Christmas Eve – Cincy Link https://cincylink.com Explore Cincy Sat, 25 Dec 2021 00:47:25 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://cincylink.com/pub/content/uploads/sites/27/2020/03/apple-touch-icon-precomposed-100x100.png Christmas Eve – Cincy Link https://cincylink.com 32 32 COVID puts a damper on Christmas Eve again around the world https://cincylink.com/2021/12/24/covid-puts-a-damper-on-christmas-eve-again-around-the-world/ https://cincylink.com/2021/12/24/covid-puts-a-damper-on-christmas-eve-again-around-the-world/#respond Sat, 25 Dec 2021 00:47:25 +0000 https://cincylink.com/?p=130770

From Bethlehem and Frankfurt to London and Boston, the surging coronavirus put a damper on Christmas Eve for a second year, forcing churches to cancel or scale back services and disrupting travel plans and family gatherings.Drummers and bagpipers marched through Bethlehem to smaller than usual crowds after new Israeli travel restrictions meant to slow the highly contagious omicron variant kept international tourists away from the town where Jesus is said to have been born.In Germany, a line wound halfway around Cologne’s massive cathedral, not for midnight Mass but for vaccinations. The offer of shots was an expression of “care for one’s neighbor” that was consistent with the message of Christmas, cathedral provost Guido Assmann told the DPA news agency.Around the world, people weary from nearly two years of lockdowns and other restrictions searched for ways to safely enjoy holiday rituals.“We can't let the virus take our lives from us when we're healthy,” said Rosalia Lopes, a retired Portuguese government worker who was doing some last-minute shopping in the coastal town of Cascais.She said she and her family were exhausted by the pandemic and determined to go ahead with their celebrations with the help of vaccines and booster shots, rapid home tests and mask-wearing in public. She planned a traditional Portuguese Christmas Eve dinner of baked cod.In New York City, where omicron has spread widely, people waited in long lines to get tested, many doing so as a precaution before traveling to reunite with family.Brianna Sultan and her daughter Ava, 8, spent Friday in one of those long lines waiting for a test after they got word of another infection at school.“It’s a terrible way to be spending Christmas Eve,” Sultan said after more than two hours in line and as the chill deepened into the evening in New York City’s Harlem neighborhood. “It’s terrible that we can’t see our families because this COVID strain is coming back up again.”Holiday travel was dealt a blow when major airlines canceled hundreds of flights amid staffing shortages largely tied to omicron.Sadia Reins arrived in New York City from Alexandria, Virginia, on Friday to be with her 75-year-old mother. Reins said the two haven’t spent Christmas together in two years, and despite the risks in traveling during the outbreak, she couldn't bear to be apart from her mother again this year.“We’re going to cry,” she said, adding: “We talk on the phone all the time, but it’s not the same as looking at someone.”In Britain, where the coronavirus variant is ripping through the population, some houses of worship hoped to press on.At St. Paul’s Old Ford, an Anglican church in East London, priests planned to hold services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. But to protect parishioners, the church called off its Nativity play.“You might have to cancel the service, but you can’t cancel Christmas,’’ said the Rev. April Keech, an associate priest. “You can’t stop love. Love still stands.”Numerous churches in the U.S. canceled in-person services, including Washington National Cathedral in the nation’s capital and historic Old South Church in Boston. Others planned outdoor celebrations or a mix of online and in-person worship.In Rome, a maskless Pope Francis celebrated Christmas Eve Mass before an estimated 2,000 people in St. Peter’s Basilica, where admission was limited and worshippers had to wear masks.While the number of faithful was far more than the 200 allowed in last year, it was a fraction of the 20,000 the basilica can seat. Before the pandemic, St. Peter's was routinely packed for midnight Mass.In Germany, churchgoers faced a thicket of health restrictions and limits on attendance. Some had to show proof of vaccination or testing.Frankfurt’s cathedral, which can hold 1,200 people, offered only 137 socially distanced spaces, all of which were booked days in advance. Singing was allowed only through masks.People in the Netherlands tried to make the best of the holiday, despite living under one of the strictest lockdowns in Europe. All nonessential shops were closed, including bars and restaurants, and home visits were limited to two people per day, four on Christmas.“We are just meeting with some small groups of family for the next few days,” Marloes Jansen, who was waiting in line to buy the traditional Dutch kerststol, a Christmas bread with fruits and nuts.A glitch in a computerized appointment system prevented scores of people from scheduling COVID-19 tests and undermined the government’s efforts to administer booster shots in a country already lagging far behind its neighbors.In France, some visited loved ones in the hospital. In the Mediterranean city of Marseille, the intensive care unit at La Timone Hospital has been taking in more and more COVID-19 patients in recent days.Amelie Khayat has been paying daily visits to her husband, Ludo, 41, who is recovering from spending 24 days in a coma and on a breathing machine.They touched their heads together as she sat on his bed, and now that he is strong enough to stand, he got up to give her a farewell hug, as a medical worker put final decorations on the ICU Christmas tree.Parisians lined up at chocolate shops, farmers’ markets and testing centers. France has posted record numbers of daily COVID-19 infections, and hospitalizations have been rising, but the government has held off on imposing curfews or closings during the holidays.“It does affect our enthusiasm to celebrate Christmas. It does make us a bit sad. But at least we are sure not to contaminate or get contaminated. We will all do the test in our family,” said Fabienne Maksimovic, 55, as she waited in line at a pharmacy in Paris to get tested.In Antwerp, Belgium, Christmas trees hung upside down from windows in a protest against the closing of cultural venues.In Bethlehem, the scene was much more festive than it was a year ago, when musicians marched through empty streets. This year, hundreds of people gathered in Manger Square as bagpipe-and-drum units streamed through.Before the pandemic, Bethlehem would host thousands of Christian pilgrims from around the world. The lack of visitors has hit the city's hotels, restaurants and gift shops especially hard.___Associated Press journalists Nicole Winfield in Rome; Danica Kirka in London; Barry Hatton in Lisbon, Portugal; Aritz Parra in Madrid; Daniel Cole in Marseille, France; Molly Quell in the Netherlands; and David Crary in New York contributed to this report.

From Bethlehem and Frankfurt to London and Boston, the surging coronavirus put a damper on Christmas Eve for a second year, forcing churches to cancel or scale back services and disrupting travel plans and family gatherings.

Drummers and bagpipers marched through Bethlehem to smaller than usual crowds after new Israeli travel restrictions meant to slow the highly contagious omicron variant kept international tourists away from the town where Jesus is said to have been born.

In Germany, a line wound halfway around Cologne’s massive cathedral, not for midnight Mass but for vaccinations. The offer of shots was an expression of “care for one’s neighbor” that was consistent with the message of Christmas, cathedral provost Guido Assmann told the DPA news agency.

Around the world, people weary from nearly two years of lockdowns and other restrictions searched for ways to safely enjoy holiday rituals.

“We can't let the virus take our lives from us when we're healthy,” said Rosalia Lopes, a retired Portuguese government worker who was doing some last-minute shopping in the coastal town of Cascais.

She said she and her family were exhausted by the pandemic and determined to go ahead with their celebrations with the help of vaccines and booster shots, rapid home tests and mask-wearing in public. She planned a traditional Portuguese Christmas Eve dinner of baked cod.

In New York City, where omicron has spread widely, people waited in long lines to get tested, many doing so as a precaution before traveling to reunite with family.

Brianna Sultan and her daughter Ava, 8, spent Friday in one of those long lines waiting for a test after they got word of another infection at school.

“It’s a terrible way to be spending Christmas Eve,” Sultan said after more than two hours in line and as the chill deepened into the evening in New York City’s Harlem neighborhood. “It’s terrible that we can’t see our families because this COVID strain is coming back up again.”

Holiday travel was dealt a blow when major airlines canceled hundreds of flights amid staffing shortages largely tied to omicron.

Sadia Reins arrived in New York City from Alexandria, Virginia, on Friday to be with her 75-year-old mother. Reins said the two haven’t spent Christmas together in two years, and despite the risks in traveling during the outbreak, she couldn't bear to be apart from her mother again this year.

“We’re going to cry,” she said, adding: “We talk on the phone all the time, but it’s not the same as looking at someone.”

In Britain, where the coronavirus variant is ripping through the population, some houses of worship hoped to press on.

At St. Paul’s Old Ford, an Anglican church in East London, priests planned to hold services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. But to protect parishioners, the church called off its Nativity play.

“You might have to cancel the service, but you can’t cancel Christmas,’’ said the Rev. April Keech, an associate priest. “You can’t stop love. Love still stands.”

Numerous churches in the U.S. canceled in-person services, including Washington National Cathedral in the nation’s capital and historic Old South Church in Boston. Others planned outdoor celebrations or a mix of online and in-person worship.

In Rome, a maskless Pope Francis celebrated Christmas Eve Mass before an estimated 2,000 people in St. Peter’s Basilica, where admission was limited and worshippers had to wear masks.

While the number of faithful was far more than the 200 allowed in last year, it was a fraction of the 20,000 the basilica can seat. Before the pandemic, St. Peter's was routinely packed for midnight Mass.

