LOS ANGELES, Calif. Nov 4 – Beginning today, proof of full vaccination and photo ID for indoor entry into bars, breweries, wineries, distilleries, nightclubs, and lounges for all patrons and employees goes into effect. Patrons now need to be fully vaccinated to be indoors at any of these establishments.
Next week, on November 8, the City of Los Angeles’ vaccine verification program, called SafePassLA, goes into effect, and will require proof of full vaccination for entry into the indoor portions of restaurants, bars, coffee shops, breweries, wineries, gyms, spas, nail salons, barbershops, movie theaters, shopping malls, and entertainment and recreation venues. This includes indoor portions of City facilities such as LA City Hall, senior centers, recreation centers, and service centers.
Public Health will be working closely with the City of LA to educate businesses and residents on the requirements of the SafePassLA program throughout the upcoming month and will unveil a virtual training and certificate program for LA City businesses next week.
The Biden administration has announced a January 4 deadline for the full vaccination of workers, including non-clinical employees and contractors, at healthcare facilities funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. These facilities may grant certain medical or religious exemptions to employees, but employees will not be able to choose a testing option as an alternative to being vaccinated. Yesterday, the administration set the same deadline for full vaccination of workers at businesses with more than 100 employees. Businesses may offer their employees an option involving routine testing and mandatory masking.
These targeted mandates are all aimed at ensuring that in health facilities, workspaces, and public spaces, where the risk of transmission is higher, everyone is fully vaccinated. With powerful and safe vaccines, this is the surest manner of quickly reducing spread and allowing for continued economic recovery.
Many parents were relieved when earlier this week, the CDC endorsed the use of the Pfizer vaccine in children aged 5 to 11 years old. There are many good reasons to vaccinate children in this age group: in addition to the fact that COVID-19 infection can lead to hospitalization, death, inflammatory syndromes, and long-term symptoms in pediatric populations, children can transmit the virus at least as efficiently as adults. In L.A. County, an estimated 900,000 children between the ages of 5 and 11 are eligible for vaccinations. Vaccination has been shown to be 91% effective in preventing infection in this age group with only mild side effects.
Children getting vaccinated need to bring with them a consent form signed by an adult responsible for the child – and that consent form can be signed by the adult at the vaccination site. At some vaccination sites, including those run by Public Health, children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. You do not need to show identification in order to get a vaccine, nor do you need to be a United States citizen to be vaccinated.
For this week, we encourage parents to call ahead of time to providers to be sure they received pediatric doses and are able to offer vaccines to children 5-11. All six of the Public Health community sites have already begun vaccinating children and parents can bring their children in without appointments.
Last week, there were 670 student cases and more than 3,100 student close contacts at schools. Among staff, we saw about 110 cases and 250 close contacts. These case numbers represent a 26% decline in student cases and a 29% decline in staff cases from the prior week. The increase in staff close contacts is in part due to several outbreaks in which the exposure location was the staff break room. This amounts to a test positivity of 0.2% among students and staff being tested, with 0.2% identified as close contacts.
These low numbers are a result of the work our school communities have done to layer on protections that keep students and staff safe, and we are grateful for their collaboration on this effort. The County hopes to see these numbers drop further as more and more children get vaccinated to protect themselves and their friends and families from COVID-19 infection.
Today, Public Health confirms 12 new deaths and 1,829 new cases of COVID-19. The higher number of cases today reflects delays in reporting of 396 positive tests from a large testing lab from between October 18 and October 29. The County is likely to see higher numbers in future days as additional backlogged tests are included in case counts. Of the 12 new deaths reported today, four people who passed away were over the age of 80, four people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79, two people who died were between the ages of 50 and 64, and two people who died were between the ages of 30 and 49. To date, Public Health has identified 1,498,393 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 26,695 deaths.
There are 662 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 23% of these people are in the ICU. Testing results are available for nearly 9,110,000 individuals with 15% of people testing positive. Today’s test positivity rate is 1.6%, an increase from last week’s same-day rate of 1.2%.
