American worker mental health worries: https://news.yahoo.com/nearly-80-of-us-workers-are-concerned-about-their-mental-health-as-burnout-skyrockets-survey-145759958.html . This is a shocking level of employee burnout. Once again, it is my view that we are undergoing a substantial economic dislocation as workers rethink their relationship to employment. Reasons to take a pay cut: https://www.gobankingrates.com/money/jobs/5-times-taking-pay-cut-can-make-richer/ .
Mental health stress a global problem: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/08/covid-crisis-dramatically-worsened-global-mental-health-study-finds .
Pennsylvania sees sharp increase in breakthrough COVID infections and hospitalizations: https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/pennsylvania/articles/2021-10-08/covid-19-cases-hospitalizations-rise-among-vaccinated-in-pa . So this appears to be very strong evidence for a booster shot. Is anyone correlating these cases to the date of vaccination? That data would target how long after the original vaccination the booster should occur. Of, course, if the correlation I’m postulating does not pan out, it would undermine the case for boosters.
California schools have a patchwork of inconsistent rules: https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2021-10-08/in-california-inconsistent-school-covid-rules-are-the-norm . This is not surprising in a large state, but it is frustrating and concerning for parents. Here are a couple of housekeeping items for those of you not familiar with the smaller locales in California. Yes, “Mammoth United” is a small district – Mammoth Lakes is a resort area southeast of Yosemite. Yes, Folsom is the location of Folsom Prison, made famous by Johnny Cash – it’s about 20 miles northeast of Sacramento.
California acts to prevent surprise COVID testing bills: https://news.yahoo.com/california-crack-down-surprise-coronavirus-024512575.html .
American South lags in youth COVID vaccinations: https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/08/health/us-coronavirus-friday/index.html .
LSU rescinds vaccination requirements for football attendance: https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/575943-lsu-rescinds-coronavirus-vaccine-testing-requirement-to-enter-football . The balancing act between a deadly pandemic and football continues.
Care rationing continues in Alaska: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/07/alaska-hospitals-ration-care-covid-19 .
Progress on a universal coronavirus vaccine: https://www.fiercebiotech.com/research/novel-vaccine-strategy-protects-mice-from-covid-19-and-4-related-coronaviruses .
Russia sets yet another record daily COVID death toll: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-10-08/coronavirus-deaths-in-russia-hit-new-record . There is undoubtedly significant underreporting of COVID deaths in Russia: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/10/08/russias-coronavirus-excess-death-toll-hits-660k-a75254 . This is a phenomenal death toll as Russia’s population is 146 million, or less than half the US population.
Fifth Circuit sets aside lower court order suspending Texas abortion law: https://apnews.com/article/abortion-texas-courts-bills-health-adaf9baabf57a425c8596454286842d0 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/texas-abortion-ruling-overcame-a-ban-designed-to-thwart-courts-11633736413 . This was a feared result. The Fifth Circuit will allow further argument Tuesday. However, it is unclear how quickly they will rule. With the US Supreme Court set to hear arguments on the Mississippi abortion law next Friday, one would normally expect the Texas matter to reach the Supreme Court quickly if the Fifth Circuit does not reverse its ruling. But this is not a case involving anything like normal expectations.
WSJ: Weak jobs report indicates US recovery is slowing: https://www.wsj.com/articles/jobs-forecasters-got-schooledheres-why-11633708530 .
WSJ: The history of the Evergrande mess: https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-evergrande-grew-and-grew-despite-years-of-red-flags-11633685400 . How did we go an entire week with no further announcement on the Evergrande deal? This has to be severely shaking investor attitudes about China’s regulation of its financial markets. More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/evergrande-china-crisis-11632330764 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/evergrande-is-leaving-foreign-bondholders-in-the-dark-advisers-say-11633707966 .
Judge tells Capitol rioters to expect prison time, accept responsibility for their acts: https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-da537cceaa0b87be9ae0b7b476fc2d73 . From this and earlier reports, the DC District Court, which is handling almost all of these cases, is unhappy with the efforts of prosecutors. Prosecutors seem overwhelmed by the number of cases, and the proper investigative work is not being done. It is remarkable that armchair detectives turned up video of this guy assaulting a cop. Otherwise, he was likely to receive probation. More: https://apnews.com/article/black-lives-matter-texas-sentencing-courts-capitol-siege-675b12d0ddacb64d9030c444f8812a5c .
20 state Attorneys General file administrative complaint against DeJoy’s USPS slower snail mail/higher prices plan: https://www.npr.org/2021/10/07/1044205288/states-complaints-postal-service-cutbacks . The complaint is reasonably simple. As a long-term business model, this is a ridiculous plan on its face. The Postal Regulatory Commission is asked to complete a thorough review before it is fully implemented. Personally, I have seen mail delays and lost mail over the past year. Mail delivery seems even slower over the past week, which of course is in fact the plan.
WSJ: 136 countries agree to global minimum corporate tax of 15%: https://www.wsj.com/articles/countries-agree-to-global-deal-to-curb-tax-avoidance-11633709979 . This is potentially a huge shift away from companies seeking corporate tax havens.
WSJ: Nobel Peace Prize goes to two journalists: https://www.wsj.com/articles/nobel-peace-prize-awarded-to-journalists-maria-ressa-and-dmitry-muratov-11633684106 . The Norwegians vote for truth. However, this action demonstrates the perilous state of world democracies and individual freedoms.