Long COVID rate dropping in US: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-01-27/federal-survey-shows-rate-of-long-covid-declining . This result is difficult to interpret. Since COVID entered the country about 3 years ago, we still do not know the long-term prognosis for long COVID sufferers.
XBB.1.5 61% of COVID cases: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-01-27/cdc-new-omicron-subvariant-xbb-1-5-responsible-for-majority-of-u-s-coronavirus-cases .
Bivalent booster protects against subvariants: https://time.com/6250130/bivalent-booster-efficacy-new-omicron-variants/ . As we have said many times, the pandemic represents an arms race between the vaccines and the virus.
Paxlovid seeks European standard approval: https://seekingalpha.com/news/3928925-pfizers-covid-drug-paxlovid-gets-ema-panels-backing-for-standard-approval .
COVID antibody Evusheld loses EUA: https://thehill.com/homenews/3833091-fda-pulls-authorization-for-covid-antibody-treatment-over-lack-of-effectiveness/ . Once again, the pandemic represents an arms race between the vaccines and the virus. Virus subvariants now evade Evusheld.
WSJ: Experts consider China’s COVID wave: https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-portrayal-of-smooth-covid-exit-leaves-scientists-wanting-more-data-11674818531 . Since China’s death disclosures appear low by a factor of 10, sorting through this “data” is a fool’s errand.
WSJ: Increased oversight of virus research: https://www.wsj.com/articles/broader-oversight-of-risky-virus-research-is-endorsed-by-government-advisers-11674852418 . After all of the allegations against the Chinese lab about COVID escape, US changes make sense.
Obamacare sign-ups exceed 16 million: https://news.yahoo.com/obamacare-sign-ups-top-16-124255213.html . So around 5% of the US population is now covered by Obamacare. Also, note the significant increase in coverage in (red) states that have refused to expand Medicaid coverage.
WSJ: The changing US census: https://www.wsj.com/articles/government-proposes-overhaul-of-race-categories-in-census-and-other-surveys-11674846529 .
WSJ: Declining US workforce participation: https://www.wsj.com/articles/labor-participation-factors-economy-11674780877 . This article argues that COVID is not a major factor in this decline. Rather, we are seeing the continuation of long-term trends.
Palestinian gunman kills 7 Israelis: https://apnews.com/article/politics-israel-government-palestinian-territories-benjamin-netanyahu-fb2251b5b6c8ef73a21f87620d20090c . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/jerusalem-attack-shooting-at-synagogue-kills-five-people-11674847488 . Israeli jets strike Gaza in retaliation for rocket strike: https://www.aol.com/news/rocket-warning-sirens-set-off-102834915.html . Right now the Middle East feels like a powder keg. So one hopes Western diplomats are working feverishly to calm everyone down.
WSJ: Will Western tanks tip the war to the Ukrainians?: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukrainian-commanders-on-front-lines-look-to-western-tanks-for-breakthrough-11674827148 . Not at the current numbers. If we give them 300 tanks, maybe so. But the best plan is to give them 300 Leopard 2 tanks from other NATO allies.
New York Times reports that Bill Barr “deliberately deceived” the public about suspicious Orange Julius financial dealings: https://www.alternet.org/send/barr-durham/ . The problem here is that we have been so conditioned to corruption by Orange Julius and Bill Barr that this will likely not create significant shock waves. It should.
WSJ: DOJ asks judge to halt communications between Bankman-Fried and FTX employees: https://www.wsj.com/articles/doj-seeks-to-ban-sam-bankman-fried-from-contacting-ftx-employees-11674869504 .
WSJ: January 6 insurrectionist sentenced to 6+ years: https://www.wsj.com/articles/jan-6-rioter-gets-more-than-six-years-in-prison-for-pepper-spray-attack-on-officers-11674857336 .
Memphis police release video of Tyre Nichols beaten to death by 5 black police officers: https://apnews.com/article/tyre-nichols-video-memphis-police-e3ee8e6698faae16df3f41d09234b09f . Warning: The released videos are tough to watch and contain astounding police brutality.
Billy Packer passes at 82: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/longtime-college-basketball-broadcaster-billy-packer-dies-at-82-044228828.html . Those of you who watch the Final Four know Billy Packer.