Economic Impacts

Senators announced on Monday they had reached a deal to provide $10 billion for the fight against COVID-19, but the agreement leaves out funding for the global virus response.

The agreement could clear the path for Congress to finally pass some new funding for the virus response, which the White House has been warning for weeks is urgently needed to allow it to purchase more vaccines, treatments and tests.

The announcement comes after days of negotiations between a group of GOP senators and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), with negotiators signaling late last week that they were close to finalizing specifics.

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Read more about U.S. Senators announce $10 billion COVID-19 deal, leave out global aid
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Ukranian war impact: Curtailed harvests and scarcer fertilizer all but promise hunger and hardship for tens of millions.

Fri, 2022-03-25 18:39 — mike kraft

Russia’s Invasion Unleashes ‘Perfect Storm’ in Global Agriculture Curtailed harvests and scarcer fertilizer all but promise hunger and hardship for tens of millions. Christina Lu Foreign Policy

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CDC lowers coronavirus warnings for cruise ships and popular Caribbean islands; Australia lifts its ban

Tue, 2022-03-15 10:37 — mike kraft

CDC lowers coronavirus warnings for cruise ships and popular Caribbean islands The coronavirus risk for cruise travel is the lowest it's been during the pandemic. Hannah Sampson Washington Post

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Chinese virus cases climb, raise threat of trade disruption; South Korea reports record deaths.DS

Tue, 2022-03-15 09:34 — mike kraft

Chinese virus cases climb, raise threat of trade disruption BEIJING (AP) — Chinese authorities on Tuesday tightened anti-virus controls at ports, raising the risk of trade disruptions after some auto and electronics factories shut down as the government fights coronavirus outbreaks. AP NEWS

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese authorities on Tuesday tightened anti-virus controls at ports, raising the risk of trade disruptions after some auto and electronics factories shut down as the government fights coronavirus outbreaks.

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Read more about Chinese virus cases climb, raise threat of trade disruption; South Korea reports record deaths.DS
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U.S. Covid response may have to be scaled back because of congressional funding inaction- White House

Fri, 2022-03-11 10:01 — mike kraft

Covid response may have to be scaled back amid congressional inaction, White House says With $15.6 billion in coronavirus aid stripped from a deal to fund the government, Democrats are scrambling for how to fund the effort. Washington Post

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Congressional leaders reach deal on increased spending to counter Covid pandemic and support Ukraine

Wed, 2022-03-09 11:07 — mike kraft

Top lawmakers reach deal on Ukraine aid, $1.5T spending WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional leaders reached a bipartisan deal early Wednesday providing $13.6 billion to help Ukraine and European allies plus billions more to battle the pandemic as part of an overdue $1.5 trillion measure financing federal agencies for the rest of this year. AP NEWS

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Read more about Congressional leaders reach deal on increased spending to counter Covid pandemic and support Ukraine
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EU advises members to further relaxing travel rules for foreigners

Tue, 2022-02-22 10:01 — mike kraft

EU advises further relaxing travel rules for foreigners BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union member countries agreed Tuesday that they should further facilitate tourist travel into the 27-nation bloc for people who are vaccinated against the coronavirus or have recovered from COVID-19. AP NEWS

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The European Council is recommending that EU nations next month lift all testing and quarantine requirements for people who received vaccines authorized in the EU or approved by the World Health Organization. ...

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WHO calls for strengthened role as U.S. proposes new pandemic fund

Thu, 2022-02-17 10:44 — mike kraft

WHO calls for strengthened role as U.S. proposes new pandemic fund Efforts to strengthen global health security will only succeed if the role of the World Health Organization (WHO) is enhanced, the agency's head said on Thursday, as its biggest donor, Washington, proposed a new global pandemic prevention fund. Kate Lamb,Stanley Widianto Reuters

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For some, the added financial burden of N95 masks and rapid tests is an irritation but still affordable. To others, it is an economic impossibility.

Mon, 2022-01-17 13:58 — mike kraft

As Covid-19 cases have climbed, public health experts have urged people to dump their cloth masks in favor of higher-quality options and to test more frequently to curb the virus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday updated its mask guidance to note that the disposable N95 or KN95 masks offer the "highest level of protection" against the virus.

For some, the added financial burden is an irritation — but still affordable. To others, the prospect of paying $1 for a single disposable mask or $24 for a test kit is an economic impossibility, raising the specter that the pandemic will continue to exacerbate inequalities.

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