Slouching Towards Oblivion

Friday, April 30, 2021

COVID-19 Update

World
New Cases:   898,636 (⬆︎ .60%)
New Deaths:    15,288 (⬆︎ .48%)

USA
New Cases:    59,269 (⬆︎ .18%)
New Deaths:        870 (⬆︎ .15%)

Vaccination Scorecard
Total Vaccinations:           143.8 million (⬆︎ .77%)
Total Eligible Population:    53.8%
Total Population:                 43.3%




Never ceases to amaze me how the "clear-eyed pragmatic capitalists" in the crowd can't quite figure out that following the experts' advice on how to shorten the pandemic will help us lessen the negative economic effects of the pandemic because taken together, it'll actually - you know - shorten the fucking pandemic.

But here we are again - sucking hind tit.

And not because Biden says so, but because there are fucking idiots among us who're deliberately dragging us down.


Several countries are planning for international visitors - t
he U.S. travel industry fears being left behind
The industry says testing requirements and other measures mean the U.S. could safely welcome more international visitors

Buoyed by robust passenger demand and concern that the United States is falling behind other countries in reopening to visitors, a coalition of travel industry organizations is renewing its push for the U.S. government to allow more international travelers.

The groups, including Airlines for America, the U.S. Travel Association and unions representing pilots and flight attendants, say the United States should have a “risk-based data-driven” plan to ensure the industry isn’t caught off guard when restrictions are lifted. The travel industry is hoping for a departure from the Trump administration’s handling of such policies, in which abrupt changes often left officials scrambling to respond.

“The entire travel industry, and airlines in particular, like to plan,” said Sharon Pinkerton, senior vice president for legislative and regulatory policy for Airlines for America, which represents major U.S. airlines. “It takes time to pull planes out of storage. Several carriers have announced they’re bringing pilots back — and that takes time.”

The campaign comes as airlines have seen indications of a sustained turnaround since early February. As the number of coronavirus cases declines and more people are vaccinated, demand for domestic travel has surged. The industry is expecting a similar boost when limits are lifted on international travel.

Several European nations have begun laying out criteria for reopening. Greece recently lifted its ban on visitors from the United States if they provide proof of vaccination or a negative coronavirus test result within 72 hours of their arrival. France and Spain announced plans to reopen to international visitors. And officials in the United Kingdom hope to restart some international travel by May 17. The European Union is making plans to reopen to U.S. travelers this summer.


“We should be leading,” said Tori Emerson Barnes, executive vice president of public affairs and policy for the U.S. Travel Association. “Airlines, airports … all these folks need to be able to prepare. What’s going to be required? We don’t want people to be scrambling.”

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