Good morning. It's Tuesday, Dec. 7, and we're covering a sweeping vaccine mandate in the country's largest city, an update from Haiti, and much more. Have feedback? Let us know at [email protected].
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New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) announced yesterday the city would implement a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for all private-sector employees in the city. The move, framed as a preemptive defense against the new omicron variant, is the most sweeping vaccine mandate by any city or state in the country during the pandemic. Workers will be required to show proof of at least one vaccination dose by Dec. 27; negative tests won't be accepted in lieu of shots.
Almost 78% of residents have received at least one dose (see data), including roughly 90% of those over 18. The rolling average of new deaths in the city of 8.4 million is under 10 per day, though cases have begun to rise again. The city's private-sector workforce is around 3.7 million. See nationwide COVID-19 data here.
Scientists are still working to understand the variant. Early data suggest the strain spreads quicker than the delta variant but may cause milder symptoms. Its full effects are still under investigation.
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More Haitian Hostages Released
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Three additional people from a group of missionaries kidnapped in Haiti in mid-October have been released, according to Christian Aid Ministries yesterday. Two other captives were released last month, while 12 people remain hostage.
The missionary group—17 people including five children—was kidnapped outside of Port-au-Prince Oct. 16 by the 400 Mawozo gang, who demanded a $17M ransom for their release. Details of the negotiations, if any, have not been disclosed, and it is unclear whether the group paid the implied $1M per person ransom.
The kidnapping came amid a steep decline in the country's security environment in recent years, exacerbated by the July assassination of President Jovenel Moïse and a 7.2 magnitude earthquake in August. Gangs have also led a blockade of fuel terminals in recent weeks, leading to a dramatic shortage of gas.
The status of the remaining hostages is unclear.
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Aung San Suu Kyi Sentenced
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Myanmar's deposed leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, was sentenced to two years in detention—reduced from four years in prison—Monday after a special court found her guilty of inciting dissent and violating COVID-19 restrictions. The incitement case involved posts to her party's Facebook page after she had been detained by the military. The COVID-19 charge involved a campaign appearance before elections last November. Suu Kyi, 76, was ousted in a Feb. 1 military coup following the elections in which Suu Kyi's party claimed more than 80% of the seats in Parliament (see our previous write-up).
The news comes as protests against military rule remain strong, and the verdict may intensify tensions. A military truck deliberately drove into a march in Yangon, killing at least three protestors Sunday.
The sentencing was the first in a series of criminal charges; another verdict is expected next week when she will face charges of possessing illegal walkie-talkies. She faces more than 100 years in jail.
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Sports, Entertainment, & Culture
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> The US announces diplomatic boycott of 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics over China's human rights record; no US government officials will attend, but American athletes will still compete (More)
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> US stock markets up (S&P 500 +1.2%, Dow +1.9%, Nasdaq +0.9%) as investors evaluate omicron variant threat (More)
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> Former Sen. David Perdue (R-GA) announces bid for governor, will run against incumbent Brian Kemp (R) in primaries; Democratic challenger Stacey Abrams has also announced bid (More)
> Justice Department sues Texas over redistricting plan, arguing it dilutes the voting power of minority groups and violates the Voting Rights Act (More) | See state-by-state redistricting plans (More)
> Rep. Devin Nunes (R, CA-22) to resign from Congress at end of month, will become CEO of former President Donald Trump's media company (More) | Regulators investigating the company's bid to go public via SPAC (More)
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Air Mail | Bill Adair. Stephen Glass, one of the most infamous fraudsters in US journalism, spent 15 years committed to strict honesty. Then he was forced to lie in service to his dying wife. (Read)
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A Warrior Then, a Warrior Now
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Harvard Gazette | Juan Siliezar. In 2017, Harvard football player Ben Abercrombie suffered a paralyzing spinal-cord injury in his first game on the field. On the long road to recovery, Abercrombie has now returned to the university to finish what he started. (Read)
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