Long COVID remains mysterious: https://news.yahoo.com/long-covid-doctor-better-data-135904963.html . The article estimates that 30% of those infected by COVID suffer long COVID. This translates to 22.6 million Americans currently suffering from long COVID. Also, the article gives this link, which indicates that long COVID can be a covered illness under the Americans with Disabilities Act: https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-providers/civil-rights-covid19/guidance-long-covid-disability/index.html#footnote10_0ac8mdc .
Can Omicron cause long COVID?: https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-lifestyle-f87fd7ec5680e1833006b6016357b367 .
Plant-based COVID treatment: https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/article-695915 . The treatment prevents the virus from attaching to human cells. It also assists patients with long COVID.
WSJ: COVID restrictions unwind in the US and Europe as Omicron cases ebb: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-restrictions-unwind-as-omicron-wanes-in-u-s-parts-of-europe-11644319970 .
Hamsters can transmit COVID to humans: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/08/hamsters-can-transmit-covid-to-humans-data-suggests .
WSJ: Pfizer COVID vaccine sales forecast: https://www.wsj.com/articles/pfizer-forecasts-54-billion-in-2022-sales-from-its-covid-19-vaccine-treatment-11644325656 .
J&J halts COVID vaccine production: https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/593316-covid-19-vaccine-production-quietly-suspended-at-johnson-johnson-plant . This is not much of an issue in the US, but it is more important globally. A single-dose vaccine has considerable advantages in hard-to-reach areas.
WSJ: Travel nurses’ wage rise funded by COVID relief: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-relief-funds-drive-up-nurse-pay-hospitals-say-11644316203 .
WSJ: Vermont may constitutionally protect abortion rights: https://www.wsj.com/articles/vermont-is-one-step-closer-to-adding-abortion-rights-to-its-constitution-11644348231 .
Could US Postal Service reform be on the way?: https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/08/politics/usps-overhaul-bill-house-vote/index.html . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/house-passes-bill-easing-retiree-burdens-for-u-s-postal-service-11644373813 . The bipartisan nature of the House vote and Republican support in the Senate increase the odds of passage. This is particularly important for things like medication delivery. However, to the extent the money is coming from Medicare, Medicare’s funding issues obviously will get worse.
WSJ: New legal tactic to avoid asbestos liability: https://www.wsj.com/articles/profitable-companies-enlist-bankruptcy-courts-to-sidestep-cancer-trials-11644319800 . This really stinks.
Republicans inch toward reality: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/mcconnell-calls-jan-6-violent-insurrection-breaking-rnc-rcna15404 . And: https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a39015867/mitch-mcconnell-january-6-rnc-resolution-liz-cheney/ . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/mcconnell-says-rnc-shouldnt-have-censured-cheney-and-kinzinger-11644353653 . My sense is that McConnell, whose only interest is netting one additional GOP Senate seat in November, is trying to defuse the impact of the findings of the January 6 committee. He is also trying to undermine Orange Julius ahead of the primaries, as victories for OJ supporters in the primaries lessen the GOP’s chances in the general election in swing states. Elected OJ supporters also threaten McConnell’s ability to hold his caucus together during 2023 and 2024.
This also emphasizes the terrible political mistake the RNC made by describing January 6 as “legitimate political discourse”. They are now a punching bag for everyone else. More: https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-facing-growing-gop-revolt-1677155 . Still more: https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/593198-gop-frustration-mounts-as-trump-returns-focus-to-jan-6 .
Far-right extremist group leaders met in DC the day before the January 6 insurrection: https://www.aol.com/news/exclusive-fbi-probes-pre-capitol-120940897-143317784.html . This is tantalizing information, but the question is, what can be proven about the conversation? The parking garage thing smacks of paranoia and Deep Throat.
US Capitol Police union leadership is unhappy with GOP Congresspeople: https://news.yahoo.com/us-capitol-police-betrayed-by-their-leaders-on-jan-6-top-police-union-official-says-133252395.html . This makes total sense to me. These officers put their lives on the line for a bunch of four-flushers.
Marjorie Taylor Greene draws many challengers: https://apnews.com/article/georgia-marjorie-taylor-greene-atlanta-suburbs-congress-fdf1cc937bf7e62faacb2ed8207af7da . But the biggest news here is that her district’s lines have shifted, bringing in some urban voters. I would expect her to be tough to dislodge, but we’ll all have to wait for polling to be sure.
University of Alabama in desperate need of brain transplants: https://www.aol.com/news/university-alabama-renames-building-first-112112896.html . However, this is hardly the first time I’ve made this comment. These people need to be sent to a re-education camp.
WSJ: Another challenge for China’s economy and its real estate developers: https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-private-developers-abstain-from-land-auctions-as-red-lines-draw-blood-11644330780 .