Nebraska Archives

Super Tuesday preview — more than a dozen states holding contests

March 5, 2024
Super Tuesday is here, with voters in more than a dozen states looking to make a difference in the presidential race. And Elon Musk has been dethroned as the world’s richest person. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, March 5, 2024.

16 states holding contests on GOP, Democratic choice for President

Super Tuesday is underway across America, with the 2024 presidential race becoming clearer as more than a dozen states host contests. Former President Donald Trump, the GOP frontrunner, heads into the day bolstered by a Monday’s victory in North Dakota’s caucuses and a Supreme Court decision that rejected Colorado and other states’ attempts to remove his name from their ballots over the 14th Amendment’s insurrection clause. The justices ruled that such power resides with Congress, not the states.

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While Trump and President Joe Biden aim to edge closer to securing their party’s nominations, Trump’s primary GOP challenger, Nikki Haley, hopes today’s results will sustain her campaign. Despite winning only one primary so far, Haley has pledged to continue her campaign efforts but has made no commitments beyond Super Tuesday.

President Biden, on the other hand, might encounter opposition in some states as seen last week in Michigan, where a faction of Democrats voted ‘uncommitted’ to express their disapproval of his handling of the war in Gaza.

https://twitter.com/jacksonwill90/status/1764976399050248569

With over 850 Republican and more than 1,400 Democratic delegates at stake, Super Tuesday plays a critical role in the nomination process for both parties.

Supreme Court temporarily blocks new Texas immigration bill

The Supreme Court has temporarily suspended Texas’ controversial new immigration law, which would have allowed state police to detain individuals suspected of illegal entry into the country.

https://twitter.com/steve_vladeck/status/1764788425180287381

This pause, effective until March 13th, will give the High Court time to review the case. The law, known as Senate Bill 4, was signed into effect by Governor Gregg Abbott in December.

A federal judge had already blocked the law last week, citing concerns that it could prompt states to create their own immigration regulations. A federal appeals court then ruled the law could take effect unless the Supreme Court intervened. Abbott has pledged to continue his efforts to protect Texas.

https://twitter.com/camiloreports/status/1764764445123764463

The Supreme Court’s decision came after the Biden administration raised alarms about the potential for the law to cause racial profiling and enhance state-controlled immigration enforcement.

Vice President Kamala Harris meets with Israel’s Benny Gantz on Gaza aid

Vice President Kamala Harris emphasized the need for Israel to boost its humanitarian efforts in Gaza amidst the conflict with Hamas, in a meeting with a top Israeli official at the White House on Monday, March 4. The meeting with Israeli War Cabinet member Benny Gantz came a day after Harris, in a speech in Alabama, labeled the conditions in Gaza as “inhumane” and called on Israel to do more to aid the people in the territory.

https://twitter.com/VP/status/1764774031343915115

During her discussion with Gantz, the vice president highlighted the situation in Rafah and stressed the importance of having a credible humanitarian plan before considering any major military operation in the border town. Rafah is home to approximately 1.5 million people, most of whom have been displaced from their homes elsewhere due to the fighting.

Gantz, who is a political rival to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is expected to meet with Secretary of State Antony Blinken today.

Jack Teixeria pleads guilty; Air Force employee charged with sharing info

Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira pleaded guilty on Monday, March 4, to leaking highly classified military documents on social media, accepting a plea deal that could result in a 16-year prison sentence.

The 22-year-old pleaded guilty to all six charges under the Espionage Act, with his final sentencing set for September.

https://twitter.com/Newsweek/status/1764935128848159179

In a separate but related case, a U.S. Air Force employee is expected to make a court appearance in Nebraska today after being accused of sharing classified defense information with a woman he met on a foreign dating platform. David Slater, a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, could face up to 30 years in federal prison if convicted on all charges.

Both incidents involved the unauthorized release of classified details concerning the ongoing state of the Russia-Ukraine war.

Bitcoin hits record high amid rally following SEC approval

Bitcoin is witnessing a resurgence, reaching an all-time high of $68,791 on Monday, March 4, eclipsing its previous record set in November 2021.

https://twitter.com/Bitcoin/status/1764959546143822110

This latest rally has been propelled by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s approval of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) earlier this year, enhancing the cryptocurrency’s accessibility to investors.

