FDA authorizes J&J vaccine: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/fda-authorizes-jj-vaccine-giving-us-3rd-option/story?id=76135205 . The one-shot vaccine is the best alternative when the “last mile” is a difficult delivery. This also considerably boosts the US vaccine supply. More: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2021/02/27/fda-authorizes-johnson-johnsons-one-dose-covid-vaccine-third-us/6843430002/ . Still more: https://consumer.healthday.com/2-27-fda-set-to-approve-third-covid-vaccine-2650826463.html . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/j-j-covid-19-vaccine-authorized-for-use-in-u-s-11614467922 .
Test demand plunges: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-02-27/plunging-covid-19-test-demand-may-leave-us-with-supply-glut . Uh-huh. Where are the rapid at-home test kits? Where are the public service announcements? We are so damn stupid in managing this pandemic. Testing is essentially self-management of potential exposure. You do your own contact tracing. Where are these smart-aleck “individual rights, no mask” idiots? They are not libertarians; they are just irresponsible.
Comparing the approved vaccines: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/how-does-the-johnson-johnson-vaccine-compare-to-other-coronavirus-vaccines . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/j-js-covid-19-vaccine-how-effective-is-it-and-when-will-it-be-available-11611940438 .
One Medical banned from vaccine delivery in some California counties where it gave vaccines to ineligible people: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/healthcare-provider-one-medical-barred-from-covid-vaccine-distribution-in-some-california-counties-after-giving-it-to-ineligible-people/ar-BB1e4MGu?li=BBnb7Kz . The employees involved were fired. Still, the company has supervision problems.
Variant fears grow: https://news.yahoo.com/fears-next-coronavirus-wave-case-172553841.html . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-picture-brightens-in-u-s-but-virus-isnt-done-yet-11614421800 .
More on the Shelby County, Tennessee, vaccine meltdown: https://www.thedailybeast.com/shelby-county-tennesee-suffers-complete-meltdown-with-coronavirus-vaccine-rollout .
Fluvoxamine shows promise in treating COVID: https://www.cnn.com/videos/health/2021/02/27/coronavirus-possible-treatment-fluvoxamine-trial-gupta-ebof-vpx.cnn . This approach of repurposing existing anti-inflammatories has already shown success during the pandemic. Because this drug is a cheap generic, no one is promoting its use.
US COVID patient zero: https://247wallst.com/healthcare-economy/2021/02/27/this-is-the-first-person-in-the-u-s-to-get-covid-19-according-to-records/amp/ . We will almost certainly never know our patient zero, but the Wuhan connection makes this a very reasonable contender.
The one-shot debate: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2021/02/27/studies-one-covid-vaccine-shot-may-protect-those-whove-been-infected/4550055001/ . Since the J&J vaccine was designed as a one-shot vaccine, it may be the best alternative for patients who’ve already had COVID. This issue will likely sort itself post-pandemic.
WSJ: US has a vaccine appointment system but isn’t using it: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-u-s-has-a-national-help-line-for-pandemics-but-isnt-using-it-for-covid-19-11614430800 . Why? Here in Oregon, our system crashed when initially opened. Vaccine appointments for those over 65 start Monday, but the newly eligible group adds 250,000 people to this online lottery. This is roughly akin to the race for concert tickets.
COVID permanence: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/27/what-if-covid-becomes-endemic.html . Sigh. Not “could”. COVID will become endemic. This is another “COVID will become like the flu” article. There is NO evidence it will weaken. Indeed, the emerging variants are stronger than the original. Science, people.
Canada short on vaccine doses: https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/11/world/canada-vaccine-rollout-failure/index.html . There is hope on the horizon: https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/26/health/coronavirus-canada-covid-vaccine/index.html .
Democrats working on Plan B for a $15 minimum wage: https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/personal-finance/articles/senate-finance-chair-reveals-new-plan-for-15-minimum-wage/ . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/house-set-to-pass-1-9-trillion-covid-aid-bill-11614357232 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-u-s-has-a-national-help-line-for-pandemics-but-isnt-using-it-for-covid-19-11614430800 .
DOJ will appeal judge’s ruling against CDC eviction ban: https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-pandemics-coronavirus-pandemic-covid-19-pandemic-5c1dec620b158295dca66f51a73b4d04 .
The size of the unpaid rent problem: https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/09/success/eviction-moratorium-landlord-plans/index.html .
Jobs report: Net 49,000 jobs added last week: https://abcnews.go.com/Business/unemployment-rate-dips-63-employers-added-49000-jobs/story?id=75667033 . The recovery is sluggish at best.
America’s Cup postponed as Auckland goes into second lockdown in February: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-newzealand/new-zealands-auckland-starts-second-covid-19-lockdown-this-month-idUSKCN2AR0PF .
The Biden foreign policy posture: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/biden-is-on-the-verge-of-making-the-same-dangerous-mistakes-as-the-presidents-before-him/ar-BB1e4jwY?li=BBnb7Kz . No. Biden has made clear that his priorities include lowering the temperature internationally. The long-term US international policy has looked like Teddy Roosevelt’s advice: Talk softly and carry a big stick. That policy has worked well. It is the complete opposite of Orange Julius. That alone recommends it. See also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace_through_strength .
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More on Sicknick murder suspect: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/fbi-targeting-single-assailant-death-investigation-capitol-police-officer-n1259074 . This is similar to and less detailed than yesterday’s information. However, this makes clearer that it is the bear spray individual being sought, and that his prior comments about the attack constitute premeditation.