Universal COVID vaccine gains ground: https://www.prevention.com/health/a41092334/antibody-neutralize-covid-variants/ . The Holy Grail of COVID vaccine research comes into view. This has the potential to crush the pandemic.
COVID booster with flu shot: https://news.yahoo.com/get-the-new-omicron-booster-and-a-flu-shot-white-house-says-165820141.html . It’s a good idea to promote the convenience and safety of getting the Omicron booster with your annual flu shot. But it’s bad science to suggest that this is the best way to control the pandemic. We know that heavily mutated viruses can appear at any time. If a virulent and deadly version appeared in February, it would be malpractice to not distribute a modified vaccine before the fall. As we have insisted, this is an arms race between the virus and the vaccines.
Here comes BA.4.6: https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-pandemics-flu-c92b8653683afbac3d81eebff8f5d29d . As just noted above, heavily mutated viruses can appear at any time.
Juul surrenders $440 million of the corporate jewels to settle teen vaping lawsuits: https://apnews.com/article/science-health-lawsuits-connecticut-fce3fe4f92066a9068cf505ed1fb63b0 . Think of the billions of dollars of product that must be sold to cover $440 million of retained profits. Of course, those profits are no longer retained. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/juul-to-pay-438-5-million-to-settle-probe-over-underage-use-11662484340 .
Robot manicure challenges nail industry: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/robot-manicure-shakes-up-multibillion-dollar-nail-industry-174322720.html . Automation will continue to make some workers obsolete.
WSJ: Interest in US stocks: https://www.wsj.com/articles/investors-are-pouring-into-u-s-stocks-to-avoid-greater-turbulence-overseas-11662421967 . The Journal glosses over the very important fact that the US dollar is at its strongest point in 20 years against most foreign currencies. Foreign investors are therefore buying into the US market at a premium and must hope that the US dollar continues to strengthen. However, US investors are seeing weeks of US market declines with more expected to follow. So US investors have significant reason to continue to wait and see.
GOP white male senators vote for total abortion ban in South Carolina: https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-legislature-south-carolina-government-and-politics-6498221b8d4d48dde993d3a5a9deb1b7 . As noted here many times, if men had to carry the fetuses, the right to control your own body would be sacrosanct.
WSJ: Can the UN win protection of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant?: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-n-atomic-agency-details-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-site-damage-urges-safety-zone-11662484238 . The term “playing with fire” grossly understates the risks involved here. More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/inside-the-mission-to-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant-shellfire-brinkmanship-and-backchannels-11662465324 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-warns-of-risks-to-nuclear-plant-ahead-of-u-n-inspectors-report-11662456076 .
Judge’s special master ruling is so bad even Bill Barr agrees with my earlier disparagement: https://news.yahoo.com/barr-judges-ruling-on-special-master-in-trump-documents-case-deeply-flawed-221452196.html . As the article indicates, so do many legal experts. There are two theories out there: she is a complete incompetent, or an Orange Julius sympathizer. Good evidence exists for both theories. More: https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-document-search-judge-c9d93a3a90e5ab35fed7f4eb00e94edb .
Meanwhile, OJ’s troubles get deeper: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/document-seized-from-trump-home-described-foreign-govt-s-nuclear-capabilities-washington-post/ar-AA11xsBr?cvid=623d832640f5462baa94dfe2a02e0f9e . Also, the judge’s ruling becomes increasingly indefensible as facts leak out.
New Mexico disqualifies insurrectionist from holding office: https://apnews.com/article/new-mexico-government-and-politics-5e2fd96d5f698017b974f878398578c8 . Take note, OJ. Violations of the Espionage Act include this penalty.
Banking while black: https://www.blackenterprise.com/black-detroit-woman-wins-casino-jackpot-files-lawsuit-after-bank-wont-deposit-check/ . One would think Fifth Third Bank is in a heap of trouble for declining a valid check and initially refusing to return it to the lady who tendered it. Chase took and passed the check with no problem. Fifth Third would be well advised to make a major financial settlement with this lady. Also, overt discrimination against a Black woman in Detroit would seem to be a losing business plan.
WSJ: Aaron Judge homer watch: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-york-yankees-slugger-aaron-judge-pursues-bid-for-home-run-milestone-11662217200 .