Yale COVID post-vaccination syndrome study: https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2023/12/03/largest-long-vax-study-to-date-on-post-covid-19-vaccination-syndrome/?sh=3f71ed2a4eb6 . Given the millions of Americans who have received one or more COVID vaccinations, the risk of COVID PVS appears small. However, the number of respondents does suggest this is a real condition.
The condition is ill-defined, as sufferers report a total of 96 symptoms, but a few symptoms are widely reported. These include 71% reporting exercise intolerance; 69% excessive fatigue; 63% some kind of numbness; 53% brain fog; and 63% neuropathy. As participants came from an online community, quite possibly some of these people identify symptoms they have read about in the community.
US prison deaths soared during COVID pandemic: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/dec/03/us-prison-deaths-covid-19-study . So, in many cases incarceration was a death sentence. Here is the original study: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adj8104 . As readers know, I believe excess mortality studies are the best way to analyze the COVID death toll, because the politics of cause of death is eliminated from the data. As the article suggests, this consequence of imprisonment also applied to nursing homes.
Hot stuff that helps the brain: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/wasabi-memory-boost-japanese-study-finds/ . The article is quite correct that most of what is served as wasabi is not wasabi, because the real thing is so expensive. However, the idea that the best wasabi is only grown in Japan is incorrect. There is a truly world-class operation on the Oregon coast: https://www.thewasabistore.com/the-farm-1 . These people export to Japan, for heaven’s sake. As it turns out, their site mentions a dark wasabi chocolate made by Creo Chocolates in Portland. I’ll stop in for some health research …
Christmas tree syndrome: https://www.aol.com/christmas-tree-syndrome-real-heres-170029967.html . The obvious solution to all this is to not have a Christmas tree. We used to have 7 live trees in our house, which over time adjusted to 4 live and 3 artificial trees. I have put up well over 100 trees in my lifetime, and don’t miss it.
Avian flu confirmed in California: https://www.foxnews.com/us/avian-flu-confirmed-california-birds-euthanized-spread-concerns . This rapidly increasing problem requires developing a vaccine for birds. As flu is a virus, antibiotics wouldn’t work. Also, they could lead to drug-resistant bacteria in the birds, and we don’t want either those bacteria or the antibiotics in our food chain.
WSJ: 2023: The Year of the Union: https://www.wsj.com/business/unions-workers-2023-strikes-companies-da09de12 . This of course reflects business’s knee-jerk reaction to paying workers more (with the Journal, an emphasis on “jerk”). The key point, which competent economic analysis would focus on, is that wage push inflation will play out in the economy over the next several years.
WSJ: The Evergrande saga drags on: https://www.wsj.com/finance/evergrande-shares-rise-as-court-grants-more-time-for-debt-talks-d35b3d04 . The math here does not work without a rescue from a very deep pocket, and so far the Chinese government steadfastly refuses to intervene. More: https://www.wsj.com/finance/china-evergrande-avoids-a-debt-disasterfor-now-9f9e7fad .
Did Hamas short Israeli stocks in advance of October 7?: https://www.aol.com/pentagon-uncertain-us-warship-targeted-140339188.html . This is possibly the most disgusting example of “insider trading” ever alleged.
WSJ: The Supreme Court considers the Sacklers: https://www.wsj.com/us-news/law/supreme-court-weighs-purdue-pharmas-6-billion-opioid-settlement-4d9555fe . The problem here is so obvious the Court cannot say it directly. The Sacklers have literally caused trillions of dollars of global pain, and they wish to evade responsibility while remaining billionaires. The Sacklers are trying to buy a bankruptcy discharge without actually going through bankruptcy. Justice Kagan says the parties feel they have negotiated the best deal they can. Maybe so, but this involves violating the rights of others who are not part of this litigation. I respect Justice Kagan, but so far she is appallingly wrong on this case.
