Excess deaths in Florida: https://www.yahoo.com/now/florida-covid-numbers-face-new-scrutiny-090058319.html . There is some level of politics in the Florida data. Generally speaking, I consider “excess deaths” to be a valid analytic tool to determine deaths from COVID. Deaths caused because people deferred medical visits strikes me as a small percentage of the excess deaths, and in any event they are indirectly caused by the pandemic. We also know there have been repeated issues with Florida reducing transparency or otherwise manipulating their data. Excess death analysis is the most objective source in these circumstances.
How dangerous are the variants?: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/30/covid-variants-t-cells-in-blood-samples-of-recovered-covid-patients-recognize-strains.html . As to this study, we know that in Brazil areas decimated by P.1 saw reinfections from the variant P.3. We are also unclear on the length of time the immune system retains its ability to recognize the virus or its variants. The jury is still out on the danger the variants pose.
Chile has high vaccination rates and a variant surge: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/mar/28/chile-coronavirus-lockdowns-vaccination-success . This sure looks like a red flag for US vaccination hopes.
WSJ: Pfizer to test freeze-dried vaccine: https://www.wsj.com/articles/pfizer-to-test-covid-19-vaccine-that-doesnt-need-ultracold-storage-11617129345 . Future research involves converting Tasters’ Choice into a shot in the arm.
WSJ: AstraZeneca hit with new restrictions in Germany: https://www.wsj.com/articles/astrazeneca-vaccine-faces-fresh-ban-in-germany-for-under-60s-11617116231 .
Vaccine patents debated: https://www.axios.com/coronavirus-vaccine-patents-biden-55431035-fb17-4eed-8c76-e9f0ade04b09.html . The humanitarian need is understandable. Removal of the economic incentive to develop the most effective vaccine does not seem workable.
WSJ: Proving you’re vaccinated: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-vaccination-cards-are-the-only-proof-of-shots-soon-an-essential-11617105602 . Privacy laws meet public protection.
WSJ: Could the Medicare eligibility age be lowered to 60?: https://www.wsj.com/articles/democrats-look-at-lowering-medicare-eligibility-age-in-healthcare-package-11617109207 . This could pull a lot of Baby Boomers out of the workforce, and could also impact the Social Security trust fund.
WHO says its COVID origin study requires further studies: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who-china-report/who-says-covid-19-origins-study-not-extensive-enough-cites-data-access-difficulties-idUSKBN2BM26S . The team has attempted to defend the quality of its work, without success. China will remain suspect without independent examination of all available data.
WSJ: US promotes independent study of COVID origin: https://www.wsj.com/articles/countries-call-for-pact-to-improve-response-to-next-pandemic-11617100287 . Well, sure. China is more likely to be fully transparent with the US than with the WHO.
WSJ: Another reason we need an update of US immigration policies: https://www.wsj.com/articles/canada-looks-to-immigration-to-boost-economic-recovery-11617105739 . It’s very interesting that a US-based business opened a Toronto office to ensure an orderly flow of immigrant talent.
White House acts against anti-Asian violence: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-race-biden/white-house-announces-new-measures-to-counter-anti-asian-violence-idUSKBN2BM2JI . Each day we are reminded how important it is to restore the rule of law and democratic principles for every American.
WSJ: Archegos liquidation is causing huge banking losses: https://www.wsj.com/articles/what-is-archegos-and-how-did-it-rattle-the-stock-market-11617044982 . The Journal gives us the Greek and Christian connections, but misses the most obvious connection: “Arch Egos”. More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/archegos-blowout-heaps-pressure-on-credit-suisse-11617108216 . And: https://www.wsj.com/articles/goldman-morgan-limit-losses-with-fast-sale-of-archegos-assets-11617062028 . This all certainly suggests that hedge funds have leveraged the market in unhealthy ways.
WSJ: Moody’s slapped for violating European conflict of interest rules: https://www.wsj.com/articles/moodys-fined-for-ratings-linked-to-berkshire-hathaway-its-biggest-shareholder-11617116113 . Someone in Moody’s UK legal department is presumably out of a job.
Here comes the Voltswagen: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/volkswagen-voltswagen-rebranding-190713047.html . Very clever, in my opinion. Apparently, so clever it’s an April Fool’s joke: https://www.wsj.com/articles/messaging-says-vw-usa-to-rebrand-itself-voltswagenheadquarters-says-not-so-fast-11617120111 . However, the joke moved the stock. According to the Journal, the SEC may look into this. After the two news stories above, the SEC presumably has more important things to do. Maybe this is another April Fool’s joke …
WSJ: Expansion of student loan relief: https://www.wsj.com/articles/education-department-to-extend-relief-to-more-than-a-million-student-loan-holders-11617133515 .
WSJ: Super moon helps end Suez Canal blockage: https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-a-supermoon-helped-free-the-giant-container-ship-from-the-suez-canal-11617040923 . Work begins on traffic jam: https://www.wsj.com/articles/suez-canal-traffic-resumes-slowly-as-some-ships-weigh-anchor-others-wait-11617100102 . Other fallout: https://www.wsj.com/articles/freight-companies-brace-for-post-suez-port-backups-11617141392 . And: https://www.wsj.com/articles/japanese-builder-of-suez-canal-ship-has-bigger-problem-industry-decline-11617113531 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/suez-canal-opens-but-shipping-will-be-snarled-for-months-11617142994 . Yet more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/after-the-suez-canal-jam-hundreds-of-ships-await-their-turn-11617118903 . The Journal’s obsession continues.
Gaetz considers leaving Congress for Newsmax, then says he’s under DOJ investigation: https://www.axios.com/matt-gaetz-sexual-misconduct-investigation-2755fd4f-f72e-4283-b8ac-9233c952b914.html . The timing of these two announcements suggests there is a problem here. More: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/inquiry-into-rep-matt-gaetz-linked-to-larger-investigation-into-former-florida-official-and-gaetz-ally-indicted-on-child-sex-trafficking-charges-report-says/ar-BB1f8DHy?li=BBnb7Kz . Still more: https://www.thewrap.com/matt-gaetz-vote-sex-trafficking-bill/ .
Orange Julius’ nondisclosure agreements ruled invalid: https://www.politico.com/news/2021/03/30/trump-campaign-non-disclosure-agreement-478648 .
WSJ: G. Gordon Liddy passes: https://www.wsj.com/articles/g-gordon-liddy-mastermind-of-the-watergate-burglary-dies-at-90-11617153471 . For the whippersnappers out there, Liddy’s escapades make Roger Stone look very small-time.
From the First Four to the Final Four: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/from-play-in-to-final-four-no-11-ucla-knocks-off-no-1-michigan-in-elite-eight-034933113.html . Congratulations to the UCLA Bruins! The only other team to do this (VCU in 2011) also beat a No. 1 seed (Kansas) in the Elite Eight. That year, no No.1 seeds made it to the Final Four.