Washington, February 11 (RHC)-- The U.S. death toll has topped 471,000 — by far the highest in the world. More than half of all U.S. COVID deaths have occurred since November 1st.  A new report in The Lancet medical journal finds 40% of all U.S. COVID deaths could have been prevented.

Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now recommending people wear two masks — such as a surgical mask with a cloth mask on top — to reduce exposure.

In other news, the Joe Biden administration has announced plans to partner with New York and Texas to build five new large COVID-19 vaccination sites in communities of color hit hardest by the pandemic. 

Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith is chair of Biden’s COVID-19 Equity Task Force.  She said: “This is a perfect example of our equity work coming to life, and this is a model for the potential we have to do this well across the country. … Through the new vaccination sites being announced today, we are taking the response directly to the communities that need it most.”