The U.S. Air Force discharged 27 people for refusing to get the coronavirus vaccine, making them the first airmen to be removed for refusing to get the shot. Thousands of Air Force members either declined or sought an exemption by the Nov. 2 deadline. A Navy commander was fired Friday for refusing both the vaccine and testing for the virus, the first member of that branch of service to be removed from their duties for refusing to comply with COVID-19 rules.

Vaccine holdouts in U.S. military approach 40,000 even as omicron variant fuels call for boosters - The Washington Post

DoD considering requiring booster vaccines for troops - Federal News Network

@meganranney: Let’s try this headline again: 96% of active duty military have received their first shot.

California will reinstate a month-long statewide indoor mask mandate Wednesday as COVID-19 cases jumped nearly 50% since Thanksgiving in the nation’s most populous state. New York’s indoor mask mandate went into effect Monday, although some local counties balked at enforcing the rule. New York’s mandate allows for a proof-of-vaccination exemption, but California’s mandate will be enforced regardless of vaccination status.

Bay Area says goodbye to mask-free offices and gyms - San Francisco Chronicle

Masks Now Required Inside Businesses And Venues Across New York State, But Enforcement Long Term Remains To Be Seen - CBS New York

As California’s COVID cases rise, antibody treatments go unused - Times-Herald

@Elex_Michaelson: #BREAKING California is implementing a statewide indoor mask mandate from Dec. 15-Jan. 15. If you’re unvaccinated and want to attend a mega event (1,000 plus people), you must show a negative antigen test within 1 day of the event or a negative PCR test within 2 days.

Pfizer announced its experimental pill for treating COVID-19 reduced combined hospitalizations and deaths by 89% in high-risk adults when taken shortly after initial symptoms, and the pill also appears to be effective against the omicron variant. The first real-world study of the variant found that two doses of Pfizer’s vaccine gave 70% protection against hospitalization versus its 90% effectiveness in the delta wave.

How the Global Vaccination Campaign Has Succeeded—and Failed - Bloomberg

Omicron Is a Dress Rehearsal for the Next Pandemic - The New York Times

The National Football League had 36 positive coronavirus test results returned Monday, marking the highest single-day total since the league started testing last year. Just 29 players had tested positive between Nov. 14-27. With at least five teams entering into the league’s enhanced coronavirus protocols, the NFL and the NFL Players Association began discussions about how to update those health and safety protocols following the report.

NFL requires tier 1, 2 coaches, staff get COVID vaccine booster shots - Axios

@JPFinlayNBCS: Per @TomPelissero report Washington had Tier 3 employee test positive for Omicron. Per NFL Tier 3 can be operational workers, in-house media or broadcasters, field managers, etc. Full Tier 3 explanation here

Gift shoppers are spending less as retailers resist their typical holiday sales amid rising costs and supply chain challenges. Prices are higher than in past years both online and in-store as retailers adopt more personalized strategies, a shift industry insiders say could become long-term. Shippers like the U.S Postal Service, FedEx and UPS warned that online gift orders placed after Dec. 15 may not arrive in time for Christmas.

How Covid Turbocharged the American Consumer - Bloomberg

Supply Chain Disruptions, Travel, BNPL: Holiday Shopping Trends - Payments Journal

Gift giving: Is it really the thought that counts? Psychologists weigh in. - The Washington Post

"Worried About Inflation? Here’s What That May Reveal About You." - The New York Times / Source: New York Fed

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