Bitcoin now represents more than half of all cryptocurrency in circulation, solidifying its position as the world’s leading digital currency.

Jeff Bezos surpasses Elon Musk to become richest person on Earth

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, has once again ascended to the top of the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, surpassing Elon Musk to reclaim the title of the world’s richest person.

Bezos’s net worth is currently valued at $200 billion, edging out Musk’s $198 billion, after he experienced a $31 billion decrease over the past year. Bezos last held this prestigious title in the fall of 2021, marking his return to the pinnacle of global wealth.

According to Oxfam’s annual inequality report, the net worth of the five wealthiest people on Earth has surged by 114% to a total of $869 billion, even after adjusting for inflation.
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Surgeons complete remote simulated surgery on International Space Station

February 15, 2024

The University of Nebraska’s spaceMIRA, a compact robotic surgical assistant, made a historic debut on the International Space Station, situated 250 miles above Earth. On Feb. 10, surgeons on Earth remotely controlled the device to perform simulated surgical procedures in space for the first time.

This two-hour simulation involved six surgeons using spaceMIRA to dissect synthetic tissue. Dr. Michael Jobst, a colorectal surgeon from Nebraska, remarked on the delay experienced during remote operation, noting it’s “definitely slower” than conventional surgery.

However, unlike larger surgical robots such as the Da Vinci system, spaceMIRA’s small size — just over 30 inches long and weighing around 2 pounds — sets it apart.

This innovation not only facilitates surgical care in space but also has the potential to revolutionize health care on Earth, especially in areas facing a shortage of surgeons. With one-third of U.S. counties currently lacking local surgeons, a gap projected to increase, spaceMIRA’s developers see remote surgery as a promising solution for improving access to care.

Although not yet approved for commercial use, the technology is viewed as a game-changer for the future of surgery.
Heavier EV crash tests expose guardrail vulnerabilities, could ‘save lives’

February 15, 2024
Recent studies conducted by researchers at the University of Nebraska’s Midwest Roadside Safety Facility have shed light on a concerning issue regarding guardrails, a staple of road safety infrastructure which may not be adequately equipped to handle the increasing weight of electric vehicles (EVs). This finding has raised questions about whether a nationwide update is necessary to ensure the safety of all road users.

On average, EVs weigh approximately 30% more than their gas-powered counterparts, posing a challenge for existing guardrail systems designed to withstand collisions involving lighter vehicles.

Cody Stolle, the assistant director at the University of Nebraska’s Midwest Roadside Safety Facility, and his team have been at the forefront of investigating this issue, and they’re seeking solutions to address it through the use of crash tests.

“These full-scale crash tests indicated that we do need to make some redesigns and retrofits to our systems to better prepare for these gasoline vehicle transitions to electrical vehicles in the future,” Stolle told Straight Arrow News. “We’re going to have to accommodate the fact that future vehicles are likely going to continue to be heavier than today’s vehicles. And as they get heavier, we’re going to have to have infrastructure that adapts and reacts to those changes in weight.”

It will not be the first time this facility has taken on such a challenge. In the early 2000s, as Americans rapidly adopted heavier vehicles like pickup trucks and SUVs, vulnerabilities in the nation’s guardrail network became evident. As a result, the team at the University of Nebraska, known for its work in designing safety barriers for high-speed race tracks used by NASCAR, went to work on finding a solution.

“The Midwest guardrail system was developed here at the Midwest Roadside Safety Facility at the University of Nebraska Lincoln in response to those failures we observed in full-scale crash testing and in service performance data,” Stolle said. “Now, we’re going to continue that trend by evaluating with a whole new vehicle class. We’ll use our collective century of experience in roadside safety design to make those changes quickly and save lives.”

The research group conducted crash tests involving two different EV models, a 7,000-pound Rivian R1T truck and a 4,000-pound Tesla Model 3, on the current barrier system. In both cases, the guardrails failed to provide adequate protection.

“The biggest concern in both of these two crashes is the exposure of the occupants of those vehicles to whatever the guardrail was intended to shield and protect,” Stolle said. “If those features are, for example, trees, or bridge column supports or geographic features like rivers or lakes, the occupants of those vehicles may be exposed to those hazards because the guardrail system did not redirect those vehicles back to the roadway.”

