Fact check: Fauci didn't say half of CDC, FDA employees refused COVID-19 vaccine - USA TODAY
Fact check: Fauci didn't say half of CDC, FDA employees refused COVID-19 vaccine - USA TODAY |
- Fact check: Fauci didn't say half of CDC, FDA employees refused COVID-19 vaccine - USA TODAY
- Beaches, barbecues and brrrrrr. Did it actually snow on Memorial Day weekend? - USA TODAY
- 2021 could see record number of first-time boaters: Here's how to have a safe, fun outing - USA TODAY
| Fact check: Fauci didn't say half of CDC, FDA employees refused COVID-19 vaccine - USA TODAY Posted: 30 May 2021 10:44 AM PDT CLOSE  How "conspiracy theories" are working against the goal of getting Americans vaccinated for COVID-19. USA TODAY The claim: Dr. Anthony Fauci and Peter Marks said 40% to 50% of CDC and FDA employees are refusing the COVID-19 vaccineA post shared widely on social media platforms asserts two top United States public health officials said 40% to 50% of employees at the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The claim follows testimony from Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and Peter Marks, director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, at a Senate hearing on the country's coronavirus response. "NEW: About 40-50% of CDC, FDA employees are refusing the COVID-19 vaccine according to Fauci, Marks" reads a screenshot of a May 14 tweet from the account Breaking 911. The screenshot was shared by Facebook and Instagram users on May 15. Fact check: False claim about Supreme Court and vaccination The original Breaking 911 tweet has been deleted. However, an archived version from May 15 shows it had more than 15,000 likes and more than 6,000 retweets. Breaking 911 has previously shared misinformation about election fraud in Arizona and the efficacy of face masks. This claim is wrong, too. Fauci and Marks never said 40% to 50% of employees at the CDC and the FDA refuse to be vaccinated. USA TODAY reached out to Breaking 911 and social media users who shared the claim for comment. Claim distorts comments from hearingThe Breaking 911 tweet stems from a May 11 Senate hearing during which public health officials testified on the country's coronavirus response. The tweet misrepresents what officials said during that hearing. Fauci, Marks, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, and David Kessler, chief science officer of the White House COVID-19 response team, testified during the hearing. In the middle of the hearing, Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., questioned Fauci on what percentage of employees at the nation's public health agencies had been vaccinated. Speaking about employees of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Fauci responded saying, "You know I'm not 100% sure, senator. But I think it's probably a little bit more than half, probably around 60%." Burr posed the same question to Marks, who said he couldn't give "the exact number" of vaccinated FDA employees but that it was "probably in the same range" of 60%. Walensky told the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee that CDC employees have the option to submit their vaccination status. However, because it is not required by the federal government, the exact percentage is unknown, she said. Breaking 911 attempted to clarify its claim in a subsequent tweet writing, "50-60% percent of employees are vaccinated according to Fauci and Marks, meaning 50-40% of employees are refusing the vaccine." Fact check: Moderna executive did not say mRNA vaccines alter recipient's DNA That claim is misleading. Fauci, Marks and Walensky never said employees were "refusing the vaccine." According to the CDC, about 62% of adults in the U.S. have had at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as of May 29. Our rating: FalseThe claim that Fauci and Marks said 40% to 50% of FDA and CDC employees are refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 is FALSE, based on our research. At a Senate hearing, Fauci and Marks estimated 60% of employees had received the COVID-19 vaccine. Their statements never mentioned the percentage of people "refusing" to get vaccinated. Walensky did not provide an exact percentage of employees at the CDC that have been vaccinated because the federal government does not require employees to report a vaccination status. Our fact-check sources:
Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here. Our fact check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook. Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2021/05/30/fact-check-fauci-didnt-say-cdc-fda-staff-refusing-covid-19-vaccine/7474372002/  |
| Beaches, barbecues and brrrrrr. Did it actually snow on Memorial Day weekend? - USA TODAY Posted: 30 May 2021 11:40 AM PDT CLOSE The weather will be less than ideal for those hoping to kick off the holiday weekend by heading outdoors in the Northeast. Accuweather Picnics and pools, beaches and barbecues. Blankets and snow boots? Memorial Day weekend for many across the Northeast got off to an unusually frosty start – more March-like than May – as temperatures plummeted under bleak and damp skies. And for those at higher elevations, that wet weather translated into something white. Nearly an inch of snow was reported at Mount Snow, Vermont, on Saturday, and slushy coatings were seen on webcams at at the state's Stratton Mountain Resort, according to Accuweather. Other cities were pelted by a dreary drizzle or a soaking rain. The culprit? "A cool, damp northeasterly flow that wrapped around a storm tracking through the Northeast," AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said. The air got "wedged" between the Appalachian Mountains and the Atlantic coastline, he said, leading to clouds and moisture. Many locations from the Ohio Valley to the mid-Atlantic and Northeast were drenched with over an inch of rain Friday and Saturday, and daily rainfall records were broken Friday in places such as