15 states report no COVID deaths Monday: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-05-18/us-coronavirus-cases-fatalities-drop-with-some-states-reporting-no-new-deaths . This is encouraging news.
WSJ: COVID vaccinations go on the road: https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-covid-19-vaccines-are-showing-up-in-unusual-places-11621339204 .
Children’s innate immunity can contribute to COVID inflammatory syndrome: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-05-18/clues-to-rare-disorder-affecting-kids-with-covid-19 .
Texas governor bars school mask mandates: https://www.reuters.com/business/legal/texas-bars-mask-mandates-schools-defying-latest-cdc-guidance-2021-05-18/. We have just begun vaccinating children 12 to 15, and there is no approved vaccine for younger children. Any adult in Texas who thinks this is a good idea is an unfit parent. Perhaps this anti-science stupidity will increase parents’ interest in vaccinating their children as soon is a vaccine is available.
Nanofiber filter highly successful against COVID aerosols: https://www.contagionlive.com/view/filter-made-of-nanofiber-captures-nearly-all-coronavirus-aerosols . They should sell these to the parents of Texas schoolchildren.
Fully vaccinated woman dies of COVID: https://apnews.com/article/wi-state-wire-health-coronavirus-pandemic-49f04c6fffc663789f48f638970651d4 . First of all, no vaccine is 100% effective. However, the likely culprit here is a suppressed immune system.
Initial colorectal screening age lowered from 50 to 45: https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-science-cancer-health-3c8cdb1f847c3e8d9f806509a7f4caf2 . This is particularly important for black Americans: https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/colorectal-cancer-rates-higher-in-african-americans-rising-in-younger-people.html .
UK delay of second dose actually improves vaccine effectiveness: https://www.foxnews.com/health/pfizer-covid-vaccine-study . The results of research are such a stark contrast to the anti-science fools dominating the Republican Party.
The EU’s travel passport: https://www.politico.eu/article/eus-coronavirus-travel-plan-faces-make-or-break-moment-covid-green-certificates/ .
Denmark’s zombie mink rise yet again: https://www.livescience.com/denmark-zombie-mink-mass-grave-excavation.html . The zombie mink are one of several COVID stories that refuse to die. If they turn up in the Suez Canal, we can bet on WSJ reporting.
Tokyo Olympics should be cancelled: https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/05/18/997864248/cancel-the-olympics-says-tokyo-doctors-association .
Nominations are in for the biggest leadership COVID failures: https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/2021-05-18/5-leaders-who-badly-mishandled-the-covid-19-pandemic . The award is a foregone conclusion considering who had both the worst result and the most resources.
India hit by cyclone on day of highest COVID death toll: https://www.npr.org/2021/05/18/997794616/cyclone-hits-india-on-deadliest-day-of-pandemic . There is simply no reliable data on India’s COVID tragedy, other than it is really bad. Herd resistance in India will mostly be generated by prior infections.
India’s surge catches Nepal: https://www.wsj.com/articles/steep-covid-19-rise-in-nepal-mirrors-indias-surge-11621350579 .
India’s pharmaceutical industry faces mounting logistical problems: https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3133922/indias-medicine-makers-logistical-mess-coronavirus-crisis . This is bad news for vaccinations in both India and the world. The US must continue to step up. Possibly the US can stretch its capacity if booster shots are effective in one dose following previous vaccination. I am wondering about this application for those globally that received the AstraZeneca, Chinese or Russian vaccines.
WSJ: Japan’s recovery slows: https://www.wsj.com/articles/japans-recovery-from-pandemic-slows-11621296449 . One weakness in this article is its failure to discuss the chip shortage. The article is very optimistic about Japanese car exports, which presumably would be disrupted by further chip supply problems.
WSJ: AI factory at the Mayo Clinic: https://www.wsj.com/articles/mayo-clinic-others-use-ai-factories-to-speed-ai-development-11621330202 .
