FDA finds Moderna vaccine safe and effective: https://www.axios.com/fda-review-moderna-vaccine-6c2c4c62-f584-43ac-8873-4eadc98cd7f7.html . Here is the FDA briefing document for their December 17 review meeting: https://www.fda.gov/media/144434/download . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/modernas-covid-19-vaccine-is-next-in-line-for-authorization-11608028201 .
FDA recommends monitoring for Bell’s palsy: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2020-12-15/fda-recommends-watching-vaccine-recipients-for-bells-palsy .
WSJ: Europe hasn’t approved Pfizer vaccine: https://www.wsj.com/articles/europe-chafes-at-slow-pace-of-covid-19-vaccine-approval-11608036518 . When the response is, “We’re moving as fast as we can”, you know there’s a problem.
WSJ: US Pfizer vaccine roll-out continues: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-vaccine-latest-updates-12-15-2020-11608048408 .
More on new UK coronavirus mutation: https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-britain-variant/new-coronavirus-strain-spreading-in-uk-has-key-mutations-scientists-say-idUSKBN28P158 . The new information from yesterday is that one of the variations affects the spike protein. As this is the mechanism for attachment to human cells, it is quite possible that infectiousness has increased.
Surprise medical billing legislation advances: https://www.axios.com/lawmakers-surprise-medical-bills-11913265-6359-4b92-abfa-545ba74394a3.html .
WSJ: Biden’s coronavirus czar: https://www.wsj.com/articles/huge-challenge-awaits-jeffrey-zients-bidens-coronavirus-czar-11608037209 .
Florida’s governor is mismanaging vaccine roll-out: https://www.thedailybeast.com/florida-governor-ron-desantis-is-screwing-up-the-pfizer-coronavirus-vaccine-rollout . DeSantis continues to build his record as a science-denying screw-up.
WSJ: Can Congress figure out small business help?: https://www.wsj.com/articles/congress-eyes-targeted-coronavirus-aid-for-small-businesses-11607882400 . Apparently not. They don’t seem to comprehend the special problems restaurants face.
End of eviction ban looms: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2020-12-15/a-dangerous-moment-as-covid-eviction-ban-nears-expiration . This is dangerous in multiple ways.
Dodge City mayor gets out of Dodge over mask mandate threats: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2020-12-15/the-latest-germany-pushes-for-quick-eu-vaccine-approval .
Government in “chaos” over Russian security breach: https://news.yahoo.com/government-and-industry-reeling-after-russian-hackers-pierce-internal-networks-164258968.html . At least the government has had a lot of practice with being in chaos. What a gift Trump has been to our adversaries. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/suspected-russian-hack-said-to-have-gone-undetected-for-months-11607974376 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/white-house-national-security-adviser-obrien-cuts-trip-short-to-address-solarwinds-hack-11608072596 .
Elector checks a big bucket list item: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/washington-state-elector-terminal-health-issue-biden-vote_n_5fd8dc9fc5b689a6230e41d2 . He made his vote count, and well as his 15 seconds of fame.
Relief negotiations continue: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/lawmakers-11th-hour-negotiations-covid-19-relief/story?id=74741978 . There have been perhaps 100 newsletter comments like this over the past 6 months. However, adjournment is coming next week and both sides say they are not leaving without a deal. Update: Negotiators report progress: https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-coronavirus-pandemic-local-governments-steven-mnuchin-bills-aafdd37e1e2bbd82a190594a38639f33 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/congressional-leaders-to-meet-tuesday-to-discuss-covid-year-end-spending-bill-11608053219 .
Pete Buttigieg to be nominated as transportation secretary: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/15/biden-cabinet-pete-buttigieg-transportation-secretary-445515 . Biden’s proposed cabinet is incredibly diverse, even by Democratic party “standards”. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-selects-pete-buttigieg-to-lead-transportation-department-11608059207 .
Gina McCarthy tapped as climate coordinator: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-biden-mccarthy-exclusive-idUSKBN28P35Y . McCarthy is a former EPA administrator. WSJ: More, and Granholm picked for Secretary of Energy: https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-to-tap-jennifer-granholm-for-energy-secretary-11608072614
Economic effects of a no-deal Brexit: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/14/analysts-predict-what-a-no-deal-brexit-could-mean-for-markets-.html .
Obama trolls Trump: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/barack-obama-birther-joke-donald-trump-trevor-noah_n_5fd8761ec5b6218b42ebee94 .
Orange future: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-trump/after-the-white-house-trump-faces-uncertain-future-and-legal-threats-idUSKBN28P19C . Jumpsuits are orange …
Update on Florida basketball’s Johnson: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/sec/2020/12/15/floridas-keyontae-johnson-stable-condition-breathing-his-own/3911766001/ . As best we can tell from public reports, this situation remains extremely serious.
WSJ: We’re losing focus: https://www.wsj.com/articles/well-employed-in-pandemic-times-landscaping-goats-11608044907 . With everything going on, WSJ is drilling down on landscaping goats. And they follow up with an analysis of “Color of the Year”: https://www.wsj.com/articles/are-color-of-the-year-pronouncements-actually-helpful-11608064626 .
Glowing devils: https://www.npr.org/2020/12/14/946189582/ohio-zoo-documents-1st-case-of-biofluorescence-in-tasmanian-devils . Not something anyone had thought to look for.