Omicron revives in South Africa: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/south-africas-latest-surge-is-a-possible-preview-of-the-pandemics-next-chapter/ar-AAWPoqn?li=BBnb7Kz . The article is correct that this could be the future of the pandemic. South Africa shows that BA4 and BA5 can dominate BA1, and that they also evade natural immunity from BA1. So the question for the world is whether they can evade vaccine-generated immunity, or natural immunity generated by BA2, the current dominant US variant.
The doctor’s comments are disappointing. Variants come from the dominant variants in a given area. That is just the mathematics of global viral load. So it is obvious as a matter of probability that new variants are most likely to come from currently dominant variants. As we have commented previously, South Africa is a hotbed for new variants because it has the world’s largest population of immunocompromised people, due to HIV.
Could Delta return?: https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/coronavirus/article-705669 . This scenario strikes me as unlikely, but it cannot be ruled out.
BA.2.12.1 grows as percentage of (increasing) US cases: https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2022-05-02/new-omicron-subvariant-ba-2-12-1-spreading-in-u-s-as-coronavirus-cases-increase .
Bill Gates understands that the pandemic is not over, and that the worst could still be coming: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/bill-gates-says-theres-way-above-a-5percent-risk-we-havent-seen-the-worst-of-the-covid-19-pandemic/ar-AAWPbzz?li=BBnb7Kz . Obviously, “way more than 5%” is not 50%, but it demonstrates why we cannot let our guard down.
VP Harris negative for COVID-19 after taking antiviral pill: https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2022-05-02/harris-negative-for-covid-19-after-taking-antiviral-pill .
Update on COVID in China: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/setback-in-shanghai-as-new-covid-cases-reported-beyond-lockdown-beijing-carries-out-more-mass-testing/ar-AAWPqEi?li=BBnb7Kz . More: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/beijing-goes-to-extreme-lengths-to-avoid-shanghai-covid-woes/ar-AAWRdDF?li=BBnb7Kz . Shanghai cargo congestion: https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/the-shanghai-cargo-congestion-could-bring-down-the-world-economy/ss-AAWPaUh?li=BBnb7Kz . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/beijing-shanghai-outbreaks-renew-debate-over-chinas-covid-19-strategy-11651430825 . Meanwhile, Shanghai residents are increasingly unhappy with the lockdowns: https://www.wsj.com/articles/shanghai-residents-protest-lockdown-with-marches-smashed-vegetables-and-art-projects-11651483851 .
HHS proves the obvious: Medicare Advantage organizations (MAO’s) skimp on care: https://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/OEI-09-18-00260.pdf . And HHS put the answer in the opening sentence: There is a potential incentive for MAO’s to deny needed care to increase profits. “Potential” is just in there for political correctness. There is an actual incentive. Certainly, MAO’s provide substantial care to their enrollees. But obviously, under traditional Medicare, the provider has an incentive to provide care and be reimbursed. In an MAO, the incentive runs in the opposite direction. QED (in a capitalist society).
WSJ: Labor Department has “grave concerns” about Fidelity’s plan to allow bitcoin in 401(k)’s: https://www.wsj.com/articles/labor-department-criticizes-fidelitys-plan-to-put-bitcoin-on-401-k-menu-11651197309 . So this is a very, very big deal. Bitcoin is a highly volatile investment. And there’s a whole lot of money in 401(k)’s.
Leaked Supreme Court draft opinion overturns Roe v. Wade: https://www.politico.com/news/2022/05/02/supreme-court-abortion-draft-opinion-00029473 . The draft is written by Alito, who in my view is a political hack. The ill-considered language does nothing to change my view. The leak is a major embarrassment for Chief Justice Roberts and court administration, as no one is aware of a draft ever leaking before the final opinion was published: https://www.politico.com/news/2022/05/02/supreme-court-draft-opinion-00029475 . Will the Senate step in before the November elections, which could eliminate Democratic control of the House? I would consider that extremely unlikely in an election year, although public opinion polls show that a strong majority of Americans support Roe v. Wade.
The reversal of Roe has been predicted for months. My guess is that the leak was done by someone offended by Alito, in order to undermine any authority he thinks his writing commands. No polishing of this opinion’s language will save Alito’s sorry butt.
Meanwhile, the November election stakes have just been raised: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/abortion-rights-to-reshape-election-with-roe-precedent-at-risk/ar-AAWRm9d?li=BBnb7Kz . However, the Democrats had better be working their asses off to register voters and turn them out. Stacey Abrams and Beto O’Rourke have led the way on this.
Supreme Court rules Boston violated rights of Christian group: https://www.aol.com/news/u-supreme-court-backs-christian-141039534-144954991.html . So, along with the reversal of Roe, the US faces a future of increased promotion of religious rights by the Supreme Court. In my view, that is a step backwards. For many reasons, the Founders decided on the separation of church and state. They were right, the current Court is dead wrong. At some point, the US will advance to a post-religion society – but it will be after this Court’s majority fades into embarrassment. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/supreme-court-overturns-boston-ban-on-religious-flags-11651511105 .
