States cut back COVID data reporting, testing: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/us-flying-blind-potential-covid-19-resurgence-experts/story?id=83587712 . Is this any way to run a pandemic? The move to at-home testing means by definition that COVID cases are now significantly underreported. Also, to the extent people ignore the results or wait to see a doctor, transmission risks grow.
States currently showing COVID surges: https://bestlifeonline.com/news-states-covid-surges-march-22/ . And again, we face significant underreporting.
WSJ: Omicron BA2 an increasing percentage of US COVID cases: https://www.wsj.com/articles/omicron-ba-2-variant-represents-rising-share-of-u-s-covid-19-cases-11647979879 . Once again the Journal is a bit late to the story.
WSJ: Feds begin to deny payments to hospitals for treating uninsured COVID patients: https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-administration-to-stop-reimbursing-hospitals-for-covid-19-care-for-uninsured-11647955166 . Yet another reason emerges for the need for additional pandemic funding.
Hillary Clinton tests positive for COVID; Jen Psaki tests positive for a second time: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/hillary-clinton-tests-positive-covid-013430153.html . WSJ: More on Psaki: https://www.wsj.com/articles/white-house-press-secretary-jen-psaki-tests-positive-for-covid-19-for-a-second-time-11647973135 . More on Clinton: https://www.wsj.com/articles/hillary-clinton-tests-positive-for-covid-19-says-she-has-mild-symptoms-11647993556 .
mRNA vaccine used to treat COVID infection: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/man-a-prisoner-with-7-month-covid-infection-treated-with-vaccine-in-first/ar-AAVmFFg?li=BBnb7Kz .
Better ventilation cuts school COVID cases by 82%: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-03-22/italian-study-shows-ventilation-can-cut-school-covid-cases-by-82 .
Poop surveillance looking up: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2022-03-22/health-officials-see-bright-future-in-poop-surveillance . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/clues-to-covid-19s-next-moves-come-from-sewers-11647941403 .
WSJ: Pfizer cuts Paxlovid deal with Unicef: https://www.wsj.com/articles/pfizer-unicef-strike-covid-19-pill-deal-11647945900 .
Colorado’s first legally composted human laid to rest: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/colorado-lays-rest-first-legally-composted-human-remains-rcna20895 . It’s somewhat strange to lay soil to rest. Note that the resulting soil cannot be used to grow food for human consumption.
Ukraine takes key Kyiv suburb as Russians sink further into a stalemate: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/ukraine-retakes-key-kyiv-suburb-as-battle-for-mariupol-rages . Again, this will further entrench Russia’s use of siege tactics. Their soldiers are failing in direct urban warfare.
WSJ: Ukrainian tactics against the Russian army: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraines-troops-fight-war-of-ambush-and-skirmish-against-russian-invaders-11647951516 . Obviously, Russia has completely screwed up logistics in this invasion. The level of incompetence shocks the senses.
Putin begins purge of staff: https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/598799-the-heads-begin-to-roll-in-russia . Here is yet another example of the parallels between Red Julius and Orange Julius. We are fortunate that at this time the world is safe from Orange Julius (even though the GOP is obviously not). However, we also know that when Putin falls, there is zero chance he will be voted back in.
Zelensky says Russians seized humanitarian convoy headed to Mariupol: https://www.aol.com/zelenskyy-ready-negotiate-directly-putin-070738938.html .
Russians kidnap and torture journalist in Ukraine: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ukraine-journalist-reportedly-kidnapped-tortured-by-russia-soldiers-rsf-says/ .
Goldman Sachs makes money off Russian debt: https://www.thestreet.com/markets/goldman-sachs-bypass-russian-regulations . Goldman clients who are able to exit these securities are likely relieved. However, other Goldman clients are likely not happy with Goldman.
WSJ: Russia’s control of enriched uranium: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-rethinks-uranium-supply-for-nuclear-plants-after-russias-invasion-of-ukraine-11647941401 . In global economy that is deglobalizing, supply chain issues are everywhere.
WSJ: Dallas Fed says loss of Russian oil will cause global recession: https://www.wsj.com/articles/dallas-fed-warns-cutoff-of-russian-energy-could-cause-global-recession-11647974548 . So gas isn’t getting cheaper anytime soon, even in the US.
Texas power grid holds back conversion to wind and solar power: https://sports.yahoo.com/texas-enough-wind-solar-power-214434540.html .
WSJ: More Evergrande debts appear: https://www.wsj.com/articles/evergrandes-hidden-debt-sinkhole-just-keeps-growing-11647950157 . Note that the problems also apply to other Chinese developers. One wonders about the strength of auditing in China. More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/evergrande-delays-results-as-banks-seize-2-billion-from-unit-11647932131 .