| The CDC relaxes mask guidance as vaccines bring down Covid-19 cases; the conflict between Israel and Palestine escalates. Tonight's Sentences was written by Gregory Svirnovskiy. | | | | | | | CDC says vaccinated people can let their masks down | | | | | Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images | | - In a sign of success for the US vaccine rollout, the CDC issued new guidance on Thursday, saying that people who are fully vaccinated can stop wearing masks in most situations, even indoors. [New York Times / Roni Caryn Rabin and Apoorva Mandavilli]
- The organization listed a few exceptions, such as to continue masking to follow local ordinances, and in public transit and health care settings. But the move is a big change for the CDC, which has faced criticism for sometimes being slow to update its guidance. [Vox / German Lopez]
- The US averaged less than 40,000 new cases a day last week for the first time since last September. New cases declined in 37 states and no state saw case rates rise. Covid-19 deaths are at their lowest point since last summer. Vaccines seem to be winning. [Axios / Sam Baker and Andrew Witherspoon]
- Almost 60 percent of US adults have gotten at least their first Covid-19 shot and 45 percent are now fully vaccinated. Children ages 12-15 are now also eligible for the Pfizer shot. [CDC Covid Tracker]
- But demand has slowed considerably. States are ordering fewer vaccines from the federal government, which has started the practice of keeping leftovers in a bank for more vaccine-needy spots. Now, it's about convincing the skeptics and reaching people who want the shot but are lacking easy access. [Politico / Dan Goldberg and Adam Cancryn]
- The Biden administration allocated $20 billion in the American Rescue Plan toward that goal. Officials have funded community leaders and organizations, poured millions into TV advertising, and reimbursed small businesses offering paid time off for vaccinations. [Time / Abigail Abrams and Alana Abramson]
- Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) is taking a different approach. He announced on Twitter that the state will be giving out five $1 million prizes in a lottery for vaccinated residents. [NPR / Jaclyn Diaz]
- As the economy whirls back into shape, questions remain on truly getting life back to normal, from virus variant waves to child care concerns. But several Republican-leaning states, including Missouri, Montana, and South Carolina, will soon stop offering enhanced unemployment benefits. [New York Times / Patricia Cohen]
| | | Conflict in Israel and Gaza grows | | - Armed conflict in Israel and Palestine has spilled onto the streets. In several cities, Arab and Jewish mobs have clashed violently. Above them, Israel's missile defense system intercepts hundreds of rockets every day. And the country is deploying airstrikes that have leveled apartment buildings and killed civilians. [New York Times / Patrick Kingsley]
- For the fourth day Thursday, Israel and the militant group Hamas exchanged rocket fire and airstrikes on each other's land and people. At least 83 Palestinians and seven Israelis have been killed in the fray. And no one knows when it will end. [NBC News / Paul Goldman and Alexander Smith]
- This week's violent conflict has its roots in East Jerusalem, where Israeli officials have been in the process of evicting Palestinians from their long-term homes in Sheikh Jarrah. Police clashed with Arab worshippers Monday at the ancient Al-Aqsa Mosque. [CNN / Hadas Gold, Andrew Carey, Ibrahim Dahman, Ofri Eshel, Mostafa Salem, Abeer Salman and Mohammed Tawfeeq]
- But tensions had long been simmering. Israeli Arabs are often profiled by police. Their schools are chronically underfunded, they face discrimination on the job hunt and in the housing market. And Jewish ultranationalists, emboldened by some success in parliamentary elections, have begun to exert their influence on the country's social scene. [Bloomberg / Amy Teibel]
- What's happening in Israel and Gaza is the result of a grim status quo, with Israelis in power more concerned with mitigating security risks and appeasing settlers than with creating a long-term solution. [Vox / Zack Beauchamp]
| | | | | | | Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene confronted Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez in the House chamber, falsely labeling Black Lives Matter a terrorist group and calling Ocasio-Cortez a radical socialist. | | | [CNN / Daniella Diaz] - After 19 years, Ellen Degeneres will end her talk show next year; her historic career in public life and comedy was marred by recent allegations of workplace abuse. [Associated Press / Mark Kennedy]
- Boris Johnson admits he is concerned about the Covid-19 variant spreading in India now becoming more prevalent throughout the UK. It could complicate the government's goal of fully reopening by June. [Reuters]
- Rep. Liz Cheney is set to make her House GOP leadership ouster the impetus for a movement, though it's unclear how much support she will garner. She hasn't ruled out running for president in 2024, but some GOP operatives worry her political maneuverings might push Donald Trump to run again and prove his hold on the Republican Party. [New York Times / Jonathan Martin]
| | | | | Support our journalism | | Reader contributions help keep Vox and newsletters like Sentences free for all. Support our work from as little as $3. | | | | | | | | | | "We've got to make that transition. If you are vaccinated, you don't have to wear a mask outside. It would be a very unusual situation, if you were going into a completely crowded situation where people are essentially falling all over each other, then you wear a mask." | | | | | | | | | | | The largest-known ransomware attack on American energy infrastructure is driving up gas prices and creating shortages. Wired's Lily Hay Newman says Colonial Pipeline might be a turning point for cybersecurity. [Spotify] | | | | | | | | |  | This email was sent to edwardlorilla1986.paxforex@blogger.com. Manage your email preferences, or unsubscribe to stop receiving all emails from Vox. If you value Vox's unique explanatory journalism, support our work with a one-time or recurring contribution. Vox Media, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036.
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