The United States reported a new grim tally this week of 3,100 deaths related to the coronavirus on Wednesday—the largest 24-hour death toll since the pandemic began. There were more than 200,000 new cases of infection reported in the same time period as well and hospitalizations for the disease hit a high of 100,000 for the first time. The American Ambulance Association wrote a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services saying that the nation’s emergency response systems have hit a “breaking point.” According to the letter, “Without additional relief, it seems likely to break, even as we enter the third surge of the virus in the Mid-West and West.” Still, government officials in Washington DC appear to be ignoring safety guidelines by holding large indoor parties. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was the latest official to be caught inviting hundreds of people to an indoor party after State Department employees were warned against doing the same. 

Meanwhile, government officials are starting to offer guidelines about vaccine distribution to the public as an FDA advisory committee plans to meet on December 10th. The Food and Drug Administration is reviewing the data from two pharmaceutical companies’ trials, Pfizer and Moderna. HHS Secretary Alex Azar on Wednesday said that there would be 20 million doses of a vaccine available by the end of the month. Meanwhile Moderna announced that it would begin to test its vaccine on children aged 12-17 within the month. The trial will include 3,000 children. Responding to growing vaccine denialism, doctors are attempting to assuage fears about the purported side effects of a Covid-19 vaccine. Like a flu vaccine, a Covid-19 vaccine may cause soreness and aching at the site of the injection or even mild flu-like symptoms for a day or more. Doctors say that such reactions are utterly normal. Three former U.S. Presidents, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama have said they plan to get vaccinated on camera to encourage Americans to do the same. Still, misinformation and propaganda against vaccine abounds online and particularly on social media. Facebook has now announced it will take down “misinformation about the virus that could lead to imminent physical harm,” including, “false claims about the safety, efficacy, ingredients or side effects of the vaccines.”

The Labor Department released its figures on unemployment claims from last week showing that 75,000 fewer people applied for jobless benefits compared to the week before. Economists estimate that the holiday season is the reason for the change in numbers. Meanwhile House Speaker