Spotlight on Health Headlines
M ayor, Bill de Blasio announced New York will turn Citi Field into a 24/7 “mega” coronavirus vaccina- tion site by the end of January in efforts to vaccinate thousands of residents daily. NYC Health and Hospitals will operate the site, home to the New York Mets, with the aim of giving between 5,000 and 7,000 shots a day, de Blasio said in a joint announcement with Mets owner Steve Cohen. The announcement comes after Los Angeles Mayor, Eric Garcetti said his city would do the same at Dodger Stadium and would be able to administer up to 12,000 shots per day. International air travel remains extremely depressed because of the virus and travel restrictions that prohibit many foreigners from entering both Canada and the U.S. MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL HELPS STRIKEOUT COVID-19 O n January 7th, Canada government made proof of a negative COVID-19 laboratory test result mandatory for all passengers prior to boarding any airline’s flights to Canada. Tests must be performed using a COVID-19 molecu- lar test, such as a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) test. The test must be taken within 72 hours of the traveller’s scheduled departure to Canada. Other types of tests, such as antigen tests, will not be accepted. Starting Jan. 26, those looking to travel to the U.S. will have to test negative for Covid-19 within three days of their flight to the U.S. and require airline passengers to prove they recently tested negative for Covid-19 before flying to the country according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The measure, like in Canada, aims to curb the spread of the disease, as new infection rates have hit new record highs. CANADA AND U.S. REQUIRE NEGATIVE COVID TESTS FOR INBOUND INTERNATIONAL AIR TRAVEL
SHUTTING SCHOOLS DOES REDUCE THE RISK SPREAD OF COVID AMONG CHILDREN T he science around the link between children and the spread of the coronavirus is still evolving, but a growing body of evidence seems to suggest that kids attending school do play an important role in community transmis- sion. It comes at a time when the resurgent spread of Covid-19 has prompted most governments to impose strictest public health measures, includ- ing shutting schools as part of a broader plan to curb infection rates and alleviate the strain on al- ready stressed health facilities. The polarizing issue of whether schools should stay open is far from clear cut, with the World Health Organization urging government policy- makers to be guided by a risk-based approach to maximize the benefit for the population.
ONLINE THERAPY PROVIDER TALKSPACE TO GO PUBLIC
O nline therapy app Talkspace, which links customers with licensed therapists, allowing therapy to be provided via video chat and text, has agreed to go public through a merger with Doug Bernstein-backed blank-check firm Hudson Executive Investment Corp, in a deal valued at $1.4 billion, including debt. The deal includes $300 million by way of private investment by firms including Federated Hermes Kaufmann Funds, Jennison Associates LLC, Woodline Partners LP and Deerfield. Talkspace will be listed on the Nasdaq and will trade under the new ticker symbol “TALK.”
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JANUARY 2021 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • JANUARY 2021
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