COVID-19 virus has low genetic diversity: https://www.pnas.org/content/117/40/24614 . To be clear, we know the COVID-19 virus does mutate; it does so at a much lower rate than other viruses like the influenza virus. However, as discussed here previously, the global population currently carries an enormous COVID-19 virus load. This load increases the possibility that mutations will emerge.
Mouthwash may inactivate COVID-19 virus: https://www.yahoo.com/now/mouthwashes-could-inactivate-human-coronaviruses-that-cause-the-common-cold-232959144.html .
WSJ: US remains on COVID-19 record pace: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-coronavirus-cases-near-84-000-for-second-day-in-a-row-11603621961 . That’s about 250,000 new cases in the last 3 days. Rural spread continues to dominate the cases per 100,000 statistics.
Mark Meadows says we can’t control virus: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8877493/Were-not-going-control-pandemic-Meadows-reveals-White-House-strategy-develop-vaccine.html . Well, no, not if you ignore science.
WSJ: Pence staff remains on COVID-19 record pace: https://www.wsj.com/articles/pence-s-chief-of-staff-campaign-adviser-test-positive-for-coronavirus-11603598632 . Five? FIVE? Why is Pence the head of the Coronavirus Task Force? Was Mark Meadows the other choice?
Fox president, anchors advised to quarantine after COVID-19 exposure: https://www.axios.com/fox-news-president-hosts-covid-threat-quarantine-advice-e9515762-518e-426e-a91b-709944e66a6b.html . Putting all these people on the same flight is not a great business plan.
WSJ: The importance of quarantines: https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-covid-19-quarantines-matter-epidemiologists-and-infectious-disease-doctors-weigh-in-11603671088 .
North Carolina church ordered to close: https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-charlotte-north-carolina-8cdf4520c0a451776842d2140e6f3d0c .
WSJ: COVID-19 surge traced to group gatherings: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-is-surging-at-weddings-dinner-parties-and-big-group-events-11603623600 .
Utah hospitals prepare to ration care: https://www.sltrib.com/news/2020/10/25/with-coronavirus-cases/ .
CDC’s toxic atmosphere: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-care/toxic-cdc-staffers-say-morale-inside-public-health-agency-has-n1244661 . There are no surprises here.
WSJ: Santa corruption cancelled: https://www.wsj.com/articles/health-agency-scraps-coronavirus-ad-campaign-leaving-santa-claus-in-the-cold-11603630802 . Earlier reporting here indicated the Santas were campaigning for early vaccination, although one of those links was withdrawn yesterday. Earlier in October we learned the Santas were moving to a “touchfree” experience: https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/07/business/santa-mall-pandemic/index.html . Now it turns out Michael Caputo was behind efforts for a feel-good campaign. Apparently the surge in COVID-19 has forced reality to intrude on the attempt to corrupt Santa.
North Dakota to use coronavirus aid for fracking aid: https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-north-dakota-education-hydraulic-fracturing-2bc2a42c8f9af4a3c58aba4262ace32c . North Dakota, where our state motto is Go to Hell.
WSJ: Europeans impose more COVID-19 limits: https://www.wsj.com/articles/european-countries-announce-new-covid-19-restrictions-record-infections-11603638712 .
WSJ: EU vaccine approval standard lower than FDA: https://www.wsj.com/articles/european-union-wouldapplylower-threshold-in-assessing-covid-19-vaccine-11603649465 . Given the problem of vaccine skepticism, this is a terrible idea. However, with the number of vaccines under development, many should come in above 50% efficacy.
Mexico revises COVID-19 death toll from 89,000 to 139,000: https://apnews.com/article/religion-virus-outbreak-india-united-states-bfa57a99aaf45c5a4032c9226fd5cf08 .
WSJ: School during the pandemic: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-york-city-schools-coronavirus-cases-are-low-anxieties-high-11603630800 .
WSJ: Trade war has not halted US manufacturing decline: https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-trade-war-didnt-boost-u-s-manufacturing-might-11603618203 . The central reason for manufacturing job loss has been automation. Trump successfully lied about this in the 2016 campaign. Lies don’t translate to effective policy. Perhaps we can stop painting foreign workers as enemies.
WSJ: Big data drives marketing: https://www.wsj.com/articles/marketers-try-new-data-tools-to-navigate-pandemic-11603620000 . With the election looming, it’s easy to see why these efforts are called marketing campaigns. The word comes from the French “campagne”, meaning “open country”. This reflects its initial use in reference to military actions.
WSJ: Internet data caps return: https://www.wsj.com/articles/americans-working-from-home-face-internet-usage-limits-11603638000 .
WSJ: PG&E cuts power: https://www.wsj.com/articles/pg-e-to-cut-power-to-hundreds-of-thousands-11603653273 . Not great for remote work and school.
WSJ: Global rebound may depend on consumer spending: https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-global-rebound-could-be-determined-by-how-freely-households-spend-11603618201 . Maybe. Many consumers may now see the desirability of savings as “life” insurance. If so, caution will continue for some time.
The pension actuaries in this audience will be aware that savings have a double benefit when funding retirement. In addition to creating funds on which to retire, savings also cut current consumption. This means the income replacement goal you have to save for is reduced.
WSJ: Blackstone to acquire storage chain: https://www.wsj.com/articles/blackstone-to-buy-simply-self-storage-for-about-1-2-billion-11603656073 . With all the commercial and residential evictions in the works, this should be a growth industry. I hear Gordon Gecko in this (see https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=19105520 ).
Mike Huckabee, the new “stable genius”: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/mike-huckabee-tweets-about-filling-out-dead-relatives-absentee-ballots-and-key-federal-election-commission-member-doesnt-find-it-funny-11603645576 . Sarah (Huckabee) Sanders has a poor record of controlling stable geniuses.
WSJ: The car as assault weapon: https://www.wsj.com/articles/cars-have-hit-protesters-more-than-100-times-this-year-11603645201 . Seriously, how sick is “All Lives Splatter”?
WSJ: Barrett confirmation set for Monday night: https://www.wsj.com/articles/amy-coney-barretts-supreme-court-nomination-set-to-advance-sunday-11603627202 .
WSJ: Black cardinal named: https://www.wsj.com/articles/pope-francis-names-wilton-gregory-as-first-black-american-cardinal-11603629816 . This qualifies as a Black Swan event.
Record early voting continues: https://electproject.github.io/Early-Vote-2020G/index.html . As of 11:59 pm Eastern 10/25, 59.4 million votes have been cast, 40.0 million by mail and 19.4 million in person. For states reporting party affiliation, 13.2 million Democrats and 7.5 million Republicans have voted. Over the past several days, the Democratic advantage has remained steady at 5.7 million votes.