What we’re reading: COVID-19 vaccine shows promise, Tropical Storm Eta brings rain and flooding to Florida

By Samantha Knapp

Published Nov 9, 2020

This May 4, 2020, file photo provided by the University of Maryland School of Medicine, shows the first patient enrolled in Pfizer’s COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine clinical trial at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore. On Monday, Nov. 9, 2020, Pfizer said an early peek at its vaccine data suggests the shots may be 90% effective at preventing COVID-19. (Courtesy of University of Maryland School of Medicine via AP, File)

COVID-19 vaccine makes progress

One COVID-19 vaccine has shown a 90% effectiveness rate in recent studies, according to the AP.

The biopharmaceutical company Pfizer announced Monday it is on track to apply for emergency-use approval from the Food and Drug Administration later this month.

The study is ongoing, and the company has said the protection rate might change by the time the study ends.

No participants in the study have become severely ill. Participants were only tested if they developed symptoms, which leaves unanswered questions about asymptomatic patients and the spread of the virus.

Dr. Anthony Fauci called the primary results “just extraordinary.”

GM recalls 217,000 vehicles to fix leak

FILE – This Jan. 27, 2020 file photo shows the General Motors logo in Hamtramck, Mich. On Monday, Nov. 9, 2020, General Motors says it will hire 3,000 more technical workers by early 2021 to help with virtual product testing and to develop software as a service. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

General Motors recalled more than 217,000 cars and SUVs in the United States and Canada on Monday because of a transmission oil leak, according to ABC News.

This leak caused vehicles to stop moving or catch fire but GM said it has no reports of crashes, fires or injuries.

In government documents, GM said two bolts may be missing from the stop-start mechanism that allows the fluid to leak.

The recall is expected to start Dec. 14. The recall included the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2018 and 2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick Lacrosse, the 2019 through 2020 Buick Encore and Enclave, the Cadillac XT4, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Blazer, and the 2020 Cadillac XT6.

Tropical Storm Eta brings rain and flash flooding to Florida

This Monday, Nov. 9, 2020 satellite image made available by NOAA shows Tropical Storm Eta in the Gulf of Mexico at 1:51 p.m. EST. At left is Texas and at bottom is Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula. (NOAA via AP)

Tropical Storm Eta continued to bring steady rain Monday as it moved away from Florida’s southwest coast and over the Gulf Of Mexico, according to NBC News.

As the storm moves further over the Gulf of Mexico it is expected to strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane.

Tropical Storm Eta landed late Sunday night over the Florida Keys and had 65 mph winds Monday morning.

Most of southern Florida was placed under tropical storm warning as of Monday morning.

Rainfall is predicted at two to four inches on Monday with some areas expected to receive up to 18 inches.