UK variant now in 12 states: https://bestlifeonline.com/new-covid-strain-states/ . Again, we have to assume it’s in every state, given the US’ inexcusable lack of genomic sequencing.
The odd COVID protein thought to raise immune evasion and disease severity: https://newscenter.lbl.gov/2021/01/12/odd-structure-of-orf8/ .
WHO: Second year of pandemic could be worse: https://www.voanews.com/covid-19-pandemic/who-emergencies-chief-second-year-coronavirus-pandemic-could-be-worse . If the developed world’s vaccination strategy works, the damage will manifest in less developed nations. If the vaccination strategy does not work (mutations), 2021 will be very, very rough.
US administers 10.3 million doses: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/13/coronavirus-live-updates.html . Against the goal of 20 million by the end of December, it’s the typical Trump screw-up. And remember, it takes two doses to complete a vaccination (except we’re moving to one dose now, the second whenever in the face of all the other screw-ups).
WSJ: The ongoing “last mile” problem: https://www.wsj.com/articles/extra-covid-19-shots-pose-quandary-for-vaccination-sites-11610569457 . The extra dose has been well-known for some time.
WSJ: Dollar General to pay employees who get vaccinated: https://www.wsj.com/articles/dollar-general-will-pay-workers-to-get-a-covid-19-vaccine-11610542800 .
US daily COVID deaths reach 4,327: https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/13/health/us-coronavirus-wednesday/index.html . More: https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-us-news-california-coronavirus-pandemic-bccec2ede56da5211fdc274846174a58 .
WSJ: Nursing home deaths in upstate New York: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-york-nursing-homes-see-surge-in-covid-19-deaths-as-officials-hope-vaccinations-will-curb-spread-11610573476 .
Pandemic cleared the air: https://weather.com/health/coronavirus/video/coronavirus-pandemic-responsible-for-drastic-emissions-cut-in-2020 . A different study with different results: https://earther.gizmodo.com/coronavirus-lockdowns-didnt-reduce-air-pollution-as-muc-1846051646 . It would help if these people talked to each other.
WSJ: Eligibility pool changes may not speed up vaccination pace: https://www.wsj.com/articles/federal-vaccine-distribution-changes-draw-concern-at-local-level-11610575663 . One part of the problem is cash-strapped state and local governments. The changes don’t address this issue.
UK variant may dominate soon in the US: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/13/ohio-researchers-say-theyve-identified-two-new-covid-strains-likely-originating-in-the-us.html . We only restricted British travelers after hundreds of thousands had arrived. The travel restriction now makes little sense. And we can’t address its spread because there’s very little genomic sequencing here. Since our only strategy right now is mass vaccination, we have to hope the vaccine stops the UK variant. We don’t know. When we learn something, it will be from the UK’s use of the Oxford vaccine.
Ohio researchers identify two new COVID variants which likely arose in the US: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/13/ohio-researchers-say-theyve-identified-two-new-covid-strains-likely-originating-in-the-us.html . More: https://www.forbes.com/sites/carlieporterfield/2021/01/13/2-new-coronavirus-strains-originated-in-us-scientists-report/?sh=7d8b02381ec0 .
WSJ: Biden COVID stimulus package on the way: https://www.wsj.com/articles/what-will-bidens-covid-19-stimulus-plan-look-like-11610543042 . More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/democrats-plan-policy-path-on-next-round-of-stimulus-checks-other-aid-11610546868 .
Biden aides retool pandemic plan in light of new variants: https://www.statnews.com/2021/01/13/biden-covid-19-plan-infectious-coronavirus-variants/ . The article indicates the pathetic state of US genomic sequencing – 50,000 results versus a goal of 10 million. Our labs have substantial capacity but the current administration is oblivious to its importance.
Early phase trials for J&J one-dose vaccine look very promising: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-01-13/johnson-johnsons-one-dose-covid-vaccine-promising-in-early-trial .
Mississippi uses vaccine supply: https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/534160-mississippi-runs-out-of-coronavirus-vaccine-as-state-expands-eligibility . Apparently , planning is now nonexistent.
WSJ: Federal agencies ignored warnings about COVID tests: https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinese-covid-19-tests-were-pushed-by-federal-agencies-despite-security-warnings-11610533802 .
Fauci interview today: https://www.eatthis.com/news-fauci-serious-warning-covid/ . It is logical that the current peak is being caused by holiday travel and entertaining.
COVID loss of taste and smell may be permanent: https://bgr.com/2021/01/13/coronavirus-symptoms-lingering-loss-of-smell-taste/ . Obviously, there is no data more than 1 year out from infection.
US traffic deaths up: https://apnews.com/article/pandemics-health-traffic-coronavirus-pandemic-799e455b73902b1638cc2ac46a172972 . The culprit is risky driving.
WSJ: Delayed vaccine roll-out raises debt risk: https://www.wsj.com/articles/delayed-vaccine-rollout-spells-risk-for-debt-investors-11610533801 .
