Three things for March 16
1. Countries disagree over vaccines
As vaccine rollouts become increasingly quicker, different countries are coming forward with their standards.
China has approved its fourth COVID-19 vaccine, created by the Head of the Center for Disease Control Gao Fu along with Anhui Zhifei Longcom Biopharmaceutical Co. Ltd. and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The vaccine is similar to others produced and approved globally in that it assists the body in recognizing the coronavirus vaccine, but there are differences in how the vaccine affects the body, according to The Associated Press.
According to those vaccinated, side effects may include bleeding, blood clotting and low platelet count.
On Monday, the top World Health Organization scientist reiterated there have been no documented deaths linked to COVID-19 vaccines.
In Chattanooga, options are provided to pharmacies to allocate vaccines as they believe fit. The Tennessee Department of Health provides Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson to each pharmacy, amounts of each based on population levels, according to Fox Chattanooga.
The single dose of Johnson & Johnson has been particularly appealing to the population recently because it is easy to use. “They need to keep in mind that all vaccines are equally effective at reducing hospitalizations, and that’s the most important thing,” said Jake Standefer, a pharmacist.
2. Pope Francis announces Catholic priests cannot bless same-sex marriages
On Monday, Pope Francis signed a Vatican decree, stating Catholic popes cannot partake in the blessing of matrimony between a same-sex couple, reports AP News.
According to the decree, God “does not bless sin.” Significant portions of the surrounding population at the Vatican hoped he would re-ordain same-sex marriage.
Since becoming pope, Francis has spoken several times on his inclusivity of LGBTQ+ individuals in his church and not elevating judgment. This created anticipation for a reform or revolution of the Catholic Church’s understanding of same-sex couples.
3. Cleveland home values inflate
At the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, the housing market went downhill; however, recently, it has been returning higher than before.
An average single-family American home has grown by 9.1% in value between January 2020 and January 2021.
In Cleveland, Tennessee, the growth in value has been an average of 11.4%, much larger than the average for the surrounding cities.
This value grew from multiple factors that can be calculated in the most recent census, but all result in major growth in value over the area, according to News Break.
