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WANTED: Man who stole $25,000 Rolex from jewelry store
CDC Principal Deputy Director Named 2021 Service to America Medal
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Principal Deputy Director Anne Schuchat, MD (RADM, USPHS, RET), has been named a finalist in the Partnership for Public Service’s 2021 Service to America Medals, known as the “Sammies.” Dr. Schuchat is a finalist in the Paul A. Volcker Career Achievement Category that recognizes a federal employee for leading significant and sustained accomplishments throughout a federal career of 20 or more years.
The Sammies are government-wide awards that recognize the talents and achievements of outstanding federal employees.
“Over her 33-year CDC career, Dr. Schuchat has led some of the highest-profile and most consequential outbreak investigations and responses in the agency’s history,” said CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH. “As the CDC principal deputy director and highest-ranking permanent employee of the agency since 2015, she has been an extraordinary leader and a steady hand at the wheel during a tumultuous era for the agency, including the current challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Dr. Schuchat has twice served as acting director of the CDC. She has played significant roles in many CDC emergency responses. These include serving as chief health officer during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza response; serving as CDC’s incident manager of the COVID-19 response in late March through April 2020; and supporting the Washington, D.C. field team during the 2001 bioterrorist anthrax response. She also played key roles in the Ebola, Zika, and EVALI responses.
Dr. Schuchat’s many accomplishments during her 33 years at CDC included finding the source of a listeria outbreak among newborns in Costa Rica; spearheading the agency’s first prevention guidelines for perinatal group B streptococcal infections, and serving as the initial director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases from 2006-2015. In 2003, she headed the WHO team investigating the 2003 SARS epidemic in Beijing. She worked in West Africa on meningitis, pneumonia, and Ebola vaccine trials, and in South Africa on surveillance and prevention projects. Since 2015 she has served as the agency’s principal deputy director.
“She has nurtured and mentored the next generation of public health professionals, who hold her up as the quintessential public servant — humble and kind in person yet driving and relentless on behalf of the public’s health,” Walensky added. “She exemplifies the highest attributes of public service, scientific excellence, and integrity. She has done so with grace, dignity and earned my deepest gratitude and admiration.”
The Sammies were named for Samuel J. Heyman, founder of the Partnership for Public Service. This year there are 29 finalists for the Sammies, and members of the public can vote online to select the federal employee they believe has made the most significant contributions in public service on the People’s Choice webpageexternal icon. The winners will be announced in the summer.
Source: www.cdc.gov
FDA expected to OK Pfizer vaccine for teens within week
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expected to authorize Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for youngsters ages 12 to 15 by next week, according to a federal official and a person familiar with the process, setting up shots for many before the beginning of the next school year.
The announcement is set to come a month after the company found that its shot, which is already authorized for those age 16 and older, also provided protection for the younger group.
The federal official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to preview the FDA’s action, said the agency was expected to expand its emergency use authorization for Pfizer’s two-dose vaccine by early next week, and perhaps even sooner. The person familiar with the process, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal matters, confirmed the timeline and added that it is expected that the FDA will approve Pfizer’s use by even younger children sometime this fall.
The FDA action will be followed by a meeting of a federal vaccine advisory committee to discuss whether to recommend the shot for 12- to 15-year-olds. Shots could begin after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention adopts the committee’s recommendation. Those steps could be completed in a matter of days.
The New York Times first reported on the expected timing for the authorization.
Pfizer in late March released preliminary results from a vaccine study of 2,260 U.S. volunteers ages 12 to 15, showing there were no cases of COVID-19 among fully vaccinated adolescents compared with 18 among those given dummy shots.
Kids had side effects similar to young adults, the company said. The main side effects are pain, fever, chills and fatigue, particularly after the second dose. The study will continue to track participants for two years for more information about long-term protection and safety.
Pfizer isn’t the only company seeking to lower the age limit for its vaccine. Results also are expected by the middle of this year from a U.S. study of Moderna’s vaccine in 12- to 17-year-olds.
But in a sign that the findings were promising, the FDA already allowed both companies to begin U.S. studies in children 11 and younger, working their way to as young as 6 months old.
More than 131 million doses of Pfizer’s vaccine have already been administered in the U.S., where demand for vaccines among adults has dramatically slowed in recent weeks.
