Preventable deaths rose during pandemic: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-06-22/study-preventable-deaths-rose-during-pandemic-across-all-states . Of course they did. We know that many people delayed needed medical care because of fear of contracting COVID in the hospital or at a doctor’s office. That fear as subsided as the educated got vaccinated and the uneducated think the pandemic is completely over. So one would expect that preventable deaths from most causes will return to prior levels in the near future. As to the comments on drug overdoses, the major factor there appears to be the increased use of fentanyl, not the pandemic itself. Overdose reduction should focus on the fentanyl problem.
RSV vaccines availability: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/cdc-panel-recommends-rsv-vaccines-rcna90250 . Note that the planned roll-out is in the fall, so the GSK and Pfizer RSV vaccines are not yet available. Also, the expected price tag is $180 to $295 for the two vaccines. For Medicare recipients, the vaccination will apparently be covered under Part D, which not all recipients carry, and there will likely be a co-pay. So unlike COVID, vaccination will not be free, and this will limit the extent of administration of the vaccine. Note that RSV kills up to 10,000 Americans over 65 each year.
Eleventh Circuit vacates travel mask mandate ban: https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2023-06-22/us-appeals-court-vacates-travel-mask-mandate-ruling .
WSJ: Muscular dystrophy gene therapy cost: $3.2 million: https://www.wsj.com/articles/first-gene-therapy-for-muscular-dystrophy-approved-34860988 . The cost is for a one-time treatment, which cures the genetic defect. There are approximately 9,000 US sufferers, mostly male, so the total cost to treat the current population works out to about $29 billion.
Judge blocks Wyoming abortion pill ban: https://apnews.com/article/wyoming-abortion-pill-ban-lawsuit-429266bcea6bf5ded1b9c9892ee5578b . Note that the judge is a woman, and she also indicated the plaintiffs “have clearly shown probable success on the merits”.
Diabetes sufferers may double by 2050: https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2023-06-22/alarming-rise-in-diabetes-globally-by-2050-study . Recalling the body positivity conversation yesterday, obesity is indeed a significant health risk.
WSJ: Deadly fungal infections increase: https://www.wsj.com/articles/deadly-fungal-infection-candida-auris-yeast-ab73b9d0 . Fungi are less able to mutate than viruses are bacteria, but still the health risk here is increasing.
Measles cases growing globally: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/cdc-says-make-sure-protected-measles-ahead-summer-travel-rcna90216 .
WSJ: Black Americans moving to the South: https://www.wsj.com/articles/black-americans-are-leaving-cities-in-the-north-and-west-c05bb118. If so, this improves the Democrat’s hopes for turning Georgia and North Carolina permanently blue.
WSJ: COVID fraud funds drove real estate inflation in some areas: https://www.wsj.com/articles/fraudulent-covid-aid-drove-up-u-s-house-prices-report-says-bfef67fa . First, that’s a lot of COVID fraud to actually shown an inflationary effect. Second, this would argue that real estate inflation will be temporary. Increasing interest rates appear to be driving down home prices: https://www.wsj.com/articles/higher-interest-rates-hit-home-prices-again-e6f57f55 .
SEC focuses on smaller banks: WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/articles/sec-seeks-more-disclosure-from-smaller-banks-in-wake-of-failures-f5eefe5a .
WSJ: Ukrainians strike Russian supply bridge: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-strikes-bridge-supplying-russian-troops-56564b0b . Again, Ukraine keeps its focus on disrupting Russian supply lines. This is quite important if the war becomes a grind.
WSJ: US howitzer ammo production ramps up to support Ukraine: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-ramps-up-howitzer-shell-production-to-supply-ukraine-replenish-stockpiles-1e6dce54 .
India’s PM Narendra Modi speaks to US Congress: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/modi-address-joint-session-congress-us-india-forge-closer-ties-rcna90194 . I heard much of Modi’s speech on PBS. His introductory remarks were particularly moving, in which he praised the great figures the US and India have given to the world, mentioning Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. He followed with his “personal, heartfelt” tribute to the late US Congressman John Lewis. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-offers-india-drones-jet-engines-to-lure-it-from-russia-e8b06a23 . President Biden announced a series of US arms purchases from India, as India needs arms supplies to confront China as Russian supplies weaken.
