<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?516453-1/president-biden-outlines-strategy-combat-covid-19-omicron-variant&amp;live">Click here to watch</a> the President's comments

BETHESDA (AP) — President Joe Biden kicked off a more urgent campaign for Americans to get&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-boosters-adults-cdc-fda-pfizer-moderna-34aabde2c1c5a88c7763fa1dac77df5f">COVID-19 booster shots</a>&nbsp;Thursday as he unveiled his winter plans for combating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">the coronavirus</a>&nbsp;and its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-new-variant-omicron-explainer-116ef818ac4a8e7bc23bb28d6511ecad">omicron variant</a>&nbsp;with enhanced availability of shots and vaccines but without major new restrictions.

The plan includes a requirement for private insurers to cover the cost of at-home COVID-19 tests and a tightening of testing requirements for people entering the U.S. regardless of their vaccination status. But as some other nations&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-new-variant-southern-africa-omicron-33fa0983af6c9f961a186f4f4bb1147d">close their borders or reimpose lockdowns</a>, officials said Biden was not moving to impose additional restrictions beyond his recommendation that Americans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-health-infectious-diseases-anthony-fauci-44fab8b3448ad31f0865aebb26f91741">wear masks indoors</a>&nbsp;in public settings.

Biden traveled to the National Institutes of Health outside Washington on Thursday for a briefing on the virus with his COVID-19 response team and scientific advisers before delivering remarks outlining his strategy.

Biden said Wednesday that going forward the U.S. would fight the virus “not with shutdowns or lockdowns but with more widespread vaccinations, boosters, testing, and more.”

The White House released details of Biden’s plan early Thursday, in advance of the speech.

The Biden administration has come to view widespread adoption of booster shots as its most effective tool for combating COVID-19 this winter. Medical experts say boosters provide enhanced and more enduring protection against COVID-19, including new variants.

“There’s a national campaign to get the 100 million eligible Americans who have not yet gotten their booster a booster,” White House COVID-19 response coordinator Jeff Zients said Thursday on CBS.

Much remains unknown about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-europe-japan-192d15ef14bb3dd478bc36ab4aa325f0">the omicron variant</a>, including whether it is more contagious, whether it makes people more seriously ill and whether it can thwart the vaccines.

About 100 million Americans are eligible for boosters under current U.S. policy, with more becoming eligible every day. Convincing those who have already been vaccinated to get another dose, officials believe, will be far easier than vaccinating the roughly 43 million adult Americans who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-science-health-government-and-politics-coronavirus-pandemic-36ea18ee3a3397da7edd5b8249f0e477">haven’t gotten a shot</a>&nbsp;despite widespread public pressure campaigns to roll up their sleeves.

And while Biden’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-health-ac0826d72c7c6653154ea157c2148eb1">vaccination-or-testing requirement for workers at larger employers</a>&nbsp;has been held up by legal challenges, the president on Thursday will renew his call for businesses to move ahead and impose their own mandates on workers so they can stay open without outbreaks.

In a effort to encourage more people to take the booster doses, the Biden administration is stepping up direct outreach to seniors —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-vaccine-bypass-some-older-adults-374da36856dd9428643db2c3e85564da">the population most vulnerable</a>&nbsp;to the virus. The Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services will send a notice to all 63 million Medicare beneficiaries encouraging them to get booster doses, the White House said. The AARP will work with the administration on education campaigns for seniors.

So far about 42 million Americans, about half of them seniors, have received a booster dose. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week broadened its booster dose recommendation to cover all Americans aged at least 18 starting six months after their second dose of the mRNA vaccines from Pfizer or Moderna.

The White House said the CDC was also developing new guidance for schools in an effort to reduce or eliminate current quarantine requirements for those are not fully vaccinated and exposed to the virus. The new policies, which the White House said will be released in the coming weeks, could include so-called “test-to-stay” policies, in which those who are considered close contacts can continue to go to school but wear masks and undergo serial testing, in a bid to minimize learning loss and disruption.

The administration’s upcoming rule to require private insurers to cover at-home testing is still being drafted, and many details remain to be worked out, including under what criteria they will be reimbursable, officials said.

Those insured by Medicare and Medicaid would not be eligible, but the White House said as many as 150 million people with private insurance would see easier and cheaper access to the at-home tests. The administration said it is making 50 million COVID-19 tests free for older people and other vulnerable groups for pickup at senior centers and community sites.

Beginning next week, the White House said, all travelers to the U.S., regardless of nationality or vaccination status, will need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test within one day of boarding their flights. That’s down from three days right now for those who have been vaccinated, in an added precaution against the omicron variant. But the White House has shelved tougher options, like requiring post-arrival testing or requiring quarantines upon arrival in the U.S.

The White House has not yet moved to require domestic U.S. travelers to be vaccinated or get tested, as officials believe such a requirement would be immediately mired in litigation.

“We base our decisions on the advice of the health and medical experts, what’s going to be most effective and what we can implement,” said press secretary Jen Psaki on Thursday. “What’s most implementable, so we look at a range of factors as we make decisions about what steps we can put in place.”

Biden is also extending his directive requiring masks on airplanes and other public transit, which had been set to expire in January, through at least the middle of March, the White House said.

The administration is also informing states that it has more than 60 teams available to help them or their municipalities address surges in cases and public health shortages heading into the winter, with half aimed at bolstering hospital services and 20 targeted at supporting life-saving monoclonal antibody treatments.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638470662002.png" alt="President Biden said it is a sad commentary that anti-covid measures are political.-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>President Biden said it is a sad commentary that anti-covid measures are political.-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?516453-1/president-biden-outlines-strategy-combat-covid-19-omicron-variant&amp;live">Click here to watch</a> the President's commentsBETHESDA (AP) — President Joe Biden kicked off a more urgent campaign for Americans to get&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-boosters-adults-cdc-fda-pfizer-moderna-34aabde2c1c5a88c7763fa1dac77df5f">COVID-19 booster shots</a>&nbsp;Thursday as he unveiled his winter plans for combating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">the coronavirus</a>&nbsp;and its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-new-variant-omicron-explainer-116ef818ac4a8e7bc23bb28d6511ecad">omicron variant</a>&nbsp;with enhanced availability of shots and vaccines but without major new restrictions.The plan includes a requirement for private insurers to cover the cost of at-home COVID-19 tests and a tightening of testing requirements for people entering the U.S. regardless of their vaccination status. But as some other nations&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-new-variant-southern-africa-omicron-33fa0983af6c9f961a186f4f4bb1147d">close their borders or reimpose lockdowns</a>, officials said Biden was not moving to impose additional restrictions beyond his recommendation that Americans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-health-infectious-diseases-anthony-fauci-44fab8b3448ad31f0865aebb26f91741">wear masks indoors</a>&nbsp;in public settings.Biden traveled to the National Institutes of Health outside Washington on Thursday for a briefing on the virus with his COVID-19 response team and scientific advisers before delivering remarks outlining his strategy.Biden said Wednesday that going forward the U.S. would fight the virus “not with shutdowns or lockdowns but with more widespread vaccinations, boosters, testing, and more.”The White House released details of Biden’s plan early Thursday, in advance of the speech.The Biden administration has come to view widespread adoption of booster shots as its most effective tool for combating COVID-19 this winter. Medical experts say boosters provide enhanced and more enduring protection against COVID-19, including new variants.“There’s a national campaign to get the 100 million eligible Americans who have not yet gotten their booster a booster,” White House COVID-19 response coordinator Jeff Zients said Thursday on CBS.Much remains unknown about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-europe-japan-192d15ef14bb3dd478bc36ab4aa325f0">the omicron variant</a>, including whether it is more contagious, whether it makes people more seriously ill and whether it can thwart the vaccines.About 100 million Americans are eligible for boosters under current U.S. policy, with more becoming eligible every day. Convincing those who have already been vaccinated to get another dose, officials believe, will be far easier than vaccinating the roughly 43 million adult Americans who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-science-health-government-and-politics-coronavirus-pandemic-36ea18ee3a3397da7edd5b8249f0e477">haven’t gotten a shot</a>&nbsp;despite widespread public pressure campaigns to roll up their sleeves.And while Biden’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-health-ac0826d72c7c6653154ea157c2148eb1">vaccination-or-testing requirement for workers at larger employers</a>&nbsp;has been held up by legal challenges, the president on Thursday will renew his call for businesses to move ahead and impose their own mandates on workers so they can stay open without outbreaks.In a effort to encourage more people to take the booster doses, the Biden administration is stepping up direct outreach to seniors —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-vaccine-bypass-some-older-adults-374da36856dd9428643db2c3e85564da">the population most vulnerable</a>&nbsp;to the virus. The Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services will send a notice to all 63 million Medicare beneficiaries encouraging them to get booster doses, the White House said. The AARP will work with the administration on education campaigns for seniors.So far about 42 million Americans, about half of them seniors, have received a booster dose. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week broadened its booster dose recommendation to cover all Americans aged at least 18 starting six months after their second dose of the mRNA vaccines from Pfizer or Moderna.The White House said the CDC was also developing new guidance for schools in an effort to reduce or eliminate current quarantine requirements for those are not fully vaccinated and exposed to the virus. The new policies, which the White House said will be released in the coming weeks, could include so-called “test-to-stay” policies, in which those who are considered close contacts can continue to go to school but wear masks and undergo serial testing, in a bid to minimize learning loss and disruption.The administration’s upcoming rule to require private insurers to cover at-home testing is still being drafted, and many details remain to be worked out, including under what criteria they will be reimbursable, officials said.Those insured by Medicare and Medicaid would not be eligible, but the White House said as many as 150 million people with private insurance would see easier and cheaper access to the at-home tests. The administration said it is making 50 million COVID-19 tests free for older people and other vulnerable groups for pickup at senior centers and community sites.Beginning next week, the White House said, all travelers to the U.S., regardless of nationality or vaccination status, will need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test within one day of boarding their flights. That’s down from three days right now for those who have been vaccinated, in an added precaution against the omicron variant. But the White House has shelved tougher options, like requiring post-arrival testing or requiring quarantines upon arrival in the U.S.The White House has not yet moved to require domestic U.S. travelers to be vaccinated or get tested, as officials believe such a requirement would be immediately mired in litigation.“We base our decisions on the advice of the health and medical experts, what’s going to be most effective and what we can implement,” said press secretary Jen Psaki on Thursday. “What’s most implementable, so we look at a range of factors as we make decisions about what steps we can put in place.”Biden is also extending his directive requiring masks on airplanes and other public transit, which had been set to expire in January, through at least the middle of March, the White House said.The administration is also informing states that it has more than 60 teams available to help them or their municipalities address surges in cases and public health shortages heading into the winter, with half aimed at bolstering hospital services and 20 targeted at supporting life-saving monoclonal antibody treatments.

