May 1, 2021 Issue, Page 3 of 10

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May 1, 2021 3 News Feds extend REAL ID enforcement deadline again Dale Denwalt, The Oklahoman, demic. several causes, including the ID-compliant, DHS said. story idea for Dale? He can be journalists by purchasing a "Protecting the health, safety pandemic, new software to Staff writer Dale Denwalt reached at ddenwalt@oklaho- digital subscription today at If you're worried about getting and security of our communi- process IDs and, in general, covers technology, aerospace man.com or on Twitter at @ subscribe.oklahoman.com or a REAL ID before the October ties is our top priority," Sec- Oklahoma's self-imposed delay and Oklahoma business news denwalt. Support Dale's work by using the link at the top of deadline, the federal govern- retary of Homeland Security with even allowing the REAL ment has some good news. Alejandro N. Mayorkas said. ID-compliant licenses to be is- for The Oklahoman. Have a and that of other Oklahoman this page. The Department of Homeland "As our country continues to sued to residents. Security announced Mon- recover from the COVID-19 The Oklahoma Department of day it will delay full enforce- pandemic, extending the REAL Public Safety initially estimat- ment for another 19 months, which gives Oklahomans some ID full enforcement deadline will give states needed time to ed 600,000 people might want a REAL ID. But as of Feb. 20, Genetically modified mosquitoes breathing room before access reopen their driver's licensing only 139,752 such credentials to commercial flights, federal buildings and military bases operations and ensure their residents can obtain a REAL had been issued. Oklahoma was one of the last are being released in the Florida are restricted to only those ID-compliant license or identi- states willing to comply with with a valid REAL ID-compli- ant driver's license or identifi- fication card." A major backlog in Oklahoma the federal REAL ID program. The Legislature resisted efforts Keys. They’ll mate to kill cation card. this year triggered months- to implement security features Gwen Filosa, Miami Herald mosquito makes up about 4% ronment. The new deadline is May 3, long delays to renew an Okla- found in compliant cards for of the mosquito population in “The locals have had some se- 2023. DHS extended the dead- homa driver's license and ob- more than a decade after the MIAMI — A controversial the Keys but is responsible for line because of the challenges tain a REAL ID card. REAL ID Act was passed fol- rious questions over the years, project to release genetically virtually all mosquito-borne posed by the COVID-19 pan- The backlog can be blamed on lowing the Sept. 11, 2001, ter- scientifically, easily based rorist attacks. Finally, the state modified mosquitoes in the diseases transmitted to hu- Florida Keys to battle the dis- mans.” questions that they have re- began issuing REAL IDs last year. ease-carrying Aedes aegypti This species of mosquito fused to answer for 10 years,” “This is the best I’ve ever heard. I love Getting a new REAL ID-com- mosquitoes started this week. spreads diseases such as Zika, Daly said. “They say lots of pliant license requires an in- Boxes filled with eggs, water dengue fever and chikungu- my hearing aids and life is fun again.” and food are being placed in nya. Last year, the Keys saw its things but there is no science person visit to validate proofs -Larry Dixon of residency and identity, the Lower and Middle Keys. first outbreak of the mosquito- and no proof and they don’t al- which complicated the process The modified Aedes aegypti borne disease dengue fever in low simple testing.” during the brunt of the pan- mosquitoes will be in six Keys 10 years. Daly said Oxitec could have demic. locations: two on Cudjoe Key, Fewer than 12,000 mosquitoes studied whether the project All 50 U.S. states, the District one on Ramrod Key and three are expected to emerge each will cause allergic reactions. of Columbia, and four of five on Vaca Key, with the non-bit- week for about 12 weeks, Ox- U.S. territories covered by the ing male mosquitoes starting itec said. “Why do they not perform a REAL ID Act and related regu- to emerge in May, according The project has been approved simple test to satisfy locals lations are now compliant with to the British biotech company by the U.S. Environmental Pro- who are forced to be part of REAL ID security standards Oxitec, which is conducting tection Agency, the state of this project trial?” Daly asked. and are issuing REAL ID-com- the trial. Florida and the local mosquito The male bugs will mate with control district’s five-member “It’s not one person asking. pliant driver's licenses and identification cards. the female mosquitoes, which board to try to eradicate or It’s a lot of people asking for a However, many state licensing are the ones that bite. significantly reduce the local lot of years. They’ve lied about agencies extended the deadline But a “death mechanism” built population of the mosquitoes. their successes in the past. for renewing expiring licenses into the mosquitoes is meant Oxitec says “public support in They’ve lied to my face.” due to a widespread shift to to prevent viable female off- project areas remains high” appointment-only schedul- spring resulting from the mat- but some local people oppose The mosquitoes will not cause CARING - HEARING AID SERVICES ing protocols during the pan- ing, according to Oxitec. the release of genetically modi- allergic reactions, said Mer- demic, which has significantly “The female offspring of these fied male mosquitoes. edith Fensom, head of global limited states' capacity to is- encounters cannot survive, Mara Daly, of Key Largo, has public affairs for Oxitec. (Inside Family Medical Practice) sue REAL ID cards. As a result, and the population of Ae- been protesting the project for only 43% of all state-issued ‘What she’s saying is simply 601 W. 3rd Street, Elk City des aegypti is subsequently nine years and has deep con- driver's licenses and identifica- controlled,” Oxitec said in a cerns over whether the release not true,” Fensom said. “Oxitec 580-821-2299 • Lowest Prices tion cards currently are REAL statement. “The Aedes aegypti will harm people and the envi- has conducted extensive tests.” Oil & Gas Report for the State of Oklahoma for April 20-26, 2021