UK travel up: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/confronting-a-more-threatening-coronavirus-situation-than-march-brits-are-traveling-much-more-11610553734 . The UK variant apparently reduces social responsibility.
WSJ: New testing rules for travelers to the US (including returning citizens): https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-new-covid-19-testing-rules-for-travel-to-the-u-s-what-they-mean-for-you-11610566341 .
Denmark lockdown extended: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-denmark/denmark-to-extend-lockdown-measures-by-three-weeks-media-reports-idUSKBN29I239 . It is the UK variant which is spreading. This is probably also true in the US. No one knows.
WHO team finally arrives in Wuhan: https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-digest-who-team-arrives-in-wuhan-to-probe-pandemic-origins/a-56219342 .
WSJ: Italy’s big crime trial starts: https://www.wsj.com/articles/italy-begins-biggest-mafia-trial-in-decades-11610564714 .
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Today looks like another fast-moving news day. The following links are intended to chronicle the events of the day in real time. This is not easy, because online articles are updated as information changes. I will try to select links less subject to further update.
“War” at Capitol: FBI memo detailed threats the day before the insurrection: https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/12/politics/fbi-report-warning-capitol-riot/index.html .
“Betrayal” – The GOP begins to confront reality: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2021/01/13/house-gop-impeachment-trump/6637559002/ . The fundamental issue was summarized by Chris Christie on “This Week” on Sunday (1/11): “If inciting insurrection isn’t [an impeachable offense], I don’t know what is.”: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/tw-transcript-10-21-rep-alexandria-ocasio-cortez/story?id=75162838 (about 2/3 of the way down). As noted in the USA Today article, this act was not just laid at the doors of the Capitol, those doors were breached. GOP Congressmen who look away from that horrific fact put their political future over the country.
I don’t know Professor Pitney personally, but CMC is a bastion of conservative Republican thought. In fact, I majored in political science and math there (yes, I’m a lifelong Democrat and was then).
“I am not a terrorist”: https://abcnews.go.com/US/video-shows-retired-navy-seal-boasting-breaching-capitol/story?id=75206495 . You are not only a terrorist but a coach of terrorists. Rewriting reality does not work. Accept the consequences of your actions.
De Blasio announces termination of contracts with Trump Organization: https://apnews.com/article/nyc-terminate-trump-contracts-c3ec1eadf286008199074c894de31612 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-york-city-moves-to-cut-ties-to-trump-organization-11610559033 .
“Fire sale diplomacy”: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/trump-angers-us-allies-and-enemies-with-foreign-policy-parting-shots/ar-BB1cIFjA?li=BBnb7Kz . Instead of a peaceful transfer of power, the retreating Trump Nazis are burning the bridges across the Rhine. There is no respect for the country or the vote of the people.
Trump allies threaten retaliation from the bunkers: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-allies-warn-republicans-they-risk-political-peril-if-they-back-impeachment/ar-BB1cIDvv?li=BBnb7Kz . This is the dark side of glorifying power over truth. Power can fade quickly: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/donald-trumps-approval-rating-tanks-to-record-low-on-day-of-potential-second-impeachment/ar-BB1cIWPz?li=BBnb7Kz .
McCarthy’s hold on power: https://www.wsj.com/articles/impeachment-debate-tests-mccarthys-hold-on-house-gop-11610545519 . This article ignores the McConnell/McCarthy move to put Trump in the past. My recommendation is that the Republican Party follow Trump and declare intellectual bankruptcy. A reckoning is coming for the Republican politicians who falsely challenged the vote and gave comfort to the insurrectionists.
Pelosi names impeachment managers: https://thehill.com/homenews/house/533960-pelosi-names-9-impeachment-managers (link replaced 1/21/21). Naming managers before the vote is intended as a signal that referral to the Senate will be quick.
National Guard on 24-hour Capitol watch: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-capitol-national-guard/national-guard-on-24-hour-watch-in-u-s-capitol-after-trump-supporters-siege-idUSKBN29I2TV .
Louie Gohmert uses debate time to disgrace himself: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/louie-gohmert-gop-rep-who-led-election-lawsuit-against-pence-accuses-pelosi-of-impeachable-comments/ar-BB1cJ3OY?li=BBnb7Kz . This is not a rational part of a debate, and may serve to lead other GOP congressmen to distance themselves from Gohmert.
Kushner stopped Trump from moving to Parler, other social media platforms: https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/534069-kushner-stopped-trump-from-joining-parler-gab-after-twitter-ban . This type of reporting will fade in a week.
More on Trump’s new foreign policy roadblocks for Biden: https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/13/world/trump-biden-taiwan-cuba-yemen-intl/index.html .
WSJ: Inauguration details: https://www.wsj.com/articles/joe-bidens-inauguration-when-is-it-and-how-has-the-covid-19-pandemic-changed-it-11609787919 . This is going to be weird.
