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| THE BIG STORY
ID requirements are meant to stop vaccine tourists, but they can also shut out vulnerable residents
After a handful of headlines about out-of-towners getting vaccinated out of turn in Florida, the state promised a crackdown on “vaccine tourism.” To get a shot, residents would now have to submit documents verifying that they lived there.
Yes, requiring ID can help ensure that scarce doses go to the people who need them most. But in the case of Miguel, an undocumented construction worker who has lived in Florida for more than 30 years since arriving from Colombia, it means being shut out of getting a vaccine. He’s been turned away twice, even though his age qualifies him for the shot.
Miguel is just one of a number of vaccine-eligible people who have been turned away from vaccination sites that deem them unable to prove identity or residency.
ID requirements were meant to make vaccine distribution more equitable, but they have also created barriers for many in high-risk populations, including undocumented immigrants, older adults who don’t drive, and people experiencing homelessness. HELP US FIGHT FOR TRANSPARENCY
Our journalists filed 58 Freedom of Information Act lawsuits during Trump's presidency — more than any other media organization in the US. We have no plans to slow down, but pursuing that work is expensive and time consuming.
That's why every BuzzFeed News Membership sign-up or one-time contribution from now until March 15 will go toward our FOIA fund. When you contribute, you’ll become a BuzzFeed News member and receive special member-only emails, including an inside look when we publish the next major FOIA scoop. Help us reach our goal of $100,000 for our FOIA fund by contributing here. STAYING ON TOP OF THIS
Trump’s Pentagon blocked troops from getting to the Capitol riots for hours, DC National Guard commander said
On Wednesday, DC National Guard commanding general William Walker told Congress that he was “stunned” as senior military leaders refused desperate pleas to send in troops to address the Jan. 6 riots at the Capitol.
Walker said that even after the Capitol was breached, Pentagon officials in the Trump administration held off on sending in reinforcements for three hours and 19 minutes while citing a concern about “optics.”
He said that former president Donald Trump’s acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller added “unusual” restrictions the day before the riots, requiring Walker to seek Miller’s permission to move troops. SNAPSHOTS
Andrew Cuomo says he’s sorry — but won’t resign over sexual harassment claims. Cuomo said he “never touched anyone inappropriately,” despite one woman saying he kissed her without consent and a photo of another woman looking visibly uncomfortable as Cuomo grabbed her cheeks.
Documents show how federal law enforcement was tracking extremists ahead of the Capitol riot. We obtained documents that show authorities particularly focused on the Proud Boys, even monitoring the hotel they were staying at.
It’s A Sin simplifies the reasons why the AIDS crisis was so devastating. The hit HBO Max miniseries is moving, but as Shannon Keating writes, it overemphasizes the role of internalized homophobia and individual actions — rather than systemic violence — in worsening the AIDS crisis. Contains spoilers.
How has putting your student loans on hold changed your life? If your student loans are in forbearance and you suddenly have more money than normal, BuzzFeed News would like to hear from you. SIDE HUSTLE QUESTIONS
Facebook helped fund David Brook’s second job. Nobody told the readers of the New York Times.
David Brooks is a prominent columnist at the New York Times. He has also been drawing a second salary for his work on an Aspen Institute project funded by Facebook and other large donors — a fact he has not disclosed in his columns.
Brooks works on Weave, a project he founded and leads for the Aspen Institute, a prominent think tank based in Washington, DC. In 2019, Brooks introduced Times readers to his concept of “Weavers,” which he described as people who fight social isolation by “building community and weaving the social fabric” across the US.
But before Brooks wrote about Weave, Facebook earmarked a $250,000 gift to the Aspen Institute for the project. The think tank declined to say how much it pays Brooks, but confirmed that “as chair of the Weave project, he is a staff member at the Aspen Institute.”
A Times spokesperson refused to tell BuzzFeed News whether the paper was aware Brooks was taking a salary for his work on Weave. SERVING REALITY CHECKS
An LA waitress who has served celebrities went viral for her celebrity ratings
Annie Bond, a comedian and actress, has lived in LA for about 7 years.
For years, she has waitressed at a restaurant where popular celebs come in about once a week. After meeting so many celebs and seeing what they were like IRL, she started a series on her TikTok page where she rates what it was like to serve them.
Her TikToks have gone viral as she revealed she found Lady Gaga “remembered everybody’s name,” Anna Faris “the kindest most wonderful person alive,” Keanu Reeves, “so polite,” but Leslie Mann and Judd Apatow were a disappointment. Idris Elba? Both kind and hot, according to Bond.
Anyway, hear her tell it. @theanniebond / TikTok Don't be shy to take up space today — you deserve it, Elamin 📝 This letter was edited and brought to you by Elamin Abdelmahmoud and BuzzFeed News. You can always reach us here.
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