Blockchain technology tracks vaccines in Britain: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-blockchain/british-hospitals-use-blockchain-to-track-covid-19-vaccines-idUSKBN29O0RJ?il=0 . This blockchain technology was built in part by a US firm: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/19/uk-hospitals-use-blockchain-to-track-coronavirus-vaccine-temperature.html .
Vaccine centers across the US have run out of vaccine: https://abc7ny.com/how-to-get-covid-vaccinations-vaccine-shortage-aqueduct-race-track-queens-vaccination-site/9897578/ . To repeat, the Biden administration is starting from scratch in building a COVID plan. Alex Azar is a lying jerk. How many more people would die if the prior administration was still in office? And how much blood is on their hands? Many hundreds of thousands.
Straightening out the roll-out: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/danvergano/national-covid-vaccine-rollout-biden . Just to be clear, the facts contradict Dr. Fauci here. The feds liberalized the covered groups, promising doses in the pipeline that weren’t there. This has resulted in mass confusion. The Biden team can fix this in time, but people have died and will die because of the feds’ screw-ups.
US hits 25 million cases, 417,000 deaths: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/united-states-tops-25-million-cases-covid-19-n1255442 .
The pandemic “explained”: https://www.cnet.com/how-to/the-coronavirus-pandemic-explained-one-year-later/ . The title is too ambitious, but there is some useful information here. This will interest those of you concerned about the virus’ origins and the WHO investigation.
Texas doctor accused of stealing vaccine: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/texas-doctor-accused-stealing-vial-covid-19-vaccines-n1255281 . The article reveals a more complex story than the sensational headline.
WSJ: More on EU vaccine shortfall: https://www.wsj.com/articles/astrazenecas-covid-19-vaccine-shortfall-threatens-eu-plans-to-boost-inoculations-11611423256 .
Ukrainians will not have first vaccine until at least late February: https://sg.news.yahoo.com/ukrainians-caught-geopolitical-race-covid-040343140.html . As screwed up as the US is, at least we have (some) vaccine. We also don’t have Russians occupying the far-eastern portion of our country.
US health officials want more data from UK on variant: https://www.reuters.com/article/instant-article/idUKKBN29S0J9 .
Denmark reports alarming data on UK variant: https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/denmark-is-sequencing-all-coronavirus-samples-and-has-an-alarming-view-of-the-u-k-variant/ . Once again, since the US does essentially no genomic sequencing, the CDC’s comments on the UK variant in this country are pretty much worthless. The Denmark data proves that point. The comments at the end of the article about exponential growth point out why the US keeps getting blindsided.
More on the South African variant: https://www.salon.com/2021/01/23/the-south-african-coronavirus-mutation-can-infect-multiple-times-could-hamper-vaccine/ .
Model estimates 17% of US population has been infected by COVID: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2021/01/23/covid-cases-updates-larry-king-dies-after-being-hospitalized-covid-19/6674844002/ . There have been 25 million cases, which is about 8.25% of the population. The 17% figure thus implies the multiplier from cases to infections is now 2. That seems a bit low. I think the multiplier is closer to 3. This would imply that just under 25% of the US population has been infected.
WSJ: COVID is changing death recordkeeping: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-is-speeding-up-how-deaths-are-recorded-11611397800 .
Jeff Zients, US COVID boss: https://news.yahoo.com/bidens-covid-czar-hits-the-ground-running-but-the-race-keeps-getting-harder-165801114.html . It’s surprising that this gentleman hasn’t received more publicity.
Fauci describes previous pressure on science: https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/535515-fauci-describes-chilling-pressure-on-scientists-in-trump-era . The trash will be swept away quickly by those with meaningful intelligence or education. Those adhering to conspiracy theories are a different matter. And yes, I know very well-educated people who are (or have been) Trump supporters. They seem to be calling less lately. Perhaps they are taking time to reassess.
1900 Moderna vaccine doses ruined by freezer unplugged at Massachusetts VA hospital: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/1-900-covid-vaccine-doses-ruined-loose-freezer-plug-massachusetts-n1255300 .
Larry King dies of COVID at 87: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/larry-king-dead_n_5852e1ffe4b012849c05f3c4 . WSJ: Photos: https://www.wsj.com/articles/larry-king-dies-former-broadcasters-life-in-photos-11611408714 . More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/larry-king-longtime-talk-show-host-has-died-at-87-11611408173 .
Moderate Republicans resist additional stimulus expenditures: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/moderate-republican-senators-signal-opposition-to-bidens-economic-rescue-package-jeopardizing-speedy-passage-of-dollar1400-stimulus-checks/ar-BB1d1Gqf?li=BBnb7Kz . Problem is, the resistance is bad economics. The Obama recovery from the financial meltdown of 2008 demonstrated that Keynesian economics remains the appropriate tool to “prime the pump”. Since about half of the package can be passed through reconciliation, the question is what part of the remaining half can be joined by (at least 10) Republicans quickly. Biden undoubtedly knows this.
Social Security reform: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/23/president-biden-could-make-big-social-security-changes-this-year.html . The politics are that any major program change a President wants to do have to be done in the first year. Next year is an election year, so Biden’s only other opportunity would come in year 3. That requires a major Democratic victory next year, which is historically unlikely. Also, Biden has to win major COVID relief before anything else will move.
Last-minute memo on LGBTQ+ rights withdrawn by Biden DOJ: https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/23/biden-doj-lgbtq-rights-461571 . The utter incompetence of the prior administration makes it easier to reverse many of its ridiculous legal theories. That same pervasive incompetence has killed more Americans than WWII.
