Second bivalent COVID booster timing: https://news.yahoo.com/is-another-bivalent-covid-booster-shot-on-the-way-heres-what-we-know-143828625.html . We know that 90% of COVID deaths are now in the over-65 population. My view is that this booster should be made available to this population at this time. Targeting this group (and publicizing why) could also raise booster adoption rates.
WSJ: China’s COVID stonewall limits investigation: https://www.wsj.com/articles/lack-of-chinese-cooperation-leaves-critical-gap-on-covid-19-origins-spy-chief-says-13cee980 .
5 women sue Texas over abortion ban: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/5-women-sue-texas-over-abortion-ban-say-it-endangered-their-lives . The new law has intimidated doctors from performing medically necessary abortions for fear of criminal prosecution.
WSJ: Surprise medical bill fight continues: https://www.wsj.com/articles/fight-over-how-to-settle-surprise-medical-bills-leaves-cases-in-limbo-e04edd8c .
WSJ: US job openings fall in robust labor market: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-job-openings-fell-layoffs-rose-in-january-5d2b193b . More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/you-cant-fire-them-they-quit-e4fc26e9 .
Russia claims control of eastern Bakhmut: https://thehill.com/policy/international/3889409-russia-says-it-controls-eastern-bakhmut/ . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/russias-wagner-heralds-advance-in-bakhmut-as-battle-grinds-on-in-eastern-ukraine-34538d01 . However, the Russians continue to suffer staggering casualties in this siege. History must wait, but so far it appears Russia may win this battle and hasten its loss of this war.
WSJ: E&Y pauses consulting spinoff: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ernst-young-pauses-on-plan-to-spin-off-its-consulting-arm-bd88c3d . This has all the earmarks of a troubled deal.
WSJ: FTX bankruptcy claims another crypto firm: https://www.wsj.com/articles/crypto-bank-silvergate-to-shut-down-repay-deposits-4bc2a469 .
DOJ finds routine misconduct within Louisville police department: https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/08/politics/louisville-pattern-and-practice-investigation-justice-department/index.html . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/justice-department-finds-illegal-police-practices-in-probe-begun-after-breonna-taylors-death-c16e91dd .
Sharp drop in US border crossings in 2023: https://apnews.com/article/asylum-immigration-poll-biden-border-dbfb4af09d4beb81f4f1d450d4d66f29 . The article discusses changes in border entry policies which are keeping more migrants in Mexico.
WSJ: US crude production plateaus: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-shale-boom-shows-signs-of-peaking-as-big-oil-wells-disappear-2adef03f .
Norovirus outbreak suspected on Princess cruise: https://thehill.com/changing-america/well-being/prevention-cures/3889641-over-280-sickened-on-princess-cruise-ship-company-points-to-likely-cause/ . So there is only one vacation destination where people regularly get sick in large numbers: The floating Petri dishes known as cruise ships. I have been on a variety of seagoing vessels in my lifetime, but always for less than 24 hours.
US investigating Tesla over quality control issues: https://apnews.com/article/musk-tesla-electric-vehicle-steering-wheel-c69867f4eb15bc582d956c309aeba95b . At least two vehicles failed to have a factory bolt installed, causing the steering wheel to fall off. Also, the recent crash of a Tesla into a parked fire truck may have occurred while the car was in self-driving mode. This just adds to the many reasons I won’t be flying SpaceX into space … WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-regulators-probe-tesla-model-y-after-some-steering-wheels-fall-off-e7bcfd36 .
Mitch McConnell hospitalized after fall: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/senate-minority-leader-mitch-mcconnell-hospitalized-falling-rcna74097 . However, details of his condition were not immediately available. McConnell is 81.
Senator Markey’s office unionizes: https://news.yahoo.com/us-senate-getting-first-union-223500414.html . Markey encouraged his employees to unionize.