Here are the headlines you Need2Know for Friday, April 2, 2021:
COVID-19: LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
The U.S. is tantalizingly close to doing an average of 3 million vaccine doses a day, as cases and hospitalizations are now back on the rise. Though because of vaccine uptake among seniors, this current wave -- centered in the Northeast and Michigan -- is likely to be much less deadly. The CDC is walking back comments made by its director that “vaccinated people do not carry the virus,” saying it’s possible but still unlikely that some fully-vaccinated people could still contract and spread it. The FDA has approved the first COVID tests meant for frequent at-home testing. Known as “serial tests,” the kits will be available over the counter within weeks. NY TIMES
GOP 'NO' ON INFRA
The chances that President Biden’s infrastructure package could become a rare spot of bipartisanship in Washington have been laid to rest. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, the most powerful Republican in office, vowed to oppose the bill “every step of the way,” calling the $2 trillion proposal the “wrong prescription for America.” That all but ensures that Democrats will have to hold a united front and use the budget reconciliation process to pass the bill, as they did with the last stimulus. The White House wants it done this summer. POLITICO
CHAUVIN TRIAL: DAY 4
Testimony at the Derek Chauvin trial turned from bystander witnesses to experts who spoke about George Floyd’s medical condition, with paramedics testifying that Floyd appeared to be dead by the time they arrived on the scene. Chauvin’s former supervisor also testified that Chauvin didn’t tell him that he had knelt on Floyd’s neck and that officers should have stopped restraining Floyd when he quit resisting. The prosecution called Floyd’s girlfriend as a character witness; she spoke about their shared struggle with addiction and how he was a “mama’s boy” who was left “broken” by the death of his mother. STAR TRIB
TAIWAN TRAIN CRASH
A crowded passenger train derailed in Taiwan at the start of a long holiday weekend, killing at least 48 people and injuring 160. It appears to be the worst rail disaster in Taiwan’s history. According to local media, the train hit a construction vehicle that had rolled onto the tracks. AP
MARKET MILESTONE
The S&P 500 closed above 4,000 for the first time as the stock market kicked off April with a bang, led once again by tech stocks. President Biden’s announcement that he plans to pay for his infrastructure plan by raising corporate taxes has not put a dent in the rally on Wall St. -- at least not yet. Markets are closed today but the March jobs report will be released on schedule. Economists are expecting a gain of about 675,000 jobs. REUTERS
GAS TAX TALK
Transportation Sec. Pete Buttigieg made headlines a week ago when he endorsed an idea to tax drivers based on their miles driven as a way to partially fund the administration’s infrastructure bill. Buttigieg quickly walked back those comments after an outcry from progressive groups that called it a regressive tax that would unduly impact the working poor. But the growth in popularity of electric cars has some Democrats warming to the idea of an alternative to the federal gas tax, which hasn’t been raised since 1993, as a way to fund infrastructure investment and promote EVs. CHEDDAR
PLAY BALL
Opening Day 2021 had something for everyone: a rain out in Boston, a COVID postponement in D.C., snow in Detroit. Cubs fans booed their mayor at Wrigley. The Astros played to boos for the first time since their sign-stealing scandal. The Bleacher Creatures at Yankee Stadium were back. Baseball was played, too. TAKEAWAYS
POP RISING
Olivia Rodrigo dropped the follow-up to her smash hit single Drivers License, along with the announcement that her debut album, titled *O*R, will arrive on May 21. The new song is called Deja Vu and is a continuation of the break-up anthem that turned Rodrigo into the first break-out pop star of 2021: WATCH THE VIDEO
SPOTTED...
…Queen Elizabeth, out and about without a mask, after Buckingham Palace confirmed the monarch has been fully vaccinated: SEE PIC
LEFTOVERS: JUST SUE IT
Nike has succeeded -- kind of -- in blocking the sale of Lil Nas X’s “Satan Shoes,” winning an injunction against MSCHF, the art collective that’s been hawking them in collaboration with the rapper. MSCHF says it’s already sold all but one of the 666 pairs produced, holding one back for a raffle that’s now on pause, and Nike’s claims are therefore irrelevant. Nike says it’s suffered harm to the brand from consumers who think the company is associating with Satan. CBS NEWS
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