🎥 Biden launches plan to battle winter resurgence of COVID

CHEROKEE COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Galena Police Department are conducting a death investigation in Galena, Kansas, according to a media release from the KBI.

Just after 6:30p.m.&nbsp; Wednesday, Galena Police officers were dispatched to 801 East 11th Street in Galena after a subject reported that he had located a deceased person.

Officers&nbsp; found a man identified as the homeowner, 68-year-old Jerrold L. Brewer. It was not immediately clear how Brewer died.

The KBI was asked to assist in the death investigation. Special agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded to the home. An autopsy is scheduled., according to the KBI.

CHEROKEE COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Galena Police Department are conducting a death investigation in Galena, Kansas, according to a media release from the KBI.Just after 6:30p.m.&nbsp; Wednesday, Galena Police officers were dispatched to 801 East 11th Street in Galena after a subject reported that he had located a deceased person.Officers&nbsp; found a man identified as the homeowner, 68-year-old Jerrold L. Brewer. It was not immediately clear how Brewer died.The KBI was asked to assist in the death investigation. Special agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded to the home. An autopsy is scheduled., according to the KBI.

KBI: 68-year-old man found dead in his Kansas home

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal incident and have identified 50-year-old Stephen Long of Seguin, Texas as the victim.

Just after 2:00 a.m. Wednesday, police responded to a disturbance call at Blu nightclub in the 8700 block of W. Maple in Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy.&nbsp; Police located Long in the parking lot, unresponsive with a head injury.

Investigators learned that Long was leaving the bar and got into an argument with someone in the parking lot. A 34-year-old man later identified as Christopher Parish of Wichita went up to Long and shoved him, causing him to fall backward and hit his head, according to Macy.

EMS&nbsp;pronounced Long deceased at the scene.

Police contacted Parish at the scene and transported him to City Hall and subsequently booked him into the Sedgwick County Jail on a requested charge of involuntary manslaughter.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638381464881.png" alt="Police at the scene of the early Wednesday morning investigation -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police at the scene of the early Wednesday morning investigation -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal incident and have identified 50-year-old Stephen Long of Seguin, Texas as the victim.Just after 2:00 a.m. Wednesday, police responded to a disturbance call at Blu nightclub in the 8700 block of W. Maple in Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy.&nbsp; Police located Long in the parking lot, unresponsive with a head injury.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638392716488.png" alt="Parish-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Parish-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>Investigators learned that Long was leaving the bar and got into an argument with someone in the parking lot. A 34-year-old man later identified as Christopher Parish of Wichita went up to Long and shoved him, causing him to fall backward and hit his head, according to Macy.EMS&nbsp;pronounced Long deceased at the scene.Police contacted Parish at the scene and transported him to City Hall and subsequently booked him into the Sedgwick County Jail on a requested charge of involuntary manslaughter.

Police: Man dies after he is shoved in Kan. bar parking lot argument

WASHINGTON (AP) — Greeks who are over age 60 and refuse&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">coronavirus</a>&nbsp;vaccinations could be hit with monthly fines of more than one-quarter of their pensions — a get-tough policy that the country’s politicians say will cost votes but save lives.

In Israel, potential carriers of the new omicron variant&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-pandemics-israel-coronavirus-pandemic-tel-aviv-336a805c6cda2313468cbe1ad052caee">could be tracked</a>&nbsp;by the nation’s domestic security agency in seeming defiance of a Supreme Court ruling from the last go-round.

Weekly protests in the Netherlands over the country’s 5 p.m. lockdown and other new restrictions have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-riots-netherlands-rotterdam-8dec504840df02613cd6a7f3236e1e91">descended into violence</a>, despite what appears to be overwhelming acceptance of the rules.

With the delta variant of COVID-19 pushing up cases in Europe and growing fears over the omicron variant, governments around the world are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/omicron-variant-travel-industry-d90a5190aefa24ae6e076b13e9dd22d4">weighing new measures</a>&nbsp;for populations tired of hearing about restrictions and vaccines.

It’s a thorny calculus&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-riots-netherlands-rotterdam-445b8e7e0b3c53081d6525c83dc4dbca">made more difficult</a>&nbsp;by the prospect of backlash, increased social divisions and, for many politicians, the fear of being voted out of office.

“I know the frustration that we all feel with this omicron variant, the sense of exhaustion that we could be going through this all over again,” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Tuesday, two days after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-england-boris-johnson-scotland-8886fa8e4414d5993ddc618781e0456f">government announced that masks would be mandatory</a>&nbsp;again in stores and on public transportation and required all visitors from abroad to undergo a COVID-19 test and quarantine. “We’re trying to take a balanced and proportioned approach.”

New restrictions, or variations on the old ones, are cropping up around the world, especially in Europe, where leaders are at pains to explain what looks like a failed promise: that mass vaccinations would mean an end to widely loathed limitations.

“People need normality. They need families, they need to see people, obviously safely, socially distancing, but I really think, this Christmas now, people have had enough,” said Belinda Storey, who runs a stall at a Christmas market in Nottingham, England.

In the Netherlands, where the curfew went into effect last week, mounted police patrol to break up demonstrations against the new lockdown, which is among the world’s strictest. But most people appeared resigned to rush through errands and head home.

“The only thing we can do is to listen to the rules, follow them and hope it’s not getting worse. For me it’s no problem. I’m a nurse. I know how sick people get,” said Wilma van Kampen.

In Greece, residents over 60 face fines of 100 euros ($113) a month&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-europe-greece-52f34d671f16b23e075a1f4b52f747a2">if they fail to get vaccinated</a>. The fines will be tacked onto tax bills in January.

About 17% of Greeks over 60 are unvaccinated despite various efforts to prod them to get their shots, and nine in 10 Greeks currently dying of COVID-19 are over 60.

“I don’t care whether the measure will cost me some extra votes in the elections,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Wednesday after lawmakers passed the measure. “I am convinced that we are doing the right thing, and I am convinced that this policy will save lives.”

Employing a carrot instead of a stick, Slovakia’s government is proposing to give people 60 and older a 500-euro ($568) bonus if they get vaccinated.

In Israel, the government this week approved resuming the use of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-technology-travel-health-lifestyle-36287673df09cdc3630e5dd1e05cdc7c">controversial phone-monitoring technology</a>&nbsp;to perform contact tracing of people confirmed to have the omicron variant.

