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.
6月1日华盛顿讯，据预测市场平台上的交易员分析，美国国务卿马可·卢比奥（Marco Rubio）被视为越来越有可能成为共和党在2028年美国总统大选提名人。 尽管美国副总统万斯（J.D. Vance）在卡尔希（Kalshi）等预测平台上仍受到交易员的青睐，但其获胜几率已从1月1日时的约50%下滑至今天的仅33%。与此同时，卢比奥的获胜几率则从约12%攀升至30%。 鉴于万斯在特朗普政府中担任“二把手”的备受瞩目角色，他此前一直被视为特朗普总统“让美国再次伟大”（MAGA）运动的接班人。 据报道，特朗普总统已对其是否将万斯视为接班人一事流露出了疑虑。《纽约时报》周末发布的一篇报道对此进行了最新详述。《纽约时报》指出，每当特朗普总统考量万斯的参选前景时，他都会旧事重提，提及万斯最初曾反对美国对伊朗开战。 卢比奥的获胜几率在过去一年中持续走高，尤其是在几项关键军事行动启动前后出现了大幅飙升，其中包括今年1月份抓捕委内瑞拉总统尼古拉斯·马杜罗（Nicolas Maduro）的行动，以及2月下旬对伊朗开战的事件。 此外，卢比奥本月曾在白宫新闻发布室发表了一场简短的即兴演讲，阐述了他对美国未来的期许；随后他将这段演讲剪辑成了一段广为流传的短视频，引发外界猜测：内阁成员卢比奥究竟对2028年的政治前途有着怎样的规划？ 尽管卢比奥在军事冲突中所扮演的角色提升了他获得共和党总统候选人提名的几率，但正是这些冲突可能会削弱共和党赢得总统大选的胜算。自年初以来，特朗普总统的支持率已呈下滑趋势。共和党在2028年入主白宫的几率已从对伊战争爆发前的45%，下跌至今天的39%。 在加密货币押注预测市场平台宝利巿场（Polymarket ）上，交易员们预测范斯在2028年获得共和党总统候选人提名的几率为31%，而卢比奥紧随其后，几率略低于27%。
6月1日华盛顿讯，前第一夫人吉尔（Jill Biden）今天坦言，如果一切可以重来，她将不会建议丈夫乔·拜登（Joe Biden）当年寻求连任。吉尔今天在全国广播公司（NBC)《今日秀》(Today）节目上说：“我愿意让乔再次承受我们在那段时期所经历的伤害与痛苦吗？绝不，绝不。我是说，那段经历真的太伤人了。” 将于明天正式发布回忆录《东翼视点》(View from the East Wing）的吉尔今天在节目中说，关于拜登是否再次参选的决定，“必须由他独自做出”，而且“医生们也表示他身体状况良好”，足以再任职4年。 吉尔还说：“我亲眼看着他日复一日地履行职责——每一天都是如此。他起床，走进办公室，投入工作，我曾见他工作至深夜。” 吉尔承认，拜登的节奏确实有所放缓，口吃的现象也变得更加频繁。但她辩称，这些迹象反映的是疲惫，而非心智衰退。 吉尔还承认，她丈夫拜登“当他感到疲惫时，步伐是否稍显迟缓？到了晚上，他是否偶尔有些口吃？是的，确实如此。但他依然坚守岗位，并且表现出色。” 吉尔今天在节目中还针对拜登违背承诺赦免儿子亨特（Hunter Biden）的决定进行了辩护，声称拜登当时别无选择。 吉尔在节目中表示：“这一过程对亨特并不公平，现任总统胜选上台，司法部随之变天。一切都变得政治化了。” “特朗普曾扬言：‘我要让亨特坐牢。’我们绝不能眼睁睁看着儿子，仅仅因为那把只购买并持有过11天的枪支，就背负指控而锒铛入狱。我们绝不能允许这种事发生。”…
