News for October 7 — Genetic Aspects of COVID Mortality

Genetic aspects of COVID mortality: https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2021/10/covid-risk-factors-could-be-hiding-our-genes/620315/ .

WSJ: More on Pfizer EUA application for young children: https://www.wsj.com/articles/pfizer-asks-fda-to-approve-covid-19-vaccine-in-young-children-11633610319 .

WSJ: Moderna will establish vaccine plant in Africa: https://www.wsj.com/articles/moderna-to-build-vaccine-manufacturing-plant-in-africa-11633586400 .

You can get the COVID and flu vaccines at the same time: https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention-flu-immunizations-d43c118858ef108200e7b1a500e592d3 .

WSJ: Debate over vaccine efficacy in reducing long COVID: https://www.wsj.com/articles/long-covid-concerns-help-fuel-biden-administrations-broad-booster-push-11633604401 . Several reports have indicated that people with long COVID recovered after vaccination.

WSJ: Vaccine safety for children: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-vaccines-safe-kids-parents-11620405004 .

Immune response may be behind “COVID toe”: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/06/covid-toe-may-be-side-effect-immune-response-study .

No apparent COVID surges on Florida college campuses during football season: https://www.orlandosentinel.com/coronavirus/os-ne-coronavirus-florida-football-stadiums-20211007-r5h7a4i3jrbancuhggdiudgmtu-story.html .

COVID surge strains Minnesota hospitals: https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/minnesota-hospitals-are-experiencing-a-capacity-crisis-amid-covid-19-surge .

Colorado hospital requires COVID vaccination to receive organ transplant: https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/10/07/1044034382/colorado-hospital-organ-transplant-covid-vaccine . More: https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-colorado-kidney-transplants-coronavirus-vaccine-religion-d2e01fb0d72271ec7a5f686657b90a1b .

Breakthrough cases becoming more common in Oregon: https://katu.com/news/local/oha-nearly-1-in-4-covid-cases-in-oregon-last-week-were-breakthrough-cases .

IBM mandates employee vaccinations by December 8: https://www.theregister.com/2021/10/07/ibm_covid_vaccination/ .

WSJ: Litigation over COVID vaccination religious exemptions: https://www.wsj.com/articles/religious-exemptions-to-vaccine-mandates-tested-in-new-york-case-11633613330 . Religious leaders, including the Pope, say there is no basis for a religious exemption to taking the vaccine. This argument seems to be driven by personal preference and not faith.

WSJ: Scandinavian countries limit Moderna vaccines to people over 18: https://www.wsj.com/articles/some-european-countries-are-limiting-the-use-of-modernas-covid-19-vaccine-11633610069 . The myocarditis risk exists, but COVID itself is a greater risk than the vaccines. Is there convincing evidence that Pfizer is demonstrably safer than Moderna in this age group? The data apparently implicates both Moderna and Pfizer in this rare side-effect.

Abortions are on again in Texas, for now: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/abortions-resume-texas-clinics-judge-halts-law/ . Texas’ appeal will go to the Fifth Circuit, which is one of the most conservative appellate courts in the US.

18 former NBA players arrested in health care fraud: https://sports.yahoo.com/former-nba-players-indicted-in-alleged-multi-million-dollar-scheme-to-defraud-nba-health-plan-152449321.html?src=rss . Stupidity knows no bounds. Ronald Glen Davis is better known as Glen “Big Baby” Davis. Davis got his nickname when playing with older boys in a youth basketball league at age 9. Later, he played at LSU and reminded people of former LSU star Shaquille O’Neal.

WSJ: Weekly jobless claims drop for first time in 4 weeks: https://www.wsj.com/articles/weekly-jobless-claims-10-07-2021-11633557625 .

Senate approves temporary debt ceiling increase: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/us-senate-approves-temporary-lift-to-debt-cap-averting-default/M2JTPKRBSGC5E7PSHISCBDJ4LI/ . This episode of political theater is just delayed until early December.

WSJ: Lael Brainard on the fed and climate change: https://www.wsj.com/articles/feds-brainard-says-banks-likely-to-need-direction-from-regulators-on-managing-climate-risks-11633615200 . As readers can guess, my view is that Lael Brainard should be nominated to succeed Jerome Powell

WSJ: Cioppino in San Francisco: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-best-seafood-stew-in-san-francisco-a-travelers-guide-11633622069 . So I was hoping for an insightful update of the current Italian restaurant scene in San Francisco. The writer moved away 15 years ago. Comments: (a) Tadich Grill has for many years had the best cioppino in San Francisco, as well as the best overall seafood menu. (b) If you cook, there is a Tadich cookbook with their recipe. I used their recipe as my base when I started cooking this dish years ago, and adjusted it to my preferences. I strongly suggest you do the same. It’s fabulous for memorable home entertainment.

(c) The real seafood spectacular is San Francisco is abalone. It’s much more expensive now than in the old days, but totally memorable. I used to take people to Sabatini’s, but I’m not sure if it’s still around. Ask your hotel concierge about the best restaurant for abalone. Another great place to have abalone is Avalon, on Catalina. I haven’t been for a while, but they used to have a fishing fleet bringing it in fresh daily.

Dodgers’ two-out homer in bottom of the 9th saves their 106-win season: https://sports.yahoo.com/dodgers-106-win-season-saved-by-a-utility-man-mired-in-a-slump-073926491.html . It is LA, but you still couldn’t sell this unbelievable script. Can’t happen, right?