Generator use: U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy today introduced the Safe Generators Save Lives Act, which aims to reduce carbon monoxide deaths caused by insufficient ventilation during the use of portable generators. Carbon monoxide poisoning accounted for the majority of Hurricane Laura deaths in 2020 and 20% of deaths in Louisiana during Hurricane Ida. Cassidy’s legislation would require new portable generators to include automatic shut-offs for when CO levels around generators reach dangerous levels as well as longer power cords. Read more from WAFB-TV.
Fannie Mae: Government-sponsored enterprise Fannie Mae says it expects the multiple economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic to dampen the housing market well into next year, with U.S. home sales ending 2021 a bit higher than they were the year before, USA Today reports. “A lack of homes available for sale, relative to demand, remains the key constraint limiting sales growth and driving home price appreciation,” the officials with Fannie Mae said this week in the organization’s September housing outlook report. Read the full story.
Who’s eligible?: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week endorsed booster shots for millions of older or otherwise vulnerable Americans, opening a major new phase in the U.S vaccination drive against COVID-19. On Thursday, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky expanded the booster list to include health care workers or anyone with a job that puts them at increased risk of being exposed to the coronavirus. Read more.
