UK variant appears 30% deadlier: https://news.yahoo.com/new-covid-strain-from-uk-appears-deadlier-as-well-as-more-contagious-boris-johnson-warns-222335556.html . As the UK variant is also estimated to be 70% more transmissible, this is particularly bad news. It thus becomes more urgent to vaccinate as many people as possible as soon as possible, in order to try to reduce the transmission rate. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-u-k-covid-19-variant-could-be-more-deadly-british-officials-say-11611338370 .
While a vaccinated person may become infected with this or other variants, it is also possible that the disease may be less severe because of the vaccination. We must vaccinate with the vaccines being manufactured while also pursuing modification of the mRNA vaccines to use the RNA of the new variants.
WSJ: The latest on virus variants: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-covid-19-strains-what-scientists-know-about-coronavirus-variants-11609466017 . Note that the South African variant, previously referred to as 501.V2, is named as B.1.351 in this article. This really is frustrating. More on South African variant: https://www.wsj.com/articles/studies-of-south-african-coronavirus-strain-raise-concerns-about-immune-response-11611311401 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-new-covid-19-strain-in-south-africa-what-we-know-11609971229 .
Walmart expands vaccination program: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vaccine-usa-walmar/exclusive-walmart-expands-vaccinations-in-boost-to-u-s-covid-19-program-idUSKBN29R1F9 .
WSJ: The current pace of vaccinations: https://www.wsj.com/articles/where-our-current-covid-19-vaccination-rate-will-take-us-11611324000 . More: Vaccine distribution tracker: https://www.wsj.com/articles/tracking-covid-19-vaccine-distribution-11611355360 .
WSJ: United wants to mandate employee vaccination: https://www.wsj.com/articles/united-airlines-looks-to-require-employees-to-get-covid-19-vaccines-11611349963 .
Under 1% of Moderna vaccine recipients reported side effects: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-01-22/less-than-1-of-people-experienced-side-effects-from-moderna-coronavirus-vaccine-cdc-says .
WSJ: Current surge may be easing: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-covid-19-cases-hospitalizations-appear-to-ease-after-fall-surge-11611353160 .
Regeneron claims its COVID drug is effective with COVID variants: https://www.timesunion.com/business/article/Regeneron-says-its-antibody-cocktail-deals-with-15890782.php . Um, you prove this by running a clinical trial. There aren’t enough variant cases yet to do that. This is their hometown newspaper.
WSJ: Ongoing COVID data issues: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-data-remain-mired-in-inconsistencies-11611311401 . There is more here than data issues. Our pathetic testing regimen is a failed process in combating the pandemic. More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-testing-challenges-remain-for-many-urban-rural-communities-11611320400 .
Scientific American’s weekly COVID report: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/coronavirus-news-roundup-january-16-january-22/ .
Bill Gates gets vaccinated: https://www.geekwire.com/2021/feel-great-bill-gates-shares-photo-getting-first-dose-covid-19-vaccine/ .
Pfizer vaccine delivery delays slow vaccinations in EU countries: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-55765556 .
WSJ: AstraZeneca also warns of EU vaccine shortfall: https://www.wsj.com/articles/astrazeneca-warns-of-covid-19-vaccine-shortfall-in-europe-11611345039 .
Miami Heat to use coronavirus-sniffing dogs to check fans at games: https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/miami-heat-to-use-coronavirus-detecting-dogs-when-welcoming-fans-back-to-arena/ . This makes total sense. Once again, we have pandemic-related sentences saying things we’d never have thought of pre-pandemic.
Biden’s American Rescue Plan: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/biden-first-100-days-could-195712001.html . We are seeing something that has been completely lacking for the last 4 years – a comprehensive mission for the federal government. When you look at how Presidents are remembered, it is driven by what they accomplished – the New Deal; the New Frontier; the Great Society. None of these dreams was fully realized. But what was realized met society’s needs in a lasting way.
The prior administration had only one meaningful accomplishment – screwing up the Supreme Court. It will be remembered (if at all) as a mentally deranged personal train wreck that America quickly put behind it. “Truth, Justice and the American Way” will be reestablished – in that order. Flaws will always remain, because needs change. But now we move forward, dragging Republican congressmen along for the ride.
WSJ: Defense Production Act returns to the pandemic strategy: https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-aims-to-boost-covid-19-vaccine-distribution-by-using-1950s-law-11611333885 .
CDC missed opportunities to understand COVID spread: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-cdc-response-speci/special-report-how-u-s-cdc-missed-chances-to-spot-covids-silent-spread-idUSKBN29R1E7 .
Fire at world’s largest vaccine producer; 5 killed: https://apnews.com/article/pune-india-coronavirus-pandemic-fires-6537cec12b3d902958bdebdd257fad6b .
WSJ: Israeli vaccination progress: https://www.wsj.com/articles/israels-covid-19-vaccinations-hold-lessons-for-u-s-11610307240 . Given the emerging variants, Israel’s strategy is likely to pay considerable dividends.
WSJ: WHO virus politics: https://www.wsj.com/articles/who-caught-between-china-and-west-on-frozen-food-coronavirus-transmission-11611324088 .
