The Delta variant gains in China and Australia: https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/china-outbreak-spreads-as-who-sounds-alarm-on-delta/ar-AAMLUST?li=BBnb7Kz . In the US, the Delta variant is spreading among the vaccinated, but with limited hospitalization and death. This gives Delta the opportunity to seek out the unvaccinated. In places with low vaccination rates, like China and Australia, the control options are contact tracing and testing, and lockdowns. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/delta-variant-tests-chinas-covid-19-strategy-11627646309 .
The Delta variant’s contagiousness: https://www.popsci.com/health/covid-19-delta-more-contagious-than-expected/ . It would be nice to see the actual slideshow. Apparently, the fact that the slideshow was leaked has raised concerns about actually publishing it. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/what-makes-the-delta-variant-of-covid-19-so-dangerous-for-unvaccinated-people-11627637402 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-delta-variant-is-more-contagious-heres-what-it-means-for-you-11627473901 . And: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-delta-variant-and-covid-19-vaccines-what-to-know-11627079604 .
Current COVID surge focused on unvaccinated red states: https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2021/07/31/exp-tsr-todd-unvaccinated-red-states-hit-hardest-by-new-covid-surge.cnn . It is astonishing that people would gamble with their lives by refusing vaccination. A lot of data showing the value of vaccination: https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/2021-07-30/6-states-see-400-increase-in-covid-19-cases .
Experts wish CDC guidance had been stricter: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2021/07/delta-transmission-vaccines/619615/ . My recommendation is that you wear a mask when indoors with people not from your own household. I would also take care outdoors if you are with a group in close contact.
Another sobering idea: Things could get worse than the Delta variant: https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/22586816/next-coronavirus-variant-delta-covid-19 . There are other points which increase my concern about this scenario. First, the Delta variant is spreading among vaccinated people, who may not realize they are infected. Second, the Delta variant creates very high viral loads in each patient, increasing the possibility for mutation. And third, these last two features are multiplicative, meaning that more patients, each with a higher viral load, massively increase the global viral load and the possibility of mutation.
DeMentis stands by his anti-fact stance: https://apnews.com/article/business-health-florida-coronavirus-pandemic-95de3c470432eb61ee7450cf99ba7aef . Isn’t this negligent homicide? More: https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/politics/state/2021/07/30/florida-governor-ron-desantis-pledges-block-mask-mandates-schools/5430397001/ . Still more: https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/565740-florida-coronavirus-cases-jump-50-percent-in-one-week .
Meanwhile, Greg Abbott hangs in there with DeMentis in the Idiot Olympics, with similar press: https://gizmodo.com/texas-governor-bans-mask-mandates-as-republicans-embrac-1847392480 . This insane behavior endangers everyone on the planet.
Some COVID patients refuse to believe their diagnosis: https://www.cnn.com/videos/health/2021/07/29/louisiana-hospital-coronavirus-hotspot-delta-marquez-pkg-lead-vpx.cnn . How do people get this screwed up? You are in the hospital. Why is that?
Some smaller Southern states encouraging vaccinations: https://www.wsj.com/articles/southern-states-urge-covid-19-vaccines-as-the-delta-variant-surges-11627649009 .
Every COVID death has a face: https://people.com/health/father-of-5-dies-of-covid-i-should-have-gotten-the-vaccine/ . Again, these deaths are unnecessary. The FDA needs to move to full approval of the vaccines.
Pentagon grapples with new vaccination orders: https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-joe-biden-business-health-travel-09621e91b413472bcd2e20f132690a50 . This is a necessary component of military readiness.
Refining the masking message: https://news.yahoo.com/when-in-doubt-wear-a-mask-expert-explains-how-masking-up-can-reduce-transmission-of-delta-variant-192800051.html . We are now getting to iterations that make psychological sense. Educated people understand that science learns. In a risky situation, someone who wears a mask is saying, “I’m vaccinated, but I want to protect you”. Someone who doesn’t wear a mask is saying, “I refuse to listen”. And these messages fit with the self-images of the vaccinated and unvaccinated.
6 people test positive on Caribbean cruise: https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-business-health-travel-caribbean-4268d824b5767e471a72bcf698802001 . Sigh.
