PPP funds misinformation: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/exclusive-pandemic-relief-aid-went-to-media-that-promoted-covid-misinformation-100022099.html . This is a valuable insight worthy of more consideration. PPP funds are being used to spread misinformation prolonging the pandemic.
Georgia has its first case of UK COVID variant: https://www.11alive.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/first-case-of-covid-19-variant-identified-in-georgia/85-ca54420c-9086-4dc5-a1c8-bfa18dde31ea . Once again, the individual has no travel history. We have nationwide community spread of this potentially dangerous variant. There is essentially no genomic testing, and therefore no idea of the variant’s spread or prevalence. We put a man on the moon in 1969. We have apparently reverted to the Dark Ages.
WSJ: Another record hospitalization day: https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/covid-2021-01-05 .
Estimated 47 million Americans had COVID infection by November 15: https://consumer.healthday.com/sb-1-5-45-million-americans-have-probably-already-been-infected-with-new-coronavirus-2649748044.html . Since the number of cases has nearly doubled since then, this estimate is not particularly helpful now.
Fauci believes US will soon ramp up to 1 million vaccinations per day: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/fauci-us-give-million-vaccinations-day-75064751 . Having seen Trump on a ramp, it’s past time for a new administration. A million daily doses means almost two years before the US population is vaccinated (two doses equals one completed vaccination).
Cuomo to fine hospitals slow in completing COVID vaccinations: https://www.wsj.com/articles/cuomo-defends-fines-for-hospitals-slow-to-vaccinate-for-covid-19-11609886806 .
WSJ: Moderna raises 2021 vaccine production estimate by 20%: https://www.wsj.com/articles/moderna-raises-covid-19-vaccine-production-estimate-11609861657 .
Drug price increases for 2021: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-healthcare-drugpricing/drugmakers-kick-off-2021-with-500-u-s-price-hikes-idUSKBN2992IY . This article contains a new perspective on “specialty” drugs. The drug evolution pattern is currently to replace an older drug covering a larger population with newer, more expensive drugs covering smaller populations. In this scenario, overall drug inflation is driven more by launch prices on the new drugs than by price increases on existing drugs.
WSJ: Pfizer rebrands to emphasize drug and vaccine development: https://www.wsj.com/articles/pfizer-introduces-new-logo-playing-up-role-in-drug-creation-11609844400 .
WSJ: Drug use spikes in construction industry: https://www.wsj.com/articles/opioid-use-hits-construction-industry-as-overdoses-soar-11609855200 .
Tennessee execution delayed by pandemic: https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2021-01-05/tennessee-inmates-execution-paused-again-due-to-covid-19 .
WSJ: Universities adjust spring semester: https://www.wsj.com/articles/as-covid-19-surges-colleges-make-last-minute-changes-to-spring-calendars-11609848003 .
England locks down until at least mid-February: https://www.usnews.com/news/world-report/articles/2021-01-04/uks-boris-johnson-announces-lockdown-to-control-spread-of-new-coronavirus-strain . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/for-britain-and-boris-johnson-2021-begins-with-a-new-covid-challenge-11609874856 .
Italy extends lockdown, bans regional travel: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-01-05/italy-extends-coronavirus-lockdown-banning-regional-travel .
China has not authorized WHO team entry: https://www.usnews.com/news/world-report/articles/2021-01-05/who-very-disappointed-china-hasnt-authorized-teams-entry-to-study-coronavirus-origin . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/world-health-organization-criticizes-china-over-delays-in-covid-19-probe-11609883140 .
WSJ: World Bank fears lost decade for global economy: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-aftermath-could-spell-a-lost-decade-for-global-economy-world-bank-says-11609862404 .
New rule on science data disclosure: https://earther.gizmodo.com/trump-administration-finalizes-its-garbage-secret-scien-1845991537 . Presumably this rule will not last long. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/epa-to-give-preference-to-scientific-studies-that-disclose-data-11609823222 .
WSJ: Treasury has paid 2/3 of $600 stimulus payments: https://www.wsj.com/articles/most-second-stimulus-payments-reach-household-bank-accounts-11609885984 .