Failure to vaccinate poor countries will cost rich countries: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/01/24/world/coronavirus-vaccines-economy/ .
WSJ: Israel to vaccinate kids 16 to 18: https://www.wsj.com/articles/israel-to-vaccinate-high-schoolers-to-slow-infections-among-the-young-11611399036 . Is there reliable safety data on this age group for the vaccine they are using?
New virus clusters in northern China: https://apnews.com/article/europe-united-nations-coronavirus-pandemic-coronavirus-vaccine-asia-pacific-77fdfef687dbb5f635ec4eb6c16e83a8 .
The herd immunity non-debate: https://news.yahoo.com/us-seeing-consequences-coronavirus-relatively-130900845.html . Our medical system is being overwhelmed nationally right now, and New York gave us a glimpse of this catastrophe last April. Anyone defending anything remotely like a strategy of herd immunity is simply immune to the facts. And, here comes New York again: https://www.silive.com/coronavirus/2021/01/five-staten-island-zip-codes-have-over-10-coronavirus-positivity-rate.html .
China looks to reset relationship with US: https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-pushes-for-high-level-meeting-to-ease-tension-with-u-s-11611342973 . It would be nice to end the tariff war if we can get some agreement on protection of intellectual property. One approach would be to point out to China that they are increasingly developing high-quality intellectual property. That property needs protection in the same way that trade is reciprocal. This can be done with respect.
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WSJ: Military and police continue looking at their members’ involvement with the Capitol insurrection: https://www.wsj.com/articles/military-and-police-investigate-members-charged-in-capitol-riot-11611397800 .
Q Shaman’s attorney speaks: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/lawyer-for-the-q-shaman-who-stormed-the-capitol-in-a-fur-headdress-with-horns-says-his-client-feels-duped-after-trump-didnt-pardon-him/ar-BB1d1Kfe?li=BBnb7Kz . So, this is not a defense. Prepare for prison time. He’ll have plenty of time to meditate. (Hint: so far it’s not doing any good.)
Texas insurrectionist tweeted “Assassinate AOC”: https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-capitol-siege-dallas-media-social-media-95cd441fb6adb55502f0300230f33eac . Reserve another orange jumpsuit for this fool.
The ex-presidents’ club: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-shuns-ex-presidents-club-feeling-mutual-n1255429 . The country is adjusting to the fact that the inauguration was the equivalent of flushing the toilet. Will Republicans in the Senate figure this out before the end of the impeachment trial? That might be why there was agreement to defer the start. Others doubt change: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/republicans-have-decided-not-to-rethink-anything/ar-BB1d1Bum?li=BBnb7Kz . More: https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-capitol-siege-donald-trump-trials-impeachments-64b8fee697d922bb75727e5781af815f .
Schumer wants DOJ investigation of attempt to oust Acting AG to reverse Georgia election: https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/535510-trump-planned-to-oust-acting-ag-to-overturn-georgia-election-results . More: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/535540-schumer-calls-for-doj-watchdog-to-probe-alleged-trump-effort-to-oust-acting-ag . And: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/trump-considered-naming-new-ag-help-push-baseless-claims-voter-n1255440 . Will the delay of the second impeachment trial lead to more pressure on Republicans to convict Orange Julius? Another Congressional rat is flushed out of his hole: https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/report-pa-rep-scott-perry-played-key-role-in-trump-plot-to-oust-acting-attorney-general/ (link replaced 2/5/21). Disbarment is too good for this slime mold. Will Congress even expel him? WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-pressed-to-change-justice-department-leadership-to-boost-his-voter-fraud-claims-11611434369 .
DOJ is investigating resignation of Georgia US attorney: https://thegrio.com/2021/01/22/attorney-pak-trump-georgia/ . Still shoveling out the barn. No one’s found the pony yet.
More on Jeffrey Clark: https://www.bloombergquint.com/politics/ex-doj-official-called-radioactive-after-alleged-election-plot . (1) He’s radioactive? Visualizing this guy glowing in the dark is not a pretty picture; (2) He was the top environmental lawyer in the Trump administration? This is the ultimate oxyMoron; (3) Kirkland & Ellis pulled the plug on Josh Hawley’s wife. There is no chance they rehire this traitor anytime soon.
The House impeachment managers, Round 2: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/meet-the-impeachment-managers-who-will-argue-democrats-case-against-trump/ . Readers have already met Jaime Raskin.
Tom Cotton lied about being an Army Ranger: https://thegrio.com/2021/01/23/arkansas-senator-lied-army-ranger/ . So much for his presidential aspirations.
Arizona GOP salutes the Orange Furor: https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/23/politics/arizona-gop-censure-mccain-flake-ducey/index.html . The lemmings continue their march to the sea: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-jumps-into-a-divisive-battle-over-the-republican-party-%e2%80%94-with-a-threat-to-start-a-maga-party/ar-BB1d2a1B?li=BBnb7Kz . It is noteworthy that Orange Julius is blabbing that the third party threat gives him leverage over Senate Republicans in the coming impeachment trial. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/arizona-gop-censures-cindy-mccain-doug-ducey-re-elects-kelli-ward-as-chair-11611453988 .
The military’s extremist history: https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/535470-extremism-in-the-us-military . We have a lot of “patriots” who don’t read the Constitution, just as many fundamentalists don’t read the Bible. Indeed, there is considerable overlap between these two groups.
Will Brazil dump “Little Trump”?: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-politics/bolsonaros-support-falls-sharply-but-a-majority-reject-impeachment-polls-show-idUSKBN29S0HK?il=0 .