The vaccination doughnut debate: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/krispy-kreme-ceo-says-vaccine-promotion-is-out-of-generosity-customers-dont-have-to-take-part-142025590.html . It’s one doughnut, not a carton of cigarettes. If this makes someone feel better about getting vaccinated, that’s great.
Vaccinated older Americans venture out: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/vaccinated-older-people-covid-hibernation_n_605f9dfec5b66d30c7452c57 . This is heartwarming, but we do not know enough about the variants yet. Also, vaccines are not 100% effective even for the original COVID strain. I will be venturing out two weeks after my second shot, but carefully. I will also wear a mask, primarily to encourage others. And I will watch the prominence of variants in my community.
WSJ: High-tech face masks: https://www.wsj.com/articles/high-tech-face-masks-aim-to-step-up-the-fight-against-covid-19-11616846402 .
Trapping coronavirus with a molecular decoy: https://scitechdaily.com/cheating-the-coronavirus-new-drug-candidate-against-covid-19/ . This is a very creative idea to immobilize the spike protein.
New York launches vaccination app: https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/03/26/981695884/new-york-launches-first-covid-19-vaccination-test-result-app-for-event-attendanc . This seems wise to get Broadway (and sports) rolling again.
UK planning variant booster shots for elderly starting in September: https://thehill.com/policy/international/europe/545203-uk-plans-to-administer-coronavirus-vaccine-booster-shots-to . This is completely appropriate and wise planning. Hopefully they will do at least limited clinical trials to mitigate vaccine skepticism.
French surge continues: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-france/french-covid-19-patient-numbers-rise-again-adding-to-pressure-for-new-lockdown-idUSKBN2BJ0LO .
Germany warns of coming surge’s severity: https://www.axios.com/germany-coronavirus-wave-worse-variant-easter-fe758430-bf07-422b-8482-3d0b30e21bd0.html . It was politics to back off the Easter lockdown. However, whether the surge is severe or not, Merkel is open to criticism. You can bet the opposition will do so.
WSJ: The P.1 surge in Brazil: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-variant-rages-in-brazil-posing-global-risk-11616845889 . This is why variants remain my main concern.
WSJ: Vaccinating indigenous Australians: https://www.wsj.com/articles/indigenous-australians-are-skeptical-about-covid-19-vaccines-and-theyre-hard-to-reach-11616846401 .
Did Dr. Birx enable Orange Julius?: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/dr-deborah-birx-says-every-american-covid-19-death-after-the-first-100000-couldve-been-mitigated-but-a-democratic-lawmaker-says-shes-to-blame-for-enabling-trump/ar-BB1f2zyX?li=BBnb7Kz . Ted Lieu is correct. She failed at her job, as stated here previously.
WSJ: More on the Suez Canal blockage: https://www.wsj.com/articles/suez-canal-insurance-claims-loom-as-ever-given-blocks-shipping-11616837401 . And: https://www.wsj.com/articles/in-the-suez-canal-economics-and-physics-make-for-tough-sailing-11616846400 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/egypt-aims-to-refloat-cargo-ship-grounded-in-suez-canal-11616837175 . There were issues with some of the WSJ links yesterday, which are now corrected. The Journal remains obsessed with this story.
Myanmar military kills more unarmed protestors: https://apnews.com/article/aung-san-suu-kyi-min-aung-hlaing-myanmar-5bd5fd1e20adc5c5e16a0bb2a3db3102 . Myanmar appears headed for long-term authoritarian rule. The international community is doing very little to stop the military. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/dozens-shot-dead-in-myanmar-as-military-continues-ruthless-campaign-against-civilians-11616864155 .
Corporations sidestep their pledge not to fund election deniers: https://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/business-a-lobbying/545188-companies-sidestep-self-imposed-bans-on-gop-donations . Just to be clear, money corrupts politics. We should publicly fund federal campaigns. Congress should overturn Citizens United – money is not speech.