Month: December 2020

Richard Lawrence was the CEO of a non-profit company in the medical field before losing his job due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, he has applied for 136 jobs, without success.His partner Christine Johnson said today that while 2020 had taught the couple to live carefully on a budget, they would have a hard time meeting their financial commitments and benefits would be reduced by $ 100 per person per fortnight.Christine Johnson and Richard Lawrence on Today. (Today)"What we are facing with the new withdrawal of funds is a time when we are really going to have a hard time moving from one bill to another," he said."Over time (we will have) to face the reality that those bills will simply be too much for us."It only takes one expense, like a new pair of glasses, and your entire ...

A pharmacist at a suburban Milwaukee medical center deliberately recalled hundreds of coronavirus vaccine dose from refrigeration and left them outside overnight twice, not just once as officials initially believed, the health system's medical director said.Employees at Aurora Medical Center in Grafton inoculated nearly 60 people with the ruined vaccine, unaware that the doses had been left out for too long, making their injections less effective or ineffective, Jeff Bahr told reporters, Aurora Advocate Health Medical Director, during a conference call. Recipients shouldn't be in danger, he said, but the system is monitoring their conditions.The pharmacist intentionally removed the vaccine from the refrigerator, Bahr said, but declined to comment on the individual's motive, saying th...

Pressure is mounting on New South Wales premier Gladys Berejiklian to enforce a tough lockdown in Greater Sydney before coronavirus cases spiral out of control.Concern is growing among health experts that not enough is being done to stop the spread as COVID-19 numbers steadily rise.Today's case numbers will be posted at 11 a.m. M.Croydon is the latest suburb to be considered a coronavirus hotspot after a new group emerged there. (Rhett Wyman / SMH)Yesterday, NSW recorded 10 new cases. Half of the new cases are related to the Avalon outbreak on Sydney's north beaches, three are from the Croydon cluster in the inner west of the city, one is related to patient transport workers and one is from the west Sydney is under investigation and could be an old case.The cases in the interior of th...

Australia has finally completed a year that many felt would never end.At the stroke of midnight, residents across the country's east coast were the first to celebrate the end of 2020, looking forward with hope for what 2021 might bring.New Years Eve fireworks over Sydney Harbor, seen from Mrs Macquarie's Point. (Dominic Lorrimer)Masks and kisses as countries welcome 2021The fireworks were as bright as ever, but the atmosphere was very different: CBD's forests and parks were largely quiet, and the traditional sound of restaurants and pubs was muted.It has been a more challenging year than many have ever seen: from devastating wildfires to a global pandemic, nearly all Australians have been affected by events that began abroad.New Years Eve fireworks over Sydney Harbor, seen from Mrs Macq...

New coronavirus outbreaks in Sydney and Melbourne have prompted states and territories to swiftly reinstate border and travel restrictions as Australia ends the year again divided in the fight against the pandemic.As the new year rolls around, several changes have been made to the way residents can move from state to state. It is important to note that almost no border restrictions are reciprocal; you should always check the regulations of both states before traveling.From hotspots to red zones and everything in between, this is where each state and territory currently stands:Police detain motorists traveling from New South Wales at a checkpoint in Wodonga, on the Victoria-New South Wales border, on December 21, 2020. (Justin McManus)The New South Wales border is currently open, which...

State borders are being locked in Australia as the New South Wales COVID-19 cluster continues to expand.Victoria will close its border to New south Wales from 11:59 pm on January 1 after the Victorian health authorities detected two new cases today.Victoria closes the border with all NSWAny Victorian currently in the New South Wales Green Zone will have until tomorrow night to go home.This does not include Victorians in the Blue Mountains City Council and Wollongong City Council local government areas, who must apply for a new permit and arrive by 11:59 p.m. tonight, the government said.Any Victorian, regardless of their place of arrival in New South Wales, will need to be tested and then quarantined for 14 days after 11:59 p.m. tomorrow.Acting Premier Jacinta Allan said that two new...

As the clock ticks to 2021 tonight, Australians will suddenly have a host of inexpensive measures available to them, from cheaper drugs to more college degrees and renewal scholarships.The next stage of the Federal Government's Economic Recovery Plan takes place as of January 1, 2021 and aims to stimulate the recovery of the economy from the effects of the COVID-19 recession.Starting tomorrow, the following measures apply:Suddenly Australians will have a host of inexpensive measures at their disposal, from cheaper drugs to more college degrees and renewal scholarships. (iStock)Major changes have been made to Australia's insolvency framework, which deals with companies that are in financial distress and unable to cover ongoing debts.Under the new measures, there will be less bureaucracy ...

The man authorities say was the most prolific serial killer in US history with nearly 60 confirmed victims, died Wednesday in California, authorities said.Samuel Little, 80, had diabetes, heart problems and other ailments, he died in a California hospital.He was serving a life sentence on multiple murder charges.This backup photo from September 24, 2018 provided by the California Department of Corrections shows Samuel Little. Authorities say Little was the most prolific serial killer in American history. (AP)California Department of Corrections spokeswoman Vicky Waters said there were no signs of foul play and that a coroner will determine the cause of her death.A career criminal who had been in and out of jail for decades, Little denied for years that he had ever killed anyone.T...

A growing pod of mermaids They are causing a sensation in Sydney this summer as part of a new underwater movement that you have to "sail" to believe.Most people would think that mermaids only reside in children's movies and TV shows, with Ariel's iconic green tail and purple shell bikini springing to mind.But speaking to 9news.com.au, a group of adult mermaids are working to change the mindset of beach-loving Australians, encouraging more people to get in shape and take up the hobby of swimming that is trending around the world. this summer.Mermaid Sinead on a rock on a Sydney beach. (Nine supplied)The term "mermaid" refers to the practice of wearing, and often swimming, in a mermaid tail costume.The practice is very popular in the UK and US, although Australia has been slower to dip...

Like the rest of 2020, this New Year Eve it will be like no other.With some states fighting a new wave of COVID-19 cases and others trying to be COVID-free in 2021, coronavirus restrictions differ by region.Here's what you can and can't do across the country tonight:NSW is the state with the most severe restrictions this New Year after 18 new cases of COVID-19 and a 10 extra today."Your New Year's plans will have to change," Health Director Dr. Kerry Chant said today at a news conference.NSW Health Director Kerry Chant has encouraged residents to stay tuned this New Year. (Nine)Indoor meetings are now limited to five people and outdoor meetings are limited to 30.These rules apply to residents of Greater Sydney, Wollongong, the Central Coast and the Blue Mountains from December 31 ...