STOP SAYING COVID IS TAMER!: https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2023-05-11/what-you-need-to-know-to-stay-safe-from-covid-after-the-public-health-emergency-ends . This is exasperating! As we have said from the beginning of the pandemic, it is best to consider the pandemic as an arms race between the virus and the vaccines. Also, the rapid development of mRNA vaccines saved many lives by cutting the previous development times of 4 years or more. Its flexibility in addressing new strains of the virus is also noteworthy in limiting the virus’ ability to evade vaccination. However, there is no evidence that the virus mutations have somehow made the virus less dangerous.
The above article has a link leading to this article: https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2022-08-12/scientists-question-whether-omicron-is-really-less-dangerous-than-other-coronaviruses . And here is a paragraph from this article: “’It’s widely said that Omicron is inherently less pathologic, but there’s no real evidence for that,’ said Dr. Christopher Chiu, a COVID-19 researcher at the Imperial College London.” Will everyone else please get a clue?
XBB.1.16 grows to 14% of US cases: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-05-12/cdc-data-omicron-subvariant-xbb-1-16-or-arcturus-responsible-for-14-of-new-covid-19-cases . This variant, nicknamed “Arcturus”, continues to grow, but at an increasingly slow pace. As the overall number of cases is apparently dropping, Arcturus may actually be dropping in total number of cases each week.
COVID vaccine program for lower-income countries: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2023-05-12/g7-plans-new-vaccine-program-for-developing-nations-yomiuri . This focus is highly appropriate for reducing the global risk of COVID.
Long COVID debilitation remains with us: https://www.wsj.com/articles/long-covid-symptoms-recovery-not-over-2e535790 .
Senate committee advances PBM and drug pricing reforms: https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/4000727-senate-panel-advances-drug-pricing-bills-including-pbm-reforms/ . The bipartisan vote indicates the bill will pass the Senate. One hopes that carries over to the House.
WSJ: Texas halts gender-affirming care for minors: https://www.wsj.com/articles/texas-lawmakers-pass-measure-preventing-treatment-for-transgender-youth-a0d2f12f .
How Ukraine has held Bakhmut: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/how-ukrainian-forces-denied-russia-victory-in-bakhmut-by-victory-day/ar-AA1b79t1?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=aa95339b49a94c3686c64fb1d967b3d8&ei=28 . WSJ: Ukraine makes more small gains around Bakhmut: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-presses-counterattack-around-bakhmut-53234494 .
Patriot missile takes out Russian “unstoppable” Kinzhal missile: https://news.yahoo.com/russia-trying-kill-patriot-us-034220732.html . The downing is a significant achievement in this artillery and missile based war.
Pakistan’s Imran Khan released on bail: https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/12/asia/imran-khan-pakistan-court-army-intl-hnk/index.html .
Federal judge in Virginia strikes down age limit of 21 on gun sales: https://apnews.com/article/handgun-law-young-adults-unconstitutional-7428370490abe5f90a5fcf8aad7a4020 . Note that the judge is 82 and an Army veteran. Is forum shopping involved here? The article does not note the recent victory of the Uvalde parents in advancing an age 21 limit on assault weapons purchases in Texas. The judge’s finding of unconstitutionality will give the Texas legislature another reason not to pass that measure.
Musk confirms Linda Yaccarino as new Twitter CEO: https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/linda-yaccarino-twitter-ceo-musk-confirms-1235611144/ . From a business perspective, this makes sense, as Yaccarino has senior-level sales and marketing experience. However, her conservative reputation is already generating more fears about Twitter’s content. I would see this company as a turnaround situation, both from a revenue and a talent hiring perspective. She may have trouble, particularly with the second need. More: https://apnews.com/article/twitter-elon-musk-new-ceo-linda-yaccarino-7c9a549420b5b1d1b2f050164d96055d . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/linda-yaccarino-new-twitter-ceo-42a4f206 .
WSJ: USPS working to reduce mail theft: https://www.wsj.com/articles/usps-seeks-to-stem-rise-in-mail-theft-with-new-security-measures-8478e63b .
US history item: King George III’s one wife, Queen Charlotte, was of mixed race: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/secret/famous/royalfamily.html . So this means, among other things, that if Prince Harry somehow ascended to the throne, Meghan Markle would not have been Britain’s first “Black queen”. Also, George III was both Queen Elizabeth II’s 3rd and 4th great-grandfather (!), so there is already African ancestry in the British royal family, and specifically in King Charles III and Prince Harry. How was this not discussed during all of the racism thrown at Meghan?
This week’s Frontline: https://www.pbs.org/video/clarence-and-ginni-thomas-hxtlm2/ . We already knew from Clarence Thomas’ autobiography that he was “an angry black man”. This Frontline piece clarifies for all time why that is, including for example the regular beatings he suffered at home as a child. This is the most fully researched piece on Clarence and Ginni Thomas out there.
Republican Senators inch away from Orange Julius: https://www.rawstory.com/republican-senators-against-trump/ . It’s a start, although the GOP base doesn’t care what these people think. Let’s see what happens when criminal indictments and trials start falling against OJ. At the moment, cutting OJ down to size involves peeling the onion. But at some point, he will flip out and become yesterday’s news.
Can the House GOP demonstrate even more incompetence? Two words – Jim Jordan: https://news.yahoo.com/where-the-gops-investigations-into-president-bidens-family-members-stand-171523773.html . With the machinery of the House Judiciary staff, this is all they can produce? How does Jim Jordan find his way to the bathroom? The GOP continues on the premise that facts don’t matter. However, Congressional investigations were intended to delve deeply into issues that affect the well-being of the country. What issue is that, Jim?
Speaking of incompetence – DeMentis’ “woke” battle loses traction: https://news.yahoo.com/new-poll-is-desantiss-war-on-woke-disney-falling-flat-211452266.html . Whose stupid idea was it to run for president by going after the well-known large employer in his own state? Has DeMentis made himself the leader of the “unwoke”? My recollection is that zombies do not vote in large numbers, except perhaps in Florida …
Idaho child murder trial ends in conviction of their mom: https://apnews.com/article/idaho-murder-trial-doomsday-plot-mom-841bacf176c07af61d11696c7e3181f5 . The horrific case that gripped the nation nears its expected end.
WSJ: Carbon capture is hard: https://www.wsj.com/articles/carbon-capture-is-hard-this-plant-shows-why-ce6e938c .
Dan Snyder sells Washington NFL team for $6 billion: https://sports.yahoo.com/commanders-announce-daniel-snyder-has-reached-sale-agreement-with-josh-harris-203727584.html . That’s one whole lot of ticket sales … WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/washington-commanders-sale-dan-snyder-josh-harris-86f0c9fe .