Will Tokyo Olympics be cancelled?: https://www.reuters.com/article/olympics-2020-cancellation-int-idUSKBN29Q35K . Remember, vaccinations in Japan will not start until late February.
WSJ: Wuhan’s anger at China’s government for COVID response: https://www.wsj.com/articles/anger-at-chinas-covid-19-response-smolders-in-wuhan-11611336335 . This seems a bit odd given China’s relatively good result in controlling COVID. Perhaps it is anger at the authoritarian tactics.
WSJ: Mardi Gras 2021: https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-to-celebrate-mardi-gras-during-covid-turn-your-house-into-a-parade-float-11611343321 .
Western cities see continued influx: https://www.usnews.com/news/cities/articles/2021-01-22/influx-of-new-residents-brings-changing-vibe-to-western-cities . This article argues that remote work allows people to move to places mirroring their political views. This could lead to even deeper political divisions between the states. WSJ: Record US existing-home sales: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-existing-home-sales-reach-highest-level-in-14-years-11611327933 .
Almost 200 Capitol Police and National Guardsmen have COVID: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/38-capitol-police-officers-and-150-national-guard-members-test-positive-since-capitol-attack/ . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/security-eases-in-washington-as-inauguration-week-ends-11611326520 .
The Capitol Police screw-ups resigned, and more screw-ups stepped forward. Capitol Police have apologized to the National Guard troops, who have returned to the Capitol after bipartisan Congressional outrage: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/guard-troops-back-inside-capitol-after-furor-over-move-parking-n1255260 .
House to send impeachment article to the Senate Monday: https://www.wpri.com/news/politics/schumer-house-to-send-trump-impeachment-article-monday/ . Dear Mr. McConnell: Up yours. Strong message to follow. Sincerely, Nancy. P.S. I’m fighting like hell for the rule of law.
Trump’s (second) impeachment trial to start week of February 8: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/535495-trump-impeachment-trial-to-being-week-of-feb-8 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/impeachment-article-against-trump-to-be-delivered-to-senate-monday-11611328900 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-second-impeachment-senate-trial-11610400832 .
Lawyers for insurrectionists building incitement case against Trump: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/lawyers-representing-the-capitol-insurrectionists-are-building-a-damning-case-against-trump/ar-BB1d0t4U?li=BBnb7Kz . This may come into the impeachment trial. Remember that the insurrectionists flew in from all over the country at Trump’s urging. This is not, by the way, a powerful defense for the insurrectionists. It is very much like the Nazi “I was just following orders” defense.
Trump and DOJ attorney planned to replace AG in order to advance Georgia election fraud claims: https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/22/politics/trump-doj-attorney-plan-replace-acting-ag-false-election-claims/index.html .
Explosive suggestions in Senate ethics complaint against Cruz, Hawley: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna1255228 . The complaint alleges that House members involved in the election challenge coordinated with the insurrectionists, and asks that Cruz and Hawley be investigated over their possible contacts with the insurrectionists.
Parler lit up: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-parler-idUSKBN29Q2FS . Social media’s version of “truth” will come under increasing examination this year.
Open carry: https://www.newsweek.com/lauren-boebert-fine-capitol-metal-detector-1563660 . Given the Capitol Police, open (or concealed) carry within the Capitol is irrational. It is not a right. It is a danger to other members: https://www.yahoo.com/now/considerable-amount-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-members-congress-dont-feel-safe-around-colleagues-073203542.html .
Texas AG sues to block Biden’s deportation freeze: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-biden-immigration-texas/texas-attorney-general-files-lawsuit-seeking-to-block-us-president-bidens-deportation-freeze-idUSKBN29R2HM . More details of the filing are needed to comment on the claims being made. We do know that Ken Paxton is a nut based on his election fraud filings, so there is every possibility this is another publicity stunt. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/texas-threatens-lawsuit-over-bidens-deportation-pause-11611340860 . Note that many of Cuccinelli’s actions have been voided as his appointment was illegal: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ken-cuccinelli-unlawfully-tapped-uscis-judge-voids-some-asylum-orders/ .
Kerry promotes US climate leadership: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-climate-usa-kerry/u-s-envoy-kerry-calls-for-climate-change-measures-to-be-speeded-up-idUSKBN29Q1PZ . His prescription is a match with comments here yesterday.
Twitters bans account of Iran’s supreme leader: https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-dubai-iran-united-arab-emirates-middle-east-b8767244595af326b423316a53635d86 .
Hank Aaron passes: https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb-hall-famer-henry-hank-160228135.html . There have been many baseball greats who have left us in the last 6 months. None were greater than Hammerin’ Hank. Aaron finished the 1973 season with 713 homers, one short of Babe Ruth’s all-time record. He received death threats in the off-season. In the 1974 season, Aaron hit number 714 in his first at-bat and first swing of the season. Four days later, he hit number 715. The total swelled to 755 before his retirement in 1976. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/baseball-legend-hank-aaron-dies-at-86-11611342501 .
On Tuesday, I mentioned Ray Charles’ “Hit the Road, Jack”. My mood today is Ray Charles’ “America the Beautiful”. It’s time to get back to the hard work of building a more perfect union. Enjoy your weekend.