In Germany, churchgoers faced a thicket of health restrictions and limits on attendance. Some had to show proof of vaccination or testing.

Frankfurt’s cathedral, which can hold 1,200 people, offered only 137 socially distanced spaces, all of which were booked days in advance. Singing was allowed only through masks.

People in the Netherlands tried to make the best of the holiday, despite living under one of the strictest lockdowns in Europe. All nonessential shops were closed, including bars and restaurants, and home visits were limited to two people per day, four on Christmas.

“We are just meeting with some small groups of family for the next few days,” Marloes Jansen, who was waiting in line to buy the traditional Dutch kerststol, a Christmas bread with fruits and nuts.

A glitch in a computerized appointment system prevented scores of people from scheduling COVID-19 tests and undermined the government’s efforts to administer booster shots in a country already lagging far behind its neighbors.

In France, some visited loved ones in the hospital. In the Mediterranean city of Marseille, the intensive care unit at La Timone Hospital has been taking in more and more COVID-19 patients in recent days.

Amelie Khayat has been paying daily visits to her husband, Ludo, 41, who is recovering from spending 24 days in a coma and on a breathing machine.

They touched their heads together as she sat on his bed, and now that he is strong enough to stand, he got up to give her a farewell hug, as a medical worker put final decorations on the ICU Christmas tree.

Parisians lined up at chocolate shops, farmers’ markets and testing centers. France has posted record numbers of daily COVID-19 infections, and hospitalizations have been rising, but the government has held off on imposing curfews or closings during the holidays.

“It does affect our enthusiasm to celebrate Christmas. It does make us a bit sad. But at least we are sure not to contaminate or get contaminated. We will all do the test in our family,” said Fabienne Maksimovic, 55, as she waited in line at a pharmacy in Paris to get tested.

In Antwerp, Belgium, Christmas trees hung upside down from windows in a protest against the closing of cultural venues.

In Bethlehem, the scene was much more festive than it was a year ago, when musicians marched through empty streets. This year, hundreds of people gathered in Manger Square as bagpipe-and-drum units streamed through.

Before the pandemic, Bethlehem would host thousands of Christian pilgrims from around the world. The lack of visitors has hit the city's hotels, restaurants and gift shops especially hard.

___

Associated Press journalists Nicole Winfield in Rome; Danica Kirka in London; Barry Hatton in Lisbon, Portugal; Aritz Parra in Madrid; Daniel Cole in Marseille, France; Molly Quell in the Netherlands; and David Crary in New York contributed to this report.


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]]> https://cincylink.com/2021/12/24/covid-puts-a-damper-on-christmas-eve-again-around-the-world/feed/ 0 United and Delta cancel flights just before Christmas Eve https://cincylink.com/2021/12/24/united-and-delta-cancel-flights-just-before-christmas-eve/ https://cincylink.com/2021/12/24/united-and-delta-cancel-flights-just-before-christmas-eve/#respond Fri, 24 Dec 2021 09:37:07 +0000 https://cincylink.com/?p=130557

At least two major airlines in the United States have canceled flights just before Christmas Eve.On Thursday, United Airlines said it had to "cancel some flights" because of the omicron variant of the coronavirus."The nationwide spike in omicron cases this week has had a direct impact on our flight crews and the people who run our operation," said a United memo obtained by CNN.United has canceled more than 100 Friday flights, according to flight tracking site FlightAware.United said it is "notifying impacted customers in advance of them coming to the airport," according to a company statement. "We're sorry for the disruption and are working hard to rebook as many people as possible and get them on their way for the holidays."Later Thursday night, Delta Air Lines also canceled flights. The airline canceled 93 Christmas Eve flights, according to FlightAware. That's 4% of its total schedule.Delta said the cancellations are due to multiple issues including the omicron variant."We apologize to our customers for the delay in their holiday travel plans," Delta said in a statement. "Delta people are working hard to get them to where they need to be as quickly and as safely as possible on the next available flight."

At least two major airlines in the United States have canceled flights just before Christmas Eve.

On Thursday, United Airlines said it had to "cancel some flights" because of the omicron variant of the coronavirus.

"The nationwide spike in omicron cases this week has had a direct impact on our flight crews and the people who run our operation," said a United memo obtained by CNN.

United has canceled more than 100 Friday flights, according to flight tracking site FlightAware.

United said it is "notifying impacted customers in advance of them coming to the airport," according to a company statement. "We're sorry for the disruption and are working hard to rebook as many people as possible and get them on their way for the holidays."

