Delta variant surges in UK: https://news.yahoo.com/deltas-surprise-uk-comeback-is-a-warning-sign-for-the-us-090008459.html . Yes, the UK is more highly vaccinated than the US, although they have predominantly AstraZeneca. The British have a lot of cases but not so many deaths. The US may indeed suffer a similar wave. Oh, and finding the two people in the crowd wearing masks is a Where’s Waldo level problem. I see one, so try your luck. Maybe they cropped the photo.
Another factor: the Delta Plus variant in the UK: https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/10/22/1048440310/people-wonder-if-they-should-keep-calm-and-carry-on-in-the-face-of-delta-plus-va (link replaced 12/2/21). This is a minor factor so far. We will see how the “increasing trajectory” pans out.
WSJ: Herd immunity eludes UK: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-herd-immunity-proves-elusive-in-u-k-11634810364 . That is because it is unattainable. The Journal staff really should read more. Even in this article, some experts say as much.
WSJ: Q&A on booster shots: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-vaccine-booster-what-to-know-11623421703 . And a “mixing vaccines” Q&A: https://www.wsj.com/articles/is-a-moderna-pfizer-or-j-j-covid-19-booster-shot-best-for-you-what-to-know-about-mixing-vaccines-11634823303 . More booster news: https://www.wsj.com/articles/moderna-and-johnson-johnson-covid-19-boosters-mixing-and-matching-under-review-by-cdc-advisers-11634825596 .
New initial US vaccinations at low point: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/live-updates/covid-delta-surge/?id=80640155 . This is somewhat surprising given the vaccine mandates. Meanwhile, less developed countries are clamoring for access to the vaccines.
WSJ: Child vaccination distribution plans: https://www.wsj.com/articles/white-house-says-once-covid-19-vaccine-for-children-ages-5-11-is-approved-it-will-be-available-at-pediatric-offices-primary-care-sites-pharmacies-11634735235 .
WSJ: Pfizer booster has 95.6% efficacy at preventing symptomatic COVID: https://www.wsj.com/articles/pfizer-biontech-covid-19-booster-shot-was-95-6-effective-in-large-trial-companies-say-11634823482 . But we are also very interesting in asymptomatic cases because they involve disease spread. Our low levels of testing increase uncertainty in this regard.
Majority of the unvaccinated are sufficiently concerned about COVID to wear masks: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-10-21/poll-majority-of-unvaccinated-americans-are-concerned-enough-about-covid-19-to-wear-masks . This suggests the school board scenes over mask mandates represent a vocal, violent (and uneducated) minority.
Washington state sees significant drop in COVID transmission: https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-washington-c07ac61470a61882e927d6abf652db57 .
GOP’s Comer on the bat: https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/n-i-h–says-bat-research-group-failed-to-submit-prompt-virus-findings-10656042 (link replaced 11/6/21). Apparently, not-so-mighty Comer has struck out.
WSJ: India administers 1 billion vaccine doses: https://www.wsj.com/articles/india-hits-one-billion-covid-19-vaccines-administered-11634837017 . But the bad news is that only 31% of their population is fully vaccinated.
More on Moscow’s ongoing COVID surge: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2021-10-21/russias-infections-deaths-soar-to-pandemics-highest .
WSJ: Whither telemedicine?: https://www.wsj.com/articles/telemedicine-startups-face-uncertain-regulatory-terrain-11634817601 .
WSJ: Weekly jobless claims drop to 290,000, lowest pandemic level yet: https://www.wsj.com/articles/weekly-jobless-claims-10-21-2021-11634761575 . Again, this statistic seems somewhat distorted from historic levels because many workers have exhausted their unemployment benefits. In other words, this statistic currently understates the true unemployment level.
Former pro athlete pleads guilty to COVID unemployment insurance fraud: https://sports.yahoo.com/ex-jets-patriots-raiders-wr-kenbrell-thompkins-pleads-guilty-in-covid-relief-fraud-scheme-004002791.html . This is the third similar case in 2 months. The previous cases involved groups of NFL and NBA players submitting false health care claims to their respective league’s health plan. This doesn’t feel like a coincidence. The number of former NFL and NBA pros is not a huge number. How have so many gotten involved in fraud?
