US COVID cases continue rise: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/signs-point-rise-covid-rcna103439 . The article makes an important point about data comparability problems. As we know, hospitalizations are now a better measure of COVID prevalence than reported cases, especially as we are concerned with more severe cases. But previously hospitals tested all admissions for COVID, while now they only test those with symptoms. That has important consequences.
Because 40% or more of cases may be asymptomatic, even hospitals may be undercounting cases by half. They cannot effectively protect staff and other patients from the asymptomatic cases if they don’t know who they are. The 40% number just given was based on prior variants. Do the current variants have the same percentage of asymptomatic cases? No one knows. For all of our advanced technology, we often do an excellent job of behaving really stupidly.
Are the hospitals planning on full testing when case numbers get higher? Then they are contributing to the rise of the current wave by their current poor practices. Also, we have apparently just given up on contact tracing of this highly infectious disease. Considering the cost of a COVID test, it is hard to understand why we are taking these risks.
The 2023 tripledemic: https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a44949084/tripledemic-2023-covid-flu-rsv/ . Of course there will be a tripledemic this fall and for many succeeding falls. All three of these viruses continue to circulate, and respiratory diseases are more prevalent in the fall as people return indoors with others. Again, however, COVID is not yet a seasonal disease. It will be present in the fall, however.
Long COVID drug trial fails: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2023-09-05/tonixs-long-covid-drug-fails-to-meet-mid-stage-trial-goal .
Dinner-plate-sized medical tool left in woman after Caesarean section: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/medical-tool-found-inside-woman-abdomen-caesarean-new-zealand-rcna103330 . The woman complained of severe abdominal pain for 18 MONTHS before the discovery of the tool. Note that both Caesarean and cesarean are correct spellings.
McConnell’s health remains an issue with Senate Republicans: https://www.aol.com/not-valid-medical-diagnosis-rand-001112118.html . As readers might guess, I wouldn’t take Rand Paul’s advice on almost anything. But here he is correct – it is obvious McConnell’s health issues go way beyond dehydration.
Delta transatlantic flight returns to Atlanta after “biohazard” issue: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/apparent-diarrhea-incident-forces-delta-flight-barcelona-turn-back-rcna103550 . A passenger apparently had severe diarrhea throughout the plane. You just can’t make this – um, stuff – up.
WSJ: FTC appears headed to court this month over Amazon antitrust concerns: https://www.wsj.com/finance/regulation/ftc-antitrust-suit-against-amazon-set-for-later-this-month-after-meeting-fails-to-resolve-impasse-c888700f .
WSJ: IRS slows refunds for pandemic-era employer support: https://www.wsj.com/us-news/irs-slows-refund-payments-for-pandemic-era-tax-break-54e80763 . This is an attempt to address the explosive growth of aggressive refund claims.
Vietnam helicopter pilot awarded Medal of Honor by President Biden: https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/05/politics/medal-of-honor-larry-taylor-vietnam/index.html . Taylor was asked whether he was worried that he had disobeyed a direct order. His response: “What are they going to do, send me to Vietnam?” WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-25-minute-flight-on-20-minutes-of-fuel-a0f0f99b . The recounting of the men Captain Taylor saved by having them hop on the rocket launchers reminded me of the ending of Dr. Strangelove, when Slim Pickens rides the nuclear bomb like a bucking bronco: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Strangelove .
WSJ: The Russian pilot who defected to Ukraine with his helicopter: https://www.wsj.com/world/russia/russian-pilot-describes-defection-to-ukraine-urges-others-to-follow-8574d0f7 . Um, his two passengers didn’t know he was defecting and were shot dead when they attempted to flee the Ukrainians. I understand this was his only way to defect, but it came at a horrible price.