Later Thursday night, Delta Air Lines also canceled flights. The airline canceled 93 Christmas Eve flights, according to FlightAware. That's 4% of its total schedule.

Delta said the cancellations are due to multiple issues including the omicron variant.

"We apologize to our customers for the delay in their holiday travel plans," Delta said in a statement. "Delta people are working hard to get them to where they need to be as quickly and as safely as possible on the next available flight."


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]]> https://cincylink.com/2021/12/24/united-and-delta-cancel-flights-just-before-christmas-eve/feed/ 0 Cincinnati’s busiest travel day enwithout major delays https://cincylink.com/2021/12/23/cincinnatis-busiest-travel-day-enwithout-major-delays/ https://cincylink.com/2021/12/23/cincinnatis-busiest-travel-day-enwithout-major-delays/#respond Fri, 24 Dec 2021 04:27:08 +0000 https://cincylink.com/?p=130470

HEBRON, Ky. — The busiest travel day of the year in Cincinnati ended without major delays Thursday.

AAA predicted most people would be on the roadways between noon and 6 p.m. Lines were long at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport throughout the day.

Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, many families haven't visited since the 2019 holiday season. AAA and the Transportation Safety Administration predicted overall travel to be 90% of pre-pandemic levels.

WCPO anchor Julie O'Neill flew Thursday and noted the airport was more crowded with longer check-in lines than she's seen in years.

Passengers at the airport were arriving early expecting long waits through security. O'Neill said despite the packed airport, people were moving through quickly.

AAA predicted 6 million people would travel the holiday season from Thursday to Monday, Jan. 3. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend being fully vaccinated before flying and having a COVID test before.

Staff photo by Julie O'Neil

Lines were long at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport on Dec. 23, 2021.

Barbara Nethers and her husband left their Tennessee home around 6 a.m. Thursday to make it to family in Ohio without hitting congestion. During that time, the Tri-State saw its largest backup on I-71 North near the Ridge Road exit just after noon.

"Take it easy," Nethers said. "A lot of trucks out there this morning, but they’re traveling well."

AAA said 4.4 million Ohioans are expected to travel the roadways this holiday, a 26% increase from 2020. The next busiest travel day will likely be the day after Christmas, when AAA suggests leaving before noon.

Road trips remain the top mode of travel during the holidays. Average gas prices are at $3.29 a gallon, which is the highest holiday price at the pump since 2008. The current average in Ohio and Indiana is just about $3. In Kentucky, prices are averaging around $2.95.

RELATED: Last-minute dash for COVID-19 tests before Christmas
RELATED: These restaurant chains are open on Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year's




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]]> https://cincylink.com/2021/12/23/cincinnatis-busiest-travel-day-enwithout-major-delays/feed/ 0 Chilly air settles in https://cincylink.com/2021/12/18/chilly-air-settles-in/ https://cincylink.com/2021/12/18/chilly-air-settles-in/#respond Sun, 19 Dec 2021 04:07:06 +0000 https://cincylink.com/?p=128731

Chilly air settles in

Cold air settles in tonight and will stay with us through Sunday. Look for lots of sunshine next week, too!



