Omicron variant appears in six more states: https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2021-12-03/six-omicron-cases-reported-in-nebraska-marking-sixth-u-s-state-with-variant . Nebraska has 6 confirmed cases. Utah’s case involves a person who recently traveled within the US, as does New Jersey’s: https://www.ajc.com/news/coronavirus/breaking-first-case-of-omicron-variant-in-georgia-resident-detected/XBLW4ALRVBDX3LR472PTUBITCA/ . Missouri awaits confirmation of a St. Louis resident who recently traveled domestically. Maryland has 3 cases. Pennsylvania’s case is in Philadelphia. And Louisiana may be the 12th state to report an Omicron case: https://www.katc.com/news/coronavirus/first-probable-omicron-variant-case-reported-in-louisiana . So tt seems clear we have increasing community transmission. Also, interstate travel quickly spreads Omicron across the US. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/omicron-variant-detected-in-at-least-five-u-s-states-11638547065 .
The reported cases all appear mild so far, increasing hope that Omicron will involve less severe disease and death than Delta. But again, Delta continues to rage around the US, particularly the upper Midwest. And we do not have enough cases of Omicron to assess severity.
WSJ: What we know about Omicron: https://www.wsj.com/articles/omicron-coronavirus-variant-what-to-know-11637935500 .
Omicron carries increased reinfection risk: https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-health-africa-south-africa-2e44bbbd4f6e46447a17638580647a52 .
WSJ: Omicron’s effects on corporate policies: https://www.wsj.com/articles/omicron-variant-puts-companies-on-notice-this-holiday-season-11638540000 .
WHO has no deaths from Omicron reported so far: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/04/who-says-no-deaths-reported-from-omicron-yet-as-covid-variant-spreads . Again, however, it is very early in this variant’s emergence. More: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/12/3/new-york-becomes-fourth-us-state-to-confirm-omicron-live . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/omicrons-severity-will-take-more-time-to-assess-doctors-say-11638523356 .
US vaccinations spike in response to Omicron: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/03/us-covid-vaccinations-spike-as-several-states-confirm-omicron-cases.html . Also, some employer vaccine mandates are reaching their “due dates”. WSJ: However, the spike is straining pharmacies: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-vaccine-demand-strains-cvs-walgreens-11638527401 .
WSJ: FDA prepares path for speedy Omicron vaccine review: https://www.wsj.com/articles/fda-aims-for-quick-review-of-omicron-vaccines-and-drugs-11638532801 . However, the severity of Omicron will likely determine the need for Omicron-targeted vaccines and drugs.
WSJ: FDA expands Lilly’s COVID antibody drug EUA to cover children under age 12: https://www.wsj.com/articles/lillys-covid-19-antibody-treatment-authorized-for-use-in-children-11638568015 . You may recall that this drug is a cocktail of bamlanivimab with etesevimab. So the drug apparently fights COVID by tying your tongue in a knot.
Remdesivir recalled over glass shard contamination: https://nypost.com/2021/12/03/gilead-recalls-vials-of-covid-drug-remdesivir-over-glass-shards/ .
WSJ: The value of electronic health records (EHRs): https://www.wsj.com/articles/europe-sees-boost-in-uptake-of-covid-19-shots-but-vaccines-mandates-arestill-on-the-table-11638540874 .
COVID continues to surge in South Africa: https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/coronavirus-south-africas-covid-cases-cross-3-million-amid-omicron-surge-2636548 . This news implies all 25 reported deaths were from Delta.
WSJ: More on Omicron at the Norway company party: https://www.wsj.com/articles/omicron-cases-at-norway-christmas-party-provide-clues-on-new-variants-spread-11638554033 .
WSJ: Europe using social pressure to increase vaccinations, but mandates still on the table: https://www.wsj.com/articles/europe-sees-boost-in-uptake-of-covid-19-shots-but-vaccines-mandates-arestill-on-the-table-11638540874 .
Hippo COVID in Belgium: https://www.dw.com/en/hippos-with-runny-noses-test-positive-for-covid-19-at-belgian-zoo/a-60015051 .
US economy adds only 210,000 jobs in November: https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/03/economy/november-jobs-report/index.html . However, this anemic number may have various data issues, as discussed in the article. Later upward revision remains a possibility. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/november-jobs-report-unemployment-rate-2021-11638480609 .
Initial weekly jobless claims tick up to 222,000: https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/03/economy/november-jobs-report/index.html .
Biden work to encourage cooperation with government inspectors general: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/biden-aims-bolster-government-watchdog-independence-n1285278 . Among the most egregious failures of the prior regime was the failure of oversight. The time for more detailed accountability should have come long ago.
Summary of status of lawsuits against OJ: https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-new-york-lawsuits-georgia-capitol-siege-db516ff2c9558fc67b2fe21f17c7708f . So again, we have never had such a disturbing misfit in public life.
Michigan high school shooter’s parents charged with involuntary manslaughter: https://apnews.com/article/oxford-high-school-shooting-crime-shootings-michigan-pontiac-743d8e262a35d07123732cb870186772 . In my view, this legal development calls attention to the fact that troubled children often come from troubled homes. Why oh why would you give a gift of a semiautomatic handgun to any child? And now four other children are not coming home from school.
Parents of 15-year-old Michigan shooter have left town: https://apnews.com/article/oxford-high-school-shooting-crime-shootings-michigan-pontiac-743d8e262a35d07123732cb870186772 . However, their attorney says they agreed to turn themselves in. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/michigan-school-shooting-suspects-parents-charged-with-involuntary-manslaughter-11638552325 . These people really need to turn themselves in before their legal situation worsens. UPDATE: Police locate and arrest couple in Detroit: https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ny-michigan-school-shooter-parents-missing-20211203-35pnj5jtgzg35ntxmmz35r7ohq-story.html . Well, too late for turning yourselves in. And by the way, here at CoronavirusNewsOnline, we never sleep. Really.
WSJ: Evergrande asks for government help as another debt crisis looms: https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-evergrande-requests-help-from-government-after-warning-of-new-debt-crunch-11638545951 .
A milestone in ugly basketball: https://sports.yahoo.com/grizzlies-rout-thunder-73-points-033331532.html . NBA blowouts rarely run past 30 points. Glad to have not seen how horrible this game must have been. The Thunder lost every quarter by 15 or more points. For the past two years, they have been known in the NBA as “The Children’s Team”. The Grizzlies are 12-10, so not exactly a great ball club. Meanwhile, the Thunder now sit at 6-16.