Anti-inflammatory succeeds against COVID-19 in largely minority trial: https://apnews.com/1f17825984f734b19904ed2cbb7035d8 .
WSJ: COVID-19 increasing deaths from other causes: https://www.wsj.com/articles/death-toll-from-covid-19-pandemic-extends-far-beyond-virus-victims-11600507800 . This is another look at whether “excess deaths” should be attributed to COVID-19.
WSJ: More on contact tracing apps’ privacy and logistical concerns: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-crop-of-covid-tracking-apps-addresses-old-concerns-11600518600 .
AstraZeneca US COVID-19 vaccine trial remains on hold: https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-astrazeneca/astrazeneca-says-covid-19-vaccine-trial-in-u-s-still-on-hold-idUKKCN26B01S .
A fall “twindemic”: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/09/19/covid-flu-experts-fear-twindemic-200-k-deaths-us/5697848002/ . Based on Southern Hemisphere experience, mask wearing plus flu shots may lead to a reduced flu season this year. Also, order of symptoms tends to distinguish COVID-19 and flu cases. Still, rapid, accurate testing would be the best solution.
US medical debt surges: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/09/18/unemployment-americans-face-45-b-worth-medical-debt-collections/3480192001/ . This is another aspect of delayed medical treatment.
WSJ: Global update: https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-latest-news-09-19-2020-11600512793 . Remember that daily case counts are more volatile than 7-day averages due to the weekend effect. The likely culprit for the current surge is the Labor Day weekend two weeks ago.
Canada faces a surge in coronavirus cases: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-canada/canadas-ontario-cracks-down-on-parties-amid-covid-19-resurgence-idUSKCN26A0T3 .
Turkey faces a surge in coronavirus cases: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-turkey-cases/turkeys-coronavirus-cases-exceed-300000-health-ministry-idUSKCN26A0S4 .
India’s coronavirus cases continue to surge: https://apnews.com/a38c6b2ae8f95619b63e8d5040562725 . Sigh. As you know from yesterday, I do not agree that India is about to become the “worst hit” country as this is based solely on number of cases. Also, the high percentage of cases in 5 Indian states is at least partly traceable to major reporting differences, as previously reported.
Asia COVID-19 update: https://apnews.com/67a1a084a01878edb986b6caf991bab4 .
WSJ: TikTok fight bumps along: https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-signs-off-on-deal-allowing-tiktok-to-continue-u-s-operations-11600551352 . WSJ should have sought an explanation of the math in this article. ByteDance is 40% owned by US investors. That is a minority stake, so the US does not control how ByteDance shares are voted. The new TikTok is 20% owned by US investors. That is also a minority stake. US investors do not have a majority stake in TikTok in the sense that term is normally used, which is control of voting. That 4 of 5 TikTok board members are American is important but not dispositive. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/tiktok-files-another-lawsuit-to-block-ban-on-app-11600541730 .
Supreme Court fight brewing?: https://www.wsj.com/articles/justice-ginsburgs-death-creates-prospect-of-bitter-nomination-fight-11600476584 . There is already outrage, but the question is where an effective fight might occur. Let’s assume there’s a nominee Monday (seems early, although Mitch McConnell rejected Justice Ginsburg’s dying wish within 90 minutes of her death).
Here are people on the lists Trump has released: https://www.wsj.com/articles/trumps-supreme-court-list-potential-candidates-for-justice-ruth-bader-ginsburgs-seat-11600536830 . These three are apparently the leading contenders: https://www.wsj.com/articles/white-house-counsel-others-steer-trumps-supreme-court-nomination-strategy-11600553569 . It’s not clear to what extent these people have already been effectively vetted to be a Supreme Court nominee. And now two: https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-urges-decision-on-supreme-court-pick-without-delay-11600526646 . Amy Coney Barrett is likely Trump’s choice, looking at the pictures (which is his decision-making process).
Monday is 43 days before Election Day. There will need to be hearings by the Senate Judiciary Committee (in 2018, Lindsay Graham stated as a firm principle that there would be no nominee advanced in these circumstances, but he’s reversed that today). https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-election/justice-ruth-bader-ginsburg-death-lindsey-graham-supreme-court-replacement-election-b498014.html . It seems hard to imagine that these hearings would be scheduled in less than 3 weeks from Monday, as there is a need for both sides to investigate the nominee. Opening Senate hearings 22 days before the election? This seems motivational for the Republican base but a turn-off (and highly motivational) for everyone else.
Should the nominee run into problems in the investigation process, all bets are off. If the nominee is not confirmed before Election Day, it would seem damaging to the Republican electoral future if Biden is elected but the Senate pushes ahead to confirm anyway. There are Republican Senators who potentially will not support advancing the nomination (Murkowski, Collins, Romney), but none has yet made a public statement on this matter since Ginsburg’s death. Update: Collins has now issued a statement urging no confirmation before November 3: https://www.wsj.com/articles/gop-sen-collins-says-senate-shouldnt-vote-on-nominee-before-election-11600548081 . Collins currently trails Sara Gideon in election polls in Maine.
The Democrats have some ability under Senate rules to create delay, but not much. There are some decent opportunities to create delay if the Democrats think more broadly than this nomination. For example, the government faces shutdown if a continuing resolution is not passed. Negotiations continue. Beyond this, I’ll leave it to the politicians to think outside the box here.
Here’s an attempted nose-count: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/mitch-mcconnell-supreme-court-vote-ruth-bader-ginsburg-024711319.html (link replaced 1/21/21). Here’s another factor: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/mark-kelly-win-ariz-senate-race-could-spoil-mcconnell-s-n1240541 . One thing is clear: principle in the Republican Party has gone out the window. This discussion is really at the level of pig slop. And almost all the players are lawyers.
WSJ: Possibly the real Supreme Court fight: https://www.wsj.com/articles/supreme-court-vacancy-offers-democrats-republicans-fresh-way-to-energize-supporters-11600543107 . The hypocrisy issue would seem to be significant in Lindsay Graham’s race in South Carolina, as well as Susan Collin’s race.
WSJ: Important opinions by Justice Ginsberg: https://www.wsj.com/articles/justice-ruth-bader-ginsburgs-most-notable-opinions-and-dissents-11600549902 . Reading an opinion from the bench (almost always a dissent) is a Justice’s way of saying, I’m really pissed about the majority opinion.
“Slow travel” is a thing: https://traveler.marriott.com/tips-and-trends/slow-travel-explore-world/?wid=4833183&wmkt=5344&wtype=cta . Here are some thoughts on vacation. First, take it – it’s an important way to have a life outside work. Second, plan it. After every trip, I’d spend the next 11 months planning the next one – it’s a very educational hobby. Third, take your family when you can. I often had US business trips that involved meetings on Monday, Thursday or Friday – this can be a wonderful educational experience even for small children when the other parent can take them around during the meeting. The annual trip was typically abroad, but I learned to travel internationally before a family showed up – starting young is a great idea.
I’m a fan of fast travel – if you want to learn the world, fast travel is necessary. There is so much to see and do. Also, you can adjust to weather problems or locations you don’t enjoy. For slow travel, we had a second home in a small coastal community for many years. The family was able to be a part of that community – plus we entertained visitors there. It was also great for the boys’ (my friends) poker weekends.
Nun runs treadmill marathon in basement: https://apnews.com/2aeaaa86dfe48da7d45720903e42342e . 3 hours 33 minutes is a really good time, all things considered. The choice of St. Francis of Assisi seems fitting.