Israeli rights groups have decried the use of the technology as a violation of privacy rights, and others have noted that its accuracy in indoor places is flawed, leading to large numbers of people being wrongly flagged. The Supreme Court earlier this year issued a ruling limiting its use.

“We need to use this tool in extreme situations, and I am not convinced we are in that kind of situation,” Justice Minister Gideon Saar told Israeli public broadcaster Kan this week.

In South Africa, which alerted the World Health Organization to the omicron variant, previous restrictions included curfews and a ban on alcohol sales. This time, President Cyril Ramaphosa is simply calling on more people to get vaccines “to help restore the social freedoms we all yearn for.”

In the U.S., there is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-health-infectious-diseases-anthony-fauci-44fab8b3448ad31f0865aebb26f91741">little appetite in either political party</a>&nbsp;for a return to lockdowns or strict contact tracing. Enforcing even simple measures like mask-wearing has become a political flashpoint. And Republicans are suing to block the Biden administration’s new get-vaccinated-or-get-tested requirement for large employers.

President Joe Biden, whose&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-lifestyle-health-c6c9d651f631464e168f7a47b6e353bf">political fate may well hinge on controlling the pandemic</a>, has used a combination of pressure and urgent appeals to induce people to get their first shots or a booster. Also, the administration is working toward requiring that all air travelers to the U.S. be tested within a day before boarding their flight, instead of the current three days.

But Biden has said the U.S. will fight COVID-19 and the new variant “not with shutdowns or lockdowns but with more widespread vaccinations, boosters, testing, and more.”

“If people are vaccinated and wear their masks, there’s no need for the lockdowns,” he added.

The rise of the new variant makes little difference to Mark Christensen, a grain buyer for an ethanol plant in Nebraska. He rejects any vaccination mandate and doesn’t understand why it would be needed. In any event, he said, most businesses in his corner of the state are too small to fall under the regulations.

“If they were just encouraging me to take it, that’s one thing,” Christensen said. “But I believe in freedom of choice, not decisions by force.”

Chile has taken a harder line since the emergence of omicron: People over 18 must receive a booster dose every six months to keep their pass that allows access to restaurants, hotels and public gatherings.

And Chile never dropped its requirement to wear masks in public — probably the most common renewed restriction around the world.

Dr. Madhukar Pai, of McGill University’s School of Population and Public Health, said that masks are an easy and pain-free way of keeping transmission down, but that cheap, at-home tests need to be much more widespread, in both rich and poor countries.

He said both approaches give people a sense of control over their own behavior that is lost with a lockdown and make it easier to accept the need to do things like cancel a party or stay inside.

Pai said requiring boosters universally, as is essentially the case in Israel, Chile and many countries in Europe, including France, will only prolong the pandemic by making it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/65898ec544463b26ca78ba1e696edf19">harder to get first doses to the developing world</a>. That raises the odds of still more variants.

Lockdowns, he said, should be the very last choice.

“Lockdowns only come up when a system is failing,” he said. “We do it when the hospital system is about to collapse. It’s a last resort that indicates you have failed to do all the right things.”

That’s not&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-immigration-business-taiwan-wuhan-a5bf3ccccf435a5adf45faa57758c9f7">how lockdowns are seen</a>&nbsp;in communist China, which allows little dissent. At each new outbreak, entire cities are sealed, and sometimes millions of people undergo mass testing. In the strictest lockdowns, people are forbidden to leave their homes, and groceries are brought to their door.

So far, China hasn’t seen the need for new restrictions in response to the omicron variant. The head of China’s Center for Disease Control’s Epidemiology unit, Wu Zunyou, said omicron, for now, poses a manageable threat, and “no matter what variant, our public health measures are effective.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638445855822.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Greeks who are over age 60 and refuse&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">coronavirus</a>&nbsp;vaccinations could be hit with monthly fines of more than one-quarter of their pensions — a get-tough policy that the country’s politicians say will cost votes but save lives.In Israel, potential carriers of the new omicron variant&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-pandemics-israel-coronavirus-pandemic-tel-aviv-336a805c6cda2313468cbe1ad052caee">could be tracked</a>&nbsp;by the nation’s domestic security agency in seeming defiance of a Supreme Court ruling from the last go-round.Weekly protests in the Netherlands over the country’s 5 p.m. lockdown and other new restrictions have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-riots-netherlands-rotterdam-8dec504840df02613cd6a7f3236e1e91">descended into violence</a>, despite what appears to be overwhelming acceptance of the rules.With the delta variant of COVID-19 pushing up cases in Europe and growing fears over the omicron variant, governments around the world are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/omicron-variant-travel-industry-d90a5190aefa24ae6e076b13e9dd22d4">weighing new measures</a>&nbsp;for populations tired of hearing about restrictions and vaccines.It’s a thorny calculus&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-riots-netherlands-rotterdam-445b8e7e0b3c53081d6525c83dc4dbca">made more difficult</a>&nbsp;by the prospect of backlash, increased social divisions and, for many politicians, the fear of being voted out of office.“I know the frustration that we all feel with this omicron variant, the sense of exhaustion that we could be going through this all over again,” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Tuesday, two days after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-england-boris-johnson-scotland-8886fa8e4414d5993ddc618781e0456f">government announced that masks would be mandatory</a>&nbsp;again in stores and on public transportation and required all visitors from abroad to undergo a COVID-19 test and quarantine. “We’re trying to take a balanced and proportioned approach.”New restrictions, or variations on the old ones, are cropping up around the world, especially in Europe, where leaders are at pains to explain what looks like a failed promise: that mass vaccinations would mean an end to widely loathed limitations.“People need normality. They need families, they need to see people, obviously safely, socially distancing, but I really think, this Christmas now, people have had enough,” said Belinda Storey, who runs a stall at a Christmas market in Nottingham, England.In the Netherlands, where the curfew went into effect last week, mounted police patrol to break up demonstrations against the new lockdown, which is among the world’s strictest. But most people appeared resigned to rush through errands and head home.“The only thing we can do is to listen to the rules, follow them and hope it’s not getting worse. For me it’s no problem. I’m a nurse. I know how sick people get,” said Wilma van Kampen.In Greece, residents over 60 face fines of 100 euros ($113) a month&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-europe-greece-52f34d671f16b23e075a1f4b52f747a2">if they fail to get vaccinated</a>. The fines will be tacked onto tax bills in January.About 17% of Greeks over 60 are unvaccinated despite various efforts to prod them to get their shots, and nine in 10 Greeks currently dying of COVID-19 are over 60.“I don’t care whether the measure will cost me some extra votes in the elections,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Wednesday after lawmakers passed the measure. “I am convinced that we are doing the right thing, and I am convinced that this policy will save lives.”Employing a carrot instead of a stick, Slovakia’s government is proposing to give people 60 and older a 500-euro ($568) bonus if they get vaccinated.In Israel, the government this week approved resuming the use of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-technology-travel-health-lifestyle-36287673df09cdc3630e5dd1e05cdc7c">controversial phone-monitoring technology</a>&nbsp;to perform contact tracing of people confirmed to have the omicron variant.Israeli rights groups have decried the use of the technology as a violation of privacy rights, and others have noted that its accuracy in indoor places is flawed, leading to large numbers of people being wrongly flagged. The Supreme Court earlier this year issued a ruling limiting its use.“We need to use this tool in extreme situations, and I am not convinced we are in that kind of situation,” Justice Minister Gideon Saar told Israeli public broadcaster Kan this week.In South Africa, which alerted the World Health Organization to the omicron variant, previous restrictions included curfews and a ban on alcohol sales. This time, President Cyril Ramaphosa is simply calling on more people to get vaccines “to help restore the social freedoms we all yearn for.”In the U.S., there is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-health-infectious-diseases-anthony-fauci-44fab8b3448ad31f0865aebb26f91741">little appetite in either political party</a>&nbsp;for a return to lockdowns or strict contact tracing. Enforcing even simple measures like mask-wearing has become a political flashpoint. And Republicans are suing to block the Biden administration’s new get-vaccinated-or-get-tested requirement for large employers.President Joe Biden, whose&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-lifestyle-health-c6c9d651f631464e168f7a47b6e353bf">political fate may well hinge on controlling the pandemic</a>, has used a combination of pressure and urgent appeals to induce people to get their first shots or a booster. Also, the administration is working toward requiring that all air travelers to the U.S. be tested within a day before boarding their flight, instead of the current three days.But Biden has said the U.S. will fight COVID-19 and the new variant “not with shutdowns or lockdowns but with more widespread vaccinations, boosters, testing, and more.”“If people are vaccinated and wear their masks, there’s no need for the lockdowns,” he added.The rise of the new variant makes little difference to Mark Christensen, a grain buyer for an ethanol plant in Nebraska. He rejects any vaccination mandate and doesn’t understand why it would be needed. In any event, he said, most businesses in his corner of the state are too small to fall under the regulations.“If they were just encouraging me to take it, that’s one thing,” Christensen said. “But I believe in freedom of choice, not decisions by force.”Chile has taken a harder line since the emergence of omicron: People over 18 must receive a booster dose every six months to keep their pass that allows access to restaurants, hotels and public gatherings.And Chile never dropped its requirement to wear masks in public — probably the most common renewed restriction around the world.Dr. Madhukar Pai, of McGill University’s School of Population and Public Health, said that masks are an easy and pain-free way of keeping transmission down, but that cheap, at-home tests need to be much more widespread, in both rich and poor countries.He said both approaches give people a sense of control over their own behavior that is lost with a lockdown and make it easier to accept the need to do things like cancel a party or stay inside.Pai said requiring boosters universally, as is essentially the case in Israel, Chile and many countries in Europe, including France, will only prolong the pandemic by making it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/65898ec544463b26ca78ba1e696edf19">harder to get first doses to the developing world</a>. That raises the odds of still more variants.Lockdowns, he said, should be the very last choice.“Lockdowns only come up when a system is failing,” he said. “We do it when the hospital system is about to collapse. It’s a last resort that indicates you have failed to do all the right things.”That’s not&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-immigration-business-taiwan-wuhan-a5bf3ccccf435a5adf45faa57758c9f7">how lockdowns are seen</a>&nbsp;in communist China, which allows little dissent. At each new outbreak, entire cities are sealed, and sometimes millions of people undergo mass testing. In the strictest lockdowns, people are forbidden to leave their homes, and groceries are brought to their door.So far, China hasn’t seen the need for new restrictions in response to the omicron variant. The head of China’s Center for Disease Control’s Epidemiology unit, Wu Zunyou, said omicron, for now, poses a manageable threat, and “no matter what variant, our public health measures are effective.”___