THAT SITTING OUTSIDEAI WTING TO GET TICKETS OR SOMETHGIN THAT. NO, NO. YEAH, I’LL PASS TOO. JUST WATCH IT RIGHT HERE. YEAH, NICE AND WARM. THAT’S PROBABLY WHAT PEOPLE WOULD LOOK LIKE HERE IF THEY WERE WAITING OUTSIDE, RIGHT? THAT’S WHAT I LOOKED LIKE WHEN I LEFT FOR DINNER BREAK. I HAVE MY WINTER PARKA BACK THERE GUYS. IT’S LIKEO S COLD OUTSIDE. WE’RE GONNA CONTINUE TO SEE THAT THROUGH TOMORROW. SO A LITTLE COLD SNAP HERE AND THEN WE’RE GONNA GET BACK INTO SOME MORE WARMTH AS WE HEAD INTO THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY, BELIEVE IT OR NOT RIGHT NOW. THE CHILL HAS SETTLED INTO NCCIINNATI. FOR SURE, IF GOT MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES RIGHT NOW, IT’S 37 BUT WHEN YOU FACTOR IN A BREEZE TO NEAR 20 FEELS LIKE 27, SO THAT’S WHAT IT FEELS LEIK WHEN YOU STEP OUTSIDE. MOSTF O US FEELING THOSE WIND CHILLS AND THE HIGH 20S TO LOW 30S RIGHT NOW. SO JUST A CHILLY CHILLY NIGHT HERE AND WE CONNUTIE WITH ON LDCO RIGHT INTO TOMORROW MORE CLOUDS THAN ANYTHING HERE ON OUR SATELLITE LIVE RADAR SHOWING CENI DRY CONDITIONS. I THINK WE’LL SEE SOME BRESAK IN THE CLOUDS AT TIMES ESPECIALLY INTO TOMORROW MORNING, BUT OVERCAST BE THE TNDRE AS WE HEAD THROUGH TH OEVERNIGHT HOURS. YOU CAN SEE THE COLD FRONT HERE CONTINUES TO PUSH EAST. IT’S GOING TO TAKE ALL THE RAIN WI ITTH AND THEN THE HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM BUILDING IN FROM THE WEST SO THAT’S GOING TO BE THE PICTURE HERE OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS. THIS IS REALLY GONNA HOLD TIGHT TO OUR WEATHER RIGHT NOW. WE’RE ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE HIGH. SO WE’RE IN THOSE NORTHERLY WINDS AND THAT’S TAPPING INTO A LOT OF COLD AIR UP IN CANADA, AND IT’S DRAWING IT DOWN INTO OUR REGION. SO THINGS ARE GOING TO FEEL QUITE CHILLY THROUGH THE REST OF THIS EVENING AND INTO THE LAST PART OF THE WEEKEND HERE FUTURECAST. I CHOSE. ATTEMPT AND DECREASEN I CLOUD COVER. WE’VE GOT AITTLE L BIT OF CLOUD BREAK HEADING IN FOR THE MORNING HOURS TOMORROW, BUT WE’RE NOT LOOKING AT ANYTHING IN THE WAY OF SUNNY SKIES TO START OUT YOUR SUNDAY. I THINK PARTLY SUNNY FOR A GOOD CHUNK OF THE DAY HERE YOU MIGHT AGAIN SEE A COUPLE OF FLURRIES EARLY ON OUT OF SOME OF THOSE CLOUDS AND AS WE GO THROUGH YOUR AFTERNOON HOURS ON SUNDAY SLOWLY DECREASING THE CLO COVUDER. YOU CAN SEE HERE BY THREE. I THINK A LOT MORE SUNSHINE STARTING TO SNEAK IN THEN AS WE HEAD TOWARDS SUNSET WE SHOULD BE BACK UNDERHO TSE PARTLY CLOUDY TO EVEN MOSTLY. SKIES SO FOR TONHTIG ABOUT 28 DEGREES STRAFE FLURRY POSSIBLE AT TIMESND A I THINK WE WILL STAY BREEZY AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE OVERNIGHT HOURS AND FOR TOMORROW 39 TO 40 DEGREES JUST DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU LIVE IF YOU HAVE MORE CLOUD BREAKS, I THINK YOU GET TO 40 IF YOU’RE UNDER THE CLOUDS A BIT LONGER YOU’RE IN THE HIGH 30S TOMORROW, SO STJU A COLD DAY, BUT LOOKING AHEAD TO CHRISTMAS GONNA FEEL ANYTHING BUT CHRISTMASSY AS WE HEAD INTO THE HOLIDAY HERE CHRIMASTS EVE 56 MILD TEMPERATURES FEW SHOWERS, AND THEN FOR CHRISTMAS DAY HERE LOOK AT THE 63 DEGREES. THAT’S WTHA WE’RE THINKING RIGHT NOW. SO POTENTIAL FOR SEOM LATE DECEMBER WARMTH HERE, AND I THINK WE’RE AOLS LOOKING AT SOME RAINFALL. I WOULD SAY OF THE TWO DAYS CHRISTMAS DAY LOOKING LIKEHE T BEST CHANCE FOR SOME SPOTTY SHOWERS. SO WE’LL KEEP AN EYE ON THAT, BUT I WOULD DEFINITELY PLAN ON SOME PRETTY MILD CONDITIONS HERE AS YOU HEAD INTO THE LAST PTAR OF THE WEEK AND THE HOLIDAY. SO LOOKING AHEAD TO THIS WEEK. WE’VE GOT AOT L OF SUNSHINE IN MONDAY BRINGS PARTLY CLOUDY TO MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES TEMPS IN THE GHHI 40S. WE’VE GOT SOME LOW 40S, WCHHI TYPICAL FOR THIS TIME OF THE AIR FOR TUESDAY WEDNESDAY, AND THEN WE’RE BKAC TO THE HIGH 40S TO LOW 50S ON THURSDAY CLOUDS START TO THICKENP U THURSDAY NIGHT INTO CHRISTMAS EVE ANDEW F SHOWERS FOR YOUR FRIDAY 56. I THINK WE STAY INHE T 50S FRIDAY INTO SATURDAY TEMPERATURES ARE GOING TO RISE HERE AHEAD OF OUR NEXT SYSTEM. THAT’LL BRING US CHRISTMAS DAY WARMTH AND SOME SCATTER

Chilly air settles in

Cold air settles in tonight and will stay with us through Sunday. Look for lots of sunshine next week, too!


