JN.1 currently 44.2% of cases: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2023/12/23/covid-symptoms-jn-1-variant/72020270007/ . This article clarifies yesterday’s lead article. The prior article’s reference to JN.1 being between 39% and 50% of US cases relates to percentage findings in different US regions. The correct overall US average is 44.2%. JN.1 is currently strongest in the Northeast US, where it accounts for 57% of the cases. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/health/jn1-covid-variant-symptoms-8b6d3681 .
Is JN.1 a stomach bug? https://www.irishstar.com/news/us-news/scientists-fear-covid-19-turned-31739753 . Huge spikes of the virus have been seen in wastewater in Europe. Why? This is currently the leading theory. However, as hospitalizations for gastrointestinal issues have not risen, the virus’ effect in the gut does not appear to involve serious disease.
New cause of diabetes discovered: https://knewz.com/new-study-finds-enzyme-link-to-diabetes/ . The researchers involved say that elevated levels of nitric oxide in the body can lead to a number of health problems beyond diabetes.
Mask fines: Speaker Johnson backs Pelosi over Greene: https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/12/36373747/mike-johnson-bucks-party-lines-backs-nancy-pelosi-over-marjorie-taylor-greenes-mask-fine-challenge . While the headline sensationalizes the situation, Johnson believes the Speaker has the power to do what Nancy Pelosi did. As he is currently Speaker, that is not much of a surprise.
Lead danger in chocolate: https://www.aol.com/news/heavy-metal-drink-favorite-hot-140026883.html . I was aware of the lead concerns in packaged cocoa mix. However, I was not previously aware of the concerns about chocolate bars. Indeed, I just bought 3 Theo chocolate bars yesterday – this brand has been my favorite for several years. No more … And I use Hershey’s cocoa powder, which apparently also has high lead levels: https://www.pennlive.com/life/2023/10/hersheys-product-flagged-by-consumer-reports-for-high-levels-of-heavy-metals.html . Sigh. This is bad enough in general, but these products are things we commonly feed to children. So why isn’t this (a) more widely known, and (b) corrected immediately?
WSJ: The future of Berkshire Hathaway: https://www.wsj.com/finance/greg-abel-berkshire-hathaway-executive-6b7d8988 . So, t 93, Buffett will not be heading the company for many more years. Also, the successor is named, and his job is to prepare for this transition. Still, in my view the stock is likely to drop when Buffett is no longer leading it.
WSJ: Can Congress fix the border crisis?: https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/why-a-border-deal-might-not-fix-the-border-1dfedd1b . No, and you probably don’t need to read this article to know that. Right now, overwhelming numbers of people are trying to enter, and law enforcement is unable to stop all of them. So they will keep coming.
Jamie Raskin: Orange Julius is disqualified under the Fourteenth Amendment: https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/4372772-raskin-trump-cant-hold-office-again-under-14th-amendment/ . As readers know from prior newsletters, I completely agree with Raskin’s position. The Constitution could not be clearer on this point. Raskin taught constitutional law for 25 years at American University: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamie_Raskin .
Florida State reveals it wanted Oregon State, not Stanford or Cal, for the ACC: https://athlonsports.com/college-football/florida-state-reveals-which-pac-12-program-they-valued-the-most-for-acc-expansion . Actually, this makes sense – Oregon State has (or had) the best football program of these 3 schools. More: https://mikefarrellsports.com/college/suck-on-it-seminoles-fsu-has-nobody-to-blame-but-itself .
Reindeer eyes turn blue in winter so they can find their food: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/15/reindeers-blue-eyes-act-as-night-vision-goggles-to-help-them-find-food-in-winter . The natural world is one fantastic place, with secrets we are only beginning to appreciate.
Laura Lynch, Dixie Chicks founding member, passes at 65: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/founding-dixie-chicks-member-laura-lynch-killed-in-car-crash-in-texas/ . Lynch was killed in a car crash.
NEWSLETTER PAUSE: Dearest readers: I have Christmas family events the next 3 days, after which I am leaving for a retreat in Iowa (in January?) at which we will have very little or no access to electronic devices. As such, I am pausing the newsletter until at least January 15. If the newsletter returns, it will not be a daily publication – its original purpose has been accomplished.
COVID is transitioning to an endemic status. As many of you know, my original expectation was that I would do this for about 6 months – I have now been at this almost 4 years, and 7 days a week, 365 days a year for 3½ years.
This was an excellent way for me to assist the actuarial profession and others understand the flood of COVID information during the pandemic. It was also a welcome connection to all of you during that isolated time. But now the burden of this essentially full-time job is preventing me from doing other things I want and need to do. There are still important stories to tell – will COVID settle into endemic behavior? Will we understand and conquer long COVID? Will American democracy survive 2024? Hopefully, the efforts here will equip readers to critically analyze developments in these questions going forward. For now, my deepest appreciation for your readership, feedback and interaction during these past 4 years, and my best wishes to you all, each and every one. Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year … Jeff Furnish