Mask mandates for airplanes, trains and transit hubs that were set to expire next week will be extended to April 18, the Biden administration is expected to announce Thursday. Between now and mid-April, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will work with other federal agencies “to help inform a revised policy framework for… read on > read on >
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Biden Administration Says California Can Set Tough Auto Emission Standards Again
California will once again be able to set its own car emission standards under a waiver approved Wednesday by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The move reverses a Trump administration decision to revoke the state’s authority to determine its own limits on auto emissions. Under the EPA waiver, California will be allowed to create tighter… read on > read on >
More Hurricanes Mean Rising Death Toll for Americans
From drowning to being struck by flying debris, the immediate dangers of hurricanes are well known, but these events also boost your risk of dying from a host of hidden diseases and conditions that occur in the storm’s aftermath. The new research is concerning given the increase in the number and strength of hurricanes due… read on > read on >
EPA Proposes Tougher Emission Standards for Big Trucks
Tighter restrictions on emissions from big trucks were proposed Monday by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “Seventy-two million people are estimated to live near truck freight routes in America, and they are more likely to be people of color and those with lower incomes. These overburdened communities are directly exposed to pollution that causes… read on > read on >
U.S. Traffic Deaths Rise to Highest Level Since 2007
Even though Americans drove less in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, close to 39,000 lives were lost on U.S. roadways in 2020 — the highest death toll since 2007, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports. Fatal collisions spiked almost 7% between 2019 and 2020, the safety administration revealed in its… read on > read on >
One Big Motivator to Get COVID Vaccine: Travel
Wanderlust has become a strong incentive for Americans to get COVID-19 vaccines, a new study finds. The bucket list beckons, and “many people consider travel an essential part of their lifestyle and a contributor to their sense of well-being,” said study lead author Dogan Gursoy, a professor in hospitality business management at Washington State University.… read on > read on >
Fewer Rainy Days Are Bringing Earlier Springs
Never mind what the calendar says — your plants will tell you when spring is here. And even in Northern regions, they’re leafing out earlier than ever in recent decades due to climate change. In a new study, researchers attribute the early greening to two key factors: warmer temperatures and fewer rainy days. “This contrasting… read on > read on >
A Hotter Climate Could Trigger More Mental Health Crises
Extreme heat from climate change is making it harder for people with mental illness and drug addiction to cope and adding to pressure on pandemic-stretched U.S. emergency rooms. During these severe summer temperature spikes, Americans with depression, anxiety, mood disorders and drug addiction are increasingly flocking to hospital ERs for help, a new study finds.… read on > read on >
COVID Travel Rules to Europe May Be Lifted for Vaccinated
All testing and quarantine requirements for travelers to European Union member nations should be lifted next month for those who are vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19, the European Council said Tuesday. That would include people who received their last dose of their primary vaccination series at least 14 days and no more than 270… read on > read on >
Boris Johnson Lifts Last COVID Restrictions in England
TUESDAY, Feb. 22. 2022British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Monday that his government will end all remaining coronavirus restrictions in England, including the requirement for people with COVID-19 to self-isolate. In a news conference, Johnson said the country was moving to a model of personal responsibility as part of a plan for treating COVID-19 like… read on > read on >