated.

With the Delta variant, we’re seeing a pandemic of the unvaccinated.  Cases and hospitalizations are rising faster in states with low vaccination rates, such as Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi, which are the states that — from a hurricane-prone — they’re the states that are most at risk.

And so, we don’t wait until it’s too late.  And if, God forbid, a natural disaster strikes, we have to make sure we’re ready to be protected against COVID-19 as well...     more

Infrastructure Bill | Aug. 10, 2021

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AUGUST 9, 2021
​Defense Department Briefing
Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby discussed the announcement the Defense Department would require members of the military to get a COVID-19 vaccination. Secretary Kirby also responded to questions about U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq and Iran’s aggressive behavior toward ships in the Middle East. 

Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby Holds a Press Briefing

AUG. 9, 2021

Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby

PRESS SECRETARY JOHN F. KIRBY: So a few things off the top. Bear with me. OK, I think you've seen by now the Secretary's memo to the -- message to the force about COVID vaccines. That -- that's public now, so I'm not going to re-read it for you. I think you all can get the gist of it.

I would just point out that there's sort of three elements here to it. One is that -- that he will -- it -- request approval from the President for a waiver to make the COVID vaccines mandatory by mid-September -- he'll make the request for the waiver by mid-September.

I've seen some reporting out there that that means that all of the troops have to be vaccinated by mid-September. That's not accurate. He'll make the request by mid-September, unless or until FDA licensure occurs before that time, at which point the Secretary has the authority he needs, upon FDA licensure, to issue -- to make whatever vaccine is then given that license mandatory. I just want to clear that up. That's point number one...     more

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AUGUST 9, 2021 | PART OF U.S. SENATEU.S. Senate
Senate Session (Click to listen)
​The Senate will continue work on the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill. They are also expected to begin debate on a budget reconciliation resolution this week.a

 Blinken delivers remarks on infrastructure investment.
Aug. 8, 2021

AUGUST 9, 2021
​Secretary Blinken Remarks on Infrastructure Investment
Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered remarks on the national security and foreign policy implications of U.S. infrastructure investments. Our domestic renewal comes first. If we do that, we’ll compete in the 21st century global economy from a position of strength," said Secretary Blinken. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) delivered opening remarks. University of Maryland in College Park hosted the event. 

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U.S. Senate to vote on passage of $1-trillion infrastructure bill

Aug. 10 - The U.S. Senate has set a Tuesday vote on passage of a $1-trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill that is one of President Joe Biden’s top priorities, and then will immediately begin to debate a more far-reaching $3.5-trillion bill.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced late on Monday that a week-long debate on the bipartisan bill will conclude at 11 a.m. ET (1500 GMT) Tuesday when a vote is held on passage, which is expected.

The Senate is then expected to vote to begin debate of the larger bill – a budget blueprint that is a key goal for progressive Democrats.

Documents unveiled earlier on Monday showed that it would set the stage for legislation later this year providing tax incentives for “clean” manufacturing, making community college free for two years and providing a pathway to citizenship for millions of immigrant workers.

The budget plan also envisions new federal aid for social programs, including home health care for the elderly.

The first bill, which is 2,702 pages, sits atop Biden’s domestic agenda and includes $550-billion in new spending on roads, bridges and internet access.

“This is a very good day. We have come to an agreement after all the long, hard negotiating,” a smiling Schumer said of Tuesday’s vote.

The $1-trillion infrastructure bill is popular among many lawmakers in both parties because of the federal dollars it would deliver to their home states. Polls also show that Americans at large are supportive of it.

​Democrats are aiming to debate and pass the nonbinding $3.5-trillion resolution in coming days, which would serve as a framework for more detailed, binding legislation later this year. Republicans have strenuously objected to the size and cost of the follow-up package, which Democrats aim to pass without their votes through a process called “budget reconciliation”...     more

Secretary Blinken at the #SelectUSASummit: Foreign investment brings jobs and opportunities to communities across the United States. It’s a top priority for me that the State Department does everything we can – together with our partners at the U.S. Department of Commerce – to support investments that create jobs and deliver opportunity for American workers and families.
June 8, 2021

The oddest thing I ever heard

USA Members | Aug. 9, 2021

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Tokyo Olympics | President, First Lady meets with Team USA athletes to congratulate them
Streamed live on Aug 8, 2021​

Remarks by President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden in a Virtual Meeting with Team USA Members Who Competed in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

AUGUST 08, 2021•SPEECHES AND REMARKS
Via Teleconference

Wilmington, Delaware
(August 7, 2021)

 
THE PRESIDENT:  Well, thank you so very, very much.  You know, I — I know you have a sense of it, but I don’t think you’ll appreciate until you get home how proud you made America — not just the winning more medals than anyone, and you may end up with as many gold before this is over as China. 
 
