News for September 4 — COVID Pandemic Rages in Idaho, Florida

COVID pandemic overwhelming Idaho hospitals: https://apnews.com/article/business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-idaho-09941b507483a5c7b0183dcbf03a8254 . A conservative state, Idaho’s low vaccination rate and acceptance of misinformation have led to many seriously ill patients. These patients are adding to the hospital load in Oregon as well.

COVID pandemic still rages in Florida: https://apnews.com/article/business-health-florida-coronavirus-pandemic-7ed6d05626848aca4e2827681b315770 .

Dr. Gottlieb expects increasing Delta cases in the Northeast: https://www.deseret.com/coronavirus/2021/9/4/22655803/delta-variant-wave-labor-day-weekend . I continue to believe that there will be a nationwide wave soon, associated with school reopening. Indeed, there is evidence of that wave in the places that have already reopened schools.

More companies consider healthcare surcharges for unvaccinated employees: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/more-u-s-companies-appear-to-be-mulling-vaccine-surcharges-for-employees-11630501057 .

Ivermectin calls surge at poison control centers: https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/09/04/1034217306/ivermectin-overdose-exposure-cases-poison-control-centers . It’s just beyond me how people trust the internet’s conspiracy theorists over the medical profession. More: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/04/oklahoma-doctor-ivermectin-covid-coronavirus .

Slowing vaccination rates in developed countries prolong pandemic risk: https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/04/health/vaccine-rollout-slowdown-intl-cmd/index.html .

WSJ: The booster debate continues: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-vaccine-booster-launch-could-be-delayed-11630684617 .

Battle over Texas abortion law continues: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/texas-judge-grants-restraining-order-against-anti-abortion-group-temporarily-n1278509 . Meanwhile, other states are investigating copycat laws. This will add to the ugliness of the 2022 election campaigns. WSJ: The legal gymnastics behind the Texas law: https://www.wsj.com/articles/behind-texas-abortion-law-an-attorneys-unusual-enforcement-idea-11630762683 . The rule of law suffers with stunts.

Federal unemployment benefits end Monday: https://money.yahoo.com/largest-cutoff-of-jobless-benefits-looms-next-week-133530270.html . The eviction cliff is about to get uglier. This has negative implications for the pandemic.

Promoter of toxic bleach cure charged in death of 5-year-old: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/a-leader-of-a-movement-touting-toxic-bleach-as-a-miracle-covid-19-cure-has-been-charged-following-a-5-year-old-boys-death/ar-AAO5C30?li=BBnb7Kz . Well, at least this murderer wasn’t elected US President … oh, wait …

Unvaccinated German attacks healthcare workers who won’t issue a vaccination card to him: https://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/ny-berlin-man-attacks-vaccination-team-20210904-nbtme35awfabtcfkjor6vi572m-story.html . So no aspect of this behavior is normal.

WSJ: Changing the infrastructure planning process: https://www.wsj.com/articles/infrastructure-bill-could-influence-how-states-select-transportation-projects-11630747801 .

The House Select Committee on January 6 begins to beat McCarthy with a stick: https://thehill.com/homenews/house/570865-cheney-thompson-slam-mccarthys-comments-about-trump-jan-6-baseless . PUH-LEEZ call him to testify.

More on the dead star collision and supernova: https://www.space.com/new-type-supernova-star-merger .

WSJ: Willard Scott passes: https://www.wsj.com/articles/willard-scott-weatherman-on-nbcs-today-show-dies-at-87-11630791403 .