Jacob’s Journal – Weekly News Rewind (06/07-06/13)

Fauci Warns Delta Variant Still a Threat to US, Appears to Infect Younger People More Than Others

Wednesday, June 9 (ABC 7) – On Tuesday, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci warned of the threat of COVID-19 variants and that they are a reason more people need to be vaccinated. Overall cases have declined 94% since January as vaccinations have been administered. New case numbers are at the lowest since March 2020. The Delta variant, which has affected India and the U.K., accounts for 6% of cases in the U.S., according to Fauci. He also said two vaccine doses have been proven effective against the variant. In a tweet, President Joe Biden stressed the importance of young people getting vaccinated.

Moderna Files for FDA Authorization for COVID-19 Vaccine Use in Teens

Thursday, June 10 (NBC Los Angeles) – On Thursday, Moderna filed for emergency use authorization of its COVID-19 vaccine, from the Food and Drug Administration, for 12-to 17-year-olds. If cleared, it would be the second vaccine for teens under 18 in the U.S. Clinical trials in the age group, involving over 3,700 participants, according to Moderna, showed the two-dose mRNA vaccine was safe and effective. Adults 18 and older have been receiving it since December.

LA County Details Workplace Virus Precautions Ahead of June 15 Reopening

Tuesday, June 8 (KTLA 5) – Health officials in Los Angeles County provided insights into workplace COVID-19 safety measures ahead of California’s June 15 reopening. Last week, the Cal/OSHA standards board recommended relaxing physical distancing and masking requirements, among other adjustments. Recommendations include workers being masked indoors regardless of vaccination status, unless a person is working alone or all people in a room are vaccinated and symptom free. Masks will be required at venues with more than 10,000 attendees. Distancing, partitions, and barriers for indoor work paces and large outdoor events won’t be required if respirators are available to unvaccinated employees.

After July 31, if these are available for voluntary use, physical distancing and barriers won’t be required unless there’s an outbreak. And if a fully vaccinated worker is symptom-free after close contact with someone showing symptoms, they need not be excluded from the workplace. Officials say revisions to the recommendations are still possible. In L.A. County, which has administered 9.6 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, there were 134 new cases on Monday, with three additional deaths.

L.A. County health officer Dr. Munti Davis expects the new standards to go into effect no later than June 15. In addition, he stressed that unvaccinated individuals continue wearing masts, limit socialization to small outdoor gatherings, and maintain short indoor visits.

COVID-19 Vaccination Site Opening at LA’s Union Station

Tuesday, June 8 (NBC Los Angeles) – A COVID-19 vaccination clinic was set to open at Union Station in Los Angeles on Tuesday. Open Mondays through Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., it will be located at the Union Station East Portal. It is an effort to distribute vaccines to hard-to-reach communities that have seen low vaccination rates. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be available to people 18 and older, while the Pfizer vaccine will also be available to anyone 12 and older; minors must have a parent or guardian present, according to LA Metro. The site will be operated by the LAFD in partnership with CORE. No appointment is required although one can be made online. On Monday, Total Testing Solutions, a local diagnostic testing service, announced three other vaccination sites at LA Metro stations.

Palmdale Hit-and-Run: 2 Killed in Fiery Crash Possibly Caused by Street Racing, Authorities Say

Wednesday, June 9 (ABC 7) – A fiery crash in Palmdale on Wednesday, according to authorities, was caused by a hit-and-run driver possibly involved in street racing. Two people died in the crash, reported at about 12:30 a.m. Wednesday at 12^th Street West and Rancho Vista Boulevard, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said. Sheriff’s Detective Liz Sherman said a Dodge Challenger was involved in the crash; the speeding vehicle rear-ended a Toyota Corolla, which lost control and hit a light pole before catching fire. According to investigators, the driver of the Challenger fled the scene in another vehicle.

Three Children Dead, Fourth Hospitalized, After Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Crash

Wednesday, June 9 (NBC Los Angeles) – Sandra Mizer, 13; Willow Sanchez, 11; and Daytona Bronas, 12, were killed Saturday night after being hit by a driver while walking along Camp Rock Road in the Lucerne Valley. Two girls, Natalie and Daytona, had disabilities and used wheelchairs. A fourth girl, Natalie Coe, 14, was hospitalized and the driver fled the scene, according to the California Highway Patrol. Her mother said her injuries are life-threatening and her leg was amputated. The CHP reported a white 2002 Chevrolet Silverado appeared to have drifted into the shoulder of the road; the driver and passenger used a flashlight to see who they hit, according to witnesses, and then fled on foot.

Driver Killed When Porsche Goes Off Side of Road in Malibu

Tuesday, June 8 (ABC 7) – A driver was killed when a silver Porsche flew off South Kanan Dume Road in the 2000 block and landed on a hillside 50 to 100 feet below. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. No other vehicles appear to be involved and the cause of the crash is under investigation.

Woman Killed, Man Seriously Hurt in Rollover Crash

Wednesday, June 9 (Fox 5 San Diego) – Authorities said a 26-year-old woman was killed and 35-year-old man seriously injured in a solo-vehicle rollover crash in Campo on Wednesday. The crash occurred at about 3:35 a.m. on Buckman Springs Road north of Lake Morena Drive, according to the California Highway Patrol. The 35-year-old driver of a 2004 Toyota Scion XA veered onto the east shoulder, struck a mailbox, and then steered in the other direction, striking a tree on the west shoulder and overturning. Both occupants were ejected from the vehicle. The driver, who is being treated for major injuries at Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego, is expected to be arrested on suspicion of felony DUI and manslaughter.