Russia’s lies reach new low: https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-middle-east-israel-race-and-ethnicity-racial-injustice-447cc9a0e858d22db9bd9cd20d6421b2 . This comment is literally insane. The specifics are not true (Hitler was not part Jewish). The general suggestion (that Jews were behind the Holocaust) is incredibly offensive. It is hard to imagine what Lavrov believed he was accomplishing with this outrageous rationale for an absurd war. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/israel-condemns-russian-foreign-ministers-comparison-of-zelensky-to-hitler-11651490079 .
Ukraine claims Russians tortured Ukrainian citizens: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ukrainian-citizens-forced-into-russia-by-putins-forces-were-tortured-and-had-their-limbs-amputated-due-to-frostbite-human-rights-chief-alleges/ar-AAWPTiV?li=BBnb7Kz . This tragedy continues to require documentation.
Draft beer, not people: US beer raising money for Ukraine: https://www.msn.com/en-us/video/news/us-made-beer-mocks-putin-and-aims-to-raise-funds-for-ukraine/vi-AAWP55P .
US looks for Russian “brain drain”: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/the-us-plans-to-capitalize-on-a-russian-brain-drain-by-easing-visa-requirements-for-workers-with-stem-skills-reports-say/ar-AAWMerJ?li=BBnb7Kz . So this is smart for a number of reasons. The Russians have skills which we need to take away from them and put to work for us.
Putin cancer rumors continue: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/us-unable-to-confirm-putin-planning-power-transfer-for-cancer-treatment/ar-AAWQO4U?li=BBnb7Kz . Here is another potential way for the war to end.
OJ backs away from his endorsement of David Perdue: https://sports.yahoo.com/trump-lies-unblemished-endorsement-record-190421157.html . OJ’s suggestion that his endorsement record is unblemished is a laughable lie. Of the 12 calls made here yesterday, the Kemp call in Georgia looks solid. The primary is 3 weeks away, May 24.
Better yet, the experts agree that OJ’s influence on the GOP May take a serious May hit: https://www.politico.com/news/2022/05/02/may-primaries-republican-donald-trump-ohio-00029149 . WSJ: Even we have the same questions: https://www.wsj.com/articles/trumps-influence-faces-test-in-republican-primaries-in-may-11651311000 .
Vance narrowly ahead in Ohio primary: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-backed-senate-hopeful-vance-narrowly-ahead-in-ohio-primary-polls-as-key-tests-loom-for-ex-president/ar-AAWK9jp?li=BBnb7Kz . OJ voters typically turn out in higher percentages than the rest of the electorate. Particularly in an off-year election, Vance could win by a comfortable margin.
Georgia grand jury: OJ faces an “octopus” investigation: https://www.rawstory.com/trump-grand-jury-2657248293/ . This could be a WWE pay-per-view event: Orange Julius vs. The Octopus. Unfortunately, The Octopus is unlikely to make a move before November. More: https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/02/politics/trump-investigation-georgia/index.html . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/grand-jury-set-to-convene-in-trump-election-interference-probe-11651489200 .
OJ wanted Pentagon to “just shoot” George Floyd protestors: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-shoot-george-floyd-protesters_n_626fe642e4b0bc48f57de12f . This OJ comment is simultaneously un-freaking-believable and totally believable.
Jury rejects “self-defense” argument and convicts January 6 insurrectionist of assault: https://www.politico.com/news/2022/05/02/supreme-court-draft-opinion-00029475 . So all of the remaining defendants need to be forewarned: juries have continued to convict these clowns on all charges presented. But are these MAGA maniacs able to understand the realities here?
January 6 committee seeks testimony from Representatives Andy Biggs (Arizona), Mo Brooks (Alabama) and Ronny Jackson (Texas): https://www.aol.com/news/u-capitol-riot-panel-requests-154715250-182522918.html . Good luck with this. All three have already rejected the request: https://www.politico.com/news/2022/05/02/gop-lawmakers-testimony-capitol-riot-00029322 . One suspects the committee already has the goods on them, and made a strategic decision to invite them before damning them with evidence. They will now not be able to say they had no chance to respond.
UPDATE: MSNBC reports the GOP members sought pardons from OJ. In other words, they knew their efforts to overturn the election were criminal: https://www.msnbc.com/the-beat-with-ari/watch/-they-knew-republican-lawmakers-wanted-pardons-for-criminal-coup-per-evidence-139136069558 . So now we know why Jamie Raskin said the Committee’s public hearings would blow the roof off the House. Also, note that while OJ demands loyalty, he repeatedly shows none to his followers. Again, OJ is a narcissist, not a leader.
A subpoena victory for the January 6 committee: https://www.aol.com/news/u-judge-rejects-rnc-request-091635172-114818540.html . So this reflects the traditional maxim, “Follow the money”.
Hispanics abandon Democrats over inflation: https://www.aol.com/news/hispanics-lose-faith-democrats-over-102303454-145413376.html . As if the Democrats needed more bad news about November, here it is.
Yanks win 10 in a row: https://apnews.com/article/covid-mlb-health-sports-baseball-e530c6ec25f99142d3f92c660855d330 . This is more interesting than, say, the NBA playoffs.
Judds inducted into Country Music Hall of Fame a day after Naomi’s death: https://variety.com/2022/music/news/judds-inducted-country-hall-fame-ceremony-medallion-wynonna-naomi-1235255555/ . Sadly, as suggested here, Naomi Judd did die by suicide: https://people.com/country/country-legend-naomi-judd-died-by-suicide-sources/ .