The County’s daily average case rate, with a 3-day lag, is now 9.8 cases per 100,000 people, an increase from last week’s 3-day-lagged case rate of 6.1 cases per 100,000. CDC’s estimation of the County’s weekly case rate is now 84 new cases per 100,000 residents, reflecting continued substantial transmission across the county.
Unvaccinated people are 7 times more likely to get infected and 27 times more likely to be hospitalized than vaccinated people.
“Our hearts are broken for everyone who has lost loved ones, friends or co-workers to this virus, and we share with you our hope for your healing and comfort,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “Cooler weather has arrived, and with it, conditions that favor COVID-19 transmission as we gather inside to stay warm and for celebrations and gatherings. While vaccinations remain our most powerful tool for reducing spread of the virus, masking up indoors and in crowded outdoor spaces is still an important layer of protection for all of us. We ask that everyone continue to do their part to adhere to the masking requirements, which are likely to remain in place for the remainder of this calendar year as we work hard to reduce community transmission rates to the moderate tier, less than 50 new weekly cases per 100,000 residents; to achieve this benchmark, daily new case numbers would need to fall to about 700 cases per day.”
An important strategy for preventing a significant surge this winter is planning for safe holiday gatherings. For this Thanksgiving, which is in three weeks, it’s best if everyone who is eligible gets vaccinated. If this isn’t possible, Public Health recommends staying local until everyone in your house is fully vaccinated, and if possible, have gatherings outdoors. Keep gatherings small, and if unvaccinated or high-risk people are present, including older adults and people with weakened immune systems, wear face masks indoors when not eating or drinking, and outdoors if it’s crowded. In these situations, it’s also a good idea to keep a distance between non-household members while eating, especially if you’re eating indoors. And if possible, have guests verify a negative test before gathering.