With electric vehicles projected to comprise a significant portion of the U.S. auto market by 2026, experts warn that time is of the essence in addressing this issue. While EVs accounted for only 7.6% of total U.S. vehicle sales last year, forecasts suggest that this figure could exceed a quarter of the nation’s total car sales within the next few years.

“There is some urgency to address this issue,” Stolle said. “As the percentage of EVs on the road increases, the proportion of run-off-road crashes involving EVs will increase, as well. The good news is we’re going to plan ahead. This is the earliest step in a broad outcome to evaluate all of our hardware to prepare for what’s coming. And because we can prepare ahead, we can prevent those types of severe outcomes.”

The research team’s findings underscore the need for updates to ensure the safety of tomorrow’s drivers. By developing guardrail systems better suited to accommodate the increasing weight of electric vehicles, they hope to contribute to safer roadways and mitigate the risks associated with collisions involving these vehicles.

“It’s something of a divine godsend to put us in the right place at the right time to answer a question and save lives,” Stolle said.
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Nebraska looks to bolster cybersecurity by hiring white-hat hacker

February 13, 2024

The United States faces a relentless wave of cyber attacks, with an incident occurring every 39 seconds. The Internet Crime Complaint Center reported that in 2022, these breaches inflicted a financial toll of $10 billion. Digital breaches not only risk the exposure of sensitive personal information of millions of Americans but also threaten to disrupt essential national services.

Addressing the cyber threat from China

Jen Easterly, the director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), highlighted the evolving threat from China.

“We’ve long been focused on the cyber threat from China,” Easterly said on Jan. 31. “But as you’ve heard in recent years we have seen a deeply concerning evolution in Chinese targeting of U.S. critical infrastructure. In particular, we have seen the Chinese cyber actors including those known as Volt Typhoon burrowing deep into the critical infrastructure to enable destructive attacks in the event of a major crisis for conflict.”

In January, the FBI announced it shut down an attempt by the Chinese hacking group to infiltrate U.S. infrastructure through outdated internet routers. FBI Director Christopher Wray called Volt Typhoon “the defining threat of our generation.”

Nebraska’s legislative efforts in cybersecurity

Nebraska state Sen. Loren Lippincott, R, emphasized the need for proactive measures in cybersecurity.

“Cybersecurity is certainly an issue that we need to talk about,” Lippincott said. “And unfortunately, in politics, I have found that we tend to be reactive instead of proactive.”

He also said nearly 70% of all public sector entities faced ransomware attacks in 2023. Now, Lippincott is spearheading two critical legislative efforts aimed at strengthening Nebraska’s cybersecurity framework.

The first bill seeks to upgrade the state’s cyber defenses with the latest tools and software. The second bill proposes a bold move to recruit ethical, white-hat hackers.

“You want the hackers to try to break into our system and find out where the leaks, where the holes are in the dike,” Lippincott said. “We’re looking for vulnerabilities. And the only way we can know where our vulnerabilities are is if we are tested and it’s wise to test before we get attacked.”

Cybersecurity breaches have exposed the medical records of hundreds of thousands of Nebraskans, leading to multimillion-dollar settlements from some of the state’s leading health care providers. Lippincott emphasized that having security measures isn’t enough; consistent testing of cybersecurity systems is crucial.

He was inspired by his nephew, who worked in the private sector as an ethical hacker.

“If an organization is responsible for securing sensitive data of any kind, they must think like the enemy and be able to defend themselves from those enemies,” Lippincott said. “Of course, defensive security is definitely important, but organizations also need to have offensive security as well.”

Lippincott likened it to the military’s Red Team vs. Blue Team drills. The Red Team pretends to be the enemy, and in the cyber space, the Red Team wears white.
Crash testing of heavier EVs shows US guardrails may be unable to hold up

February 1, 2024
In a recent crash test conducted at the University of Nebraska’s Midwest Roadside Safety Facility, a nearly 8,000-pound electric vehicle (EV) collided with a standard American guardrail, revealing extensive damage. This research has sparked concerns about the suitability of existing infrastructure for the increased weight of electric vehicles, potentially posing a challenge to their widespread adoption.

“We knew it was going to be an extremely demanding test of the roadside safety system,” said Cody Stolle, a research assistant professor at the University of Nebraska. “So far, we don’t see good vehicle-to-guardrail compatibility with electric vehicles.”

American guardrails, designed to handle collisions with vehicles approximately half the weight of the tested EV, demonstrated significant vulnerability in the face of the electric vehicle’s substantial mass.

