Omicron variant

A new COVID-19 variant, dubbed the Omicron variant, first detected in South Africa, has begun spreading around the globe with the first cases to be detected in North America recently cropping up in Canada. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, no cases have been found in the U.S., but Dr. Anthony Fauci has said that it is inevitable that the variant will show up in America. 

In response to the detection of the variant, several places have begun to reimplement travel restrictions such as Australia, Canada, Dubai, Egypt, the European Union, Israel, Japan, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey and the United States.

Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organization’s regional director for Africa, has warned that “travel restrictions may play a role in slightly reducing the spread of COVID-19, but place a heavy burden on lives and livelihoods.” 

Stephen Sodenheim died

Stephen Sodenheim, a celebrated composer, most well known for shows such as “Into the Woods,” “Sweeney Todd,” and “West Side Story,” died on Nov. 26 at the age of 91. 

Several Broadway performers gathered in Times Square to sing the song “Sunday” from his Pulizter prize winning “Sunday in the Park With George” as a tribute. 

Metro Bus Contract Terminated

Metro will no longer provide busses for Cincinnati Public Schools starting June 30, 2022. 

Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority’s decision comes as a result of CPS opening up the bid for transportation to Metro and other charter companies. Due to a federal law, Metro cannot compete with private bus companies to provide services. 

Even once Metro no longer works with CPS the same bus routes will still be provided by the company only now students would have to pay. 

It is currently unclear how students will be transported to and from school once the contract expires.