Masks help keep schools open, CDC study finds: https://news.yahoo.com/masks-help-keep-schools-open-cdc-finds-181915677.html?fr=sychp_catchall . Facts matter. Science matters. GOP Governors like Abbott, Costello-DeMentis and Ducey also matter (temporarily), but in a really bad way. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/schools-with-face-mask-requirements-had-fewer-covid-19-outbreaks-cdc-study-finds-11632515562 .
Biden administration steps in to support child safety in schools: https://sports.yahoo.com/news/biden-administration-awards-150-k-to-florida-district-that-resisted-de-santis-ban-on-mask-mandates-205726874.html . This has looked like a losing game for DeMentis from the start. His refusal to back down just parrots the anti-science, anti-safety behavior of the Orange Furor. You would think DeMentis is becoming a laughingstock to most parents in Florida, although this is no laughing matter.
WSJ: “Updated” info on Delta: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-delta-variant-and-covid-19-vaccines-what-to-know-11627079604 . WSJ regularly republishes this article. My sense is that this article does not reflect the latest research.
CDC’s Walensky broadens booster eligibility, aligns CDC with FDA: https://www.thewellnews.com/health/cdc-director-overrides-advisors-vote-to-broaden-eligibility-for-vaccines/ . This is a very unusual action. However, it appropriately recognizes the vulnerability of front-line workers, many of whom are regularly exposed to COVID positive people. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/cdc-panel-recommends-pfizer-covid-19-boosters-for-seniors-certain-adults-with-underlying-medical-conditions-11632432478 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/behind-covid-19-booster-authorization-were-disagreements-on-evidence-broad-access-11632506540 . And this opinion: https://www.wsj.com/articles/rochelle-walenskys-finest-hour-cdc-fda-janet-woodcock-biden-administration-covid-booster-vaccine-shots-11632511818 . Remarkably, the Editorial Board came to the same conclusion I did on a current issue for the second time this month. This time, their analysis looks a lot like mine. Scary.
WSJ: Pharmacies ramp up to deliver booster shots: https://www.wsj.com/articles/pharmacies-prepare-for-broader-covid-19-booster-distribution-11632504724 . The “self-identify” comment is troubling. Can a 40-year-old walk in, self identify as a worker in a high risk position, and get the shot? If so, the rules will be subject to considerable violation.
US still cannot get testing right as supply problems threaten shortages: https://www.usnews.com/news/the-report/articles/2021-09-24/coronavirus-testing-problems-mount-as-delta-back-to-school-drive-demand . Also note the comment that the national positivity rate is running around 8%. To control the pandemic, we want to see a testing rate below 3%. More waves are coming, at least regionally. Dr. Gottlieb predicts in the other direction: https://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2021/09/24/its-far-from-over-but-delta-coronavirus-wave-might-be-the-last-major-wave-of-infection-former-fda-commissioner-says/ . However, this could end up being semantics. Many believe the current wave will end by the end of September. If it does not, Gottlieb can claim October is part of the current wave. I think there will continue to be significant regional differences.
18 states have not yet fully vaccinated half of their adults: https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/24/health/us-coronavirus-friday/index.html . And 16 of them have Republican governors. Not a surprise, is it?
WSJ: COVID is by far the leading cop killer in the US: https://www.wsj.com/articles/police-departments-strive-to-persuade-officers-to-get-covid-19-vaccine-11632488400 .
DC nursing home COVID outbreak infects 74, kills 5: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/five-dead-and-74-infected-after-covid-19-outbreak-in-washington-nursing-home/ar-AAOMVQf?li=BBnb7Kz . Note that 33 of the infections are breakthrough infections. So this demonstrates the importance of the booster to the elderly and frail. It also suggests the minimum of age 65 for eligibility should be lowered
Interview with VP Harris derailed as two hosts are pulled mid-show for testing COVID positive: https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/the-view-ana-navarro-sunny-hostin-covid-1235073434/ . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-view-co-hosts-leave-set-after-testing-positive-for-covid-19-11632500403 . Apparently both are vaccinated, so we have two more highly publicized breakthrough infections. However, there may have also been faulty testing: https://thehill.com/homenews/media/573910-view-host-ana-navarro-tests-negative-for-coronavirus-after-testing-positive .
Unvaccinated Warriors player can’t play in home games: https://sports.yahoo.com/unvaccinated-andrew-wiggins-cant-play-home-games-even-if-he-gets-religious-exemption-from-nba-212836170.html . The writer is a bit sloppy. Wiggins cannot play in every game this season unless he is traded to a team which does not have a game scheduled with the Warriors in San Francisco.
WSJ: The risks of virus research: https://www.wsj.com/articles/since-covid-19-hit-research-on-viruses-has-exploded-is-it-safe-11632496218 . It is difficult to find solid meat in this article, but the history of gain-of-function research may be of some interest to you.
WSJ: House passes abortion rights protection bill: https://www.wsj.com/articles/house-to-vote-on-abortion-rights-measure-to-counter-texas-restrictions-11632493817 . This is going nowhere in the Senate, because there isn’t anything like 10 Republican votes.
Serious COVID cases in Israel continue to rise: https://www.timesofisrael.com/number-of-covid-patients-on-ventilators-hits-highest-level-since-march/ . This remains a major warning signal to the US, as the Israeli population is highly vaccinated.
WSJ: Evergrande apparently defaults on bond interest: https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-evergrande-bondholders-in-the-dark-about-83-5-million-in-interest-payments-11632453719 . As detailed yesterday, this is potentially a huge global problem.
Details of the in-flux reconciliation bill: https://news.yahoo.com/whats-in-democrats-biden-domestic-agenda-build-back-better-negotiations-090014970.html . It remains my view that Democrats all realize they have to pass something. My guess has been a final price tag of around $2.8 billion.
The GOP Arizona audit fulfills my dreams: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/maricopa-county-draft-cyber-ninjas-election-review-says-biden-won-n1279997 . Hahahaha. So, yesterday I joked that the end of this audit madness might occur if the new Texas audit (by the GOP) found that Biden won. And today, Arizona will release its long-delayed “Cyber Ninjas” audit (the Ninjas caught COVID). The results apparently increase Biden’s margin of victory by 360 votes. Hahahaha. What an idiotic expenditure of taxpayer money (note: some of the funding came from donations from Orange Julius supporters). WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/arizona-gops-election-audit-confirms-biden-win-in-draft-report-11632467822 . So this must feel like eating a bowl of gravel for the Editorial Board.
Mahmoud Abbas gives Israel ultimatum on two-state solution: https://apnews.com/article/united-nations-general-assembly-jerusalem-israel-race-and-ethnicity-racial-injustice-8cea2ec124227ba17d9a361c561da04d . Abbas emphasizes the important point that the alternative to a two-state solution is a one-state solution in which Jews are in the minority. Israel has drug its feet on this because they prefer the current stand-off in which Israel has control.
Oldest human footprints in North America found: https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-science-travel-fossils-new-mexico-97cb4b2ea0f499d6ea5fbfebab243413. And just today it was confirmed that they belong to Senator Chuck Grassley: https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/24/politics/senate-gop-2022-grassley/index.html . Actually, polling has shown that an increasing percentage of Iowans do not want Grassley to run. And a lot can happen to an 88-year-old in 13 months.