“As EVs continue to be sold and become more popular, this will become a more prevalent problem,” Stolle said. “There is some urgency to address this.”

The weight disparity between electric and traditional gas-powered vehicles can be up to 50% more for EVs due to the heavy batteries they run on. The batteries in some electric vehicle models can weigh close to 2,000 pounds, nearly half the weight of an average combustion engine car.

The testing done by engineers at the University of Nebraska aims to assess whether U.S. roadways are adequately equipped to handle the increased weight of electric vehicles. The Rivian truck used in their study won the Institute for Highway Safety’s highest tier award last year, but still demonstrated the ability to easily tear through a guardrail designed for lighter vehicles.

“Guardrails are kind of a safety feature of last resort,” said Michael Brooks, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety. “I think what you’re seeing here is the real concern with EVs — their weight.”

Beyond guardrails, concerns extend to other aspects of transportation infrastructure. Residential streets, driveways, and parking garages may experience increased stress due to the additional weight of electric vehicles. This could have implications for safety, maintenance, and the overall longevity of these structures.

Meanwhile, the potential danger posed to pedestrians and other drivers could be even greater.

Research from the National Bureau of Economic Research indicates that being hit by a car with just 1,000 pounds of additional weight increases the chances of a fatality by almost half. With the weight of some EVs reaching nearly four tons, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has already expressed fears about the potential risks they pose.

“I’m concerned about the increased risk of severe injury and death for all road users from heavier curb weights and increasing size, power, and performance of vehicles on our roads, including electric vehicles,” said Jennifer Homendy, chair of the NTSB. “We have to be careful that we aren’t also creating unintended consequences: More death on our roads.”
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Trump leads in Iowa ahead of record-cold caucuses, The Morning Rundown, Jan. 15, 2024

January 15, 2024
Voters are ready to be heard as the 2024 presidential primary kicks off in Iowa. And congressional leaders said they have reached a deal to avert a government shutdown. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, Jan. 15, 2024.

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Trump leads in Iowa ahead of record-cold caucuses

On Monday, Jan. 15, the 2024 presidential primaries officially kick off with the Iowa caucuses, where 40 delegates are up for grabs, as the GOP frontrunner, former President Donald Trump, tops the latest poll. Republicans will host voters at designated caucus locations, including schools, gyms, community centers, churches, and other venues, to listen to speeches about the presidential candidates before they decide on a choice.

But undecided voters are not the only unpredictable factor candidates are dealing with this year; another component could cause major issues: the weather. Record-cold is slated for Iowa, with temperatures set to hover around 20 degrees below zero around 7 p.m. central, the start of the caucuses. Arctic air is expected to bring wind chills between 35 and 45 degrees below zero through Tuesday, Jan. 16.

A spokesperson for the Iowa Republican party says Iowans are well acclimated to the midwest winters and understand what’s at stake. As many are concerned about the numbers on the thermometer, others are focused on the numbers from the latest poll released over the weekend. The final poll before the caucuses, conducted by NBC News and the Des Moines Register, shows former President Donald Trump with a nearly 30-point lead over his opponents – with 48% first-choice support.

Former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley is in second place in the poll, narrowly edging past Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Meanwhile, Democrats in Iowa will hold in-person caucuses on Monday, Jan. 15, but only to conduct party business, not for voting. The Iowa Democratic party in the state is asking voters to send in their choice for president by mail. The results will be announced in March.

Arctic blast sends extreme cold across the country

As voters in Iowa contend with record-breaking cold weather, they are not alone. An arctic blast is sweeping across the country, from Canada to the U.S., with many locations facing dangerously low temperatures. States of emergency have been issued in multiple states, including Arkansas, Colorado, New York, and Nebraska.

https://twitter.com/NWS/status/1745973167473271275?s=20

More than one million Americans were under a wind chill warning or advisory on Sunday, Jan. 14, with the temperature feeling like 60 degrees below zero in parts of Montana. Blizzard conditions forced the postponement of an NFL game in Buffalo from Sunday, Jan. 14, to Monday, Jan. 15. Record-high tides flooded homes in Maine and New Hampshire. The severe weather is being blamed for at least four deaths in Oregon, with strong winds knocking over trees in two incidents, two other victims died of suspected hypothermia.