WSJ: Biden looks to move past China “dictator” remark: https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-lodges-protest-over-bidens-dictator-remark-7389b94b . Both sides have a big stake in keeping the lines of communication open.
How would Taiwan sanctions affect China?: WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/articles/can-sanctions-threat-deter-china-from-invading-taiwan-yes-and-no-study-finds-1be6d760 .
WSJ: Zambia deal on foreign debt: https://www.wsj.com/articles/zambia-reaches-watershed-deal-on-china-debt-2392593a .
The Thomas insanity continues: Supreme Court refuses a man claiming legal innocence a day in Court: https://lawandcrime.com/supreme-court/jackson-slams-thomas-scotus-ruling-against-legally-innocent-man-blames-high-courts-systematic-neutering-of-criminal-justice-procedures/ . This is just appalling. It is always offensive when the courts place procedure over substance. But here, where the prisoner claims legal innocence (that is, innocence due to a change in the law), how can anyone say procedure overrules his right to be heard? More: https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-guns-older-convictions-951e0644e96aef5150d69154e492f726 .
We are currently in a discussion of whether the justices place themselves above the law by refusing to adopt any ethical standards. Here, the justices literally say the result of an error in the judicial system is that a man must remain in prison, without recourse. That is absurd on its face.
Supreme Court on Navajo water rights: Keep trying: https://rollcall.com/2023/06/22/supreme-court-rejects-navajo-nation-push-on-water-rights/ . The fact that the Colorado’s flow is decreasing is not a basis for ignoring the water rights promised to the Navajo tribe by treaty. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/supreme-court-rules-against-navajo-nation-in-water-rights-case-92dc66f4 .
“Rust” set shooting case devolves into chaos: https://apnews.com/article/alec-baldwin-shooting-hanna-gutierrezreed-rust-manslaughter-2d1812a636c437a15e6db0bd823d9a62 . Regardless of the defendant’s alleged crimes, the prosecutors have a duty to play by the rules. That is becoming increasingly questionable here.
College Board refuses DeMentis’ request to adjust AP classes: https://gomag.com/article/the-college-board-refuses-to-give-in-to-ron-desantis-dont-say-gay-demands/ . Disney and the College Board are empowering others to push back against this loser. Congratulations for standing up for your principles, as well as for rejecting Ron’s self-serving hate crimes.
WSJ: Will Hurd joins GOP presidential field: https://www.wsj.com/articles/will-hurd-joins-2024-gop-republican-presidential-nomination-race-25dc072f . Hurd is experienced, thoughtful and well-spoken. If Orange Julius and DeMentis go down in flames, perhaps the GOP will turn to this sane choice. However, the chances of that seem small …
WSJ: Soros acquires stake in Vice Media: https://www.wsj.com/articles/vice-media-to-be-acquired-out-of-bankruptcy-by-fortress-soros-fund-53100c7a .
Dark humor associated with Titanic submersible tragedy: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/titanic-submersible-memes-social-media-anti-billionaire-sentiment-rcna90520 . “Schadenfreude” refers to the pleasure gained from another’s misfortune. This is not a healthy emotion.
Mailman dies in Texas heat: https://www.aol.com/texas-postal-worker-collapses-dies-121045178.html .
George Santos’ bond guaranteed by father and aunt: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/rep-george-santos-500k-bond-was-guaranteed-father-another-relative-rcna90580 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/george-santoss-father-and-aunt-backed-his-500-000-bond-in-fraud-case-cd72d1cf .
3M announces $12.5 billion settlement of “forever chemicals” litigation: WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/articles/3m-settles-forever-chemicals-litigation-for-up-to-12-5-billion-abbeba36 .
WSJ: Designing carbon sinks: https://www.wsj.com/articles/carbon-capture-startups-tech-global-warming-3a597f92 . There is absolutely no question that we must significantly accelerate our efforts to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.