COVID smell loss and Alzheimer’s: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/loss-smell-warning-sign-alzheimers-lose-sense-smell-covid-rcna40665 . More research is needed to understand this link. However, people who lose their sense of smell from COVID appear to have a higher risk of dementia. Loss of smell has long been regarded as a warning sign of Alzheimer’s. So the research suggests there is some mechanism in the body which is damaged by each of these illnesses.
Biden remains COVID positive: https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-government-and-politics-1aba5fcaffae26242d52688d5b720173 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/president-bidens-covid-19-rebounds-amid-evidence-cases-tend-to-be-mild-to-moderate-11659230851 . And: https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-tests-positive-for-covid-19-again-11659207612 .
WSJ: Pandemic effect on American health: https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-the-covid-19-pandemic-changed-americans-health-for-the-worse-11659260165 . It is unlikely that all of these changes are the result of the pandemic. However, there are significant increases in the following risks: heart disease and strokes; drug overdoses; mental health decline in young adults; homicides; superbugs; and gonorrhea. Also, cancer screenings and childhood vaccinations have seen significant declines.
Will monkeypox become endemic in the Western world?: https://www.thedailybeast.com/it-may-be-too-late-to-stop-monkeypox-becoming-endemic-in-the-us-and-europe . “May be” is about right. Monkeypox is not that transmissible. We can still control this large outbreak if people exercise more care and we vaccinate vulnerable people. As noted yesterday, the really serious health risk is the other variety of this disease, which remains limited to central Africa.
Democrats’ bill will bring drug price negotiation to Medicare: https://www.democrats.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/inflation_reduction_act_one_page_summary.pdf . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-would-gain-power-to-negotiate-drug-prices-under-manchin-schumer-bill-11659265202 .
WSJ: Global chip investment: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-u-s-is-investing-big-in-chips-so-is-the-rest-of-the-world-11659259807 . Note that TSMC is establishing plants outside of China to protect against a Chinese takeover of Taiwan. We should be accelerating their plant construction in Minnesota.
Evergrande ordered to pay $1.1 billion to guarantor of unpaid loan: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/chinese-developer-evergrande-s-unit-ordered-to-pay-out-1-1-billion/ar-AA109nBY?cvid=99ce07fbc9444f9c8d7c09ce437beebb . China’s economy is falling piece by piece, but it is falling. The sharp reduction in Chinese growth will hurt many emerging economies. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-manufacturing-sector-unexpectedly-contracts-amid-weak-demand-covid-lockdowns-11659240067 (see yesterday’s related article). Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-economy-tested-by-strained-city-finances-11659261600 . And: https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-home-sales-plunge-in-july-as-mortgage-revolt-deters-buyers-11659264152 . Also: https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-stumbling-manufacturing-property-sectors-show-long-road-to-recovery-11659281264 .
The global risks of a Chinese real estate contraction: https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/chinese-real-estate-stocks-hit-by-weak-data-11-bln-evergrande-payout-2858832 . Note in particular the last sentence, stating several major lenders have large exposures to this market.
Alex Jones accuses judge in his case of corruption: https://www.rawstory.com/alex-jones-complains-about-judge/ . Who does something this stupid? Anyone who listens to this guy needs counseling.
Nichelle Nichols passes at 89: https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/nichelle-nichols-dead-star-trek-the-original-series-1235330159/ . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/nichelle-nichols-who-played-uhura-on-star-trek-dies-at-89-11659299710 .
Bill Russell passes at 88: https://sports.yahoo.com/bill-russell-nba-celtics-greatest-basketball-player-of-all-time-dies-at-88-172445014.html . The Russell-Chamberlain rivalry demonstrated so clearly why a great team player will beat a great individual star. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/bill-russell-boston-celtics-dies-11659289760 .