COVID testing contracts examined: County Council to get update Tuesday on testing and spending
TrueCare24 Inc., the company that last month lost more than 400 coronavirus test samples, was the lowest bidder of four vendors selected by the county and the least compliant with bidding requirements, according to an analysis of bid documents and purchase agreements West Hawaii Today received from the county in response to a public records request.
NOT REAL NEWS: A look at what didn’t happen this week
A roundup of some of the most popular but completely untrue stories and visuals of the week. None of these are legit, even though they were shared widely on social media. The Associated Press checked them out. Here are the facts:
Austria vaccine mandate to take effect, but few emulating it
VIENNA — Austria is about to become the first country in Europe to require most adults to get vaccinated against COVID-19, but few other nations appear likely to join it as many turn their attention to loosening restrictions.
US economy defies omicron and adds 467,000 jobs in January
WASHINGTON — In a surprising burst of hiring, America’s employers added a robust 467,000 jobs last month, a sign of the economy’s resilience in the face of a wave of omicron infections.
US death toll from COVID-19 hits 900,000, sped by omicron
Propelled in part by the wildly contagious omicron variant, the U.S. death toll from COVID-19 hit 900,000 on Friday, less than two months after eclipsing 800,000.
Biden sees US economy as powering past the pandemic
WASHINGTON — That bleak jobs report the White House had been bracing for never arrived Friday.
Faith in the metaverse: A VR quest for community, fellowship
Under quarantine for COVID-19 exposure, Garret Bernal and his family missed a recent Sunday church service. So he strapped on a virtual reality headset and explored what it would be like to worship in the metaverse.
A different COVID-19 vaccine debate: Do we need new ones?
COVID-19 vaccines are saving an untold number of lives, but they can’t stop the chaos when a hugely contagious new mutant bursts on the scene, leading people to wonder: Will we need boosters every few months? A new vaccine recipe? A new type of shot altogether?
Campaign fundraising for ’22 elections off to a slow start
With teacher absences mounting and substitutes in short supply, parents may be wondering: Who’s teaching the kids?
More nations are easing coronavirus restrictions
Late-night partying at clubs. Elbow-to-elbow seating in movie theaters. Going without masks in public, especially in Europe and North America: Step by step, many countries are easing their COVID-19 restrictions amid hopes the omicron wave may have passed its peak.
Judge rules in favor of Hawaiian Airlines vaccinations policy
HONOLULU — A U.S. judge on Wednesday denied an attempt by seven employees to block Hawaiian Airlines’ policy requiring workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19 or face termination.
Roth: Large in-person events will return this year
Mayor Mitch Roth is confident large in-person events can be held later this year as COVID-19 numbers decline statewide.
Pfizer asks FDA to allow COVID-19 vaccine for kids under 5
WASHINGTON — Pfizer on Tuesday asked the U.S. to authorize extra-low doses of its COVID-19 vaccine for children under 5, potentially opening the way for the very youngest Americans to start receiving shots as early as March.
Danes halt restrictions with virus no longer ‘a socially critical disease”
COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Denmark took the European Union lead Tuesday by scrapping most pandemic restrictions as the Scandinavian country no longer considers COVID-19 “a socially critical disease.” European nations elsewhere had a patchwork of different approaches, with some relaxing virus measures while others tightened them.
DOH launches COVID hotline
The state Department of Health has a new hotline for people with questions about COVID-19.
Virus enters Tonga along with disaster aid
WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Tonga will enter a lockdown this evening after finding coronavirus infections in two port workers helping distribute aid arriving in the Pacific nation after a volcanic eruption and tsunami.
Anti-vaccine protest in Canada spurs outrage
TORONTO — In a scene at odds with Canadians’ reputation for niceness and rule-following, thousands of protesters railing against vaccine mandates and other COVID-19 restrictions descended on the capital over the weekend, deliberately blocking traffic around Parliament Hill.
New COVID cases on Big Island less than 100 today
Only 74 new COVID cases were reported today in Hawaii County, the first double-digit number in more than a month.
Canada PM tests positive for COVID, rips anti vaccine demo
TORONTO — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday he has tested positive for COVID-19 but is “feeling fine” and will continue to work remotely from home.
Celebrations for Year of the Tiger are muted, but bring hope
BEIJING — People across Asia prepared Monday for muted Lunar New Year celebrations amid concerns over the coronavirus and virulent omicron variant, even as increasing vaccination rates raised hopes that the Year of the Tiger might bring life back closer to normal.
