US COVID death toll tops 400,000 as Trump leaves office: https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-public-health-tulsa-oklahoma-florida-56b56d4848bbe5b41060e7b3a5e459bb . This and the Capitol insurrection will be Orange Julius’ legacy, which will continue to decline as his incompetence and corruption becomes clearer to his followers.
When the COVID death toll passes the WWII total in the next few days, this pandemic will be the third-deadliest event in US history, behind the US Civil War (750,000: https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-17604991# ) and the 1918 pandemic (675,000: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/1918-commemoration/1918-pandemic-history.htm# ).
WSJ: A primer on getting the shot: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-vaccine-what-you-need-to-know-when-you-get-the-shot-11610895600 .
WSJ: Moderna projects 100 million doses by end of March: https://www.wsj.com/articles/moderna-on-track-to-make-100-million-vaccine-doses-by-end-of-march-ceo-says-11611085031 . That translates to 50 million vaccinations if we get back to the two-dose protocol.
The mutation threat: https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-mutations-rising-f471eca388965ee95cd1e324c4e239d8 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/companies-race-to-develop-drugs-that-stay-ahead-of-coronavirus-mutations-11610892001 .
A summary of current information on COVID variants: https://www.statnews.com/2021/01/19/coronavirus-variants-transmissibility-disease-reinfection/ .
UK has its highest daily death toll yet: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/19/uk-coronavirus-death-toll-rises-record . UK has highest per capita death toll in the world: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/19/uk-coronavirus-death-toll-rises-record . And the death toll is expected to continue to rise for the next few days: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/coronavirus-covid-news-vaccine-uk-lockdown-deaths-cases-scotland/ .
WHO criticized for COVID response: https://www.wsj.com/articles/who-criticized-for-poor-pandemic-response-by-international-panel-11611077278 .
Florida concerned over UK variant spread: https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/florida/articles/2021-01-19/governor-700-000-seniors-in-florida-have-received-vaccine . CDC now reports 46 cases in Florida. Again, it is expected to be the dominant US strain by March. We have no idea of its current spread because of the insane lack of genomic sequencing in this country.
California’s Kaiser (Christmas tree) outbreak in the Bay Area: https://paloaltoonline.com/news/2021/01/18/new-covid-19-variant-increasing-in-bay-area-linked-to-kaiser-san-jose-outbreak .
WSJ: Vaccine skepticism in New York: https://www.wsj.com/articles/more-than-a-quarter-of-new-yorkers-dont-want-covid-19-vaccine-11611052200 .
Talking can spread COVID as much as coughing: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/20/talking-can-spread-covid-as-much-as-coughing-says-research .
German lockdown extended to February 14: https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-germany-extends-covid-lockdown-until-february-14/a-56277168 .
South Africa has not yet begun vaccinating citizens: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-55675806 . While cases have declined recently, the South African variant is spreading rapidly in the country: https://www.voanews.com/covid-19-pandemic/south-africa-coronavirus-cases-decline-new-variant-spreading-quickly . I am sympathetic to the call in this article to call variants by something other than their country of apparent origin. However, when the name is 501.V2, people are going to stick with South African variant.
WSJ: COVID has intensified US-China competition: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-heightens-u-s-china-rivalry-new-report-says-11611048600 .
WSJ: The outlook for cruises: https://www.wsj.com/articles/cruises-and-covid-19-when-u-s-sailings-could-restart-and-what-safety-precautions-are-expected-11607941801 . Disclaimer: I am not a fan of cruises. However, right now I’m also not willing to go on a cruise with anyone who’s willing to go on a cruise right now.
DC Court of Appeals restores Obama carbon regulations: https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-climate-powerplants/u-s-court-deals-final-blow-to-trump-epas-clean-power-rule-replacement-idINL1N2JU1G0 .
WSJ: Senate negotiations on sharing power: https://www.wsj.com/articles/mcconnell-schumer-to-determine-senate-power-sharing-deal-11611079529 .
