Babies born with COVID-19 antibodies: https://www.sciencemediacentre.org/expert-reaction-to-antibodies-found-in-babies-born-to-covid-19-mothers/ . I found this March, 2020, article while researching a recent report of a mother in Singapore claiming her baby had COVID-19 antibodies at birth. However, these COVID-19 antibodies apparently decline rapidly: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/26/10/20-2328_article . Here is an older article discussing protection delivered through breastfeeding, and the rapid decline of that protection over time: https://jaoa.org/article.aspx?articleid=2093315 . The protection and decline may relate to protecting the newborn temporarily. After that, the infant’s own immune system must be allowed to develop.
Vaccine priorities adopted by ACIP: https://apnews.com/article/us-panel-decide-covid-19-vaccine-d819fd418cc004bc09998f11321c272e . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/cdc-panel-recommends-giving-first-covid-vaccines-to-health-workers-nursing-homes-11606862069 .
WSJ: Vaccines seek EU approval: https://www.wsj.com/articles/pfizer-biontech-file-for-covid-19-vaccine-approval-in-europe-11606816904 .
Can chocolate fight COVID-19? How about green tea?: https://www.bizjournals.com/triad/news/2020/12/01/covid-diet-fight-virus-chocolate-green-tea-grapes.html . It can’t hurt to try. Here’s the original study: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2020.601316/full . My thanks to Andrew Martin for these references.
Telemedicine usage is projected to roughly double for 2020 over 2019. Here is CDC data roughly supporting that result: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6943a3.htm .
Fauci predicts full sports stadiums won’t return before 3rd quarter, 2021: https://www.yahoo.com/now/when-will-sports-stadiums-be-full-again-dr-anthony-fauci-gives-a-timeline-014128048.html . This means they’ll miss the 2021 halftime show.
WSJ: Shorter quarantine period recommendations: https://www.wsj.com/articles/cdc-plans-to-recommend-shorter-quarantine-for-people-exposed-to-covid-19-11606863716 .
WSJ: NYC recommends those at risk stay home: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-york-city-urges-at-risk-residents-to-stay-home-to-avoid-covid-19-11606844409 .
Mark Kelly can be sworn in as Arizona Senator later this week: https://www.yahoo.com/amphtml/now/arizona-certifies-election-results-biden-win-over-trump-194518320.html .
Bipartisan stimulus proposal: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/coronavirus-stimulus-lawmakers-unveil-bipartisan-relief-proposal-171227367.html . I guess this is in the entertainment section based on its chances of passage. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-is-wild-card-in-coronavirus-spending-talks-11606827260 . Apparently, we have history’s first lame-duck wild card.
Oregon is fourth state to confirm infected minks: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8997459/Mink-farmers-Oregon-told-isolate-animals-staff-test-positive-COVID.html . Presumably, humans have initially transmitted the disease to the minks in the US cases. It’s unclear why the US hasn’t fully accepted the European evidence that the disease also moves from minks to humans. Given the mutation, that evidence seems irrefutable.
WSJ: More on the zombie minks: https://www.wsj.com/articles/after-culling-millions-of-mink-to-combat-covid-denmark-weighs-digging-them-up-again-11606828993 .
Losing hope in India: https://www.bloombergquint.com/opinion/why-im-losing-hope-in-india . This powerful piece raises some very thought-provoking points. First, is it just easier to run a cult than do meaningful political work? Second, here is the world’s largest democracy. Like us, it is battling for its soul. And third, it’s just very helpful to read about India from an Indian’s point of view.
WSJ: Emergency loan programs expire: https://www.wsj.com/articles/over-fed-objections-lending-programs-will-expire-heres-what-happens-next-11606818600 .
WSJ: Hospital stocks, occupancy rise: https://www.wsj.com/articles/hospital-stocks-are-heading-higher-so-are-covid-19-cases-11606818600 . This is illogical.
Remote work creating Zoom Towns: https://www.fastcompany.com/90564796/zoom-towns-are-exploding-in-the-west . Sandpoint is beautiful, by the way.
WSJ: Will a third of business travel disappear permanently?: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-covid-pandemic-could-cut-business-travel-by-36permanently-11606830490 .
WSJ: Global economy sees harsh winter: https://www.wsj.com/articles/global-economy-faces-difficult-winter-despite-covid-19-vaccine-hopes-11606822321 .
WSJ: Is the ECB trying to look corrupt?: https://www.wsj.com/articles/top-ecb-official-privately-called-investors-banks-after-key-policy-decisions-11606832650 . This is a poor public relations move with potential economic consequences.
WSJ: Canada spends to protect economy: https://www.wsj.com/articles/canadas-covid-19-response-is-to-spend-heavily-and-ignore-the-deficitfor-now-11606825162 .
WSJ: Support for rejoining Paris Agreement: https://www.wsj.com/articles/big-companies-urge-biden-congress-to-address-climate-change-11606885261 . The agreement’s provisions are both voluntary and inadequate. Still, this is a starting point.
Barr says DOJ has found no evidence of election fraud: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/12/01/attorney-general-barr-no-evidence-widespread-election-fraud/3783305001/ . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/cdc-panel-recommends-giving-first-covid-vaccines-to-health-workers-nursing-homes-11606862069 . Rudy soldiers on: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/brianna-keilar-donald-trump-election-conspiracies_n_5fc5fbbdc5b63d1b770f5255 . Tinkerbell TV does have a ring to it.
Pardons for the Orange Mob: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-reportedly-discussed-possibly-pardoning-his-3-eldest-children-jared-kushner-and-personal-attorney-rudy-giuliani-with-advisors/ar-BB1bxMX6?li=BBnb7Kz . Looney Tunes, episode 1410. The article’s not that great, either. Obviously, you can’t pardon crimes not yet committed. Otherwise, that person could do literally anything. The writer must mean crimes not yet charged.
Lying for money: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-fundraising-170-million_n_5fc5d47dc5b66bb88c69fac8 . Remember when our politics was just lowest common denominator? Then it was race to the bottom? Now … yikes! The Orange Menace continues to fleece his followers without mercy. What’s next – drink the Kool-aid, for real? “When you see something, say something”. Donald Trump’s arrogant ignorance has killed 300 times more Americans than Jim Jones. The ultimate toll looks to be more than World War II.
I do talk to Trump supporters. I can’t for the life of me understand how they support this jackass, other than deep-seated anger and fear.
Weirdly, Georgia had a special election today for a 1-month seat in Congress: https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-georgia-elections-house-elections-john-lewis-6f16e63d6260a8d7f04d8f7b7572ab83 . It appears Kwanza Hall won: https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/polls-closed-in-7-georgia-counties-for-runoff .
The Amazon’s Sistine Chapel of the ancients: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/nov/29/sistine-chapel-of-the-ancients-rock-art-discovered-in-remote-amazon-forest .