All American adults now vaccine-eligible: https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-cdc-vaccine/u-s-cdc-expands-covid-19-vaccine-eligibility-to-16-and-older-idUSL4N2MC33X . We will soon learn the contours of the vaccine wall.
Vaccines (and butterflies) are free: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/covid-19-vaccines-free-experts-181725448.html . Apparently some confusion remains on this point, which could contribute to vaccine hesitancy.
WSJ: But US cases are rising: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-faces-critical-weeks-as-covid-19-cases-rise-again-in-some-places-11618845433 .
The slow pace of global vaccinations: https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/world/these-countries-did-well-with-covid-so-why-are-they-slow-on-vaccines-6784071.html (link replaced 6/2/21). The attack on the pandemic should be multi-pronged. Almost every country has public policy that has fallen short of basic public health knowledge. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-covid-19-vaccination-in-poorer-nations-has-slowed-posing-global-risks-11618826934 .
WSJ: COVAX summary and status: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covax-covid-19-vaccine-11613577473 .
Texas A&M identifies new variant: https://today.tamu.edu/2021/04/19/texas-a-genome-suggests-potential-resistance-to-antibodies/ . What kind of naming convention calls this BV-1, for Brazos Valley? The names are supposed to reflect the virus’ genetic heritage. It is allegedly related to the UK variant (B.1.1.7).
Younger Americans hit hard by the UK variant: https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2021/4/19/covid-variants-are-hitting-us-young-hard .
Controversy over J&J blood clot statements: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/these-countries-did-well-with-covid-so-why-are-they-slow-on-vaccines/ar-BB1fKuLO?li=BBnb7Kz . There are issues with the other viral vector vaccine – AstraZeneca – but not the mRNA vaccines of Moderna and Pfizer.
There are additional cases of severe reaction to the J&J vaccine: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/cdc-examining-handful-additional-severe-cases-possibly-linked/story?id=77167428 .
Walgreens mistakenly gives saline shots rather than COVID vaccine: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/walgreens-store-injects-people-with-saline-rather-than-covid-vaccine-in-mix-up/ar-BB1fOn7C?li=BBnb7Kz . This sort of incompetence provides another bullet point for vaccine skeptics.
COVID conspiracy theorist dies from COVID after illegal house parties: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/a-leading-conspiracy-theorist-who-thought-covid-19-was-a-hoax-died-from-the-virus-after-hosting-illegal-house-parties/ar-BB1fMsvd?li=BBnb7Kz . This could be called karma. It for sure will be called stupid.
WSJ: The opioid trial opens: https://www.wsj.com/articles/drugmakers-accused-of-causing-opioid-addiction-in-trial-11618866747 .
India opens vaccine eligibility to everyone over 18: https://www.yahoo.com/now/indias-daily-covid-19-cases-040452799.html . They do not have vaccine supplies to meet demand. Vaccines can now be imported with no import duty: https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-india-imports/india-to-waive-import-duty-on-covid-19-vaccines-says-govt-source-idUSL4N2MC3OZ . Cremation levels indicate COVID deaths are being undercounted: https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-india-deaths/non-stop-cremations-cast-doubt-on-indias-counting-of-covid-dead-idINL4N2MC2ML .
New Delhi will lock down: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/indias-capital-to-lock-down-amid-devastating-coronavirus-surge . India was hoping to be spared of severe cases because the population is quite young. A variant is a significant part of the current crisis. India has only about 20% of the pathetic US effort in genomic sequencing. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/indias-new-delhi-locks-down-as-covid-19-stretches-healthcare-system-to-its-limits-11618853778 .
RDIF promotes the Russian vaccine to EU countries: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/19/europe-should-take-sputnik-vaccine-amid-pfizer-monopoly-rdif.html . More information on the Russian Direct Investment Fund is here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Direct_Investment_Fund .
Sinovac weakness demonstrated in Chile: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/19/covid-chiles-coronavirus-cases-hit-record-levels-despite-vaccine-rollout.html . This does show what a remarkable advance the mRNA vaccines are over prior technology. It also shows more problems with the Russian and Chinese vaccine diplomacy.
