A partial digest of what we learned: The FDA has authorized Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine for rollout in the United States effective December 11, 2020. A panel that advises the government agency strongly suggested it be implemented on December 10. BNT162b2 is already being used to inoculate residents of the UK, and Canada issued emergency authorization in the middle of the week.
Correction, the budgetary shutdown stopgap measure cleared both chambers of Congress and was signed by Trump on Friday, December 11.