News for October 27 — COVID Antivirals Hit Commercial Market

COVID antivirals hit commercial market: https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2023-10-27/us-shifting-covid-antivirals-to-commercial-market-on-nov-1 . Doses purchased by the federal government will remain generally available at little to no cost.

COVID shot uptake drags: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-10-27/national-survey-data-7-of-adults-got-new-covid-19-vaccine-in-first-month-of-availability . Another reason behind the recent COVID surge is vaccination fatigue, as these figures show. Again, the combination of COVID and flu vaccinations could reverse this decline. This assumes recent news about the limited increased risk of the combination does not discourage people from its use.

Alzheimer’s early diagnosis importance: https://time.com/6328482/alzheimers-lecanemab-early-diagnosis/ .

WSJ: Drug companies ditch OTC medicines: https://www.wsj.com/health/healthcare/sanofi-plans-to-spin-off-consumer-healthcare-business-ab808c6f .

SBF testifies in his own defense in FTX bankruptcy: https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/sam-bankman-fried-testifies-ftx-trial-what-happened-rcna122144 . I expect prosecutors will dismantle this guy in cross-examination, which apparently will occur Monday. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/finance/currencies/sam-bankman-fried-tells-jurors-he-didnt-commit-fraud-60d2cbeb . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/finance/currencies/sam-bankman-fried-ftx-trial-news-updates-fbef824b .

Police drag river for shooting suspect: https://people.com/maine-shooting-suspect-vehicle-found-boat-launch-police-search-river-8383397 . Note left by the suspect at his home before the shooting says he does not expect to be found alive. Police found his car near the water. UPDATE: Shooter found dead near river: https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/lewiston-maine-mass-shootings-10-27-23/index.html . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/us-news/maine-shooting-manhunt-third-day-a335220d .

Israel intensifies bombardment of northern Gaza, while Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says it is “expanding operations”: https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news-10-27-23/index.html . This link is a live link, so its content will change. However, at the time of my writing, it does not contain the following information. Israeli tanks are moving into Gaza. Beyond the 4 Americans previously released, Hamas has not indicated any plan for release of the other 220. The hostages are believed held in the underground tunnels which Israel intends to destroy. The main power facility has apparently been bombed, cutting off power, phone and Internet in Gaza. Israel also says it cannot guarantee the safety of journalists in Gaza. More: https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/internet-blackout-hits-gaza-israel-ramps-strikes-rcna122531 .

Judge orders Ivanka Trump to testify in New York fraud case: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/judge-orders-ivanka-trump-testify-250-million-fraud-case-rcna122482 . I really can’t imagine that OJ’s lawyers are making arguments they believe. Obviously, dismissal as a defendant is irrelevant to appearing as a witness. The argument that she is out of the court’s jurisdiction might relate to her status as a defendant, but not as a witness. It is generally a very poor idea to make bogus arguments. My conclusion is that the OJ lawyers know they have already lost this case, and are making arguments for the purposes of public appearance, delay and fundraising.

Blockbuster testimony scheduled to begin next Wednesday: https://lawandcrime.com/trump/dayslong-trump-blockbuster-testimony-in-civil-fraud-trial-threatening-very-existence-of-family-business-on-track-to-begin-after-halloween/ . This explains the ridiculous legal arguments just discussed. OJ & Family will be on the stand next week. This should be quite informative, as of course perjury is a crime.

Texas Rangers rally to take Game 1 of the World Series in extra innings: https://sports.yahoo.com/world-series-2023-texas-rangers-rally-to-take-game-1-in-11th-inning-vs-arizona-diamondbacks-042652927.html .