Michael Collins death: Michael Collins died at 90 years old on Wednesday after battling cancer. The Apollo 11 astronaut spent his last days “peacefully” according to family. Collins piloted the mission’s command module and was called the “loneliest man in history” after losing communication with his crew and NASA while passing over the far side of the moon. He was a part of the three person crew with Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong, the first two men to walk on the moon. Collins orbited from above and never walked on the moon.
Significance: Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida will honor the fallen astronaut today. The remembrance service will begin at 10 a.m. with Robert Cabana, director of the space center, and chief operating officer Therrin Protze as speakers. Buzz Aldrin is the only crew member from Apollo 11 that is still alive.
India COVID Crisis: A second wave of COVID-19 hit India, and it has the possibility of being even more dangerous than the first. President Joe Biden spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that the U.S. would send coronavirus vaccines to aid in the prevention of a further spread. Other countries are also coming together to send medical supplies to India.
Significance: There is a chance that because of the spread of COVID-19, mutations can arise making future strains of the virus immune to current vaccines. This is why the U.S. agreed to send vaccines to be given out effective immediately. Sick people have been turned down from hospitals and case numbers are reaching new highs each day.