But here’s the deal: You really represented America.  You represented the soul of the country, whether it was was — I mean, I thought when — when you were getting knocked down by an — an opponent on track and you ba- — you stop and then go back and pick him up and walk through the finish line with him — come on.  That’s — that’s what America is supposed to be about.  And you represented every single thing that we stand for.  You really did. 
 
And I just think that — you know, look, it wasn’t just — for a lot of the ath- — a lot of you, it wasn’t just your athletic ability; it was your moral courage — the courage you showed, the courage of those who were under real pressure and intellec- — and pressure — psychological pressure and being able to, like — like what Katie Ledecky — what Ledecky did.  She wasn’t under the pressure; she just went out and won.  She just won everything that was in front of her.  And I — I don’t know if she’s online — I can’t see her — but, Katie, if you’re on here, I realize that you can probably swim a mile quicker than most people could run a mile.  It’s just amazing all — just all you’ve done...  more 

Republican and Democratic leaders continue to work on an amendment to the bipartisan infrastructure bill

Aug 9 - The U.S. Senate on Sunday took two more steps toward passing a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill by blessing the details of the largest U.S. investment in roads and bridges in decades and by moving to limit debate on the overall measure.

In a 69-28 vote, 19 Republicans joined 48 Democrats and two independents to support the provisions of a compromise that was the result of painstaking negotiations by a group of Republicans and Democrats.

The Senate also voted 68-29 to limit debate on the overall bill, which could put it on track for a vote on passage sometime Monday or Tuesday, and, in turn, send it to the House of Representatives.

The legislation https://www.reuters.com/world/us/whats-us-senates-bipartisan-1-trillion-infrastructure-bill-2021-08-03 is a top priority for Democratic President Joe Biden. Its passage, which remains likely after a large Senate majority has repeatedly voted to advance it, would be a major victory for him and the bipartisan lawmakers who crafted it.

Both the Senate and House are narrowly controlled by the Democrats.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said she would only bring the bill to a vote after the Senate passes a separate $3.5 trillion bill providing funding to fight climate change and address home healthcare, which Democrats aim to push through without Republican votes, using a maneuver called "reconciliation."

Sunday's votes were delayed until the evening by the opposition of a single senator, freshman Bill Hagerty, using parliamentary rules that require all 100 senators to consent to expedite the process.

​Hagerty, former President Donald Trump's ambassador to Japan, objects to the legislation because of its projected increase to the federal budget deficit.

He announced his opposition last week after the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the legislation would increase deficits by $256 billion over 10 years...     more

Melissa DeRosa has resigned from her post as secretary to Governor Andrew CuomoMelissa DeRosa has resigned from her post as secretary to Governor Andrew Cuomo

Andrew Cuomo: Top aide to governor resigns amid scandal

Aug. 10 - Melissa DeRosa, secretary to Mr Cuomo, announced her resignation on Sunday. She said working for the people of New York "has been the greatest honour of my life".

A report released last week claimed Mr Cuomo had sexually harassed 11 women.

Mr Cuomo denies any wrongdoing and has vowed to stay in office but he could soon face impeachment.

The report by the state's Attorney General Letitia James found that Mr Cuomo had sexually harassed multiple women and violated state and federal law.

Ms DeRosa was mentioned in the report 187 times in the 168-page report. It accused her of efforts to cover up the governor's actions and retaliating against one of his accusers.

Her statement on Sunday did not address the allegations.

"Personally, the past two years have been emotionally and mentally trying. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to have worked with such talented colleagues on behalf of our state," she said.

Investigators spend five months speaking to nearly 200 people, including staff members and some of those who made complaints against him. Tens of thousands of documents, texts and pictures were reviewed as part of the inquiry.
After its release, President Joe Biden called for Mr Cuomo to resign.

