1. Coronavirus cases hit new highs as 2022 begins.
- The last week of December saw record highs in newly reported cases of COVID-19.
- On Dec. 30, there was a record 17,923 new cases reported, according to Georgia Department of Public Health data.
- Data on new cases of the novel coronavirus are likely to be underreported with the wide use of at-home rapid tests.
- Masks and weekly COVID testing will be required for lawmakers during the upcoming 2022 General Assembly session. Legislators will have to test twice each week during the session.
- The FDA also authorized booster shots for children ages 12 to 15 years-old.
3. Marjorie Taylor Greene booted off Twitter because of COVID misinformation.
- Twitter permanently suspended the personal account of Georgia congresswoman Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene for violations of the social media website's "COVID-19 misinformation policy."
- In an email to NPR, a spokesperson for the social media company said Twitter "had been clear that, per our strike system for this policy, we will permanently suspend accounts for repeated violations of the policy."
- Jim Galloway said the move was "obviously appropriate," but will no doubt be seen as an opportunity by Greene and her allies.
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Galloway said kicking Rep. Greene off Twitter might just add to the congresswoman's clout.
- The Georgia Republican's official government Twitter account is still active, the company confirmed.
4. Wedge issues to see significant attention during upcoming state legislative session.
- Lawmakers will gather at the state Capitol in Atlanta beginning on Jan. 10th for the 2022 session.
- In the lead up to the session, lawmakers are drawing attention to the kinds of legislation they would like to see at the state Capitol this year.
- The second-highest ranking Republican in the state, Speaker pro tempore Rep. Jan Jones, said she is looking into banning books and online materials deemed "obscene."
- The teaching of the history of racism in the United States has also drawn the ire of some conservative lawmakers.
5. Supreme Court will consider a Mississippi law on abortion access that could fundamentally reshape the right to abortion in the United States.
- A ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization is expected by next Summer.
- Dr. Andra Gillespie said restricting the right to abortion could change the electoral stakes heading into the upcoming midterms.
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Dr. Gillespie said a dramatic change in federal abortion law could see a galvanized reaction in the Democratic electorate.
Tomorrow on Political Rewind - We are joined by GPB News Senior Health Care Reporter Ellen Eldridge and Dr. Carlos del Rio, executive associate dean, Emory School of Medicine & Grady Health System to talk about this latest COVID surge.
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