Llama nanobodies, updated: https://www.ucsf.edu/magazine/covid-aeronabs . Given the “traditional” solution of vaccines, it is not surprising that there is not enough outside-the-box thinking in the investment community to pursue llama nanobodies.
Keeping the variants in check: https://www.salon.com/2021/02/03/can-the-us-keep-covid-variants-in-check-heres-what-it-takes_partner/ . As regularly noted here, the lack of genomic testing is the US makes it virtually impossible to control the variants.
What Osterholm has learned one year in: https://www.minnpost.com/health/2021/02/what-michael-osterholm-has-learned-one-year-in-to-the-pandemic/ . I appreciate the honesty of his responses.
Wearing multiple masks to be studied: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-02-03/cdc-studying-whether-two-masks-is-better-than-one-for-preventing-coronavirus-spread . I guess there’s a lot of grant money out there. If your one mask is adequately protective, that’s the answer. Otherwise, two masks should help. We already know multiple layers are an effective strategy.
UK to test mix vaccines in new trial: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/uk-government-test-mixing-covid-vaccines-trial/story?id=75668099 . This will help the US out when it gets to second doses. Plan B here is to tattoo the name of the first dose on your butt.
Vaccine side effects: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/uk-government-test-mixing-covid-vaccines-trial/story?id=75668099 .
WSJ: State-by-state vaccination guide, updated: https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-to-get-a-covid-19-vaccine-a-state-by-state-guide-11611703769 .
AstraZeneca vaccine may reduce virus transmission: https://apnews.com/article/astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccine-study-c746e10e44a1e609b3575dddf019720e . The first shot is 75% effective after 90 days: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/uk-government-test-mixing-covid-vaccines-trial/story?id=75668099 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/oxford-astrazeneca-vaccine-data-show-effectiveness-with-spread-out-doses-11612301541 .
AstraZeneca developing new vaccine for current variants: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/astrazeneca-says-its-developing-a-next-generation-covid-19-vaccine-to-target-fast-spreading-variants-and-it-could-be-ready-by-autumn/ar-BB1dmgE6?li=BBnb7Kz . I mentioned “current” for hopefully an obvious reason. The press to vaccinate ASAP is to reduce global viral load, thus hopefully reducing the possibility of development of additional variants. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-vaccine-makers-take-aim-at-dangerous-new-strains-11612357201 .
WSJ: US vaccine hesitancy: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-vaccine-hesitancy-presents-challenge-for-herd-immunity-push-11612369671 .
Lack of coordinated global COVID strategy hurts everyone: https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-lack-of-global-vaccine-strategy-has-immense-costs/a-56431354 . This is preaching to the choir here.
Vaccination success in UK: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-k-s-rapid-covid-19-vaccination-campaign-shows-early-signs-of-success-11612350120 .
Israel’s rollout experience: Vaccines work as expected: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/israels-rapid-rollout-provides-the-first-realworld-proof-that-covid-vaccination-works-as-well-as-promised-152103525.html . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/israel-to-widen-covid-19-vaccines-to-general-public-as-cases-surge-11612359228 .
Israel sees surge in infant COVID infections: https://www.timesofisrael.com/health-officials-report-surge-in-babies-infected-by-coronavirus-report/ . This is consistent with other reporting on the UK variant. Given Israel’s lockdown and aggressive vaccination program, this is of considerable concern.
Tanzania rejects modern medicine: https://www.wsj.com/articles/tanzania-shunned-lockdowns-now-its-rejecting-covid-19-vaccines-11612364606 .
Oregon prioritizes prisoners, teachers: https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/537262-oregon-to-begin-vaccinating-prisoners-against-covid-19-after-judges . So the elderly are now under “house arrest” until the prisoners and teachers are vaccinated.
CDC says most COVID infections from social distancing failures: https://bgr.com/2021/02/03/how-coronavirus-spreads-cdc-direct-contact-droplets-air/ .
