Dec 18, 2020 - Health
Vice President Pence receives COVID-19 vaccine live on television
Vice President Mike Pence, second lady Karen Pence and Surgeon General Jerome Adams received Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine live on television Friday.
Why it matters: The vice president is the highest-ranking U.S. official to be vaccinated — a move intended to boost public confidence about the vaccine's safety. He must still receive the second dose of the vaccine in order for it to be fully effective.
What they're saying: "Karen and I wanted to step forward and take this vaccine to assure the American people that while we cut red tape, we cut no corners," Pence said in a speech following his vaccination. "I didn't feel a thing," he added.
What to watch: It's unclear when President Trump will receive the vaccine or whether he will do so publicly, but President-elect Joe Biden has said he intends to be vaccinated publicly when it's his turn in line.
This story is breaking news. Please check back for updates.
Laurin-Whitney Gottbrath
20 hours ago - Health
L.A. becomes first county to surpass 1 million coronavirus cases
COVID-19 mass-vaccination of healthcare workers takes place at Dodger Stadium. Photo: Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Los Angeles County officials said Saturday they had detected the county's first case of the highly transmissible coronavirus variant first found in the United Kingdom.
Why it matters: The announcement came as L.A. became the first county to surpass 1 million COVID-19 cases, straining the area's already overwhelmed health care system.
Ursula Perano
A new Washington
Photo: Stefani Reynolds/Getty Image
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said Friday that the city should expect a "new normal" for security — even after President-elect Biden's inauguration.
The state of play: Inaugurations are usually a point of celebration in D.C., but over 20,000 troops are now patrolling Washington streets in an unprecedented preparation for Biden's swearing-in on Jan. 20.