News Roundup 12/05/20 Cont.
Stay-at-Home Order Issued In SoCal
Hospitals across California are beginning to reach their full capacity due to the surge in COVID-19 cases. Due to this, county officials in the SoCal region are issuing a stay-at-home order which is expected to take effect 11:59 pm Sunday. The areas affected will have to close personal service businesses, short-term visits at campgrounds will be prohibited, and restaurants will resume takeout services only. However, unlike the lockdown in spring, most outdoor activities are allowed.
Source: LA Times
Not Enough Vaccines
Negotiations between state health departments and the CDC over how many doses of the coronavirus vaccine will be shipped out once it becomes authorized are currently taking place, but it seems as though there may not be enough to vaccinate those who are top priority. An estimated 40 million vaccines should be available by the end of the month, but that will only cover 20 million people, since they need two doses each. States will have to figure out how to ration the vaccine and who needs treatment the most.
Source: CNN
Second Relief Bill May Still Be Possible
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have finally begun talks of a second stimulus package, since there hasn't been one sent out since March as people continue to struggle. Issues such as aids to states and local governments, liability protections for business and universities reopening, and whether to issue a second round $1,200 checks to Americans are what's being discussed.
Source: ABC
3rd Monolith Found in California
After the weird phenomenon of two metal monoliths appearing and disappearing in Utah and Romania, it seems as though another one has been spotted by hikers atop Pine Mountain in Atascadero, California. Who placed it there and where it came from remains unknown. The monoliths seem similar to the giant slab in Stanley Kubrick's film, "2001, A Space Odyssey", and the leading theory of what they actually are might be works by US artist John McCraken.
Source: Insider
Rare 'Double Planet' Will Appear in the Sky
Jupiter and Saturn will align on December 21 for the first time in 800 years, creating the appearance of a 'double planet'. While this kind of alignment occurs every 20 years, they'll be the closest they've ever been since 1226, making it an incredibly rare event, which people will be able to witness. The event will occur between Dec. 17 to Dec. 25, although the 21st will be the best time to view it. This has only happened twice in the past 2,000 years, and the next one won't take place for 60 years.
Source: Philly Voice