Omicron and delta spell return of unpopular restrictions

The
 Federal Trade Commission is sending 71,899 checks totaling more than 
$1.8 million to consumers, including many older Americans, tricked into 
paying for supposedly free in-home medical alert devices. The money 
comes from a settlement with New York-based Lifewatch, Inc.<a href="https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/federal.trade.commission/viz/DoNotCallComplaints/Maps"></a>

The<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2015/07/ftc-florida-attorney-general-sue-stop-deceptive-robocalls">FTC’s complaint</a>,
 filed jointly with the Florida Attorney General’s Office, alleged that 
the defendants bombarded consumers with at least a billion unsolicited 
robocalls to pitch supposedly “free” medical alert systems. These
 pre-recorded messages claimed that Lifewatch’s medical alert system was
 endorsed or recommended by reputable organizations like the American 
Heart Association. The company’s telemarketers often told consumers that
 a medical alert system had been purchased for them, and they could 
receive it “at no cost whatsoever.” Consumers eventually learned that 
they were responsible for monthly monitoring fees and that it was 
difficult to cancel without paying a penalty.

In addition to imposing the monetary penalty to provide consumer refunds, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/cases/142_3123_lifewatch_-_final_order_0.pdf">the order settling the FTC’s charges</a> bans
 the Lifewatch defendants from telemarketing and prohibits them from 
misrepresenting the terms associated with the sale of any product or 
service.

The
 FTC is returning $1,808,260 to defrauded consumers. All checks are for 
$25.15, and will expire in 90 days, as indicated on the check. 
Recipients who have questions about their refund can call the 
administrator, Analytics, LLC, at 1-866-484-1466. The FTC never requires people to pay money or provide account information to cash a refund check. 

In
 2020, FTC actions led to more than $483 million in refunds to consumers
 across the country, but the United States Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that the FTC lacks authority under Section 13(b) to seek monetary relief in federal court going forward. The <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/04/ftc-asks-congress-pass-legislation-reviving-agencys-authority">Commission has urged Congress</a> to restore the FTC’s ability to get money back for consumers.

The Federal Trade Commission works to <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-competition">promote competition</a>, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consumer-protection">stop deceptive and unfair business practices and scams</a>, and <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/">educate consumers</a>. Report fraud, scams, or bad business practices at <a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>. Get consumer advice at <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/">consumer.ftc.gov</a>. Also, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/social-media">follow the FTC on social media</a>, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/stay-connected">subscribe to press releases</a>, and read the FTC’s <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs">blogs</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619632629588.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FTCThe
 Federal Trade Commission is sending 71,899 checks totaling more than 
$1.8 million to consumers, including many older Americans, tricked into 
paying for supposedly free in-home medical alert devices. The money 
comes from a settlement with New York-based Lifewatch, Inc.<a href="https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/federal.trade.commission/viz/DoNotCallComplaints/Maps"></a> The<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2015/07/ftc-florida-attorney-general-sue-stop-deceptive-robocalls">FTC’s complaint</a>,
 filed jointly with the Florida Attorney General’s Office, alleged that 
the defendants bombarded consumers with at least a billion unsolicited 
robocalls to pitch supposedly “free” medical alert systems. These
 pre-recorded messages claimed that Lifewatch’s medical alert system was
 endorsed or recommended by reputable organizations like the American 
Heart Association. The company’s telemarketers often told consumers that
 a medical alert system had been purchased for them, and they could 
receive it “at no cost whatsoever.” Consumers eventually learned that 
they were responsible for monthly monitoring fees and that it was 
difficult to cancel without paying a penalty.In addition to imposing the monetary penalty to provide consumer refunds, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/cases/142_3123_lifewatch_-_final_order_0.pdf">the order settling the FTC’s charges</a> bans
 the Lifewatch defendants from telemarketing and prohibits them from 
misrepresenting the terms associated with the sale of any product or 
service.The
 FTC is returning $1,808,260 to defrauded consumers. All checks are for 
$25.15, and will expire in 90 days, as indicated on the check. 
Recipients who have questions about their refund can call the 
administrator, Analytics, LLC, at 1-866-484-1466. The FTC never requires people to pay money or provide account information to cash a refund check. In
 2020, FTC actions led to more than $483 million in refunds to consumers
 across the country, but the United States Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that the FTC lacks authority under Section 13(b) to seek monetary relief in federal court going forward. The <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/04/ftc-asks-congress-pass-legislation-reviving-agencys-authority">Commission has urged Congress</a> to restore the FTC’s ability to get money back for consumers.The Federal Trade Commission works to <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-competition">promote competition</a>, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consumer-protection">stop deceptive and unfair business practices and scams</a>, and <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/">educate consumers</a>. Report fraud, scams, or bad business practices at <a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>. Get consumer advice at <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/">consumer.ftc.gov</a>. Also, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/social-media">follow the FTC on social media</a>, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/stay-connected">subscribe to press releases</a>, and read the FTC’s <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs">blogs</a>.

FTC: $1.8M in refunds sent to victims of telemarketing scheme

WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government could be heading for temporary shutdown, with Republicans poised to stall a must-pass funding bill in their effort to force a debate in Congress on rolling back the Biden administration's COVID-19 vaccine mandates for some workers.

Conservative Republicans in the House and Senate who are opposed to Biden’s vaccine rules want Congress to take a hardline stand against the mandated shots, even if it means shutting down federal offices over the weekend. But not all Republicans are on board. One GOP senator after another left a private lunch meeting Wednesday voicing concern they will be blamed for even a short stoppage of the federal government that will not play well with the public.

Friday is a government funding deadline and the Republican objections — particularly in the Senate, where any single senator can hold up proceedings to stall a vote — could delay passage of legislation needed to keep federal operations running.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer opened the chamber saying Democrats are prepared to support the funding bill and urging Republicans not to engage in shutdown politics.

“Our Republican colleagues, meanwhile, can either work with us to move the process quickly through the chamber, or they can engage in obstructive tactics that will make a government shutdown almost a certainty,” said Schumer, D-N.Y.

Political backlash over the Biden administration's coronavirus vaccine mandates has been building for months. The White House sees the vaccinations as the quickest way to end the pandemic that has claimed more than 780,000 deaths in the U.S. Wednesday sparked fresh fears, with the country's first detected case of a troubling new variant. During the last government shutdown battle in September, Republicans also tried to halt the vaccine mandate.

As the political arguments mount over slapping vaccine requirements on some groups of workers, so too have legal challenges. Courts have been knocking back the Biden administration's vaccine mandates — including a ruling this week blocking enforcement of a requirement for some health care workers.

For some Republicans, the court cases, along with their own worries about a potentially disruptive government shutdown, are shifting them away from engaging in a high-stakes shutdown.

“One of the things I’m a little concerned about is: Why would we make ourselves the object of public attention by creating the specter of a government shutdown?” said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, a party leader.

On Wednesday, one Republican, Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, made the case to his colleagues to link the effort to halt the vaccine mandates to the spending bill during a private lunch meeting at the Capitol.

The idea is to have the Senate vote to strip funding from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to implement the Biden administration's requirement that private employers with 100 or more workers ensure they are vaccinated or regularly tested, senators said.

Lee appears to have backing from a few senators and hardline Republicans in the House. “This is a chance to correct a wrong," said Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., who launched a similar effort against vaccine mandates during the last government funding battle.

But among most other Republican senators, enthusiasm for a shutdown ran thin.

“I just hate to see a shutdown — shut down the government — because people have been through a lot," Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., said while exiting the lunch session.

Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, told reporters that with the new coronavirus variant: “There’s too much chaos in our country right now, too much concern about omicron. The last thing we need is more confusion and fear.”

Minority leader Mitch McConnell has been opposed to the shutdown strategy, according to a Republican granted anonymity to discuss private conversations. He did not say a word during the private lunch, but publicly McConnell has been upbeat that there will be no shutdown of the federal government.

“We’re going to be OK,” McConnell, R-Ky., told reporters in the halls of the Capitol.

The Biden administration has pursued vaccine requirements on several groups of workers at it seeks to get more shots in arms to crush the virus, but the effort is facing one setback after another in legal cases.

This week, a federal judge blocked the administration from enforcing a coronavirus vaccine mandate on thousands of health care workers in 10 states. Earlier, a federal appeals court temporarily halted the OSHA requirement that employers with 100 or more workers ensure they are fully vaccinated.

The administration has previously implemented policies requiring millions of federal employees and federal contractors, including military troops, to be fully vaccinated. Those efforts are also being contested in federal courts.

Polling from The Associated Press shows Americans are divided over Biden's effort to vaccinate workers, with Democrats overwhelmingly for it while most Republicans are against it.

Some Republicans prefer an effort from Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., to simply vote to reject the administration’s mandates in a congressional review action expected next week, separate from the federal funding fight.

From the White House, Press Secretary Jen Psaki was confident the government funding bill would be approved by Congress and routine federal operations would not shut down this weekend.

“We have every confidence they will move forward and prevent the government from shutting down,” Psaki said.

She was highly critical of Republicans seeking to prevent the mandates from going into effect.

“These supporters of the former president are advocating for shutting the federal government down, so that 20% of the public who are refusing to get vaccinated or tested can be free to infect their coworkers, our children, filling hospitals,” Psaki said. “They want to shut the government down in order to advocate for people to assert that on society.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government could be heading for temporary shutdown, with Republicans poised to stall a must-pass funding bill in their effort to force a debate in Congress on rolling back the Biden administration's COVID-19 vaccine mandates for some workers.Conservative Republicans in the House and Senate who are opposed to Biden’s vaccine rules want Congress to take a hardline stand against the mandated shots, even if it means shutting down federal offices over the weekend. But not all Republicans are on board. One GOP senator after another left a private lunch meeting Wednesday voicing concern they will be blamed for even a short stoppage of the federal government that will not play well with the public.Friday is a government funding deadline and the Republican objections — particularly in the Senate, where any single senator can hold up proceedings to stall a vote — could delay passage of legislation needed to keep federal operations running.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer opened the chamber saying Democrats are prepared to support the funding bill and urging Republicans not to engage in shutdown politics.“Our Republican colleagues, meanwhile, can either work with us to move the process quickly through the chamber, or they can engage in obstructive tactics that will make a government shutdown almost a certainty,” said Schumer, D-N.Y.Political backlash over the Biden administration's coronavirus vaccine mandates has been building for months. The White House sees the vaccinations as the quickest way to end the pandemic that has claimed more than 780,000 deaths in the U.S. Wednesday sparked fresh fears, with the country's first detected case of a troubling new variant. During the last government shutdown battle in September, Republicans also tried to halt the vaccine mandate.As the political arguments mount over slapping vaccine requirements on some groups of workers, so too have legal challenges. Courts have been knocking back the Biden administration's vaccine mandates — including a ruling this week blocking enforcement of a requirement for some health care workers.For some Republicans, the court cases, along with their own worries about a potentially disruptive government shutdown, are shifting them away from engaging in a high-stakes shutdown.“One of the things I’m a little concerned about is: Why would we make ourselves the object of public attention by creating the specter of a government shutdown?” said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, a party leader.On Wednesday, one Republican, Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, made the case to his colleagues to link the effort to halt the vaccine mandates to the spending bill during a private lunch meeting at the Capitol.The idea is to have the Senate vote to strip funding from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to implement the Biden administration's requirement that private employers with 100 or more workers ensure they are vaccinated or regularly tested, senators said.Lee appears to have backing from a few senators and hardline Republicans in the House. “This is a chance to correct a wrong," said Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., who launched a similar effort against vaccine mandates during the last government funding battle.But among most other Republican senators, enthusiasm for a shutdown ran thin.“I just hate to see a shutdown — shut down the government — because people have been through a lot," Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., said while exiting the lunch session.Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, told reporters that with the new coronavirus variant: “There’s too much chaos in our country right now, too much concern about omicron. The last thing we need is more confusion and fear.”Minority leader Mitch McConnell has been opposed to the shutdown strategy, according to a Republican granted anonymity to discuss private conversations. He did not say a word during the private lunch, but publicly McConnell has been upbeat that there will be no shutdown of the federal government.“We’re going to be OK,” McConnell, R-Ky., told reporters in the halls of the Capitol.The Biden administration has pursued vaccine requirements on several groups of workers at it seeks to get more shots in arms to crush the virus, but the effort is facing one setback after another in legal cases.This week, a federal judge blocked the administration from enforcing a coronavirus vaccine mandate on thousands of health care workers in 10 states. Earlier, a federal appeals court temporarily halted the OSHA requirement that employers with 100 or more workers ensure they are fully vaccinated.The administration has previously implemented policies requiring millions of federal employees and federal contractors, including military troops, to be fully vaccinated. Those efforts are also being contested in federal courts.Polling from The Associated Press shows Americans are divided over Biden's effort to vaccinate workers, with Democrats overwhelmingly for it while most Republicans are against it.Some Republicans prefer an effort from Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., to simply vote to reject the administration’s mandates in a congressional review action expected next week, separate from the federal funding fight.From the White House, Press Secretary Jen Psaki was confident the government funding bill would be approved by Congress and routine federal operations would not shut down this weekend.“We have every confidence they will move forward and prevent the government from shutting down,” Psaki said.She was highly critical of Republicans seeking to prevent the mandates from going into effect.“These supporters of the former president are advocating for shutting the federal government down, so that 20% of the public who are refusing to get vaccinated or tested can be free to infect their coworkers, our children, filling hospitals,” Psaki said. “They want to shut the government down in order to advocate for people to assert that on society.”

GOP risks government shutdown to fight Biden vaccine mandate

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a stabbing and have a suspect in custody.

Just after 6p.m. Tuesday, police responded to home in the 700 Block SW Western Ave reference to a stabbing that had occurred, according to Lt. Jerry Monasmith.

Upon arrival, officers located a man suffering from injuries that were consistent with a stabbing. The victim was later transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. 

Police identified a suspect later identified as 39-year-old James Henry&nbsp;in the area and took him into custody without incident.

Henry of Topeka is being held in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated Battery.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638366155613.png" alt="Henry photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Henry photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a stabbing and have a suspect in custody.Just after 6p.m. Tuesday, police responded to home in the 700 Block SW Western Ave reference to a stabbing that had occurred, according to Lt. Jerry Monasmith.Upon arrival, officers located a man suffering from injuries that were consistent with a stabbing. The victim was later transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police identified a suspect later identified as 39-year-old James Henry&nbsp;in the area and took him into custody without incident.Henry of Topeka is being held in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated Battery.

Police arrest Kansas man after stabbing sends victim to hospital


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Gas prices generally are trending downward, though they are still above $3 a gallon locally.

"Kansas is fifth cheapest in the country again this week," said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. "Reno County today is $3.04 a gallon, just slightly above the statewide average."

Prices are well below that average as close as Wichita, with Sedgwick County at $2.94 a gallon.

"Demand has started to tick downward seasonally as we usually see this time of year," Steward said. "Those crude oil prices have been heading downward. Most recently, they have been about $20 less per barrel than we saw at their peak in late October."

A recent survey of Kansas drivers from AAA said many of them are driving differently right now.

Forty-four percent said they have changed their daily driving habits because of gas prices recently," Steward said. 

Thirty-seven percent (37%) of drivers say they try to consolidate errands, carpool or otherwise drive less when the price of gas tops $3 a gallon.

By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Gas prices generally are trending downward, though they are still above $3 a gallon locally."Kansas is fifth cheapest in the country again this week," said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. "Reno County today is $3.04 a gallon, just slightly above the statewide average."Prices are well below that average as close as Wichita, with Sedgwick County at $2.94 a gallon."Demand has started to tick downward seasonally as we usually see this time of year," Steward said. "Those crude oil prices have been heading downward. Most recently, they have been about $20 less per barrel than we saw at their peak in late October."A recent survey of Kansas drivers from AAA said many of them are driving differently right now.Forty-four percent said they have changed their daily driving habits because of gas prices recently," Steward said. Thirty-seven percent (37%) of drivers say they try to consolidate errands, carpool or otherwise drive less when the price of gas tops $3 a gallon.

With less demand gas prices are down in Kansas

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Kansas man was convicted Wednesday of raping a woman while he was working as a nurse at a hospital in Missouri.

Chukwuemeka U. Emmanuel, 37, of Overland Park, was found guilty of first-degree rape after a bench trial. He will be sentenced Jan. 27, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ansascity.com/news/local/crime/article256262517.html" target="_blank">reported</a>.

He was charged in June 2019 after a woman reported that Emmanuel raped her when she asked him for help to clean up because her catheter was leaking, according to court records.

The woman was being treated at Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence, Missouri, and was medicated with morphine and other narcotics to help manage pain, hospital officials said.

Emmanuel was working as a “float nurse” hired through an outside agency. He was fired after the allegations were made and fled the state before being apprehended.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638409375370.png" alt="Emmanuel-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Emmanuel-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Kansas man was convicted Wednesday of raping a woman while he was working as a nurse at a hospital in Missouri.Chukwuemeka U. Emmanuel, 37, of Overland Park, was found guilty of first-degree rape after a bench trial. He will be sentenced Jan. 27, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ansascity.com/news/local/crime/article256262517.html" target="_blank">reported</a>.He was charged in June 2019 after a woman reported that Emmanuel raped her when she asked him for help to clean up because her catheter was leaking, according to court records.The woman was being treated at Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence, Missouri, and was medicated with morphine and other narcotics to help manage pain, hospital officials said.Emmanuel was working as a “float nurse” hired through an outside agency. He was fired after the allegations were made and fled the state before being apprehended.

Ex-nurse convicted of raping patient at KC-area hospital

HARPER COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 1p.m. Wednesday in Harper County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol&nbsp; reported a&nbsp; 2014 Nissan Altima driven by Thomas Morgan Burel, 17, McKinney, Texas, was southbound on Kansas 14 two miles north of Harper.

The car's right tire dropped off the west edge of the roadway. The Nissan came back on the roadway, traveled across the southbound lane and into the northbound lanes where it struck a 2008 Kenworth semi driven by James B. Long, 60, Sunset Estates,&nbsp;Saskatchewan.

Burel was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Prairie Rose Funeral Home. Long was not injured. Burel was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

HARPER COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 1p.m. Wednesday in Harper County.The Kansas Highway Patrol&nbsp; reported a&nbsp; 2014 Nissan Altima driven by Thomas Morgan Burel, 17, McKinney, Texas, was southbound on Kansas 14 two miles north of Harper.The car's right tire dropped off the west edge of the roadway. The Nissan came back on the roadway, traveled across the southbound lane and into the northbound lanes where it struck a 2008 Kenworth semi driven by James B. Long, 60, Sunset Estates,&nbsp;Saskatchewan.Burel was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Prairie Rose Funeral Home. Long was not injured. Burel was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Teen driver dies after crash with semi on Kansas highway

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

SALINE COUNTY —Solomon man was arrested after an incident in which he allegedly struck his girlfriend's co-worker with a car early this morning.

Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said this morning that a 21-year-old Salina man told officers that a female co-worker had given him a ride home from work. That allegedly upset the woman's boyfriend, identified as Simon Smith, 18, of Solomon, who went to the man's residence in the 500 block of State Street.

The man said he was walking in the alley of the 500 block of State Street when Smith allegedly approached him in a 2015 Toyota Camry. The man attempted to jump out of the way, but allegedly was struck by the Camry, Forrester said. He told police that he went up onto the hood and struck the windshield, damaging it. The man suffered minor scratches and bruises, Forrester said.

The alleged incident occurred shortly after 1 a.m. Wednesday.

A short while later, officers made contact with Smith, who was still in the area. Smith was arrested on a requested charge of aggravated battery, Forrester said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638369195779.jpeg" alt="Smith photo Saline County" />
 <figcaption>Smith photo Saline County</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostSALINE COUNTY —Solomon man was arrested after an incident in which he allegedly struck his girlfriend's co-worker with a car early this morning.Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said this morning that a 21-year-old Salina man told officers that a female co-worker had given him a ride home from work. That allegedly upset the woman's boyfriend, identified as Simon Smith, 18, of Solomon, who went to the man's residence in the 500 block of State Street.The man said he was walking in the alley of the 500 block of State Street when Smith allegedly approached him in a 2015 Toyota Camry. The man attempted to jump out of the way, but allegedly was struck by the Camry, Forrester said. He told police that he went up onto the hood and struck the windshield, damaging it. The man suffered minor scratches and bruises, Forrester said.The alleged incident occurred shortly after 1 a.m. Wednesday.A short while later, officers made contact with Smith, who was still in the area. Smith was arrested on a requested charge of aggravated battery, Forrester said.

Kan. woman's boyfriend allegedly struck her co-worker with car

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A lawsuit filed against a Wichita car dealership by the wife of a police officer injured when he was run over by a sport utility vehicle from the business has been settled for an undisclosed amount. 

Officer Brian Arterburn was critically injured in February 2017 when he was hit by the SUV while putting down stop sticks to stop the vehicle. His wife, fellow Wichita police officer Claudale Arterburn, sued Eddy's Chevrolet Cadillac, its owners and the driver of the SUV, Justin Terrazas.

Terrazas pleaded guilty to charges in the case and was sentenced to nearly 29 years in prison. The lawsuit had sought $75 million in actual and punitive damages.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638371336490.png" alt="Officer Brian Arterburn and Wichita Police Chief Gordon Ramsay-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Officer Brian Arterburn and Wichita Police Chief Gordon Ramsay-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A lawsuit filed against a Wichita car dealership by the wife of a police officer injured when he was run over by a sport utility vehicle from the business has been settled for an undisclosed amount. Officer Brian Arterburn was critically injured in February 2017 when he was hit by the SUV while putting down stop sticks to stop the vehicle. His wife, fellow Wichita police officer Claudale Arterburn, sued Eddy's Chevrolet Cadillac, its owners and the driver of the SUV, Justin Terrazas.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638371521538.png" alt="Justin Terrazas has ten previous felony convictions that include burglary, theft, aggravated criminal sodomy, aggravated indecent liberties with a child, aggravated battery, flee and elude law enforcement and for drugs-photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Justin Terrazas has ten previous felony convictions that include burglary, theft, aggravated criminal sodomy, aggravated indecent liberties with a child, aggravated battery, flee and elude law enforcement and for drugs-photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>Terrazas pleaded guilty to charges in the case and was sentenced to nearly 29 years in prison. The lawsuit had sought $75 million in actual and punitive damages.

Wife of injured Kansas police officer settles with car dealership

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Tuesday went to Minnesota to pitch his completed infrastructure deal and a giant social spending bill that he's still trying to get passed, but also found himself reassuring the nation he would fight the evolving COVID-19 threat without resorting to “shutdowns and lockdowns.”

Biden met with students at Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount in a garage space with a bulldozer, backhoe and cargo truck before delivering a speech criticizing GOP lawmakers for opposing his social services and climate spending bill that would expand health care coverage, enhance job training for students at community colleges, and offer child care benefits for middle and low income Americans.

Biden has been eager to build momentum for his agenda, but he finds himself once again forced to divert attention to battling the virus—this time because of global concerns about the spread of the omicron strain of the virus. Health officials identified the first U.S. case in California Wednesday.

He said that on Thursday, he would detail his plan for how “we’re going to fight COVID this winter, not with shutdowns and lockdowns” but “with more widespread vaccination, boosters, testing and much more.”

Biden came to the suburban Minneapolis tech college looking to tout his $1 trillion infrastructure plan and making the case for an addition $1.75 trillion spending bill, which he is still trying to get through the Senate. The legislation includes $5 billion for community colleges to expand workforce training programs.

“Technology moves so rapidly,” Biden told students. “You’ve got to get an education to make it work.”

The trip came as Biden, who in addition to facing the threat of the new omicron strain of the coronavirus is also batting high levels of inflation as vital parts of his agenda are still await congressional approval. Biden also needs to get Congress to move to temporarily fund the government and preserve its ability to borrow as the debt limit could be breached in December.

Biden holds out the infrastructure package, containing money for roads, bridges, broadband, water systems and a shift to electrical vehicles, as evidence that he can work across the political aisle. The measure passed with solid Republican support..

Biden won Minnesota in last year's presidential election with 52.6% of the vote. He's visited the state's second congressional district, a potentially vulnerable seat in the midterms that narrowly went to Democratic Rep. Angie Craig in 2020.

The president noted that Minnesotans saw first-hand the need to invest in rebuilding the nation's infrastructure in August 2007 when a portion of the I-35 bridge in Minneapolis collapsed, killing 13 and injuring more than 140 more.

“No more talking, time for action,” Biden said. “This law makes significant investments in our roads and bridges.′

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1638307389869.png" alt="On Tuesday, President Biden signed a series of bills for veterans to address disparities in benefits, continuation of service, tuition for survivors, as well as a proposal to help mothers who have served.-photo White House" />
 <figcaption>On Tuesday, President Biden signed a series of bills for veterans to address disparities in benefits, continuation of service, tuition for survivors, as well as a proposal to help mothers who have served.-photo White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Tuesday went to Minnesota to pitch his completed infrastructure deal and a giant social spending bill that he's still trying to get passed, but also found himself reassuring the nation he would fight the evolving COVID-19 threat without resorting to “shutdowns and lockdowns.”Biden met with students at Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount in a garage space with a bulldozer, backhoe and cargo truck before delivering a speech criticizing GOP lawmakers for opposing his social services and climate spending bill that would expand health care coverage, enhance job training for students at community colleges, and offer child care benefits for middle and low income Americans.Biden has been eager to build momentum for his agenda, but he finds himself once again forced to divert attention to battling the virus—this time because of global concerns about the spread of the omicron strain of the virus. Health officials identified the first U.S. case in California Wednesday.He said that on Thursday, he would detail his plan for how “we’re going to fight COVID this winter, not with shutdowns and lockdowns” but “with more widespread vaccination, boosters, testing and much more.”Biden came to the suburban Minneapolis tech college looking to tout his $1 trillion infrastructure plan and making the case for an addition $1.75 trillion spending bill, which he is still trying to get through the Senate. The legislation includes $5 billion for community colleges to expand workforce training programs.“Technology moves so rapidly,” Biden told students. “You’ve got to get an education to make it work.”The trip came as Biden, who in addition to facing the threat of the new omicron strain of the coronavirus is also batting high levels of inflation as vital parts of his agenda are still await congressional approval. Biden also needs to get Congress to move to temporarily fund the government and preserve its ability to borrow as the debt limit could be breached in December.Biden holds out the infrastructure package, containing money for roads, bridges, broadband, water systems and a shift to electrical vehicles, as evidence that he can work across the political aisle. The measure passed with solid Republican support..Biden won Minnesota in last year's presidential election with 52.6% of the vote. He's visited the state's second congressional district, a potentially vulnerable seat in the midterms that narrowly went to Democratic Rep. Angie Craig in 2020.The president noted that Minnesotans saw first-hand the need to invest in rebuilding the nation's infrastructure in August 2007 when a portion of the I-35 bridge in Minneapolis collapsed, killing 13 and injuring more than 140 more.“No more talking, time for action,” Biden said. “This law makes significant investments in our roads and bridges.′

Biden puts focus on infrastructure amid new virus concerns

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly announced Wednesday that total tax collections for November were $626.8 million. That is 3.1%, or $18.9 million, more than the estimate, according to a media release from her office.

<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.164MllZmf8WHgqUFgq-55uTp6w6Z25sRSinxzyq3r4k/s/1303160919/br/122065361989-l" target="_blank">Click here to view the tax receipts&nbsp;</a>

 Those collections are $70.1 million, or 12.6%, more than last November.

“While our state revenue numbers continue to be encouraging, maintaining fiscal responsibility is paramount moving forward,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.&nbsp;“That’s how we will sustain strategic investments in critical state services – and how we will ‘Axe the Food Sales Tax’ long-term, providing much-needed relief to Kansas families.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Revenue numbers come after the Consensus Revenue Estimating Group made up of state financial advisors, researchers, and university economists, by statute, met to evaluate the estimates for the remainder of the fiscal year.

Individual income tax collections were below the estimate for the month by 1.6%, or $4.6 million, with $288.9 million collected.&nbsp; These collections were below estimate for the month due to remittance due dates. Even with that, these collections saw a growth of $13.5 million, or 4.9%, above last November. Corporate income tax collections were $5.4 million, or 64.1%, more than the estimate with $13.7 million collected. That is a $8.5 million, or 165.5%, more than last November.

Sales and use tax collections were 13.8%, or $34.5 million, more than last November. These collections were $285.4 million for the month, which is $8.5 million or 3.1% more than the estimate. To break that down, retail sales collections were $223.6 million. That is $6.6 million, or 3.0%, more than the estimate for the month and $21.9 million more than last November. Compensating use tax collections were $61.8 million for the month, which is $1.9 million, or 3.2%, more than the estimate. That is a growth of $12.6 million, or 25.7%, over the same month last year.

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly announced Wednesday that total tax collections for November were $626.8 million. That is 3.1%, or $18.9 million, more than the estimate, according to a media release from her office.<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.164MllZmf8WHgqUFgq-55uTp6w6Z25sRSinxzyq3r4k/s/1303160919/br/122065361989-l" target="_blank">Click here to view the tax receipts&nbsp;</a> Those collections are $70.1 million, or 12.6%, more than last November.“While our state revenue numbers continue to be encouraging, maintaining fiscal responsibility is paramount moving forward,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.&nbsp;“That’s how we will sustain strategic investments in critical state services – and how we will ‘Axe the Food Sales Tax’ long-term, providing much-needed relief to Kansas families.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Revenue numbers come after the Consensus Revenue Estimating Group made up of state financial advisors, researchers, and university economists, by statute, met to evaluate the estimates for the remainder of the fiscal year.Individual income tax collections were below the estimate for the month by 1.6%, or $4.6 million, with $288.9 million collected.&nbsp; These collections were below estimate for the month due to remittance due dates. Even with that, these collections saw a growth of $13.5 million, or 4.9%, above last November. Corporate income tax collections were $5.4 million, or 64.1%, more than the estimate with $13.7 million collected. That is a $8.5 million, or 165.5%, more than last November.Sales and use tax collections were 13.8%, or $34.5 million, more than last November. These collections were $285.4 million for the month, which is $8.5 million or 3.1% more than the estimate. To break that down, retail sales collections were $223.6 million. That is $6.6 million, or 3.0%, more than the estimate for the month and $21.9 million more than last November. Compensating use tax collections were $61.8 million for the month, which is $1.9 million, or 3.2%, more than the estimate. That is a growth of $12.6 million, or 25.7%, over the same month last year.

Kansas total tax collections $70M more than last November

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A suspect who barricaded himself inside a home shot two children and a woman in Kansas City, Kansas, Wednesday before turning the gun on himself, the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s office said.

Officers who responded to a call of a shooting at Wellborn Park found a woman suffering from gunshot wounds.

The suspect fled the scene and later barricaded himself inside the Kansas City, Kansas home, the sheriff’s office said.

Officers set up a perimeter around the house after hearing gunshots. When they entered the home they found the suspect dead and one of the children dead. The other child was suffering from gunshot wounds, authorities said.

Sheriff’s department spokesman Capt. Kyle Harvey said conditions of the injured child and the woman were not immediately available.

The woman was the suspect’s girlfriend but their relationship with the children had not been determined, Harvey said. No names have been released.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638384786383.png" alt="The injured woman was the suspect’s girlfriend but their relationship with the children had not been determined- photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>The injured woman was the suspect’s girlfriend but their relationship with the children had not been determined- photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A suspect who barricaded himself inside a home shot two children and a woman in Kansas City, Kansas, Wednesday before turning the gun on himself, the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s office said.Officers who responded to a call of a shooting at Wellborn Park found a woman suffering from gunshot wounds.The suspect fled the scene and later barricaded himself inside the Kansas City, Kansas home, the sheriff’s office said.Officers set up a perimeter around the house after hearing gunshots. When they entered the home they found the suspect dead and one of the children dead. The other child was suffering from gunshot wounds, authorities said.Sheriff’s department spokesman Capt. Kyle Harvey said conditions of the injured child and the woman were not immediately available.The woman was the suspect’s girlfriend but their relationship with the children had not been determined, Harvey said. No names have been released.

Child, suspect dead and 2 injured after standoff at Kan. home 

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?516424-1/press-secretary-jen-psaki-dr-anthony-fauci-reporters-omicron-case-detected-us&amp;live&amp;vod">Click here to watch</a> the comments from Dr. Fauci

WASHINGTON (AP) — A person in California who had been vaccinated against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">COVID-19</a>&nbsp;became the first in the U.S. to have an identified case of the omicron variant, the White House announced Wednesday as scientists continue to study the risks posed by the new virus strain.

Dr. Anthony Fauci told reporters the person was a traveler who returned from South Africa on Nov. 22 and tested positive on Nov. 29. Fauci said the person was vaccinated but had not received a booster shot and was experiencing “mild symptoms.”

The Biden administration moved late last month to restrict travel from Southern Africa where the variant was first identified and had been widespread. Clusters of cases have also been identified in about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-europe-japan-192d15ef14bb3dd478bc36ab4aa325f0">two dozen other nations</a>.

“We knew that it was just a matter of time before the first case of omicron would be detected in the United States,” Fauci said.

He said the person was improving and added, “I think what’s happening now is another example of why it’s important for people to get vaccinated. But also boosting. Boosting is very important.”

Officials said they had contacted everyone who had close contact with the person and they had all tested negative.

Genomic sequencing was conducted at the University of California, San Francisco and the sequence was confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is taking steps to tighten U.S. testing rules for travelers from overseas, including requiring a test for all travelers within a day of boarding a flight to the U.S. regardless of vaccination status. It was also considering mandating post-arrival testing.

Officials said those measures would only “buy time” for the country to learn more about the new variant and to take appropriate precautions, but that given its transmissibility its arrival in the U.S. was inevitable.

Much remains unknown about the new variant, including whether it is more contagious than previous strains, whether it makes people more seriously ill, and whether it can thwart the vaccine. Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease expert, said more would be known about the omicron strain in two to four weeks as scientists grow and test lab samples of the virus.

California’s Department of Public Health credited the state’s “large-scale testing and early detection systems” for identifying the case.

“We recognize that everyone is exhausted, and the news of a new variant can be overwhelming. It is important that we collectively focus on the things we know prevent the spread of COVID-19, and its variants,” state public health officials said in a statement.

The announcement of the first U.S. case comes before President Joe Biden plans to outline his strategy on Thursday to combat the virus over the winter. Biden has tried to quell alarm over the omicron variant, saying it was a cause for concern but “not a cause for panic.”

Biden and public health officials have grown more urgent in their pleas for more Americans to get vaccinated — and for those who have been vaccinated to get booster shots to maximize their protection against the virus.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638385235681.png" alt="Dr. Fauci said during a White House news briefing Wednesday afternoon that the patient was vaccinated and it was unclear if they had received a booster.-image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Fauci said during a White House news briefing Wednesday afternoon that the patient was vaccinated and it was unclear if they had received a booster.-image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?516424-1/press-secretary-jen-psaki-dr-anthony-fauci-reporters-omicron-case-detected-us&amp;live&amp;vod">Click here to watch</a> the comments from Dr. FauciWASHINGTON (AP) — A person in California who had been vaccinated against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">COVID-19</a>&nbsp;became the first in the U.S. to have an identified case of the omicron variant, the White House announced Wednesday as scientists continue to study the risks posed by the new virus strain.Dr. Anthony Fauci told reporters the person was a traveler who returned from South Africa on Nov. 22 and tested positive on Nov. 29. Fauci said the person was vaccinated but had not received a booster shot and was experiencing “mild symptoms.”The Biden administration moved late last month to restrict travel from Southern Africa where the variant was first identified and had been widespread. Clusters of cases have also been identified in about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-europe-japan-192d15ef14bb3dd478bc36ab4aa325f0">two dozen other nations</a>.“We knew that it was just a matter of time before the first case of omicron would be detected in the United States,” Fauci said.He said the person was improving and added, “I think what’s happening now is another example of why it’s important for people to get vaccinated. But also boosting. Boosting is very important.”Officials said they had contacted everyone who had close contact with the person and they had all tested negative.Genomic sequencing was conducted at the University of California, San Francisco and the sequence was confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is taking steps to tighten U.S. testing rules for travelers from overseas, including requiring a test for all travelers within a day of boarding a flight to the U.S. regardless of vaccination status. It was also considering mandating post-arrival testing.Officials said those measures would only “buy time” for the country to learn more about the new variant and to take appropriate precautions, but that given its transmissibility its arrival in the U.S. was inevitable.Much remains unknown about the new variant, including whether it is more contagious than previous strains, whether it makes people more seriously ill, and whether it can thwart the vaccine. Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease expert, said more would be known about the omicron strain in two to four weeks as scientists grow and test lab samples of the virus.California’s Department of Public Health credited the state’s “large-scale testing and early detection systems” for identifying the case.“We recognize that everyone is exhausted, and the news of a new variant can be overwhelming. It is important that we collectively focus on the things we know prevent the spread of COVID-19, and its variants,” state public health officials said in a statement.The announcement of the first U.S. case comes before President Joe Biden plans to outline his strategy on Thursday to combat the virus over the winter. Biden has tried to quell alarm over the omicron variant, saying it was a cause for concern but “not a cause for panic.”Biden and public health officials have grown more urgent in their pleas for more Americans to get vaccinated — and for those who have been vaccinated to get booster shots to maximize their protection against the virus.

 🎥  1st case of Omicron variant identified in United States

TOPEKA, Kan. — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 4,477 to a total of 469,767, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

The state reported 19 additional COVID-19 deaths for a total of 6,705.

<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> about the COVID-19 vaccine.

<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.

As of August 1, 2021, in accordance with an&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">updated CDC/CSTE surveillance case definition</a>, a confirmed case is defined as a person who tested positive by molecular detection (e.g., PCR, NAA) or identification of SARS-CoV-2 through genetic sequencing. A probable case is defined as a person with: a) presumptive lab evidence (antigen) or b) no lab testing but meeting clinical case criteria and is epi-linked. A person will be counted as a new surveillance case (e.g. reinfection) if they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 by a diagnostic test (i.e., molecular, antigen) and it has been greater than 90 days since the previous positive diagnostic test. In addition, a person with sequencing results identifying different SARS-CoV-2 lineages regardless of the time since the previous specimen sequenced will be counted as a new surveillance case.&nbsp;

TOPEKA, Kan. — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 4,477 to a total of 469,767, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;The state reported 19 additional COVID-19 deaths for a total of 6,705.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638382066533.png" alt="Wednesday December 1, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday December 1, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.As of August 1, 2021, in accordance with an&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">updated CDC/CSTE surveillance case definition</a>, a confirmed case is defined as a person who tested positive by molecular detection (e.g., PCR, NAA) or identification of SARS-CoV-2 through genetic sequencing. A probable case is defined as a person with: a) presumptive lab evidence (antigen) or b) no lab testing but meeting clinical case criteria and is epi-linked. A person will be counted as a new surveillance case (e.g. reinfection) if they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 by a diagnostic test (i.e., molecular, antigen) and it has been greater than 90 days since the previous positive diagnostic test. In addition, a person with sequencing results identifying different SARS-CoV-2 lineages regardless of the time since the previous specimen sequenced will be counted as a new surveillance case.&nbsp;Cases occurring between&nbsp;September 1, 2020&nbsp;and July 29, 2021 were classified by&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">previous CDC/CSTE case definition,&nbsp;</a>and cases prior to September 1, 2020 were classified by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/coronavirus-disease-2019-2020/" target="_blank">original case definition</a>.