Axios PM: Warp Speed delivers — 2 scoops of hope — Santa through the plexiglass

1 big thing: 2 scoops of hope | Monday, November 16, 2020

Open in app View in browser   Presented By the American Investment Council   Axios PM By Mike Allen ·Nov 16, 2020 Good afternoon: Today's PM — edited by Justin Green — is 496 words, a 2-minute read. I hope you'll join Axios' Sara Kehaulani Goo, Courtenay Brown and Erica Pandey tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. ET for "Hard Truths," the second virtual event in our yearlong series on systemic racism. Register here.      1 big thing: 2 scoops of hope Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios   Warp Speed, indeed: Moderna has joined Pfizer in approaching the vaccine finish line, suggesting there could be two U.S. vaccines in distribution before the New Year. Moderna said its candidate was 94.5% effective at preventing infection. Pfizer's was over 90%. Why it matters: This is a reason for Americans to buckle down for one last stretch to help save lives. There are a million new cases nationwide in the past six days alone. U.S. deaths are once again over 1,000 a day. Hospitals are filling up and health workers are stretched thin. Now there's hope: The two companies plan to apply for emergency-use authorization later this month, and they could begin to immunize 20 million people as soon as December, reports Axios' Marisa Fernandez. Health care workers are at the top of the list, followed by essential workers, people with high-risk medical conditions and senior citizens. The general public could be offered the vaccine as soon as April, Dr. Anthony Fauci said today. "This does not mean that in April, everybody who's going to be wanting a vaccine who's not in the priority group is going to get it. It means starting at that point, you would likely begin to use those," he said. Between the lines: Moderna's vaccine can be kept in standard freezer storage for up to six months and refrigerators for up to 30 days — unlike Pfizer's candidate, which needs to be stored at ultra-cold temperatures. The bottom line: Governors would ultimately have the final say of how to roll out the vaccine in their states. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) this morning: "This vaccination process has not been thought through at all. ... They're now saying we're going to do vaccines and distribution. You start off with a very high level of skepticism among the general population. That's 50% that don't trust the vaccine." 🎧 Axios Re:Cap interviewed Moderna's chief medical officer on its blockbuster vaccine news. Listen here.     2. Pic du jour Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images President-elect Joe Biden is briefed on the economy today during a virtual meeting with economic advisers at the Queen Theater in Wilmington, Delaware.     A message from the American Investment Council Private equity is creating opportunity for all Americans     In big cities & small towns, private equity is Supporting small businesses Helping students and teachers Strengthening public pensions Learn more about how private equity drives innovation & opportunity for American workers.     3. Catch up quick Volunteers from a pro-immigration group today built a chain-link cage with about 600 teddy bears, representing children separated from their parents. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images   Israel's ambassador to Washington said the incoming Biden administration would be making a mistake if it returned to the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. Go deeper. There are now three Senate Republicans opposed to Judy Shelton's confirmation to the Fed, imperiling her nomination. (WashPost) Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam came out in support of legalizing recreational marijuana use. Go deeper. Hate crime murders hit a record high in 2019, the FBI said. Go deeper.     4. Sign of the times: Santa through the plexiglass Gracelynn Blumenfeld, 8, visits with Santa through a transparent barrier at a Bass Pro Shop in Bridgeport, Conn., last week. Photo: Seth Wenig/AP Mall owners are hosting Santa despite the pandemic, AP reports: Some malls will use faux gift boxes to block kids from charging toward him. Other safety measures include online reservations to cut down on lines. Santa's hours are also getting cut to give him a break from crowds. At The SoNo Collection mall in Norwalk, Connecticut, a round piece of Plexiglas will be placed in front of Santa so it looks like he's inside a snow globe.     A message from the American Investment Council Supporting small businesses     Private equity provides the capital & expertise to help small businesses across American grow and thrive. In the first half of 2020, PE completed 718 deals with companies < 500 employees. Small business is the backbone of the American economy.     Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Axios, 3100 Clarendon B‌lvd, Suite 1300, Arlington VA 22201   You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Axios. Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.   Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get Axios in your inbox.   Follow Axios on social media: