The pandemic is not over: https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/19/health/biden-pandemic-comments-public-health/ . Right now, our objective must be to encourage the vulnerable to get the latest booster. Biden’s message does not help. However, the White House must find an alternate message to get the job done. See the note below on the tragedy of long COVID. This presents an alternate message for boosters which people need to hear. More: HHS Secretary says Biden is correct: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/hhs-sec-the-president-is-correct-about-covid-19-pandemic-being-over-185022326.html .
COVID to remain a leading cause of death: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/covid-will-leading-cause-death-indefinitely-us-rcna48374 . We continue to have an unacceptably high level of death from COVID. The general expectation is that the death rate will be lower (but certainly not go to zero) when the death becomes endemic. This is why the current situation represents the tail of the pandemic, not the end.
The tragedy of long COVID: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/cant-work-at-a-desk-what-its-like-to-be-out-of-work-with-long-covid-122552885.html . The long-lasting nature of this illness and its horrific symptoms make protection from COVID a top priority. People who are weary of shots need to inform themselves on the risks.
WSJ: Some finally get first dose of COVID vaccine: https://www.wsj.com/articles/some-people-are-finally-getting-their-first-dose-of-a-covid-19-vaccine-11663545440 .
Return-to-office rates hit a pandemic high of 47.5%: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-return-to-office-rates-hit-pandemic-high-as-more-employers-get-tougher-11663535754 . Employers should rethink this get-tough attitude. This rate is still less than half the pre-pandemic rate, and many employees now prefer remote work.
Immunotherapy shown to increase survival times for advanced lung cancer: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/extraordinary-study-results-offer-new-hope-for-advanced-lung-cancer-patients-being-treated-with-immunotherapy/ar-AA11Hcwt?cvid=d2f6c40868594b40b93ea65d3738cbab .
The rapid rise of STDs in the US: https://apnews.com/article/monkeypox-science-health-covid-epidemics-aaac64591251293f45c225d3fe963d0c . STDs are controllable, but are currently out of control. This problem traces to lack of education about safe sex.
WSJ: UnitedHealth acquisition of Change Healthcare allowed to proceed: https://www.wsj.com/articles/judge-rejects-antitrust-challenge-to-unitedhealth-acquisition-11663627930 .
New 988 suicide hotline appears effective: https://www.aol.com/news/calls-suicide-prevention-hotline-increase-090055615.html .
WSJ: Stock market must adjust to rising bond yields: https://www.wsj.com/articles/rising-bond-yields-change-the-calculus-for-stocks-11663516082 . How is this article newsworthy? Let’s restate what we already know. The Fed has said repeatedly that its key objective is to lower inflation to its goal of 2%, and it will raise rates to do so. The market seems to refuse to believe this. But when short-term rates exceed dividend yields, and you want income, what you do in this environment is buy short-term bonds and hold them to maturity.
However, dividend yields are so low that people are not purchasing stocks for the dividend yield. They are looking for appreciation. And when the Fed rate increases will likely drive the economy into recession, stock appreciation becomes more unlikely.
WSJ: Ocean shipping goes airborne: https://www.wsj.com/articles/worlds-big-ocean-shipping-lines-turn-to-planes-as-supply-chain-snarls-deepen-11663600883 . In case you were wondering, our supply chains remain incredibly screwed up. In other supply chain worries, port labor talks have stalled: https://www.wsj.com/articles/port-labor-talks-stall-as-worker-disruptions-grow-11663605078 .
WSJ: Ukrainians continue advance toward Luhansk: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-forces-take-control-of-key-river-bank-extending-advance-in-east-11663585755 . But the retreating Russians look to form a new defensive line.
Meanwhile, fearing the loss of parts of the Donbas, the separatists are calling for a referendum now: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ukraine-marches-farther-into-liberated-lands-separatist-calls-for-urgent-referendum/ar-AA120xJd?cvid=265515e1e96a499685ee7f6d437f8765 . That seems unlikely, especially after the referendum in the south (Kherson) was called off.
The debate over debates: https://news.yahoo.com/do-debates-between-candidates-actually-matter-152103508.html . This article presents a variety of views, almost all of which are utter lunacy. Absolutely debates are required, because we learn candidates’ grasp of the issues and ability to convince. Both of those skills are required to govern effectively. However, to the extent people vote on other bases, they can elect people who are incapable of governance. Exhibit 1: Orange Julius, of course.
The world is on fire: https://apnews.com/article/united-nations-general-assembly-entertainment-health-covid-states-02f3eef239490442e81931db94fab0d0 . So we know the world’s problems go far beyond the toxicity of the GOP. Bill Clinton now tries to ramp up the Clinton Global Initiative to convert the promise of cooperation into meaningful action. But is there any hope for this? Gandhi’s nonviolence ultimately brought down Britain’s colonial rule of India. Yes, there is a path here.
WSJ: Investment fund to focus on global healthcare inequality: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ourcrowd-aims-to-raise-200-million-who-affiliated-global-health-fund-11663605087 . This Clinton Global Initiative is so much more uplifting than reporting on Ron DeMentis’ latest outrage.
The debate over the Mar-a-Lago documents: https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/19/politics/special-master-review-justice-department-trump-mar-a-lago-documents . It’s time for Solomon to split the baby here. The article indicates an acceptable path forward on the non-classified documents. The special master needs to go forward on that path. Meanwhile, on the classified material, the 11th Circuit will decide if those documents should be returned to the government. Even with conservative judges, lawyers expect that that those documents belong to the government. Done. Next.
Human composting: https://www.aol.com/news/californias-dead-burial-option-human-033705405.html . Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
Webb telescope photographs Mars: https://www.inverse.com/science/heres-what-we-can-see-in-webbs-first-images-of-mars . The telescope can photograph “nearby” bright images through short exposures and specialized data processing.