News roundup for Fri, Oct 29, 2021

The Environmental Protection Agency has announced a comprehensive plan to tackle long-standing issues with water infrastructure and sanitation in Native American communities. Working alongside the National Tribal Water Council, the EPA aims to reduce disparities in access to indoor plumbing and clean drinking water. A significant portion of the budget—millions of dollars in grants—is already prepared to support these critical projects. Meanwhile, the private equity giant Blackstone has issued a warning about the ongoing energy crisis, suggesting it could spark social unrest. With oil, gas, and natural gas prices on the rise, the firm predicts that developing nations will be hit hardest, potentially leading to widespread instability. In parts of China, vegetables have become more expensive than meat due to heavy storms that damaged crops this year. The combination of reduced food supply and rising energy costs has raised concerns among local populations. This week, both coasts of the United States faced severe weather conditions. On the East Coast, a powerful nor’easter brought hurricane-force winds, leaving hundreds of thousands without power in Massachusetts and forcing the closure of bridges, ferries, and schools. The Department of Health and Human Services was temporarily evacuated following a bomb threat, though no motive has been disclosed. The building was thoroughly searched and cleared before being reopened. Fracking waste is contaminating groundwater in California’s Central Valley, raising environmental and health concerns. Meanwhile, Sicily has experienced catastrophic flooding, described as almost biblical in scale. Globally, there have been over 246 million confirmed COVID-19 cases, with nearly 3 million new infections reported in the past seven days. The death toll stands at around 5 million. In the U.S., the situation remains dire: 46.7 million cases have been recorded, with nearly 500,000 new cases in the last week alone. Over 763,000 Americans have died from the virus, including more than 10,000 in the past seven days. On Wednesday, the U.S. reported over 80,000 new cases and more than 1,500 deaths, maintaining its position as the country with the highest daily case increase. The FDA recently approved emergency use of the Pfizer vaccine for children aged 5 to 11, marking a major step forward in protecting younger populations. While the timing of the decision has drawn some criticism, the move is expected to begin in early November. The CDC is likely to follow suit soon. Vaccination rates continue to play a crucial role in controlling the spread of the virus. Regions with low vaccination coverage are experiencing significantly higher infection and hospitalization rates. For example, Alaska has one of the highest case rates per capita globally, while Puerto Rico, with a much higher vaccination rate, has far fewer hospitalizations. Merck has made a groundbreaking decision to allow other companies to produce its oral antiviral drug for treating COVID-19, which could provide life-saving treatment to millions worldwide. Unlike vaccine manufacturers, Merck is taking a more open approach to global access. Additionally, the CDC has updated its guidelines, allowing immunocompromised individuals to receive a fourth dose of the vaccine six months after completing their initial series. There is also growing evidence that fluvoxamine, an antidepressant, can significantly reduce the risk of hospitalization and severe illness in COVID-19 patients, based on large-scale trials showing clear benefits over placebo.

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