Did Tulsa COVID-19 cases spike from mass events? https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/07/08/trumps-tulsa-rally-protests-led-covid-spike-health-official-says/5401944002/ . Yes, the timing of the current surge roughly matches the Juneteenth/Trump rally/protest events, but so far there’s no information about whether the new cases have been interviewed (you know, contact tracing). Since the protests and the Trump rallies are the only larger group events currently occurring, we really need the information from basic protocols to find out what is going on. Also, there was a surge going on in Tulsa just before the events. Given that there’s been very little evidence of surges from the (outdoor) protest events, the Trump (indoor) event would be suggested in this situation; I hope someone does the interview work and finds out.
News summary: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/07/08/covid-19-us-3-million-cases-florida-new-jersey/5391309002/ (link replaced 7/13/21). The links are worthwhile, especially the discussion of the USA Today investigation indicating that almost $500 million in government contracts has been awarded to contractors previously accused of fraud.
WSJ: $2 billion in Operation Warp Speed funds awarded to Regeneron and Novavax: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-commits-2-billion-for-covid-19-vaccine-drug-supplies-11594132175 .
WSJ: Fillakit: https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-test-kit-maker-dissolves-amid-probes-11594153304 . Fillakit, awarded $10.2 million with no bidding, “was created in Florida on May 1; FEMA awarded the company a contract on May 7. Fillakit … dissolved on June 26.”
Cheddar: New COVID-19 test from Becton Dickenson with 15-minute turn-around: https://cheddar.com/media/minute-coronavirus-test-an-absolute-game-changer-says-becton-dickinson . Test uses BD device already in 25,000 medical offices nationwide.
WSJ: The issues with delayed care: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ad-campaign-says-dont-let-covid-19-fear-delay-doctor-visits-11594114200 . The estimation of the future costs associated with delayed care is a multi-factor situation with rapid change in many of the factors. I’m wondering if companies with on-site clinics are seeing less of an issue. Does anyone have any data or anecdotes?
WSJ: Protecting NY nurses: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-york-nurses-union-files-labor-charges-seeking-coronavirus-data-on-hospital-staff-11594159351 .
Super-spreading news from Minnesota: https://www.startribune.com/four-bars-linked-to-covid-19-surge-in-young-adults/571513112/ . The age-related mortality statistics are interesting, too. The high senior death rate likely reflects some nursing home hot spots, while the very low mortality in young people suggests to me how policy-making from state to state may differ even when there is not a geographic basis for the mortality differences. One-state data, especially mortality data, likely has credibility issues for most of the 50 states.
COVID-19 prison infection rates 5 times the outside rates: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/coronavirus-infecting-americas-prison-inmates-times-ucla-study/story?id=71668086 (link replaced 7/13/21).
More nursing home problems may be on the way: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/07/us-repeating-deadliest-pandemic-mistake-nursing-home-deaths/613855/ .
False information on masks: https://bestlifeonline.com/mask-wearing-myth/ (link replaced 7/13/21). A video claiming that mask wearing is hazardous because it causes you to breathe too much carbon dioxide has received more than 700,000 views. Here in Oregon, according to last night’s local news, fake ID’s have appeared, allegedly issued by “DOJ” and exempting the individual from wearing a mask.
Man not wearing mask erupts in Costco, and is fired from his job: https://www.freep.com/story/money/2020/07/07/florida-man-costco-viral-video-mask-policy/5395454002/ (link replaced 7/13/21).
Harvard and MIT sue to block ICE order regarding in-person classes: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-students-lawsuit/harvard-mit-seek-temporary-halt-to-trump-administration-rule-on-international-students-idUSKBN2491YF (link replaced 7/13/21).
AP: Feds push for all schools to re-open in the fall: https://apnews.com/be1ed8b75986393fe0385cae85b6a6c8 .
The failure of the federal government to provide funding to state and local governments is, as predicted, causing significant job reductions at those governments: https://www.wsj.com/articles/recession-forces-spending-cuts-on-states-cities-hit-by-coronavirus-11594200600 . The article points out that current state and local government revenue is uncertain in part because tax filing dates were deferred from April 15 to July 15. But the larger problem is that revenue is based on 2019 income. 2020 income is much more uncertain than any year since World War II, and because income tax rates are progressive, tax revenue for 2021 will likely suffer a larger percentage reduction than 2020 income.
WSJ: Pandemic job losses to persist: https://www.wsj.com/articles/unemployment-expected-to-reach-highest-level-since-great-depression-11594112400 . OECD on US and global unemployment.
WSJ: More on airline staff cuts: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-resurgence-threatens-travel-rebound-11594122756 .
WSJ: Airlines unlikely to control supply: https://www.wsj.com/articles/airlines-arent-opec-dont-count-on-supply-discipline-11594128551 .
WSJ: Buffets gone forever?: https://www.wsj.com/articles/buffets-and-salad-bars-closed-by-the-pandemic-remain-roped-off-11594114200 . One suggestion out there is the use of robots.
Anthem buys Zipdrug: https://medcitynews.com/2020/07/anthems-pbm-buys-pharmacy-startup-zipdrug/ . Terms were not disclosed.
WSJ: Banks to receive $24 billion in https://coronavirusnewsonline.info/covid-19-spread-within-hospitals-new-york-reopens-nail-salons/ loan fees: https://www.wsj.com/articles/banks-could-get-24-billion-in-fees-from-ppp-loans-11594134444 .
WSJ: US businesses receiving loans: https://www.wsj.com/articles/federal-aid-helped-wide-swath-of-small-businesses-needy-or-not-11594157441 . Note the fourth paragraph, where many of the largest loans went to businesses that were able to work remotely and had limited effect from COVID-19.
WSJ: Video on how to interpret COVID-19 data: https://www.wsj.com/video/how-to-make-sense-of-coronavirus-data/7C6E78E9-EF56-4602-8321-608F1347FC3D.html . This 4-minute video is not going to tell you anything you don’t know about data interpretation. Even its broad brush isn’t entirely accurate. It may have some use if you’re trying to inform someone who knows nothing about what we do, and will also remind you that you know a whole lot about data that others do not.
The Facebook boycott will likely continue to grow: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/jul/07/facebook-boycott-hate-speech-mark-zuckerberg-meeting . Another recent Guardian article which I did not include due to political content described Facebook as a virtual China given its massive population (2.6 billion users). The author concluded that was not the correct analogy, regarding Facebook as more of a rogue state, like North Korea, due to its “autocratic” one-person rule. Another view might be that China is also autocratic, and it is one’s attitude toward Zuckerberg’s behavior that would strengthen the analogy between either China or North Korea. In any event, the debate over hate speech on the Internet will undoubtedly continue.
Ready for your own micro-nation? The story of Sealand: http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20200706-sealand-a-peculiar-nation-off-englands-coast .