Federal court tells Alabama legislature to forget their redistricting efforts: https://apnews.com/article/alabama-redistricting-ruling-black-population-affd7b662f65b0b28da42fb88f72207e . As we so often note here, stupidity has no limits. The new map was clearly going to fail, because the US Supreme Court’s instruction was to create two majority Black districts. What the legislature failed to understand is that the court would rightly take the map drawing power away from them. The special master is likely to draw a map that’s fairer that what the legislature could have gotten away with if they had followed the Supreme Court’s directive. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/us-news/law/federal-court-throws-out-alabamas-revised-congressional-district-map-68fe65b5 .
Speaking of stupidity, the US House Clown Show returns with threats of government shutdown: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/impeachment-threats-shutdown-fears-congress-returns-chaotic-september-rcna102772 . All the fools you love to hate – Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lorene Boebert, Kevin McCarthy, and the rest of the MAGA cast – return with (once again) no concept of what governance looks like.
Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio sentenced to 22 years for January 6 involvement: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/enrique-tarrio-sentencing-proud-boys-leader-seditious-conspiracy/ . This behavior merited at least a 25 year sentence. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/us-news/law/enrique-tarrio-former-proud-boys-leader-sentenced-to-22-years-in-prison-534b52e6 .
Navarro contempt trial begins today (Tuesday): https://www.aol.com/news/ex-trump-white-house-adviser-100311885.html . So, yes, you’re the first White House official charged with this crime. Congratulations?
WSJ: Ken Paxton impeachment trial begins today: https://www.wsj.com/politics/texas-impeachment-trial-attorney-general-ken-paxton-7d751bf3 . The Journal’s article quotes Senator Angela Paxton’s campaign song lyric: “I’m a pistol packing mama, and my husband sued Obama.” Translation: Even the Journal admits that Texas politics are messed up.
Prosecutors pause George Santos case, discussions under way: https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/federal-prosecutors-slam-brakes-on-george-santos-hearing-reveal-both-sides-discussing-possible-paths-forward/ . This does raise the possibility of a plea deal.
Murdaugh lawyers seek new trial: https://www.aol.com/news/ex-trump-white-house-adviser-100311885.html . So now we learn that Murdaugh’s evidence is not substantive but procedural. However, based on the affidavits, the clerk clearly misbehaved. There is a real issue here. I suspect a new trial will be granted unless the prosecution can find a less damning explanation for her behavior. I also expect Murdaugh will be convicted again at any new trial. However, he may obtain release from custody if his appeal succeeds.
WSJ: The science of reducing temperatures: https://www.wsj.com/science/environment/heat-reflective-paint-cooling-technology-2551cb2b . This is just common sense. In my student days in DC, my apartment was the top floor of an old 3-story rowhouse with a flat metal roof. I painted the black roof white. This lowered the apartment temperature by at least 5 degrees.
Bob Barker died from Alzheimer’s: https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/price-right-host-bob-barker-died-alzheimers-disease-rcna103559 .
Spain’s women’s soccer coach fired as national team turmoil continues: https://sports.yahoo.com/spain-soccer-manager-jorge-vilda-fired-amid-luis-rubiales-scandal-141121606.html . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/sports/soccer/spain-world-cup-jorge-vilda-luis-rubiales-9c6fe1b6 .
WSJ: Jason Gay predicts the NFL season: https://www.wsj.com/sports/football/nfl-season-preview-super-bowl-dallas-cowboys-aaron-rodgers-kansas-city-chiefs-327de0d8 . The sole reason for including this article is the picture of the Las Vegas Raiders’ stadium (site of the next Super Bowl) and Gay’s description: “looks like Darth Vader’s Roomba”. As far as I know, this is the funniest thing Jason Gay has ever said, and he’s spot on here.
College football rankings Week 1: https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/38314862/espn-2023-college-football-power-rankings-week-1-colorado-deion-sanders . Note that the Pac-12 and the SEC lead the country, each with 6 teams ranked in the Top 25. This follows unranked (Week 0) Colorado beating favorite TCU 45-42. No 12 Oregon beat Portland State 81-7 (PSU is not that bad) and No. 13 Oregon State beat San Diego State 42-17 (SDSU is also a good team). The Pac-12 will likely face discrimination again this year from East Coast voters.