It’s Saturday.
Yes, that’s correct, Coffee Talk for Saturday has once again been cancelled in favor of Biden Bits.
Why?
Well, I’m going on vacation Monday to Disneyland; will be recovering on Tuesday and felt given the numerous amounts of tweets for Friday (9 in total 8 that will be shared here) and the fact that Halodoc has once again said she was happy to get her claws–I mean…
Help me out while I’m on vacation, I didn’t want to leave her or you, with a heavy lift for Cyber Monday…
President Biden is still on vacation; his Twitter account isn’t.
President Biden has tweeted 1 time so far for Saturday; I’ll be sharing it down thread…
As mentioned above when Biden Bits was published, President Biden had tweeted 1 time. He added 8 tweets giving him a Friday Tweeting Total of 9 tweets & 0 retweets.
.@FLOTUS and I know how big an impact shopping small can have. Small businesses are not only the engines of our economic progress — they are the heart and soul of our communities.
— President Biden (@POTUS) November 26, 2021
My Administration has been hard at work for small businesses since day one. pic.twitter.com/XM4DHsGAGR
Thanks to my American Rescue Plan, the SBA delivered a record number of its traditional loans to our nation’s small businesses. This year, SBA has overseen the distribution of nearly $416.3 billion in emergency relief aid to more than 6 million impacted small businesses.
— President Biden (@POTUS) November 26, 2021
Our Restaurant Revitalization Fund has supported more than 100,000 restaurants and other food and beverage businesses.
— President Biden (@POTUS) November 26, 2021
The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant has awarded grants to nearly 13,000 live venues, theaters, and other entertainment and cultural hubs.
And through SBA’s core lending programs, $44.8 billion in funding was delivered to small businesses through more than 61,000 loans.
— President Biden (@POTUS) November 26, 2021
We also passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is going to make it easier for businesses to move goods and reach more customers than ever before.
— President Biden (@POTUS) November 26, 2021
My Build Back Better Act will go even further.
I’m looking forward to shopping small tomorrow, and I hope you are too.
SATURDAYS 1ST TWEET:
Saturday, which follows black Friday, is Small Business Saturday.
CNBC reported yesterday that according to a LendingTree survey; 49% plan to hit the stores this Saturday, and are estimated to spend an average of $305 each. The article also posts tips on how to support your local businesses.
SBA.gov posted the following information on Small Business Saturday:
Saturday, November 27, 2021 is Small Business Saturday – a day to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for their communities. This year, we know that small businesses need our support now more than ever as they navigate, retool and pivot from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Please join SBA and organizations across the country in supporting your local small businesses by shopping at a small business.
Founded by American Express in 2010 and officially cosponsored by SBA since 2011, Small Business Saturday has become an important part of small businesses’ busiest shopping season. Historically, reported projected spending among U.S. consumers who shopped at independent retailers and restaurants on Small Business Saturday reached an estimated $19.8 billion according to the 2020 Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey commissioned by American Express. The survey also found that 97% of shoppers recognized the positive impact they can make by shopping small and 85% of them reported they also encouraged friends and family to Shop Small® as well.
The highly successful team of SBA, Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), and American Express will be kicking off the 2021 holiday season by encouraging consumers to support our nation’s nearly 32 million independent businesses this Small Business Saturday and all holiday season long.
SBA.gov.
On Friday, the World Health Organization offered the following statement regarding the new Coronavirus variant calling it a “variant of concern.”:
The Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution (TAG-VE) is an independent group of experts that periodically monitors and evaluates the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and assesses if specific mutations and combinations of mutations alter the behaviour of the virus. The TAG-VE was convened on 26 November 2021 to assess the SARS-CoV-2 variant: B.1.1.529.
The B.1.1.529 variant was first reported to WHO from South Africa on 24 November 2021. The epidemiological situation in South Africa has been characterized by three distinct peaks in reported cases, the latest of which was predominantly the Delta variant. In recent weeks, infections have increased steeply, coinciding with the detection of B.1.1.529 variant. The first known confirmed B.1.1.529 infection was from a specimen collected on 9 November 2021.
This variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning. Preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant, as compared to other VOCs. The number of cases of this variant appears to be increasing in almost all provinces in South Africa. Current SARS-CoV-2 PCR diagnostics continue to detect this variant. Several labs have indicated that for one widely used PCR test, one of the three target genes is not detected (called S gene dropout or S gene target failure) and this test can therefore be used as marker for this variant, pending sequencing confirmation. Using this approach, this variant has been detected at faster rates than previous surges in infection, suggesting that this variant may have a growth advantage.
There are a number of studies underway and the TAG-VE will continue to evaluate this variant. WHO will communicate new findings with Member States and to the public as needed.Based on the evidence presented indicative of a detrimental change in COVID-19 epidemiology, the TAG-VE has advised WHO that this variant should be designated as a VOC, and the WHO has designated B.1.1.529 as a VOC, named Omicron.
WHO.int. 11/26/2021.
They ask countries to do the following regarding the new variant:
- enhance surveillance and sequencing efforts to better understand circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants.
- submit complete genome sequences and associated metadata to a publicly available database, such as GISAID.
- report initial cases/clusters associated with VOC infection to WHO through the IHR mechanism.
- where capacity exists and in coordination with the international community, perform field investigations and laboratory assessments to improve understanding of the potential impacts of the VOC on COVID-19 epidemiology, severity, effectiveness of public health and social measures, diagnostic methods, immune responses, antibody neutralization, or other relevant characteristics.
Individuals are reminded to take measures to reduce their risk of COVID-19, including proven public health and social measures such as wearing well-fitting masks, hand hygiene, physical distancing, improving ventilation of indoor spaces, avoiding crowded spaces, and getting vaccinated.
For reference,WHO has working definitions for SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Interest (VOI) and Variant of Concern (VOC).
WHO.int. 11/26/2021.
A SARS-CoV-2 VOI is a SARS-CoV-2 variant:
- with genetic changes that are predicted or known to affect virus characteristics such as transmissibility, disease severity, immune escape, diagnostic or therapeutic escape; AND
- that has been identified as causing significant community transmission or multiple COVID-19 clusters, in multiple countries with increasing relative prevalence alongside increasing number of cases over time, or other apparent epidemiological impacts to suggest an emerging risk to global public health.
A SARS-CoV-2 VOC is a SARS-CoV-2 variant that meets the definition of a VOI (see above) and, through a comparative assessment, has been demonstrated to be associated with one or more of the following changes at a degree of global public health significance:
WHO.int. 11/26/2021.
- increase in transmissibility or detrimental change in COVID-19 epidemiology; OR
- increase in virulence or change in clinical disease presentation; OR
- decrease in effectiveness of public health and social measures or available diagnostics, vaccines, therapeutics
President Biden issued the following tweets regarding the new variant:
The @WHO has identified a new COVID variant which is spreading through Southern Africa. As a precautionary measure until we have more information, I am ordering air travel restrictions from South Africa and seven other countries.
— President Biden (@POTUS) November 26, 2021
As we move forward, we will continue to be guided by what the science and my medical team advises. For now the best way to strengthen your protection if you’re already vaccinated is to get a booster shot, immediately. For those not yet fully vaccinated: get vaccinated today.
— President Biden (@POTUS) November 26, 2021
For the world community: this news is a reminder that this pandemic will not end until we have global vaccinations. The U.S. has already donated more vaccines to other countries than every other country combined. It is time for other countries to match our speed and generosity.
— President Biden (@POTUS) November 26, 2021
He also offered the following statement:
This morning I was briefed by my chief medical advisor, Dr. Tony Fauci, and the members of our COVID response team, about the Omicron variant, which is spreading through Southern Africa. As a precautionary measure until we have more information, I am ordering additional air travel restrictions from South Africa and seven other countries. These new restrictions will take effect on November 29. As we move forward, we will continue to be guided by what the science and my medical team advises.
For now, I have two important messages for the American people, and one for the world community.