Protection from natural antibodies: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-antibodies/recovered-covid-patients-likely-protected-for-at-least-six-months-study-finds-idUSKBN2A3002 . This is not particularly helpful. We do not know to what extent new variants can evade these antibodies. The real question to me is why influenza has become less lethal over time. Perhaps it is because the body has learned something from similar, less lethal viruses. Perhaps this will prove true with coronavirus at some point.
WSJ: Bayer continues efforts to corral Roundup liability: https://www.wsj.com/articles/bayer-tries-again-to-limit-roundup-liability-11612388834 .
WSJ: McKinsey settles opioid liability suits: https://www.wsj.com/articles/mckinsey-agrees-to-573-million-settlement-over-opioid-advice-11612405236 . Now, $573 million is a whole lot of consulting profit, even if your average hourly rate is $1500.
Mexican immigrants send record $40 billion to Mexico in 2020: https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-mexico-d5cca3a4e77a258223bb4222f02496ad. If you’ve ever picked fruit or worked on a farm, you’ll feel how much labor is involved in this one number.
WSJ: Shutdowns benefit insurers: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-shutdowns-shore-up-allstate-metlife-earnings-11612394122 . If you can’t do anything, you don’t have accidents.
Senate operating rules agreed: https://apnews.com/article/politics-mitch-mcconnell-kamala-harris-filibusters-b97548b519325666d1a59200f7d79904 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/senate-democrats-reach-power-sharing-deal-with-republicans-11612364379 .
Stimulus: the problems with 50 votes: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/what-joe-manchin-kyrsten-sinema-and-mark-kelly-have-said-about-bidens-stimulus-plan/ar-BB1dmkc6?li=BBnb7Kz . Biden is open to tightening eligibility for $1,400 checks: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/biden-vows-no-retreat-on-dollar1400-checks-open-to-tightening-rules/ar-BB1dm3nX?li=BBnb7Kz . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-signals-openness-to-sending-1-400-stimulus-checks-to-smaller-group-11612380292 .
WSJ: Manchin comes around on Biden plan: https://www.wsj.com/articles/joe-manchin-backs-bidens-covid-aid-price-tag-11612371722 . This is a smart political move.
Pelosi pushes Schiff for California AG: https://thehill.com/homenews/house/537276-pelosi-pushing-newsom-to-pick-schiff-for-next-california-ag-report .
Judge blocks new Kentucky COVID law: https://apnews.com/article/legislature-frankfort-lawsuits-coronavirus-pandemic-kentucky-1f6d05c93a9f0dc54ec3a6b9bc04b79a . To point out the obvious, assume the governor and the CDC both did their best to produce a reasonable level of protection against the pandemic. The Kentucky law produces a standard that is lower than either the governor’s or the CDC package. It is presumptively too lax by the two standards it purports to combine.
WSJ: US borrowing needs continue to grow: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-still-faces-uncertain-borrowing-needs-due-to-covid-19-treasury-says-11612359185 .
WSJ: More on Bezos’ move to executive chairman of Amazon: https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-jeff-bezos-is-stepping-down-as-ceo-but-staying-on-as-executive-chairman-and-what-that-means-11612366771 . More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/jeff-bezos-exits-as-ceo-but-his-role-at-amazon-will-likely-little-change-11612399248 .
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Canada designates Proud Boys as terrorist group: https://www.wsj.com/articles/canada-names-proud-boys-a-terrorist-group-11612376710 .
Georgia investigates pro-Trump attorney for election fraud: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/lin-wood-voting-investigation-2020-election_n_601a9a10c5b69137248e685f . And: https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/after-filing-election-suits-pro-trump-lawyer-l.-lin-wood-is-asked-to-undergo-mental-health-evaluation . Based on his comments, Wood appears to have voted illegally in Georgia. As he holds himself out as an election fraud expert, this could result in disbarment in Georgia. The disbarment would likely be reciprocal in any other jurisdictions in which he is admitted.