Cold air settles in tonight and will stay with us through Sunday. Look for lots of sunshine next week, too!

Cold air settles in tonight and will stay with us through Sunday. Look for lots of sunshine next week, too!


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]]> https://cincylink.com/2021/12/18/chilly-air-settles-in/feed/ 0 It’s too soon to declare victory against COVID-19, but these festivities are safe to resume, experts say https://cincylink.com/2021/10/12/its-too-soon-to-declare-victory-against-covid-19-but-these-festivities-are-safe-to-resume-experts-say/ https://cincylink.com/2021/10/12/its-too-soon-to-declare-victory-against-covid-19-but-these-festivities-are-safe-to-resume-experts-say/#respond Tue, 12 Oct 2021 04:19:37 +0000 https://cincylink.com/?p=103100

With holidays approaching, health experts said some festivities can start to return to a sense of normalcy — but they also warned that COVID-19 isn't defeated yet.Experts said Sunday that outdoor trick-or-treating — particularly for children who are vaccinated — should be fine this year."It's a good time to reflect on why it's important to get vaccinated. But go out there and enjoy Halloween as well as the other holidays that will be coming up," Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CNN Sunday.Dr. Megan Ranney, associate dean of the School of Public Health at Brown University, cautioned against indoor Halloween parties for children too young to be vaccinated and encouraged parents in areas with high virus transmission to mask their children, but agreed that Halloween fun could go on this year.The big picture for COVID-19 in the U.S. is looking a little brighter as new infections and hospitalizations decline. The average rate of daily new cases has dropped below 100,000, to 93,814 as of Sunday, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Fauci said he would like to see new daily cases well below 10,000, but the decline is a start. "Hopefully it's going to continue to go in that trajectory downward," he said.While conditions are improving and the sense of normalcy is expanding, Fauci warned that the fight against the pandemic is not over."We have to just be careful that we don't prematurely declare victory in many respects. We still have around 68 million people who are eligible to be vaccinated that have not yet gotten vaccinated," Fauci said.About 56.4% of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although experts don't know the exact percentage of vaccination coverage needed to control the spread of the virus, Fauci has said the "vast majority" of the population will need to get vaccinated."We're not there yet," Dr. William Schaffner, a professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, said. "This virus can continue in those places where vaccination rates are low."The potential for spread is especially concerning as winter holidays — often accompanied by gatherings and travel — approach.Health experts have promoted vaccination requirements for air travel this holiday season; and while Fauci declined to offer his stance on the matter Sunday, Professor of Emergency Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University Dr. Esther Choo weighed in."Now is the time for mandates for airlines," Choo said. "It should happen quickly because people are making plans right now for our fall and winter holidays."Death isn't the only terrible outcome with COVID-19It's important for people to understand "not dying from COVID is a great thing, but that isn't the only metric we should be using," Michigan emergency room physician Dr. Rob Davidson said Saturday.He said at his hospital, some COVID-19 patients have been on a ventilator for more than a month, and some have endured invasive procedures to stay alive.Even if they recover physically, some COVID-19 survivors end up suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, due to time spent in the ICU, Davidson said.A study published in February found 30% of COVID-19 survivors experienced PTSD, which is a psychological illness that usually occurs after someone has a life-threatening experience.The virus can also have negative effects on pregnant people infected during their third trimester and their babies, research shows.Between March and September of last year, symptomatic pregnant people at one Israeli hospital had higher rates of gestational diabetes, a lower white blood cell count, and experienced heavier bleeding during their delivery. Their babies also experienced more breathing problems, a research team reported in the Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine.The study has limitations since it only looked at women in one hospital, so its findings may not be true for all people who are pregnant.Then there is long COVID-19 — when symptoms can last months after infection.A large study published last month showed more than one-third of COVID-19 patients suffered symptoms three to six months after getting infected. Some had multiple, long-lasting complications.Breathing problems, abdominal symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, pain, anxiety and depression were among the most common issues reported.Accompanying data showed as many as 46% of children and young adults between the ages of 10 and 22 had experienced at least one symptom in the six months after recovering.Vaccines for kids under 5 may not come until next yearThe Food and Drug Administration is considering a proposal to expand vaccines to children as young as 5, and those younger may not have a dose authorized for them until early next year, former FDA commissioner, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, said Sunday.The FDA is likely to ask for more data and perhaps for studies involving more children, because it is a new vaccine and a new virus, Gottlieb told CBS."And that could push it into 2022. Previously we had talked about trying to have that data available before the end of this year, which could have prompted an authorization perhaps by the end of the year, at least in kids ages 2-4. I think that it's more likely that it slips into the first quarter of next year at the very least, but not too far into next year," said Gottlieb, who is also on Pfizer's board.The FDA has called a meeting of its independent vaccine advisers, the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC), for Oct. 26 to discuss pediatric vaccines. Pfizer has submitted data and a formal request for authorization for its one-third dose vaccine for use in children 5-11. But Gottlieb said he expects VRBPAC to also discuss what might be needed for authorization for the youngest children.Having more information to consider can raise public confidence in the vaccines, Gottlieb said. He is already confident and plans to vaccinate his own young daughters."There's a lot of parents like me that, as soon as the vaccines available for their children, are going to go out and get their kids vaccinated, that see the benefits of vaccination," he said. "There's a lot of parents who still have a lot of questions around vaccination. I think for them, they should have a conversation with their pediatrician to try to get comfortable with the idea of vaccinating kids."Gottlieb said he thinks it will be years before the CDC recommends making COVID-19 vaccines part of the regular childhood vaccination schedule, which would open the door to school districts mandating them."I think it's a very long way off. Certainly, CDC's going to look at children ages 12-17 differently than 5-11," he said.