First, for those Americans who are fully vaccinated against severe COVID illness – fortunately, for the vast majority of our adults — the best way to strengthen your protection is to get a booster shot, as soon as you are eligible. Boosters are approved for all adults over 18, six months past their vaccination and are available at 80,000 locations coast-to-coast. They are safe, free, and convenient. Get your booster shot now, so you can have this additional protection during the holiday season.
Second, for those not yet fully vaccinated: get vaccinated today. This includes both children and adults. America is leading the world in vaccinating children ages 5-11, and has been vaccinating teens for many months now – but we need more Americans in all age groups to get this life-saving protection. If you have not gotten vaccinated, or have not taken your children to get vaccinated, now is the time.
Finally, for the world community: the news about this new variant should make clearer than ever why this pandemic will not end until we have global vaccinations. The United States has already donated more vaccines to other countries than every other country combined. It is time for other countries to match America’s speed and generosity.
In addition, I call on the nations gathering next week for the World Trade Organization ministerial meeting to meet the U.S. challenge to waive intellectual property protections for COVID vaccines, so these vaccines can be manufactured globally. I endorsed this position in April; this news today reiterates the importance of moving on this quickly.
White House.gov. 11/26/2021.
The White House also offered the following Proclamation on the; Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Certain Additional Persons Who Pose a Risk of Transmitting Coronavirus Disease 2019
The national emergency caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in the United States continues to pose a grave threat to our health and security. As of November 26, 2021, the United States has experienced more than 47 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than 773,000 COVID-19 deaths. It is the policy of my Administration to implement science-based public health measures, across all areas of the Federal Government, to act swiftly and aggressively to prevent further spread of the disease.
On November 24, 2021, the Republic of South Africa informed the World Health Organization (WHO) of a new B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, that was detected in that country. On November 26, 2021, the WHO Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution announced that B.1.1.529 constitutes a variant of concern. While new information is still emerging, the profile of B.1.1.529 includes multiple mutations across the SARS-CoV-2 genome, some of which are concerning. According to the WHO, preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant, as compared to other variants of concern. Further, the WHO reports that the number of cases of this variant appears to be increasing in almost all provinces in the Republic of South Africa. Based on these developments, and in light of the extensive cross-border transit and proximity in Southern Africa, the detection of B.1.1.529 cases in some Southern African countries, and the lack of widespread genomic sequencing in Southern Africa, the United States Government, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), within the Department of Health and Human Services, has reexamined its policies on international travel and concluded that further measures are required to protect the public health from travelers entering the United States from the Republic of Botswana, the Kingdom of Eswatini, the Kingdom of Lesotho, the Republic of Malawi, the Republic of Mozambique, the Republic of Namibia, the Republic of South Africa, and the Republic of Zimbabwe. In addition to these travel restrictions, the CDC shall implement other mitigation measures for travelers departing from the countries listed above and destined for the United States, as needed.
Given the recommendation of the CDC, working in close coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, described above, I have determined that it is in the interests of the United States to take action to suspend and restrict the entry into the United States, as immigrants and nonimmigrants, of noncitizens of the United States (“noncitizens”) who were physically present within the Republic of Botswana, the Kingdom of Eswatini, the Kingdom of Lesotho, the Republic of Malawi, the Republic of Mozambique, the Republic of Namibia, the Republic of South Africa, and the Republic of Zimbabwe during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including sections 212(f) and 215(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 1182(f) and 1185(a), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, hereby find that the unrestricted entry into the United States of persons described in section 1 of this proclamation would, except as provided for in section 2 of this proclamation, be detrimental to the interests of the United States, and that their entry should be subject to certain restrictions, limitations, and exceptions. I therefore hereby proclaim the following:
White House.gov. 11/26/2021.
Sec. 4. Relationship to Other Suspensions, Limitations, or Restrictions on Entry. Individuals described in section 2 of this proclamation may nevertheless be subject to an entry suspension, limitation, or restriction under Proclamation 10294 of October 25, 2021 (Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic). Nothing in this proclamation shall be construed to affect any other suspension, limitation, or restriction on entry.