House votes to hold Bannon in contempt: https://news.yahoo.com/9-republicans-voted-to-hold-close-trump-aide-bannon-in-contempt-of-congress-224650016.html . It is interesting that 9 Republicans agreed. They are not the same group as the 10 who voted for impeachment. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/garland-house-bannon-abortion-11634765643 .
Meanwhile, Texas GOP misfires again: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/texas-lt-gov-dan-patrick-paid-out-his-first-voter-fraud-bounty-to-a-progressive-poll-worker-in-pennsylvania-who-caught-a-republican-voting-illegally/ar-AAPNDSJ?li=BBnb7Kz . Kudos to this enraged, engaged progressive in Pennsylvania. Reality bites, Dan. You may remember this goofball as calling for reopening because he was willing to die for the economy. Catchy slogan, no?
Stories of the urban exodus: https://www.politico.com/news/2021/10/21/covid-americans-cities-remote-work-515998 . The main points are that remote work is now a significant perk for many office workers, but the speed of broadband limits some choices for relocation. Thus, if the final Build Back Better package includes broadband improvements, it could positively affect both schooling and work location choices. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/work-from-home-changed-where-innovation-happens-11634763139 . How will this affect the exurbs? Many of these people are bringing their big-city salary uninterrupted. These newcomers differ from their neighbors as much better paid and culturally distinct.
WSJ: US home sales rise 7% in September: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-home-sales-jumped-7-in-september-11634825367 . The low mortgage rates are a major factor driving this activity.
WSJ: Southwest cutting flights: https://www.wsj.com/articles/southwest-airlines-to-cut-flights-amid-staffing-shortages-11634820103 .
Evergrande shares reopen, drop 12.5%: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/21/china-evergrande-shares-drop-after-hopson-asset-deal-falls-through.html . The 30 day grace period we have been watching ends Saturday. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/evergrande-is-struggling-to-sell-homesand-its-assets-11634800143 . However, it appears every pressure on Evergrande is going toward a long and painful liquidation. Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-evergrande-calls-off-plans-to-sell-key-unit-for-2-6-billion-11634743747 . And: https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinese-developer-defaults-pile-up-as-evergrande-contagion-spreads-11634808889 . This concludes that the contagion is happening, the question being how far it will spread. You would think that this will depress property prices in China.
WSJ: Wall Street is losing jobs: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-york-city-lost-most-wall-street-jobs-in-2020-amid-covid-19-since-2008-recession-11634815801 . So between this and the troubles on Broadway, you’d think NYC is taking a hit to its tax base.
Alec Baldwin fires prop gun on set, kills woman, injures man: https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-arts-and-entertainment-new-mexico-movies-santa-fe-915b39db68b559f03103171fdaecca79 . This is an unbelievable tragedy given the safety precautions taken around prop guns. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/two-people-shot-on-set-of-alec-baldwin-film-rust-11634867471 .
Human remains confirmed to be Brian Laundrie: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/human-remains-found-brian-laundrie-search-are-skeletal-police-say-n1282103 . However, I’m not entirely sure what skeletal means here. Also, if the area was covered by water, such rapid decomposition would suggest the remains would have floated at some point. Although he was identified by dental records, DNA identification should still be possible. Presumably the coroner will clear up these questions. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/fbi-confirms-brian-laundries-remains-found-in-florida-wildlife-reserve-11634854963 .
Meanwhile, the British tabloid press speculates: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10116113/Brian-Laundries-parents-spilled-secrets-Gabby-Petitos-murder-FBI.html . I doubt that Brian Laundrie (or his parents) will stand trial.
NBA’s 75th anniversary list of the 75 greatest players: https://sports.yahoo.com/nba-75th-anniversary-season-top-75-greatest-players-233416464.html . Here is the complete list of 76, as there was a tie in the voting.