Minority children majority of child deaths: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/09/16/covid-deaths-cdc-finds-majority-kids-who-die-black-hispanic/5814985002/ . They are 41% of the population but 78% of the deaths. 75% of children who die have an underlying medical condition.
WSJ: Why private healthcare failed public health: https://www.wsj.com/articles/hospitals-for-years-banked-on-lean-staffing-the-pandemic-overwhelmed-them-11600351907 . This article deserves a longer response, which I’ve placed here.
COVID-19 linked to preterm deliveries: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-19-preterm-birth-miscarriage-stillbirth/ .
Lack of antigen test data blinds US: https://khn.org/news/lack-of-antigen-test-reporting-leaves-country-blind-to-the-pandemic/ .
WSJ: Contact tracing dysfunction: https://www.wsj.com/articles/contact-tracing-the-wests-big-hope-for-suppressing-covid-19-is-in-disarray-11600337670 . We still have to get this right at some point.
WSJ: Moderna vaccine results in late October?: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-vaccine-study-results-could-come-late-october-moderna-ceo-says-11600379102 .
Vaccines to ship within 24 hours of approval: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/09/16/covid-vaccine-plan-free-americans/5815006002/ . Well, maybe. This goal might be met if McKesson is given a heads-up that approval is coming. Then, we’ll have different vaccines, which must ship at different temperatures. Most require a second shot either 21 or 28 days after the first shot, and you must get the same vaccine you received the first time. Given how poorly the government has done with testing, contact tracing, data collection and transparency, this feels like another opportunity to raise vaccine skepticism. Remember that the supply chain is considered “mind-bogglingly complex”: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/09/06/covid-vaccine-complex-distribution-supply-chain-follow-approval/5712053002/ . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-plans-to-ship-first-covid-19-vaccine-24-hours-after-authorization-11600275910 .
WSJ: States worry about slow vaccine planning: https://www.wsj.com/articles/state-health-authorities-worry-about-slow-planning-for-covid-19-vaccine-distribution-11600377802 . Again, vaccine skepticism.
WSJ: Poorer nations want to limit vaccine patents: https://www.wsj.com/articles/developing-countries-push-to-limit-patent-protections-for-covid-vaccines-11600355170 .
Biden would mandate masks: https://www.usnews.com/news/elections/articles/2020-09-16/joe-biden-slams-trump-over-covid-19-says-he-would-mandate-masks?src=usn_nl_coronavirus .
Indonesia orders non-mask-wearers to dig graves: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2020/09/15/covid-19-indonesia-face-masks-grave-digging/5811986002/ . Probably not a model order for Mr. Biden.
WSJ: Barr compares lockdowns to slavery: https://www.wsj.com/articles/barr-condemns-justice-department-prosecutors-11600348770 . If you’re keeping track, Barr, Kellyanne Conway and Michael Avenatti all went to George Washington Law.
Gambling your life at Wynn: https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/hotels/2020/09/17/wynn-las-vegas-says-548-employees-tested-positive-covid-19/3482423001/ .
Hawaii re-opening October 15: https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2020/09/17/coronavirus-hawaii-visitors-can-skip-quarantine-if-they-test-negative/3477627001/ .
NYC school re-openings delayed – again: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2020/09/17/facing-monday-deadline-nyc-again-delay-start-person-classes/5808787002/ .
Delta won’t furlough flight attendants: https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/airline-news/2020/09/15/delta-air-lines-no-furloughs-flight-attendants-front-line-workers/5802614002/ . Wait, the NFL only wants the young blond ones: https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/airline-news/2020/09/13/united-sued-over-claims-nfl-flights-staffed-young-blond-crews/5784594002/ .
Virus complicates school enrollment count: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2020/09/17/covid-19-stressed-schools-brace-enrollment-count-funding-impacts/5818518002/ .
WSJ: COVID-19 pauses communal prayer: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-puts-the-i-in-the-high-holy-days-11600383609 .
Two-thirds of shuttered businesses will not return: https://www.usnews.com/news/economy/articles/2020-09-16/two-thirds-of-shuttered-businesses-will-not-reopen-study-states?src=usn_nl_coronavirus . The economic second wave appears huge.