On Monday, the New York State Assembly/s Judiciary Committee is set to meet to address potential impeachment proceedings.     source from

Beyond Delta, scientists watching new variants

Aug. 9 - ...Dr Anthony Fauci, the White House's chief medical adviser, recently warned that the United States could be in trouble unless more Americans get vaccinated, as a large pool of unvaccinated people give the virus more opportunity to spread and mutate into new variants.
Proponents of greater international distribution of vaccine doses by rich countries say the same thing could happen as variants emerge unchecked among the populations of poor nations where very few people have been inoculated.

Even so, a key issue is that the current vaccines block severe disease but do not prevent infection, said Dr. Gregory Poland, a vaccine scientist at the Mayo Clinic. That is because the virus is still capable of replicating in the nose, even among vaccinated people, who can then transmit the disease through tiny, aerosolized droplets.

​To defeat SARS-CoV-2, he said, will likely require a new generation of vaccines that also block transmission. Until then, the world will remain vulnerable to the rise of new coronavirus variants, according to Poland and other experts.     quote from

Meet The Press Broadcast (Full) - August 8th, 2021 | Meet The Press | NBC News
Aug 9, 2021
Dr. Fauci talks about surging Covind infections. President of the American Federation of Teachers Randi Weingarten expresses support for a vaccine mandate. Amy Walter, Jake Sherman, Sara Fagen and Donna Edwards join the Meet the Press roundtable

美国十多年前就能合成冠状病毒 美政客不是溯源是栽赃！20210808 |《今日关注》CCTV中文国际
Aug 9, 2021

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Now Hiring | Aug. 7, 2021

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US sees solid growth as economy adds 943,000 jobs in July

Aug. 7 - ...US job growth rose solidly in July amid demand for workers in the labor-intensive services industry, suggesting the economy maintained its strong momentum at the start of the second half.

Non-farm payrolls increased by 943,000 jobs last month after rising 938,000 in June, the labor department said in its closely watched employment report on Friday.
Joe Biden hailed the news, with the president noting at the White House later on Friday morning that the report made the Biden administration the first administration in US history to add jobs every month of its first six months since taking office.

“What is indisputable is this: the Biden plan is working. The Biden plan produces results, and the Biden plan is moving the country forward,” the president said.
While celebrating on the one hand, Biden also emphasized that much work remains to be done to ensure the country’s economic recovery continues...     quoted from

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AUGUST 6, 2021
White House Daily Briefing
​White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki spoke about the president’s agenda with reporters. She began by discussing the July jobs report and stated that the positive numbers are, "further proof that President Biden’s economy is booming". Other topics discussed included infrastructure and COVID-19 restrictions.

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, August 6, 2021

AUGUST 06, 2021•PRESS BRIEFINGS

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
 
MS. PSAKI:  Hi, everyone.  Happy Friday.  Okay.  A couple of items for you at the top.
 
Are you — Zeke, are you married?
 
Q    Yes.
 
MS. PSAKI:  Welcome back.  Congratulations.  (Applause.)
 
Q    Thank you.
 
MS. PSAKI:  You know, he’s got some bling on his finger.  Okay.  Most important decision you make in your life.  (Laughter.)  Okay.
 
Today’s numbers — on the jobs numbers; obviously, it’s Jobs Day — today’s numbers are further proof that President Biden’s economy is booming.  Jobs are up, growth is up, and unemployment is down as Americans get back to work.
 
We see that clearly in today’s data.  This is the fastest monthly job growth in almost a year.  Labor force participation also ticked up as more Americans got back to work.  Since January, more than 1 million Americans have re-entered the labor force.  Unemployment also fell sharply, from 5.9 to 5.4 percent.
 
See how we enjoy charts here?  I will note the comparison.

 
In total, we’ve created over 4 million new jobs — 832,000 on average for the last three months, with revisions upwards for the last two months.  And over the first six months, we’ve created almost 700,000 per month on average.  That’s more jobs created faster than any other President’s first six months in history...     more

People attend a protest to demand New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s resignation after a third woman accused him of sexual harassment in New York City on March 2, 2021.

