Month: April 2021

After months of a steady climb in vaccinations, the U.S. is experiencing its first true slowdown in the rate of daily shots, an indication that the nation is entering a new phase of its inoculation campaign. More than half of American adults have now received at least one dose, a significant achievement, but getting the second half vaccinated brings a different set of challenges. Vaccinations to date are likely made up largely of groups who most wanted the vaccine and have had greatest access to it, and continued progress is no longer about meeting demand for shots. "We've gotten vaccinations to those most at risk and those most eager to get vaccinated as quickly as possible," White House Covid czar Jeff Zients told reporters last week, "and we will continue those effort...

For the first 12-week phase, blue-and-white boxes containing about 12,000 GMO eggs developed by a US-owned, British-based company called Oxitec have been placed in six small areas of Ramrod Key, Cudjoe Key and Vaca Key. When water is added, the mosquitoes hatch, mature and enter the environment over the next week or so. A small, vocal group of Florida Key residents have fought the release of what they call "mutant mosquitoes" since the project was announced -- and they are incensed. "Our opposition has been long and strong," said Barry Wray, the executive director of the Florida Keys Environmental Coalition. "We live here, this our home, and they're forcing this down people's throats." "The only thing you can do legally at this point is stand in your yard with an insect fogger," said Mara...