Biden team concerned about Trump broadening of vaccine eligible pool: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/biden-team-sees-risks-in-trump-decision-to-widen-vaccine-pool/ar-BB1cHv3d?li=BBnb7Kz . The task is to match pool size with supply. Once again, the Trump dilettantes show they do not understand how to plan.
WSJ: More second dose delay analysis: https://www.wsj.com/articles/can-covid-19-vaccines-second-dose-be-delayed-11610129260 .
The upside of pushing out all the vaccine now: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa/u-s-health-officials-hope-new-covid-vaccine-rules-can-ease-latest-surge-idUSKBN29H2TE . This is a different issue than broadening the eligible pool, and this decision I agree with. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/vaccine-should-be-given-to-anyone-over-65-health-officials-expected-to-urge-11610462365 .
WSJ: Getting tickets to the vaccine dance: https://www.wsj.com/articles/health-officials-scramble-to-provide-booking-systems-for-covid-19-vaccines-11610488516 .
Biden team pushes Slaoui out: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/12/operation-warp-speed-chief-resigned-at-biden-teams-request-sources-say.html .
WSJ: Summary of our nursing home pandemic reporting: https://www.wsj.com/articles/nursing-homes-fatal-failures-11610493458 .
New daily record of 4,197 US deaths: https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/12/health/us-coronavirus-tuesday/index.html .
WSJ: Hospital vaccination data coming: https://www.wsj.com/articles/hospitals-to-report-covid-19-vaccination-data-11610486189 .
WSJ: NYC vaccination struggles: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-york-city-covid-19-vaccine-program-has-shaky-start-councilmembers-say-11610481562 .
CDC expands traveler negative test requirements: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-01-12/cdc-expands-negative-coronavirus-testing-requirements-for-international-air-travelers .
A model of COVID severity: https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2021/01/11/science.abe6522 . The writing style here is hard to penetrate. However, the model appears to have shortcomings. We do not currently understand the range of mutations we can reasonably expect from COVID. As to the virus’ shell, we believe mRNA vaccines can be rapidly updated to address changes there. As to the virus itself, we are unclear as to whether further mutations there will increase the disease’s severity.
News analysis of the above study: https://news.yahoo.com/coronavirus-live-everyones-vaccinated-study-185819257.html . Here’s an easier-to-read summary of above study. Same criticism – mutation is the main risk, and the model does not address it. And by the way, a variety of viruses cause the common cold.
Vox: Reporters are not scientists: https://www.vox.com/22225299/covid-19-congress-bonnie-watson-coleman-vaccine-positive-test-spread . They’re trying, but you can’t draw much in the way of conclusions here. The representatives were vaccinated a week ago, which is too short a time for immunity to fully develop. The second dose comes after 21 or 28 days for a reason, which is that the body must be allowed to fully respond to the first dose.
WSJ: UK hospitals hit “survival paradox”: https://www.wsj.com/articles/amid-pandemic-u-k-hospitals-face-unprecedented-pressurein-part-because-they-now-save-more-lives-11610479172 . Survivors fill beds until they recover.
WSJ: Alzheimer’s drug shows promise: https://www.wsj.com/articles/lilly-alzheimers-drug-helped-patients-in-small-trial-11610364603 .
UK “excess deaths” in 2020 largest since World War II: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/excess-deaths-2020-soared-highest-23303817 . More: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-55631693 . Since COVID deaths are in the UK total, this news is not that surprising. What about the other deaths?
My initial impression is that most excess deaths trace to the pandemic and so are COVID deaths. Some of the increase is related to care deferral, people not seeking medical attention quickly because of fear of going to their doctor’s office or the emergency room. However, flu deaths are substantially decreased around the globe because of the precautions taken in response to COVID.
WSJ: Outbreak in China: https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-reimposes-covid-19-lockdowns-as-it-battles-the-worst-outbreak-in-months-11610449154 .
WSJ: Brazil report of Sinovac effectiveness overstated: https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-sinovac-covid-19-vaccine-is-50-4-in-late-stage-brazil-trials-11610470581 .
Northern California sees some improvement in pandemic: https://apnews.com/article/business-sacramento-coronavirus-pandemic-california-gavin-newsom-23c9cae89c6432f5c441a26e8caf6400 .
Two more House members test positive after secure confinement: https://news.yahoo.com/second-democratic-congresswoman-tests-positive-for-covid-19-blames-maskless-colleagues-amid-capitol-siege-141148402.html . It’s that much harder to reconcile when the other side is so disrespectful. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/at-least-three-lawmakers-test-positive-for-covid-19-after-capitol-attack-11610473977 .
