Hey there! It’s Thursday, and today’s quote is from Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., who was asked how he’ll recognize political unity: “I’ll know it when I see it. Isn’t that what they say about pornography?” Here’s what you need to know today.

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1. A coronavirus variant discovered in South Africa has made its way to the U.S.

Health officials in South Carolina today reported two cases of a new coronavirus variant that was first discovered in South Africa. It marks the first time the variant has shown up in the U.S., and it’s likely there will be more cases.

That’s because not only is the variant more contagious, but the two cases in South Carolina are not connected, officials said. And neither person had a history of traveling. Health officials say this suggests the variant is probably more widespread in the U.S. than previously believed. [AP]

Some scientists are more worried about a variant that emerged in Brazil last month. That variant took only a month to become the most dominant strain in the Brazilian city of Manaus. For comparison, a variant in the U.K. took about three months to dominate that country’s outbreak. [NPR]

The variants are raising questions about what sort of face masks should be worn in public. Officials in Germany and other European countries are making medical masks mandatory while in public. [NPR]

Meanwhile, a new study suggests the coronavirus can create antibodies that mistakenly attack a patient’s body instead of the virus. The study, if confirmed by other scientists, could explain why one in three COVID-19 survivors say they still experience symptoms. [New York Times]

2. Biden seeks to expand access to health insurance during the pandemic

President Joe Biden today reopened enrollment on insurance marketplaces created by the Affordable Care Act. The move means Americans who lost their jobs and insurance can sign up for health plans from Feb. 15 to May 15.

Former President Donald Trump, who unsuccessfully tried overturning the health care law, faced pressure during the early days of the pandemic to reopen the markets, but he refused.

Biden also signed an executive order to expand access to abortions by overturning Trump’s restrictions on providing federal money to clinics that provide abortion counseling and referrals in the U.S. and overseas. [NPR]

Biden has been using executive orders to immediately begin rolling back many Trump policies. But it’s unlikely Biden will launch Space Force into the sun. [AP]

Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris is currently living at Blair House, which is across the street from the White House, as repair work is being done at the official VP residence at the U.S. Naval Observatory. [AP]

3. The U.S. economy suffered its worst year since 1946

A report today from the Commerce Department shows that the U.S. remains in a deep financial hole and the economic recovery may not happen soon enough for millions of jobless Americans.

The economy shrank by 3.5% last year, the worst decline since 1946, when the economy shrank 11.6% as the country adjusted from the end of World War II.

And the economic picture shows troubling signs if we zoom in on the last few months. Gross domestic product, or the output of goods and services, sharply slowed down in the final three months of 2020, with an annualized growth rate of 4%. That’s compared to a record 33.4% from July to September.

What does this all mean for the year ahead of us? Some economists from Goldman Sachs believe the U.S. could see an economic rebound this year if Congress approves President Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus package. But other analysts say a recovery won’t happen until everyone is vaccinated, a process that will take months. [AP]

Meanwhile, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said they plan to move forward with pandemic relief as soon as next week. [Politico]

4. Chicago Public Schools CEO insists schools will open on Monday

Schools chief Janice Jackson said today that she expects in-person classes will take place on Monday for about 62,000 K-8 students despite opposition from the Chicago Teachers Union.

The union questions whether it’s safe to begin reopening schools during a pandemic, and it has called on teachers to continue to work from home. Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration says it has taken several steps to minimize infections, and it says teachers are illegally going on strike.

During an interview with WBEZ’s Reset today, Jackson said the district and the union have not yet reached an agreement.

“We’re prepared to compromise and give up on things that we were dug in on,” she said. “But the one thing we all have to agree on is that students belong in school, and that every parent should have an option.”

As the debate continues, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its school guidance this week, recommending that schools could reopen so long as bars and restaurants remain closed as a way to keep positivity rates down. Some bars and restaurants recently reopened with some restrictions in Chicago. [WBEZ]

5. General Motors will stop selling gasoline-fueled vehicles by 2035

The Detroit automaker today announced it will exclusively provide electric vehicles as part of a plan to become carbon neutral by 2040. That means the company will stop selling all gasoline- and diesel-powered passenger vehicles and SUVs by 2035.

General Motors said it will spend $27 billion to develop new electric vehicles and plans to release 30 models by 2025.

“We feel like this transition is one that will protect all of our futures and will help us create a future that will benefit not only the planet, but the people,” said Dane Parker, GM’s chief sustainability officer. [CNBC]

Here’s what else is happening

• Europe is in “crisis mode” as vaccine doses are critically low and infections surge. [NPR]
• Right-wing extremists pose new threats and may be “emboldened” by the attack on the U.S. Capitol, according to the Department of Homeland Security. [NPR]
• Gov. JB Pritzker is sending 500 National Guard troops to D.C. for a “security mission” that lasts until mid-March. [Sun-Times]
• A Parkland shooting survivor said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene should be held accountable for falsely suggesting the school shooting was staged. [CNN]

Oh, and one more thing …

Are you trying to think of ways to help businesses during the pandemic? Curious City has this really good guide on how you can still support restaurants, hair salons, bookstores and other struggling businesses.

My husband and I will order takeout from a lot of our beloved neighborhood restaurants. We live near Rogers Park and Edgewater, so if you have any recommendations, hit me up! [WBEZ]

Tell me something good …

Do you have a favorite Super Bowl commercial?

Kristina writes:

“Hands down, the best Superbowl ad is the VW Darth Vader kid.”

Feel free to email me at therundown@wbez.org or tweet me at @whuntah.

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