CDC head sounds the alarm as COVID-19 cases grow in multiple states
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CDC head sounds the alarm as COVID-19 cases grow in multiple states

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky said Monday that the nation was at “a fork in the road” in determining the trajectory of the coronavirus pandemic and warned of “another avoidable surge” of COVID-19 cases as states loosen pandemic-related restrictions. “The apparent leveling off of cases and hospital admissions after the consistent…

Elkhart County reports first case of more contagious UK COVID-19 variant
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Elkhart County reports first case of more contagious UK COVID-19 variant

The first case of the more contagious B.1.1.7 COVID-19 variant has appeared in Elkhart County. According to the Elkhart County Health Department, the Indiana Department of Health Laboratory notified the county that the B.1.1.7 COVID-19 variant was collected over the weekend. The variant is from mutations that were first found in the United Kingdom. It…

Biden signs pandemic mandates for traveling and federal properties
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Biden signs pandemic mandates for traveling and federal properties

President Joe Biden on Thursday signed an executive order requiring many interstate travelers to wear face coverings in order to help combat the coronavirus pandemic that has now claimed more than 413,000 U.S. lives.  Part of his “100 Days Masking Challenge,” Thursday’s executive order followed another on Wednesday—the very first of Biden’s presidency—mandating masks on federal properties and directing federal agencies…

FULL TEXT: Mayor Mueller statement declaring local emergency, travel advisory
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FULL TEXT: Mayor Mueller statement declaring local emergency, travel advisory

The following is a prepared statement from South Bend Mayor James Mueller. It is being published verbatim for the public record. Good morning. We got some more tests back and have some updates on action steps. Out of 126 test results through last night, we now have five positive cases in St. Joseph County, three…

Indiana governor orders bars, restaurants closed to dine-in service

Indiana governor orders bars, restaurants closed to dine-in service

Governor Eric Holcomb announced Monday that Indiana is closing bars and restaurants to dine-in service due to the coronavirus pandemic. The decision follows similar announcements out of Illinois and Ohio on Sunday. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer also said on Monday morning that her state would close its restaurants and bars as well. It’s important to…

Not concerned about coronavirus? Be considerate of those at high risk
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Not concerned about coronavirus? Be considerate of those at high risk

As with any emergency, there will be a minority who refuse to heed warnings from experts. However, it’s one thing to put your own well-being at risk. It’s another thing to put others at risk. Case in point: the COVID-19 pandemic has attracted a mixed response from citizens, government officials, and the media. Early on,…

South Bend limits work travel, allows remote work for some city employees

South Bend limits work travel, allows remote work for some city employees

The city of South Bend has announced a number of measures to mitigate the spread of coronavirus and protect city employees. The city said that it is limiting non-essential work travel, allowing remote work for some employees, and taking other precautions. “It’s important that we all take steps to protect the health and wellbeing of…

The Media and Congress Get It Completely Wrong on Ebola
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The Media and Congress Get It Completely Wrong on Ebola

Ebola coverage has already been a circus for the past few weeks. Cable networks are frantically covering every angle of a story that is receiving far more attention than it deserves (compared to a very real and deadly crisis like obesity) — and far less critical scrutiny. CNN has gone so far as having their…

Is Ebola the Next HIV/AIDS Pandemic?
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Is Ebola the Next HIV/AIDS Pandemic?

There is a lot of uncertainty about Ebola percolating across the country right now. Rather than the responsible coverage that we should expect from media organizations, much of it has been fear-driven with sensational headlines and graphics that are causing more confusion than answers. One thing that we keep seeing is comparisons between the Ebola…