Pfizer asks FDA booster approval: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/09/pfizer-asks-fda-to-authorize-covid-booster-shots-for-all-adults.html . Some experts oppose this expansion of boosters as not necessary to avoid hospitalization. Again, I support the expansion. It will limit breakthrough infections, which limits spread and shows the unvaccinated that vaccination works. The booster will also limit further spread.
360,000 children partially vaccinated: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-11-09/cdc-data-360-000-kids-under-12-at-least-partially-vaccinated-against-covid-19 . Hopefully, these numbers will be well into the millions by Thanksgiving.
California sees COVID case surge: https://www.oregonlive.com/coronavirus/2021/11/california-sees-new-surge-of-covid-19-cases-as-booster-shots-lag.html .
COVID cases spike in Greece: https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-europe-greece-health-d98e03c143aef9776d32ee02a61bf3d9 . I was surprised that Greece’s population is less than 12 million.
Russia’s weeklong shutdown has not slowed COVID surge: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2021-11-08/russia-ends-workplace-shutdown-but-covid-numbers-stay-high .
COVID surge overwhelms Romania: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2021-11-09/morgues-hospitals-struggle-with-covid-19-deaths-in-romania .
Ukraine continues to set COVID daily death records: https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-europe-ukraine-coronavirus-vaccine-health-71734f0a649be270b76564dd27009702 .
Ditto for Bulgaria: https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-european-union-europe-bulgaria-elections-5199dee4f328f99fa50a1e14bbb302d2 . Eastern Europe is being crushed right now. And the common thread among the six locations just mentioned? They all have low vaccination rates. Seriously, this is not that hard to figure out.
WSJ: Negotiating hospital bills: https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-negotiate-hospital-bills-11636400580 . How couples can compare health plans: https://www.wsj.com/articles/open-enrollment-gameplan-how-to-compare-your-partners-benefits-with-yours-11636466400 .
WSJ: SSI denial in Puerto Rico reaches Supreme Court: https://www.wsj.com/articles/supreme-court-puertorico-social-security-11636489388 .
Conservatives believe COVID disinformation: https://news.yahoo.com/new-poll-shows-americans-who-trust-conservative-media-outlets-more-likely-to-believe-covid-19-misinformation-165727680.html . No kidding. But this important study quantifies the extent to which these people are misled. Also, in my view this is an intentional result from GOP politicians and the conservative media, so this is more properly called “disinformation” than “misinformation”. Here is the Kaiser study: https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/poll-finding/kff-covid-19-vaccine-monitor-media-and-misinformation/ .
Conservatives believe election disinformation: https://www.npr.org/2021/11/01/1050291610/most-americans-trust-elections-are-fair-but-sharp-divides-exist-a-new-poll-finds . The pattern here is pretty obvious. If you trust conservative media, you are misinformed. The education status split indicates that of the 419 Republicans in this poll, 173 have a college education and 246 do not. The 246 are the most misled group. No wonder Democrats want free college for everyone.
WSJ: J&J opioid verdict overturned: https://www.wsj.com/articles/johnson-johnson-opioid-verdict-overturned-by-oklahoma-supreme-court-11636481699 .
Meanwhile, another GOP congressman enters the Idiot Olympics: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/gop-lawmaker-tweets-altered-anime-video-depicting-him-killing-ocasio-n1283527 . Of course this is completely and shockingly disgusting. But one guesses that even if the House expelled this sick lunatic, Paul Gosar’s Arizona district would re-elect him. So the House needs to permanently expel him. That is, under no circumstances will we seat you again
The People’s Idiot Olympics: https://www.salon.com/2021/11/09/insurrection-by-other-means-are-ready-to-of-to-spite-biden-democrats/ . Look, let’s suppose you’re avoiding a safe and effective vaccine as a political statement. Then you’re an idiot – the disease has already killed 750,000 Americans. You may be a radicalized conservative idiot, but the central point is, you’re an idiot. The left does not need to sink into conspiracy theories. All you need to know about this author is the full title of her book, “Troll Nation”, given at the end of the article. But for those of you who see more evidence here of survival of the fittest, I’m coming around to your point of view.
WSJ: Biden administration moves to address port problems in supply chain: https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-administration-outlines-new-moves-to-alleviate-port-logjams-11636477200 .
WSJ: Where will the infrastructure money get spent?: https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-cities-could-spend-1-trillion-on-infrastructure-roads-trains-and-highway-exits-11636459202 .
A true hero, Max Cleland, passes: https://www.politico.com/news/2021/11/09/max-cleland-former-va-chief-senator-dies-520419 . Max Cleland demonstrated his strength by living a remarkable life. It is unfortunate that this obituary mentions by name his disgusting Senate opponent in 2002. Cleland did have many Republican friends in the Senate, at a time when Republican senators were worth having as friends.
WSJ: China’s real estate contagion continues: https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinese-developer-kaisa-to-speed-up-asset-sales-after-missing-payment-11636451522 . This continues to look like a global economic risk. More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/bad-news-chinese-property-debt-is-even-higher-than-thought-11636455034 .
The College Football Playoff Rankings: https://thecomeback.com/ncaa/college-football-world-reacts-to-second-college-football-playoff-rankings.html . It’s still early for all this fury, but there are a couple of comments needed for the record. First, an undefeated record is not a big deal unless you play quality competition. Cincinnati’s only quality win is against Notre Dame (ugh), and they nearly lost to Tulsa. They just don’t belong in the Top 4 right now.
Second, if the current Top 4 each win out, they will be the Final 4. So just stop for now about Cincinnati, Michigan and Michigan State. Cincinnati does not get in unless one or more of the Top 4 lose. The two Michigan schools both get their chance against Ohio State. So just stop for now.
And third, the rest of the country needs to stop bad-mouthing the Pac-12 (you know, the undisputed Conference of Champions). The Pac-12 has quality interconference wins this year. Of the Top 4, the team with the highest quality win is Oregon; they beat Ohio State. Oregon does not have a perfect record because of appalling clock management by the coach against Stanford. If the Ducks do make the Final 4, they have a realistic chance of winning their two games. So, just for the record … Go, Ducks!