Southern California funeral homes full: https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-coronavirus-pandemic-california-united-states-c7f6c6d07abb092f536cce191e62a932 . Apparently the pandemic is not a hoax.
New York passes 1 million positive COVID tests: https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/new-york/articles/2021-01-02/positive-covid-19-tests-top-1-million-in-new-york-state .
UK variant detected in at least 33 countries: https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/01/02/952842631/new-covid-19-variant-spreads-to-dozens-of-countries .
Fauci is certain vaccines will be mandated in institutions: https://news.yahoo.com/fauci-says-hes-sure-coronavirus-171148583.html . Once again, public health meets freedom of choice.
“Total collapse” of US health system feared as hospitalizations exceed 100,000 for 31 straight days: https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/02/health/us-coronavirus-saturday/index.html . This sounds alarmist, but we are burning through hospital medical staffs.
Larry King has been hospitalized with COVID for 10 days: https://people.com/tv/larry-king-hospitalized-with-coronavirus/ .
UK setting new COVID case records: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2021-01-02/uk-reports-57-725-new-covid-19-cases-445-deaths . Teachers’ unions want all schools closed: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2021-01-02/uk-hits-daily-virus-record-is-urged-to-keep-schools-closed .
Israel presses for lockdown as cases surge: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/netanyahu-to-push-for-short-tight-closure-as-coronavirus-cases-rise-654063 . Israel has already vaccinated 10% of its population. Update: Now almost 12%:
Southern California funeral homes full: https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-coronavirus-pandemic-california-united-states-c7f6c6d07abb092f536cce191e62a932 . Apparently the pandemic is not a hoax.
New York passes 1 million positive COVID tests: https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/new-york/articles/2021-01-02/positive-covid-19-tests-top-1-million-in-new-york-state .
UK variant detected in at least 33 countries: https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/01/02/952842631/new-covid-19-variant-spreads-to-dozens-of-countries .
Fauci certain vaccines will be mandated in institutions: https://news.yahoo.com/fauci-says-hes-sure-coronavirus-171148583.html . Once again, public health meets freedom of choice.
“Total collapse” of US health system feared as hospitalizations exceed 100,000 for 31 straight days: https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/02/health/us-coronavirus-saturday/index.html . This sounds alarmist, but we are burning through hospital medical staffs.
Larry King has been hospitalized with COVID for 10 days: https://people.com/tv/larry-king-hospitalized-with-coronavirus/ .
UK setting new COVID case records: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2021-01-02/uk-reports-57-725-new-covid-19-cases-445-deaths . Teachers’ unions want all schools closed: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2021-01-02/uk-hits-daily-virus-record-is-urged-to-keep-schools-closed .
Israel presses for lockdown as cases surge: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/netanyahu-to-push-for-short-tight-closure-as-coronavirus-cases-rise-654063 . Israel has already vaccinated 10% of its population. Update: Now almost 12%: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-55514243 . The US of course is under 1%.
India grants EUA for AstraZeneca vaccine: https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/01/02/952313758/india-approves-astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccine-for-emergency-use . Also, India approved a vaccine developed in India: https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-india-vaccine/indias-drugs-experts-approve-astrazeneca-local-covid-vaccines-idUSKBN29707B . India rehearses for vaccination drive: https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-india-rehearses-huge-covid-vaccination-drive/a-56114891 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/india-approves-use-of-oxford-astrazenecas-covid-19-vaccine-11609602763 .
I’m still working to puzzle out what Brexit means for the UK. My main concern is that financial services firms are the lifeblood of London. They would have been severely challenged by a no-deal Brexit. The question is, how much better is the final deal? My general understanding is, not much. This link supports that view, even though it is a pre-Brexit marketing piece: https://www.pinsentmasons.com/out-law/news/brexit-deal-thin-companies-preparing-no-deal . Bottom line: I still think the UK was utterly foolish in leaving its special arrangement. The result may well lead to Scottish independence, as Scotland could then rejoin the EU.
Stimulus complaints spray-painted on McConnell, Pelosi homes: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/wheres-my-money-mitch-mcconnell-home-vandalized-after-dollar2000-stimulus-check-vote-blocked/ar-BB1cq6VQ?li=BBnbfcL .
Georgia runoff turnout: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/million-voted-early-georgia-senate-runoff/story?id=75005786 . So, over 3 million have already voted. While a record for a runoff, the issue is comparison to the November 2020 turnout. These races still boil down to Republican in-person turnout on January 5. Voters are unlikely to split their vote. That is, both seats are likely to go to the same party.
Reports from the Insanity Front: Gohmert suggests violence: https://www.thedailybeast.com/louie-gohmert-calls-for-street-violence-as-pence-lawsuit-loss-sends-maga-world-spiraling . This is the definition of sedition. In the Senate: https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/02/politics/senate-republicans-electoral-college/index.html . This is why people hate lawyers. This is dishonest on its face. There is no evidence of election fraud. This is a combination of publicity stunt and fundraising appeal. Frackin’ Ted Cruz is just trying to out-Hawley Josh Hawley. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-trump-allies-in-congress-plan-to-challenge-joe-bidens-electoral-college-win-11609588800 . And: https://www.wsj.com/articles/group-of-gop-senators-plans-to-reject-some-electoral-college-results-11609613305 .
Chances of life on Venus fade with reanalysis of data: https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/11/potential-signs-life-venus-are-fading-astronomers-downgrade-their-original-claims . It is unfortunate that this information is getting much less coverage than the original claim in September. A media culture based on entertainment value can lose sight of the facts.
Ohio State hammers Clemson to meet Alabama in championship: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ohio-state-stuns-clemson-setting-up-title-showdown-with-alabama-11609567616 . I wonder if this performance will cost Trevor Lawrence some signing money?