Senate impeachment politics: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trumps-nightmare-scenario-of-being-impeached-convicted-then-barred-from-public-office-for-life-is-looking-more-and-more-likely/ar-BB1cIbBR?li=BBnb7Kz . More on McConnell: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/mcconnell-breaks-with-trump-says-hell-consider-convicting-him-in-senate-trial/ar-BB1cJzGg?li=BBnb7Kz . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-impeachment-deepens-gop-divide-11610581328 . Excuse me? Trump has been impeached for the second time, and WSJ describes McConnell’s stance as “greater impatience with Trump”? That is bizarre in any alternate reality.
A skeptic’s view of McConnell: https://www.themarysue.com/mitch-mcconnell-is-getting-exactly-what-he-wanted-on-impeachment/ . The Republicans are hardly a profile in courage. See “profiles in cowardice”.
Josh Hawley completes his disgrace: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/josh-hawley-i-stood-up-to-capitol-mob-by-endorsing-its-demands/ar-BB1cJ9e4?li=BBnb7Kz . Hawley’s profile in cowardice is now etched in stone. The problem is, it may not be complete.
Time to reform Section 230: https://www.yahoo.com/now/capitol-hill-attack-could-end-section-230-as-we-know-it-211421783.html . This would reform in the opposite direction from that advocated by Orange Julius.
Klete Keller charged: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2021/01/13/klete-keller-olympic-swimmer-charged-connection-capitol-riot/4149150001/ . Firefighter arrested: https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/13/us/florida-firefighter-andrew-williams-arrest-capitol-attack-trnd/ . Two police officers arrested: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/two-off-duty-police-officers-pictured-giving-the-middle-finger-during-capitol-siege-arrested/ar-BB1cJIcm?li=BBnb7Kz . WSJ: Update on arrests and charges: https://www.wsj.com/articles/criminal-charges-proliferate-against-members-of-pro-trump-capitol-mob-11610578967 . More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/proud-boys-supporter-eduard-florea-denied-bail-in-weapons-case-11610595003 .
House votes to impeach Trump AGAIN, 10 Republicans join: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/house-impeaches-trump-with-10-republicans-joining-but-senate-plans-unclear/ar-BB1cJkw7?li=BBnb7Kz . More: https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/01/13/us/trump-impeachment . More: https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/13/politics/house-vote-impeachment/index.html . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-to-face-impeachment-vote-over-capitol-riot-11610543781 .
Conservative Republican votes for impeachment: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/republican-tom-rice-in-heavy-trump-district-voted-for-impeachment-in-surprise-reversal/ar-BB1cJykA?li=BBnb7Kz .
For Orange Julius, it’s all about him: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-angrily-watched-impeachment-proceedings-path-forward-sources/story?id=75239623 . He doesn’t trust Mike Pence. And he’s turning on his inner circle: https://www.mediaite.com/trump/pence-kushner-mcenany-ingraham-even-giuliani-here-are-all-people-trump-now-reportedly-feels-have-betrayed-him/ . Reality bites.
WSJ: More on YouTube Trump suspension: https://www.wsj.com/articles/youtube-suspends-president-trumps-account-11610518530 . More on Twitter’s Trump dump: https://www.wsj.com/articles/twitter-ceo-defends-trump-ban-but-voices-concern-over-precedent-11610594324 .
WSJ: Violent content warnings spurred Facebook action on Trump: https://www.wsj.com/articles/facebook-turned-on-trump-after-warnings-that-business-as-usual-isnt-working-11610578907 .
GOP Congresswoman: Trump has no future in Republican politics: https://thehill.com/homenews/house/534124-gop-lawmaker-trump-has-no-future-in-the-republican-party .
Multiple threats over the next week: https://abcnews.go.com/US/authorities-tracking-multiple-threats-week-siege-capitol-breach/story?id=75232824 .
Capitol “reconnaissance tours” alleged: https://news.yahoo.com/rep-mikie-sherrill-demands-investigation-230114933.html . As she reported this on the day of the tours, there is likely something to this.
Outrage at Republicans: https://inews.co.uk/opinion/republicans-donald-trump-impeachment-facilitated-828485 .
What is wrong with Lindsey Graham?: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/lindsey-graham-asks-biden-to-end-impeachment-as-gop-infighting-escalates/ar-BB1cJz1x?li=BBnb7Kz . Everything.
WSJ answers reader questions on election fraud: https://www.wsj.com/articles/readers-election-fraud-questions-answered-11610584849 . It is well known that confronting conspiracy adherents with facts is a losing strategy for changing their minds. That’s probably why WSJ didn’t allow comments on this article. Rather ironic, as the article is framed as answering reader questions. We’ve answered the questions we chose, and we’ll pass on your input, thank you.
Nets bet franchise: https://www.wsj.com/articles/james-harden-trade-nets-rockets-11610579389 . A major talent addition is still a risky bet. Harden is not known as a team player.