Zero COVID still not zero: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-07-19/china-reports-1-012-new-covid-cases-for-july-19-vs-776-day-earlier . It’s getting to be a challenge to find a new way to say this every day …
Novavax to begin US distribution of COVID vaccine: https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2022-07-19/novavax-says-u-s-fda-clears-covid-vaccine-doses-for-release . More: https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2022-07-19/u-s-cdc-advisers-back-novavax-covid-vaccine-for-adults . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/novavaxs-covid-19-vaccine-wins-cdc-advisers-backing-11658256865 .
BA5 variant increases US dominance to 78%: https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2022-07-19/omicron-ba-5-makes-up-nearly-78-of-covid-variants-circulating-in-u-s-cdc .
COVID triples across Europe while hospitalizations double: https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-united-nations-world-organization-06bccc307fa13d428e59babf4b9d8403 . WHO calls on Europe to act against COVID now: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-07-19/act-now-in-europe-or-risk-stricter-covid-measures-later-who-official .
US health insurance sees 10% rate increase: https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-california-congress-d9934af8689fd26bec55251f4f0a58ab . According to this article, the primary cost drive is increased utilization.
WSJ: US overdose rates for minorities reflect treatment disparities: https://www.wsj.com/articles/higher-overdose-rates-among-blacks-native-americans-reflect-treatment-disparities-cdc-says-11658250995 . This finding raises significant issues about mortality differences between the various racial groups in this country.
Experts agree: DOJ should indict Orange Julius: https://news.yahoo.com/the-jan-6-committee-has-made-a-compelling-case-against-trump-but-will-he-face-criminal-charges-191541040.html . Dear reader, you probably have already guessed that I’m firmly in the “overwhelming evidence” camp. This article appropriately points out that several legal experts, previously skeptical of indictment, have changed their opinion based on the evidence and especially testimony presented at the seven hearings so far. The eighth can only add to the existing evidence: https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-biden-donald-trump-government-and-politics-00896eaba6df614bf46fc6beebe63fce .
One thing is crystal clear. The Founders took sedition and treason to be the most serious offenses against the new democracy. The idea that a sitting President would try this shocks us, but it would not have shocked the Founders – after all, they were revolutionaries themselves. And they would have hanged OJ in the nearest oak tree.
One hearing surprise: Liz Cheney will likely chair it, because … : https://www.npr.org/2022/07/19/1112246383/jan-6-thompson-covid . Liz Cheney is already in serious trouble in her upcoming primary in Wyoming. It is unlikely this will help her with the GOP base. So it is possible that a ranking Democrat could chair the hearing.
Not a surprise: OJ really is certifiably nuts: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/wisconsin-house-speaker-says-trump-called-him-within-the-last-week-to-ask-him-to-overturn-the-election/ar-AAZLBgY?cvid=3e0ca7cf12df42eb85bfb578fbf3f869 . By the way, this is not a defense to sedition, or anything else. The legal standard is whether the defendant understands the charges against him. Many criminal defendants are certifiably nuts. However, few of them are screwy enough to keep committing the crime when their case is so closely watched by the public.
Also not a surprise: Many of OJ’s followers are certifiably nuts: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-s-allies-want-biden-investigated-for-selling-oil-reserves-to-china-even-though-trump-did-the-same-thing-in-2017/ar-AAZLOI8?cvid=68be9c3c4e4b40d3a775fbb57feedcd1 .
No OJ indictment before November: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/ag-merrick-garland-memo-suggests-no-federal-indictment-of-donald-trump-before-november-election/ar-AAZLfK3?li=BBnb7Kz . You may recall that FBI Director James Comey created a firestorm around his comments about Hilary Clinton during the 2016 election run-up. This is long-standing DOJ policy.
WSJ: The only thing that can re-elect Joe Biden is Orange Julius: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-only-thing-that-can-re-elect-joe-biden-is-donald-trump-approval-rating-polls-election-president-11658263015 . We all wonder what will be the key that gets the GOP past Orange Julius. This argument may be the winner.
China no longer the top holder of US debt: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/china-is-no-longer-the-top-holder-of-us-debt-after-its-total-dips-below-1-trillion-for-the-first-time-in-12-years/ar-AAZKbGu?cvid=2d6d7028984b4725bc4e362d484c0fe5 .
WSJ: Ukrainians say US long-range artillery has helped stabilize the front lines: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-long-range-weapons-are-helping-hold-back-russian-advance-ukraine-says-11658229644 . Other reports indicate that Putin is preparing to annex the territory his forces hold in eastern Ukraine. This would allow him to say that Ukrainian attacks in these areas constitute an attack on Russia. However, the West is unlikely to recognize the annexation, and Ukraine does now appear capable of mounting a significant counteroffensive.
AOC arrested along with 16 other members of Congress in abortion rights protest in front of Supreme Court: https://news.yahoo.com/supreme-court-congress-arrests-aoc-abortion-rights-protest-190628837.html . While I don’t personally agree with this form of protest, I do respect these Congresspeople for sending a loud message to the Supreme Court. The Court should not be taking away established rights of citizens, of any gender.
House passes same-sex marriage bill: https://www.yahoo.com/news/house-passes-same-sex-marriage-225721900.html . Notably, 47 Republicans joined the Democratic Congresspeople. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/house-to-vote-on-protections-for-same-sex-and-interracial-marriage-11658239485 .
WSJ: Senate passes chip production subsidies: https://www.wsj.com/articles/senate-vote-to-test-appetite-for-expanded-chips-bill-11658265660 .
Methanol found in the blood systems of 21 teenagers who died at a South African bar: https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-middle-east-johannesburg-c5fc5e8d23597be369e8af66fc91f3d1 . This incident was reported on June 27, internationally and in the June 27 newsletter. At that time, I speculated that their deaths might have involved illicit liquor made with something other than ethanol. I am disappointed that the authorities took over 3 weeks to figure this out.
Organic freeze-dried blueberries, with free lead: https://www.aol.com/finance/organic-freeze-dried-blueberries-recalled-120009734.html .
WSJ: UCLA (and USC) have a Big 10 legal problem: https://www.wsj.com/articles/uclas-big-ten-story-11658269450 . Gavin Newsom is furious over the Big 10 deals. So will this Big Problem help him reverse the deals?