COVID public health emergency expires Thursday: https://news.yahoo.com/the-covid-public-health-emergency-expires-thursday-heres-what-that-means-for-you-205557310.html . As readers know, I agree with the people quoted in the article that the public health emergency is not over. As they suggest, the proper government action going forward is to protect the most vulnerable populations. Specifically, we must educate people to continue vaccination, especially those over 65 and the immunocompromised. Vaccines must be updated to combat the latest variants, and research on long COVID must continue.
New COVID wave in China: https://money.usnews.com/investing/news/articles/2023-05-10/chinas-fresh-covid-wave-raises-concern-of-trading-volume-slowdown . This is exactly what any reasonable person expected. We have no reporting from China, as expected.
FDA nears approval of OTC abortion drug: https://apnews.com/article/birth-control-pills-without-prescription-fda-d6e863b0d41a8c6c783c569773efa349 . Once this happens, state abortion bans will be severely curtailed (as they should be). Jane’s friend in California can just ship her the medication.
Draft human pangenome announced: https://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/scientists-announce-rough-draft-human-pangenome-rcna83120 . This new (to me at least) word is best read pan-genome. The basic idea is that one DNA sequence does not reflect the diversity of DNA between different human populations and different ethnic groups. The article indicates that more powerful microscopes have allowed better recognition of this complexity. As biopharmaceuticals look to design drugs for a specific group or individual, the more complete information should improve the targeting of these drugs.
Chikungunya vaccine on the way: This mosquito-borne disease is rare in the US but more common elsewhere, and is a risk to use travelers. While most cases are mild and resolve within weeks, others are long-lasting: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/expert-answers/what-is-chikungunya-fever/faq-20109686 . The good news is that a vaccine developed by the French firm Valneva appears to be nearing US approval: https://valneva.com/press-release/valneva-successfully-completes-pivotal-phase-3-trial-of-single-shot-chikungunya-vaccine-candidate/ . By the way, the name “chikungunya” means “bends you up”, as the disease causes severe joint pain. More: https://www.fiercebiotech.com/deals/merck-admits-defeat-race-valneva-get-first-chikungunya-vaccine-market .
Vermont protects abortion and gender-affirming care: https://www.aol.com/news/vermont-governor-signs-shield-bills-222605421.html . The bill also specifically protects medication abortion: https://www.aol.com/news/vermont-governor-signs-shield-bills-222605421.html .
WSJ: Fraudster Martin Shkreli’s companies file for bankruptcy: https://www.wsj.com/articles/convicted-pharma-fraudster-shkrelis-companies-file-for-bankruptcy-a920a984 .
US inflation cools, but slowly: WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/articles/us-inflation-april-2023-consumer-price-index-48f0eac5 .
WSJ: Ukraine regains ground around Bakhmut: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-claims-gains-around-bakhmut-as-fighting-rages-74d391e9 .
GOP voters remain confused about debt ceiling: https://www.aol.com/news/debt-ceiling-standoff-everything-know-172113600.html . Note that those who favor default unless there are spending cuts do not favor any of the spending cuts. In other words, they like the idea of spending cuts in general but don’t actually want any. This is not exactly an idea you can implement. WSJ: Meanwhile, both sides dig in: https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-republicans-dig-in-on-debt-ceiling-aaa8271c .
Feinstein returns to Senate but on limited schedule: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/3998303-feinstein-returns-to-congress-but-told-to-keep-lighter-schedule-amid-recovery/ . Really, all the Democrats need right now is for her to show up at certain Judiciary Committee meetings and advance the backlog of judicial nominees. Hopefully she can meet that requirement.
Russia’s NATO, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, is crumbling over the war in Ukraine: https://www.businessinsider.com/csto-russia-equivalent-of-nato-crumbling-amid-failures-ukraine-war-2023-5?r=US&IR=T . This not only increases Russia’s isolation, but also some of these countries are turning more toward the West.
Justice (specifically, DOJ) comes for George Santos: https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-federal-charges-updates-33667a0900271e5002459ab748d8fdc8 . Fraud and misuse of campaign funds are very serious federal charges. Santos is looking at jail time here, probably not great for a former drag queen. Polls (before today) indicated that 70% of his constituents wanted him to resign. So re-election is out. Meanwhile, Kevin McCarthy proves once again that he has no moral compass. Read the indictment here: https://news.yahoo.com/george-santos-arrest-arraignment-indictment-federal-charges-170344455.html . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/congressman-george-santos-indicted-on-fraud-charges-9755064c .
Some Republicans come after Orange Julius: https://news.yahoo.com/chris-christie-and-other-republicans-criticize-trump-after-e-jean-carroll-sexual-abuse-verdict-174600127.html . Not exactly moral courage, is it? But they will get louder after each indictment and conviction.
The CNN Orange Julius Show was a dog, according to reports: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/trump-appearing-cnn-town-hall-040514968.html . Supposedly the point of having Kaitlan Collins conduct the interview was that she would fact-check OJ in real time. According to the article, “Moderator Kaitlan Collins struggled at times to correct the record as [OJ] steamrolled with facts.” No, not facts – false assertions. Apparently no one in the media has the ability to call out a lying narcissist. Swell. CNN admits they blew it, although refusing to criticize Kaitlan: https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/11/media/cnn-town-hall-donald-trump-reliable-sources/index.html . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-loss-in-sexual-abuse-case-casts-another-legal-cloud-over-2024-bid-a86846af .
Criticism of Clarence Thomas escalates: https://jacobin.com/2023/05/dark-money-clarence-thomas-chevron-regulatory-doctrine-reversed-position-conservative-dark-money . This article is dramatic but not compelling. Timing alone does not prove that money persuaded Clarence Thomas to change his opinion on Chevron. Thomas should never have been appointed to the Supreme Court, but critics must take care not to overstep facts and logic in their criticism. Still, the article is correct that Harlan Crow is a cofounder of the Club for Growth: https://publicintegrity.org/politics/donor-profile-harlan-crow/ .
Biden’s poll numbers strengthen: https://www.aol.com/news/yahoo-news-poll-shows-biden-100012659.html .
Warriors come back, cut Lakers lead to 3-2: https://www.aol.com/sports/nba-playoffs-warriors-stay-alive-043251522.html .