01.25.21 (wired.com)
| Biden restricts travel, Moderna reports findings on virus variants, and Google bolsters vaccination efforts. Here’s what you should know: Biden will reimpose international travel restrictions to curb the spread of new variants President Biden plans to reimpose travel restrictions for non-US citizens trying to enter the country during the pandemic, in an attempt to limit the spread of the virus, particularly new variants. Most travelers from the UK, Ireland, Brazil, and the 26 countries in Europe’s Schengen Area will be banned starting today, and those from South Africa starting Saturday. Additionally, the CDC has said it will require travelers flying into the US to have negative test results before boarding the plane beginning Tuesday. Moderna finds that its vaccine protects against virus variants A new study by Moderna and the Vaccine Research Center at the NIAID has found that its vaccine is effective against the new virus variants from Britain and South Africa. The British variant had no effect on antibody levels, and though the South African mutation did, antibody levels were still high enough to be protective. Because of this, Moderna is developing a version of the vaccine aimed at the South African variant that can also be used as a booster shot a year after people receive their original two doses. Google steps up to help with vaccination efforts Google announced today that it will open up its facilities to be used as Covid-19 vaccination sites in Los Angeles, the Bay Area, a Seattle suburb, and New York City if that becomes necessary. They’ll be partnering with membership-based medical company One Medical, but Google says the sites will be open to anyone eligible for a vaccine according to state and local guidelines. In addition, vaccine distribution information and vaccination sites will start appearing on Google Search and Maps, and the company will donate $150 million to vaccine education efforts. |