CDC revises XBB.1.5 increase data: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/06/omicron-xbbpoint1point5-is-rising-in-us-though-revised-cdc-data-shows-slower-increase.html . Earlier: https://www.yahoo.com/now/xbb-1-5-rapidly-taking-221858564.html . Also: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/01/06/1147372029/new-covid-omicron-subvariant-spreading-fast-data . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-covid-19-subvariant-xbb-1-5-rises-quickly-in-parts-of-u-s-11672973568 . Although RSV and the flu appear to be in decline right now, COVID is rising. However, CDC has revised its earlier report suggesting an extremely rapid rise. The sparse data we have on China indicates that XBB.1.5 is not a major factor there. Therefore, China will likely experience a second COVID wave after the current tsunami of cases subsides, since as we know natural immunity from earlier variants is not particularly good protection against XBB.
China wants Pfizer license for generic manufacture: https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2023-01-06/exclusive-china-in-talks-with-pfizer-for-generic-covid-drug-sources . This is the first intelligent COVID move China has considered. If only they had done this 2 years ago …
WSJ: China starts production of its homegrown mRNA vaccine: https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-developed-mrna-covid-vaccine-starts-test-production-11673001366 . CanSino says this vaccine is targeted to Omicron, but they still need Pfizer. Apparently China does not yet have Omicron XBB, but they will.
China reports 3 COVID deaths today: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2023-01-06/china-reports-three-covid-deaths-for-january-6 . This is just screwed up. It’s more like 3 plus 3 zeroes, but then the Chinese would argue that this adds up to 3 … They are a global laughingstock for this behavior …
FDA expects Evusheld won’t protect against XBB.1.5: https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2023-01-06/u-s-fda-says-evusheld-may-not-protect-against-omicron-subvariant-xbb-1-5 .
FDA grants accelerated approval to new Biogen Alzheimer’s drug, Leqembi: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/fda-grants-accelerated-approval-alzheimers-drug-people-early/story?id=96212712 . This decision will not be without controversy. The drug’s trial indicates it slows Alzheimer’s cognitive decline by 27%. There are also significant potential side effects, including bleeding on the brain, and 3 deaths during the trial are currently unexplained. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-alzheimers-drug-approved-by-fda-promises-to-slow-disease-11673032312 .
WSJ: The Inflation Reduction Act’s effect on drug development: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-biden-law-wont-kill-drug-cures-it-will-reshape-them-11673001018 . Drug development will keep happening, but altering the incentives does alter the priority list.
BioNTech personalized cancer therapy deal with UK: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2023-01-06/biontech-signs-deal-with-uk-for-personalised-cancer-therapies .
Oklahoma bill would ban gender-affirming care for anyone under 26: https://abcnews.go.com/US/new-bill-ban-gender-confirming-care-26-oklahoma/story?id=96261603 . The GOP cultural warriors continue to stick their nose in other people’s private business rather than working on the forgotten job of governing. These bigots really have made no progress toward compassion or enlightenment.
WSJ: More on noncompete clauses: https://www.wsj.com/articles/noncompete-clauses-what-they-are-and-what-to-know-before-signing-your-contract-11673025017 .
WSJ: Census Bureau demographic update: https://www.wsj.com/articles/and-just-like-that-america-becomes-more-rural-11672963347 . A definition of an urban area as 2500 made some sense in 1874, but not in the past several decades.
US sees continued job growth in December: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-64189105 . More: https://www.yahoo.com/now/u-jobs-report-breathes-life-182505203.html . Once again, the stock market has taken marginally positive news as a sign of a soft landing. As long as the market is “irrationally exuberant”, pain remains on the horizon. Personally, I expect that pain in the next 6 months. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/strong-jobs-report-doesnt-resolve-fed-debate-on-next-rate-rise-11673016037 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/december-jobs-report-unemployment-rate-economy-growth-2022-11672961227 .
WSJ: FTX and Bahamas reach deal over asset retrieval: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ftx-reaches-agreement-with-bahamas-liquidators-on-asset-recovery-11673045385 .
WSJ: Russia’s Christmas ceasefire: Not so much: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-clashes-continue-despite-russias-cease-fire-calls-11673001789 .