70% of New York voters say Gov. Andrew Cuomo should resign, majority thinks he should be charged with crime

Aug. 7 - A whopping 70% of New York voters say Gov. Andrew Cuomo should resign, according to a poll released Friday.
A solid majority of state voters, 55%, told the Quinnipiac University poll that Cuomo should be criminally charged in connection with what investigators for the New York Attorney General’s office have described as sexual harassment of at least 11 women.

The poll was conducted on Wednesday and Thursday, on the heels of the scathing report about the third-term Democratic governor’s conduct, which was released Tuesday by AG Letitia James.

It was released hours after the Albany County, N.Y., Sheriff’s Office said that it had received a criminal complaint from a former executive assistant to Cuomo.

That assistant had told investigators for the James report that Cuomo groped her breast and buttock in different incidents, and made repeated suggestive comments to her.

​James has said Cuomo broke federal and state laws with his conduct...     more

German frigate Bayern
​Germany’s show of force in the Indo-Pacific

Aug. 7 - With a total journey of more than 30,000 nautical miles, the operation is one of the most comprehensive by the German navy since the end of the Second World War. The Bayern travelled through the North Sea and English Channel before traversing the northeast Atlantic, passing through the Straits of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean Sea. From there, it will continue through the Suez Canal and Red Sea, through the Indian Ocean and into the western Pacific, which is scheduled to be reached in the autumn.

The most politically and militarily explosive part of the trip is the return leg. This is when the frigate will pass through the South China Sea and the Straits of Malacca. The latter, owing to its economic and geostrategic significance, is referred to as the “aorta of the Indo-Pacific region.”

The South China Sea is at the heart of the US military buildup against China. Under President Biden, Washington has intensified its provocative operations to secure “freedom of navigation” for shipping in the waters claimed by China in the South China Sea and is preparing to install offensive missiles along the coasts of several densely populated islands in the region, including Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines.

​Germany’s intervention into the Indo-Pacific not only heightens the danger of war in the region, it also initiates a new stage in the return of German militarism...     more

Mask | Aug. 6, 2021

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​3 charts show how far Covid delta variant has spread around the world

Aug. 6 - More than one year into the Covid-19 pandemic, the world is grappling with a highly transmissible delta variant that has caused a renewed surge in infections in countries from the U.K. and the U.S., to those in Africa and Asia.

The delta variant, which was first detected in India last October, has been found in more than 130 countries globally, according to the World Health Organization.

Delta is the most transmissible variant of the coronavirus that first emerged in China in late 2019, said Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, an epidemiologist and technical lead for Covid-19 at the WHO...     more

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WATCH: White House COVID Response Team holds news briefing

Aug. 6 - President Joe Biden’s administration is taking the first steps toward requiring nearly all international visitors to the U.S. to be vaccinated for the coronavirus.

That’s according to a White House official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to preview the policy under development.

The requirement would come as part of the administration’s phased approach to easing restrictions for foreign travelers to the country. No timeline has yet been determined.

Foreign nationals traveling to the United States “may need to have some type of a vaccine requirement,” Jeff Zients, White House Coronavirus coordinator said during a COVID briefing Thursday.

Interagency working groups are studying how and when to safely move toward resuming normal travel.
Eventually all international citizens entering the country, with some limited exceptions, are expected to need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter the U.S.

In addition, the White House reports there is a significant rise of “new cases” of coronavirus driven by the fast-spreading Delta variant compared to the modest increase in the rate of vaccinations.

“Driven by the more transmissible Delta variant cases are continuing to rise. These cases are concentrated in communities with low vaccination rates,” Zients said.

Adding, “states with some of the lowest vaccination rates account for about half of new cases and hospitalizations in the past week, despite making up less than a quarter of the US population.”

The administration also is encouraged that more companies, universities, and institutions are pushing vaccination requirements.

Zients said: “We support these vaccination requirements to protect workers, communities and the country.     source from

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AUGUST 5, 2021
White House COVID-19 Response Team Briefing
The White House COVID-19 Response Team gave an update on the latest Delta variant numbers and vaccination efforts. Topics included booster shots for immunocompromised individuals, the vaccine trials and emergency use authorization process, and private sector vaccine requirements. 

