Here are the headlines you Need2Know for Tuesday, April 6, 2021:
COVID-19: LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
The CDC says the risk of getting COVID from contaminated surfaces is “generally less than 1 in 10,000,” an acknowledgment that what’s become known as “hygiene theater” -- schools and businesses closing for deep cleanings, for instance -- should not be prioritized. Walgreens will change the spacing between Pfizer doses after complaints that it was scheduling them four weeks apart instead of the recommended three, which the pharmacy chain said it did to make it easier to schedule appointments. There’s no reason to believe an extra week between shots decreases effectiveness. New Jersey will open vaccine eligibility to all adults on April 19. YAHOO NEWS
CHAUVIN TRIAL: DAY 6
Week 2 of the Derek Chauvin trial opened with testimony from the Minneapolis police chief, who said that Chauvin “absolutely” violated department policy on use of force, rendering medical assistance and de-escalation and defied his own training while restraining George Floyd. The testimony from Chief Arradondo was among the most compelling yet for the prosecution, as it is extremely rare for a police chief to take the stand against a fellow officer. STAR TRIB
GEORGIA VOTING LAW
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell accused American companies that have publicly opposed Georgia’s new voting law of using “economic blackmail to spread disinformation” and warned of “serious consequences” for corporations that “behave like a woke parallel government.” United Airlines is the latest big company to come out against the law, which creates new voter ID requirements and puts more control over elections into the hands of the state legislatures, while also expanding early voting in rural counties. Similar laws are winding their way through Republican-controlled statehouses in Florida, Arizona and Texas. WASH POST
ARKANSAS TRANSGENDER BILL
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson has vetoed a bill that would have made the state the first to ban gender-confirming treatments for transgender youth. The Republican governor blocked the legislation that would have made it illegal for doctors to provide hormone therapy, surgery, or puberty blockers to anyone under 18. The bill could still become law as it only takes a simple majority in the Arkansas state legislature to override a veto. AP
CORPORATE TAXES
Treasury Sec. Janet Yellen is calling for a minimum global corporate tax rate as a way to make it harder for U.S. companies to relocate offshore. The Biden administration wants to raise the corporate tax rate from 21 to 28 percent to fund some of its $2 trillion infrastructure bill. The Trump administration had lowered it to 21 percent from 35 percent, arguing that low taxes incentivize companies to stay in the U.S. Yellen said a minimum global tax rate would stop a “race to the bottom” of countries outdoing each other by cutting taxes to attract business. AP
COOK VS. ZUCK
Apple CEO Tim Cook escalated his war of words with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, telling The New York Times in a rare podcast interview that Facebook’s stance on privacy is “flimsy.” Facebook has been saying that a coming change to Apple’s iOS privacy policy will hurt its ability to target users with ads -- though Cook said he doesn’t buy it. He also hinted at Apple’s rumored plans to make an electric car and heaped praise on Elon Musk and Tesla: LISTEN
NATIONAL CHAMPS
Baylor dominated Gonzaga, 86-70, to win the NCAA men’s national championship in Indianapolis. The Bears put on a defensive clinic from the start of the game, ending the Bulldogs’ hopes of completing the first undefeated season in 45 years. Baylor becomes only the second team from Texas to win a national title. It’s the fourth basketball title for the school, but the first for the men. Here’s the 'One Shining Moment' tournament recap: WATCH
'GOT' TURNS 10
HBO is going all out for the 10-year anniversary of the first season of Game of Thrones. The month-long celebration, dubbed "The Iron Anniversary," includes a Season 1 marathon and an interactive page on HBO Max full of easter eggs for die-hard fans and an introduction to the series for new viewers. A Game of Thrones prequel series is shooting later this year for a planned 2022 debut. VARIETY
SPOTTED...
…Jennifer Lopez, on the cover of the new issue of InStyle. The magazine interviewed two of her high-profile exes, Ben Affleck and Marc Anthony, both of whom spoke effusively about J. Lo’s famous work ethic. Her fiance, Alex Rodriguez, was noticeably missing from the piece: SEE IT
...a capacity crowd of 40,000 fans at the Texas Rangers home opener. It was the largest crowd at a U.S. sporting event since the pandemic (Texas lost to Toronto): SEE IT
LEFTOVERS: KETCHUP SHORTAGE
The global supply chain problems are now making their way to America’s favorite condiment. A shortage of ketchup packets has hit the restaurant industry after a year of filling to-go orders. Kraft Heinz, which owns 70 percent of the U.S. ketchup market, was caught off guard by the pandemic and couldn’t keep up with the surge in orders for the individual packets, leading some restaurant managers to hunt the aisles of Costco for substitutes. WSJ
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