Japan’s troubled vaccine history: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/12/23/national/japan-vaccine-history-coronavirus/ .
Switzerland approves Pfizer vaccine: https://www.politico.eu/article/switzerland-approves-biontech-pfizer-coronavirus-vaccine-europe/ . The approval was announced December 19.
EU approves Pfizer vaccine: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/eu-regulator-meets-discuss-approval-covid-19-vaccine-74838532 . Approval occurred December 21.
UK variant strain appearing around the world: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-55452262 .
Japan halts foreign arrivals: https://www.axios.com/japan-foreign-arrivals-new-coronavirus-variant-0fed2864-14a1-4934-a068-f3ae9db612b3.html .
Turkey to sign deal for Pfizer BioNTech vaccine: https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-turkey-pfizer-int-idUSKBN28Y1U5 .
Vaccine priority groups: https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2020/covid-vaccine-priority-groups.html . These are the CDC recommendations. Implementation may differ state-by-state. I tend to agree with those who feel nursing home residents and staff should take priority over younger healthcare workers. I would also move up those 65 to 75 with significant comorbidities. These comments are based on the mortality rates of these subgroups.
WSJ: What is the cause of allergic vaccine reactions?: https://www.wsj.com/articles/scientists-eye-potential-culprit-for-covid-19-vaccine-allergic-reactions-11608901200 .
Can we move to one dose?: https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/530954-possibility-of-one-dose-vaccine-raises-hopes-for-faster-vaccinations
Dark days ahead: https://apnews.com/article/us-news-pandemics-los-angeles-coronavirus-pandemic-california-4a851ff03e1f9e20ecece5767577ceb0 . It is quite correct to look at the numbers. However, this is not a recipe to make actuaries more popular. There is currently a “kill the messenger” attitude in some portion of the US population.
WSJ: COVID propelled businesses into the future: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-propelled-businesses-into-the-future-ready-or-not-11608958806 .
WSJ: Brexit reduces value of UK relationship to US: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-u-k-relationship-is-a-little-less-special-after-brexit-11608985063 .
Trump delay on relief aid past today (Saturday) will reduce benefits: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/12/26/biden-criticism-trump-stimulus-package-unemployment-aid-expires/4049687001/ . And that’s if he signs it at all. If not, the government shuts down end of day Monday: https://money.yahoo.com/jobless-benefits-ui-puac-december-26-150427045.html . Did you have a nice day cheating at golf? WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/millions-to-lose-unemployment-benefits-amid-trumps-opposition-to-virus-aid-bill-11609007415 . Still more: Unemployment benefits in 2021: https://www.wsj.com/articles/what-happens-to-covid-unemployment-benefits-in-2021-heres-what-we-know-11608989850 .
Is Trump torpedoing the GOP senators in Georgia?: https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/26/politics/georgia-senate-runoffs-trump-stimulus/index.html . More: https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2020/12/27/trump-stimulus-georgia-republican-candidates-stoddard-sot-nr-vpx.cnn .