Three things for January 22
1. President Biden signs executive orders to beat COVID-19
During President Biden’s first few days in office, he has signed 10 executive orders regarding the coronavirus pandemic and released a 200-page National Strategy for the Covid-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness.
This National Strategy contains a personal letter from the president to the American people, focusing on restoring health and safety to all citizens while appealing to the heartache of those who have lost loved ones. There is a thorough explanation of the seven-step process that Biden plans to follow regarding the pandemic.
Beginning with ‘Restore Trust with the American People’ and ending with ‘restore U.S. Leadership globally, advance health security, and build better preparedness for future threats,’ Biden’s administration makes its big-picture goals clear.
This plan also addresses the urgency of providing Americans with testing and vaccines as timely as possible. These orders require masks on federal property and public transportation and a negative covid-19 test for international traveling.
2. Chinese gold miners trapped for two more weeks
Since Jan. 10, miners in Qixia, China have been trapped in a gold mine after an explosion blocked off their escape route. There has been one reported casualty and 11 rescued since the explosion. While new shafts have been drilled to rescue the remaining miners, rescue workers continue to run into obstacles, lengthening the rescue process.
Rescue teams have sent food and water down 600 meters to reach the miners. There is still rubble weighing approximately 70 tons blocking new shafts being drilled.
Reuters reports over 600 people are assisting in the rescue, waiting for the miners to be saved, along with 25 ambulances waiting on their arrival.
3. Yosemite National Park closed from damage
After an intense windstorm in California, Yosemite National Park was just one of the places impacted. As a result of multiple trees falling, the park sustained millions of dollars of damage.
While winds continue, over 300,000 homes are without power from fallen power lines. Fires have also begun to spread from bushfires and electrical equipment.
Two years ago, the park was restored with a $40 million budget. Now, many of the updates are ruined. The park will remain closed until early next week.
