Superhuman COVID immunity: https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/09/07/1033677208/new-studies-find-evidence-of-superhuman-immunity-to-covid-19-in-some-individuals . The research indicates that exposure to COVID followed by mRNA vaccination can lead to “flexible” immunity which can fend off a wide variety of COVID variants. First, this strikes me as plausible because prior vaccine technologies involved dead or weakened versions of the virus. The mRNA approach, which uses only a piece of the virus, provides a wider range of exposure than just different versions of the virus.
Second, this does suggest that further research will eventually broaden the vaccine protocol in a way that will offer strong and long-lasting immunity. And third, it would be nuts to seek out a COVID infection before vaccination in order to try for this superhuman immunity now. That means you contract COVID before vaccination, obviously not a good idea.
The current US COVID surge: https://www.wsj.com/articles/as-a-delta-wave-peaks-in-some-states-others-brace-for-whats-next-11631107425 . The media seems to have the idea that each wave will peak and recede in an orderly fashion. Note that the doctor commenting on Florida feels that the full effect of school reopening has not yet been felt.
COVID surges in California’s Central Valley: https://news.yahoo.com/californias-coronavirus-hot-zone-hospitals-152019092.html .
Can kids get long COVID?: https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-health-coronavirus-pandemic-056c41ecb90401c9cdc2356797ff2352 . Yes, the condition is rarer in children. But the staggering number of child infections currently indicates many children will end up with long COVID.
DeMentis loses yet again as judge rules against mask mandate ban: https://apnews.com/article/health-courts-education-florida-coronavirus-pandemic-007ce7c6eadc2f36146c32d45743f54d . DeMentis insists that judges will ultimately allow him to endanger school children against the wishes of the school board and scientific evidence. Ron is indeed a “profile in selfishness” who cannot focus on the needs of the governed. More succinctly, Ron is a loser.
The ivermectin “controversy”: https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/joe-rogan-ivermectin-covid-cnn-1235058799/ . This crap brings up an important point. Doctors are not supposed to experiment on human beings. So, “bro”, give us the name of the doctor so he can be expelled from the medical profession.
Three Vermont state troopers resign after alleged creation of fake vaccination cards: https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/joe-rogan-ivermectin-covid-cnn-1235058799/ . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/vermont-troopers-resign-amid-allegations-of-covid-19-vaccine-card-fraud-11631119312 . The politicization of this public health crisis has led to ongoing tragedies for the uneducated. These guys just ruined their careers over … what?
WSJ: Delta delays economic recovery: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-economic-growth-slowed-over-the-summer-due-to-delta-variant-feds-beige-book-says-11631125962 . Yet again, we cannot learn the basic lesson here. We should have used all the available public health tools to control the pandemic, and then control spread. Yes, I mean contact tracing and testing, which we still do not have in place. This mantra of balancing business needs and pandemic control is hogwash. Control the pandemic, and the economy will then rebound.
WSJ: Time to raise the debt ceiling again: https://www.wsj.com/articles/janet-yellen-says-treasury-could-exhaust-cash-conservation-measures-in-october-11631109637 .
The future of work: https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-technology-business-whole-foods-market-inc-191e1b33130cf55d01243b84cf28b19c . What percentage of American jobs can be replaced by automation and technology? Estimates are 25% at the low end, 50%+ at the high end. We are constantly reminded that while we are going through a significant economic disruption right now, much more lies ahead. The emergence of remote work calls into question everything from office buildings to Manhattan.
Democrats in feverish negotiations over reconciliation bill: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/democrats-hit-gas-biden-s-multitrillion-dollar-safety-net-bill-n1278651 . The Democrats must deliver something … but what the final product looks like remains open to debate. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/democrats-jockey-over-healthcare-taxes-in-3-5-trillion-package-11631135110 .
WSJ: DOJ gears up to challenge Texas abortion law: https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-administration-prepares-to-sue-texas-over-abortion-law-11631151641 . The suggestion that the feds sue any Texan trying to sue under the Texas law is novel, but I think it’s a solid argument. Federal constitutional concerns override any provision of state law.
Biden ousts OJ appointees to military boards: https://www.yahoo.com/now/biden-moves-oust-trump-military-210007331.html . It’s hard to imagine that these 18 would be fired without the President having the authority to do so. Since the appointees have threatened litigation, let’s see if they have a point.
Orange Julius continues to exact revenge: https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-elections-impeachments-election-2020-campaign-2016-8bbd2cc10bb7e7abe09a8a5fb077fdbc . This is a safe Republican seat, so the main impact here will be to oust the Cheney family from national politics.
WSJ: Boeing hammered in Delaware court: https://www.wsj.com/articles/boeing-board-to-face-737-max-oversight-lawsuit-11631114438 . Delaware is the most corporate-friendly venue in the country. The finding that Boeing’s CEO repeatedly and intentionally lied should make it clear that Boeing is in real trouble in this suit.
Scum preys on the Surfside condo victims: https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/08/us/surfside-identity-theft-arrests/index.html . Other reporting puts the attempted thefts in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Derek Jeter inducted into baseball’s Hall of Fame: https://sports.yahoo.com/derek-jeter-calls-out-the-one-writer-who-didnt-vote-for-him-during-hall-of-fame-speech-205449369.html . There is no reasonable basis to vote against Derek Jeter for the Hall of Fame. It is also not obvious why Mariano Rivera (a great player nonetheless) should be the only person to receive the honor of unanimous selection. Is this a disgruntled Red Sox writer?