Fast-food chains ditching value meals for more expensive combos post-pandemic - June 22, 2021

The Delta variant is expected to become the predominant strain of the coronavirus in the U.S. within weeks, according to a new analysis. Transmission of the variant could drive a fall surge if only 75% of the country's eligible population is vaccinated, potentially reaching 20% of last winter's peak. What We Know About the Dangerous COVID B.1.617.2 (Delta) Variant - Intelligencer There may be trouble ahead as dangerous Covid-19 variant appears to cause hospitalization spike in a Missouri city - CNN @EricTopol: “You have three choices: You get fully vaccinated, you had prior COVID infection and maybe a reduced risk, or three, you get delta COVID” Fast-food chains started pairing back their value meals in favor of more expensive combination meals in an effort to boost sales and offset rising food costs amid the post-pandemic economic recovery. Factories are having trouble competing with fast-food restaurants for hiring thanks in part to slow growth in pay for manufacturing employees following shutdowns. Grocery-to-Table Is a Challenge for Restaurants in the Pandemic - The New York Times What Quitters Understand About the Job Market - The Atlantic @jasminchua: As the Covid-19 pandemic threatens to unravel the rights, wages, health and safety of workers around the world, a new Senate bill seeks to redress the “deteriorating” environment where exploitation born of greed and economic desperation can flourish. As coronavirus caseloads ease for hospitals, the emotional toll on health care workers will likely be permanent. More than 300 medical workers in the UK attempted suicide during the pandemic, according to a six-month study that highlighted an emerging pandemic of mental health problems for frontline workers. Stress of serving on COVID frontlines led to EMT's suicide, mother says - CBS News Unpaid Caregivers Were Already Struggling. It's Only Gotten Worse During The Pandemic - NPR Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to order the arrests of Filipinos who refuse COVID-19 vaccinations as the c