Supply issues reach US offices - December 6, 2021

New studies of the omicron variant found that while it spreads more easily, it may cause less severe illness than its predecessors. Data on the variant is still scarce, but White House Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci said that the news is “a bit encouraging.” The Biden administration on Sunday vowed to fast-track revamped vaccines that more effectively combat omicron. Mix-and-match J&J Covid booster raised immune response after Pfizer vaccine, study finds - CNN South Africa readies hospitals as Omicron variant drives new COVID-19 wave - Reuters Variants, boosters turn rich-poor vaccine gap into chasm - Associated Press Democrats are pushing for an end to foreign workers’ visa delays that they say are contributing to labor shortages and rising inflation. More than 1.3 million employment authorization applications were still pending at the end of June in addition to about 1.5 million immigrants waiting for employment-based green cards. Lawmakers are awaiting a decision from the Senate parliamentarian on whether immigration provisions can be included in the Build Back Better legislation. The Number of Immigrant Workers With H1-B Visas Drops the Most in a Decade - Bloomberg US needs immigration reform to prevent 9 million job vacancies over next decade: Report - Economic Times Supply issues have reached U.S. offices with shortages in everything from ink and toner to lightbulbs, compounding challenges in getting employees back into the office. While many retailers are panicking over supply chain chaos, Amazon’s early moves to charter private cargo ships are now paying off, allowing the company to avoid the most congested ports and continue fast delivery times. How a Cream Cheese Shortage Is Affecting N.Y.C. Bagel Shops - The New York Times Peppermint purveyors find the ingredient in short-supply - KSDK @crampell: One advantage of being big enough to charter own ships is you can opt for a different port if original destination is backed up. If you have 1 container on a big ship, ship goes where