Las Notis is a daily news column that gets you up to speed on the political, media + other going ons in Latin America and the diaspora—all in one quick digest.
- Here’s your glimpse at what’s going on today:
- The Biden Administration has pushed up the eligibility timeline so all adult Americans can register for COVID-19 vaccines in all states as early as April 19 or sooner. President Biden had previously set this deadline for May 1. According to Washing Post tracking, as of Tuesday (April 6), over 160 million vaccine doses had been administered. [WaPo]
- The Biden Administration will launch a large-scale funeral assistance program next week that will provide up to $9,000 to cover funeral costs for individuals who died of COVID-19. The program is open to anyone who can provide documentation as long as they have not already received similar benefits through an external program. [WaPo]
- A study found that millions in the U.S. are still waiting for stimulus checks, housing aid and that only 41% of those that meet eligibility are receiving unemployment. Delays in processing information and disbursing aid have been present throughout the pandemic, but the problems continue under the Biden administration. Biden said Friday (April 2) that 130 million households will receive stimulus payments by the middle of this week. [WaPo]
- One year into the global pandemic, Haiti still does not have a single vaccine available to offer its population. Haiti was set to receive 756,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine through a United Nations program in May, but the country missed a deadline and is facing delays. Haiti has reported 12,700 cases and 250 deaths, numbers that are thought to be underreported. [AP]
- Brazil has reported over 4,000 deaths in 24 hours for the first time. The country’s total death toll is pushing 337,000 covid-related deaths, second to only the U.S., and Brazil’s health ministry has recorded over 13 million confirmed cases to date. Brazil’s president Jair Bolsonaro continues to openly downplay the severity of the virus, as well as safety and lockdown measures. [BBC]
- Mexico’s president Andrés Manuel López Obrador said this week he will not be receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, as his doctors have told him he still has a high level of antibodies from his infection in January. The president was set to receive his first shot of AstraZeneca last week. The president has said more than once he would wait for his “turn” to be vaccinated and has been criticized for refusing drastic lockdown measures throughout the pandemic. [AP]