Anyone five years and older living or working in L.A. County can get vaccinated. Vaccinations are always free and open to eligible residents and workers regardless of immigration status. Appointments are not needed at all Public Health vaccination sites where first, second, and third doses are available.
Vaccine providers across Los Angeles County are also administering boosters for all three FDA-approved vaccines; Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. People eligible for boosters include adults of any age who received their first Johnson & Johnson dose at least two months ago, and people who got the second dose of their Pfizer or Moderna vaccines at least six months ago and are 65-plus years old or are over 18 and live in long-term care settings, have underlying medical conditions, or work or live in high-risk settings.
4月16日华盛顿报道，上个月，美国和以色列对伊朗发动的大规模战争爆发数日后，美国情报机构发现，随着俄罗斯和中国寻求支持伊朗以削弱美国和以色列的军事行动，这场战争有可能超出直接战场范围。 据多位知情美国官员透露，五角大楼下属军事情报机构国防情报局（DIA）的分析人员评估认为，中国正在考虑是否向伊朗提供先进的雷达系统。与此同时，另有报道称，俄罗斯已向伊朗分享了有关美军在中东地区军事部署的情报。 据美国哥伦比亚广播公司新闻网（CBS News）此前的报道，虽然俄罗斯向伊朗传递情报，但中国在冲突初期就表现出的援助伊朗的意愿，而且这种援助可能持续很长时间，表明一些大国之间正在形成一种更广泛的、非正式的联盟，以制衡美国在该地区的野心。 据报道，不愿透露姓名的美国官员向哥伦比亚广播公司新闻网透露，中国曾考虑向伊朗提供X波段雷达系统。这项技术将显著提升伊朗探测和追踪来袭威胁，例如低空无人机和巡航导弹的能力，并有助于保护其防空系统免受先进打击。 美国官员表示，目前尚不清楚中国最终是否推进了这项转让，但这一评估凸显了美国的担忧，即伊朗战争不仅吸引了地区对手，也吸引了愿意提供关键支持的全球竞争对手，尽管这些支持并非直接军事介入。 4月15日，《金融时报》援引泄露的伊朗军方文件报道称，伊朗伊斯兰革命卫队（IRGC）利用其从中国地球之眼公司（Earth Eye Co.）秘密购买的间谍卫星，对美国在中东的军事基地进行了监视。 两名熟悉此事的美国官员表示，美国情报评估显示，伊朗此前曾使用过中国提供的卫星图像，包括在以色列和美国军队目前发生的冲突期间。这两名官员无法确认这些图像是否由中国的地球之眼公司提供。 五角大楼去年12月发布的一份关于中国军力的报告指出，截至2024年，总部位于中国的商业卫星公司已与伊朗伊斯兰革命卫队开展了商业往来。 这份由美国由情报界编制的全球安全风险非机密调查报告名为《2026年度威胁评估》，该报告警告称，中国在发展太空能力方面远远领先于其他国家。 该报告指出：“中国已超越俄罗斯，成为美国在太空领域的主要竞争对手。北京迅速部署太空能力，使其能够利用太空推进其外交政策目标，挑战美国在太空领域的军事和技术优势，并在全球范围内投射力量。” 两位美国官员表示，美国情报部门还显示，中国曾考虑向伊朗转让防空系统，并可能通过第三国转运以掩盖其直接参与。美国有线电视新闻网（CNN）上周报道称，美国情报界发现中国正准备向伊朗交付肩扛式防空导弹系统（MANPADS)。 美国参议院情报委员会副主席、弗吉尼亚州民主党参议员沃纳（Mark…