U.S. fighter jet shoots down Houthi missile in Red Sea

A U.S. fighter jet shot down an anti-ship cruise missile fired by Houthi rebels in Yemen, aimed at an American destroyer in the Red Sea, on Sunday, Jan. 14, according to U.S. officials. The attempted attack marked the first attack by the Houthis since the U.S. and its allies began retaliatory strikes against the Iranian-backed militant group.

https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1746705110401695779

According to the U.S. Central Command, no injuries or damage were reported. The U.S.-led airstrikes against the Houthis began on Friday, Jan. 12, in response to the group’s attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. The U.S. and United Kingdom forces struck more than 60 targets, including weapon depots, radars, and command centers. On Saturday, Jan. 13, another strike conducted by U.S. forces targeted a Houthi radar site.

Congressional leaders agree on two-tiered funding deal to avert shutdown

Congressional leaders announced on Sunday, Jan. 14, that they have agreed on a short-term funding bill to avert a partial government shutdown later this week. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., unveiled the two-tiered continuing resolution to fund the government through March 1 and 8.

Schumer said the Senate will begin moving the legislation through as soon as it reconvenes on Tuesday, Jan. 16.

“The bipartisan topline funding agreement reached ensures that America will be able to address many of the major challenges our country faces at home and abroad,” Schumer said in a statement.

https://twitter.com/SenSchumer/status/1746706976199835875?s=20

In his own statement, Johnson said the bill is required to complete what House Republicans are working hard to achieve. The deal comes a week after last weekend’s agreement that set the overall spending level at $1.59 trillion. Should the bill pass, it will mark the third short-term spending deal since September.

The current deal, which went into effect in September, funded some federal departments until Jan. 19 and others until Feb. 2. This latest funding bill would need to be agreed upon by both the House and Senate by Friday, Jan. 19 to avoid a shutdown.

John Kerry expected to step down as special envoy for climate

According to multiple reports, John Kerry plans to step down as President Biden’s special envoy for climate by the spring. Kerry will reportedly go on to help Biden in his bid for reelection. Sources tell several news outlets that Kerry met Biden last week to tell the president of his decision to resign from the position. Kerry’s staff was notified on Saturday, Jan. 13.

Kerry has held the role since 2021 and led the U.S. through three international climate summits, including last month’s COP28. The 80-year-old former secretary of state is still expected to attend the World Economic Forum in Switzerland this week.

NFL Wild Card game on Peacock makes history

An update to the first NFL playoff game to air exclusively on a streaming platform, in no surprise to many, broke records, and not just with the temperature. The wild card game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, Jan. 13, aired on NBC’s streaming service Peacock, and it is now the most streamed U.S. event ever.

https://twitter.com/YahooSports/status/1746180853183492299?s=20

According to NBC, the game drew 23 million viewers, but that’s not all – it was also the country’s largest internet usage event. NBC said the wild card game accounted for 30% of web traffic, making Saturday, Jan. 13, the single highest day of U.S. internet usage in history. The Chiefs won the game 26-7.
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Nebraska developing radiation sickness treatment amid increasing exposure risk

January 9, 2024
As reported in the premiere episode of Weapons & Warfare, the University of Nebraska and the University of Nebraska Medical Center are spearheading an initiative to develop a drug aimed at protecting troops from Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS). The project comes in response to the Defense Department’s concerns about potential radiation exposure scenarios faced by military personnel.

The initiative, a collaborative effort with the National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI), seeks to create a drug that could prevent or reduce the effects of ARS, a serious condition that can result from radiation exposure.

“This type of project is really focused on protecting our service members from a threat they could be exposed to on a really bad day.”
Maj. Gen. Rick Evans, National Strategic Research Institute.

The threat of radiation exposure has become increasingly real, as evidenced by a recent incident in Houston where a police officer discovered improperly disposed cesium-137 in a scrapyard.

“If they are going to go in harm’s way, if they are going to go into a situation where there’s radioactivity, they can take this drug and be protected in part from radiation exposure,” said Dr. Ken Bayles, the vice chancellor of research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

The Defense Health Agency awarded a $24.5 million contract to NSRI, the Department of Defense University Affiliated Research Center of U.S. Strategic Command, and the University of Nebraska System in September 2023 to further the research.

