The ongoing variants/treatments race: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-science/autoimmune-disease-drugs-may-reduce-vaccine-response-antibody-treatments-ineffective-vs-brazil-variant-idUSKBN2BZ2H1 . Right now the virus and its variants are winning.
Global pandemic is growing exponentially: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/12/who-says-covid-pandemic-is-growing-exponentially-at-more-than-4point4-million-new-cases-a-week.html . We are in a world of hurt.
India has 161,736 new cases in one day: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2021-04-13/indias-161-736-new-coronavirus-infections-are-worlds-highest . More: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/12/coronavirus-india-becomes-second-worst-hit-country-as-covid-cases-surge.html . The variants are a significant part of this surge. More: https://apnews.com/article/pandemics-pune-united-kingdom-india-coronavirus-pandemic-55b7313c688b9a4c05a68a9c13e499da .
Bhutan vaccinates 93% of its adult population in under 12 days: https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/04/12/986450910/the-advantage-of-our-smallness-bhutan-vaccinates-93-of-adults-in-under-2-weeks . I hope AstraZeneca works for them.
US cases and hospitalizations continue to rise: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-trends-graphic-idUSKBN2BZ2RP . WSJ: The young are driving this surge, particularly high school sports: https://www.wsj.com/articles/recent-rise-in-u-s-covid-19-cases-driven-by-younger-people-11618219801 .
Testing infrastructure is disappearing: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/us-vaccinations-increasing-happened-covid-19-testing/story?id=76954250 . Recall that some variants elude the PCR test (for example, a new variant in France). The complete focus on vaccination is poor risk management. We need a clear picture of the variants to develop and deploy booster shots.
We need genomic testing: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/to-track-coronavirus-variants-u-s-needs-more-genetic-sequencing-scientists-say . This has been obvious for a long time. We cannot track the variants without this testing.
Regeneron’s monoclonal antibody may reduce household transmission by 81%: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/regenerons-covid-19-drug-appears-to-prevent-virus-spread-within-households/ar-BB1fzcPc?li=BBnb7Kz . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-drug-prevents-symptomatic-disease-in-study-regeneron-says-11618203603 .
Second vaccine shot may be unnecessary if you’ve had COVID previously: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/one-shot-of-vaccine-may-be-enough-for-covid-19-survivors-studies-suggest/ar-BB1fzmDX?li=BBnb7Kz .
Women may have a heavier period after vaccination: https://bestlifeonline.com/news-periods-vaccine-side-effect/ . This is an apparently common side effect which is not being discussed. Particularly with the blood clotting concerns, this should be more broadly reported so women are not surprised or concerned by this side effect.
WSJ: Vaccination stories: https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-i-got-my-covid-19-vaccine-tales-of-getting-the-shot-11618240904 .
Places you’re most likely to contract COVID: https://www.rd.com/article/places-youre-most-likely-to-catch-coronavirus/ . I’d really like to start swimming at the gym. But even vaccinated, I’ll wait until the variants are under control.
Greg Abbott correctly states that he doesn’t know what herd immunity is: https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/547633-health-expert-pushes-back-on-texas-governors-herd-immunity-claim .
Global shipping container crisis: https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-pandemic-triggers-shipping-container-crisis/a-57162384 . The supply chain is not operating smoothly, and this raises the demand for containers.
Ireland limits AstraZeneca vaccine to those over 60: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56724992 . In boxing, the ref would have stopped this fight 3 rounds ago. The problem is that the world is desperate for vaccines, and it is a time-critical problem.
WSJ: Rhinos benefit from pandemic: https://www.wsj.com/articles/nepals-rhino-population-grows-likely-with-assist-from-covid-19-closures-11618218790 . Apparently privacy is a good thing.
The case for HR1: https://news.yahoo.com/now-never-democrats-either-pass-130400898.html .
CEOs ramp up support for voter access: https://www.axios.com/ceos-voting-laws-campaign-contributions-2261c9d7-060e-4f22-a14d-694aee678671.html . I’ve said before this is a losing issue for Republicans. Will checkbook pressure get their attention? Josh Hawley and Marjorie Taylor Greene are raising a lot of money: https://www.politico.com/news/2021/04/12/josh-hawley-fundraising-480920 . Meanwhile, Republicans double down on their fight for voter suppression: https://www.salon.com/2021/04/12/republicans-angered-after-over-100-top-corporate-leaders-meet-to-push-back-against-gop-war-on-voting/ . Apparently, they believe there is more money in small-dollar contributions raised on the “Big Lie”.
