* According to the India Medical Association, more than 500 doctors have died—since March—in the current Indian wave of COVID infections. It had previously reported that more than 700 doctors had died from the virus in 2020.
* Hong Kong has made vaccines available to all adults, but less than 13 percent of the population of 7.5 million has been fully vaccinated. One way to add more incentive: Hong Kong residents who have been fully vaccinated are eligible for a drawing to win a $1.4 million apartment prize.
* “Public Health guidance on this is crystal clear. Even if someone has already had COVID-19 and recovered, like Rand Paul, they should be vaccinated. … We don’t know exactly how long immunity lasts after infection.”–Dr. Jay Varkey, associate professor of medicine at Emory University.
* According to a McKinsey & Co. Survey, nearly a third of workers said they’d look for another job if they need to come back to the office five days a week.
* Nationwide, approximately three to four times as many students as usual took a pandemic gap year during the 2020-21 school year.
* “There is a need to link human global health and plant global health researchers to work together.”–Jean Ristaino, North Carolina State University plant pathology professor, on the possibility of plant pandemics threatening global food supply.
* We’re seeing tight gasoline inventories across the country. A major factor: Refineries curbing output for months to cope with the pandemic-driven downward slump.
* Some 37 million Americans traveled—more than 50 miles—over the Memorial Day weekend. Last year that figure was 23 million.
* The CDC recommends all cruise passengers be vaccinated—but doesn’t require it.
* $45 million: St. Petersburg’s share of the American Rescue Plan’s $350 billion COVID-relief aid.
* The Lightning are allowing approximately 13,500 fans for the second round of the playoffs against Carolina. That’s about 71 percent capacity of Amalie Arena. Go, Bolts.