More J&J vaccine blood clot cases: https://news.yahoo.com/u-cdc-says-identified-28-153515314.html . CDC has now identified a total of 28 cases, with 6 involving men. So far, 3 of the individuals have died. While rare, this is further evidence of a causal link between the viral vector vaccines and the blood clots. The messenger RNA technology has not shown this side effect.
The latest on vaccine hesitancy: https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-0f0b89c8060da6dcce74057d2324dc44 . We can conclude: (1) vaccine hesitancy is slowly declining; and (2) a multi-pronged communication approach is the best way to reduce it further. This is wise since vaccination requirements are coming from some employers, and for many colleges in the fall.
Talking to the vaccine hesitant: https://www.usnews.com/conditions/coronavirus-and-your-health/articles/how-to-talk-to-someone-whos-hesitant-to-get-the-covid-19-vaccine .
Ohio’s new vaccination lottery: https://apnews.com/article/ohio-coronavirus-pandemic-health-7058159d2c71eabd19b541194a1e2d95 . A multi-pronged approach to vaccine hesitancy is the best way to maximize success. Besides five weekly $1 million prizes, Ohio is offering full-ride scholarships to its public universities.
Today’s quiz: Do you know where the name Moderna came from? Note the consonants in the name, and then the first and last 3 letters. Its approach is to develop mRNA technology, and in fact its stock symbol is MRNA. This last bit is what clued me in to the name derivation.
England cuts COVID infections in half since March with swift vaccine rollout: https://news.yahoo.com/englands-coronavirus-infections-halved-since-230554418.html .
WSJ: India’s COVID surge pummels economy: https://www.wsj.com/articles/as-india-hunkers-down-to-fight-covid-19-its-wounded-economy-braces-for-more-pain-11620817203 .
More on India’s black fungus nightmare: https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3133240/i-wont-see-my-kids-again-black-fungus-nightmare-facing . The 50% mortality rate is horrifying.
WSJ: Addressing labor shortages: https://www.wsj.com/articles/what-does-a-labor-shortage-mean-for-unemployment-benefits-11620824400 . I am not a fan of the states refusing the federal unemployment benefits at this time.
US inflation jumps: https://thehill.com/policy/finance/553050-inflation-jumps-as-coronavirus-rebound-spurs-demand . There are also supply shortages due to supply chain disruption. These effects may well be temporary. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/some-but-not-all-of-the-price-jump-is-transitory-11620839990 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/inflation-data-test-feds-strategy-and-outlook-11620855351 .
WSJ: Aon and Willis sell assets to Gallagher to address merger concerns: https://www.wsj.com/articles/insurance-brokers-sell-assets-to-win-approval-for-35-billion-merger-11620828513 .
Corporations speak out against laws targeting LGBTQ citizens: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/lgbtq-trans-legislation-jpmorgan-cvs-general-motors-133820683.html . A major schism is developing between corporate America and the GOP rile-up-the-base crap.
White supremacy greatest terrorism threat: https://in.news.yahoo.com/white-supremacy-is-top-security-threat-ag-garland-says-165923811.html . What exactly does this say about the Republican Party?
As expected, House Republicans boot Liz Cheney from leadership: https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-liz-cheney-house-elections-election-2020-government-and-politics-db885d0a6b28f12d733da54dbae617fa (link replaced 5/23/21). WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/liz-cheney-set-to-lose-gop-leadership-post-11620819337 . What kind of small minds boo? This is unacceptable in pretty much every professional environment. More: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/cheneys-warning-on-trump-a-voice-vote-stefaniks-bid-4-takeaways-from-gop-conference-meeting/ar-BB1gEEz4?li=BBnb7Kz . The GOP House caucus has deep problems that are not going away easily. Two are Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene. Will this put greater pressure on Senate Republicans to stay united, or to actually legislate?
My guess is that Liz Cheney will get primaried in 2022, but that’s over a year away. She is going to be working hard to rally traditional Republicans against Orange Julius. And we can expect that the legal actions against him will move significantly forward before the end of 2021. Also, people who care about truth and the rule of law are rooting for Liz. We will see.
Ellen to bail in 2022: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/ellen-degeneres-show-end-1234951571/ . It looks like overall daytime viewership will continue to decline.