England drops all COVID restrictions: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/uk-covid-restrictions-cases-boris-johnson-ends-rules-england/ . This is apparently based on the idea that Omicron is one and done. However, there is very little evidence for that. Again, the UK is more highly vaccinated than we are. If this doesn’t work there, it won’t work here.
US COVID deaths likely undercounted because some deaths occur months after infection: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/jan/07/true-number-covid-deaths-us-likely-undercounted-experts . The article also cites an excess death figure somewhat higher than current US COVID deaths counts. Again, my view is that excess deaths is the best currently available data on COVID deaths, particularly in countries outside the US. This data avoids attribution bias (in this case, intentional underreporting of COVID deaths).
US kids’ COVID cases accelerate dramatically: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2022-01-19/report-coronavirus-cases-among-kids-have-spiked-dramatically-nearly-topping-1m-in-a-week .
US to start N95 mask giveaway: https://apnews.com/article/biden-government-free-n95-masks-program-2b4a59953281ca16028244ab9a5b1d6e . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-administration-steps-up-covid-19-response-as-omicron-slows-in-global-hotspots-11642593289 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/n95-masks-what-to-know-11642090246 . And: https://www.wsj.com/articles/free-n95-masks-to-be-made-available-at-pharmacies-white-house-says-11642586403 .
Navy accelerates discharge process for those refusing vaccine: https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2022-01-19/us-navy-covid-19-coronavirus-vaccine-refusal-discharge-4342077.html .
CDC recommends against travel to 22 more countries, bringing the total to over 100: https://www.aol.com/news/u-cdc-warns-against-travel-194217519-144804041.html . Given the high level of cases in this country, who and what is this recommendation protecting?
Fauci’s take on the pandemic’s end: https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/18/health/us-coronavirus-tuesday/index.html .
WHO has the opposite view: https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/19/world/coronavirus-newsletter-intl-01-19-22/index.html . In an apparent first, I agree with the WHO and disagree with Fauci. If you think globally, there is no question that the pandemic is nowhere near over. And the “mild” description is a disservice for a variant that is highly infectious and also deadly.
WSJ: Endemic COVID isn’t that great a scenario: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-endemic-or-not-will-still-make-us-poorer-11642608213 .
Apple’s COVID-19 booster strategy: https://www.inc.com/jason-aten/apples-covid-19-booster-mandate-is-best-ive-seen-yet.html . Given Omicron’s breakthrough capacity, employers must address the need for boosters.
Starbucks drops vaccine mandate: https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-us-supreme-court-health-business-d5fa7213edbd7926fd19bc0a5f2c45ca . So who’s doing the better job of protecting their employees and customers? Is the difference because people really want to work at Apple? Just sayin’ …
Anti-vaxxer dies after intentionally catching COVID: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/an-anti-vax-czech-singer-died-after-she-intentionally-caught-covid-19-in-an-attempt-to-get-a-health-pass/ar-AASXs4i?li=BBnb7Kz . Yes, unfortunately Hana Horka has permanently Czeched out.
WSJ: Connecting the COVID nursing experience to combat veterans: https://www.wsj.com/articles/to-help-battle-covid-19-a-hospital-borrows-tactics-from-combat-veterans-11642588203 . We know that many medical professionals are experience stress and burnout. So this seems like a useful way of letting them know that other communities can understand their trauma.
WSJ: COVID sinks Hong Kong cruise line: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-claims-a-big-cruise-line-victim-genting-hong-kong-11642576659 .
NBC won’t send sports announcers to Beijing Olympics: https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2022/01/19/1074256301/nbc-not-sending-sports-announcers-to-winter-olympics . As readers know, I’m a sports fan. But I have virtually no interest in these Olympics. Ratings may not look so good next month.
WSJ: India sees COVID case decline: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-cases-fall-sharply-in-indias-biggest-cities-raising-hopes-for-nearing-peak-11642596397 . India’s population is very young, like South Africa’s. So perhaps South Africa will act as a predictor of India’s experience.
NY Attorney General details tax fraud committed by OJ’s company: https://apnews.com/article/business-trump-investigations-donald-trump-new-york-b4895a63c5aee3991a2ffc42becfb564 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-york-attorney-general-evidence-suggests-trump-and-company-falsely-valued-assets-11642573790 . These charges match allegations by Michael Cohen so many years ago.
WSJ: UK looking at interest rate rise to combat inflation: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-k-inflation-hits-30-year-high-prompting-expectations-of-rise-in-interest-rates-11642592282 . Here is yet another indicator that global economic growth will slow over the next year. Similar news in Canada: https://www.wsj.com/articles/canada-inflation-reaches-30-year-high-placing-spotlight-on-central-bank-11642606193 .
WSJ: China tightens tech company regulation: https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-notifies-firms-of-tougher-investment-rules-for-big-tech-11642581909 . More economic growth slowing news …
Michigan settles sex abuse allegations for $490 million: https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-reaches-500-m-settlement-with-over-1000-people-allegedly-sexually-abused-by-school-doctor-152534888.html . Michigan supporters may point out that this settlement is less that Michigan State’s $500 million settlement of allegations against Larry Nasser. However, as the article notes, Michigan needs to closely examine why their two major public universities ended up paying almost a billion dollars in the two largest settlements ever of this type. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/university-of-michigan-to-pay-490-million-to-sexual-abuse-victims-11642604547 .
Ron Johnson seeks re-election, draws a field of challengers: https://news.yahoo.com/democrats-line-up-to-challenge-wisconsin-sen-ron-johnson-221944927.html . Johnson has the rare distinction of being called “the most ignorant man in the Senate” by one of CNN’s leading medical commentators. Again, I will be supporting his Democratic opponent, whoever that turns out to be.