“Anything that we can do in our lab to help make somebody’s life better is a win for me,” said Dr. Rebecca Oberley-Deegan, a professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. “So that’s our goal as researchers. And so if we can protect our military servicemen, that is wonderful. If we can help protect cancer patients, that’s wonderful.”

Despite the rarity of cases involving ARS, the devastating effects of nuclear incidents call for such proactive measures.

Last October, Russia’s defense minister raised concerns to counterparts in the U.K, France, and the U.S, alleging that Ukraine might be preparing a dirty bomb for use against Russia, as reported by the BBC. Ukraine promptly denied the accusations, dismissing them as “transparently false.”

For the researchers, the collaborative nature of the project, involving experts from various fields, is a key factor in its success.

“Together we can do much bigger stuff than alone,” said Dr. David Berkowitz, a chemistry professor at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Access the full Weapons & Warfare episode here.

Access all Weapons & Warfare podcast episodes here.
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- Nebraska developing pill to prevent radiation sickness: Weapons & Warfare
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Nebraska developing pill to prevent radiation sickness: Weapons & Warfare

January 9, 2024
The premiere episode of Weapons & Warfare dives into a groundbreaking initiative to develop a pill aimed at safeguarding troops from Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS) in the event of radiation exposure. The project, led by Nebraska-based researchers, marks a significant stride in military medical research, offering potential protection for troops operating where radiation poses a threat.

Also featured in this episode:
- A report has unveiled alarming levels of extremism within the U.S. military, shedding light on internal security challenges and prompting a closer examination of measures to address and mitigate extremism within the armed forces.
- Meanwhile in Gaza, the Israeli military is pulling some units out of combat. However, the move isn’t a definite indication that Israel’s assault against Hamas is slowing.
- Amid multiple ongoing conflicts, Ukrainian pilots and ground crews are actively engaged in training on the F-16 Fighting Falcon to fight against Russia’s invasion. This strategic preparation has become increasingly vital as the conflict reaches its second year.
- As an additional arsenal boost, Ukraine is also considering the Sandown Class Minehunter — a naval vessel designed for detecting and neutralizing sea mines.
You can subscribe to the Weapons & Warfare podcast on the platform of your choosing here.
Handful of states bring back hospital mask mandates as COVID cases rise

January 2, 2024
The COVID-19 pandemic may be over but a familiar and controversial pandemic-era mandate is making a return in some states. Mask mandates are back at some hospitals in the United States.

Hospitals in a handful of states are requiring staff to wear masks following a rise in the JN-1 variant, the most prevalent form of COVID-19 this winter.

Hospitals in California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York and Washington D.C. have all brought back mask requirements for selected people in medical settings, according to Newsweek.

Some medical facilities are revisiting mask mandates after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a 10.4% increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations in the week leading up to Dec. 16. CDC data also shows a 3.4% increase in deaths from the virus.

The agency reports the new variant accounted for 44% of infections nationwide by mid-December. That number is up 7% from late-November.

Mask mandates have been controversial since the day they were first implemented.

In early 2020, medical professionals and the CDC advocated for masking in everyday life from grocery stores and airplanes to religious services. As the pandemic waned, so did mandates.

However Massachusetts’ largest health system, Mass General Brigham, said masks will be mandated effective Jan. 2. The hospital said masks will be necessary until respiratory illnesses decline.

The rule is enacted when respiratory illnesses constitute more than 2.85% of patients visiting the hospital or outpatient clinics with respiratory symptoms for two consecutive weeks. The mandate is lifted when the hospital falls below 2.85% for one week.

The hospital “strongly recommends” patients and visitors wear masks. Staff in hallways and common areas are exempt from wearing masks.

Some medical facilities took action even earlier when it comes to masks. The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston began requiring masks for patients and staff on Dec. 18.

The facility said the policy will be in place for the “foreseeable future,” and it has no gauge for when to rescind the mandate.

However, the hospitals implementing these policies remain in the minority. Most hospitals eased or eliminated masking requirements last spring, according to a report by The Hill.

The topic of masking is bringing focus to the personal protective equipment (PPE) supply in the states returning to the mandates.

An investigative report by The Associated Press found at least 15 states tossed PPE because of expiration dates, surpluses and people unwilling to use them.

States trashed more than 18 million masks, 22 million gowns, 500,000 gloves and more. Rhode Island reported tossing or recycling more than 829 tons of PPE. Maryland got rid of more than $93 million in supplies.

