More vaccine supply coming: https://www.npr.org/2021/02/11/967194072/biden-announces-deal-for-200-million-more-covid-19-vaccines . The federal government has secured another 200 million doses of vaccine. And 200 million doses already ordered will be delivered one month earlier. The need for boosters to deal with emerging variants remains an open question. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-says-u-s-struck-deals-for-200-million-more-covid-19-vaccine-doses-11613080885 .
WSJ: AstraZeneca to speed up vaccine production: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-york-lawmakers-push-for-change-in-nursing-homes-after-covid-19-deaths-11613060311 . They must address their vaccine’s poor protection against the South African variant.
Canada’s vaccine rollout stalls: https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/11/world/canada-vaccine-rollout-failure/index.html .
WSJ: Alabama’s slow vaccination rates: https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-alabama-has-the-worst-covid-19-vaccination-rates-11613048418 .
WSJ: New York’s difficulties vaccinating healthcare workers: https://www.wsj.com/articles/bureaucracy-limited-supplies-doubts-keep-new-york-healthcare-workers-from-getting-covid-19-vaccines-11613057138 .
COVID vaccine reaction can mimic breast cancer: https://consumer.healthday.com/2-11-reaction-from-covid-vaccine-can-sometimes-mimic-breast-cancer-symptoms-doctors-say-2650404720.html . The effect is temporary.
Here’s how small the coronavirus is: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210210-why-the-entire-coronavirus-would-fit-in-a-can-of-coca-cola . Ain’t math great? It’s shocking to think that this small amount of material has killed over 2 million people worldwide.
WSJ: The latest on mask technology: https://www.wsj.com/articles/double-face-masks-n95-protect-yourself-against-new-covid-19-variants-with-these-mask-upgrades-11612473349 .
CDC considering color coding system for school risk: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/school-reopening-guidelines-color-coded-zones-centers-for-disease-control/ .
Inside a COVID field hospital: https://news.yahoo.com/ap-photos-look-inside-modern-054053501.html .
WSJ: Unused vaccines at retail pharmacies: https://www.wsj.com/articles/cvs-and-walmart-decide-who-gets-leftover-covid-19-vaccine-doses-11613039401 .
WSJ: New methods to test vaccines considered: https://www.wsj.com/articles/drugmakers-look-for-new-ways-to-test-covid-19-vaccines-11613056790 .
Millions of counterfeit N95 masks distributed in the US: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/millions-counterfeit-n95-masks-distributed-health-care-workers-u-s-n1257357 . We have some serious trade problems with China that need immediate attention. We also need to look at US manufacture of PPE as a national security priority. These are not just “trade” problems. People die as a result. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/1-7-million-counterfeit-n95-masks-seized-in-queens-warehouse-11613085386 .
The Lancet study blames “policies” of Orange Julius for over 150,000 US COVID deaths: https://news.yahoo.com/top-medical-journal-blames-trumps-policies-for-tens-of-thousands-of-deaths-100053943.html . I think the number is higher than The Lancet’s estimate, but that is somewhat academic while we remain in the throes of the pandemic. Here is a link to the abstract and study: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)32545-9/fulltext .
WSJ: New York focuses on nursing homes: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-york-lawmakers-push-for-change-in-nursing-homes-after-covid-19-deaths-11613060311 .
COVID-19 news from the UK: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-56030007 .
WSJ: Hospitals form health data company: https://www.wsj.com/articles/major-hospitals-form-company-to-capitalize-on-their-troves-of-health-data-11613052000 .
House Democrats advance COVID relief package: https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-legislation-coronavirus-pandemic-local-governments-house-elections-9b5186acba623933104d948c8f9ef922 . We are actually not losing time on the reconciliation process. Impeachment is now the Senate’s problem, so the House feels only minor effects.
COVID relief package to include multiemployer plan bailout: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/democrats-coronavirus-relief-pensions_n_60256967c5b6591becd748bd . If passed, this is a big deal for unions.
Bill Barr quashed plea deal in George Floyd killing: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ag-barr-quashed-plea-deal-fired-officer-derek-chauvin-george-n1257457 . The plea deal would have led to more violence.
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Republican impeachment nose-count: https://sports.yahoo.com/where-republican-senators-stand-on-trumps-second-impeachment-trial-214931293.html . My count has not change from yesterday – impeachment remains unlikely. The defense plans to speak for about 3 hours. From prior indications, they have nothing to say in Trump’s defense, so it’s best to rest quickly and hope the politics outrun the Constitutional arguments.
Overall the Democratic presentation has been outstanding. The presentation has been understandable to any member of the public. Democrats can use some of the material in their 2022 campaigns against Republicans who are supporting Orange Julius over the facts (which looks to be more than 80% of their Senators and Congressmen). We have not heard the last of the far-right extremists: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/live-blog/2021-02-11-trump-impeachment-trial-live-updates-n1257308/ncrd1257408#liveBlogHeader (link replaced 3/21/21).
Facts confront lies: https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/02/impeachment-capitol-right-footage-conviction.html . Many Democrats cannot understand what is going on in the Republican Party. This article drives home the point Fox News (and other “conservative” media outlets) not only lie, but portray the truth-tellers as liars. Their viewers believe it, especially as it is hard to separate news from opinion in these outlets. And, as mentioned before, our educational system is failing at teaching critical analysis.
WSJ: A January 6 timeline: https://www.wsj.com/articles/jan-6-2021-how-it-unfolded-11613047105 . More: Day 3 observations: https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-impeachment-trial-five-takeaways-from-the-third-day-11613093954 .
WSJ: Peggy Noonan today: https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-vote-to-acquit-is-a-vote-for-a-lie-11613084456. It’s surprising to see this frank perspective from the long-time WSJ opinion columnist.
Klete Keller charged in Capitol insurrection: https://people.com/crime/former-olympian-klete-keller-indicted-by-grand-jury-federal-charges-capitol-riots/ . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/olympic-medalist-is-among-those-indicted-in-capitol-riot-probe-11613003096 .
WSJ: Proud Boys see their future: https://www.wsj.com/articles/more-proud-boys-arrested-on-capitol-riot-conspiracy-charges-11613077752 .
Republican senators meet with Orange Julius’ defense team: https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2021/02/11/graham-lee-cruz-trump-lawyers-meeting-impeachment-trial-two-vpx.cnn . This could make for some interesting questions in the Q&A portion of the impeachment trial. I’m sure this will be brought to Schumer’s attention. Apparently Ted Cruz is completely unable to trim his own beard. Somehow this is not at all surprising. More: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-lawyer-raises-eyebrows-by-meeting-very-friendly-gop-senators-on-eve-of-impeachment-defense/ar-BB1dCdOa?li=BBnb7Kz .
Delegate Stacey Plaskett gets her due: https://www.vogue.com/article/who-is-stacey-plaskett-trump-impeachment-manager-virgin-islands .
The Republican Civil War continues: https://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/watch/evan-mcmullin-the-republican-party-is-rotten-to-the-core-100901445667 . The primary effect of a moderate split from the Orange Julius party is to weaken the Orange Julius party. It appears the moderates are satisfied with that result.
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Jazz great Chick Corea passes: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/chick-corea-obit-1127283/ .