Meat Loaf died after becoming ‘seriously ill with COVID’: report

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Rock star Meat Loaf, who died Thursday night at the age of 74, was reportedly sick with COVID-19.

While the official cause of death for the Grammy-winning musician, real name Marvin Lee Aday, has not yet been revealed, TMZ reported Friday that the “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad” singer had to cancel a business dinner earlier this week after becoming “seriously ill with COVID.”

According to the outlet, sources said his health deteriorated quickly after that. TMZ added that the chart-topper had been outspoken against COVID vaccine mandates in Australia.

It’s unclear if he was vaccinated against the deadly coronavirus.

Singer Meat Loaf arrives at the world premiere of Twentieth Century Fox and New Regency’s film “Runner Runner” at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on September 18, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (David Becker/)

The death of the over-the-top hitmaker was confirmed Thursday by his agent, Michael Green, with a statement shared by his family.

“Our hearts are broken to announce that the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away tonight,” the family said. “We know how much he meant to so many of you and we truly appreciate all of the love and support as we move through this time of grief in losing such an inspiring artist and beautiful man… From his heart to your souls… don’t ever stop rocking!”

The Daily News has reached out to Meat Loaf’s reps for comment.

Anti-vaccine activists, reveling in their pandemic successes, will rally in D.C. against mandates

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The mRNA coronavirus vaccines have proved to be some of the best ever added to physicians’ arsenal. As of October, according to the most recent estimates from the CDC, those who received two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines and a booster were 40 times less likely to die of the virus than the unvaccinated. The CDC on Friday released studies showing that the vaccines continue to provide robust protection against hospitalization from the omicron variant, even if they no longer ward off infection as effectively.

TMZ reports unconfirmed claim that Meat Loaf had severe COVID when he died

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TMZ reports unconfirmed claim that Meat Loaf had severe COVID when he died

Meat Loaf performs in Germany in January 2003 REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski/File Photo

A TMZ report said Meat Loaf had severe COVID-19 when he died on Thursday.

The statement announcing his death did not give a cause. It is not clear if he was vaccinated.

Meat Loaf had a severe case of COVID-19 when he died, according to an article by TMZ.

The official announcement of the star’s death did not give a cause. Other reports did also not suggest a reason.

TMZ cited unnamed sources who told the outlet that Meat Loaf canceled a business dinner this week because of his illness. The infection soon turned critical, the outlet said.

It is not clear whether Meat Loaf, whose real name is Michael Lee Aday, was vaccinated.

He was 74 when he died, putting him at a relatively high risk from the virus compared to younger people.

The sources told TMZ that he had complained about vaccine mandates when in Australia.

A statement on his Facebook page said he died surrounded by family, but did not say how.

He sold more than 100 million albums, and appeared in films like “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

You can read Insider’s full story on his passing and decades-long career here.

Read the original article on Insider

5 things to know for January 21: 2020 Election, Ukraine, Covid-19, SCOTUS, Belarus

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If your day doesn’t start until you’re up to speed on the latest headlines, then let us introduce you to your new favorite morning fix. Sign up here for the ‘5 Things’ newsletter.

(CNN) Millions of store and restaurant workers in America who catch Covid-19 are increasingly showing up to work while infected with the virus . Many of these employees don’t have paid sick leave and need to keep up with their bills, while others fear they’ll face repercussions if they call out sick.

Here’s what you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day.

(You can also get “5 Things You Need to Know Today” delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here .)

2020 Election

Trump campaign officials, led by Rudy Giuliani, oversaw efforts in December 2020 to put forward illegitimate electors from seven states that Trump lost, according to three sources with direct knowledge of the scheme. The sources said members of former President Donald Trump’s campaign team were far more involved than previously known in the plan, a core tenet of the broader plot to overturn President Joe Biden’s victory. Giuliani and his allies coordinated the process on a state-by-state level, the sources told CNN. One said there were multiple planning calls between campaign officials and GOP state operatives, and that Giuliani participated in at least one call. The source also said the Trump campaign lined up supporters to fill elector slots, secured meeting rooms in statehouses for the fake electors to meet, and circulated drafts of fake certificates that were ultimately sent to the National Archives.

Ukraine

Tensions surrounding the situation in Ukraine appear to be escalating following President Biden’s comments earlier this week that a “minor incursion” by Russia into Ukraine would prompt a lesser response than a full-scale invasion . Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pushed back, saying there are “no minor incursions and small nations.” Multiple rounds of diplomatic talks between the US, its NATO allies and Russia failed to yield any results, but Russia now says it would welcome another conversation with Biden. Meanwhile, with approximately 100,000 troops amassed along the Ukrainian border, the head of the International Energy Agency is warning that if Russia invades Ukraine, it will have major implications on the oil industry – driving up oil and gas prices

JUST WATCHED Hear Blinken lay out case for why world should care about Ukraine Replay More Videos … MUST WATCH Hear Blinken lay out case for why world should care about Ukraine 02:29

Coronavirus
SCOTUS

Abortion providers were dealt another setback yesterday after the US Supreme Court rejected the latest attempt to block the six-week abortion ban in Texas . The controversial law, which brings a halt to most abortions in the country’s second-largest state, has been in effect for five months. Last month, the Supreme Court allowed the controversial law to remain in effect but it cleared a limited path forward for the providers to sue a handful of licensing officials in Texas in order to block them from enforcing the law. The court’s ruling was a devastating blow to supporters of abortion rights who had hoped the justices would block the law outright. Instead, the case was returned to the conservative 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals.