Congressional staffers press for Trump conviction: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/hundreds-democratic-staff-plead-senators-convict-trump-upcoming-impeachment-trial-n1256577 .
Marjorie Taylor Greene will likely be stripped of committee assignments: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/marjorie-taylor-greene-committee-roles_n_601ad9d0c5b6f41348c62c69 . WSJ: More: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/democrats-move-to-pull-marjorie-taylor-greene-from-panels-after-gop-declines-action/ar-BB1dmBIM?li=BBnb7Kz . And: https://www.politico.com/news/2021/02/03/democrats-marjorie-taylor-greene-committee-posts-465546 . Really, she should be expelled for her liking of assassination comments, particularly concerning the Speaker. If not, one assumes she will have Republican primary challengers lining up for her seat. Even Karl Rove agrees: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/karl-rove-marjorie-taylor-greene_n_601a235cc5b668b8db3cdb28 . The details of expulsion: https://news.yahoo.com/congress-expel-resign-talyor-greene-explainer-230728295.html .
Pelosi attacks McCarthy: https://thehill.com/homenews/house/537228-pelosi-refers-to-gop-leader-as-mccarthy-q-ca . McCarthy has 138 members of his caucus (of 211) who voted against certifying the election. He is an incompetent leader. Protecting Greene and flying to Florida to meet with Trump were big mistakes. Right now, Pelosi is moving to chew up and spit out Greene, and she has bigger game in her sights. In short, the Democrats are trying to force Republicans to choose between reality and Orange Julius. Only one of those choices is sustainable long term.
Liz Cheney survives leadership vote: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/liz-cheney-to-remain-gop-conference-chair-after-vote/ . But about half the caucus gave Greene a standing ovation: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/republicans-privately-gave-conspiracy-theorist-marjorie-taylor-greene-a-standing-ovation-in-a-caucus-meeting-according-to-reports/ar-BB1dmU2Y?li=BBnb7Kz . And by the way, the mask she’s wearing in the January 3 picture says “Trump won”.
One thing about the idiots in the Republican Party – they’re consistently idiots: https://www.mediaite.com/news/gaetz-who-led-gop-backlash-against-liz-cheney-roundly-mocked-after-effort-fails/ . Matt Gaetz must be running to be Ted Cruz’ VP.
Speaking of idiots, more are charged by DOJ in Capitol insurrection: http://news247.co.nz/world/justice-department-unveils-further-charges-in-capitol-riot/ (link replaced 6/12/21). WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/proud-boys-members-face-new-charges-over-capitol-riots-11612407047 .
“Trust the science”: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/the-problem-with-trust-the-science . Actually, firm conclusions are often provided by the data. Here, the data is conclusive that the author has no idea how science works. “Trust the science” is not a political axiom. It’s always the right thing to do, assuming you’re sufficiently educated to differentiate strong experiments from weak ones. And remember the Tanzania article above.
War deaths vs. pandemic deaths: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/02/03/962811921/the-u-s-battles-coronavirus-but-is-it-fair-to-compare-pandemic-to-a-war . So life’s not fair, and neither is death. After 4 years of being ruled by a twit’s tweets, let’s recognize that these comparisons are given to provide a benchmark. Also, we are all used to the ongoing extension of human life. The pandemic is an unprecedented setback in that long trend.
Once again, Republican Senators fear the impeachment trial: https://www.politico.com/news/2021/02/03/trump-impeachment-election-claims-465468 . So multiple Republican Senators are now saying out loud that they have settled on a false procedural defense in order to avoid the substance. Their two-week trial delay was a big mistake in that reason has a greater chance to seep in. I continue to believe there will be more than 5 Republican votes to convict.
WSJ: Parler CEO out: https://www.wsj.com/articles/parler-ceo-says-he-was-fired-by-conservative-political-donor-rebekah-mercer-11612397380 . It’s time once again to invest in the manufacturer of the world’s smallest violins.