Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - Mar 17, 2021

Here's good news for people who don't like needles: Bloomberg News reports you may be able to get a COVID-19 vaccine by the end of the year that doesn’t require an injection. The World Health Organization’s chief scientist, SOUMYA SWAMINATHAN, passed the news that there will likely be six to eight new immunizations by the end of the year, some of which don’t require needles.

Social distancing: The CDC says if you're going to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day today or any time this week --you should avoid parties and other gatherings and consider holding "virtual celebrations" because of the coronavirus pandemic.

"Big Bang Theory" star, MAYIM BIALIK, says she's fighting eating disorders, and has been in recovery for anorexia for the last two years. In a recent podcast, she delivered the news, noting "I eat too much when no one's looking," and adding that she's "eating so I don't have to feel anything." Interestingly, in the last year, the National Eating Disorders Association Helpline says the pandemic has caused a 40-percent increase in volume.

Sorry to hear actor YAPHET KOTTO has died at the age of 81. Kotto played a villain in the 1973 James Bond movie, "Live and Let Die'; he also played a crew member in 1979 sci-fi movie "Alien" as well. Interestingly, he turned down a role in "Star Wars" sequel, "The Empire Strikes Back," because he didn't want to become typecast in sci-fi roles. He also reportedly turned down the role of Captain Jean-Luc Picard in "Star Trek: The Next Generation," which was filled by Sir PATRICK STEWART. He was in plenty of other TV shows and movies in his lengthy career as well.

"Saturday Night Live" has announced the hosts and musical guests for the next three live shows: --March 27th's show will feature MAYA RUDOLPH hosting with musical guest JACK HARLOW in his SNL debut.
--April 3rd's show will have DANIEL KALUUYA hosting with female musical guest ST. VINCENT.
--Then April 10th's show will be hosted by CAREY MULLIGAN with KID CUDI in his first time as musical guest.

Finally, a baby girl born three weeks after her mom got the first dose of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine was tested and now has antibodies against the virus. The tests showed the mom's antibodies passed through the placenta to the baby. Doctors say more research is needed to understand how various antibodies pass thru from a mother to a child, whether it works for all vaccines and if it works for all blood types.