On November 26,  the World Health Organization (WHO) identified a new variant  Variant of Concern of SARS COV2, The variant: B.1.1.529, has been named  Omicron. No cases of this variant have been identified in the U.S. to date. The CDC announced that it is following the details of the new variant which was first reported in South Africa. The South African government and its scientists have openly communicated with the global scientific community and are regularly sharing information about Omicron with the HHS and CDC. 

The Delta Variant still accounts for over 99% of cases in the US. 

Omicron is a variant of concern but there are still many unknowns. It may be several weeks until scientists can determine the types of disease caused by this variant, and determine just how contagious this version is and how far it has already spread throughout the globe. 

Experts are advising all of the same precautions they did under Delta. 

Source , 2 , 3

Good morning Americans,

A new proposed bill in New York is getting strong support from lawmakers, businesses and labor unions. The bill, called The Clean Slate Act, aims to automatically erase publicly available criminal records after people have completed the terms of their punishments. Of course, this will apply to minor crimes only.

When Sen. Rand Paul received a mysterious package containing white powder at his house, the Republican said knew exactly who was behind it. His suspect: pop singer Richard Marx. What’s going on with these two?

Some people are saying that the lunar eclipse, called the Flower Blood Moon, seen Wednesday is ” just one of many signs the end of the world is drawing close.” TV evangelists even cited the Ancient Bible. Relax guys, the eclipse is an astronomical phenomenon.

Remember William Shakespeare? Not the famous writer/poet but the first man in the world to be given the Covid vaccine. Sadly, the 81-year-old passed away on Thursday after suffering a stroke. Doctors say the vaccine has nothing to do with his passing.

Most fitness buffs love to do their workouts in the morning. They say jogging or running keeps them energized the whole day. A new study says evening exercise may be more effective if your goal is to improve your metabolic health. Exercise timing depends on one’s preference and availability, I guess.

Brennifer fans, you wanna hear this! As we anticipate the premiere of Friends: The Reunion at HBO Max, Jennifer Aniston revealed one of her favorite guest stars on Friends is her ex-husband, Brad Pitt. She even described him as “wonderful” and “fantastic.”

Keep safe,

Fraser Dixon

Sources

• Bill to Automatically Remove Criminal Records Finds Some Support in New York
• Rand Paul received a suspicious package at home. He blames a pop singer he claims ‘called for violence.’
• Super blood moon: Ancient Bible prophecy predicts end of the world tomorrow
• William Shakespeare dies at 81 after becoming first man in world to get Covid vaccine
• The Best Time of Day to Exercise for Metabolic Health
• Jennifer Aniston says Brad Pitt was one of her favorite ‘Friends’ guest stars

This Day in History | 1936

The Hoover Dam begins sending electricity to the city of Los Angeles 266 miles away. 

96 workers died building the dam. The power lines also had be built over difficult terrain including mountains and deserts.

Good morning Middle Americans, 

What is going to happen? And does President Trump really need to have another debate with Joe Biden? Surveys say YES. The better question, at this point is, can the president get a fair shake in the next debate? Maybe he should just keep blasting out these video, where he won’t get interrupted, and let Mike the “Velvet Hammer” do the talking from here on out? Also Did you see what the next debate moderator did, asking former Trump White House communications manager of 11 days, Anthony Scaramucci, if he should respond to one of the president’s mean tweets. Woah. 

Read all about it

-Fraser Dixon 

Confusion Clouds Remaining Presidential Debates

(The Hill) – An extended back-and-forth between the campaigns threw the presidential debate schedule into chaos Thursday, raising the question: Will there even be another debate?

Does Trump Need The Next Debate?

(FiveThirtyEight) – Our research on primary debates suggested that a debate is equivalent to something like six to 10 days of normal campaigning and news, in terms of how much they move the polls. So it’s as if Trump is taking a week off the clock in an election in which he trails by 10 points.

Trump on Rush Today, Back on the Trail Tomorrow? 

(NY Post) – President Trump will hold a “virtual rally” on conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh’s show on Friday as he continues to recover from the coronavirus.

Biden’s polling lead over Trump Grows

(CNBC) – The NBC News national polling average had Biden up more than 10 percentage points over Trump, 51.6%-41.3%. That figure is based on an unweighted average of the 10 most recent reliable public opinion polls.

The RealClearPolitics general election polling average showed Biden with a 9.7-point lead over Trump. That’s 2.5 points higher than the gap displayed a week earlier.

FiveThirtyEight’s national polling tracker gave Biden a 9.8-point advantage, a 1.6-point jump since last week.

Trump: ‘Sad’ If  AG Barr Doesn’t Indict Biden, Obama

(Bloomberg) – Donald Trump lashed out Thursday at U.S. Attorney General William Barr for not doing more to prosecute his political enemies, including arresting Obama-era officials who the president accuses — without evidence — of illegally spying on his 2016 campaign.

(The Independent UK) – During a live phone-in on Fox Business, Donald Trump complained again that not enough of his political enemies have been arrested – and said attorney general Bill Barr could find himself in “a sad situation” if he doesn’t start rounding them up.

Dems Push Commission on President’s Mental Capacity 

(The Guardian) – Democrats in the US Congress have announced a plan to create a commission to review whether Donald Trump is capable of carrying out his presidential duties or should face removal from office.

The office of the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, announced a Friday press conference about the bill after she expressed concern that Trump, who is under treatment for coronavirus at the White House, is suffering a “dissociation from reality”.

MI Governor Speaks Out on Kidnapping Attempt 

(Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump lashed back at Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer Thursday night after she accused the president of fomenting political extremism.

(Detroit News) –  Democratic presidential candidate President Joe Biden joined Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday in laying some blame for the plot to kidnap her on President Donald Trump, who they both said didn’t do enough to condemn white supremacists.