Pilot COVID telehealth program: https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2023-01-05/nih-launches-pilot-covid-telehealth-program .
WSJ: Pandemic cost public schools students: https://www.wsj.com/articles/public-schools-lost-more-than-one-million-students-during-pandemic-11672881798 . “Over 1 million” represents a remarkable contraction in public school attendees.
Liars create Hamlin-COVID vaccine link: https://apnews.com/article/buffalo-bills-nfl-sports-health-damar-hamlin-b1273c5903a1efd3f67c8480feb6b52f . This Internet use is offensive and disgusting. The essence of free speech is being perverted by this misleading garbage. There should be consequences for broadcasting intentional lies. Hamlin’s medical status is updated below.
More countries test Chinese travelers: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2023-01-05/as-covid-hit-china-reopens-to-the-world-countries-put-up-travel-barriers . Again, the Chinese are being hypocritical in the extreme since they closed their country to foreigners for 3 years during Zero COVID.
Doubling of China’s Lunar New Year traffic: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2023-01-05/china-expects-passenger-traffic-during-lunar-new-year-to-double-from-2022 . This must be the worst possible thing to do during their COVID tsunami. The wave is currently concentrated in urban areas. This travel will transmit it to every rural area, where healthcare is of lower coverage and quality. More: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2023-01-04/china-promises-more-medicines-in-rural-areas-amid-covid-surge .
WSJ: China responds to WHO data concerns: https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-service-sector-contracts-amid-covid-surge-survey-shows-11672926705 . This is total BS and everyone, including China, knows it.
WSJ: South Carolina Supreme Court rules state 6-week abortion ban unconstitutional: https://www.wsj.com/articles/south-carolinas-6-week-abortion-ban-ruled-unconstitutional-11672940087 .
FTC proposes employee noncompete ban: https://apnews.com/article/biden-technology-politics-business-9fb699837e8bf8ecd9c70dcf27699dcf . If adopted, this has huge implications for the employer-employee relationship in the US. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ftc-proposes-banning-noncompete-clauses-for-workers-11672900586 .
WSJ: More crypto fallout: https://www.wsj.com/articles/crypto-lender-genesis-lays-off-30-of-staff-11672939434 .
Putin calls for 36-hour Orthodox Christmas ceasefire: https://thehill.com/policy/defense/3800473-putin-orders-36-hour-ceasefire-in-ukraine-for-observance-of-orthodox-christmas/ . The Ukrainian skepticism reflects appropriate caution. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/zelensky-says-ukraine-makes-gains-outside-bakhmut-but-fighting-rages-nearby-11672916535 .
US to send Bradley “tank-killers” to Ukraine: https://apnews.com/article/politics-russia-ukraine-war-united-states-government-8107e8dc847f03bd481589c8ea4b1943 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-allies-say-armored-vehicles-will-give-ukraines-troops-an-edge-11672958229 .
WSJ: Ukraine war makes NATO improve equipment transport: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-war-spurs-nato-to-improve-transport-of-military-equipment-11672871478 .
Episode 3 of “Kevin Can’t Count” – Kevin learns to lose faster: https://news.yahoo.com/kevin-mccarthy-loses-vote-house-speaker-third-day-183148310.html . In Episodes 1 and 2, Kevin lost 3 votes on each day – so, three strikes but you’re not out. Today, Kevin lost 5 more votes, all with 21 Republicans in opposition. However, word is that GOP House members are near a deal tonight that will pick up between 6 and 12 votes for Kevin. But that is not quite enough. We are all forced to stay tuned while the country’s business does not get done. And tomorrow – more voting. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/republicans-pursue-speaker-talks-after-no-winner-in-six-votes-11672921961 .
Matt Gaetz embarrasses himself, again: https://news.yahoo.com/gaetz-votes-for-then-formally-nominates-trump-for-speaker-of-the-house-184206252.html . This self-serving publicity stunt has no relationship to constructiveness, reality or common sense.
The GOP embarrasses itself, again: https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-government-us-republican-party-donald-trump-kevin-mccarthy-b6fedeb8ac7a3a543311626493e4943b . AP apparently tries to be politically correct in describing this train wreck. In brief, the GOP has been a governance disaster for a long time. Orange Julius threw that disaster into absolute chaos, allowing MAGA freaks like these 20 holdouts to get elected. But now the freaks refuse to listen even to OJ.
My guess is that the current strategy is trying to get Kevin 213 or more votes (the Democrats have 212 for Hakeem Jeffries) in order to change the rules to allow a plurality to elect the new Speaker. This risky approach could freeze out the Never-Kevin crowd.
Robert Reich proposes a deal between Democrats and a few moderate Republicans: https://www.alternet.org/robert-reich-offers-a-bit-of-key-advice-to-democrats-amid-the-gop-house-speaker-war/ . It’s a constructive suggestion, but my sense is that this is too far outside the box for the politicians involved.
WSJ: We still don’t understand Amazon: https://www.wsj.com/articles/amazon-to-lay-off-over-17-000-workers-more-than-first-planned-11672874304 . As we’ve noted, even this larger layoff is barely 1% of the company’s workforce. However, WSJ tries to blow it up as 5% of the corporate workforce. Given their reduction in hiring, some percentage of their corporate workforce becomes superfluous. I still think the Journal has oversold Amazon’s problems.
WSJ: Tesla’s China problem: https://www.wsj.com/articles/teslas-china-deliveries-fell-sharply-in-december-despite-discounts-11672921749 . Musk needs to write off Twitter and focus on his prior businesses. Further, six months ago would have been better timing.
NFL rules Bills-Bengals game “no contest”, proposes plan for playoffs: https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-rules-bills-bengals-a-no-contest-and-afc-title-game-may-be-at-neutral-site-as-owners-prepare-to-vote-on-inequities-021730972.html . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/nfl-schedule-bills-bengals-playoff-picture-11672972567 .
Damar Hamlin shows improvement: https://sports.yahoo.com/damar-hamlins-doctors-say-hes-making-substantial-progress-beginning-to-awaken-after-on-field-collapse-160636238.html . I remain concerned that Hamlin may have suffered significant brain damage in this event. He remains intubated and on oxygen. This means a machine breathes for him. The public announcements seem overly optimistic, which seems like a disservice to everyone. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/damar-hamlin-update-bills-nfl-injury-awake-11672934193 .