WSJ: Stock market shows more signs of gambling: https://www.wsj.com/articles/when-investors-forget-fundamentals-the-market-is-broken-11611055800 . It’s very likely this will not end well. The question is when.
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The Trump presidency: https://www.aol.com/finance/trump-years-tax-cuts-trade-120727575-125146144.html . AOL has combined two reports here. The real gem is Jonathan Karl’s piece: https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/news/video/trumps-legacy-remembered-history-75338707 . The written narrative is from Howard Schneider at Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-economy-trump/the-trump-years-tax-cuts-and-trade-wars-overshadowed-in-the-end-by-a-virus-idUSKBN29O169 . While Karl’s piece is dark, in my view it accurately captured what the country has endured these past 4 years and what will be remembered. The Trump show was a dark stain that may be “bleached” over time, but will never totally fade.
Will Trump lead a Patriot Party?: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-is-considering-starting-the-patriot-party-after-facing-criticism-from-top-republicans-over-capitol-riot-the-wall-street-journal-reports/ar-BB1cUg8K?li=BBnb7Kz . Republican knives will be out for Trump if he does. This increases the chance of an impeachment conviction. Also, the money for this alternate reality is not there.
Latest word on Trump pardons: Bannon yes, Giuliani no: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-pardons/as-he-leaves-office-trump-pardons-former-top-strategist-bannon-idUSKBN29P0BE . More: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-issues-pardons-and-commutations-in-a-final-wave-of-executive-clemency-grants-before-leaving-office/ar-BB1cUskV?li=BBnb7Kz .
McConnell turns on Trump: https://apnews.com/article/mcconnell-trump-fed-lies-to-mob-36871d68df56a10be1c46ed364ad6de6 . Will the GOP close ranks behind McConnell?
GOP leaders skip Trump departure ceremony: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/pence-mcconnell-and-mccarthy-are-skipping-trumps-departure-ceremony/ar-BB1cTEHU?li=BBnb7Kz .
Impeachment trial may start later this week: https://abcnews.go.com/US/democrats-weighing-witnesses-plan-launch-impeachment-trial-end/story?id=75339708 . Buckle up.
Republican election deniers face financial reality: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/lawmakers-who-objected-to-election-results-have-been-cut-off-from-20-of-their-30-biggest-corporate-pac-donors/ar-BB1cTtr3?li=BBnb7Kz . More: https://www.ft.com/content/be344816-3fab-42e2-99ed-38309d06a435 .
Grant for southern civil rights lawyers: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/naacp-legal-scholarship-civil-rights/ . Boots on the ground is a powerful way to get the hard work done. Marshall Motley is a worthy name.
Fox News dismisses two executives involved in calling Arizona for Biden – correctly: https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-arizona-elections-a11f8112a58eb45854be59f64d47e1dc . Telling the truth is a career risk at Fox. Remember the good old days when accurate prediction was admired? More on Fox: https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/news/i-dont-know-how-some-people-sleep-at-night-former-fox-news-host-shepard-smith-unloads-on-the-network-calling-out-those-who-propagated-the-lies/ar-BB1cU6KH?li=BBnb7Kz .
Parler partially reappears with Russian tech company support: https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-trump-parler-russia/parler-partially-reappears-with-support-from-russian-technology-firm-idUSL1N2JT1S7 . WSJ: More on Parler: https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-was-parler-shut-down-heres-why-the-social-network-is-offline-11610478890 .
First significant conspiracy charges filed in January 6 insurrection: https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/19/politics/oath-keepers-capitol-riot-charges/index.html . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/first-conspiracy-charges-filed-over-capitol-riot-11611080191 .
WSJ: Private accused of ISIS support: https://www.wsj.com/articles/army-private-sympathized-with-islamic-state-prosecutors-say-11611098651 . The Army still has the “cavalry scout” position? Some updating would be in order.
Looking for celebration music to watch the Inauguration by? If they show Trump’s departure, I’m going with Ray Charles’ “Hit the Road, Jack”. Over and over again.