S government and two of the nation's largest pharmacy chains kicked off the next phase of vaccine distribution.

The U.

S has authorized to vaccines against the virus, one developed by Pfizer and Germany's Beyond Tech, that was cleared for use on December 11th and one by Madonna that was approved last Friday.

Some 2.9 million shots of the Pfizer vaccine were distributed last week and mostly given to health care workers, and some of the first Moderna injections were administered on Monday in Connecticut.

Anytime you're ready, President elect Joe Biden was among those on Monday to receive a co vid 19 Pfizer vaccination in a public display to boost confidence in its safety.

I'm doing this to demonstrate that people should be prepared when it's available to take the vaccine.

There's nothing to worry about.

The long awaited hope provided by the vaccines was somewhat overshadowed, however, by a new, highly infectious strain of the virus in Britain that on Monday forced several countries to close their borders to those traveling from the UK, India, Pakistan, Poland, spy, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Russia, Jordan and Hong Kong suspended travel for Britain's and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo called upon the U.

S.

Government to do the same or at least make sure that every passenger traveling to the U.

S.

From Britain is tested before boarding his or her flight, something Cuomo said more than 120 other countries had done.

Why don't we mandate testing before people get on the flight or halt the flights from the UK now?

Cuomo said he personally asked the three airlines that fly to New York from Britain, British Airways, Delta and Virgin Atlantic to test passengers before they board.

Both British Airways and Delta have agreed to do so.

The U.