Ms. Misinformation: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-congress-boebert/gun-toting-u-s-representative-boebert-aims-to-pack-more-than-her-lunch-on-d-c-streets-idUSKBN2992HC . Unfortunately, Ms. Misinformation has gone to Washington. Rifle is on I-70, about 25 miles east of Grand Junction.
Dick Cheney to the rescue?: https://news.yahoo.com/the-cheneys-take-on-trump-013953508.html . Well, this is what the Republican Party has come to. If you haven’t seen it, Vice is worth your time: https://www.vox.com/2018/12/21/18144605/vice-review-dick-cheney-adam-mckay-christian-bale-sam-rockwell-bush-steve-carell-rumsfeld . Wherever you are on the political spectrum, Christian Bale’s performance is outstanding.
Rat ordered off ship: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/cleta-mitchell-who-advised-trump-on-saturday-phone-call-resigns-from-law-firm/ar-BB1cv9tI?li=BBnb7Kz . I’m equal parts amazed and disgusted that a lawyer provided Trump advice on that call. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-adviser-cleta-mitchell-resigns-from-law-firm-after-georgia-call-11609892830 .
Will Trump face legal trouble in Scotland?: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-scottish-golf-resorts-61-million-loss_n_5ff3bcb9c5b6ec8ae0b53917?ncid=NEWSSTAND0001 . Real estate offers many opportunities to hide money (as well as losses).
Reality approaches: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-leans-harder-pence-flip-election-results-n1252849 . Has Melania started packing? The name “Melania” means “dark”.
WSJ: Pence’s bad day: https://www.wsj.com/articles/pence-faces-dilemma-over-biden-election-confirmation-as-trump-digs-in-11609858039 . I have utterly no sympathy for Mike Pence. Get the hell out of Dodge.
WSJ: Georgia runoff: https://www.wsj.com/articles/georgians-vote-in-runoff-races-that-will-determine-senate-control-11609842600 .
Georgia runoff: Team effort to defeat owner: https://sports.yahoo.com/amphtml/atlanta-dream-players-urge-georgia-vote-senate-runoff-kelly-loeffler-election-001507960.html .
Republican pollster calls Georgia for Democrats: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/05/gop-pollster-frank-luntz-on-georgia-senate-runoffs-electoral-college.html . I hope he’s right. However, as we all know, pollsters have consistently underestimated GOP turnout in the last 4 years.
At 11:59 pm Eastern, January 5, with 98% of the vote counted: Warnock (D) leads Loeffler (R) by 35,000 votes; Perdue (R) leads Ossoff (D) by 1,900 votes. The last 2% appears to be in Democratic counties. A total of 4.4 million votes have been counted in each race; approximately 80,000 are left. This should give you live totals: https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/georgia-election-runoff-senate-2021-01-05/ .
Update: At 2:40 am Eastern, January 6, Warnock leads Loeffler by 46,000 votes and has been projected as the winner by CBS. Ossoff now leads Perdue by 13,000 votes (remember Biden won Georgia by 11,000 votes). Remaining votes are scattered between rural counties and Atlanta. So control of the US Senate will come down to one very close race in Georgia. All praise to Stacey Abrams (next governor of Georgia?).
(I stayed up to watch Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom on Netflix. Very worthwhile, highly recommended.)
Instability risks: Iran: https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-iran-persian-gulf-tensions-middle-east-3ea75606912652951a3c65c882fd560a . With 15 days to go, it’s useful to pay attention to potential provocations of Orange Julius. Here’s more detail on this situation: https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/38533/south-korea-sends-its-forces-into-the-strait-of-hormuz-after-iran-seizes-tanker . As noted, this may thwart Biden’s ability to rejoin the JCPOA: https://www.thenation.com/article/world/biden-iran-sanctions-nukes/ . Also note the parallel between sanctions against Iran and North Korea. We do not want these problems tied together.
Update: Tanya Roberts has now died: https://www.yahoo.com/now/tanya-roberts-dies-after-early-inaccurate-death-report-153550010.html .