Latest Omicron BQ.1/BQ.1.1 news: https://news.yahoo.com/omicron-subvariants-covid-bq1-bq11-dominant-what-to-know-190155486.html . This article summarizes the latest information, but it is not particularly well-written. Dr. Gandhi’s comments apply to her current experience in San Francisco; that does not necessarily apply nationwide, or to her experience in 30 days. Also, the comment section demonstrates that the US educational system has turned out large numbers of people who do not understand science. Anecdotal information and conspiracy theories do not constitute analysis; they barely constitute data.
FDA pulls monoclonal antibody approval: https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2022-11-30/eli-lillys-covid-drug-bebtelovimab-not-currently-authorized-in-u-s-says-fda . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/fda-pulls-lillys-covid-antibody-drug-11669848536 .
Right now, more persons who have received a vaccine are dying than those who have not. However, that’s because (1) the majority of the population has received at least one dose, and (2) many of the vaccinated, including those over 65, have not received the follow-up boosters. The result, as many readers know, is natural selection. As conservatives are less likely to be fully vaccinated, they are the group the virus selects against. This occurs despite the fact that the boosters have remained free to everyone, although that should change next year.
WSJ: Mixed results on Alzheimer’s drugs: https://www.wsj.com/articles/newest-alzheimers-drugs-take-large-but-fraught-step-toward-approval-11669837440 .
WSJ: The right to select your own physician: https://www.wsj.com/articles/medicare-advantage-health-care-choice-physician-doctor-plan-coverage-11669762248 . This doctor does not think clearly. The ability to select your own physician should be sacred because some of you guys aren’t that good. Every patient should have the right to make his own life-and-death decisions. And this has utterly nothing to do with being a conservative.
China moves to vaccinate elderly: https://apnews.com/article/health-china-beijing-xi-jinping-shanghai-f19ac88a4750341a79ce4d6e2b52d803 . So this is the only sensible way to exit Zero COVID. However, the Chinese need more effective vaccines than they have produced on their own. They must also reach high vaccination rates before rolling back Zero COVID.
San Francisco allows lethal, remote controlled robots: https://apnews.com/article/police-san-francisco-government-and-politics-d26121d7f7afb070102932e6a0754aa5 .
Stock markets misread Fed’s Powell again: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/federal-reserve-chair-jerome-powell-hints-at-smaller-rate-hike-next-month-in-speech/ar-AA14KmLn?cvid=bc9a2791cb2f42229c58df72c571284e . In response, the Dow jumped almost 800 points today. The possibility that the December rate hike will be 50 rather than 75 basis points is not the big deal. Powell sees the ultimate rate at a higher point than what was anticipated in September. It remains highly likely that the market will again correct downward. More: https://apnews.com/article/inflation-business-prices-jerome-powell-government-and-politics-9e7fed8f82ffbe9af205ec969e6277af . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/jerome-powell-signals-fed-prepared-to-slow-rate-rise-pace-in-december-11669833043 .
WSJ: The layoff puzzle: https://www.wsj.com/articles/layoffs-what-layoffs-11669832886 . My view is different. The Fed has baked a recession into the US economy. When that happens, people will be laid off.
CNN announces layoffs: https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/30/media/cnn-layoffs . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/cnn-layoffs-are-underway-11669824884 .
WSJ: Amazon layoffs: https://www.wsj.com/articles/amazon-ceo-says-he-doesnt-regret-hiring-spree-as-company-starts-layoffs-11669832292 . The focus on Amazon layoffs is wildly overblown. Amazon has 1.6 million employees. As noted here previously, these are strategic layoffs and do not represent any underlying problems with Amazon’s business model.
FTX contagion continues: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/kraken-layoff-staff-ftx-fallout-184635250.html .
Hakeem Jeffries elected next House Minority Leader: https://apnews.com/article/nancy-pelosi-hakeem-jeffries-congress-government-and-politics-e6dee438b2cfd776b70ff29495072ab5 . The article seems to tiptoe around Jeffries’ title, apparently for political correctness. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/house-democrats-set-to-pick-hakeem-jeffries-to-lead-party-11669806001 .
How stupid are Arizona MAGA-maniacs? They are about to cost the GOP a seat in the US House: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/an-arizona-county-s-refusal-to-certify-election-results-could-cost-gop-a-house-seat/ar-AA14KD2N?cvid=2b6f29a1ac704efba33848930e05253b . So you really can’t make this up – it is truly that stupid.
US House passes rail strike legislation: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/railroad-strike-house-vote-bill-congress-senate/ . The Senate is expected to go along, although opposite ends of the political spectrum (Josh Hawley and Bernie Sanders) oppose enforcing the current deal. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-potential-rail-strike-looms-heres-what-to-know-11669757894 .
GM goes silent on Twitter: https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/general-motors/2022/11/30/gm-twitter-elon-musks-ads/69687219007/ . The train wreck continues.
WSJ: Russia sends troops to eastern Ukraine: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-says-russia-is-sending-hundreds-of-paramilitary-troops-to-eastern-front-11669811590 .
WSJ: Another ISIS leader bites the dust: https://www.wsj.com/articles/islamic-state-leader-is-killed-in-fighting-terrorist-group-says-11669834649 . As discussed here before, the short life expectancy of these leaders would suggest this is not a great job to take on.
The royal family declares itself “not racist”: https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/royal-aide-steps-down-after-racist-comments-buckingham-palace-1.6174831 . But as the article notes, the treatment of Meghan Markle calls into question Prince Williams’ denial. Here is a full account of the offending conversation: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-63810468 .
Christine McVie passes at 79: https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/christine-mcvie-fleetwood-mac-singer-songwriter-dies-79-rcna59470 . The Fleetwood Mac singer-songwriter will live on forever on CDs and oldies radio stations. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/christine-mcvie-fleetwood-mac-dies-11669841183 .