While younger people are at dramatically lower risk of serious side effects from COVID-19, they have made up a larger share of new virus cases as a majority of U.S. adults have been at least partially vaccinated and as higher-risk activities like indoor dining and contact sports have resumed in most of the country. Officials hope that extending vaccinations to teens will further accelerate the nation’s reduced virus caseload and allow schools to reopen with minimal disruptions this fall.
The U.S. has ordered at least 300 million doses of the Pfizer shot by the end of July, enough to protect 150 million people.
Source: www.click2houston.com
Hundreds of cruise ship crew members get vaccinated in Galveston ahead of anticipated cruising ban lift
There are 300 crew members between the two carnival cruise ships, the Carnival Vista and the Carnival Breeze currently docked at the Port of Galveston, all agreed to be vaccinated. Carnival officials say it’s an important part of the process to get sailing again.
“I tell ya, it’s time to cruise again so let’s get going,” said Galveston Mayor Craig Brown.
Brown was in good company Monday with Port of Galveston officials, business owners and the CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines, Christine Duffy who applauded the efforts to resume cruising.
With the help of the University of Texas Medical Branch, 100% of cruise ship staff members currently on board are being vaccinated, that included the captain of the Carnival Vista, Salvatore Mangraviti.
Duffy said they’ve been working on safety practices for months, and it seems to be helping to persuade the CDC to lift the ban on cruises that extends until the fall.
“The good news is CDC has begun to provide the industry with more specific guidance that does give us a path where we could resume sailing by July,” Duffy said.
Once cruising resumes, guests will also be required to be vaccinated and show proof. Both staff and guests will undergo COVID-19 testing as well.
“I miss our guests and I miss the smiles on all of their faces,” said one crew member from the Philippines named James.
Duffy said there are still a lot of details to be worked out before cruises can resume, but with continued support from the community as well as commissioners and members of Congress, they’re optimistic that we could see the ships behind me setting sail this summer.
Source: www.click2houston.com
Federal Red Snapper Season Opens June 1
The private recreational angler red snapper season in federal water opens Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Bag and size limits will remain unchanged. The regulations are 2 fish per person daily with a 16-inch minimum size limit in federal waters, and 4 fish per person daily with a 15-inch minimum in state waters. Red snapper caught in federal waters count as part of the state bag limit of 4 fish. No more than 4 red snapper may be in your possession while fishing in state waters and no more than 2 in federal waters.
Since 2018, the National Marine Fisheries Service has granted the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) the authority to establish the opening and closing of the red snapper fishery in federal waters off the Texas coast for private recreational anglers fishing from their own vessels. The federally permitted for-hire sector continues to be managed in its current structure set by the federal government.
While the season length is still being determined by Coastal Fisheries Division biologists, the public will be notified through the TPWD’s website, social media accounts and news releases.
Texas Fights Back Against Woke Environmental Movement
Yesterday, the Texas Legislature passed two critically important bills that allow Texas to fight national efforts to eliminate fossil fuels.
House Bill 17 protects consumers by prohibiting political subdivisions from discriminating against specific fuel sources like natural gas and coal; this will ensure cities and counties cannot pass California-style ordinances that ban gas hook-ups in new buildings or homes.
“Winter Storm Uri exposed the importance of allowing individuals to have access to natural gas in their homes,” said RRC Commission Wayne Christian. “99.5 percent of customers connected to natural gas maintained service for the duration of Winter Storm Uri, ensuring they had fuel to cook food and heat their homes.”
Senate Bill 13 prevents our state from investing in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) financial products that boycott Texas energy companies.
“Extremists are coming after your retirement account vis-à-vis ESG investing,” said Christian. “Studies clearly show this investment strategy leads to poorer outcomes for investors, and for the State of Texas, divesting from fossil fuels would have a dramatic impact on our state’s economy and budget. As proponents of SB 13 have said, this sends a strong message to big business, that if you boycott Texas energy, Texas will boycott you.”
“I would like to thank bill authors Senator Brian Birdwell (HB 17/SB 13), Representative Joe Deshotel (HB 17), and Representative Phil King (SB 13) for their leadership on these issues,” continued Christian. “While the federal government picks winners and losers by propping up unreliable forms of energy with massive subsidies, Texas has demonstrated it prioritizes consumer choice and reliability more than virtue signaling to a small and loud group of woke political activists.”