Sec. 5. Termination. This proclamation shall remain in effect until terminated by the President. The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall, as circumstances warrant and no more than 30 days after the date of this proclamation and by the final day of each calendar month thereafter, recommend whether the President should continue, modify, or terminate this proclamation.
Sec. 6. Effective Date. This proclamation is effective at 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on November 29, 2021. This proclamation does not apply to persons aboard a flight scheduled to arrive in the United States that departed prior to 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on November 29, 2021.
Sec. 7. Severability. It is the policy of the United States to enforce this proclamation to the maximum extent possible to advance the national security, public safety, and foreign policy interests of the United States. Accordingly, if any provision of this proclamation, or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this proclamation and the application of its provisions to any other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-sixth.
White House.gov. 11/26/2021.
I know it was a lot, but I wanted to make sure, we had record of the whole thing at least once…
On Saturday; UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid tweeted two cases of the Omicron variant…
We have been made aware by @UKHSA of two UK cases of the Omicron variant. The two cases are linked and there is a connection with travel to southern Africa.
— Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) November 27, 2021
These individuals are self-isolating with their households while further testing and contact tracing is underway.
As a precaution we are rolling out additional targeted testing in the affected areas – Nottingham and Chelmsford – and sequencing all positive cases.
— Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) November 27, 2021
This is a fast-moving situation and we are taking decisive steps to protect public health.
We are also adding Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Angola to the travel red list – effective from 4am Sunday.
— Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) November 27, 2021
If you have returned from there in the last 10 days you must isolate and get PCR tests.
And if you are eligible for your booster jab – now is the time to get it.
I found the above via CNN‘s live update thread…
In the update thread, they quote Dr. Fauci as saying; I would not be surprised if it is, we have not detected it yet, but when you have a virus that is showing this degree of transmissibility and you’re having travel-related cases they’ve noted in other places already, when you have a virus like this, it almost invariably is going to go all over.
There are some things he says in the clip not quoted worth noting such as at this time we honestly need more data. He stresses that we need to continue to get vaccinated or booster shots because some level of protection is better than no protection. He also says continue to wear masks while indoors.
Note: Not a doctor, but having visited Disneyland we wear our masks outside too. Just for safety first type things.
The White House doesn’t have a video of the below. I have not found any tape of the press gaggle…
At three in the afternoon on Friday President Biden hosted a press gaggle asked why the ban wasn’t “immediate”, [the ban starts Monday] President Biden says; Well, because that was the recommendation coming from my medical team. He’s then asked…
Q: What do you say to questions about whether bans create an incentive for countries not to come forward with new variants if you’re penalized for doing so?
To which President Biden says: I’d say that’s ridiculous, because you can’t hide the variants. It’s not like someone could hide the fact that there’s a new variant with people getting sick more quickly.
He is then asked for his response to the stock market;s 900 point loss for Friday in light of the new concern over the variant…
To which President Biden says: Expected. They always do when there’s something — when COVID arises.
He’s pressed on if he’s worried about the markets reaction:
Q: But does it worry you at all?
President Biden: Not at all.
Q: Why not?
President Biden: Because why would it?
At the end he is asked about the coup talk coming out of the Ukraine:
Q: Are you worried about the situation in the Ukraine and the talk of a — of a possible coup?
President Biden: I am concerned. Look, we support Ukraine’s territorial integrity. We support Ukraine’s ability to govern itself. And we object to any- — anything remotely approaching what’s been talked (inaudible).
Asked whether or not he is or is going to talk to President Zelensky or Putin he says: In all probability.
Nations Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke with Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak of Ukraine today. The White House published the following statement:
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke today with Head of Presidential Administration Andriy Yermak of Ukraine about recent events. They discussed their shared concerns about ongoing Russian military activities near Ukraine’s border and its harsh rhetoric towards Ukraine. They agreed that all sides should pursue diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions. Mr. Sullivan underscored the United States’ unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
White House.gov. 11/26/2021.
This is an Open Thread.
