The COVID threat continues: https://news.yahoo.com/the-threat-of-covid-is-not-done-doctor-on-possible-winter-wave-134512169.html . I generally agree with the comments in this article, although the doctor quoted has no particular expertise in epidemiology. Infection levels in the US and particularly globally clearly demonstrate that the pandemic will continue well into 2022, if not longer. As to variant emergence, as global viral load remains high, that is certainly a possibility, but with an unknown probability.
US cases down 58% from recent peak: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/30/us-covid-cases-fall-to-less-than-half-of-peak-delta-levels.html . Sorry, but 72,000 cases a day is still a huge number. You really don’t need to be an expert to know that. These people seem to think that a trend will naturally continue, or that this is a nice thing to say to get press. Anybody who hasn’t figured out that this pandemic moves in waves needs to shut the hell up.
At some point, the pandemic will subside. But as noted above, the pandemic clearly continues, both globally and in the US. Comments to the contrary with no supporting analysis are of little value.
Comparing HIV and COVID death totals: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/over-the-last-four-decades-hiv-aids-has-killed-at-least-700000-americans-covid-19-has-killed-more-in-two-years/ar-AAQ8WiN?li=BBnb7Kz .
Vaccination better than “natural immunity”: https://news.yahoo.com/vaccine-confers-better-protection-than-natural-immunity-cdc-finds-201511956.html . This seems well-established by now. The article also mentions the breaking news that Ron DeMentis is still an idiot. He promotes this idea as part of his “mass murder is good” campaign.
Georgia universities enact vaccine mandates: https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-health-education-georgia-55599d21d55422b83805a21c48f3a8fb .
Vaccine mandate opponents just get angrier and nuttier: https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-health-legislature-865ddfcd449bdbf9b66d616b11d7a6d2 . Again, look at the signs in the picture. These people insist on being misinformed and demonstrate no ability to analyze what they choose to believe.
Canada promises additional global donation of 200 million COVID vaccine doses: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/canada-vows-to-donate-200-mn-covid-vaccine-doses/ar-AAQ8GVM?li=BBnb7Kz .
Mexico receives 6 million AstraZeneca COVID vaccine doses: https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/579268-six-million-astrazeneca-vaccines-arrive-in-mexico .
Here is an alternate view on the Great Resignation: https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-great-resignation-when-will-end-labor-shortage-alpert-2021-10 . This newsletter has reported considerable data on the Great Resignation. I believe we are in the midst of a significant economic dislocation. This fellow has made a bold prediction in the other direction. Let’s see if it pans out. This strikes me as another person just seeking press. By the way, how is someone a senior fellow of macroeconomics at Cornell Law School?
Will the House vote on budget bills Tuesday?: https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-environment-congress-d9a8f48d8f2f341fe6155d598a6f3913 . Maybe, but that seems unlikely. Other reporting has indicated the White House supports these regular deadline declarations to force Democrats to stay at the table. My guess is that votes will occur before Thanksgiving, but there is currently no clarity on what will bring the negotiations to conclusion.
More (or less) on the Tuesday vote: https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/30/politics/house-vote-infrastructure-social-spending-bill/index.html . Clyburn’s comments can be strongly discounted. McAuliffe has pleaded for Democrats to pass the bill. The vote for governor will happen Tuesday. You can do the math. However, the December 3 situation is a hard date. It tends to support the idea that the vote on the budget bills will occur before Thanksgiving.
Biden meets with world leaders on supply chain disruptions: https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-g-20-summit-business-prices-697032bd40b02a101d3b424bc3a86a9c .
World leaders endorse global corporate minimum tax at G20: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/world-leaders-set-endorse-global-corporate-minimum-tax-g-20-n1282769 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/g-20-to-back-tax-overhaul-that-makes-rich-countries-big-winners-11635586202 .
Meanwhile, OJ attends the World Series to mixed reviews: https://fansided.com/2021/10/30/donald-trump-reception-world-series-twitter/ . Melania was also there, looking less than pleased: https://fansided.com/2021/10/30/melania-trump-miserable-world-series-game-4/ . What a happy little family – not.
A detailed look at the deaths connected with the Murdaugh family: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/alex-murdaugh-south-carolina-five-deaths-connection-investigation/ . There isn’t any breaking news here, but this is a rather complete catalogue of facts and allegations surrounding this prominent South Carolina family.
WSJ: Analyzing the World Series: https://www.wsj.com/articles/atlanta-braves-houston-astros-world-series-no-hitter-11635595849 . This article makes an art of nonsense. Statistics have always dominated fan involvement in baseball. Analytics have grown because they work. Did this guy even see “Moneyball”? A perfect game is an individual pitching accomplishment. World Series championships have become a symbol of civic pride. So when faced with the choice, what would teams choose? Duh. The Atlanta Braves were last in the World Series in 1995.