WSJ: Could you please drink a lot of Coca-Cola by yourself?: https://www.wsj.com/articles/coca-cola-sounds-alarm-on-global-covid-19-cases-11618843471 .
WSJ: Chip shortage is difficult to unwind: https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-the-chip-shortage-is-so-hard-to-overcome-11618844905 .
GOP needs to put up or shut up on infrastructure package: https://www.politico.com/news/2021/04/19/biden-liberals-gop-infrastructure-483272 .
GOP losing educated voters: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/meet-the-press/gop-faces-massive-realignment-it-sheds-college-educated-voters-n1264425 . This is a reprise of yesterday’s comments on this poll, now with a citation giving the details shared on “Meet the Press”. It really isn’t that shocking that educated people turn away from bald-faced lies.
WSJ analysis of proposed state voting law changes: https://www.wsj.com/articles/where-voting-laws-are-most-likely-to-change-for-the-2022-election-11618824602 . Seriously, over 1800 bills?
Sicknick’s death ruled from natural causes: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-capitol-sicknick-idUSKBN2C62NM . Frankly, it is very hard to imagine that the attack was not the proximate cause of the officer’s death. While this ruling is quite a surprise, it forecloses the felony murder avenue for prosecutors. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/capitol-police-officer-brian-sicknick-died-of-stroke-d-c-medical-examiner-says-11618864840 .
Judge jails Proud Boys leaders pre-trial: https://apnews.com/article/proud-boys-leaders-biggs-nordean-capitol-riot-jailed-ae6c6a6de9a58a2c4a92024d29bd8ee3 . I agree with the judge. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/proud-boys-leaders-ordered-detained-ahead-of-trial-over-capitol-riot-11618872205 .
“It’s got a good beat you can dance to – I’d give it an 85”: https://mamasuncut.com/sacred-bones-unborn-baby-album-elizabeth-hart-luca/ . For the whippersnappers, that’s a reference to “Dick Clark’s American Bandstand”.
WSJ: Soccer wars: https://www.wsj.com/articles/european-soccer-super-league-fifa-uefa-11618834570 . More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/soccers-breakaway-super-leagueleaves-legions-of-fans-super-distraught-11618867435 .
Tesla’s driverless engineering and Texas prove to be fatal combination: https://www.reuters.com/article/tesla-accident-texas/update-2-two-dead-in-tesla-crash-in-texas-that-was-believed-to-be-driverless-idUSL1N2MB0H5 . We may not want Elon Musk engineering space vehicles (although it’s harder to run into something up there): https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/spacex-is-preparing-to-test-fly-a-new-starship-after-the-last-four-exploded-it-could-return-nasa-astronauts-to-the-moon/ar-BB1fPuID?li=BBnb7Kz . WSJ: More Musk risks: https://www.wsj.com/articles/elon-musks-satellite-internet-project-is-too-risky-rivals-say-11618827368 . Musk responds: https://www.wsj.com/articles/tesla-crash-believed-to-be-driverless-draws-investigation-11618846757 . So if the driverless software was not engaged, why was there no one in the driver’s seat?
“Trump-era scientist” reassigned: https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/19/politics/white-house-removes-trump-era-scientist/index.html . We’re 60 days into the Biden presidency. There’s been enough time to assess whether she should lead our attempt to regain climate leadership. And the answer was no, even if her name is Weatherhead.
Walter Mondale passes: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/walter-mondale-dies-age-93-former-vice-president/ (link replaced 5/10/21). WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/walter-fritz-mondale-dies-at-93-vice-president-to-jimmy-carter-was-a-civil-rights-advocate-11618881388 .
Ingenuity flies!: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/nasa-mars-helicopter-makes-history-as-first-vehicle-to-fly-on-another-planet/ar-BB1fOlIm?li=BBnb7Kz . This article provides an excellent history of the project. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/nasas-ingenuity-helicopter-successfully-makes-historic-first-flight-on-mars-11618830461 .