With holidays approaching, health experts said some festivities can start to return to a sense of normalcy — but they also warned that COVID-19 isn't defeated yet.

Experts said Sunday that outdoor trick-or-treating — particularly for children who are vaccinated — should be fine this year.

"It's a good time to reflect on why it's important to get vaccinated. But go out there and enjoy Halloween as well as the other holidays that will be coming up," Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CNN Sunday.

Dr. Megan Ranney, associate dean of the School of Public Health at Brown University, cautioned against indoor Halloween parties for children too young to be vaccinated and encouraged parents in areas with high virus transmission to mask their children, but agreed that Halloween fun could go on this year.

The big picture for COVID-19 in the U.S. is looking a little brighter as new infections and hospitalizations decline. The average rate of daily new cases has dropped below 100,000, to 93,814 as of Sunday, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

Fauci said he would like to see new daily cases well below 10,000, but the decline is a start. "Hopefully it's going to continue to go in that trajectory downward," he said.

While conditions are improving and the sense of normalcy is expanding, Fauci warned that the fight against the pandemic is not over.

"We have to just be careful that we don't prematurely declare victory in many respects. We still have around 68 million people who are eligible to be vaccinated that have not yet gotten vaccinated," Fauci said.

About 56.4% of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although experts don't know the exact percentage of vaccination coverage needed to control the spread of the virus, Fauci has said the "vast majority" of the population will need to get vaccinated.

"We're not there yet," Dr. William Schaffner, a professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, said. "This virus can continue in those places where vaccination rates are low."

The potential for spread is especially concerning as winter holidays — often accompanied by gatherings and travel — approach.

Health experts have promoted vaccination requirements for air travel this holiday season; and while Fauci declined to offer his stance on the matter Sunday, Professor of Emergency Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University Dr. Esther Choo weighed in.

"Now is the time for mandates for airlines," Choo said. "It should happen quickly because people are making plans right now for our fall and winter holidays."

Death isn't the only terrible outcome with COVID-19

It's important for people to understand "not dying from COVID is a great thing, but that isn't the only metric we should be using," Michigan emergency room physician Dr. Rob Davidson said Saturday.

He said at his hospital, some COVID-19 patients have been on a ventilator for more than a month, and some have endured invasive procedures to stay alive.

Even if they recover physically, some COVID-19 survivors end up suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, due to time spent in the ICU, Davidson said.

A study published in February found 30% of COVID-19 survivors experienced PTSD, which is a psychological illness that usually occurs after someone has a life-threatening experience.

The virus can also have negative effects on pregnant people infected during their third trimester and their babies, research shows.

Between March and September of last year, symptomatic pregnant people at one Israeli hospital had higher rates of gestational diabetes, a lower white blood cell count, and experienced heavier bleeding during their delivery. Their babies also experienced more breathing problems, a research team reported in the Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine.

The study has limitations since it only looked at women in one hospital, so its findings may not be true for all people who are pregnant.

Then there is long COVID-19 — when symptoms can last months after infection.

A large study published last month showed more than one-third of COVID-19 patients suffered symptoms three to six months after getting infected. Some had multiple, long-lasting complications.

