National

Around 30% of the US population is fully vaccinated, according to the latest numbers from the CDC. Experts say that to get to a point where transmission of the virus is stopped, known as herd immunity, between 70-85% of the population needs to be protected through vaccination or antibodies from natural infection.

The key to ending this pandemic isn't just getting vaccinated. It's getting vaccinated as soon as possible, before the virus mutates into variants that we can't control with our current vaccines.

Recent data show that Black women are roughly two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy complications than non-Hispanic white women. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that two out of three of these deaths are preventable.

Although there's a growing sense that normalcy is within reach after the devastating Covid-19 pandemic, experts are continuing to push for more vaccinations -- particularly as new research details the long-term consequences for those who are diagnosed with the virus.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Johnson & Johnson sought help from other vaccine makers to look into reports of blood clots, but Pfizer and Moderna both declined, only AstraZeneca agreed.

“While the Affordable Care Act has greatly reduced the number of older adults who are uninsured, coverage has remained unaffordable for far too many people aged 50-64, including many from multicultural communities,” said Edna Kane-Williams, Chief Diversity Officer of AARP.

Georgia lawmakers’ restrictive and oppressive new voter laws may cost the team and city the privilege of hosting Major League Baseball’s summer showcase. It may also cost the local economy more than $200 million. Major League Baseball’s Players’ Association plans to meet with its 750-plus members to decide whether to force the game to another location.

“We know that before the passage of the ACA, people of color accounted for 54 percent of the uninsured in the United States, even though they only make up 35 percent of the population. Black women and other women of color — who already face systemic barriers to accessing health care — were disproportionately impacted,” Howell determined.

“COVID-19 has killed hundreds of thousands of Americans, and if adequate steps are not taken, this number will continue to grow. As we have seen, COVID-19 does not discriminate, it does not respect borders, and it does not behave according to our timelines,” said Dr. James Hildreth.

The United States could start letting the general public have access to Covid-19 vaccines in April, and the country may be able to inoculate most Americans by the middle or end of the summer, Dr. Anthony Fauci said Thursday.