Omicron subvariants multiply globally: https://www.thedailystar.net/news/world/usa/news/rising-cases-caused-omicron-cousin-ba2-scientists-alert-2950821 . This is not good news. Note that the BA2 subvariant has outcompeted Omicron in Denmark. Additionally, scientists are now tracking BA.1.1.529 and BA3. Again, there is no reason to believe Omicron is “one and done” other than the desire for the pandemic to end.
US COVID deaths continue to rise: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-covid-19-hospitalizations-retreat-but-deaths-keep-rising-11643536011 . As we know, deaths are a lagging indicator. Case numbers are coming down nationally, but not in every region.
LA COVID hospitalizations drop for 6 consecutive days: https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/la-countys-coronavirus-hospitalizations-drop-for-sixth-consecutive-day/2811706/ .
Four health factors identified that are associated with long COVID risk: https://people.com/health/researchers-have-identified-4-health-factors-that-may-explain-why-some-people-get-long-covid/ . Those factors are: (1) initial high COVID viral load; (2) history of Epstein-Barr virus (typically seen as a case of mononucleosis); (3) presence of autoantibodies (which mistakenly attack the patient’s immune system); and (4) type 2 diabetes.
Israeli study finds lung abnormalities in long COVID patients: https://www.timesofisrael.com/study-on-long-covid-finds-hidden-lung-abnormalities-not-detected-in-routine-tests/ . Because of the wide range of symptoms, long COVID may be multiple conditions. Researchers will now need to figure out where these lung abnormalities fit into our picture of long COVID.
Two New York nurses accused of selling fake vaccination cards: https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-immunizations-nyc-state-wire-2bab422118ab3e661c32898e2d2de16d . As the nurses pocketed $1.5 million selling the cards at $225 for an adult and $85 for a child, they sold more than 6,600 cards.
WSJ: Drug price increases average 6.6%: https://www.wsj.com/articles/drugmakers-raised-prices-by-6-6-on-average-early-this-year-11643538782 .
WSJ: Omicron emphasizes the global embedding of coronavirus: https://www.wsj.com/articles/omicron-pushes-health-authorities-toward-learning-to-live-with-covid-19-11643537865 .
Russia’s record daily COVID cases continue to climb, now exceed 120,000: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/russias-covid-19-tally-hits-pandemic-record-due-82563332 .
Israeli 11-year-old infected with Alpha, Delta and now Omicron: https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-boy-11-has-caught-3-different-coronavirus-strains/ .
US economy grew by 5.7% in 2021, fastest in 40 years: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/us-economy-grew-57-2021-rebounding-2020-recession-rcna13771 . It’s not obvious why the stock market strengthened on this news. It increased the probability that the Fed will raise interest rates at least 3 times this year. Put differently, the Fed will now focus on controlling inflation, and they appear to be too late in taking action.
China’s economy is struggling to duplicate past growth: https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-economy-starts-the-year-with-a-wobble-11643522037 .
Lindsey Graham sees Biden nominating a Black woman to the Supreme Court as appropriate, not affirmative action: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/lindsey-graham-said-nominating-a-black-woman-to-the-supreme-court-would-make-it-look-more-like-america-not-affirmative-action/ar-AATj1zy?li=BBnb7Kz . Right. As off the wall as Lindsey Graham is, even he realizes that Black female voters in South Carolina completely turned around the Democratic primaries to Biden’s advantage. And also, a leading candidate for the vacancy is a Black female federal judge. Any politician from South Carolina is required to say what Graham is saying, lest this major voting bloc turn on them.
Time to cancel Spotify: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/jan/31/spotify-to-direct-listeners-to-correct-covid-information-after-joe-rogan-controversy . Spotify is trying to save the $100 million investment it made in Joe Rogan’s crap, and has lost $2 billion in market value in the process. Spotify should have already gotten rid of Joe Rogan for the reason that he broadcasts crap. Now Spotify must pay the true price of valuing money over the truth …
Update: Spotify and Rogan respond with insulting BS: https://www.wsj.com/articles/spotify-publishes-content-policy-covid-19-hub-in-response-to-joe-rogan-controversy-11643572945 . Rogan says he aims to make his show more balanced and “it’s good to have some haters”. Spotify says it has previously removed 40 of Rogan’s episodes for policy violations, but none related to COVID, and “listening is everything”. Do these bastards understand that bad information can kill, and in the near future we will have lost at least 1 million Americans to the pandemic? So flush ‘em. And tell your friends.
Update on the Rams’ ticket sales fiasco: By my rough estimate of the crowd, it was about 65% redshirts to 35% blue, so the estimate in the previous article was very good. WSJ: Still, this wasn’t enough for the 49er’s, as the Rams rallied in the second half to win: https://www.wsj.com/articles/rams-super-bowl-nfc-championship-11643598811 .
“WKRP’s Dr. Johnny Fever”, Howard Hesseman passes at 81: https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/howard-hesse-man-dead-wkrp-in-cincinnati-police-academy-1235167152/ .