JUST WATCHED Supreme Court upholds TX abortion law, but says providers can sue Replay More Videos … MUST WATCH Supreme Court upholds TX abortion law, but says providers can sue 02:28

Belarus

Four officials from Belarus have been charged by US federal prosecutors for diverting a RyanAir airplane mid-flight last year to arrest a journalist critical of the government. The four officials, including the director of the state’s air navigation agency, called in a fake bomb threat to Minsk air traffic control and then covered up the move by directing air traffic controllers to falsify incident reports about the airplane’s diversion. The diversion led to the arrest of leading Belarusian opposition activist Roman Protasevich , sparking a global uproar calling for his release. The incident took place as Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko had been fending off opposition protests since claiming victory after a hotly disputed election widely condemned by the international community.

BREAKFAST BROWSE

Adele tearfully postpones Las Vegas residency due to Covid among crew

Twitter is rolling out verified NFT profile pictures

First, it was the blue check. Now, we all want hexagon profile pictures

You have to win a lottery to camp at this Yosemite site

Only the lucky ones can sleep outside here

Rare snow and hailstorms cover Saudi Arabian desert

Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show set to be a ’90s lovefest

lineup of hip-hop legends will be assembling to potentially give you the best halftime show ever.

QUIZ TIME

What type of produce is yielding its smallest crop in more than 75 years?

A. oranges

B. apples

C. corn

D. potatoes

IN MEMORIAM

Meat Loaf, the larger-than-life singer whose 1977 record “Bat Out of Hell” is one of the best-selling albums of all time, has died at age 74, according to a statement on his verified Facebook page. Meat Loaf’s two biggest albums – “Bat Out of Hell” and the 1993 follow-up “Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell” – produced numerous hit singles, including “Paradise by the Dashboard Light,” “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad” and “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That).”

JUST WATCHED ‘I go out on stage as if it’s the last thing I’ll ever do:’ A look back at Meat Loaf’s life Replay More Videos … MUST WATCH ‘I go out on stage as if it’s the last thing I’ll ever do:’ A look back at Meat Loaf’s life 02:26

TODAY’S NUMBER

20 million

That’s how many people are under winter weather alerts due to forecasts for a treacherous mix of snow and ice . The double-whammy threat prompted the governors of North and South Carolina and Virginia to issue states of emergency. Overall, the alerts cover a wide swathe that includes southern Texas, southern Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, western Florida, Virginia and the Carolinas.

TODAY’S QUOTE

“We are frustrated by the FAA’s inability to do what nearly 40 countries have done, which is to safely deploy 5G technology without disrupting aviation services , and we urge it do so in a timely manner.”

AT&T spokesperson Megan Ketterer, following the announcement that AT&T and Verizon have agreed to delay the rollout of 5G technology near some major airports. The postponement is a win for the airlines, who said thousands of flights would be delayed, diverted or canceled due to the possibility that the new technology could interfere with aircraft radar altimeters. CNN is owned by AT&T.

TODAY’S WEATHER

JUST WATCHED Cold air brings rain, snow, and ice to parts of the South Replay More Videos … MUST WATCH Cold air brings rain, snow, and ice to parts of the South 03:08

AND FINALLY

Patience is a virtue

Starbucks ends COVID vaccine requirement for its U.S. workers in response to Supreme Court ruling

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Starbucks is no longer requiring its U.S. workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, reversing a policy it announced earlier this month.

In a memo sent Tuesday to employees, the Seattle coffee giant said it was responding to last week’s ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court. In a 6-3 vote, the court rejected the Biden administration’s plan to require vaccines or regular COVID testing at companies with more than 100 workers.

“We respect the court’s ruling and will comply,” Starbucks Chief Operating Officer John Culver wrote in the memo.

Starbucks’ reversal is among the most high-profile corporate actions in response to the Supreme Court ruling. Many other big companies, including Target, have been mum on their plans, although some businesses have said they will maintain plans to require vaccinations.

Clothing maker Carhartt, for one, told its employees on Friday that it was sticking with its own vaccine mandate, citing the higher health risks faced by unvaccinated people.

On January 3, Starbucks said it would require all employees to be vaccinated by February 9 or face a weekly COVID-19 test requirement.

“The vaccine is the best option we have, by far, when it comes to staying safe and slowing the spread of COVID-19,” Culver wrote in a letter to employees at the time. “It’s concerning to see this new variant has pushed daily COVID-19 case counts higher than the Delta wave at its peak.”

Culver said it was the responsibility of Starbucks’ leadership “to do whatever we can to help keep you safe and create the safest work environment possible.”

In Tuesday’s memo, the CEO said the company continues to strongly encourage vaccinations and booster shots. The company also told workers on Tuesday that they shouldn’t wear cloth masks to work, and should instead use medical-grade surgical masks.

Starbucks required workers to reveal their vaccination status by January 10. The company said Wednesday that 90% have reported their status and the “vast majority” are fully vaccinated. Starbucks wouldn’t say what percentage of workers are not fully vaccinated.

Starbucks employs 228,000 people in the U.S.