Press Briefing by White House COVID-⁠19 Response Team and Public Health Officials

AUGUST 05, 2021•PRESS BRIEFINGS

Via Teleconference

MR. ZIENTS:  Good morning.  And thanks for joining us.  Dr. Walensky, Dr. Fauci, Dr. Murthy, and I will keep our comments brief this morning, so we can get to your questions.
I’ll start with an update on the progress we’re making in our fight against the pandemic.  Driven by the more transmissible Delta variant, cases are continuing to rise.  These cases are concentrated in communities with low vaccination rates. 

In fact, over the past seven days, Florida and Texas have accounted for about one third of new cases and more than one third of new hospitalizations nationwide.

In seven states alone — Florida, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi — states with some of the lowest vaccination rates account for about half of new cases and hospitalizations in the past week, despite making up less than a quarter of the U.S. population.

Vaccinations are the very best line of defense against COVID and the Delta variant, and we’re doing everything we can to keep getting shots in arms.  And we are seeing results...     more

Biden's once-warm relationship with Cuomo grows chilly

The relationship between the president and the New York governor had run deep, reflecting a bond both personal and political.

Aug. 6 - ...White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Wednesday that the president had not spoken to the governor beyond publicly calling on him to resign a day before, after a scathing report from the state attorney general accused him of sexually harassing 11 women and violating state and federal laws.

“The president believes Governor Cuomo should do the right thing, resign and leave space for future leadership in New York,” she said.

What no White House official will address is whether Cuomo has attempted to reach the president or other senior members of his team. A spokesperson for Cuomo did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

Within the West Wing, no formal edict has been issued about contacts with Cuomo, who has faced mounting bipartisan calls to step down, or his staff. One White House official said it would be unnecessary to remind anyone of potential fallout should even back-channel communication efforts be underway among the Biden and Cuomo camps.

​In one case, a Biden official simply ignored multiple phone calls from a Cuomo ally Tuesday...     quoted from

AUGUST 5, 2021
White House Daily Briefing
​Education Secretary Miguel Cardona joined White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki to discuss COVID-19 and the upcoming school year. Following Secretary Cardona’s remarks, Ms. Psaki spoke about the president’s agenda and other news of the day. Topics included COVID-19 booster shots, the legality of the new eviction moratorium, the debt ceiling and infrastructure. 

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki and Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, August 5, 2021

AUGUST 05, 2021•PRESS BRIEFINGS
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
 
MS. PSAKI:  Hello.  Okay.  Today we have another great guest joining us in the briefing room, Secretary Cardona.  As a mother of two little children myself, including one going to elementary school, I know you all have lots of questions about schools and school reopening and COVID.  So he is here to provide an update, take a few questions.  And it’s great to be here with you.
 
SECRETARY CARDONA:  Thank you.
 
MS. PSAKI:  Fellow Nutmeggers.
 
SECRETARY CARDONA:  Yes.  Yes.
 
MS. PSAKI:  Do a little Connecticut plug.  Okay.
 
SECRETARY CARDONA:  Thank you very much.  Good afternoon, everyone.  And thank you, Jen, for that.
 
I’m — you know, across the country there’s an excitement for the first day of school.  And those of you that have children, you know what I’m talking about.  There’s a vibe about going back to school.  And this year, there’s no exception. 
 
We’re committed to doing everything we can to ensure we get kids back into the classroom safely.  We know students are provided the best opportunity to learn and thrive when they’re learning in person, in their classroom, with their peers, with their teacher. 
 
We made significant progress last spring, bringing the students back in person.  About 90 percent of the educators across the country are vaccinated.  A hundred eighty million Americans have been vaccinated, including millions of students.  We provided $130 billion in American Rescue Plan funds to support safe school reopening.  It’s being used now to provide summer learning opportunities for students and help them — and help our buildings be prepared for the return of students in the fall...     more

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NBC Nightly News Broadcast (Full) - August 4th, 2021
Aug 5, 2021
Moderna says booster shot likely needed before winter, Dixie Fire ravages California town, and chaos after Spirit Airlines cancels hundreds of additional flights.
0:00 Intro
02:03 Moderna Urges Booster Shots
05:41 Masks In Schools Battle
07:55 Wildfire Destroys California Town
09:30 Travel Nightmare
11:13 Cuomo Under Pressure
13:22 Race To Vaccinate The World