Central Park, New York, with 1.22 inches and Clarksburg, West Virginia, with 1.98 inches, Accuweather said. Honoring our vets: Find your own ways to serve to honor the fallen on Memorial Day: Retired Navy SEAL commander Dozens of temperature records were also smashed Saturday: both daily low temperatures and daily highs; some shattering decades-old numbers. The temperature turnabout was pronounced: Harrisburg, Reading and Allentown, Pennsylvania, all endured a 41-degree difference in high temperatures from Wednesday to Saturday, Accuweather said. Reading hit a high of 93 on Wednesday, 1 degree shy of matching a 107-year-old record. Then on Saturday the city's high was 52 degrees; breaking a 25-year-old record. Pittsburgh hit a high of 51 on Saturday, snapping a record for the lowest high temperature of 54 set in 1897, forecasters said. Philadelphia struggled to reach a high of 54 on Saturday, breaking another record from 1884. Record low temperatures were broken or tied across portions of the Great Lakes, Northeast and other areas in the northern section of the country, such as in Binghamton, New York, at 38 degrees and Duluth, Minnesota, at 29, Accuweather said. CLOSE President Joe Biden traveled to Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia Friday to thank troops ahead of the Memorial Day weekend and acknowledge the unheralded sacrifices that the service members and their families make. (May 28) AP Domestic The frigid temperatures posed a danger to crops in portions of the Great Lakes, and freeze warnings were posted for parts of Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin into Saturday morning, Accuweather said. Frost advisories were issued for many localities in the same area into Sunday morning. What's open: What is open and closed on Memorial Day weekend? But relief is on the way, just in time for many services honoring our nation's veterans on Monday. "Memorial Day is likely to flip from cloudy and cool to bright and beautiful for the central Appalachians and even much of the mid-Atlantic coast," AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said. Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/05/30/memorial-day-weekend-weather-cold-rain-and-snow-northeast/5272828001/  |
| Posted: 29 May 2021 01:30 PM PDT CLOSE A great day on the water can change in a heartbeat. Here's the equipment you need on board to stay safe. GINNY BEAGAN/TCPALM After more than a year of COVID-19 safety precautions and a long winter in many parts of the country, a day on the water may be just what the doctor ordered. The only problem: Lots of other people have the same idea. This summer is expected to bring record boat traffic. The marine industry reports a 35% increase in first-time boat ownership from last year with 350,000 people nationally purchasing their first powerboat and another 65,000 buying their first personal watercraft, according to figures from Info-Link Technologies and the Coast Guard. "2020 was a different year in the course of the boating industry and sales," Water Sports Foundation Executive Director Jim Emmons said. "With social distancing and summer trips being canceled because of the coronavirus, people turned to boating in a big way." "It's all about nautical distancing," said Gavan Hunt, the vice president of sales for Chris-Craft Boats based in Sarasota, Florida. "Truly, it was a freedom people needed and wanted during the pandemic. It's one of the few places you could be with family and not be worried." The National Marine Manufacturers Association reports $47 billion in sales of boats, marine products and related services nationally in 2020. It's the highest total in 13 years. "What we found in our research was that for a lot of people thinking about buying a boat for years that timeline was sped up due to the pandemic," Emmons said. "People want to recreate in a safe way where they can follow social distancing." Along with the influx of new boat owners, you'll see first-timers out in rental boats. In addition to the traditional rental services you find at marinas, these days, you can also book through peer-to-peer services like Boatsetter. You tell them the when and where, and the site shows you what's available in your area. If you're ready to get out on the water, here are tips that may help if you're considering renting a boat. Make sure you're legalCheck with your rental company and state guidelines to learn the minimum age requirements for renting and operating a boat. Many states actually require would-be boaters to pass a course before operating a boat. Regardless of whether or not they're required, classes are still a good idea for inexperienced boaters. Speaking of rules, look into whether you need a license to fish where you're going. But Many states offer these services online as well as temporary licenses good for 24 hours, seven days or 15 days. Find the right boatWhile it's important to choose a boat that's appropriate for your skill level and the number of people on the trip, it's even more crucial to pick the right boat for the water conditions you'll be in. Flatwater lakes and open oceans call for very different watercraft. You can also do a little pre-rental reconnaissance by visiting the water you plan to boat on. Which types and lengths of boats seem most common? If you can't go in person, try asking a local boating group on Facebook or Reddit what is most suitable for a particular body of water. Decide how long you need the boatIn some ways, boat rentals are a lot like car rentals. Generally speaking, the bigger and more powerful the boat, the more you'll pay. You'll need to put down a security deposit. Rentals are typically available by the hour, half day, full day or even a week. Paying by the hour is often the most expensive option, so consider whether one of the longer options might save you money. Get educatedFor those of us who may occasionally take the helm but don't plan to become full-fledged boaters, the BoatUS