Top Three
Biden Administration Plans to Offer Updated Booster Shots in September: Via the NYT.
"The Biden administration now expects to begin a Covid-19 booster campaign with retooled vaccines in September because Pfizer and Moderna have promised that they can deliver doses by then, according to people familiar with the deliberations."
"With updated formulations apparently close at hand, federal officials have decided against expanding eligibility for second boosters of the existing vaccines this summer. The new versions are expected to perform better against the now-dominant Omicron subvariant BA.5, although the data available so far is still preliminary."
Some K-12 Systems Thrived During Covid-19. What Made Them So Prepared?: Via Phyllis Lockett
"It turns out that three key factors helped these schools respond effectively to pandemic-related disruptions: 1) self-directed, forward-leaning orientation for students and adults; 2) healthy cultures; and 3) strong yet flexible systems."
"More importantly, the schools had made a commitment to these strategies before Covid-19, giving them a strong foundation for dealing with remote learning and other challenges."
The Outlook Is Bad for School Hiring This Fall: Via EdWeek who asked districts, “Is the number of applicants in your school or district this year sufficient to fill the positions you have open?”
Bus Drivers: 86% say not enough
Paraprofessionals: 69% say not enough
Teachers: 72% say not enough
Federal
White House: Fact Sheet: Biden-Harris Administration Announces Two New Actions to Address Youth Mental Health Crisis
Senate: The Senate mouse is tormenting a Washington Post reporter.
Also, if there isn’t a children’s book about the Senate Mouse in the works…then I mean, what are we even doing?
Covid-19 Research
Lack of Covid Vaccines, Not Mistrust, Explains Low Uptake in Vulnerable Communities: Study.
"Examining more than 50,000 community pharmacies across the nation, the authors found health care facilities in counties that were rural and counties that had high Black populations and high Covid mortality were less likely to administer Covid vaccines in May of 2021, during the early vaccine rollout "
"The study found that racial and ethnic disparities in vaccine availability differed by location: Black people had less access to vaccines in urban counties while Hispanic people did not, and Hispanic people had less access to vaccines in rural areas while Black people did not."
State
California: Los Angeles County will not reinstitute a universal indoor public mask mandate after marked improvements in the region’s coronavirus case and hospitalization rates.
"The step back from masking means that the soon-to-start traditional school year is likely to be mask-optional, as it was in spring. The county announcement elicited a tweet of support from L.A. schools Supt. Alberto Carvalho."
Illinois: Chicago Public Schools prepares for transportation issues before the school year.
"Chicago Public Schools is trying to get ahead of transportation issues before school starts next month by expanding the number of bus companies contracted by the district and prioritizing rides for students who need them most."
"But among the measures the school board approved Wednesday is a policy that prioritizes students in the event of a bus shortage and codifies an emergency policy put in place in January."
"The district is also offering some families alternatives to busing. Students with Individualized Education Programs and 504 plans, as well as those in temporary living situations, can get $500 monthly stipends to pay for gas or other private rides, such as taxis and rideshare. Stipends were first used last fall, and at the time, Martinez said he would consider using more alternative modes of transportation in the future."
Kansas: Governor Kelly announced that more than 21,000 homes and businesses are set to receive high-speed internet access for the first time thanks to an $83.5 million grant program through the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Office of Broadband Development.
Louisiana: AT&T, Comcast, Altice, Charter win with Louisiana $129.5 million award for broadband.
Oklahoma: Hofmeister announces $8.4 million in Edge grants to strengthen students’ academic success
Virginia: Alexandria schools will require coronavirus vaccine for staff.
International
Wales: The number of children off school has more than doubled in the past academic year, compared to pre-pandemic levels.
"On average, 16.3% of secondary school pupils were absent during 2021-22, up from 6.2% in 2018-19, Welsh government figures show. Absences of pupils from poorer backgrounds was higher."
Taiwan Invasion Fears Rise: Via Axios:
"U.S. and Taiwan officials have floated various timelines for a potential invasion, often setting the horizon at 2025 or 2030."
"But U.S. officials now believe China may make a strong move against Taiwan within the next 18 months, according to a recent New York Times report not based on specific knowledge of Beijing's plans."
Economic Recovery
Job-Switchers Won: Via Axios:
"Most people who switched employers between April 2021 and March 2022 saw an increase in their real earnings despite surging inflation, according to a new Pew Research Center report."
Resources
One Less Thing To Worry About: "There is no truth to the claim that scientists at CERN are communicating with demonic entities and using the collider to open up a portal to hell, Dejan Stojkovic, a physics professor at the University at Buffalo, told USA TODAY in an email. "
Online Education’s Reputation Jumps: According to a new survey.
"Almost half of adults in the U.S., 47%, think online education is of roughly the same quality as in-person instruction, increasing sharply from about a third who said the same last year, according to survey data released Tuesday by left-leaning think tank New America."
"Four out of five respondents said online education should cost less than in-person instruction."
Enjoy Your Weekend: Be inspired by Freya and take some time to nap or go boating.