Global cases top 100 million: https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/26/world/coronavirus-100-million-cases-intl/index.html . The US, with 4% of the world’s population, still has over 25% of the global cases one year in.
WSJ: Vaccine supply boosted: https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-administration-officials-told-governors-they-will-increase-weekly-vaccine-allocations-to-states-11611693766 . The obvious benefits of a federal plan over no plan have been seen in the first week.
Sea squirt chemical powerful COVID antiviral: https://thehill.com/changing-america/well-being/prevention-cures/535915-new-drug-may-be-potent-against-the-coronavirus . The chemical has already been approved to fight multiple myeloma.
J&J to release vaccine data early next week: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/coronavirus-update-jj-to-release-vaccine-data-next-week-strain-from-brazil-confirmed-in-us-183501020.html . This vaccine involves only one shot. It could significantly alter the “last mile” challenges we have faced. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/johnson-johnson-is-a-picture-of-health-even-before-vaccine-news-11611684973 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/johnson-johnson-profit-is-boosted-by-pharmaceuticals-business-11611666309 .
WSJ: Is the UK variant riskier for women and young people?: https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-variant-in-u-k-probed-for-increased-risk-to-younger-people-11611661304 . The logic in this article seems a bit muddled. The comment that survival rates are similar once patients are hospitalized would seem to mean that the UK variant is more transmissible but not more deadly.
Age-related COVID mortality risk is significant even for middle-aged Americans: https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20210126/how-dangerous-is-coronavirus-to-the-middle-aged#1 .
COVID spit test developer dies, age 51: https://people.com/health/rutgers-scientist-who-developed-covid-spit-test-dies/ .
Regeneron monoclonal antibody drug prevents infection: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-regeneron-pharms-idUSKBN29V1DY . The company is promoting the strategy of targeted use in prevention. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/regeneron-antibody-drug-temporarily-protects-against-covid-19-preliminary-data-show-11611676188 .
US COVID news summary: https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-us-update-29c07f020bca0aa4a48a85dae5aa1457 .
WSJ: State-by-state vaccination guide: https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-to-get-a-covid-19-vaccine-a-state-by-state-guide-11611703769 .
Why California is easing COVID restrictions: https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/01/26/960741787/california-health-secretary-on-lifting-stay-at-home-orders-and-vaccinations . Here’s more on the underlying data: https://apnews.com/article/california-data-lift-stay-at-home-fc0c15eb5e7359b4bae50602f79a2cfd .
Vegas visits may have fueled COVID spread in the Southwest: https://www.8newsnow.com/news/health/coronavirus-health/visits-to-las-vegas-may-have-fueled-coronavirus-spread-study-finds-kinsa/ .
Florida “paramedic of the year 2020” arrested in vaccine theft: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/paramedic-year-florida-arrested-role-theft-covid-19-vaccines-n1255701 .
WSJ: Wisconsin pharmacist to plead guilty to vaccine spoilage: https://www.wsj.com/articles/wisconsin-pharmacist-to-plead-guilty-to-attempting-to-spoil-covid-19-vaccine-11611709733 .
WSJ: CDC on school openings: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-spread-appears-limited-in-schools-when-safety-precautions-followed-cdc-says-11611697861 .
Scientists comment on Biden COVID strategy: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00220-x . Everyone is relieved there is one.
Biden to reopen ACA markets as COVID relief measure: https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-business-coronavirus-pandemic-6db74ef4727086f1134bd3ff71022d04 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-to-lift-some-curbs-on-abortion-funding-reopen-aca-enrollment-11611684178 .
What does Biden do about Trump ACA brief?: https://www.npr.org/2021/01/25/960027322/tough-decisions-ahead-for-bidens-incoming-solicitor-general . Replacing the brief allows the new administration to argue positions more in line with the justices’ questions at oral argument.
EU lags world in vaccinations: https://www.dw.com/en/whats-happening-in-europe-with-covid-vaccination/a-56350322 .
Germany considers stopping all air travel, like Israel: https://www.dw.com/en/germany-considers-stopping-all-air-travel-due-to-coronavirus-mutations/a-56349658 . Germany may learn something from the Jews.
WSJ: Israel has vaccinated 30% of its population: https://www.wsj.com/articles/israels-covid-19-vaccinations-hold-lessons-for-u-s-11610307240 . More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/israel-offers-glimpse-of-a-world-vaccinated-from-covid-19-11611662214 .
India faces vaccine skepticism: https://www.bloombergquint.com/business/india-s-unusual-vaccine-problem-plenty-of-shots-but-few-takers .
Will Democrats pass a relief bill through reconciliation if Republicans won’t commit to a bipartisan package?: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-democrats-idUSKBN29V1VD . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/democrats-see-path-to-bidens-covid-19-relief-bill-without-gop-help-11611668229 . Has Schumer discussed this with Joe Manchin?
DOJ rescinds memo behind family separations: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/zero-tolerance-policy-family-separation-policy-memo-rescinded-justice-department/ . This ends a racist, inhumane reign of terror.
Supreme Court wipes away Texas abortion stunt: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/supreme-court-wipes-out-lower-court-rulings-texas-abortion-battle-n1255549 . Would all this crap go on if it was about a man’s control of his body? No. These rights remain at risk because Roberts plays the long game and the Court is heavily conservative now. But ham-handed silliness won’t fly.
Biden climate change strategy: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/biden-administration-climate-change-policy-155657904.html . Environmental justice has emerged as a central theme: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/biden-to-place-environmental-justice-at-center-of-sweeping-climate-plan/ar-BB1d7I7R?li=BBnb7Kz .
WSJ: IMF raises global growth forecast: https://www.wsj.com/articles/imf-raises-global-economic-growth-forecast-but-says-outlook-remains-uncertain-11611666009 .
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Fracker over and out: https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/535910-two-virginia-police-officers-fired-after-taking-part-in-capitol-mob . The insurrection fallout will continue for months. The question is how much of this will sink in with the conspiracy theory believers. “This is me”: https://apnews.com/article/riot-capitol-hill-update-f9a4050fc3179c87e0c29b8872e020e9 . Stupid knows no bounds.
Capitol police knew of violence threat, turned down National Guard help: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ahead-of-riot-capitol-police-knew-of-potential-for-violence-official-says-11611691783 .
Twitter bans the My Pillow guy: https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-media-elections-presidential-elections-ac34de7cb5844d96589a10ea6e653d50 . Social media is beginning to find its disinformation footing.
Post-game analysis of the filibuster fight: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/what-mcconnell-got-%e2%80%94-and-didnt-%e2%80%94-on-the-filibuster/ar-BB1d783v?li=BBnb7Kz . But we’re still at Opening Day of this two-year season. More on the options going forward: https://www.vox.com/22248872/senate-democrats-organizing-resolution . And: https://www.vox.com/2021/1/25/22249786/mitch-mcconnell-filibuster-organizing-resolution .
More on the impeachment delay: https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/mcconnell-delaying-trump-s-senate-impeachment-trial-was-gift-democrats-n1255585 . McConnell clearly no longer supports Orange Julius. He has shifted the voting burden onto his Republican colleagues. However, 44 other Republicans voted for declaring the trial unconstitutional, so McConnell had to go with them: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/535925-senate-rejects-paul-effort-to-declare-trump-impeachment-trial . Portman’s explanation is interesting, though. I wonder if there are any other takers in the GOP. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/republicans-challenge-trump-impeachment-trial-11611683182 .
Pennsylvania lemmings form a cult: https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/26/pennsylvania-republican-party-trump-support-462843 . Is there some basis for this besides the fear and anger of the left-behind?