Sesame Street's Big Bird gets vaccinated as Ted Cruz bristles: Live COVID-19 updates - USA TODAY

"Sesame Street" puppet Big Bird announced his coronavirus vaccination on Twitter - and drew fire from conservatives such as Ted Cruz, who dismissed the vaccine pitch as "government propaganda."

Fox News host Lisa Boothe tweeted:"Brainwashing children who are not at risk from COVID. Twisted."

Cruz also responded on Twitter: "Government propaganda … for your 5 year old!" That drew a response from Walter Schaub, the former director of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, who pointed out to the Republican: "You are vaccinated."

Plenty of commenters supported Big Bird's decision. 

"Thank you for getting vaccinated," tweeted Dr. Tom Nelson, an emergency room physician in Indiana.

Also in the news:

????Today's numbers: The U.S. has recorded more than 45.9 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than 745,700 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data. Global totals: More than 246.5 million cases and 4.9 million deaths. More than 192.2 million Americans - 57.9% of the population - are fully vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

???? What we're reading: Babies born to moms with COVID-19 when pregnant should be watched for long-term impacts, researchers say. Read more here. 

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Airlines and U.S. Customs and Border Protection expect a spike in travel starting Monday, when the U.S. reopens to foreign visitors from dozens of countries, and U.S. land borders with Canada and Mexico reopen to nonessential travel. The new rules are launching nearly two years after the U.S. began imposing travel restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Add in a slew of new entry requirements for international visitors that must be verified by airlines - proof of COVID-19 vaccination, a negative coronavirus test and attestation forms - and bottlenecks are inevitable.

"It's going to be a bit sloppy at first, I can assure you," Delta CEO Ed Bastian said last week at a U.S. Travel Association conference. "There will be lines, unfortunately."  More details here.

- Bailey Schulz

Proof of vaccination will be required to enter a slew of businesses in the city of Los Angeles starting Monday under one of the nation's strongest vaccine mandates. Indoor restaurants, gyms, movie theaters, malls, salons and most city buildings will require - in addition to photo ID - a CDC vaccination card, a scan or photograph of the card on a mobile device, or a digital vaccination record issued by the state, city or a health care provider. The ordinance encourages businesses to offer service outside for patrons who do not provide proof of vaccination.

Patrons who claim a medical or religious reason for not getting vaccinated can provide a negative coronavirus test taken within 72. Venues that fail to adhere to the ordinance can face fines starting Nov. 29.

The administration says it is confident that the requirement, which includes penalties of nearly $14,000 per violation, will withstand legal challenges in part because OSHA safety rules preempt state laws.

More colleges are mandating the vaccine: These red-state colleges won't mandate COVID shots for students - but they will for employees

Prevea Health announced Saturday that it would no longer continue its partnership with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The announcement comes after Rodgers publicly made a series of misleading and false claims about COVID-19 during an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show." Rodgers tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, and due to his unvaccinated status will not be able to get back on the field for a minimum of 10 days. According to a statement from the company, Rodgers has been a partner of Prevea Health since 2012 and has acted as a spokesperson and supported the organization's initiatives throughout Wisconsin.

"Prevea Health remains deeply committed to protecting its patients, staff, providers and communities amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes encouraging and helping all eligible populations to become vaccinated against COVID-19 to prevent the virus from further significantly impacting lives and livelihoods," the statement said.

- Kelli Arseneau, The Appleton Post-Crescent

Contributing: The Associated Press