Coronavirus vaccine and Delta variant updates for 11-09-2021

<p>This is Vaccine 411, the latest coronavirus vaccine information for November 9th, 2021.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Citizens in Russia went back to work yesterday after a mandated, nine-day break to help cope with the surge of cases there. But they’re doing so as the record-breaking surge of infections and deaths continue. In fact, statistics show the work stoppage had no effect on easing cases.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Meanwhile Japan reported no daily deaths from COVID Sunday for the first time in 15 months, and infections are rapidly declining there. Japan was hit by several waves, including delta last summer. Cases started falling in September. Experts attribute it to vaccinations, widespread mask wearing, and disinfectant use.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Also, Britain had a decline in cases reported between November 2nd and 8th of 16.6% compared with the previous seven days. 57 more people died, meaning that seven-day total was up 8.2%. But declines in the number of deaths usually lag behind declines in cases.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Get ready for schools to teach reading, writing, and vaccination. The White House wants local school districts to host clinics that teach parents the benefits of vaccination, then vaccinate the kids. Federal officials are reminding school districts they can tap into billions of dollars in federal coronavirus relief money to stand up these efforts.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Yesterday we told you about the great Big Bird controversy. Today another story in the utter silliness column as Northern Ireland's health minister is suing Van Morrison for singing songs critical of the handling of the pandemic there. The “Brown Eyed Girl” singer’s lawyer says “the words used by him related to a matter of public interest and constituted fair comment.”</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In the United States cases were flat, deaths are down 19%, and hospitalizations are down 13% over 14 days. The 7-day average of new cases has been trending flat since October 25.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The five states that have the most deaths per million a