FDA authorizes toddler COVID vaccines: https://apnews.com/article/fda-authorizes-covid-vaccines-infants-preschoolers-735da3ee3dbc0d9d79f2ab37106ad7c1 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/fda-authorizes-first-covid-19-vaccines-for-young-children-11655471242 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-vaccines-safe-kids-parents-11620405004 . Shots can begin next week everywhere, with some delay in Florida. However, the CDC must first approve these vaccines: https://www.cnn.com/videos/health/2022/06/17/fda-authorize-emergency-covid-kids-cdc-vaccine-newsroom-vpx.cnn . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/cdc-advisers-to-review-covid-19-vaccines-for-young-children-11655458201 .
White House says Florida doctors can order toddler vaccine shots: https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-ron-desantis-florida-government-and-politics-f5de4beb6480f63bf6dd9cad3be01b6b . So the White House has put protecting children over Governor DeMentis’ political BS. Non compos DeMentis presumably still does not get it.
Anti-vaxxers’ COVID natural immunity theory sinks: https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2022-06-17/early-omicron-infection-unlikely-to-protect-against-current-variants . In the arms race between the virus and the vaccines, these Luddites are unarmed.
WSJ: Off-the-cuff on pan-coronavirus vaccines: https://www.wsj.com/articles/can-we-develop-a-covid-19-vaccine-that-lasts-11655478373 . This article demonstrates almost no knowledge of the mechanics of vaccine development in general or mRNA vaccines in particular. Rather than try to unwind this babbling, I point you to the paragraph near the end beginning “Dr. Poland’s team”. Researchers have been working for some time on developing a pan-coronavirus vaccine based on portions of the virus’ surface which are more stable than the spike protein.
China defends Zero COVID after US envoy warns of global economic threat: https://apnews.com/article/covid-politics-health-china-economy-0f5c94be9ae75ee32868111713959f31 .
WSJ: New life in Congress’ drug pricing debate: https://www.wsj.com/articles/drug-pricing-debate-in-washington-is-a-headache-for-pharma-11655463602 .
WSJ: US trade deficit calculations have a significant understatement: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-tiny-loophole-that-understates-the-trade-deficit-with-china-11655458201 .
Latest Biden interview: https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-economy-inflation-09607b60c2e93cbf239034d419164e05 . Both sides need a gun deal, so a glass of water to throw on the fire is coming. Biden clearly knows more about the issues than Orange Julius. However, this points up his and Congress’ inability to get important things done. And of course, it’s type 2 diabetes, not stage 2. It wouldn’t be a Biden interview without a gaffe.
Also, we can name some relatively certain economic impacts of the Fed’s rapid rise in interest rates, and they all hurt Biden. Holders of long-term bonds have lost a lot of wealth (as have those holding stocks). Federal borrowing costs will rise rapidly, increasing the deficit. Not only will high mortgage rates discourage most buyers, but existing homeowners with low mortgage rates will feel locked into their homes. And the Fed will continue to raise interest rates. An increase of at least 50 basis points next month will follow the 75 basis point increase this month.
This is all a hangover from Orange Julius lobbying the Fed to keep rates artificially low. However, Biden will take the blame for the result. The Fed will continue raising rates until unemployment moves up from its current historic lows, creating more pain. Oil prices will not ease unless the Middle East pumps more oil, which they may do in the coming months but not soon enough to help Democrats in November. In my view, a quick recession is baked into the US numbers right now, as is a longer global recession.
WSJ: NY Fed model predicts high probability of a hard landing: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-york-fed-model-sees-high-probability-of-hard-landing-for-economy-11655497754 . In short, this result is in line with the predictions in the prior paragraphs.
Elon Musk, authoritarian in Space(X): https://www.aol.com/finance/spacex-fires-employees-involved-letter-073052258-120336525.html . Following an earlier story, Reuters reports that SpaceX has terminated at least 5 employees circulating a letter criticizing Musk. SpaceX stated that other employees were uncomfortable and felt bullied by the request to sign on to the letter. Musk unquestionably is an embarrassment to his companies. And now those pointing that out find themselves out of SpaceX. No wonder he supports Ron DeMentis. Musk is apparently cut from the same cloth. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/elon-musk-cant-be-twitters-technoking-without-loyal-subjects-11655477751 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/spacex-fires-employees-involved-in-letter-critical-of-musk-company-11655471021 .
How can Orange Julius supporters stand by him? This reporter appears to have hit the nail on the head: https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-ivanka-trump-biden-voting-elections-1ccfd89df6868911d934529b9e47d6c8 . Cognitive dissonance: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_dissonance . Note especially that “Festinger argued that some people would inevitably resolve the dissonance by blindly believing whatever they wanted to believe.” However, an alternative explanation applies to QAnon proponent Jordan Sather. His only claim to fame, and an audience, is his QAnon support. Therefore, he has to explain away contrary facts to keep his audience.
Capitol police stop Colbert insurrection: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/stephen-colbert-late-show-team-detained-at-us-capitol-charged-with-unlawful-entry-while-filming/ar-AAYBwhn?li=BBnb7Kz . You just cannot make this stuff up. I would think this was an embarrassing surprise to the CBS crew.
A major civil rights case preceding Brown v Board of Education: https://news.yahoo.com/oak-hills-high-school-students-172855108.html . Congratulations to these students and their teacher. I am not aware of this case being taught anywhere, and it deserves recognition. Here is the 1944 opinion: https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/71/769/1674780/ . I would just add that Earl Warren was Governor of California from 1943 to 1953, when President Eisenhower nominated him as Chief Justice. There is certainly every possibility that Warren was aware of this case. He was California’s Attorney General from 1939 to 1943.
Called out by the numbers: Jayson Tatum has record 100 turnovers in 2022 NBA playoff games: https://sports.yahoo.com/jayson-tatum-nba-finals-celtics-unprecedented-100-playoff-turnovers-041958871.html . Coaches often attribute turnovers to lack of attention. In every game Boston lost in the Finals, the announcers were calling out the need for Boston to reduce its turnovers. The article’s weak defense of Tatum is that he had so many turnovers because he is used so much. Many players are used more by their team than Tatum. Not one of them has ever had 100 turnovers in the postseason.
Report: NFL will suspend Deshaun Watson for a full season: https://thespun.com/nfl/afc-north/cleveland-browns/report-suggests-how-long-nfl-wants-to-suspend-deshaun-watson . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/deshaun-watson-suspension-browns-nfl-11655469950 . My starting point is to believe the accuser. When there are 4, to me it’s nearly conclusive. Here, there are 24. How could the Browns guarantee this apparent serial offender $230 million? My preferred outcome is that Watson never plays again in the NFL, and the Browns are out $230 million based on sheer stupidity.
WSJ: George Weyerhauser passes: https://www.wsj.com/articles/george-weyerhaeuser-child-kidnapping-victim-survived-to-lead-forestry-giant-11655474416 . I had no idea he was kidnapped as a child.
Italy’s largest river goes dry: https://www.msn.com/en-us/video/news/italys-largest-river-dries-up-after-110-days-of-no-rain/vi-AAYAstz . Okay, students of Italy, there is a better headline for this article. Here’s a hint: Italy’s largest river is the Po. Do you have it? No Mo Po.