Three million receive COVID booster: https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2022-09-29/around-3-2-million-americans-administered-updated-covid-boosters-last-week-cdc . Last week’s total of 3.2 million is a significant increase from prior weeks, but still represents slow uptake of the new protection.
European COVID spikes worry doctors: https://www.audacy.com/wwl/news/national/osterholm-covid-spiking-in-europe-and-could-hit-the-us-next . European spikes have often been two to three weeks ahead of US spikes. This is a more important predictor than the advent of fall.
FDA approves new ALS drug in controversial move: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/fda-approves-controversial-new-drug-designed-slow-progression-als-rcna48763 . Just 2 days ago we discussed the Medicare premium mess caused by the approval of Aduhelm. Here we go again. We also recently noted British advances against ALS. While that advance helps only 2% of patients, it is a much greater improvement in health than this drug offers.
The appearance of fungi in human cancers: https://www.upi.com/Science_News/2022/09/29/fungi-cancer-study/6831664469681/ . Sometimes science sounds like science fiction. However, this insight should tell us more about human biochemistry. Let’s hope so.
US suicide rate increased 4% in 2021: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2022-09-30/suicides-in-the-u-s-climbed-in-2021-cdc-data-shows . Early indications have been that the activation of 988 has increased suicide prevention calls. This will be something to look for in the final data for 2022.
Qatar confirms COVID test requirements for World Cup fans: https://apnews.com/article/health-sports-soccer-world-cup-middle-east-5c80368b72134be0da3dee99d3f8d699 .
States spend COVID relief on infrastructure projects: https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-public-covid-kansas-9ca96ba915cb52ff7b652fbb314edbd9 .
Weekly jobless claims hit 5 month low at 193,000: https://money.usnews.com/investing/news/articles/2022-09-29/u-s-weekly-jobless-claims-fall-second-quarter-gdp-unrevised . Simply put, this puts more pressure on the Fed to continue to raise rates. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-jobless-claims-hit-lowest-level-in-five-months-11664455866 .
Hurricane Ian has killed at least 9: https://abcnews.go.com/US/multiple-deaths-reported-hurricane-ian-slams-florida/story?id=90693636 . The death toll is likely to rise. Meanwhile, Ian is regaining strength over the Atlantic and is predicted to hit South Carolina as a Category 1 hurricane: https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-ian-impact-path-d4db93bcac5af1134e31a3b7f2f694f0 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/hurricane-ian-path-florida-south-carolina-georgia-11664027958 .
Mortgage rates hit 6.7% with further increases expected: https://news.yahoo.com/mortgage-rates-hit-15-year-high-140020863.html . Of course the real estate market will slow further, and yes, prices will decline. Remember that Wall Street has been buying homes for cash, squeezing out average homebuyers. When prices decline, cash buyers will have an even greater advantage. I believe home ownership is good for neighborhoods, and the Feds may need to step in to rebalance this equation in favor of individuals. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/mortgage-rates-rise-to-6-7-highest-since-2007-11664460015 .
Senate passes stopgap funding to keep the government open until December 16: https://apnews.com/article/senate-passes-shutdown-bill-d4c21a9bd5872990466c0f1bc188c93e . Well, a bill had to be passed. But why are we going to face this mess again 9 days before Christmas? This reminds me that a camel is a horse designed by a committee. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/senate-set-to-approve-stopgap-bill-to-fund-government-provide-more-ukraine-aid-11664469820 .
Meanwhile, yesterday’s stock rally on the UK bond buyback plan evaporates after people realize the plan won’t work: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/sep/29/liz-truss-to-hold-emergency-talks-with-obr-after-failing-to-calm-markets . As readers know, I predicted the plan contained a disconnect that would “reveal itself fairly quickly”. This certainly qualifies as quick. This major misstep calls into question the length of survival of the new UK government. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-k-prime-minister-defends-tax-cuts-as-market-turmoil-continues-11664449355 .
Will the Ukrainian advance cut off thousands of Russian troops?: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/russian-correspondent-thousands-of-russian-troops-are-about-to-get-trapped-in-eastern-ukraine/ar-AA12psT2 . The Ukrainian advance has been so swift that the unthinkable becomes possible. The Ukrainian focus on disrupting supply lines has been extremely effective so far.
Analysis of US House races: As readers know, over time estimates of the potential Republican majority in the House have declined from the typical off-year pick-up of the out-of-power party of 20 to 40 seats. Most recently (late August), estimates were a 15 to 20 seat GOP pick-up. Yesterday, I published this extensive analysis of the Cook and 538 analysis on my sister site: https://portlandneighborhoodresources.com/us-house-2022-race-2/ . Bottom line, while there are 50 or so extremely close races, current analysis projects a Republican majority of 7 seats. In other words, the Democrats appear to be gaining, but as always voter turnout will be the critical decider in many races.
January 6 committee interviews Ginni Thomas: https://www.yahoo.com/news/virginia-thomas-appears-interview-jan-142939593.html . Thomas continued to insist that the 2022 election was stolen: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/1-6-chairman-ginni-thomas-reiterates-false-election-claims/ar-AA12oiLl?cvid=947b132d474c413598d549d48bfdea57 . Given that her husband is a sitting Supreme Court justice, this presents a quite delicate situation. As to the Chief Justice’s comments about the legitimacy of the Court, he should reconsider the facts on the ground. More: https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/29/politics/supreme-court-trust-gallup-poll/index.html . Meanwhile, a lively woman (Vivian) goes off on Sam Alito: https://www.themarysue.com/supreme-court-illegitimate-alito-big-mad/ .
Judge Cannon overrules special master order: https://www.aol.com/news/u-judge-says-trump-not-200345914-234146558.html . Judge Cannon is within her discretion to do this, but she should remember she has already been slapped down by the 11th Circuit. Rule No. 1, Don’t piss off the judge, also applies to judges of lower courts when they receive direction from an appellate court. Here’s another viewpoint: https://www.rawstory.com/trump-judge-aileen-cannon/ . My view continues to be that she is completely incompetent but not corrupt. This ex-prosecutor takes the other side. But there is a third possibility, namely that she’s a MAGA Republican in judge’s robes.
MacKenzie Scott divorces second husband: https://www.aol.com/finance/billionaire-philanthropist-mackenzie-scott-reportedly-213004232.html . I applaud her determination to give most of her incredible wealth to charity. However, other aspects of her life are on a sad trajectory. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/billionaire-philanthropist-mackenzie-scott-files-for-divorce-from-second-husband-11664464184 .
The aftermath of the Judge homer: a divorce?: https://www.yahoo.com/news/aaron-judge-hits-historic-home-run-61-as-magical-season-rolls-on-i-the-rush-042723178.html . All’s well that ends well. Judge has 7 more games. Will he hit 62? 63?
What the …?: https://people.com/sports/blue-jays-fan-frankie-lasagna-just-misses-catching-aaron-judges-homer/ . Frankie Lasagna? Either this guy’s wife told him he couldn’t go to the game, or we’re looking at Sopranos 2.0.
WSJ: PGA countersues LIV over contractual interference: https://www.wsj.com/articles/liv-golf-pga-tour-lawsuit-11664460746 . Um, a nine-figure signing bonus?