Breathing problems, abdominal symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, pain, anxiety and depression were among the most common issues reported.

Accompanying data showed as many as 46% of children and young adults between the ages of 10 and 22 had experienced at least one symptom in the six months after recovering.

Vaccines for kids under 5 may not come until next year

The Food and Drug Administration is considering a proposal to expand vaccines to children as young as 5, and those younger may not have a dose authorized for them until early next year, former FDA commissioner, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, said Sunday.

The FDA is likely to ask for more data and perhaps for studies involving more children, because it is a new vaccine and a new virus, Gottlieb told CBS.

"And that could push it into 2022. Previously we had talked about trying to have that data available before the end of this year, which could have prompted an authorization perhaps by the end of the year, at least in kids ages 2-4. I think that it's more likely that it slips into the first quarter of next year at the very least, but not too far into next year," said Gottlieb, who is also on Pfizer's board.

The FDA has called a meeting of its independent vaccine advisers, the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC), for Oct. 26 to discuss pediatric vaccines. Pfizer has submitted data and a formal request for authorization for its one-third dose vaccine for use in children 5-11. But Gottlieb said he expects VRBPAC to also discuss what might be needed for authorization for the youngest children.

Having more information to consider can raise public confidence in the vaccines, Gottlieb said. He is already confident and plans to vaccinate his own young daughters.

"There's a lot of parents like me that, as soon as the vaccines available for their children, are going to go out and get their kids vaccinated, that see the benefits of vaccination," he said. "There's a lot of parents who still have a lot of questions around vaccination. I think for them, they should have a conversation with their pediatrician to try to get comfortable with the idea of vaccinating kids."

Gottlieb said he thinks it will be years before the CDC recommends making COVID-19 vaccines part of the regular childhood vaccination schedule, which would open the door to school districts mandating them.

"I think it's a very long way off. Certainly, CDC's going to look at children ages 12-17 differently than 5-11," he said.


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]]> https://cincylink.com/2021/10/12/its-too-soon-to-declare-victory-against-covid-19-but-these-festivities-are-safe-to-resume-experts-say/feed/ 0 neighbor tried stopping Christmas Eve domestic violence incident, shot and killed in process https://cincylink.com/2021/10/09/neighbor-tried-stopping-christmas-eve-domestic-violence-incident-shot-and-killed-in-process/ https://cincylink.com/2021/10/09/neighbor-tried-stopping-christmas-eve-domestic-violence-incident-shot-and-killed-in-process/#respond Sat, 09 Oct 2021 04:57:39 +0000 https://cincylink.com/?p=24272

Milwaukee Police said a man was shot and killed on Christmas Eve, just after 10:00 p.m., while he was trying to prevent a domestic violence situation. Police said they have not arrested the shooter. Police said the victim was a 48-year-old man. Police and neighbors told sister station WISN there had been a domestic dispute earlier on Christmas Eve in an apartment building in Riverwest. The victim was reportedly inside the suspected shooter's girlfriend's apartment upstairs, trying to protect her, when the suspect walked in and shot him. Police said the man died on the scene. Milwaukee Police said the case is still under investigation. According to the Milwaukee Health Department Office of Violence Prevention, this Christmas Eve incident marks 189 homicides in Milwaukee in 2020. This time last year, there were 96 homicides. Their data, which has tracked domestic violence through July of 2020, also shows domestic violence cases spike significantly during the holidays. Reggie Moore, director of the Office of Violence Prevention, said the pandemic, and stress that has gone along with it, has led to a large increase in domestic violence cases in 2020.

MILWAUKEE —

Milwaukee Police said a man was shot and killed on Christmas Eve, just after 10:00 p.m., while he was trying to prevent a domestic violence situation.

Police said they have not arrested the shooter.

Police said the victim was a 48-year-old man.

Police and neighbors told sister station WISN there had been a domestic dispute earlier on Christmas Eve in an apartment building in Riverwest. The victim was reportedly inside the suspected shooter's girlfriend's apartment upstairs, trying to protect her, when the suspect walked in and shot him.

Police said the man died on the scene.

Milwaukee Police said the case is still under investigation.

According to the Milwaukee Health Department Office of Violence Prevention, this Christmas Eve incident marks 189 homicides in Milwaukee in 2020. This time last year, there were 96 homicides.

Their data, which has tracked domestic violence through July of 2020, also shows domestic violence cases spike significantly during the holidays.

Reggie Moore, director of the Office of Violence Prevention, said the pandemic, and stress that has gone along with it, has led to a large increase in domestic violence cases in 2020.


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