Axios PM — New threat: Omicron

🎁 Plus: Contact-free Santa | Friday, November 26, 2021

Open in app View in browser   Presented By Lyft   Axios PM By Mike Allen ·Nov 26, 2021 🛍️ Thanks for checking in on this busy Friday. Today's PM — edited by Justin Green — is 501 words, a 2-min. read.     1 big thing — New threat: Omicron Passengers wait for COVID tests before traveling today from O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Photo: Sumaya Hisham/Reuters President Biden restricted air travel from southern Africa beginning Monday in fear of Omicron — the new COVID variant that was first reported by South Africa and just got its official name this afternoon. Biden called it "a precautionary measure until we have more information." The U.S. is banning travelers from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi. U.S. citizens and permanent residents are exempt. What we know: The World Health Organization, which gave the Greek-alphabet name to the B.1.1.529 variant, said: "This variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning." European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen suspended travel from southern Africa. What markets think: Stock tumbled in Asia, Europe and the United States. The Dow closed with its worst day of 2021 and its biggest drop since October 2020 — down 905 points, or 2.5%. The S&P fell 2.3%. Oil plunged. What we don't know: Whether Omicron is a major public health threat. Some previous variants, including Beta, concerned scientists but didn't spread effectively, AP reports. Threat level: Ashish Jha, dean of Brown University School of Public Health, said on CNBC that while other variants have come and gone, this one "cannot be ignored … We haven't seen another variant outcompete Delta this effectively." Former FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb, speaking later on CNBC, said closing down travel in a wholesale fashion is a "big mistake." He said it makes no sense to punish South Africa economically for being quick to detect and report the variant. What's next: Anthony Fauci told CNN that U.S. scientists are talking to South African scientists to learn the variant's molecular makeup, so the U.S. can test for it. That will help scientists predict how well current vaccines will protect against the variant, CNN noted. Go deeper: Omicron explainer (Reuters).     2. Ukraine's president warns of coup plot Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made his assertion to reporters in Kyiv today. Photo: Ukrainian Presidency via Getty Images Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters today that his security services uncovered a plot to overthrow his government next week, with individuals from Russia caught on tape, Reuters reports. Why it matters: The accusation raised the temperature at a time when Kyiv and its Western allies have accused Moscow of amassing troops near the Ukrainian border for a possible assault. The Kremlin denied any role. Zelensky didn't directly accuse Moscow.     A message from Lyft 60% of Lyft riders say they are less likely to drive under the influence     Across the country, rideshare is helping decrease the likelihood of people driving under the influence. The impact: In Houston, rideshare has been associated with a 67% decrease in alcohol-associated motor vehicle crash traumas. Learn how Lyft is making an impact across the U.S.     3. Christmas kickoff Photo: Michaela Rehle/Reuters Above: Ornaments spotted today in Eichenau, Germany. Photo: Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images Black Friday shoppers wait for a Best Buy to open, outside Denver in Westminster, Colorado.     4. Parting shot: Socially distant Santa Photo: Jim Mone/AP Above: Santa, aka Sid Fletcher, sits behind glass as he gets a Christmas wish list from Kendra Alexander during her visit this week to The Santa Experience at Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. This year's Santa stand-ins aren't wearing face shields and hanging out in protective snow globes like last year. But they're also not ready for hugs, or whispers in the ear for secret wishes, AP's Leanne Italie reports. Many Santas remain behind barriers that popped up last year for safety. Spotted at The Santa Experience at Mall of America. Photo: Jim Mone/AP     A message from Lyft How Lyft is impacting drunk driving in the U.S.     Research shows that when Lyft enters a market, rides increase and DUI incidents decrease. Since the availability of Lyft, Atlanta has seen a 52% decrease in DUI charges. Chicago has seen a 40% decrease in DUI arrests. Los Angeles has seen a 40% decrease in DUI charges. Learn more about Lyft's impact.   Like this email style and format? Learn more about Axios HQ. It'll help you deliver employee communications more effectively.   Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. If you're interested in advertising, learn more here. 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: