Omicron XBB spreading in the US: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2022-12-02/cdc-new-omicron-subvariant-xbb-spreading-in-u-s .
China shouldn’t loosen COVID rules: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-12-02/factbox-how-many-people-might-die-and-why-if-china-loosens-covid-restrictions . We previously reported an estimate of 1.5 million deaths. This article reports 3 estimates of 1.55 million to 2.2 million deaths. At an absolute minimum, China should vaccinate everyone over 50 before loosening the current approach.
China loosens COVID rules: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-12-02/beijing-shenzhen-loosen-more-covid-curbs-as-china-easing-gathers-pace . Just because you have 1.4 billion people hardly means you can risk killing 1.5 million of them.
WHO pleased China is loosening Zero COVID rules: https://apnews.com/article/health-china-covid-world-organization-2d86840c6bb93da451148f023523d522 . Even these folks recognize that vaccination is a necessary precursor of loosening the rules.
US flu season worsens: https://apnews.com/article/health-covid-flu-6b5b3a2e04f2c63683e44013e7814177 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/flu-and-rsv-are-sickening-more-kids-this-year-11669995926 .
US plans to end mpox emergency declaration next month: https://apnews.com/article/health-public-covid-xavier-becerra-centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention-021240e5ce4accdc4461b27b2d17df97 .
Biden signs rail strike ban: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/biden-sign-legislation-avert-rail-strike-rcna59784 . As expected, Biden signs another win for his administration. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-signs-legislation-preventing-railroad-strike-11669996971 .
US added 263,000 non-farm jobs in November: https://news.yahoo.com/november-jobs-report-labor-department-december-2-225203710.html . We appear headed to a 50 basis point increase in December. However, there is nothing in the data that would rule out the 75 basis point increase. The Fed is apparently just seeking more time to see if inflation will turn. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/november-jobs-report-unemployment-rate-economy-growth-2022-11669944597 .
Speculation on Putin’s health continues: https://www.skynews.com.au/world-news/russian-president-vladimir-putin-reportedly-falls-down-stairs-soils-himself-amid-growing-concern-about-rapidly-declining-health/news-story/c5272f3615de347f04845e771b0a76bb .
Democrats look to dump Iowa caucuses, make South Carolina first 2024 primary: https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-iowa-e46b21ac9ed4ac96be6791bf7afc163d . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/democrats-approve-biden-backed-plan-to-change-presidential-nominating-calendar-11670014975 . This turn of events suggests deeper things here. Biden’s letter certainly doomed Iowa, but also his endorsement of South Carolina was done in a way that the committee could hardly say no.
The result puts the primary in the state that gave Biden the 2020 nomination. It clears the field for Biden should he choose to run. At the same time, seeking this result suggests Biden is highly likely to run. If he does, he looks to have a strong record to run on. The economy will take a recession in 2023, but the Fed should have made progress on inflation by 2024 as the “two axes” supply chain model sorts out. Also, Ukraine is likely to win the war, which Biden will have accomplished without committing American troops.
Orange Julius will be the GOP nominee only if the base insists, which seems less likely by the start of 2024. I think DeMentis is the likely GOP nominee. While DeMentis is much younger than Biden, he is not a nice person. If Biden can maintain his health and mental acuity, he should be able to win (and he will win easily if OJ is renominated).
Newt Gingrich apparently agrees: https://news.yahoo.com/newt-gingrich-praises-biden-warns-gop-against-underestimating-president-190833800.html . While Newt is likely to say almost anything, this seems to be his begrudging assessment of the situation.
Closing arguments in OJ Inc. tax fraud case: https://news.yahoo.com/prosecutor-evidence-shows-trump-explicitly-005904885.html .
Florida GOP has no problem with blatant hypocrisy: https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-ron-desantis-legislature-b6e8e4dc730cfd399e0f6f653c86dd84 . “On-and-off the books” means this law is on the books for Democrats but off the books for Republicans. Pitiful.
Arizona county certifies 2022 election results after court order: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2022-election/arizona-county-certifies-election-results-court-order-rcna59702 . These dimwits finally realized that actions have consequences.
Jane Fonda on the need to be authentic: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/jane-fonda-84-says-her-biggest-fear-is-dying-with-regrets-i-want-to-feel-that-ive-done-my-very-best-174250572.html .
Musk tosses Kanye off Twitter – again: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna59741 . These idiots deserve each other. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/musks-twitter-suspends-kanye-wests-account-after-swastika-tweet-11669971389 .
World Cup 2022: Sadly, the Netherlands team battles the flu – and it may help the US: https://sports.yahoo.com/world-cup-2022-netherlands-faces-flu-outbreak-ahead-of-us-match-202359061.html . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/us-netherlands-world-cup-round-of-16-11670005655 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/usa-netherlands-world-cup-preview-cody-gakpo-11669998810 . And the Journal’s analysis of all 16 teams style of play: https://www.wsj.com/articles/world-cup-round-of-16-usa-france-brazil-netherlands-11670018701 .