WSJ: US round-up: https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-latest-news-08-29-2020-11598698806 . News for South Korea and Japan is in last paragraphs.
Vaccine status tracker: https://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2020/aug/29/covid-vaccine-tracker-when-will-a-coronavirus-vaccine-be-ready . The tracker follows 186 vaccines, 7 of which have entered Phase 3 trials.
CDC updates advice on those most at risk from COVID-19: https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2020/cdc-removes-covid-age-range-warning.html .
FDA approves expanded use of remdesivir, without evidence: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2020/08/28/fda-ignores-science-expanding-remdesivir-treat-covid-19/5662305002/ . There is increasing concern/alarm that FDA actions are damaging the agency’s reputation. https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/fda-stumbles-wound-reputation-as-pivotal-review-of-vaccine-nears-1.1486548 . And: https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/08/28/907141829/fda-removes-top-spokesperson-after-blood-plasma-blunder . To the extent this turmoil increases vaccine skepticism, it is a huge problem.
Hawaii contends with virus surge: https://www.wsj.com/articles/hawaii-is-no-longer-safe-from-covid-19-11598619600 .
RNC: 4 test positive in Charlotte: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/28/four-people-diagnosed-with-covid-rnc-404324 .
College re-opening follies continue: Alabama has over 1,000 COVID-19 cases: https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/education/2020/08/28/covid-cases-university-of-alabama/5662754002/ . Purdue in spotlight: “Please don’t kill him”: https://www.courier-journal.com/in-depth/news/education/2020/08/28/covid-cases-purdue-college-fall-semester/3442331001/ . Is Boilermaker the only team nickname that’s a drink? Closest I could get is the Milwaukee Brewers … oh, wait, the Miami Hurricanes …
College re-openings: This writer nails it: https://www.usnews.com/news/education-news/articles/2020-08-28/reopening-colleges-face-biggest-coronavirus-threat-students . She notes “… the most obvious obstacle of all: counting on students to change their behavior.”
WSJ: The second wave: Furloughs become layoffs: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-covid-19-layoffs-make-job-reductions-permanent-11598654257 . A lot of these people are now losing their health coverage during the pandemic, with our employer-based system.
WSJ: Consumer spending slows: https://www.wsj.com/articles/consumer-spending-likely-grew-in-july-as-labor-market-improved-11598607000 . Additional slowing seems likely with no relief package in sight.
WSJ: US moves ahead with payroll tax deferral plan: https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-administration-begins-payroll-tax-deferral-plan-set-to-start-sept-1-11598649525 . Another troubled idea that does not have a future. What happens for businesses that shutter in this period? (The taxes are still owed by both the business and the employees.)
US chip design now two full generations behind Asia: https://www.businessinsider.com/intel-7nm-chip-delay-limits-us-government-supercomputer-ambitions-2020-8. Intel has delayed 7nm manufacture while Taiwan is on track with 3nm production.
WSJ: More on Walmart’s interest in TikTok: https://www.wsj.com/articles/with-his-tiktok-pursuit-walmart-ceo-seeks-to-revamp-retailer-again-11598637043 .
WSJ: Warren Buffett and the $300,000 haircut: https://www.wsj.com/articles/warren-buffett-and-the-300-000-haircut-11598626805 . An unusual perspective on the time value of money. More on frugality: https://www.businessinsider.com/frugal-billionaires-millionaires-lifestyle-money-car-house-habits-net-worth-2019-2#buffett-also-famously-pays-only-18-for-a-haircut-11 .
WSJ: European cruises resume: https://www.wsj.com/articles/cruise-ships-cautiously-resume-sailing-in-europe-after-deadly-outbreaks-11598616000 . To state the obvious, even a test with 95% accuracy would leave noticeable risk that an infected individual boards these 5,000 person capacity floating Petri dishes, let alone the issues with stops along the way. And the cruises which have had outbreaks have had significant disembarkation problems.
WSJ: Working from paradise: https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-tourist-spots-like-bermuda-are-offering-remote-work-visas-11598551270 . The next logical step in remote work, for those who can afford it.
Will remote work remake cities?: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/aug/30/the-reversal-of-gentrification-how-covid-19-could-remake-australias-cities . CBD stands for Commercial Business District, not the cannabis derivative.
Ending with SOMETHING USEFUL in the new normal: Improving the ergonomics of your home office: https://www.theladders.com/career-advice/here-is-how-working-from-home-is-destroying-your-body . It’s also useful to review the study itself from the link in the article – there are additional details not in the article, and photos of interest.