San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Thousands march against virus curbs
Thousands of people, from families to far-right sympathizers, marched in cities across France for a fifth straight Saturday to denounce a COVID-19 health pass that is now needed to enter restaurants, bars and sports arenas or use long-distance trains, planes or buses.
About 1,600 officers were deployed for three separate marches in Paris, a week after the health pass went into effect.
“Liberty” was the slogan, with protesters saying the health pass limits their freedom and is a disguised way to make COVID-19 vaccinations obligatory.
The pass shows whether people are fully vaccinated, have had a recent negative test or proof of a recent COVID-19 recovery. The bill authorizing it includes mandatory vaccinations for French health workers by Sept. 15.
The marches came as France is facing soaring numbers of new infections, driven by the more transmissible delta variant.
Despite the protests, polls have shown that the majority
CALIFORNIA VACCINATIONS
have received at least one shot
have received all shots of French people. support the health pass.
As of late Friday, 46.1 million people in France, nearly 68.5% of the population, had received at least one vaccine shot and more than 38.8 million, or 57.5%, had gotten two shots.
California
cases, an order that came the same day the state tied a record low for available intensive care unit beds.
Ivey issued a limited state of emergency Friday directed at giving medical providers flexibility on staffing and capacity decisions and easier shipment of emergency equipment and supplies. The Republican stressed she would not be issuing any closure orders or mask mandates.
“I want to be abundantly clear: There will be absolutely no statewide mandates, closures or the like. This state of emergency is strategically targeted at removing bureaucracy and cutting red tape wherever we can to allow our doctors, nurses and hospital staff to treat patients that come through their doors,” Ivey said.
The order came as medical providers described a wave of cases that is putting severe stress on Alabama hospitals. The state reported just 39 vacant intensive care unit beds statewide Friday.
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