4月16日华盛顿报道，负责审查华盛顿特区公共建筑的美术委员会（CFA)，在最初对特朗普总统的凯旋门重点项目提出质疑之后，最终还是批准了其初步设计。这座未来的巨型地标重要建筑项目的高达250英尺（约76米)，将超过林肯纪念堂（Lincoln Memorial）和阿灵顿国家公墓（Arlington National Cemetery)。 该美术委员会成员就凯旋门的结构基础、行人及轮椅通道以及拱门顶部的金色雕像等问题质询了项目建筑师沙博诺（Nicolas Charbonneau)。 该建筑方案计划在华盛顿特区波托马克河中的哥伦比亚岛上建造凯旋门，设计方案包括一座镀金青铜自由女神雕像和两只白头鹰雕像，三座雕像均展开双翼。凯旋门的两侧还将建造两座金色狮子雕像。 美国内政部长伯古姆（Doug Burgum）今天介绍了该项目，并援引历史来论证建造拱门的合理性。伯古姆表示，美国国会当年制定国家广场（National Mall）规划时，曾在哥伦比亚岛上规划了两根柱子作为“装饰”。这两根柱子高160英尺，象征着内战后的南北双方。这两根柱子最终并未建成。 伯古姆说，拟建的凯旋门的两根支撑柱是对一百多年前规划的致敬，高度也将达到约160英尺。这座拱门周围将设置防护柱，并设有一个可通过电梯到达的观景台。 该美术委员会的一位委员麦克雷里（James McCrery）在谈到这些带翼的雕像时说：“这看起来有点奇怪。我认为应该改进狮子雕像。” 麦克雷里还建议建造一个更大的入口，取消地下通道，并且缩小凯旋门的尺寸。 麦克雷里虽然投票赞成初步设计方案，但他建议将凯旋门的高度调整到166英尺（约50米)，理由是可以比目前提议的尺寸更能“更好地融入”华盛顿的纪念性天际线。…
4月16日华盛顿报道，特朗普政府将于下周推出一个门户网站，允许企业申请退还被美国最高法院裁定为非法的关税。但退款并非自动到账，法律专家表示，企业在追回款项的过程中可能还会面临其他障碍。 美国海关与边境保护局 (CBP) 将启动一个该局关税退款申请系统的“条目的综合管理和处理”(CAPE）门户网站，以便企业提交关税退款申请。当局在4月14日提交的文件中确认，该网站将于4月20日开放退款申请。 今年 2 月，美国最高法院裁定特朗普总统依据《国际紧急经济权力法》(IEEPA) 征收的关税非法。此后，特朗普政府需要向企业退还高达 1750 亿美元的税款。自这项具有里程碑意义的裁决以来，已有数千家公司向国际贸易法院 (CIT) 提起诉讼，要求关税退款。 美国海关与边境保护局在其网站上发布的指南中指出：海关与边境保护局“关税豁免申请系统”将简化根据法院命令和相关法律法规提出的《国际紧急经济权力法》关税退税申请，提供电子途径提交有效的 关税退税申请。” 以下是关于特朗普政府关税退税门户网站的信息，包括哪些人有资格提交申请以及企业多久可以收到退款。…
4月15日华盛顿报道，美国国务院首席副发言人皮戈特（Tommy Pigott）今天在一份新闻声明中宣布，美国正在采取行动，果断限制伊朗在企图挟持霍尔木兹海峡时牟取收入的能力。 皮戈特表示，今天的制裁针对的是受到美国制裁的沙姆哈尼（Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani）的数十亿美元石油走私帝国的组成部分，该走私集团让伊朗政权及其权贵敛财。制裁还针对一个单独的石油换黄金网络，该网络为受到美国制裁的真主党以及伊斯兰革命卫队圣城旅提供资金。 该声明指出，伊朗政权继续让沙姆哈尼家族等腐败权贵敛财，而普通伊朗人却在不断恶化的经济下受苦受难。该政权同样将伊朗人民的财富输送给真主党及中东地区的其他恐怖主义分子。这些制裁措施彰显了我们对伊朗及其恐怖主义代理人最大限度施压的承诺。 该声明表示，涉及非法的伊朗石油、黄金和恐怖主义融资的复杂阴谋表明了伊朗及其同伙为规避制裁、资助恶意活动所不惜采取的手段。我们将继续揭露并瓦解这些网络。 该声明表示，自特朗普总统发布第二号国家安全总统备忘录以来，美国已对1000多名个人、船只和飞机实施制裁，作为我们打击伊朗恶意活动行动的一部分。我们将不懈努力，切断伊朗及其代理人用于威胁美国利益和地区稳定的资源。 该声明称，今天的行动标志着自第二号国家安全总统备忘录发布以来，针对伊朗石油销售及其对恐怖主义代理人的支持所采取的最新一轮制裁，总统备忘录指示对伊朗及其地区代理人施加最大压力。
4月15日华盛顿报道，一名美国心胸外科医生最近在特朗普总统的大儿子小特朗普（Donald Trump Jr.）的播客节目中，转述了特朗普总统对无糖汽水能杀死癌细胞的说法后，有一些医生提醒公众注意该说法。 据报道，美国心胸外科医生和电视名人、美国医疗保险和医疗补助服务中心主任奥兹（Mehmet Oz）透露，特朗普总统声称无糖汽水可能有助于预防癌症。该言论甚至促使一些医生提醒公众，无糖汽水并不能预防癌症。 奥兹在小特朗普的播客节目“ 小特朗普与风波”(Triggered with Don Jr.）中声称：“你爸认为无糖汽水对他有好处，因为它能杀死草坪——如果倒在草坪上——所以，它肯定也能杀死体内的癌细胞。” 随后，奥兹描述了最近在空军一号上的一个场景时说：“你知道，前几天我们在空军一号上，我走进去，因为他想跟我谈谈，结果发现他桌子上放着一瓶橙味汽水。是芬达（Fanta)，我说，‘你在开玩笑吧？’然后他就开始不好意思地咧嘴一笑。他说，‘你知道吗，这东西对我有好处——它能杀死癌细胞。’” 奥兹也回忆起特朗普曾开玩笑说，这种用浓缩橙汁制成的饮料芬达不可能不健康，因为它“是鲜榨的”。 小特朗普回应说，他父亲的习惯或许有道理：“但也许他说的有道理。因为我得说：我认识很多快80岁的人，但很少有人能像他那样精力充沛、记忆力惊人、耐力惊人。” 在特朗普总统发表这些关于他饮食习惯的言论之际，美国卫生部（HHS）正在更新美国营养指南，包括修订食物金字塔，以强调“真正的食物”。 特朗普总统长期以来一直为自己偏爱甜饮料和快餐辩护，称这是他保持健康的方式之一。…