Novavax joins global vaccination race: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-06-14/novavaxs-covid-vaccine-shines-in-latest-trial . Note the comments about the relative ease of scaling production up. They look to produce 100 million doses in September and 150 million a month thereafter. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/novavax-covid-19-vaccine-is-90-effective-in-key-study-11623664800 .
WSJ: UK delays reopening over Indian (delta) virus concerns: https://www.wsj.com/articles/rapid-spread-of-delta-coronavirus-variant-delays-u-k-s-full-reopening-11623690497 . First, the delta virus is 60% more transmissible than the UK (alpha) variant. Second, delta is believed to carry almost twice the hospitalization risk of alpha. Third, it is reported elsewhere that delta is much more dangerous in children than alpha. Many, including this newsletter, have been saying all of these things for some time. One hopes that the unfounded analogy to influenza can now be put to rest permanently. More: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/6/14/study-delta-variant-doubles-risk-of-covid-hospitalisation .
Delta variant’s symptoms differ from prior COVID symptoms: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/14/delta-variant-covid-symptoms-include-headaches-sore-throat-and-runny-nose .
Third vaccine dose shows promise for organ transplant patients: https://apnews.com/article/science-coronavirus-pandemic-health-222df4dfcb880ce9db3f3f1bc17185a1 . The third dose also appears to help immune-suppressed patients.
WSJ: Companies ask employees to disclose vaccination status: https://www.wsj.com/articles/companies-push-employees-to-prove-they-are-vaccinated-11623672001 .
Copa America looking like superspreader event: https://www.espn.com/soccer/copa-america/story/4409035/copa-america-coronavirus-cases-among-workers-at-team-hotels-in-brazil . The surprise choice of Brazil as host is not turning out well.
WSJ: Many effects of menopause on the brain are temporary: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-surprising-good-news-on-how-menopause-changes-your-brain-11623698003 .
Between 600,000 and 800,000 ventilators will be recalled: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/philips-recalls-3-4-million-055353068.html . Not a great time for a ventilator recall. Manufacturing capacity will be offline as the recall repairs are completed. Between 2.4 and 3.2 million sleep apnea (CPAP) machines will also be recalled. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/philips-recalls-millions-of-sleep-apnea-ventilator-machines-11623687417 .
WSJ: Migrant entry now based on aid group recommendations: https://www.wsj.com/articles/as-more-migrants-are-allowed-into-u-s-aid-groups-decide-who-can-cross-11623672000 .
Don’t lose your job if your governor is Republican: https://www.yahoo.com/news/america-has-two-completely-different-systems-when-supporting-unemployed-workers-210716576.html . This article provides a deeper dive on Republican governors’ rejection of supplemental federal unemployment assistance. The author argues that this is part of a pattern, and that pattern disproportionately hurts workers of color. Also note that the correspondence with “right to work” states, which are hostile to unions: http://documents.nam.org/CMA/StateImpact/Jan-8-2015/right-to-work.html (table from 2015).
WSJ: Gerry Seib on Joe Manchin: https://www.wsj.com/articles/to-understand-joe-manchin-look-at-west-virginias-transformation-11623681011 . Manchin’s next election is 2024, at which time he’ll be 77. Democrats are eyeing falling off the cliff in 2022. Preserving Manchin in order to go over the cliff does not seem to be a winning strategy.
Supreme Court rejects appeals from white supremacists convicted in Charlottesville riot: https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-va-state-wire-us-supreme-court-virginia-race-and-ethnicity-30bcee24fbf03cb827ea7b7de5c37db2 . The larger point is that this leaves the Anti-Riot Act in place and applicable to the January 6 insurrection. Also note that the Supreme Court building is steps away from the US Capitol.
So what DOJ dimwit issued the secret subpoenas of Apple’s metadata on senior Democrats and the former White House counsel?: https://apnews.com/article/justice-official-demers-resigning-secretly-seized-records-e9fd00c31fc53f827a8921f551b4008e . Gee, apparently it’s an Orange Julius appointee who just resigned. Smooth move, ExLax.
Meanwhile, The Hill gets the DOJ story wrong: https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/558365-outrage-grows-as-garland-seeks-to-contain-fall-out . Just to clarify, the outrage is directed first and foremost at Orange Julius. Naturally, the prior administration appointed people loyal to OJ. Some of them followed his constant complaining to stop the leaks. The leaks occurred because OJ was a clear and present danger to democracy. Garland is working to restore the integrity of DOJ. In my view he has taken a giant step just by not being Bill Barr.
WSJ: DOJ rethinking subpoena usage on lawmakers: https://www.wsj.com/articles/after-apple-subpoenas-justice-department-rethinks-policies-on-getting-lawmakers-records-11623690207 . Really? How much thinking is required here? Don’t do it unless there’s probable cause of a crime.
WSJ: Nike super spikes being used by rivals: https://www.wsj.com/articles/nike-vaporfly-victory-super-spikes-so-fast-rivals-wearing-them-11623640980 . “There was a young lady named Bright …”