6月1日伊朗德黑兰讯，据伊朗官方背景的新闻媒体塔斯尼姆通讯社（Tasnim）今天报道，为报复美军持续发生的停火违规行为，伊朗谈判代表将停止通过中间人与美国互通信息，伊朗方面也将着手全面封锁霍尔木兹海峡。 该报道发布在即时消息传递应用电报（Telegram）上的一篇译文中，其矛头直指以色列在黎巴嫩针对伊朗支持的民兵组织“真主党”所展开的军事行动。 据塔斯尼姆通讯社称，除非以色列完全撤出其在黎巴嫩的占领区，并停止在黎巴嫩和加沙地带的一切攻击行动，否则“将不会进行任何对话”。 该报道还指出：“此外，抵抗阵线与伊朗已下定决心彻底封锁霍尔木兹海峡，并激活包括曼德海峡在内的其他战线，以此惩罚犹太复国主义者及其支持者。” 曼德海峡是一处连接红海与亚丁湾的重要贸易咽喉要道。 在塔斯尼姆通讯社发布上述报道后，国际油价应声飙升逾5%。这一动向预示着，特朗普政府旨在通过外交途径结束这场由美国和伊朗先发制人发动的持续至第四个月的伊朗战争的努力，恐已宣告破裂。 就在三天前，美国总统特朗普还曾表示，他将在白宫战情室举行的一次会议上决定是否同意与伊朗达成一项协议。该协议至少能暂时平息冲突。然而，那次会议结束时，特朗普总统并未做出最终决定。 随后的几天里，美国与伊朗相互发动了新的猛烈攻击，进一步侵蚀了本已摇摇欲坠的停火局面，该名不副实的停火此前已因美伊双方的军事行动而屡遭破坏。 伊朗还强硬扬言将升级对霍尔木兹海峡的封锁行动，这预示着波斯湾地区的石油出口短期内恐难实现增长。受伊朗实施封锁的影响，途经该海峡的石油出口量已较战前水平大幅骤降。在2月28日美国与以色列首次对伊朗发动攻击之前，全球约五分之一的石油供应均需途经霍尔木兹海峡。 布伦特原油（Brent）和西德克萨斯中质原油（WTI）的桶装价格远高于伊朗战争之前的水平，虽然在近几周内回落了两位数的百分比，但这主要是因为投资者对期望能够达成一项彻底恢复海峡通航的协议前景感到日益乐观。然而，随着今天伊朗战争事态的最新发展，这种乐观情绪似乎已有所消退。 由于伊朗的威胁以及美国采取的报复性封锁措施，途经该海峡的船舶通行仍处于实质性的受阻状态。自伊朗战争爆发以来，这种状况便一直持续至今。目前仅有极少数船只得以勉强通过该水道，其通航流量依然远远低于伊朗战前水平。在战前，每天途经此地的船只数量通常超过100艘。 伊朗扬言行驶霍尔木兹海峡控制权的举动引发了国际社会新的担忧，即伊朗可能会继续对过往船只征收通行费，并将此举固定执行下去。
6月1日华盛顿讯，美国参议院民主党人正发起一项协调一致的行动，旨在扼杀特朗普政府设立的、金额超过17亿美元的“反武器化基金”。 美国参议院少数党领袖查克·舒默（Chuck Schumer）在今天发布的一封致“亲爱的同事”的信中称，民主党人将采取多种策略，从议会辩论行动到开展监督审查，来阻挠特朗普总统设立的这笔“近20亿美元的让美国再次伟大（MAGA）小金库”。 舒默在信中写道：“如果共和党人再次动用‘预算协调程序’（reconciliation），我们将准备好修正案，彻底叫停这笔基金。如果他们试图掩盖这一问题，我们将迫使他们在参议院议会大厅里公开面对。如果他们试图通过拨款法案的暗道偷偷夹带私货，我们同样会在那里与他们斗争到底。他们将无处可逃。没有任何虚假的‘安全护栏’或‘幕后承诺’可以让他们用来藏身。” 此外，有3位民主党参议员今天共同提出一项法案，旨在彻底关闭该基金，并防止纳税人的资金被支付给总统本人或其盟友，其中包括那些已被定罪，或与1月6日国会大厦事件有关联的人士。这项被称为《掏空小金库法案》（Drain the Slush Fund Act）的立法提案，由来自加利福尼亚州的亚当·希夫（Adam Schiff）、来自亚利桑那州的马克·凯利（Mark Kelly)，以及来自密歇根州的艾丽莎·斯洛特金（Elissa Slotkin）3位民主党参议员共同发起。 希夫表示：“当共和党人重返华盛顿，试图为这笔基金及其他错误的优先事项提供进一步资金支持时，我们将追究他们的责任。作为亲身经历过政府权力被‘武器化’并用来针对自身的参议员，我们要明确表态：我们绝不允许这笔所谓的‘反武器化基金’支付出哪怕一分钱。” 