College students and staff frustrated by vaccine rules

THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2021 Good morning, NBC News readers.     We have an analysis of how vaccine rules have created problems for college students, the latest from the Israel-Gaza conflict and the first meeting of America and Russia's top diplomats since President Joe Biden took office.   Here's the latest on that and everything else we're watching this  Thursday  morning. Confusing rules, loopholes and legal issues: College vaccination plans are a mess For college students the pandemic has meant anything but a normal campus experience.   The introduction of three Covid-19 vaccines in early 2021 seemed to present an exit from patchwork reopenings and restrictive rules.   But an NBC News analysis of nearly 400 colleges and universities that are requiring vaccination found that the vast majority have unclear directives, loopholes or legal complications that are leaving professors frustrated, students unmotivated and a potential public health crisis come fall.   Nova Southwestern in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, told all staff and students to get a vaccine in April — but in May a new state law barred schools from requiring proof of vaccination.   "I am frustrated with the state," said Charles Zelden, a professor of history and politics at Nova Southeastern. "They are getting in the way of my classroom, my purpose to educate my students."   Read more here. Thursday's top stories World awaits cease-fire as Israel, Gaza count cost of conflict By Adela Suliman | Read more Despite a growing sense that a cease-fire could be imminent and pressure from Washington to de-escalate, Israel launched a fresh wave of airstrikes across the Gaza Strip early Thursday, while rocket attacks from Palestinian militant group Hamas resumed after an overnight lull.   Top diplomats meet as U.S. and Russia test waters ahead of Biden-Putin summit By Abigail Williams | Read more Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov struck a polite tone Wednesday as they sat down for the first face-to-face engagement between high-level U.S. and Russian officials since President Joe Biden took office. 'Ground zero for attrition': California federal fire crews understaffed as fire threat rises By Alicia Victoria Lozano | Read more As Western states head into what experts say could be another catastrophic fire season, federal wildland firefighters are faced with staffing shortages amid a worsening drought and an exhausted workforce. Into America podcast: After George Floyd Trymaine Lee sits down with Christopher Martin, the 18-year-old clerk at a Minneapolis Cup Foods who accepted George Floyd's counterfeit $20 bill.   Listen here. OPINION Demi Lovato's nonbinary revelation is important in more ways than one By Mary Emily O'Hara  | Read more Lovato's femme sheen doesn't negate their expansive gender identity any more than Jonathan Van Ness' beard negates theirs, writes Mary Emily O'Hara from GLAAD, which counters LGBT discrimination. Many dating apps ban people convicted of felonies. Does that make anyone safer? By Keri Blakinger, The Marshall Project | Read more Online dating sites like Match, Tinder and eHarmony ban people convicted of felonies, which civil rights advocates say extends an unfair practice of imposing "collateral consequences" long after people have finished their sentences. BETTER How much exercise do you need for a longer life? Activity 'cocktails' offer clues By A. Pawlowski | Read more Even people who run, bike or otherwise get their heart pumping every morning won't get the life-extending benefits of exercise if they sit the rest of the day, a new study has found. Want to receive the Morning Rundown in your inbox? Sign up here. Also in the news ... Alaska man recovering from bear attack European Union set to allow U.S. travelers as Covid restrictions lift 'Not a positive development': What the new criminal probe could mean for the Trump Organization Watch LeBron hit game-winning three to lift Lakers past Warriors in instant classic Salma Hayek on her near-fatal Covid battle: refusing to go to hospital, 7 weeks in isolation Lawyers find the parents of 54 more migrant children from families separated under Trump SHOPPING Silk sleepwear doesn't have to be pricey. We found highly-rated silk pajamas under $200 from Nordstrom, Lunya and more. One fun thing On the day before her 75th birthday, Cher is gifting fans with the news that an official biopic of her life is in the works.   The untitled film is set at Universal Pictures, with "Mamma Mia!" producers Judy Craymer and Gary Goetzman on board to produce and Eric Roth penning the script, Variety has confirmed.   Cher announced the film in a tweet, writing: "Ok Universal is Doing Biopic With My Friends JUDY CRAYMER,GARY GOETZMAN PRODUCING. THEYY PRODUCED BOTH MAMMA MIA'S,& MY DEAR DEAR Friend 4 YRS, & OSCAR WINNER..ERIC ROTH IS GOING 2 WRITE IT."   Read more here.   Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown.    If you have any comments — likes, dislikes — send me an email at: patrick.smith@nbcuni.com. If you're a fan, please forward it to your family and friends. They can sign-up here.    Thanks, Patrick Smith. Download the NBC News App Follow NBC News Privacy | Unsubscribe | More NBC Newsletters | Contact View in browser