WSJ: A million mortgage borrowers are falling through the safety net: https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-million-mortgage-borrowers-fall-through-covid-19-safety-net-11600335001 . This is really screwed up; there should be a legal requirement to notify these people.
WSJ: Weekly unemployment claims hold steady at 860,000: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-k-accounting-watchdog-fines-deloitte-former-partners-over-autonomy-audits-11600351624 .
WSJ: MetLife to buy Versant Health: https://www.wsj.com/articles/metlife-to-buy-versant-health-for-1-7-billion-11600344644 .
WSJ: Facebook to curb internal debate: https://www.wsj.com/articles/facebook-to-curb-internal-debate-over-sensitive-issues-amid-employee-discord-11600368481 . Just perfect for a company at the center of First Amendment, truth and privacy issues.
Raytheon to cut 15,000 jobs as airlines slow: https://apnews.com/2ac7b61a127ac85c5f338758c62c13ae#:~:text=(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20Raytheon%20Technologies%20Corp,Officer%20Greg%20Hayes%20said%20Wednesday.
China to review TikTok deal: https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-has-to-approve-tiktok-oracle-deal-too-bytedance-says-11600354975 .
Trump admits TikTok deal can’t involve kickback to US Treasury: https://apnews.com/b3bedfa96d716a70e462b486b34d63ed . Obviously, this would be illegal as it represents government interference in a private business transaction. More amazingly, no White House or government attorney has spoken publicly about the complete absurdity of this idea, and obviously Trump does not think to ask for advice before blabbing. This behavior may be common in this presidency; not only is it not normal, it demonstrates to everyone, friend or foe, the absolute dysfunction of the Trump White House.
WSJ: More on audit responsibilities: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-k-accounting-watchdog-fines-deloitte-former-partners-over-autonomy-audits-11600351624 .
WSJ: FAA revamp?: https://www.wsj.com/articles/boeing-737-max-report-boosts-potential-for-faa-changes-but-hurdles-loom-11600350922 .
WSJ: Fed running out of ammo: https://www.wsj.com/articles/lacking-tools-fed-pins-hopes-on-powerful-words-11600335000 . Another relief package is needed.
WSJ: Shutdown deal near: https://www.wsj.com/articles/lawmakers-close-in-on-spending-deal-to-avert-shutdown-11600379832 . Prospects for a relief package continue to dim.
WSJ: Oil demand sinks: https://www.wsj.com/articles/oil-producers-best-customers-are-in-trouble-11600340411 .
WSJ: Tax policy: Trump v. Biden: https://www.wsj.com/articles/where-trump-and-biden-stand-on-tax-policy-11600335001 . Taxes have to go up at some point, the question is who pays. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/companies-brace-for-higher-taxes-after-u-s-election-11600366918 .
US image abroad plummets over coronavirus: https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2020/09/15/us-image-plummets-internationally-as-most-say-country-has-handled-coronavirus-badly/ .
Official misconduct involved in 54% of wrongful convictions: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/09/15/police-misconduct-among-leading-causes-false-convictions/5795715002/ . A new wrinkle to defunding the police.
DOJ appeals Census decision to Supreme Court: https://www.npr.org/2020/09/16/911950467/trump-administration-appeals-to-supreme-court-over-blocked-census-memo . Political posturing; if Biden is elected, the case goes away. If the Supreme Court for some reason rules prior to the election (unlikely because as long as the immigrants are counted, the numbers can be adjusted later; the next Court term starts October 5), they are likely to rule against DOJ, based both on the language of the Constitution and long-standing practice. Any ruling should be 9-0.
A possible Census solution from the Senate: https://www.npr.org/2020/09/15/913163016/bipartisan-senate-push-to-extend-census-begins-weeks-before-count-is-set-to-end . The definition of “oxymoron”: A solution from the Senate. Still, this could pass.
WSJ: Power line fire threats: https://www.wsj.com/articles/oregon-fires-show-power-lines-pose-threat-beyond-california-11600353002 . The Portland air remains unbreathable; rain tomorrow may help air quality and firefighting.