“COVID on steroids”: https://www.eatthis.com/news-covid-strain-warning-experts/ . A summary on the risks of the delta variant designed to convince the unvaccinated.
COVID vaccination provides superior protection to prior infection: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/17/previous-covid-infection-may-not-offer-long-term-protection-study-finds .
WSJ: NEA says 86% of its members are vaccinated: https://www.wsj.com/articles/most-teachers-are-vaccinated-union-says-11623951327 .
Supreme Court upholds ACA: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/06/17/supreme-court-rejects-obamacare-challenge-brought-texas/4153925001/ . By tossing the case based on lack of standing, the Court is also saying, “The trilogy of ACA cases is now over. Don’t come back.” A 7-2 ruling means this majority will be around for some time, even if Breyer retires. WSJ: History of the ACA: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-affordable-care-act-a-brief-history-11623961600 . More: Politics of the ACA: https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-is-aca-still-controversial-11-years-after-healthcare-law-known-as-obamacare-was-passed-11623962729 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/supreme-court-leaves-affordable-care-act-intact-11623938948 .
Supreme Court upholds Catholic charity’s right to exclude LGBTQ+ parents from adoptions: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/supreme-court-rules-catholic-charity-fight-over-religious-freedom-anti-n1271148 . More: https://religionnews.com/2021/06/17/supreme-court-rules-in-favor-of-catholic-foster-care-agency-handing-another-win-to-religious-rights/ .
A different second dose is recommended for those whose first shot was AstraZeneca: https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-coronavirus-vaccine-lifestyle-science-health-16a6d3bb68a19f5685eced1c44845503 .
WSJ: COVID antiviral pill research to receive $3 billion in US funding: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-to-invest-more-than-3-billion-in-covid-19-antiviral-development-11623945647 .
COVID surge in Moscow: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2021-06-17/moscow-facing-new-aggressive-coronavirus-variant-mayor-says .
Indonesia COVID surge worsens: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/6/18/indonesia-covid .
Surges exacerbate vaccine shortages in less developed nations: https://apnews.com/article/africa-coronavirus-pandemic-health-a4e722e082aa06a2c25f59f24b0a8eaf . This is another reason why the worst may yet be ahead in the global pandemic. We will soon have a better grasp on the risk the delta variant poses.
Copa America looks like a superspreader. Half the teams have at least one case of COVID: https://www.espn.com/soccer/copa-america/story/4412651/coronavirus-at-copa-america-venezuelaboliviacolombiaperuchile-have-at-least-one-case . Among players, staff and workers, there are 66 cases: https://www.kansascity.com/news/article252192603.html .
COVID outbreak at US embassy in Kabul sickens 114, with one death: https://www.npr.org/2021/06/17/1007625010/a-covid-outbreak-at-the-u-s-embassy-in-kabul-has-sickened-114-people-and-killed- . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-embassy-in-kabul-warns-of-covid-19-emergency-11623942556 .
Juneteenth is now a federal holiday: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/17/juneteenth-federal-holiday-biden-signs-bill.html . And just in time for … Juneteenth, this Saturday (but the holiday will be observed Friday).
WSJ: Why is there record US employment turnover?: https://www.wsj.com/articles/heres-why-record-numbers-of-americans-are-quitting-their-jobs-11623963188 . It’s because COVID broke the daily rhythm of going into work and not thinking about change.
Pop psychology from MSNBC: https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/what-joe-biden-s-snap-cnn-reporter-geneva-really-revealed-n1271102 . What this opinion misses is Biden’s response. He points out that the media gaggle has become focused on personality from 4 years of battling Orange Julius. Biden is trying to change the frame of reference. Biden is talking about using personal relationships to alter the frame of reference of others, like Putin. This is a negotiating technique based on years of experience. The opinion writer, and the press, is missing the point in a way that keeps the OJ frame of reference in play. The media has to do better.
Even the Russian press understands this better than MSNBC: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/russias-pro-putin-commentators-praise-biden-after-summit/ar-AAL98RL?li=BBnb7Kz . So does the New York Times. And Biden has an excellent team, replacing the absolute incompetents of the prior 4 years.
Avenatti faces sentencing June 30: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-crime-avenatti/u-s-urges-very-substantial-prison-term-for-michael-avenatti-over-nike-extortion-idUSKCN2DT1ME .
Latest developments in the OJ tax fraud case: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/17/trump-organization-allen-weisselberg-new-york-grand-jury . I agree with Mr. Alonso’s comments. It has been evident for some time that the strategy is to pressure Weisselberg to flip on OJ.
OJ hardliners in the House: https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/17/politics/juneteenth-congressional-gold-medal-electoral-college/index.html . So, here’s a nose-count on detachment from reality in the US House. Will these people crawl under a rock when the tax fraud indictments come out? I’m not sure they will even after convictions.