上周，一名联邦法官发布临时禁令，叫停了美国司法部关于设立这笔新基金的后续工作。美国司法部的一位发言人回应称，该部门“对‘反武器化基金’的合法性依然充满信心，因为该基金拥有充分的先例支持，其中包括奥巴马执政时期达成的相关和解协议。” 总额高达17.76亿美元的反武器化基金，旨在向那些遭受美国司法体系“武器化”针对的人士发放赔偿金。该基金的设立，是特朗普总统与联邦政府之间达成的一项协议的组成部分；该协议旨在了结特朗普总统此前针对美国国税局（IRS）和美国财政部提起的诉讼，该诉讼的起因是其个人纳税申报表信息遭到了泄露。…
5月31日台北讯，人工智能和加速计算领域的全球领导者英伟达（NVIDIA）今天在台北主办的全球顶级人工智能与加速计算盛会（NVIDIA GTC）之前宣布，全球领先的半导体公司台积电（TSMC）正利用英伟达的加速计算与AI 技术，推动半导体设计与制造领域的进步。 随着芯片制程迈向更先进的节点，如何将芯片从设计阶段顺利导入大规模量产，已成为当今全球最具挑战性的计算难题之一。如今，计算光刻、晶体管仿真、制程控制及晶圆检测等环节，不仅需要大规模的仿真运算与实时优化，更离不开能够跨越物理学、图像处理及其他应用领域提供全方位支持的 AI 系统。 台积电正借助英伟达的技术加速这一转型进程，将加速计算与 AI 技术贯穿于半导体设计与制造的全生命周期之中，从而显著提升先进晶圆厂的周转时间效率、能源利用效率、良率以及整体运营生产力。 英伟达创始人兼首席执行官黄仁勋（Jensen Huang）表示：“英伟达与台积电携手合作已近三十载，始终致力于突破计算能力的极限。如今，台积电正将英伟达的 AI 与加速计算技术直接引入晶圆厂内部，通过仿真、优化及 AI 手段，攻克全球最棘手的设计与制造难题，从而为下一代芯片的研发与生产全面提升速度、效率与良率。”…
5月31日华盛顿讯，美国前副总统迈克·彭斯（Mike Pence）今天称，他希望特朗普政府能放弃其新设立的“反武器化基金”(（Anti-Weaponization Fund)；该基金在美国国会引发了抵触，并在国会共和党人内部造成了一些分歧。 彭斯在电视节目《与玛格丽特·布伦南面对全国》（Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan）中称：“设立这样一个基金，去赔偿那些在那一天袭击警察并破坏国会大厦的人，这种想法是完全不可接受的。” 这笔总额达17.76亿美元的反武器化基金，旨向那些指控法律体系已被“武器化”并针对他们的人提供赔偿。该基金是作为特朗普总统起诉美国国税局（IRS）一案和解协议的一部分而设立的。该基金在共和党内部引发了一些分歧，尤其是因为特朗普的一些盟友，其中包括那些因参与1月6日国会大厦骚乱事件而面临指控的人，已表示他们迫不及待地想要提交索赔申请。 本月初，该基金成为美国参议院共和党人内部一场激烈会议的讨论焦点，并迫使共和党领导层不得不放弃原定的移民执法资金拨款计划。 长期与特朗普严重不和的共和党人彭斯今天表示，看到“参议院中有如此多的共和党人站出来公开反对该基金，令他倍感欣慰。我希望政府能放弃它，彻底放弃这一构想。” 2021年1月6日，在美国国会清点完选举人票后，彭斯正准备主持认证民主党总统候选人拜登的胜选结果；当时美国国会大厦特朗普支持者们对他的言行严重不满。 彭斯他今天明确表示：“那些在1月6日袭击警察并破坏我们国会大厦的人，不应从该基金或任何其他渠道获得哪怕一分钱的纳税人资金。” 美国参议院部分共和党人要求特朗普政府就该基金的具体运作方式，以及哪些人有资格领取该基金赔偿款给出明确答复；同时，他们还要求设立必要的“防护机制”，以确保那些曾袭击执法人员的人无法从中获得赔偿。…