Significant decline in lung cancer deaths: https://apnews.com/article/smoking-lung-cancer-cancer-death-rates-2e6ecb77cb293f3038e20d05325d1a6a . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/cancer-death-rate-in-u-s-falls-by-largest-yearly-amount-on-record-11610463601 .
At least DeJoy is doing his job: https://money.yahoo.com/many-americans-wait-for-delayed-holiday-gifts-160544737.html . So, Virginia, Santa sent his gift to arrive on Valentine’s Day because he really loves you.
WSJ: More bad news on the Russian hack: https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-sinovac-covid-19-vaccine-is-50-4-in-late-stage-brazil-trials-11610470581 .
Quantum mechanics in English, a good news/bad news find: https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/01/the-curious-observers-guide-to-quantum-mechanics/ .The good news is, this is a very readable and insightful discussion on particle/wave duality. It is Part 1 of a seven-part series to explain quantum mechanics. The bad news is, we have to guess about when the other 6 parts will appear. Presumably they will appear on the ARS Technica website at regular intervals. Weekly? Monthly? I’ll try to watch.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
More evidence that the armed sheep are lunatics: https://news.yahoo.com/capitol-riots-caused-chaos-skies-213011511.html . My first thought was that the USA chant originated with the Miracle on Ice at the 1980 Winter Olympics – that’s pretty close: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U-S-A! . That was extremely memorable for very positive reasons. Its use by these intellectual Trumpster dumpster fires makes me sick.
In other Olympic news: https://sports.yahoo.com/olympic-gold-medalist-klete-keller-reportedly-part-of-mob-that-stormed-capitol-205958124.html . So the video clearly shows him, wearing his Olympic jacket. Looks like another career error by a Trumpster. Apparently, like their fearful leader, these people do not understand the consequences of being filmed committing a crime.
Another poor career move: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/sheryl-sandberg-capitol-riot-facebook_n_5ffdcc86c5b6c77d85ea8445 . When the COO doesn’t understand the product, there is a problem.
Air Force’s Barrett to step down: https://thehill.com/policy/defense/533952-barrett-among-six-top-air-force-officials-to-step-down . Right decision, wrong Barrett.
More arrests coming: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/just-the-tip-of-the-iceberg-fbi-and-doj-promise-to-charge-hundreds-over-capitol-riot-215344382.html . Actually, it’s surprising the case file list is only 160. This might be a good time for some of the armed sheep to head to a Mexican retirement. Mexico only extradites to the US if the death penalty is off the table. This would be especially wise for those who posted videos of their crimes. Of course, “especially wise” does not characterize this crowd.
WSJ: More on the dangers to the Congress during the insurrection: https://www.wsj.com/articles/lawmakers-were-feet-and-seconds-away-from-confrontation-with-the-mob-in-the-capitol-11610481854 .
Weekend Warriors to protect state capitols against weekend warriors: https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/12/us/trump-protests-states/index.html . BOTH sides will be better prepared. We have to hope the nuts back down. Former Secretaries warn of risk: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/12/not-in-trumps-nature-to-do-whats-right-for-the-us-says-panetta.html .
WSJ: Inaugural security: https://www.wsj.com/articles/bidens-inauguration-planners-step-up-security-after-capitol-riot-11610447400 .
Something to be thankful for: https://news.yahoo.com/rep-jim-jordan-admits-biden-won-but-wont-say-it-was-fair-and-square-200620830.html . You can be thankful that this tool is not your congressman. There’s no evidence Jim Jordan ever wrestles with his conscience: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/brother-osu-whistle-blower-said-rep-jim-jordan-asked-support-n1135321 .
YouTube takes action against Trump: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/youtube-takes-action-against-trump-bans-uploads-least-7-days-n1254033 . Just remember, there is not a First Amendment issue when the content incites violence.
WSJ: Parler’s road back: https://www.wsj.com/articles/parler-faces-obstacles-to-getting-back-online-11610474343 . Hopefully there is no road back involving nut disinformation. More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-was-parler-shut-down-heres-why-the-social-network-is-offline-11610478890 .
Fringe social networks ride the wave: https://thehill.com/policy/technology/533919-fringe-social-networks-boosted-after-mob-attack . The problem is, Congress will be looking at draining the pool.
The stable genius and his vice-president: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-told-pence-you-can-either-go-down-in-history-as-a-patriot-or-you-can-go-down-in-history-as-a-p-y-before-certification-vote-in-congress-the-new-york-times-reported/ar-BB1cHOPu?li=BBnb7Kz . Wow, what a deal-maker. So, did Trump grab Pence? Billy Bush wants to know.
