No evidence Paxlovid treats COVID rebound: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/pfizer-s-advice-on-retaking-covid-drug-contradicted-by-fda/ar-AAWVluW?cvid=1f3361095b7b49039688b3cb174f2a5f . FDA directly contradicts Pfizer’s recommendation.
COVID was at WHCA dinner: https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/us-elections-government/ny-covid-white-house-correspondents-dinner-20220504-mbtwsu3c25fvtaufvc2btg7qoq-story.html . Once again, the pandemic is NOT over.
Learning lessons from failed COVID variants: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/covid-and-omicron-variants-lessons-from-gamma-iota-and-mu/ar-AAWUeft?cvid=bb0c16c75a4a4a6889b7d78c783dfecd .
When will China move past the failed Zero COVID strategy?: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/six-signs-that-will-tell-us-when-china-is-abandoning-covid-zero/ar-AAWVIyi?cvid=e2090aeac96241909bcc10859bc7328d .
Companies line up to protect reproductive rights: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/companies-taking-a-stand-on-reproductive-rights-211048688.html . Supposedly the right favors small government. But they have worked nonstop for half a century to screw up the Supreme Court (they’ve succeeded) and deny women control over their own bodies. A strong majority of Americans favor maintaining this right. And political ads in Oregon right now are all about protecting this right (which we already do, in the state constitution no less).
Belligerent US airplane passenger incidents drop: https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2022-05-04/unruly-u-s-air-passenger-incidents-falls-to-lowest-level-since-2020 . “The lowest level since 2020” could be restated as “2021 was a record year for nuts acting out on planes”.
Fed raises interest rates by 50 basis points, largest increase since 2000: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/fed-fomc-monetary-policy-decision-may-2022-142723148.html . The increase was approved unanimously. So the Fed is admitting that it is behind the curve on inflation. And remember, this tool is not effective against supply chain disruption, it’s just the only tool the Fed has. The next meeting is in mid-June. Data before that meeting will be crucial as to whether we see another 50 basis point increase. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/fed-approves-half-point-interest-rate-rise-ratcheting-up-its-inflation-fight-11651687201 .
Rising US interest rates pressure developing economies: https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-business-international-monetary-fund-sri-lanka-ab562cd9e16592e40ec8c6d842c74b7a . Note the significant downward revisions in global growth prospects.
The war in Ukraine endangers the world’s food supply: https://news.yahoo.com/how-russias-war-on-ukraine-endangers-the-global-food-supply-172526497.html . Russia and Ukraine together produce 30% of the world’s wheat. This may be the worst year for food shortages since World War II. The UN agrees: https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-covid-health-business-lifestyle-f7b800b78865cf989e5e6708216c1aa6 .
NY Times says US intelligence has helped Ukrainians kill Russian generals: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/u-s-intelligence-helping-ukraine-kill-russian-generals-ny-times/ar-AAWVSaQ?cvid=05acfc8141ec45b0bba5cefc308b9010 . But I am puzzled by why the intelligence community would attempt to take credit for this. Aren’t we trying to avoid World War III?
Ukrainians destroy one of Russia’s most advanced tanks: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ukraine-war-russian-t-90m-main-battle-tank-destroyed/ar-AAWVC7g?cvid=6201f841a019474c8d735e39e54c43d6 . WSJ: Ukrainians retake villages around Kharkiv: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-retakes-villages-near-kharkiv-easing-pressure-on-battered-city-11651669856 .
Russians strike rail stations to disrupt resupply operations: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/russian-strikes-try-to-disrupt-delivery-of-western-weapons/ar-AAWW95d?cvid=302cf507767a42e592ea29b1f8d865b8 . This also terrifies the citizens attempting to escape the war by rail. Still, Ukraine is keeping the trains running: https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/04/europe/ukraine-russia-railways-intl/index.html .
The mechanics of investigating the Supreme Court leak: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/supreme-court-marshal-takes-up-leak-investigation-as-theories-swirl/ar-AAWVEZC?cvid=fed87d3c40b44087b0b5af042728458b . Frankly, things appear to be starting off on the wrong foot. Also note that there is no criminal penalty for the conduct involved. The investigation’s best hope still appears to be that someone who knows comes forward.
WSJ: World record for tenure at one company: 84 years and counting: https://www.wsj.com/articles/this-100-year-old-man-sets-record-for-longest-career-at-one-company-11651684209 .