CDC allows COVID-19 shot added to children’s vaccine schedule
Unlicensed COVID-19 shots will now be added to the U.S. childhood, adolescent and adult vaccine schedules. The announcement came after a unanimous vote by the CDC’s Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The addition of this shot to the vaccine schedule paves the way for U.S. schools to require them for students to attend. The shot requirement was also added to the Vaccine for Children (VFC) program. This program provides vaccines to children at no or low cost using federal funding. Pfizer and Moderna, the shots’ makers, will enjoy permanent legal protection against injuries occurring from COVID-19 shots. This protection will extend to any other pandemic jabs under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act, passed in the U.S. in 2005. Even though COVID-19 shots have been added to the childhood vaccine schedule, so far, they haven’t been mandated for school attendance in most states. COVID-19 shots are mandatory for students in California and Washington, D.C. Governors from several states, have already spoken out, vowing not to mandate COVID-19 shots for school children. Among these states are Florida, Tennessee, Oklahoma and Alabama. According to a poll taken in 2021, 60% of U.S. parents opposed adding COVID-19 shots to the list of required shots for school. Many countries around the world have already walked back their recommendations to give COVID-19 shots to children. Most governments expressed concerns that it may cause deadly side effects and are far less effective than promised. In January 2022, Sweden’s Health Agency recommended against COVID-19 jabs for kids aged 5 to 11, stating the benefits do not outweigh the risks. Denmark also no longer recommends COVID-19 shots for children under 18, and in September 2022, England announced it would no longer offer COVID-19 shots to children unless they’re high risk. A CDC briefer was asked how the CDC could add an unlicensed vaccine to the schedule. The briefer in essence replied, “We checked with the Office of General Counsel, and they said it was okay.” However, the day before the ACIP vote, Dr. José Romero, the CDC’s director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said that the CDC was not adding COVID-19 shots to the childhood schedule.
Church of England contemplates gender neutral names for God and Jesus
The Church of England is considering more controversial changes to its church policy. According to a recent article the Church of England is considering referring to God and Jesus in a gender-neutral manner. The change was requested for investigation by high-ranking diocese official in the church. The request by the official asked for a new project to research in order to “find a more inclusive language and speak of God in a non-gendered way.” The article released in the Washington Time received criticism from conservatives, including those within the Church of England. Following the criticism, a spokesperson claimed there are no plans to refer to God and Jesus as gender neutral. The spokesperson added that such a change would require lengthy legislation and votes within the church. The Church of England has changed its policies in the past few years to appease its more liberal, LGBT friendly congregations. Officials in that church recently allowed the blessing of same-sex civil unions by bishops and issued an apology to the treatment of LGBT parishioners in their congregations. The church has seen resistance from its more conservative churches and from the Anglican church which is affiliated with the Church of England.
NEWSMAX dropped by AT&T causes widespread boycotts
Viewers of the conservative news network NEWSMAX are protesting the network being dropped by AT&T's DirecTV. According to Newsmax officials, the network's signal was cut in late January. This immediately shut the network off from more than 13 million customers of the satellite service, DirecTV Stream, and U-Verse. This is the second time in the past year AT&T has cancelled a conservative channel, with DirecTV. AT&T deplatformed One America News or OAN last April. The move was made despite Newsmax being the 4th highest-rated cable news channel in the nation, a top 20 cable news channel overall, and watched by more than 40 million Americans through cable, significant online platforms, apps, its social media network, as well as radio and print outlets. DirecTV said it was taking the step as a "cost-cutting" measure and would never pay Newsmax a cable license fee. DirecTV pays cable license fees to all top 75 cable channels and to all 22 liberal news and information channels it carries. Almost all of these channels are paid hefty license fees significantly more than Newsmax was seeking. The decision to remove Newsmax was made despite most of the other news channels drawing much lower ratings than Newsmax. The CEO of the network called the cancellation, "a blatant act of political discrimination and censorship against Newsmax,”. The reaction from conservatives and supporters has been swift. Forty-one Republican congressmen sent a letter to the CEOs of AT&T, DirecTV, and hedge fund TPG Capital, stating they are deeply concerned about this undemocratic assault on free speech, and warned of hearings. About the same time, the Biden administration speedily approved AT&T's proposed $43 billion merger of its Warner Media division with Discovery. Since the removal of Newsmax from DirecTV, tens of thousands have expressed their displeasure. Some have sold their stock, cancelled both DirectTV, as well as AT&T cell phone and internet services. Those protesting are demanding that both Newsmax and OAN be reinstated immediately. AT&T stock has lost $10 billion in value since the Jan. 2 5th removal of the network, and according to market analysts, underperforming in the stock market.
SNBC HEALTH Report: the health benefits of pelargonidin
Pelargonidin is an important nutrient and consumers should be eating more of it according to nutritionists. According to recent reports this nutrient is vital to the body in several ways. The name pelargonidin may not be familiar but it is important for the nutrients it provides. According to nutritionists it is the reason why certain fruits and vegetables have a red or orange hue.
This nutrient not only provides the color to these foods but is an antioxidant. Berries, such as strawberries and raspberries, are known to be rich in fiber, vitamin C, folate, and potassium. Pelargonidin, found in these fruits assists in heart health and maintaining blood sugar levels. Plums, promote brain health which is credited to its high levels of the same nutrient. It is found in all forms of berries but is more concentrated in red and orange hued fruits and vegetables. Radishes, kidney beans, and cranberries also contain high amounts of this nutrient.