Fierce fighting in Gaza: WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-hamas-engage-in-some-of-fiercest-fighting-of-war-30edb859 .
WSJ: Ukrainian sniper claims world record kill of 2½ miles: https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/ukrainian-sniper-breaks-cover-to-claim-world-record-hit-of-more-than-2-miles-2b1c820e . The fellow’s name is Kovalskiy, which made me think of Marlon Brando, first as Stanley Kowalski in “A Streetcar Named Desire” and then as Terry Malloy in “On the Waterfront”: “I coulda been a contender”. Here, Kovalskiy is more than a contender …
WSJ: Political squabble over Ukraine aid continues: https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/white-house-warns-money-for-ukraine-will-run-out-by-years-end-637bddb2 . By any measure, this delay is irresponsible.
COP28 climate summit leader shows bizarre lack of knowledge of climate realities: https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/03/climate/cop28-al-jaber-fossil-fuel-phase-out/index.html .
The Rude Dude loses touch with reality: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/rudy-giuliani-georgia-election-defamation-trial-judge-nonsense-rcna127950 . Judge Beryl Howell has called Rudy Giuliani’s argument to avoid a jury trial here “nonsense”. As readers are no doubt aware, Rudy has not only lost his law license but his grasp of Rule No. 1, Don’t piss off the judge. If Rudy is not already bankrupt, this trial will finish him financially. And a well-deserved result, in my view.
Another vanity presidential campaign ends: North Dakota governor Doug Burgum pulls out: https://apnews.com/article/doug-burgum-republican-presidential-campaign-north-dakota-88d7335748c5c936a328dae96fef780e . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/politics/elections/doug-burgum-republican-primary-suspends-campaign-09020118 . This doofus obviously had no chance of winning even North Dakota – he was just an unwelcome, if small, distraction.
WSJ: Yellow’s terminals prove valuable in bankruptcy: https://www.wsj.com/articles/yellow-rivals-scoop-up-truck-terminals-in-bankruptcy-auction-945b9425 .
WSJ: The problem with carbon credits: https://www.wsj.com/world/carbon-trading-opens-loophole-in-paris-climate-accord-fa73fb96 . We have to get carbon dioxide out of the air and stop screwing around with accounting tricks.
Having a bad day? You’ve never had one this bad: https://www.aol.com/news/man-tracks-siberian-tiger-killed-195407546.html .
Headline writer fails: https://www.aol.com/search-missing-hiker-ends-michigan-163323400.html . Of course the search ended when the nurse was found dead. Once you’ve discovered the body, why would you continue the search? This reminds me of the phrase: “I found it, but it was in the last place I looked.” Unless there is something really wrong with you, a found item is always in the last place you looked.
Heisman Trophy finalists announced: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2023/12/04/heisman-trophy-finalists-2023/71765464007/ . While the odds given at the end of the story reflect the most recent odds, they do not reflect last weekend’s results. Nix had an incredible season and career, but you have to wonder if the two losses to Washington will affect his chances.
The “most unpredictable” college football playoff: https://www.aol.com/why-college-football-playoff-shapes-114624836.html . As Texas joins the SEC in 9 months, this prediction could easily come from an SEC fan. We agree that Alabama will beat undefeated Michigan, but this article’s writer thinks Texas will outscore Washington by 13 points. Washington is undefeated in the Pac-12, this year’s toughest conference. I can only explain this prediction as East Coast bias. We’ll all find out New Year’s Day.
WSJ: Our sports expert, Jason Gay, literally has no grasp of college football: https://www.wsj.com/sports/football/college-football-playoff-michigan-washington-texas-alabama-florida-state-b82e1a05 . The important point, to which Gay is completely oblivious, is that the 12-team playoff is being introduced for one reason: money. Currently the playoff has 3 games. The new playoff has 11. The sport has more than tripled its revenue from the playoffs. This really has nothing to do with identifying the mythical “best team”. Of course it is all about the product, which is revenue. Any questions?