WSJ: A guide to state COVID-19 regulations (18 states): https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-guide-to-state-coronavirus-restrictions-11597838401 .
WSJ: Antibody positive tests by borough, age: https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-third-of-people-tested-in-bronx-have-coronavirus-antibodies-11597790703 .
FDA approval of plasma treatment delayed: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-plasma/fdas-emergency-approval-of-blood-plasma-as-covid-19-treatment-on-hold-nyt-idUSKCN25F1T5 .
FDA warning on methanol: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-reiterates-warning-about-dangerous-alcohol-based-hand-sanitizers . Apparently, methanol poisoning is rising worldwide, particularly in Iran, with people ingesting it as a COVID-19 cure (people really do drink disinfectant).
WSJ: Connecticut failed to protect nursing homes: https://www.wsj.com/articles/connecticuts-covid-19-plan-left-out-nursing-homes-report-finds-11597783019 .
Seven states approved for $300 weekly federal unemployment assistance: https://www.wsj.com/articles/several-states-commit-to-extra-federal-jobless-benefit-of-300-a-week-offered-by-trump-11597768991 . Good details on state administrative issued involved in these payments, which are retroactive to August 1 for qualifying applicants.
ACA back at Supreme Court November 10, one week after election: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/19/supreme-court-to-hear-challenge-to-obamacare-week-after-election-day.html .
This poll suggests the public is well-informed: https://www.pgpf.org/infographic/voter-views-on-school-reopening-vaccine-availability-and-economic-recovery . Note the 60%+ willing to be vaccinated. I’m wondering if these 1,001 poll participants were disproportionately college educated, as other polls suggest this high percentage of vaccine acceptance only among college-educated Americans.
NIH presses nonprofit for Wuhan data and virus sample: https://www.wsj.com/articles/nih-presses-u-s-nonprofit-for-information-on-wuhan-virology-lab-11597829400 .
WSJ: Cuomo writes book on pandemic response: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-york-gov-andrew-cuomo-writes-book-on-coronavirus-pandemic-11597770606 .
Anderson Cooper presses the My Pillow guy on oleandrin: https://thehill.com/homenews/media/512546-cnns-cooper-to-mypillow-ceo-you-really-are-like-a-snake-oil-salesman .
WSJ: AI can speed MRI’s: https://www.wsj.com/articles/researchers-at-facebook-ai-nyu-langone-push-speed-limits-of-mri-11597755600 .
Cocooning is back: https://www.usnews.com/news/economy/articles/2020-08-19/guess-whos-winning-big-in-the-pandemic-home-and-online-retail-giants . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/strong-home-depot-results-show-pandemics-consumer-spending-shift-11597749267 .
Surge in domestic violence: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2020-08-18/radiology-study-suggests-horrifying-rise-in-domestic-violence-during-pandemic?src=usn_nl_coronavirus .
Florida voting: Balloting heavy by mail: https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2020-08-18/floridians-voting-by-mail-in-huge-numbers-compared-to-2016?src=usn_nl_coronavirus . It may end up double the 2016 primary, which featured Senate primaries.
WSJ: Analysis of swing voters: https://www.wsj.com/articles/do-swing-voters-still-exist-11597755600 .
WSJ: DeJoy reverses course: https://www.wsj.com/articles/postmaster-general-dejoy-to-testify-before-senate-panel-friday-11597758378 . DeJoy has not yet reversed the machines or post office boxes already removed, or the reduction of authorized overtime.
WSJ: Senate panel faults FBI on 2016 election probe: https://www.wsj.com/articles/senate-panels-russia-report-finds-fault-with-fbis-handling-of-2016-election-probes-11597872094 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/senate-intelligence-committee-releases-final-report-from-russia-investigation-11597758014 . Another perspective: https://www.vox.com/2020/8/18/21373634/senate-intelligence-committee-russia-trump-report . The actual report (released with redactions): https://www.intelligence.senate.gov/sites/default/files/documents/report_volume5.pdf .
Will Oracle beat out Microsoft for TikTok?: https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-supports-oracle-buy-of-tiktok-larry-ellison-donor-2020-8 . Still unknown: How do you separate a social media app by region? WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-expresses-support-for-oracle-to-buy-tiktok-11597799352 .
ViacomCBS looking to sell CNET, Simon & Schuster, “Black Rock”: https://www.wsj.com/articles/viacomcbs-in-talks-to-sell-tech-site-cnet-to-red-ventures-11597768972 . Changes coming swiftly after Sumner Redstone’s death.
Amex to acquire fintech Kabbage: https://www.forbes.com/sites/cherylwinokurmunk/2020/08/17/the-rumors-have-it-amex-to-acquire-kabbage/#9d2da58469cb .
WSJ: Empire State Building losing tenants: https://www.wsj.com/articles/empire-state-building-reflects-new-yorks-deepening-real-estate-woes-11597752001 .
WSJ: Simon rethinking mall traffic: https://www.wsj.com/articles/simon-the-biggest-u-s-mall-owner-shows-two-sides-innovator-and-traditionalist-11597752001 .
FedEx adds holiday surcharge: https://www.wsj.com/articles/fedex-adds-peak-fees-on-shipments-during-holiday-season-11597760207 .
Remember the buzz that female-led countries (e.g., Germany, New Zealand, Taiwan) did better with COVID-19 response than those led by men (e.g., US, UK, Brazil)? Now there’s a study on that: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3617953 .
Detailed reporting on Latin America: https://www.as-coa.org/articles/coronavirus-latin-america .
WHO: World not close to herd immunity: https://www.usnews.com/news/world-report/articles/2020-08-18/who-the-world-is-nowhere-close-to-coronavirus-herd-immunity?src=usn_nl_coronavirus . This is not news from a technical standpoint; it’s interesting that WHO felt the need to state this to its audiences.
Chinese government not tolerant of criticism: https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3097706/chinas-communist-party-expels-outspoken-retired-professor-over . WSJ: China purges security apparatus: https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-xi-jinping-tightens-grip-on-domestic-security-forces-in-first-broad-purge-11597773887 .
Israel, Sudan discuss formalized relations: https://www.wsj.com/articles/sudan-in-talks-to-formalize-ties-with-israel-11597782488 . Next up for Israel: Bahrain, Morocco, Oman. Establishment of these relations weakens the Palestinian position.
New Girl Scout cookie flavor: https://www.thrillist.com/news/nation/girl-scouts-french-toast-cookies-how-to-order-online .