A new coronavirus strain that has been detected in the United Kingdom is raising fears that it could spread to other parts of the world. More than 40 countries have banned arrivals from the UK.  Meanwhile, here in the United States where more than 318,000 people have died from COVID-19, there is a positive development as Moderna rolls out its vaccine. Some people have already received the vaccination.

To discuss:

• • Gavin Macgregor-Skinner is the director of Global Biorisk Advisory Council and an infectious disease expert.
  • Will Humble is executive director of the Arizona Public Health Association.
  • Einar Tangen is a political and economic affairs commentator.
  • Dr. Alok Patel is a pediatric hospitalist and medical journalist.

For more:

These are the countries banning flights and travellers from Britain over a more-infectious new coronavirus strain… so far:

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— AFP News Agency (@AFP) December 21, 2020

Distribution of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine has begun, vastly widening the rollout started last week by Pfizer, U.S. Army General Gustave Perna said https://t.co/DfrvH0VPHd pic.twitter.com/6ePgJMFtrA

— Reuters (@Reuters) December 19, 2020

The leader of the #Trump administration’s vaccination program says people who have been infected with the #coronavirus — a group that includes President Donald Trump — should be vaccinated.https://t.co/4gEKmag7vo

— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) December 21, 2020

Vice President Mike Pence received his COVID-19 vaccine live on television, seeking to shore up public support for vaccinations after U.S. deaths from the coronavirus topped 3,000 for a third straight day https://t.co/Z4hNWRGTvw pic.twitter.com/osgNuUM8yh

— Reuters (@Reuters) December 18, 2020