Second presidential debate cancelled: https://www.npr.org/2020/10/09/922486904/second-presidential-debate-canceled-following-coronavirus-safety-concerns . See how big the plexiglass shields were? Trump didn’t like the appearance of a virtual debate. Politicians on both sides see Trump’s withdrawal as a mistake, as he is well behind in the polls.
How do pandemics end?: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-876f42ae-5e44-41c0-ba2d-d6fd537aadfe . This history of pandemics is worth your time.
Is COVID-19 seasonal?: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/10/07/covid-winter-second-wave-may-bad-experts-warn-continued-vigilance/5873746002/ . There is no evidence the virus is seasonal, as has been documented here over 2020. But there are other views, as this article makes clear. There is also evidence that the virus is not seasonal (e.g., major outbreaks in the Southern Hemisphere during their summer). However, we’ve never had COVID-19 in the fall in the Northern Hemisphere. It is fair to say there is no conclusive evidence about Northern Hemisphere seasonality at this point. The real question, in my view, is whether we take appropriate precautions as people move indoors.
Could US herd immunity be reached at a 47% infection rate?: https://www.newsweek.com/united-states-herd-immunity-infection-rate-1537880 . It would be nice to read the study, but the conclusion seems unlikely. Teens do visit their grandparents. People from Montana do go to New York (maybe less so with Broadway shuttered). We are a highly mobile society and coronavirus is highly infectious.
WSJ: COVID-19 case and mortality statistics by age: https://www.wsj.com/articles/group-most-likely-to-get-covid-19-is-least-likely-to-die-from-it-11602235802 . Again, mortality rates are a moving target because of significant improvements in medical care. Case statistics are different from infection rates.
WSJ: China joins Covax initiative: https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-joins-global-initiative-to-provide-covid-19-vaccine-to-poor-countries-11602240471 . “Nero fiddled while Rome burned. Trump golfed.” – Bernie Sanders: https://www.cbsnews.com/video/sanders-nero-fiddled-while-rome-burned-trump-golfed/ .
WSJ: Monoclonal antibody drug approval sought: https://www.wsj.com/articles/antibody-drugs-touted-by-trump-could-be-next-to-get-authorized-for-covid-19-11602235803 .
WSJ: Global round-up: https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-latest-news-10-09-2020-11602231787 .
Dr. Fauci says Rose Garden event a super-spreader: https://nypost.com/2020/10/09/anthony-fauci-calls-rose-garden-scotus-event-a-super-spreader/ . We know the CDC offered to do contact tracing for this event. The White House declined, saying they had an epidemiologist on staff. But many affected say they have not been contacted by the White House. Additionally, the White House has repeatedly refused to say when Trump’s last negative test occurred.
The logical conclusion is that the White House knows Trump was the super-spreader at the Rose Garden event. Further, the White House has suppressed contact tracing due to the political consequences for Trump. The callous treatment of the people at risk is unconscionable.
Trump suggests he was infected by Gold Star families: https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/08/politics/trump-gold-star-families/index.html .
WSJ: Trump plans campaign activities, Florida rally: https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-plans-in-person-white-house-event-for-saturday-11602275494 .
At least 9 COVID-19 cases from Trump Bemidji, MN, event: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/09/trump-minnesota-rally-coronavirus-cases-428425 .
Trump off medication, willing to donate plasma: https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-says-hes-off-covid-medication-will-donate-plasma-1538007 . Gee, he’s such a humanitarian. WSJ: More on Trump medication: https://www.wsj.com/articles/if-i-catch-covid-19-can-i-get-the-medications-the-president-received-11602283832 . The comments on dexamethasone’s side effects amplify concerns about Trump’s mental state.
Democrats raising big sums to win Senate control: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/republicans-senate-2020-election-mitch-mcconnell_n_5f7c79c3c5b61229a0579c6f . “In Alaska, independent candidate Al Gross, who has the backing of national Democrats, raised $9 million ― more than the $7.2 million the United States spent to buy Alaska in the 19th century.” That is hilarious. Seward’s Folly (1867) did indeed cost $7 million.
SC Senate race: Harrison asks Graham to take COVID-19 test ahead of debate: https://www.newsweek.com/what-polls-say-about-lindsey-graham-vs-jaime-harrison-amid-covid-testing-controversy-153779 . As Graham is chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, a positive test might derail the Barrett nomination. Update: Debate scrapped: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/09/south-carolina-senate-debate-428479 . Harrison has now effectively tied Graham to Trump’s questionable recent behavior.
McConnell says stimulus measure unlikely in next 3 weeks: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/09/coronavirus-stimulus-mitch-mcconnell-says-relief-deal-unlikely-soon.html . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/white-house-preparing-new-1-8-trillion-stimulus-proposal-11602259814 .
WSJ: Feds order Nevada to reverse ban on federal COVID-19 testing equipment in nursing homes: https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-administration-orders-nevada-to-allow-rapid-covid-19-tests-in-nursing-homes-11602274733 .
Nobel Peace Prize awarded to World Food Program: https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/2020/press-release/ . The call for international cooperation appears to be intended as a rejection of Trump. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/nobel-peace-prize-is-awarded-to-the-world-food-programme-11602234412 .
WSJ: Dorm resident advisers on the front line of college COVID-19 outbreaks: https://www.wsj.com/articles/on-the-front-lines-of-stopping-covid-19-on-college-campuses-resident-advisers-11602241203 .
Broadway shuttered until June, 2021 – at least: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/its-certainly-sobering-to-know-that-new-york-will-be-without-broadway-this-summer-why-broadway-cant-bounce-back-from-the-coronavirus-shutdown-any-time-soon-2020-05-15 . It appears there will be no return until a vaccine is widely distributed.
WSJ: PG&E may have set California on fire – again: https://www.wsj.com/articles/pg-e-equipment-might-have-ignited-northern-california-wildfire-11602284242 .
Hurricane Delta heads onshore: https://apnews.com/article/storms-hurricane-laura-hurricane-delta-hurricanes-louisiana-15777f4508129ff548b8fe3d031c1bc5 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/hurricane-delta-pushes-u-s-toward-record-breaking-storm-season-11602257371 .
WSJ: Spain moves to partial lockdown of Madrid: https://www.wsj.com/articles/facing-resistance-spain-declares-state-of-emergency-to-stem-madrids-covid-19-outbreak-11602263159 .
WSJ: The physics of football’s spiral pass: https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-does-a-patrick-mahomes-football-pass-look-so-beautiful-these-physicists-believe-they-have-the-answer-11602253787 .
Spaceballs: Dock Ellis pitched a no-hitter on LSD: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/jun/30/dock-ellis-lsd-no-hitter-pittsburgh-pirates-baseball .