Severe COVID claims a life: https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ny-kent-taylor-dead-texas-roadhouse-suicide-20210321-hhovxsky5fdf5oibfjdndb5aka-story.html . Here is another aspect of the mental health crisis caused by COVID.
Latest US COVID variant data: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/us-reports-over-6000-coronavirus-variants-infections/articleshow/81624630.cms . This data is rather misleading, as we do so little genomic sequencing. The UK variant is expected to be the dominant variant in new US cases by the end of March.
Another reason we need much more genomic sequencing: https://news.yahoo.com/more-aggressive-virus-sequencing-needed-182000005.html . This is universally understood to be a critical disease management component. Why are we still failing?
Blowback on rapid vaccine rollout: https://apnews.com/article/health-coronavirus-pandemic-vaccine-florida-connecticut-459febd1a33bf8909bfaa88ce3f43159 . So, this is questionable criticism. The underlying problem is that the rollout involved 50 state programs. Does anyone expect that to go smoothly? The real craziness was the last days of the Orange Julius empire. The promise was 20 million doses in December. The delivery was under 4 million by early January. The lesson is federal planning and coordination works, which we already knew and now have.
WSJ: Marketing promotions for the vaccinated: https://www.wsj.com/articles/marketers-plan-giveaways-for-covid-19-vaccine-recipients-11616385660 . It is unclear that this will significantly reduce vaccine hesitancy. It can’t hurt.
WSJ: US March vaccine production almost triple February total: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-vaccine-manufacturing-in-u-s-races-ahead-11616328001 . We are about to surge to the front in vaccine diplomacy.
Europe’s struggle over vaccine delivery continues: https://thehill.com/policy/international/europe/544247-uk-wont-get-astrazeneca-vaccine-from-eu-report .
Third Brazilian senator dies of COVID: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-brazil-congress/covid-19-strikes-brazils-congress-as-third-senator-dies-idUSKBN2BB26K .
WSJ: COVID lessons from open schools: https://www.wsj.com/articles/some-schools-have-been-open-for-months-heres-what-they-learned-11616345560 .
The global learning crisis: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/22/due-to-covid-19-over-half-of-the-world-ten-years-wont-be-able .
WSJ: Rules around employer vaccination inquiries: https://www.wsj.com/articles/can-my-employer-ask-if-i-got-a-coronavirus-shot-11616342401 . An alternate approach: https://www.wsj.com/articles/one-ceo-dangles-500-bonus-for-workers-to-get-covid-19-vaccinations-11616342400 .
WSJ: The global reach of American racism: https://www.wsj.com/articles/atlanta-spa-shootings-reverberate-across-south-korea-long-a-u-s-ally-11616348282 . Violent racism shouts out the most barbaric aspects of our society. More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/protests-across-u-s-call-for-end-to-anti-asian-violence-11616273497 .
Republicans uncomfortable with reality: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/pelosi-baited-republicans-by-collecting-positive-news-coverage-about-bidens-dollar19-trillion-stimulus-deal-from-their-districts/ar-BB1eOd6D?li=BBnb7Kz . Even in politics, there is such a thing as doing the work. Nancy’s doing it.
Democrats consider a “kitchen sink” bill: https://www.politico.com/news/2021/03/19/reconciliation-house-democrats-477246. Congress can pass two reconciliation bills a year. As there were zero Republican votes for the first reconciliation bill, Democrats will try to pack all of their other priorities in a second reconciliation bill. Things that are not clearly budget-related are not includable. Overruling the parliamentarian will be exploited by Republicans as unjust.
Insurrectionists may face sedition charges: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/evidence-in-capitol-attack-investigation-trending-toward-sedition-charges-departing-chief-says/ar-BB1eONBE?li=BBnb7Kz . Transcript of the CBS 60 Minutes broadcast: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/capitol-riot-investigation-prosecution-60-minutes-2021-03-21/ .
Extremism among police: https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/politics/elections/2021/03/21/police-charged-capitol-riot-reignite-concerns-racism-extremism/4738348001/ . Obviously, there are many more extremists in police ranks than the ones who directly participated in the insurrection. Racism is a societal problem which by its nature affects our system of justice.
Update on 2022 Senate races: https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/544088-johnson-grassley-indecision-freezes-key-senate-races .