Pfizer COVID vaccine EUA expanded for children: https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2023-03-14/u-s-fda-expands-authorization-of-pfizer-bivalent-covid-19-shots-in-kids . The expansion provides a booster for kids aged 6 months to 4 years.
Paxlovid approaches full FDA approval: https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2023-03-14/trial-data-supports-pfizers-covid-drug-for-high-risk-adults-fda-staff .
Silverado COVID felony endangerment charges: https://abcnews.go.com/US/la-assisted-living-facility-faces-felony-charges-deadly/story?id=97860428 . The staggering allegations here are that an LA assisted living facility accepted a new patient for financial considerations. That COVID-positive patient led to 13 deaths in the facility.
US child mortality increases 20% from 2019 to 2021: https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/3899640-increase-in-mortality-rate-among-kids-teens-largest-in-decades-research/ . Note that that the largest increases are in kids ages 10 to 19. Drug deaths more than doubled. COVID is not a significant factor; increased fatal injuries (defined as deaths caused by external factors) are the major contributor.
WSJ: Novo Nordisk cuts insulin prices: https://www.wsj.com/articles/insulin-price-cut-novo-nordisk-cb0f2061 .
EPA proposes PFAS limits for drinking water: https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/14/health/epa-pfas-standards-wellness/index.html . Wise, and overdue. This stuff is carcinogenic in minute amounts. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/what-to-know-about-forever-chemicals-and-your-health-e8e4c8d8 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/epa-proposes-regulations-for-forever-chemicals-in-drinking-water-b6963dfd .
Inflation cools slightly in February: https://thehill.com/business/3899251-consumer-prices-rose-6-percent-annually-in-february-as-inflation-eased/ . First, the good news: The rate of inflation is coming down. However, the bad news: 6% is nowhere near 2%. The choices for the Fed remain a 25 or 50 basis point increase at the next meeting. Because of the jitters over the two large bank failures, we are pretty much locked into 25 basis points. But that says nothing about the ultimate rate the Fed will reach. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/inflation-report-arrives-as-fed-confronts-bank-failures-5f0e10ae .
Paul Krugman comments on latest inflation data: https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/03/31354210/paul-krugman-sees-no-landing-air-pocket-risks-after-inflation-print-what-they-mean .
Silicon Valley Bank: The “Twitter-fueled bank run”: https://abcnews.go.com/Business/silicon-valley-bank-digital-bank-run-accelerated-collapse/story?id=97846569 . Again, the problem here is incompetent management. SVB bought long-term bonds in a low-interest environment (stupid beyond belief). Then, they did not unwind those positions when the Fed signaled it would rapidly raise rates a year ago. March 17, 2022 was the first increase, from 25 to 50 basis points. Also, easy access to funds – including credit cards with high borrowing limits – has been the norm for some time, and will continue.
Why it’s hard to find a buyer for SVB: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/svb-can-t-find-a-buyer-because-of-one-issue/ar-AA18Dh9J?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=0a040415ff1e4d459d056c52879ce2b4&ei=37 .
WSJ: DOJ and SEC probe SVB failure: https://www.wsj.com/articles/justice-department-sec-investigating-silicon-valley-banks-collapse-c192c2b2 . Meanwhile, creditors assemble a group anticipating potential bankruptcy: https://www.wsj.com/articles/silicon-valley-bank-creditors-form-group-in-advance-of-possible-bankruptcy-62e631aa .
Moody’s warns it will likely downgrade 6 more regional banks: https://www.thestreet.com/technology/svb-moodys-delivers-bad-news-to-first-republic-and-5-other-banks . However, the writer has made a very serious mistake in this article. The comment about the reason for downgrade should be amended to “they have too much in the way of uninsured deposits”.
WSJ: Credit Suisse news keeps getting worse: https://www.wsj.com/articles/credit-suisse-finds-material-weaknesses-in-financial-reporting-f14b2ce9 .
Why is Wagner Group leading the assault in Bakhmut?: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/russia-s-next-civil-war-has-already-begun/ar-AA18CKhn?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=55194699ad7f48ba9232ab7165c8e460&ei=32 . This provocative question receives an equally provocative answer here: Wagner’s leader is battling for control of the Russian military.
WSJ: Russia’s artillery shortage in Bakhmut: https://www.wsj.com/articles/acute-artillery-shortage-is-hampering-russias-offensive-in-east-ukraine-western-officials-say-6f2fb94a .
Russian jet collides with USAF drone over Black Sea: https://www.airandspaceforces.com/russian-fighter-collides-with-american-mq-9-over-black-sea-drone-lost/ . The incident occurred in international waters. The US drone crashed. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/russian-jet-collides-with-u-s-drone-over-black-sea-7ae82d2f .
Orange Julius blames Pence for January 6 violence: https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/3898610-trump-suggests-pence-to-blame-for-jan-6-violence-after-former-vps-criticism/ . OJ works hard to avoid reality. So Mike Pence should have exercised power he did not have? Mike Pence should have let the crowd hang him on their gallows? The indictment watch continues.
Another January 6 defendant pleads guilty: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/jan-6-rioter-accused-undercover-cop-pled-guilty-spraying-officers-rcna74844 .
Nikki Haley wants to cut entitlement programs: https://apnews.com/article/haley-social-security-medicare-president-2024-0b6ea12f7ee8c650ce2de4bf2df5a787 . The GOP’s true colors return. Haley proposes raising the entitlement age for Social Security, the “Work ‘Til You Die” program. She also wants to expand Medicare Advantage, arguing that competition somehow reduces healthcare costs. However, the one thing this does for sure is put more money in the pockets of intermediaries. Good thing she has no chance of obtaining the GOP nomination.
Meanwhile, GOP legislators in South Carolina propose the death penalty for women who have abortions: https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/3898383-south-carolina-gop-lawmakers-propose-death-penalty-for-women-who-have-abortions/ . So I lived and voted in the South Carolina presidential primary in 2020. On the GOP side, OJ carried every county. As reported by CNN that night, 20% of his voters said in an exit poll that slavery should have been retained after the Civil War. So, in response to Representative Mace, South Carolina is a dark, racially divided state to this day, as the white residents regularly prove.
Josh Hawley must leave “This Land”: https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/3899663-this-land-is-not-his-song-woody-guthries-family-rejects-josh-hawleys-use-of-lyrics/ . Woody Guthrie’s family calls out Hawley’s misuse of the song.
Once again, something is rotten in the state of Mississippi: https://abcnews.go.com/US/mississippi-man-missing-found-head-severed-attorney/story?id=97851832 . No foul play, when the victim’s severed appears at a different site than the rest of his remains? Not only was foul play obviously involved, but the Taylorsville police department also looks to be involved. Taylorsville has a population of 1,148. Allegedly, 3 truckloads of white men were involved. The police know …
WSJ: Boxed considers folding: https://www.wsj.com/articles/household-retailer-boxed-is-negotiating-with-lenders-for-bankruptcy-sale-6cee02e . This WSJ article has been included only to suggest the headline they would have used if the Journal had any sense of humor …
WSJ: Chinese doctor who warned of SARS passes, with no recognition in China: https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinese-doctor-who-sounded-the-alarm-on-sars-dies-e6bc9d7 .