The demographics of long COVID: https://www.usnews.com/news/healthiest-communities/articles/2023-03-29/the-demographics-of-long-covid . While these statistics come from survey data, the results are consistent with other sources. For example, it is generally believed that 30% of people who contract COVID experience long COVID. That compares very favorably with the 27% experiencing long COVID here. As to the states experiencing the highest levels of long COVID as a percentage of COVID patients, these states appear to house a larger percentage of residents with comorbidities.
FDA approves over-the-counter Narcan: https://apnews.com/article/narcan-naloxone-overdose-opioids-9ad693795ce31e3a867a4dd4b65dbde8 . Other sources have suggested a price of around $70, noticeably higher than the $50 for two doses described here. But either way, this is an affordable way to save lives. Also, the article makes the interesting point that OTC removes any stigma associated with obtaining a prescription or seeking insurance reimbursement. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/fda-approves-narcan-for-non-prescription-sale-8386c3e .
West Virginia bans gender-affirming care: https://apnews.com/article/west-virginia-governor-gender-affirming-care-de63a9232fcea329081f667fdf0c24ab . So apparently the reversal of Roe has set a precedent to remove people’s control over their own bodies.
WSJ: The banks’ bond “switcheroo”: https://www.wsj.com/articles/as-interest-rates-rose-banks-did-a-balance-sheet-switcheroo-8e71336f . To be clear, my view is that the banks could have shortened the length of their bond ladders when the Fed first declared its intent in March 2022 to rapidly raise rates. The losses grew exponentially as they held on too long.
WSJ: UBS brings back prior CEO to guide the Credit Suisse acquisition: https://www.wsj.com/articles/credit-suisse-has-ubs-worried-spurring-return-of-sergio-ermotti-b85ad01e . The board correctly recognizes the substantial execution risk in this government-sponsored shotgun wedding. More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ubs-brings-back-sergio-ermotti-as-ceo-c59da15f . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ubss-sergio-ermotti-joins-the-boomerang-ceo-club-f55bb096 . And here’s another piece of dirty CS laundry: https://www.wsj.com/articles/credit-suisse-violated-plea-deal-in-tax-case-senate-report-says-bed34e63 .
Pausing the AI race for 6 months: https://www.npr.org/2023/03/29/1166896809/tech-leaders-urge-a-pause-in-the-out-of-control-artificial-intelligence-race . This seems completely unworkable. However, so far societies around the globe have been unable to figure out how to regulate AI and its dangers. It makes more sense to form a work group to consider and recommend regulation of AI. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/elon-musk-other-ai-bigwigs-call-for-pause-in-technologys-development-56327f .
John Fetterman expects to return to Senate after April recess: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/john-fetterman-returning-senate-treatment-depression/story?id=98218354 .
Notorious Russian war criminal found shot dead in his apartment: https://knewz.com/notorious-russian-colonel-who-oversaw-slaughter-of-hundreds-of-ukrainian-troops-is-found-dead/ . The Ukrainian version of events makes more sense for two reasons. First, Yuriy Butusov, a noted Ukrainian journalist, was the first to publicize the facts. Second, it seems highly unlikely that a veteran Russian colonel, active in the current war, would commit suicide – these guys live to fight. The only fact supporting the Russian commentary is that Lisitsky was found dead in his apartment, not at the front. However, this location would have made Lisitsky more vulnerable to assassination.
More on CFTC’s complaint against Binance: https://www.wsj.com/articles/cftc-charges-against-binance-highlight-role-of-former-compliance-chief-dd1cdee2 .
Disney make have the last laugh on Governor DeMentis: https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/ron-desantis-plan-to-take-control-of-disney-s-land-backfired-spectacularly-because-of-a-loophole-in-the-agreement-that-may-reduce-his-appointees-to-powerless-functionaries/ar-AA19fiGc?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=4a9045aed77242ceabf8358832f22d15&ei=28 .
WSJ: Mexico moves rapidly toward arrests in migrant detention facility fire deaths: https://www.wsj.com/articles/mexico-probes-possible-staff-negligence-in-fire-that-killed-38-migrants-cef4ff98 .
WSJ: Pope hospitalized: https://www.wsj.com/articles/pope-francis-hospitalized-for-lung-infection-5285c1d3 . This timing is surprising and worrisome as Easter week nears. Palm Sunday is 3 days away.