Biden’s vaccine distribution strategy, a CDC recommendation on a tradeoff in COVID-19 safety protocols, an uptick in consumer confidence, a surge in clean energy funding, and the latest on Connecticut’s COVID-19 response are among the main items in business news this morning.
National
President Joe Biden has announced that his administration is working to purchase 200 million doses of the two currently authorized COVID-19 vaccines, with the goal of fully vaccinating the adult population of the United States by the end of the summer. Biden is also planning to increase the number of doses being distributed to states and to provide a clearer picture of how many vaccines they can expect moving forward.
Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control have published an editorial suggesting that in-person education, when conducted safely, is not a significant driver of COVID-19 infections and should be allowed. However, the researchers said reopening schools would necessitate steps to lower the community spread of the virus, such as closing gyms, bars, and indoor dining.
U.S. consumer confidence rose in January, with respondents optimistic that economic conditions will improve in the near future. However, the ongoing pandemic continued to dampen perceptions of current conditions.
Business trends
Investment in clean energy has topped half a trillion dollars for the first time, according to a Bloomberg report. Governments and households devoted $501.3 billion to renewable energy developments as well as electric vehicles, a year-over-year increase of 9 percent.
Connecticut
Governor Ned Lamont has extended Connecticut’s state of emergency through April 20, shortly after informing the legislature that he would request this extension due to ongoing pandemic conditions and the arrival of a more infectious COVID-19 strain in the state. A legislative committee can respond to the action within 72 hours to approve or reject it.
Connecticut received 92,300 COVID-19 vaccine doses this week, with about half reserved for first doses. State officials say Connecticut’s health care provider are on track to finish vaccinating residents over the age of 75 within two weeks, after which vaccines will be available to residents ages 65 and up.