Foundation offers free online boating safety courses that are tailored to each state; the courses are recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard and approved by state boat licensing agencies.Topics covered in the courses include the marine environment, boating equipment, trip preparation, safe operation, emergency preparation and boating activities. Once you settle on a boat and know its make and model, have the designated driver Google its owner's manual and get familiar with the controls and features ahead of time. Find out if your boat is equipped with an engine cut-off switch. It's an onboard safety device that is connected to the boat's captain. Should the driver fall out of the boat, the cut-off switch will immediately stop the boat's engine. Consider who will be captainThink about the people who will be on the boat and who among them has the most boating experience – or, at the very least, can be counted on to take a boating safety course and obtain a license before your trip. If you don't trust yourself or your companions to drive, consider hiring a captain to operate the boat. You can arrange for one through a boat rental company; their expertise on the water and knowledge of the best places to go can make for a fantastic outing. Opting for a captain can be more relaxing for the entire group so no one in the rental party has to "work" while on the water. If anyone in your group plans to water ski or wakeboard behind the boat, consider delegating people to watch them and keep an eye out for oncoming traffic and report to the driver. Observe COVID-19 and boat capacity rulesBe aware that COVID-19 protocols may still be in place in some states and counties, as well as at local businesses. For instance, although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks in most situations, you may still need one to enter the rental office. Social-distancing rules may still dictate the number of people who can be on your boat. See if your state, county or city has any capacity limits before you invite too many people. Regardless of COVID-19, it's important to observe your boat's weight and occupancy limits, which are stated on its capacity plate, usually mounted near the helm or steering wheel. Wear a life jacket and file a float plan Ellen DeLeo, a Coast Guard Auxiliary commander based in Florida, hopes wearing a life jacket at all times is top of mind for boaters and passengers. "The most important thing is to have people prepared before something happens. That's why it's so important to wear a life jacket," says DeLeo. "Once something happens, you don't understand how hard it is to get a life jacket on." The Coast Guard says that of all the fatal boating incidents in 2019, 79% of victims drowned. Of those deaths, 86% were not wearing a life jacket. She also emphasizes the need to file a float plan that includes a description of the vessel, number of people on board, destination and the route being taken to the destination. You can file your own float plan through the Coast Guard's mobile app or website and send the information to friends and family who won't be on the boat with you. "If you're overdue for arrival, you want someone looking for you right away," DeLeo said. Speaking of life jackets, consider getting one for your phone. Cellphone dry sacks are watertight, transparent cases that allow you to operate the screen without opening the bag. They also come on lanyards that you can hang around your neck. That feature reduces the risk of your phone flying out of your hand when the boat speeds up after leaving a no-wake zone. You can find them for under $20 at Amazon or outdoor outfitters like REI. Ease back on the throttleBear in mind that America's waterways are usually especially crowded on summer holiday weekends, beginning with Memorial Day. If you're new to boating with limited experience, don't choose the busiest boating days of the year to travel to the most populated hot spot for boaters in the area. The ability to safely navigate, drop and set anchors and lines in confined spaces is exacerbated in close quarters. Also, watch your speed. You'll often encounter no-wake zones around docks, bridges and other spots where speed could cause accidents. Think of these as aquatic school zones. You need to slow down well before entering one and as long as you're in it, you can't go fast enough to create a wake behind your boat. You must remain at idle speed (around 5 mph) until you see the "End no wake zone" sign. Breaking the rules is a sure way to get stopped by the Coast Guard or local authorities. Discover Boating, which caters to newcomers, offers a primer on no-wake zones, along with a guide to boat ramp etiquette, as well as tips for avoiding running aground and collisions. Keep an eye on the skyStorms, lightning, changing tides, currents, winds and other inclement weather conditions can endanger the safety of boaters. Download a marine weather app to your phone before you head out for the day and check it throughout the trip. Should you be on a boat when Mother Nature unleashes her fury, find shelter as soon as possible. Don't forget to bring the essentialsFinally, pack a cooler with food and drinks. And don't forget to bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. It only takes one serious sunburn incident to realize how much light the water reflects. No drinking on dutyThis should go without saying, but we'll say it anyway: If you're piloting the boat, abstain from booze. The Coast Guard reported that alcohol was the leading contributing factor in fatal boat accidents in 2019, accounting for over 100 deaths, or 23% of total fatalities. "We want everybody to come home safe and have a great time," DeLeo says. Contributing: Adam Regan, Naples Daily News; Susan B. Barnes Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2021/05/29/boat-rentals-what-to-know-boating-water-safety/7487054002/  |
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