Tag: clearing

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Politics

Choose Narrows Fits Over Clearing of Protesters Earlier than Trump Photograph Op

Judge Narrows Suits Over Clearing of Protesters Before Trump Photo Op

WASHINGTON – A federal judge on Monday partially dismissed claims by Black Lives Matter, the American Civil Liberties Union and others who accused the Trump administration of abusing power to forcibly disperse a protest outside the White House last year.

The lawsuits alleged that the government violated the civil rights of protesters and pledged to vacate Lafayette Square so President Donald J. Trump could go to a church near the White House where he had a Bible outside for a photo op held.

But in the 51-page verdict, Trump-appointed US District Judge Dabney L. Friedrich said federal conspiracy claims were “just too speculative” to continue those parts of the lawsuit. She also ruled that the then federal officials named as defendants, such as Attorney General William P. Barr and Gregory T. Monahan, the acting chief of the U.S. Park Police, were entitled to qualified immunity and could not be sued for damage over the episode.

Judge Friedrich, however, allowed lawsuits against continued restrictions on protesters’ access to Lafayette Square and against local police departments in Washington and Arlington Counties, Virginia, to continue.

Scott Michelman, the legal director of the District of Columbia Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, said in a statement that the decision to dismiss was an “astounding rejection of our constitutional values ​​and the rights of the First Amendment protesters.” He added that the decision put federal officials above the law.

“Today’s ruling essentially gives the federal government the green light to use force, including deadly force, against protesters while federal officials claim to protect national security,” Michelman said.

Protesters had gathered in Lafayette Square last June to protest the police murder of George Floyd when police officers and the National Guard flocked to the park to disperse the crowd.

The violence that followed became one of the defining moments of the Trump presidency. Mounted police and riot officers used stun grenades, tear gas, batons and clubs to forcibly remove the crowd from the park and historic St. John’s Episcopal Church, which had been damaged in a fire the night before.

Minutes later, Mr. Trump appeared at the church – flanked by aides and intelligence agents. The president posed with a Bible, made no formal remarks, and then went to the White House.

Categories
Health

The F.D.A. ended its advisable pause on the J.&J. vaccine, clearing the best way for states to make use of it once more.

The F.D.A. ended its recommended pause on the J.&J. vaccine, clearing the way for states to use it again.

She said the CDC spoke to health care providers for young women, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The hiatus and investigation into the rare disorder, she added, should give the public confidence in the vaccine safety monitoring system.

Almost 8 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine have now been given. There was less than one case per million doses in men and women aged 50 and over.

About 10 million doses or more of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, made at the company’s factory in the Netherlands, are on shelves in the United States and could be used immediately. Several states, including Texas, Alabama, Utah, and Wisconsin, said they would likely follow the CDC and FDA recommendations once the decision was made.

Dr. Walensky said she had heard from the governors a keen interest in resuming the use of the shot.

“They were wondering why we were on pause and they were eager to have this back, to have an opportunity for a single-dose vaccine, for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she said.

The vaccine has immense potential benefits. If vaccinations are restarted for all adults, 26 to 45 cases of the bleeding disorder are expected in the next six months. This is based on a model developed by CDC scientist Dr. Sara Oliver presented at the meeting on Friday. However, 600 to 1,400 fewer Covid-19-related deaths would be expected over the same period.

The vaccine, which is easy to store and only requires one shot, is also great for hard-to-reach populations, including people who are at home, homeless, or incarcerated.

Other potential cases of the coagulation disorder, including some in men, are currently being investigated. Dr. Shimabukuro also mentioned a case that developed in a 25-year-old man who was taking part in a clinical trial of the vaccine.

Categories
Business

CDC panel recommends Pfizer Covid vaccine for folks 16 years and older, clearing pivotal hurdle

CDC panel recommends Pfizer Covid vaccine for people 16 years and older, clearing pivotal hurdle

CDC headquarters in Atlanta

Elijah Nouvelage | Bloomberg via Getty Images

A key panel from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention unanimously voted on Saturday to recommend Pfizer-BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine for people aged 16 and over. This cleared another crucial hurdle for the drug before the vaccinations begin in the coming days.

The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, an external group of medical experts advising the agency, voted 11-0 in favor of recommending the vaccine for use in people aged 16 and over under the Food and Drug Administration’s emergency clearance. Three members withdrew due to conflicts.

The recommendation will now be sent to CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield who must sign out before vaccinations can begin. A CDC spokesman was not immediately available for comment on when Redfield would sign the recommendation.

“This Covid-19 vaccine gives us hope,” said Veronica McNally, ACIP member and assistant dean of experiential education at Michigan State University College of Law. “It’s important to remember that while this vaccine was being developed at an incredible pace and incorporating new technologies, it went through all appropriate channels of regulation and the approval process was transparent.”

Dr. Beth Bell, an ACIP member and clinical professor of global health at the University of Washington, said she recognized people’s concern about this vaccine and new vaccines in general, but added that they were “safely” taking this vaccine when it is she will turn.

“I believe the process we have used here at ACIP to make this decision is transparent, science-based, fair-minded, and for this moment the absolute best we can do,” said Bell .

The vote marked the end of an hour-long meeting during which ACIP members heard presentations from CDC officials on clinical considerations for those vaccinated under the emergency license.

Dr. Sarah Mbaeyi, a CDC doctor, told the agency during a presentation that vaccines should be offered to people “regardless of a history of previous symptomatic or asymptomatic” coronavirus infection. However, Mbaeyi told the panel that a diagnostic or antibody test is not recommended to help decide whether someone should receive the vaccine.

More studies on the vaccine’s safety in pregnant women are ongoing, Mbaeyi said. However, if a pregnant woman is part of a group that is prioritized for the vaccine, Mbaeyi said she could opt for vaccination after making an informed decision with a health care provider.

The public was also asked to share comments and concerns about the vaccine and its dissemination. Claire Hannan, the executive director of the Association of Immunization Managers, told the committee that there needs to be more precise guidance on who is considered an essential worker, as definitions differ across the US.

On December 1, the group voted 13-1 for healthcare workers and residents of long-term care facilities to receive the first doses of vaccine once released for public use. The ACIP emergency meeting, postponed from Sunday to Saturday, followed the FDA’s decision to give Pfizer’s vaccine emergency approval on Friday evening.