Source: www.rrc.state.tx.us
Governor Abbott Renews Hurricane Harvey Disaster Declaration For May 2021
WHEREAS, I, GREG ABBOTT, Governor of the State of Texas, issued a disaster proclamation on August 23, 2017, certifying that Hurricane Harvey posed a threat of imminent disaster for Aransas, Austin, Bee, Brazoria, Calhoun, Chambers, Colorado, DeWitt, Fayette, Fort Bend, Galveston, Goliad, Gonzales, Harris, Jackson, Jefferson, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kleberg, Lavaca, Liberty, Live Oak, Matagorda, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Victoria, Waller, Wharton, and Wilson counties; and
WHEREAS the disaster proclamation of August 23, 2017, was subsequently amended on August 26, August 27, August 28, and September 14 to add the following counties to the disaster proclamation: Angelina, Atascosa, Bastrop, Bexar, Brazos, Burleson, Caldwell, Cameron, Comal, Grimes, Guadalupe, Hardin, Jasper, Kerr, Lee, Leon, Madison, Milam, Montgomery, Newton, Orange, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler, Walker, Washington, and Willacy; and
WHEREAS, on September 20, 2017, and in each subsequent month effective through today, I issued proclamations renewing the disaster declaration for all counties listed above; and
WHEREAS, due to the catastrophic damage caused by Hurricane Harvey, a state of disaster continues to exist in those same counties;
NOW, THEREFORE, in accordance with the authority vested in me by Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code, I do hereby renew the disaster proclamation for the 60 counties listed above.
Pursuant to Section 418.017 of the code, I authorize the use of all available resources of state government and of political subdivisions that are reasonably necessary to cope with this disaster.
Pursuant to Section 418.016 of the code, any regulatory statute prescribing the procedures for the conduct of state business or any order or rule of a state agency that would in any way prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster shall be suspended upon written approval of the Office of the Governor. However, to the extent that the enforcement of any state statute or administrative rule regarding contracting or procurement would impede any state agency’s emergency response that is necessary to protect life or property threatened by this declared disaster, I hereby authorize the suspension of such statutes and rules for the duration of this declared disaster.
In accordance with the statutory requirements, copies of this proclamation shall be filed with the applicable authorities.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name and have officially caused the Seal of State to be affixed at my office in the City of Austin, Texas, this the 5th day of May 2021.
GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT
Source: gov.texas.gov
Governor Abbott Renews COVID-19 Disaster Declaration For May 2021
WHEREAS, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, issued a disaster proclamation on March 13, 2020, certifying under Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) poses an imminent threat of disaster for all counties in the State of Texas; and
WHEREAS, in each subsequent month effective through today, I have issued proclamations renewing the disaster declaration for all Texas counties; and
WHEREAS, the Commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services, Dr. John Hellerstedt, has determined that COVID- 19 represents a public health disaster within the meaning of Chapter 81 of the Texas Health and Safety Code; and
WHEREAS, I have issued executive orders and suspensions of Texas laws in response to COVID-19, aimed at protecting the health and safety of Texans and ensuring an effective response to this disaster; and
WHEREAS, a state of disaster continues to exist in all counties due to COVID-19;
NOW, THEREFORE, in accordance with the authority vested in me by Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code, I do hereby renew the disaster proclamation for all counties in Texas.
Pursuant to Section 418.017, I authorize the use of all available resources of state government and of political subdivisions that are reasonably necessary to cope with this disaster.
Pursuant to Section 418.016, any regulatory statute prescribing the procedures for the conduct of state business or any order or rule of a state agency that would in any way prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster shall be suspended upon written approval of the Office of the Governor. However, to the extent that the enforcement of any state statute or administrative rule regarding contracting or procurement would impede any state agency’s emergency response that is necessary to cope with this declared disaster, I hereby suspend such statutes and rules for the duration of this declared disaster for that limited purpose.
In accordance with the statutory requirements, copies of this proclamation shall be filed with the applicable authorities.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name and have officially caused the Seal of State to be affixed at my office in the City of Austin, Texas, this the 5th day of May 2021.
GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT
Source: gov.texas.gov
Jeans sostenibles, la tendencia que abraza el nuevo “fast fashion”
¿Quién no tiene varios pares de jeans en su armario? Los blue jeans se convirtieron en un icono de moda por derecho propio hace mucho tiempo. Pasó de formar parte de la indumentaria de trabajo de mineros y vaqueros a lucirlos celebridades como James Dean o Marlon Brandon en la gran pantalla. Década tras década su silueta, sus colores, acabados o lavados han variado, adaptándose a las tendencias y gustos del consumidor. Sin embargo, en una época en la que el cliente es conocedor de lo contaminante que es esta prenda en concreto, la industria de la moda ha decidido cambiar de estrategia.
El pasado año un estudio de la ONU ponía cifras a lo que ya sabíamos: son necesarios 7.500 litros de agua para confeccionar unos jeans, el equivalente de lo que bebe una persona de media en siete años. Mientras que la Agencia de Medioambiente y control de Energía de Francia (ADEME) avalaba hace unos años que en total se gastan unos 11.500 litros de agua durante todo su ciclo de vida. Es por ello que el consumo de agua ha sido la principal preocupación de muchas marcas, incluso para las consideradas fast fashion o de prêt-à-porter. Y en este aspecto, la empresa valenciana Jeanología ha tenido mucho que ver. Actualmente más del 35% por ciento de los 5.000 millones de jeans producidos cada año en el mundo se realizan con sus tecnologías. Marcas como &Other Stories o Hoss Intropia del grupo Tendam se han sumado al llamado “lavado responsable” con el objetivo de ahorrar agua, energía y productos químicos. Un proceso verificado por la herramienta Jeanología EIM (Environmental Impact Measuring)
Sara Jivenius, Manager de Sostenibilidad en &Other Stories, nos cuenta que actualmente el 99,7 por ciento de su colección de vaqueros está hecha de material reciclado y de origen sostenible. Concretamente toda su mezclilla está confeccionada con algodón orgánico, “que se puede mezclar con algodón reciclado o TencelTM x RefibraTM”. Y a partir de la temporada primavera/verano 2021 ha eliminado el PP (permanganato de potasio) de todos sus modelos. Cortefiel, por su parte, ha lanzado su colección “Eco-friendly”, en la que se incluyen técnicas de lavado que permiten hasta un 72 por ciento de ahorro de agua en las prendas vaqueras y reducir hasta un 70 por ciento los químicos utilizados en su producción y en sus acabados. E incluso tiendas online como Asos han presentado recientemente una selección de jeans en la que se emplea un 50 por ciento menos de agua durante los procesos de lavado y acabado.
¿Cuánto cuesta que una empresa sea sostenible?
A nivel de costes, ¿supone grandes diferencias producir jeans sostenibles? Sara Jivenius nos responde: “el cambio a materiales más sostenibles conlleva una inversión, y su tamaño depende de cuán innovador sea el material y en qué etapa se encuentre el proyecto: piloto, prueba o ampliación. Una vez ampliado, los precios se vuelven más competitivos”. Una inversión inicial que no ha repercutido en el precio final de sus prendas. Algo parecido nos cuenta Matteo Sinigaglia, CEO de Replay, que a pesar de que “la tecnología y la investigación han costado a la marca, no costará a los clientes porque creo que nadie debería pagar por sus derechos”.
Unas antes que otras, las marcas de moda se han ido subiendo al carro de la sostenibilidad. Ya sea por principios o por una tendencia global, poco a poco, el objetivo es conseguir que la segunda industria más contaminante del mundo sea más ética, sostenible y ecoeficiente. Un proceso de continuo aprendizaje como afirma Sinigaglia: “al principio, esta forma de sostenibilidad era ‘reactiva’, ya que funcionaba al revés (menos agua, menos contaminación, menos productos químicos), mientras que últimamente hemos introducido una nueva forma de sostenibilidad ‘proactiva’ presentando Hyperflex Re-used, donde la prioridad es la gestión de los recursos en función de su impacto medioambiental”. Mientras que otras firmas como Springfield han puesto el foco en la sostenibilidad como eje estratégico. La marca de casual wear creó el pasado año un proyecto de reforestación y consiguió plantar 30.000 árboles en Burgos, junto a otras iniciativas que forman parte de R[ECO]NSIDER, su etiqueta respetuosa con el medio ambiente. Estos son solo algunos de los ejemplos que muestran cómo las grandes empresas están cambiando.
Source: fashionunited.es
Que Onda Magazine! – Cinco de Mayo!
Let’s Celebrate CINCO DE MAYO!!!
