Moderna booster effective against Omicron: https://www.aol.com/news/moderna-says-booster-dose-covid-101024720-110124513.html . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/moderna-says-covid-19-booster-dose-works-against-omicron-variant-in-lab-tests-11639994403 . This is helpful because …
Omicron explodes to 73% of US cases in one week: https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20211220-omicron-now-dominant-covid-19-variant-in-us-according-to-cdc . More from WHO: https://www.aol.com/news/1-omicron-spreading-infecting-vaccinated-172033826-184810325.html . Still more: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/12/20/germany-to-impose-quarantine-on-travelers-from-uk-live . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/omicron-variant-accounts-for-73-of-u-s-covid-19-cases-cdc-says-11640040586 . The critical information we need now is, How preventative is infection by Omicron of another infection by Omicron? By Delta? Also, obviously the US no longer needs to restrict travelers from coming here.
Omicron hits Carnival Cruises: https://www.aol.com/finance/carnivals-near-term-cruise-bookings-142820661-160114844.html . This doesn’t take Sherlock Holmes. If there is a new variant that evades vaccines, no one in their right mind is going to spend a week in tight quarters with 6,000 strangers. Of course, that is not the cruise lines’ target audience.
WSJ: COVID booster Q&A: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-vaccine-booster-and-omicron-what-to-know-11623421703 .
School closures spike along with Omicron: https://www.usnews.com/news/education-news/articles/2021-12-20/school-closures-mount-as-omicron-spreads-staff-shortages-swell . Some of this involves early departure for the holidays. However, the Omicron problem will likely have grown in two weeks. We can therefore anticipate delayed returns.
WSJ: The geography of Omicron: https://www.wsj.com/articles/americas-mixed-response-to-the-omicron-variant-comes-down-to-geography-11640040779 . The map indicates that New England and the Rust Belt are currently the hardest hit. This certainly suggests that prolonged time indoors with others is a bad idea with Omicron.
WSJ: Data gaps hurt Omicron tracking: https://www.wsj.com/articles/omicron-tracking-in-u-s-is-hindered-by-data-gaps-11640023264 . We have the ability to do this. Politics has gotten in the way.
NHL pauses its season until after Christmas: https://www.yahoo.com/now/nhl-reportedly-plans-season-pause-023315158.html . Again, extension seems likely. The determining factor may be how much strain we see on hospitals.
Third Congressperson tests positive for COVID: https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/19/politics/elizabeth-warren-covid-positive/index.html .
Washington State Senator Doug Ericksen dies from COVID at age 52: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/doug-ericksen-dies-covid-age-52-washington-state-senator/ . Note that this fellow was an opponent of COVID rules and a former state leader for the Orange Julius campaign. “Live free or die” was not meant to support anti-science behavior.
Orange Julius booed by his audience after revealing he received a COVID booster: https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/20/politics/donald-trump-booster-shot-boos/index.html . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-trump-says-he-got-covid-19-vaccine-booster-shot-11640030048 . These people choose to turn their backs on the facts. Do you know the marshmallow test for children (one now or two later)? So this is apparently the one-marshmallow crowd.
WSJ: Vaccine mandate evolution continues: https://www.wsj.com/articles/companies-get-covid-19-vaccine-mandate-reprieve-as-legal-battle-continues-11640026116 .
The public understands Omicron: https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/586576-fewer-americans-saying-coronavirus-situation-is-improving . How often do you see a polling number drop 51 points in two months? However, this has not motivated them to take greater precautions.
Why the US sucks at rapid COVID testing: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/why-the-u-s-is-lagging-behind-in-rapid-covid-19-testing . As noted here repeatedly, the US has never effectively implemented this basic tenet of public health. And the pandemic has been with us for almost 2 years …
WSJ: How a couple developed oral antiviral Molnupiravir: https://www.wsj.com/articles/behind-a-new-pill-to-treat-covid-a-husband-and-wife-team-and-a-hunch-11640025453 .
The pandemic burns out US medical professionals: https://www.wsj.com/articles/omicron-surge-is-just-starting-and-americas-pharmacists-are-already-burned-out-11640008870 . Pharmacists do not get the press of doctors and nurses, but they should.
WSJ: EU approves Novavax COVID vaccine: https://www.wsj.com/articles/novavaxs-covid-19-vaccine-recommended-for-use-in-eu-11640010462 .
Latest global COVID developments: https://news.yahoo.com/factbox-latest-worldwide-spread-coronavirus-200959802.html .
Israel bans travel to US over Omicron: https://www.aol.com/news/israel-bans-travel-u-over-073252953-105023752.html .
Europe plans stricter COVID rules: https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-digest-europe-plans-stricter-curbs-due-to-omicron-concerns/a-60192026 .
Religious exemptions from COVID vaccines for troops still at zero: https://apnews.com/article/religious-exemptions-vaccines-military-chaplains-ba9cf7c3ec122d5cb614ccf622ae6fd9 . We know (a) the military bureaucracy acts slowly, and (b) they are unlikely to approve these requests. Meanwhile, there is a significant issue of military readiness now that Omicron is spreading among the vaccinated. It seems obvious that the military will have to use boosters at the earliest appropriate date for each service member.
WSJ: Biogen cuts price of Alzheimer’s drug by half: https://www.wsj.com/articles/biogen-cuts-price-for-alzheimers-drug-aduhelm-by-half-11640001661 . Recall that Medicare increased premiums in response to this drug’s pricing. Where are Medicare premiums headed next year?
Oracle acquires Cerner to accelerate push into healthcare: https://www.wsj.com/articles/oracle-to-pay-more-than-30-billion-for-cerner-11640006531 .
Second China real estate developer follows Evergrande into restructuring: https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinese-developer-kaisa-follows-evergrande-into-restructuring-talks-11639978021 . So the potential for contagion continues to grow. In any event, China’s growth will slow.