The AP found that Ohio auctioned off 393,000 gowns for just $2,451, and it ended up throwing away another 7.2 million, along with expired masks, gloves and other materials. The now-expiring supplies cost the government $29 million.

In 2020, states spent more than $7 billion in a few months on PPE, ventilators and some other high-demand medical devices. The federal government paid for much of the supplies.

With larger surges of COVID-19 over, expiration dates are passing and fewer requests to tap into the stockpile are coming in.

“What a real waste,” said Dr. George Benjamin, the executive director of the American Public Health Association. “That’s what happens when you don’t prepare, when you have a bust-and-boom public health system. It shows we really have to do a better job of managing our stockpiles.”

However, states claim to have distributed far more gear than they discarded and maintain that they’ve gone to lengths to donate leftovers.

Washington state donated hundreds of thousands of supplies to the Marshall Islands in 2022. Pennsylvania said it offered PPE to 10,000 cities, health facilities and more throughout the pandemic. Both states still ended up throwing out expired items.

Some states have found limited post-expiration uses, such as training exercises.

Many states keep at least a portion, and sometimes all, of their remaining stockpile of PPE. States like Minnesota even plan to update their stockpiles.

While mask requirements go into place at some hospitals, the states seeing the largest increase in COVID-19 are steering clear of any mandates in hospitals.

Newsweek reports Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri have seen the largest number of positive cases. CDC data from the week ending on Dec. 23, 2023, shows these states with an 18.3% COVID positivity rate.

No state in the country has a mandatory mask policy for any indoor and outdoor setting.
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Winter weather delays flights, holiday travel across US

December 26, 2023
Christmas Day created travel chaos for certain travelers. In parts of Nebraska, semis jackknifed, vehicles piled up, and some drivers slid off of the road, Monday, Dec. 25.

Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) reported responding to at least 100 weather-related incidents.

The NSP urged drivers to only travel if necessary and carry a survival kit in case vehicles get stranded. Authorities also say to stay in the car if waiting for help.

In the upper Midwest, heavy snow, freezing rain and whipping winds are the reason for those words of caution.

Nebraska isn’t the only state feeling the wrath of winter.

Parts of South Dakota, Kansas, Colorado and Wyoming were under blizzard warnings Tuesday, Dec. 26.

Forecasters expect the extreme conditions to get worse in some areas, and they predict up to a foot of snow in south-central South Dakota.

The storm is expected to weaken Tuesday night, according to the National Weather Service. However, a “wintry mix” may last until Wednesday across the Plains and upper Midwest.

For travelers looking toward the skies, air travel seems a little more welcoming.

According to Flight Aware, a flight tracking website, just 2,430 flights were delayed and 68 canceled as of Tuesday morning.

Southwest Airlines had the most delays with 663, but just two cancellations.

Flight Aware reported 3,514 total delays and 174 cancellations Monday.

Substantially more flights were delayed or canceled Saturday through Sunday. On Saturday, there were 5,901 delays and 250 cancellations. Sunday, 3,881 flights were delayed and 363 were canceled.

The bulk of delays once again came from Southwest, accounting for 2,690.

A spokesperson for Southwest Airlines blamed most of the delays on fog at Chicago Midway.

This year, airlines have prepared for massive amounts of passengers by hiring thousands of pilots, flight attendants and other workers.

The enhanced hiring efforts are to avoid the delays and cancellations that created a travel nightmare in 2022, most notably, Southwest Airlines stranding more than 2 million people.

Earlier this month, Southwest Airlines reached a $140 million settlement with the federal government for the ordeal.

However, 2023 is proving to be a much better year for airlines. The Department of Transportation is reporting the lowest flight cancellation rat e in five years.

The percentage of flights canceled is at 1.3%, down from 2.3% in 2022, and even lower than pre-pandemic flight cancellations. But the test isn’t over yet, with AAA predicting 115 million people to travel by car or air nationwide by the time New Year’s Day arrives. That number is up 2% from last year.

If traveling by air, experts say travelers should check their flight status before heading to the airport, and check in online to avoid lengthy lines.

For drivers, check the weather, tire pressure and make sure to have a full tank of gas.

Blankets, flashlights and extra winter gear are also suggested, as well as food and water in case of emergencies.
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