January 6 insurrection investigation continues: https://www.yahoo.com/news/more-950-people-charged-jan-100012340.html . As we often remark here, the wheels of justice grind slow, but they grind fine. On the second anniversary of the insurrection, almost 1,000 people have been charged, and DOJ still seeks around 350 others considered violent offenders. Meanwhile, the extremist groups involved have suffered significant setbacks: https://www.aol.com/two-years-since-jan-6-100106059.html .
Could Orange Julius still have more classified documents?: https://www.salon.com/2023/01/06/breakdown-in-trust-expert-says-judges-order-suggests-doj-suspects-has-more-classified-docs/ . Yes, of course Mr. “Above the Law” could. However, the DOJ may have a devil of a time recovering them – they could be in a lot of places (including the trash).
Episode #4 of “Kevin Can’t Count”: Kevin loses votes 12 and 13, but flips 15 Republicans with latest deal: https://news.yahoo.com/kevin-mccarthy-house-speaker-vote-day-four-182917315.html . Kevin got this deal by allowing just one member of the House to challenge his Speakership. Kevin will be leader in name only. He now needs at least 2 more members to switch to end this circus; this may occur tonight. Then we can start the actual circus of Kevin as Speaker. Would you want this jellyfish to negotiate anything on your behalf? Of course not.
LATE UPDATE: McCarthy loses again on vote 14: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/06/live-updates-on-house-speaker-vote-gop-leader-mccarthy-fights-for-his-political-future-in-historic-battle-for-the-gavel.html . Un-freaking-believable. There was a discussion on the PBS NewsHour tonight describing the holdouts as nihilists. That is, they are hostile to government and promote chaos. And that was before this latest vote.
This stuff prevents the House from being sworn in. It prevents intelligence briefings to members of Congress, and by the way there’s a war going on in Europe. New members cannot set up their field offices. This is, as Nancy Pelosi has said, disrespect of the institution.
EVEN LATER UPDATE: WSJ: GOP MAGAthon folds, McCarthy wins vote 15: https://www.wsj.com/articles/kevin-mccarthys-house-speaker-bid-heads-to-fourth-day-as-talks-continue-11673002595 . Still, more turmoil is baked into the deals McCarthy made.
POSTSCRIPT: WSJ: MAGAthon thrills on C-Span: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-house-speaker-drama-has-one-winner-c-span-11673017215 . C-Span had a 161% viewership increase Tuesday over the 2021 opening session, at 379,000 in 2023. But Wednesday exploded to 957,000 as the MAGAthon took hold.
WSJ: Tesla cuts prices in China: https://www.wsj.com/articles/tesla-slashes-prices-in-china-after-deliveries-slump-11672987627 . Again, Musk needs to leave Twitter to someone else, or no one else. His prize asset is suffering.
WSJ: State Department recognizes Turkey’s new preferred spelling, Turkiye: https://www.wsj.com/articles/state-department-recognizes-turkiye-as-turkeys-formal-name-11673018224 .
First grader, 6 years old, shoots teacher at school: https://apnews.com/article/newport-news-virginia-88dfe91f65173cbbd198a8816a21b5be . At this time, how the child got a handgun remains unknown. The teacher’s injuries were considered life threatening, but she is slowly improving.
WSJ: The latest US soccer scandal: https://www.wsj.com/articles/gio-reyna-us-soccer-scandal-parents-gregg-berhalter-11673022433 . This is really soap opera turned loose on litigious, privileged American society.
NCAA investigates Jim Harbaugh and Michigan for rules violations: https://sports.yahoo.com/sources-jim-harbaugh-michigan-under-ncaa-investigation-for-potential-rules-violations-031116404.html . More: https://thespun.com/more/top-stories/troubling-details-emerge-from-michigan-jim-harbaugh-investigation .
Damar Hamlin has breathing tube removed, breathes on his own: https://apnews.com/article/bills-damar-hamlin-health-update-b1edba1849b580c3cd9ec2ea39a85d1e . This is good news, but again doctors remain cautious. Me too. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/damar-hamlin-update-nfl-bills-breathing-11673020253 .