House passes measure asking Pence to invoke 25th Amendment: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/01/12/25th-amendment-house-passes-resolution-calling-pence-invoke/6648147002/ . Pence refuses: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2021/01/12/live-politics-updates-house-resume-efforts-oust-president-trump/6626864002/ . Pence presumably realizes that his political future is toast, and has chosen to be on the wrong side of history. The fly was right, Mike.
Congressman Raskin follows his son’s last wish: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/13/jamie-raskin-grieving-congressman-leads-push-impeach-trump (link replaced 1/21/21). And remembers: https://www.npr.org/2021/01/09/955191935/rep-jamie-raskin-remembers-his-son-tommy .
Liz Cheney, two other House Republicans to vote for impeachment: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/12/trump-impeachment-liz-cheney-john-katko-will-vote-to-impeach.html . The news that Mitch McConnell believes Trump committed impeachable offenses is huge. More: https://thehill.com/homenews/house/533926-cheney-says-shell-vote-to-impeach-trump . More: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/12/donald-trump-texas-impeachment-effort . And a late update: https://thehill.com/homenews/house/533965-growing-number-of-gop-lawmakers-say-they-support-impeachment .
GOP begins to leak adherents: https://apnews.com/article/gop-democrats-political-parties-4af2fff712c75315dab989c6c807f6fd . If your party is based on loyalty to Orange Julius, who incites insurrection, it’s time to choose country over party. Another problem is that Orange Julius is heading for legal castration starting January 21. This isn’t over, but for now the tide is ebbing rapidly.
Pushback on lawyers who promoted election fraud claims: https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-lawyers-face-rebukes-over-election-fraud-claims-11610458283 .
Chris Krebs prepares for the end times: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/chris-krebs-anderson-cooper-america-post-trump_n_5ffd14b1c5b6c77d85e98a86 . The darkest part here is that it comes from someone who is in the best position to know. Why is the stock market at all-time highs and heading up?
Biden’s “opportunity”: https://www.yahoo.com/now/trumps-collapse-opens-the-door-to-a-more-ambitious-biden-agenda-if-he-wants-it-100018938.html . While I appreciate the author’s liberal idealism, this is the voice of no experience. Biden fortunately is the most experienced politician to occupy the White House.
The really smart move right now is to focus on process. Enact a new Voting Rights Act. Fund state use of mail-in ballots and early voting. If Biden focuses on encouraging people to vote, he can expose Republican voter suppression and build a long-lasting Democratic majority.
It would also be wise to build some sort of Internet-based survey mechanism allowing voters to respond on issues of the day. If the Democrats can figure out how to make government listen to the people, such interaction will invigorate democracies worldwide.
Another prediction on Biden’s 2021 legislative agenda: https://sports.yahoo.com/7-things-that-will-change-when-democrats-control-the-senate-163322432.html . The biggest trap for any president is to overreach. Biden will also be mindful of his need to maintain or expand his majority in 2022. Off-year elections almost always go to the party not in power, due to overreach. Biden knows he would be wise to try to accomplish his major objectives in 2021.
Schumer looks to move on with Biden: https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-biden-cabinet-cabinets-biden-inauguration-8e6d2fd12eceb3c852851dc5feb2a022 . More from Schumer: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/chuck-schumer-senate-democrats-covid-relief-package/ .
Rachel Maddow’s argument for a Trump resignation: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/rachel-maddow-donald-trump-resign_n_5ffd5ff0c5b66f3f7960ed14 .
More businesses cut ties with Trump: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/pga-deutsche-bank-and-even-nyc-are-taking-aim-at-trumps-businesses-190439955.html . What happens to the $207 million he raised lying to his base about election fraud? Will a lot of it still end up in his pocket?
The tragedy of being the less-capable son when your brother is Don Jr.: https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2021-01-12/trump-business-backlash-part-of-cancel-culture-son-says . These really are the end days for Eric.
Sheldon Adelson passes: https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/12/sheldon-adelson-republican-megadonor-obituary-031924 . Now the Democrats have ActBlue and the Republicans have lost their piggy bank: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/30/democrats-actblue-fundrasing-elections-433698 .
Dying for football: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/alabama-fans-pack-bars-for-cfp-title-game-in-violation-of-covid-19-regulations-023712137.html . I should have realized the University of Alabama brain transplant program was destined to fail: complete lack of supply.