Lead Photo: Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced the US Army Corps of Engineers and the state are putting up a 250-bed field hospital at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in downtown Dallas during a press conference at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Sunday, March 29, 2020. Photo by Tom Fox-Pool/Getty Images
Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced the US Army Corps of Engineers and the state are putting up a 250-bed field hospital at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in downtown Dallas during a press conference at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Sunday, March 29, 2020. Photo by Tom Fox-Pool/Getty Images
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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:
At least half of adults are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in 19 U.S. states, but nationwide vaccination rates have slowed and are uneven across communities. According to Anthony. Fauci, it is highly likely that people will need COVID-19 booster shots within a year, depending on the vaccine protection decline and breakthrough infections that are observed. Health experts also recommended that children keep wearing masks. [CNN]
The Supreme Court’s decision to review a Mississippi law restricting most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy is seen by people on both sides of the issue as certain to have significant political repercussions. Within hours of the Supreme Court accepting the case, which could lead to changes in the country’s landmark abortion rights ruling, Senator Michael Bennet issued a warning that and said that fate of Roe v Wade is on the line. [NYT]
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill this week banning abortion from as early as six weeks, before most women know they are pregnant. The legislation also allows anyone to sue medical practitioners who perform abortions after the six-week limit. Both doctors and women’s rights groups have spoken out against the law, explaining that its harmful to both doctors and patients. [BBC]
According to a recent survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation, unvaccinated Latinos are two times more likely than whites to want a COVID-19 vaccine but cite various concerns, largely relating to keeping their immigration status concealed, financial worries, and fear of vaccine side effects. When getting vaccinated, 56% of Hispanic adults were asked to show a government ID, 15% say they were asked to provide a Social Security number, and 23% say they were asked for health insurance information. Latinos are the nation’s largest uninsured population, according to UnidosUS. [NBC]
With just more than a week before the start of the Americas Olympic qualifying tournament in Florida, the Cuban baseball team has not been able to obtain travel visas to the United States. Team managers and players have tried to obtain authorization, but have been unsuccessful due to sanctions imposed by the U.S. on Cuba. The team was able to present documentation to the U.S. Embassy in Cuba last week but is yet to receive a response. [Yahoo]
Brazil’s Senate is set to examine President Bolsonaro’s government handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Much of the emphasis was placed on Bolsonaro failing to secure enough vaccines for the population. Currently, only 1 in 8 Brazillians are fully vaccinated. Brazil has one of the highest COVID-19 death counts, second only to the United States. [NPR]
Bad Bunny and Karol G are set to perform at this year’s Billboard Music Awards. Bad Bunny is to perform “Te Deseo Lo Mejor,” while Karol G will perform a medley of “Bichota and “El Makinon.” The BBMAs will broadcast live from Los Angeles on Sunday, May 23 at 8 p.m. EST / 5 p.m. PST on NBC. [Billboard]
