COMMUNITY TEA

A panel of U.S. health advisors endorsed kid-sized doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, moving the U.S. closer to beginning vaccinations in children ages 5 to 11. A Food and Drug Administration advisory panel voted unanimously with one abstention that the vaccine’s benefits in preventing COVID-19 in that age group outweigh any potential risks. Panelists decided it’s important to give parents the choice to protect their youngsters — especially those at high risk of illness or who live in places where other precautions, such as masks in schools, aren’t being used. 

COVID-19 killed more cops in Georgia than violent accidents. Since the pandemic began, at least 58 Georgia police officers, deputies, and jailers have died from the virus, according to The Atlanta Journal Constitution’s review of death certificates and the Officer Down Memorial Page’s database. Yet law enforcement agencies in Georgia and across the nation have wrestled with the decision of whether to require officers to be vaccinated, amid pushback from some officers. 

The U.S. depends on processed, packaged foods because of its convenience and affordability, however, these foods are also the source of 70% of sodium in Americans’ diets. Federal health officials have proposed new, and entirely optional, guidelines for the food industry to lower salt concentrations in an attempt to slow the “growing epidemic of preventable, diet-related” diseases, such as diabetes and obesity, which disproportionately affect communities of color, kill thousands of people, and cost billions in yearly health care. In a “final guidance” issued on Oct. 13, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends about a 12% reduction in sodium intake over 2.5 years. That will take the average American salt consumption from 3,400 milligrams per day to 3,000 milligrams per day. 

The FDA is now urging people to throw out onions from multiple sources, including some that are part of popular meal kits such as HelloFresh.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that fresh, whole onions imported from Mexico and supplied by ProSource Inc., are causing a salmonella outbreak in 37 states that has sickened more than 650 people

Dole Fresh Vegetables Inc. is recalling garden salads because of possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The implicated products were distributed in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia. 

Tesla is recalling 2,791 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles over concerns that their front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen, potentially shifting the wheel alignment and increasing the risk of a crash. The affected vehicles are 2019, 2020 and 2021 versions of the Model 3, and 2020 and 2021 editions of the Model Y.

Hertz, the car-rental firm that recently emerged from bankruptcy, announced that it had made a deal to buy 100,000 cars from Tesla. As Teslas become available via Hertz, many more people will have a chance to experience what an electric vehicle is like.

The City of Smyrna is expected to vote on giving raises to the majority of its police officers. Despite giving raises to city employees earlier this year, the city has struggled to retain its 87 member police force. If approved, the city’s yearly budget for police officer salaries would increase by $243,965. 

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg announced that Facebook will change its corporate name to Meta. Facebook’s namesake service will be one of the company’s subsidiaries, alongside Instagram and WhatsApp, rather than the overarching brand. Some question the timing of the rebranding given the assault Facebook’s reputation has taken in the media including misinformation on its platforms, content moderation failures, and revelations about the negative effect its products have on some users’ mental health.

Starting on Wednesday, Nov. 3, state lawmakers will arrive at the capitol to tackle redistricting, where they will draw new boundary lines for Georgia’s state House, Senate and U.S. House districts. The process will shape Georgia’s power for the next decade already. 

Herschel Walker received two big endorsements from Capitol Hill this week. The former UGA football legend, who is running for the Georgia GOP Senate nomination, was endorsed by U.S. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate. He was also endorsed by Senate GOP Leader Mitch.

Former President Donald Trump joined baseball fans at Truist Park for Game 4 of the World Series on Saturday night. Joining him in his suite were political allies including Herschel Walker, Trump’s candidate for U. S. Senate in Georgia. Trump thanked MLB for inviting him. MLB issued a statement saying they had not invited former President Trump. Braves chief executive Terry McGuirk told USA Today that Trump called the league to request tickets to attend Saturday’s game against the Astros. McGuirk told USA Today, “We are apolitical. We’re open to anyone coming.”

The fall season is here, so drivers should watch out for deer on and near roadways. Deer are most active around dawn and at dusk. Their mating season is October to late December with male deer actively searching for a mate. This sometimes brings them across roadways and in the path of moving vehicles. 

Have a great week…