The price of GOP vaccine freedom

Also, lockdown protesters in Sydney.

State-level Republicans and Democrats are approaching vaccines differently; protesters in Sydney are complaining about Australia's lockdown.   Tonight's Sentences was written by Gabby Birenbaum. TOP NEWS How states and localities are handling vaccines     Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images Covid-19 cases are rising across the country as the delta variant becomes more widespread, but state-level Republicans are still working to undermine public health officials' authority with new laws that limit officials' ability to institute mask mandates, the use of quarantine, and emergency orders. [Washington Post / Frances Stead Sellers and Isaac Stanley-Becker] Meanwhile, some GOP leaders have finally taken a firm pro-vaccine stance, with governors like Kay Ivey of Alabama urging residents to get the jab. But a year and a half of right-wing vaccine misinformation means it may be too little, too late. [AP / Jill Colvin and Brian Slodysko] Some, like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), have focused on other political priorities, such as going to Texas to politicize border security despite cases, hospitalizations, and deaths rising in Florida. [The Hill / Joseph Choi] States such as Louisiana, Arkansas, and Missouri have seen the largest increases in coronavirus cases over the last two weeks, making the rhetoric of their Republican leaders and lawmakers all the more significant. [Newsweek / Benjamin Fearnow] The differing approaches highlight a growing rift within the GOP, where some leaders are encouraging vaccination while others continue to spread misinformation and curb leaders' powers to impose public health precautions — with Americans' lives hanging in the balance. [Politico / Adam Cancryn] Meanwhile, some states and cities are experimenting with vaccine passport requirements. In California, entrance into a bar will hinge on proof of vaccination. [Yahoo News / Andrew Romano] In New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that city workers must be vaccinated or submit to weekly coronavirus testing in order to work, starting in mid-September. [NYT / Emma Fitzsimmons and Sharon Otterman] Anti-lockdown protests in Sydney Thousands of Australians, mostly unmasked, protested on the streets of Sydney and in other cities against new lockdown restrictions as case counts rise, prompting several arrests. [AP] New South Wales, where Sydney is located, has extended its lockdown to a fifth week after cases have risen in the state. Until July 30, residents can only leave their house to do essential activities. [The Hill / Celine Castronuovo] Saturday's protest featured people carrying signs calling for "freedom." Australian political leaders condemned the protests, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison calling it "selfish." [CNN / Helen Regan] In addition to the arrests and charges, hundreds of people have been fined in connection with the protest, with more than 510 fines being issued in the 24 hours after the protest. [Guardian / Matilda Boseley and agencies] Experts say the protests were coordinated and attended by a loose coalition of far-right groups, people who feel ignored by the government, and international supporters of former American president Donald Trump and the QAnon conspiracy. [Sydney Morning Herald / Miki Perkins] MISCELLANEOUS Civil rights activist Bob Moses, who helped register Black voters during the "Freedom Summer" of 1964 and created math programs to help marginalized students, died at 86. [NYT] Australian Ariarne Titmus defeated Katie Ledecky in the 400-meter freestyle, with both swimmers posting the second and third-best times ever recorded, respectively. [ESPN] Hollywood assistants and script coordinators say they are not paid a living wage but are essential to production. [Daily Beast / Laura Bradley]  Ramil, an unvaccinated 9-year-old snow leopard at the San Diego Zoo, has contracted the coronavirus. [AP] Support our journalism Reader contributions help keep Vox and newsletters like Sentences free for all. Support our work from as little as $3. Contribute $3 VERBATIM "If someone is unvaccinated, unfortunately, they pose a threat to themselves, but they also have a greater chance of spreading the disease. September is when the rubber hits the road, and this is when we have to make the difference." [New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, on mandating vaccines or weekly testing for city employees in September] LISTEN TO THIS     Vox's Sean Illing talks with CNN's Fareed Zakaria about the global trend in democratic decline and whether we should worry about America.  [Spotify / Sean Illing] Read more from Vox How Emily Oster became one of the most respected — and reviled — voices of the pandemic   Does Congress know what it would take to stop the next pandemic?   Our bodies can adapt to hotter conditions — but there's a limit   The case for optimism about American democracy   Starbucks can't be America's bathroom     This email was sent to edwardlorilla1986.paxforex@blogger.com. Manage your email preferences or unsubscribe. If you value Vox's unique explanatory journalism, support our work with a one-time or recurring contribution.   View our Privacy Notice and our Terms of Service.   Vox Media, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036. Copyright © 2021. All rights reserved.