Brazil rejects Sputnik V: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/brazil-rejects-russias-sputnik-v-coronavirus-vaccine-citing-safety-concerns/ar-BB1g694v?li=BBnb7Kz . US hands are apparently involved in this result. However, the claim of 91.6% efficacy has always seemed dubious. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/brazil-rejects-russian-covid-19-vaccine-11619548144 .
The EU-AstraZeneca suit: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2021-04-27/how-the-eu-and-astrazeneca-ended-up-in-court-and-what-next .
New CDC mask guidance for the fully vaccinated: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html . You don’t have to wear one in solitary outdoor activities (like running or walking), and can gather in small groups with other fully vaccinated people. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-aims-to-shape-new-phase-of-who-led-probe-into-origin-of-covid-19-11619547836 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/cdc-eases-mask-guidelines-for-vaccinated-people-outdoors-11619540140 .
Two new J&J blood clot cases: https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2021-04-27/us-probing-two-new-blood-clot-cases-after-j-js-covid-19-vaccine . One is San Francisco man in his thirties: https://apnews.com/article/health-coronavirus-california-7f23281ab23fadaaaba7e79e210f73d1 .
Pfizer may have oral antiviral drug available by the end of this year: https://apnews.com/article/health-coronavirus-california-7f23281ab23fadaaaba7e79e210f73d1 .
WSJ: India variant B.1.617 found in the US: https://www.wsj.com/articles/indian-covid-19-variant-found-in-u-s-across-globe-as-foreign-help-arrives-11619545081 .
WSJ: Advanced economies dominate vaccine access: https://www.wsj.com/articles/indias-covid-19-agonies-highlight-growing-rich-poor-gap-in-vaccinations-11619542171 . A significant part of this result is that India has imposed an export ban in order to treat its own population. The US at least won’t reach a 93% vaccination level due to vaccine hesitancy.
Argentina restarts vaccine talks with Pfizer: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/argentina-restarts-talks-pfizer-buying-143445972.html .
India’s pandemic deepens: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/india-breaks-global-record-for-new-covid-19-cases-for-sixth-day-in-a-row-as-more-countries-pledge-support/ar-BB1g6D1X?li=BBnb7Kz . More: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/coronavirus-has-crushed-indias-health-system-patients-are-on-their-own/ar-BB1g7nrO?li=BBnb7Kz . Remember that recent government predictions are that cases could reach 500,000 per day. There are also serious reporting problems in India. More: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/indias-covid-19-crisis-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-cases-variants-vaccines-in-the-second-wave/ar-BB1g5034?li=BBnb7Kz . I do not agree that the current circumstances “prove” that the new variant is a primary cause, but it is an indication in that direction.
The oxygen supply crisis in India: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-56882167 .
WSJ: US looks to influence direction of WHO COVID origin probe: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-aims-to-shape-new-phase-of-who-led-probe-into-origin-of-covid-19-11619547836 .
WSJ: Consumer confidence rises: https://www.wsj.com/articles/confidence-in-u-s-economy-approaches-pre-pandemic-level-11619541929 .
The average retirement age in every state: https://www.gobankingrates.com/retirement/planning/average-retirement-age-in-every-state/ . My sense is that age 65 remains the norm, with significant retirements before that age (health concerns, financial ability to leave) offset for some by financial need beyond age 65. The movement of the Social Security normal retirement age to 67 may affect the date benefits are commenced, but has not changed the age 65 mindset.
WSJ: SBA restaurant aid program to start May 3: https://www.wsj.com/articles/restaurants-can-tap-29-billion-covid-19-aid-program-beginning-may-3-11619514690 . And Feds will provide $8 billion for power grid upgrades: https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-administration-to-finance-8-billion-in-power-grid-improvements-11619550000 .
WSJ: Banking losses on Archegos exceed $10 billion: https://www.wsj.com/articles/restaurants-can-tap-29-billion-covid-19-aid-program-beginning-may-3-11619514690 .
Making headlines for rude stupidity is apparently the Republican playbook now: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/alaska-airlines-bans-state-senator-continued-refusal-follow-mask-rules-n1265332 . Being banned from air travel in Alaska effectively ends her participation in the legislature unless she moves to Juneau.
The mechanics of political lies: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/fresh-off-election-falsehoods-republicans-serve-up-a-whopper-about-biden/ar-BB1g4Y2G?li=BBnb7Kz . There are some important observations by experts on the psychology here. I would add that Republicans are feeding anger with false “information” designed to be repeated.
WSJ: Liz Cheney keeps gambling her career: https://www.wsj.com/articles/gop-leaders-clash-on-trump-at-annual-retreat-11619563002 . The count is 138 Republicans in the House who voted not to certify the 2020 presidential election: https://www.vox.com/2021/1/6/22218058/republicans-objections-election-results . That’s 65% of their caucus (138/212). Cheney is quite right, but she is daring them to shove her out of the leadership.
Insurrectionist who sprayed Officer Sicknick claims self-defense: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/capitol-rioter-accused-of-attacking-cops-claims-self-defense/ar-BB1g6SzL?li=BBnb7Kz .
Andrew Brown Jr. said to be shot 5 times, including in the back of the head: https://apnews.com/article/shootings-north-carolina-race-and-ethnicity-elizabeth-city-bfa6b5f803a7041be6fdd4efe4cc762a . North Carolina and Elizabeth City have failed to be transparent or to get ahead of the mounting outrage over this case. The fundamental problem is that Brown apparently posed no threat to police.
WSJ: More on reapportionment: https://www.wsj.com/articles/south-and-west-to-gain-power-in-house-of-representatives-11619528430 .
Democrats file first redistricting lawsuits: https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/550439-first-redistricting-lawsuits-filed-by-democratic-group . The lawsuits come hours after the Census data was released. The battles in North Carolina stretch over almost 40 years, with at least 4 trips to the Supreme Court, so that lawsuit is no surprise: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redistricting_in_North_Carolina . The Supreme Court is the wild card in the upcoming process, as the conservative majority may well restrict the role of the courts in this process in order to allow more Republican legislative shenanigans.