Community “TEA”

The Department of Veterans Affairs on Monday became the first major federal agency to require health care workers to get COVID-19 vaccines. The aggressive delta variant is spreading across the nation and some communities report troubling increases in hospitalizations among unvaccinated people. Saying it is taking this necessary step to keep the Veterans it serves safe, each employee will have eight weeks to be fully vaccinated, per the VAA.

As the Delta variant spreads rapidly throughout the country, news CNN is reporting that President Joe Biden will soon announce a requirement that the country’s largest employer, the federal government, will require all employees and contractors to be vaccinated against Covid-19, or be required to submit to regular testing and mitigation requirements. Biden is expected to lay out a series of new steps, including incentives, in an attempt to spur new vaccinations. This follows the Department of Veterans Affairs’ decision to require its frontline health care workers to be vaccinated. There are more than 4 million federal employees, a figure that includes civilian workers, members of the military and members of the U.S. Postal Service, according to recent estimates, making the government. When including the vast ranks of federal contractors and grant workers, that number tops 10 million.

The United States announced that it will keep existing COVID-19 travel restrictions on international travel in place for now due to concerns about the surging infection rate because of the delta variant. The White House is recalibrating its thinking around the coronavirus pandemic as the more infectious variant surges and a significant portion of the population resists vaccination.

The Latin American Association, the largest Hispanic-focused nonprofit in Georgia, recently received a $100,000 grant from the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Aging & Independence Services to expand its services for Spanish-speaking seniors and adults with disabilities. The nonprofit said the money will help fund programs such as meal delivery, transportation to medical appointments, respite care and mental health care access. The LAA said 12% of the population in the 10-county metro Atlanta area belongs to the Spanish speaking or Latino communities.

The NBA announced that Former U.S. President Barack Obama acquired a stake in the NBA’s Africa business through his foundation. Obama will have a minority equity stake in NBA Africa, a new entity set up this year to run the league’s business on the continent. The NBA said Obama would use his stake to fund the Obama Foundation’s youth and leadership programs in Africa. The Basketball Africa League held its inaugural season in May after being delayed for a year.

Speaking of the former President, Obama celebrates a big birthday on Wednesday, August 4. Our 44th president of the United States of America, revered and celebrated by many Americans across the nation and those around the world, turns the big 6-0. Happy Birthday Mr. President.

Former NFL player/coach Eugene Chung is still waiting to meet with Commissioner Roger Goodell regarding an anti-Asian comment Chung says a team made about him during a job interview this year. Chung has not identified the coach who he says told him Asian Americans were “not the right minority” in the NFL.

The U.S. leads in the overall medals at the Olympics in Tokyo, but China leads in gold medals 24 to 20.

McCormick & Co. is voluntarily recalling some seasonings due to possible salmonella contamination. The spices were sold at Walmart, Target and Kroger stores in Georgia. The spices included in the recall are McCormick Perfect Pinch Italian Seasoning, McCormick Culinary Italian Seasoning and Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Ranch Seasoning, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s website. Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy people infected with salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Consumers are urged to dispose of the product and its container. Call 800-635-2867 to request a replacement or full refund.

Shaquille O’Neal’s historic midtown Krispy Kreme location in Atlanta will be demolished and rebuilt following two devastating fires. The location has been closed since February when it was gutted by suspected arson. A second fire five months later set back redevelopment efforts. Owners have applied for permits to demolish what remains of the structure and plan to rebuild the location with an eye toward preserving some of its historic charm.

Have a safe and productive week…