FDA panel backs limited boosters: https://apnews.com/article/fda-panel-rejects-widespread-pfizer-booster-shots-1cd1cf6a5c5c02b63f8a7324807a59f1 . First, the 18-0 vote to back boosters for those over 65 or otherwise at high risk is entirely appropriate. However, the 16-2 vote to not back broader boosters is not only a mistake, but foolish. Sorry, experts, but at best it’s the right answer to the wrong question. I can understand the viewpoint that it is not proven that there is a significant risk reduction for people as young as 16 with a third shot.
However, that answers the wrong question. The vaccines are extremely safe. As stated here repeatedly, the question is the lowest age at which it is safe to skip the booster. My answer is that (based on available data) that age is no higher than age 50 and probably much lower. Therefore, I would support boosters for everyone over age 50 now, with further study to consider lowering the age. This should be a risk-reward analysis. Given the safety of the vaccine, drawing the line at 65 is too high and therefore unnecessarily dangerous.
Separately, the idea stated in the article that boosters must give way to the priority of getting everyone two shots is nonsensical. We have more than sufficient vaccine in the US right now for everyone who wants the shot. Authorizing boosters for those over 50 is not going to significantly delay our donation of vaccines to the rest of the world. This panel is focused on the wrong issues for analysis. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/does-everyone-need-a-covid-19-booster-shot-heres-what-scientists-say-11631527201 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/fda-panel-to-weigh-covid-19-booster-shots-as-health-officials-debate-need-11631871003 . And the Editorial Board weighs in: https://www.wsj.com/articles/bad-advice-on-covid-vaccine-boosters-fda-advisory-panel-11631920749 . Remarkably, independently the WSJ Editorial Board came to the same conclusion I did, although (comfortingly) for different and debatable reasons.
More on medical conditions causing increased COVID risk: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/18/people-with-chronic-conditions-among-most-at-risk-from-covid-even-after-jabs . The article discusses Down’s syndrome, Parkinson’s and dementia.
Moderna vaccine provides longer-lasting protection against COVID hospitalization: https://apnews.com/article/health-religion-united-states-coronavirus-pandemic-coronavirus-vaccine-9c947acecd6ba26b4c78827b7b87c185 . There are prior studies showing similar results. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/modernas-covid-19-vaccine-best-prevents-hospitalization-cdc-study-says-11631904252 .
Details of federal vaccine mandates: https://www.cnet.com/health/new-vaccine-mandates-for-100-million-americans-what-to-know-about-bidens-plan/ . WSJ: Employers grapple with vaccine mandate implementation: https://www.wsj.com/articles/companies-grapple-with-questions-about-covid-19-vaccine-mandate-11631871003 .
Many faith leaders oppose religious exemptions for vaccinations: https://apnews.com/article/health-religion-united-states-coronavirus-pandemic-coronavirus-vaccine-9c947acecd6ba26b4c78827b7b87c185 . They are properly protecting their flocks.
US had over 10,000 COVID deaths this week: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/live-updates/covid-delta-variant/?id=79988274 .
WSJ: Biden to host global COVID summit next week: https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-to-host-global-covid-19-virtual-summit-11631912031 . It’s virtual, of course – extreme social distancing.
WSJ: US still sucks at COVID testing: https://www.wsj.com/articles/limited-covid-19-rapid-testing-in-u-s-hurts-visibility-into-delta-wave-11631882131 . As readers know, I find this failure appalling. Public health principles require testing as a basic mechanism to check the spread of disease. We have the labs and the capability, we just haven’t implemented testing effectively.
COVID triggers autoimmune disease in 8-year-old: https://www.nydailynews.com/coronavirus/ny-covid-girl-paralyzed-hospital-march-minnesota-20210917-7eqhoiedbncclg7tzyn5mwrov4-story.html . The child is now paralyzed and had a portion of her skull removed due to swelling of her brain. She remains hospitalized on a feeding tube. While rare, there are other reported cases globally of this autoimmune disease being triggered by COVID.
US adults gain weight as the “quarantine fifteen” may be more like 29: https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/2021-09-15/the-pandemic-has-worsened-americas-obesity-epidemic-report-finds . The 29-pound figure is shocking.
Weight gain among US children is equally disturbing: https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/09/17/1038211236/weight-gain-obesity-children-teens-pandemic .
Yet another vocal anti-mask GOP dimwit dies of COVID in Florida: https://www.thedailybeast.com/gregg-prentice-anti-mask-florida-election-official-dies-of-covid-and-takes-gop-software-secrets-with-him . He also kept critical features of their financial reporting to himself, causing a reporting crisis. Meanwhile, his dimwit friends have picked up the gauntlet to spread more misinformation.
Here’s another nut with COVID: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/far-right-activist-gets-covid-19-after-criticizing-vaccine/ar-AAOyCwx?li=BBnb7Kz . Her campaign website (for the House from Florida) lists all the places that ban her? And that includes CPAC? This must be some kind of record obnoxiousness, even for the GOP.
WSJ: White House to extend ACA sign-up by 30 days in response to COVID: https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-administration-to-extend-affordable-care-act-sign-up-period-by-30-days-11631909700 .
Judge Drain approves Purdue bankruptcy reorganization: https://apnews.com/article/business-health-lawsuits-epidemics-opioids-176ef7b717f86b9a0f3aa58ca8ddac56. This is not unexpected, but it is wrong. The Sacklers should not be allowed to buy immunity from the damage they have caused. Somehow the writer missed the news that DOJ is also actively opposing this settlement. Remember that Drain was handpicked by Purdue to oversee this case. His comment to the grieving mother strikes me as extremely arrogant.
WSJ: Biden’s methane reduction goals: https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-says-u-s-working-with-eu-on-pledge-to-cut-global-methane-emissions-11631885397 . Methane is a much for dangerous greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. It is reasonable to work to control it. However, governments do a lousy job at multitasking (e.g., the pandemic). Keeping the focus on carbon dioxide is an absolute necessity.
OJ creates ongoing turmoil within Republican Party: https://www.politico.com/news/2021/09/17/trump-endorsements-stoke-dissension-in-gop-ranks-512444 . This article misses the point. The primary goal of political parties is to expand the base. In the US, where we have two major parties, that means attracting those that are on the fence. OJ’s objective is to consolidate power within the party, and specifically to punish those who oppose him. By definition that is a base-contracting position.
Put differently, the Republican base is not focused on winning elections. The only thing that will change this dynamic is resounding defeat at the polls. With the Democrats defending razor-thin majorities going into an off-year election, it is unlikely that the GOP will suffer resounding defeat. This is a major ongoing problem for American democracy, not just the Republican Party.
At the same time, the GOP appears unlikely to achieve a resounding victory in 2022. Orange Julius does not appear to be electable in 2024. That date is a long way off, and OJ’s legal troubles have yet to play out. Additionally, the Democrats have incentives to focus on OJ, because it helps them raise funds and avoid leaking potential voters to minor parties. So OJ is where he wants to be, the center of attention, with no real interest in the future of the country. The problem is, he has nowhere to go but down, and he is taking the GOP with him.