US COVID vaccination rates increase: https://news.yahoo.com/citing-us-vaccination-milestone-biden-says-the-message-is-getting-through-215136433.html . So apparently death is now getting people’s attention, 19 months into the pandemic.
US COVID deaths largely preventable through vaccination: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/delta-variant-deaths-largely-preventable-doctor-180658377.html . This really is the current bottom line.
Delta variant now 93% of US COVID cases: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/live-updates/covid-delta-variant/?id=79213051 . WSJ: Delta variant update: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-delta-variant-and-covid-19-vaccines-what-to-know-11627079604 .
WSJ: FDA Pfizer COVID vaccine approval timeline: https://www.wsj.com/articles/fda-weighs-faster-timeline-for-approving-pfizer-vaccine-11628107298 .
White House wants GOP governors to protect their citizens or get out of the way: https://news.yahoo.com/white-house-psaki-desantis-abbott-coronavirus-delta-masks-vaccines-214339034.html . So who’s right? Look at the results in Florida and Texas and it’s obvious. What’s DeMentis’ position? He says he’s protecting jobs by keeping everything open. However, that rationale can’t possibly apply to school children. And prolonging the pandemic prolongs the economic disruption. Again, at least Nero just fiddled. He didn’t throw gasoline on the fire.
COVID opens position in Texas GOP: https://www.thedailybeast.com/h-scott-apley-chair-of-galveston-county-texas-gop-mocked-covid-days-before-he-died-of-virus . For those of you looking for gene pool improvement, it’s happening.
Florida school districts tell Governor DeMentis to shove mask mandate ban: https://www.politico.com/states/florida/story/2021/08/04/literally-losing-our-workforce-florida-schools-defy-desantis-anti-mask-order-1389471 . So there are sane people in Florida. And the public agrees with the schools: https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2021-08-04/ron-desantis-plays-disaster-politics-as-florida-again-reels-from-coronavirus . Earth to Ron … you’re losing. Not surprisingly, endangering school children is not a winning platform. More: https://www.yahoo.com/news/editorial-desantis-latest-power-grab-095200475.html .
COVID hospitalizations surge in the South: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/covid-19-hospitalizations-at-record-highs-southern-states-delta .
COVID hospitalizations surge in California: https://deadline.com/2021/08/california-covid-hospitalizations-up-ninety-seven-percent-1234809398/ .
WSJ: US COVID hospital stress: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-patients-overwhelm-busy-hospitals-as-delta-variant-spreads-11628069401 .
WHO apparently traveling to outer space: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/04/who-calls-for-moratorium-on-covid-vaccine-boosters-at-least-through-september.html . This sort of comment pretty much takes WHO out of the conversation. This makes no political sense. The richer countries are not going to focus on the rest of the world until their own populations are safe. This also does not make medical sense. The Israeli data shows that booster shots are needed to combat waning vaccination in the most vulnerable. We have to know how to maximize immunity.
Global COVID cases exceed 200 million: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/covid-cases-surpass-200-million-around-globe-delta-variant-spreads-n1275980 .
NBA Finals a superspreader for Milwaukee: https://news.yahoo.com/milwaukee-authorities-link-nearly-500-covid-19-cases-crowds-bucks-title-run-000644931.html . The crowds outside their stadium seemed dangerous. They were.
Sturgis superspreader 2.0: https://www.npr.org/2021/08/04/1024902949/sturgis-bike-rally-friday-2021-covid-delta-variant . Gee, will this be a problem?
Gene therapy used to partially restore sight: https://www.cnet.com/news/scientists-partially-restore-vision-in-blind-man-with-retinitis-pigmentosa-using-gene-therapy/?utm_source=reddit.com . This is a glimpse of the future.
Eviction win emboldens progressives: https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-health-coronavirus-pandemic-voting-rights-0c8565386d3e8fffcaf88589af843ec5 . Politics is becoming more and more a battle for media attention. That is not a hopeful sign for bipartisanship. I’m pleased with the eviction ban extension, but the emerging process will be divisive.
WSJ: Chip shortage hits GM: https://www.wsj.com/articles/gm-posts-2-8-billion-profit-raises-full-year-view-11628078479 .
WSJ: The changing finances of superstar college athletes: https://www.wsj.com/articles/uconn-paige-bueckers-college-basketball-ncaa-11628078726 .