Breaking News

Editorials

Short Takes

Thanksgiving travelers irresponsible THUMBS DOWN: Lexi Cusano was traveling form Miami, Florida, to Hartford, Connecticut, for the Thanksgiving holiday. “People were just hanging out without their masks on,” said Cusano, who recently took a job in Miami. “I saw them walking back and forth from the bathroom, down the aisles, with no mask on, and I was like, this is a little bit ridiculous now.” Cusano was quoted by the Associated Press. “You know, the main fear people have usually going on planes is: ‘Are we going to crash?’” she added. “But today, it was more like, ...

Keep CARES basic

Federal CARES Act assistance has been invaluable for many American families and businesses. Without it, what appears to be a record-setting recovery from the financial crisis caused by COVID-19 would not be occurring. Millions of families with laid-off breadwinners would be in desperate trouble. But most of the nearly $3 trillion in assistance authorized by the original CARES Act has been distributed. With the coronavirus hitting in a devastating new wave of death, more help is needed. Without it, a significant number of employers will collapse. They will not be part of the economic ...

Racing for a vaccine

U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials and scientists are in a race against death. It is one they must undertake in a cautious sprint. Two COVID-19 vaccines appear nearly ready to go. Before doses already on the production line can be distributed, the FDA has to approve them. Effectiveness in the 95% range is being touted by both developers, Moderna and the Pfizer-BioNTech partnership. That would be a godsend to the millions of Americans are great risk from the coronavirus. Both developers are seeking emergency authorization for distribution of the vaccines. A mechanism exists ...

Vaccines offer hope during worst stretch of pandemic

In the thick of the worst stretch so far of the COVID-19 pandemic, rays of hope shoot through the thick gloom. A vaccine being tested appears to be 90% effective at preventing the disease. Although final steps in the process and distribution are still months or more away, the progress is a dose of good news. Another positive development is that President-elect Joe Biden already has assembled a reputable COVID-19 task force, including nationally respected Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. The group of ...

Short Takes

Time for Congress to act THUMBS DOWN: The U.S. Labor Department reported that the number of Americans seeking unemployment aid rose for the first time in five weeks to 742,000. The fear is that the resurgent viral outbreak is likely slowing the economy and forcing more companies to cut jobs. Evidence is also emerging consumers are losing confidence in the economic outlook and pulling back shopping, eating out and other activities. And just in time for the holidays. It’s going to be a rough Christmas for thousands of Americans who are without a job, or even without a place to live. ...

Good reason to be concerned for economy

With the coronavirus coming back strong, a number of governors have already ordered new — or rather, renewed — steps to combat the disease. Many are reluctant to mandate widespread business closings, however. There are very good reasons for that. Our economy may not be able to withstand another blow like the one from earlier this year. A truly impressive comeback has occurred. At last report, the U.S. unemployment rate had decreased to 6.9%. That is a remarkable demonstration of the economy’s basic strength. Numbers can be deceivingly comforting, however. That 6.9% in reality ...