Jacob’s Journal – Weekly News Rewind (08/09-08/15)

Jacob’s Journal – Weekly News Rewind (08/09-08/15)

California Orders All Teachers to Be Vaccinated or Face Testing

Thursday, August 12 (The New York Times) – On Wednesday, California Governor Gavin Newsom ordered all teachers and school staff to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, or face weekly testing. This is the first such mandate in the nation and applies to public and private schools serving students in kindergarten through 12^th grade. The policy goes into effect Thursday and the deadline for full compliance is October 15. A similar mandate for public school teachers and state/county employees was announced in Hawaii last week.

Last month, the California governor announced the state would require health care workers and state government employees to be vaccinated or tested at least weekly. State health officials largely removed the testing option for over two million healthcare workers last week. School officials nationwide have voiced support for mandatory vaccination of educators, including Randi Weingarten of the American Federation of Teachers and E. Toby Boyd, president of the California Teachers Association.

One Killed in Collision On Highway 138 [Pearblossom, CA]

Wednesday, August 11 (L.A. Weekly) – A collision on Highway 138 in Pearblossom resulted in the death of one person on Monday. It occurred at Pearblossom Highway at Longview Road, at 4:56 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol. Officers described the vehicles involved in the crash as a red and white sedan. The reason for the collision is unknown; during the investigation, eastbound and westbound lanes of Highway 138 were closed. The identity of the victim is being withheld as the CHP awaits confirmation from the victim’s next of kin.

California Currently Experiencing Its Fastest Increase in COVID-19 Cases Ever, Says State Official

Wednesday, August 11 (Deadline.com) – On Wednesday, State Public Health Officer Tomás Aragón announced California is experiencing its fastest increase in COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began. Case rates have increased tenfold since early June, and now stand at 22.7 new cases per 100,000 per day, Aragón reported, while state data indicate the new case rate is 23.1 per 100,000. In the period from October 26, 2020 to January 4, 2021, the case rate grew to 103.5 per 100,000. Most of the recent case rate growth occurred after California lifted its COVID restrictions.

While 63% of residents aged 12 and older are fully vaccinated, the number of daily new cases is triple that of last October 26. Test positivity rates and hospitalizations have increased significantly as well, while deaths have not increased likely due to vaccinations. The most recent numbers are partially behind new requirements for proof of vaccination or testing for teachers and school staff, and evidence of at least partial vaccination for people to enter public indoor spaces.

‘The Line Was Around the Block’: California Scrambles to Meet Covid Testing Demand

Wednesday, August 11 (The Guardian) – The number of people seeking Covid-19 tests has doubled over a month ago, which officials believe is being fueled by the Delta variant. Medical providers and pharmacies across California are struggling to keep up, while a CVS pharmacy in Richmond announced its rapid Covid tests were sold out on Tuesday. At a local hospital, a line of walk-in patients waiting to be tested stretched down the block. The number of patients seeking tested in the state rose from 81,000 in early July to 200,000 as of August 10. A similar trend has been noted nationwide, driven by not only unvaccinated people but vaccinated individuals concerned about breakthrough cases. Public health officials in California have said case rates are 470% higher among unvaccinated residents.

One Person Killed After Three-Vehicle Collision On Bell Road [Auburn, CA]

Wednesday, August 11 (L.A. Weekly) – Last Friday, a three-vehicle collision on Bell Road east of New Airport Road in Auburn resulted in one person being killed. The accident occurred at around 4:37 p.m. on July 30, according to the California Highway Patrol. Reports say a white Nissan Rogue sideswiped a tan station wagon, and then hit a black Honda Civic head on. The driver of the Civic was pronounced dead at the scene. Paramedics transported the driver of the Nissan to a local hospital with major injuries. Bell Road was initially closed during the investigation; the events leading up to the crash are still being investigated.

NBA Rumors Roundup: LA Lakers Looking at Signing Isaiah Thomas, Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis ‘Not Mad at Each Other’ and More

Thursday, August 12 (Stock Market Pioneer) – Once again the subject of NBA rumors, the Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly targeting Isaiah Thomas of the New Orleans Pelicans for the 2021-22 season. Also on the list are Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis of the Dallas Mavericks. Thomas was recently trending after scoring 81 points at a Crossover Pro-Am game in Seattle. He played just three games last season, averaging 7.7 points in 16 minutes of playing time. Thomas last played for L.A. in the 2017-18 season, appearing in 17 games before being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. While Doncic and Porzingis have been rumored to be at odds, others have denied the claim. Other rumors include the Cavaliers reconsidering an extension for Collin Sexton and that Udonis Haslem is set to return to the Miami Heat.

California Doing Much Better with Delta Variant than Florida, Texas. Here’s Why

Wednesday, August 11 (Los Angeles Times) – While there’s been a surge in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations, California has avoided the highest infection rates and overcrowded hospitals now seen in other states, such as Florida and Texas. Officials cite better-than-average vaccination rates and mandatory mask policies as reasons. Across California, counties have been allowed to mandate use of masks, regardless of vaccination status, for everyone age 2 and older in indoor public spaces (thus, some signs suggest the Delta surge here is slowing). Over the last 7 days, 141.1 coronavirus cases per 100,000 residents have been reported, compared to 297.8 in Texas and 653.8 in Florida. Also, California is reporting just 32% of the winter peak for COVID-19 daily hospitalizations.

For the week ending Sunday, Los Angeles County reported 20,979 new cases, up 6.5% from the previous week, but less than the 22% increase the week before. A decrease in new cases was also reported statewide. Officials say the Delta variant continues to remain a threat. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 77.5% of eligible California residents at least 12 years old have had one dose of the vaccine, and about 63% are fully vaccinated. The majority of hospitalizations are people who haven’t been fully vaccinated, county officials said; the death toll in California hospitals has remained relatively low, although the full impact of the latest wave has yet to be determined.

Trevor Ariza Reveals True Feelings on Metta World Peace Winning Championship with Lakers

Wednesday, August 11 (Clutch Points) – Set for his second stint with the Los Angeles Lakers following a bitter exit in 2009, veteran forward Trevor Ariza expressed positive feelings. Ariza, 36, said he is happy for Metta World Peace, AKA Ron Artest of the Houston Rockets, who helped the Lakers in a second straight title. Artest was Ariza’s replacement on the team after he was forced to leave, after which Ariza signed with the Houston Rockets.

“LeBron James Did Nothing When Carmelo Anthony Was Unemployed and Nobody Wanted Him”: Stephen A Smith Slams Lakers Star for Abandoning Melo

December 8, 2021 (The Sports Rush) – In an editorial, ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith called out LeBron James for not helping Carmelo Anthony in the 2018-19 season when he did not have job. Anthony, 37, now signed with the Lakers, is united with James and has a chance to win an NBA championship. Smith criticized James for not teaming up with Anthony sooner, during an episode of the First Take. Carmelo Anthony was without a team for over a year, before playing with the Portland Trail Blazers and, in 2018, the Houston Rockets parted ways with him after 10 games. Many top-tier players expressed disappointment that he didn’t have a job for the 2018-19 season.