Former surgeon general rejects “freedom” argument of the unvaccinated: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/trumps-surgeon-general-on-popular-anti-vax-argument-freedom-argument-is-bunk-071822758.html . Too bad he doesn’t have more of a following among the GOP.
People dressing in disguise to get COVID vaccine: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2021/07/29/missouri-doctor-says-people-disguise-coming-covid-vaccine/5413341001/ . So where is the “freedom” in this? This does illustrate the illogical social pressure in the OJ tribe. Still, the rest of us need to keep it in mind.
As a reminder, you need the second dose of the two-shot vaccines: https://www.salon.com/2021/07/30/the-two-shot-covid-vaccines-require-two-shots-for-a-good-reason-study/ .
Employer vaccine mandates: https://www.tampabay.com/news/health/2021/07/30/walt-disney-world-will-require-its-employees-to-get-coronavirus-vaccine/ . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/companies-covid-vaccine-mandate-11627582286 .
Here come Lollapalooza and Sturgis, last year’s major summer superspreader: https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2021/07/31/will-lollapalooza-sturgis-rally-be-covid-19-coronavirus-delta–variant-superspreader-events/?sh=23f0f7f64813 .
Bali plays with fire to re-open economy: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/31/could-balis-unvaccinated-visitors-create-a-new-covid-hotspot . Deep sigh. Given the information above about the Delta variant, Bali is likely to become a hotspot. Further, the economic damage of a COVID surge will dwarf any short-term economic gains.
WSJ: More on the infrastructure deal: https://www.wsj.com/articles/path-to-infrastructure-deal-shows-promise-and-pitfalls-of-bipartisanship-11627655549 . And: https://www.wsj.com/articles/infrastructure-bill-now-faces-restive-house-progressives-11627662157 .
Evictions may start Monday as Congress fails to extend moratorium: https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-joe-biden-business-health-travel-09621e91b413472bcd2e20f132690a50 . But this is a major health hazard for the renters and their communities.
WSJ: World economy rebounds – sort of: https://www.wsj.com/articles/world-economy-caps-extraordinary-return-from-covid-19-collapse-11627643509 .
GOP looks to shrink tent: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/house-freedom-caucus-wants-cheney-kinzinger-kicked-out-republican-caucus-n1275404 . Seeking the truth is obviously a subversive idea which cannot be tolerated.
Meanwhile, Republicans prepare for vigilantism: https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/565610-47-percent-of-republicans-say-time-will-come-to-take-the-law . Just in case you were thinking our democracy is out of danger …
Why did Jake Ellzey win?: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/democratic-voters-likely-tipped-a-texas-special-election-against-the-trump-backed-candidate-as-a-f-you-to-the-former-president-report/ar-AAMKFh2?li=BBnb7Kz . Despite the rhetoric in this article, the basic message here is that an endorsement from OJ also has a downside.
Congress to receive Orange Julius’ tax returns: https://apnews.com/article/business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-michael-brown-personal-taxes-084bbd2d289d3a8874246e10abecae35 . This seems basic to the legislative branch’s oversight of the executive branch. However, the politicization of DOJ under OJ will make this look to the OJ tribe as if all law is just politics. The damage done by OJ to American institutions is real. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/justice-department-says-treasury-must-release-trump-tax-returns-11627667462 .
Member of terrorist group wins gold medal: https://sports.yahoo.com/ioc-under-pressure-after-iranian-gold-medalist-accused-of-being-member-of-us-designated-terrorist-group-110720525.html . When does everyone get together and sing “Kumbaya”? Not this Olympics, apparently. More: https://news.yahoo.com/us-rower-megan-kalmoe-russians-win-silver-medal-they-shouldnt-even-be-here-070128185.html .
Sailor charged in Navy ship fire: https://apnews.com/article/fires-536423600718c7d55d3ddcc6dea969c6 . (1) When did one person’s act cause $4 billion in damage?; (2) Who designed this warship? It just seems unthinkable that a ship could burn in this manner.
WSJ: And now, even more on the Suez Canal saga: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-ever-given-fresh-from-suez-becomes-a-tourist-attraction-11627644085 . So, I was joking about this originally. However, the Journal continues to reach farther and farther for a Suez Canal story …