The case for action: https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/547469-polling-data-reveal-a-real-opportunity-for-democrats . “Popular” is really the wrong focus. Racist laws may be popular in some areas, for example. The appropriate focus is to seize the opportunity to help people and advance democracy. A compassionate and clear immigration policy could fit this definition, even its result is to turn away substantial numbers at the southern border. We should also provide climate aid to the “northern triangle” to reduce immigration due to crop failure.
The infrastructure bill may become Reconciliation 2.0: https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-congress-infrastructure/update-1-white-house-seeks-bipartisan-infrastructure-push-republicans-wary-idUSL1N2M50RK . Senators historically played the role of independent thinkers. I can’t name a Republican senator who is offering independence or thought right now. What does the Republican Party stand FOR? Apparently it’s voter suppression and not much more.
WSJ: Infrastructure plan supports shift to home health care for the elderly: https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-infrastructure-plan-would-fund-shift-toward-home-healthcare-for-seniors-11618228812 .
Biden administration changes tactics on police reform: https://www.politico.com/news/2021/04/11/biden-police-oversight-commission-480931 .
The insurrection was driven by older, male, middle-class Grumpy Old People: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/cops-shut-down-white-lives-matter-rally-in-huntington-beach-that-turned-violent-in-90-minutes/ar-BB1fxOwc?li=BBnb7Kz . Stupid has no limits.
Nuts look for trouble: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/cops-shut-down-white-lives-matter-rally-in-huntington-beach-that-turned-violent-in-90-minutes/ar-BB1fxOwc?li=BBnb7Kz . With the level of gun ownership in this country, this sort of confrontation is a bad idea for every attendee and counter-attendee. Charlottesville was more than enough of this vile hate speech and behavior. Fortunately, the planned rallies generally failed to attract support: https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/white-lives-matter-rallies-flop-hardly-anyone-shows-rcna650 . But disorganization and nonexistence are two very different things.
Nuts in blue: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/04/12/daunte-wright-police-shooting-near-minneapolis-protest-what-to-know/7185768002/ . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/minnesota-police-shoot-man-in-traffic-stop-incident-killing-him-11618202288 . So the officer had time to measure her response (she shouted “Taser” three times) and then she “accidentally” fatally shot a black man at a traffic stop. She does not know the difference in her weapons by feel? If so, she didn’t look when she brought it up to fire? Anyone who has handled a firearm (and those who haven’t) will be suspicious of this explanation. At the least, there was inadequate training and certification. “Pepper spray” cop fired: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/04/12/police-pepper-spray-soldier-officer-fired-after-virginia-traffic-stop/7185807002/ . Fresno fires cop who attended Proud Boys rally: https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ny-fresno-proud-boys-officer-fitzgerald-20210412-if6evswdunctbbdat7qygyuoc4-story.html . Will the cop now sue based on freedom of assembly? The tattoo and his clothing appear to be a problem.
Nuts in Congress (for now): https://www.politico.com/news/2021/04/12/whatsapp-chat-matt-gaetz-joel-greenberg-480962 . Matt Gaetz’ friend Joel Greenburg faces 33 criminal charges. He is going to flip on Gaetz. But note that this info is 8 months old (“last August 14”). The wheels of justice turn slowly, but this transaction happened 3 months before the last election. And there’s this “stable genius” from Georgia: https://www.politico.com/news/2021/04/12/clyde-legal-challenge-house-metal-detectors-480966 . He tried to evade the metal detectors to set up a legal challenge? If your purpose is to create a legal challenge, you do it openly. Clyde is not an attorney (no surprise). He is a Navy veteran and gun store owner.
The climate emergency: https://news.yahoo.com/citing-grave-threat-scientific-american-replacing-climate-change-with-climate-emergency-181629578.html . In our slogan-driven world, this is a very wise view of an existential catastrophe.