21 states now cancelling federal unemployment benefits early: https://money.yahoo.com/21-states-now-cancelling-federal-unemployment-benefits-174226963.html . The map shows the states, all of which have Republican governors. There are 27 Republican governors. The 6 who have not cancelled benefits: Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Hampshire and Vermont. Biden carried 4 of these states, plus an electoral vote in Nebraska. Florida (DeMentis) is the lone state carried by Orange Julius. It is also the second most populous on the list, after Texas.
How does this stunt win the Republican Party any voters? It will certainly cost them voters. Once again, this seems like political malpractice. But the casualties of this malpractice are millions who have lost their job through no fault of their own and have the misfortune to live under a Republican governor. Like their fearful leader, Orange Julius, this is cruel and ignorant.
Bank of America to raise US minimum wage to $25 by 2025: https://www.wsj.com/articles/bank-of-america-to-raise-u-s-minimum-hourly-wage-to-25-by-2025-11621354247 . This is in my view a very smart move. This will create increased trust in their workforce by their customers. They are also requiring their vendors to pay a minimum wage of $15. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/bank-of-america-to-raise-u-s-minimum-hourly-wage-to-25-by-2025-11621354247 .
AT&T/Discovery deal fallout: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/att-admits-it-made-a-terrible-mistake-getting-into-media-business-with-discovery-deal-analyst-175502999.html . The article notes that AT&T’s acquisitions and then divestitures of Time Warner and DirecTV have evaporated about $100 billion in shareholder value. As we heard yesterday (AP News), the new media spinoff will require substantial investments to compete in the evolving streaming media landscape. AT&T is down over 5% in early trading Tuesday, following a loss of 2.7% yesterday.
McCarthy opposes January 6 commission: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/mccarthy-opposes-bipartisan-commission-investigate-jan-6-capitol-attack-n1267743 . McCarthy completes his El Foldo maneuver. House Democrats could still pass the bill, but it would face problems in the Senate. Pelosi could then appoint a select committee. Would that committee subpoena McCarthy about his interactions with Trump on January 6? It is fundamentally ridiculous to not investigate an insurrection at the Capitol, let alone one that led to loss of life. Nancy has Kevin on the ropes, primarily because yet again Kevin proves he’s an idiot.
And now House Republicans are defecting from McCarthy: https://www.politico.com/news/2021/05/18/mccarthy-opposition-capitol-riot-commission-489250 . Kevin, even if Republicans win the House in 2022, you are less and less likely to be Speaker. And congratulations on highlighting the subpoena issue. You are improving the chances for the bipartisan bill in the Senate.
Another shoe drops for Orange Julius: https://apnews.com/article/nyc-state-wire-new-york-attorney-generals-office-cyrus-vance-jr-manhattan-new-york-5ef3064093fd97cdc37fa2a6ebf9b271 . Kevin, this is a foolish investment of loyalty. This won’t take 18 months to play out. Enjoy your march over the cliff.
GOP blocks voter-approved initiatives: https://news.yahoo.com/gop-leaders-look-to-curtail-ballot-initiatives-after-red-state-voters-opt-for-legal-weed-expanded-medicaid-194157943.html . We have reported on these actions previously. Note that nearly 60% of Mississippi voters approved the marijuana initiative, so it can pass again. Also, both of these actions cost Mississippi and Missouri significant revenue. It is hard to see how this is smart politics.
Giuliani’s son running to replace Cuomo: https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/18/politics/andrew-giuliani-governor-new-york/index.html . Unelectable, even if Cuomo does not run. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/andrew-giuliani-declares-run-for-new-york-governor-11621355840 . This article inadvertently raises the important issue that the Giuliani name may well be a negative with New York voters. And again, a Rudy indictment will not help.
WSJ: Val Demings to challenge Marco Rubio: https://www.wsj.com/articles/rep-val-demings-plans-to-challenge-sen-marco-rubio-in-u-s-senate-race-in-florida-11621345488 . I can’t wait to see this debate – she will eviscerate Marco.
WSJ: More news on quantum computing: https://www.wsj.com/articles/google-aims-for-commercial-grade-quantum-computer-by-2029-11621359156 .