Political Rewind: COVID cases hit new high as 2022 begins; Rep. Greene is booted from Twitter

Credit: Sam Bermas-Dawes, GPB News

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.

• 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.

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.