US exceeds 12 million cases: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa/u-s-hits-12-million-covid-19-cases-as-many-americans-defy-thanksgiving-travel-guidance-idUSKBN2810OM . We were at 9 million cases at the end of October. So, we are currently running 1 million cases per week.
FDA grants EUA to Regeneron monoclonal antibody drug: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-monoclonal-antibodies-treatment-covid-19 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/fda-authorizes-regenerons-covid-19-antibody-cocktail-drug-11606007526 .
Texas National Guard called out to assist El Paso morgues: https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/21/us/el-paso-national-guard-morgue-coronavirus-trnd/index.html . The situation in El Paso (“the step”) continues to deteriorate.
Gates predicts 50% less business travel, 30% less office time post-pandemic: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/17/coronavirus-bill-gates-says-more-than-50percent-of-business-travel-will-disappear-long-term.html . In that case, there will be a lot of home office remodeling, especially Zoom upgrades. WSJ: The stay-at-home economy: https://www.wsj.com/articles/four-reasons-the-stay-at-home-economy-is-here-to-stay-11605934806 . Note that this economy is not just based on saving money. It is also based on saving time.
WSJ: Thanksgiving COVID bomb: college students: https://www.wsj.com/articles/many-college-students-head-home-for-thanksgiving-lacking-covid-19-tests-11605955422 . And this bomb has nationwide reach.
WSJ: Another nationwide college bomb: student loan debt: https://www.wsj.com/articles/student-loan-losses-seen-costing-u-s-more-than-400-billion-11605963600 .
Senator Rick Scott, Florida, tests positive for COVID-19: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/20/rick-scott-tests-positive-for-coronavirus-438662 . The seventh GOP senator to test positive.
WSJ: Math tests negative: https://www.wsj.com/articles/student-test-scores-drop-in-math-since-covid-19-pandemic-11605974400 . While this could have some effect on the quality of future actuarial services, automation is the bigger issue. Actuarial work quality is more dependent than ever on the quality of assumptions, especially as the past becomes less of a guide to the future.
Biden enters stimulus negotiations: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/21/biden-coronavirus-relief-fight-438895 . Trump played golf today. And he cheats … https://golf.com/lifestyle/celebrities/how-why-president-trump-cheats-golf-playing-tiger-woods/ . Doing what he does best, and not doing it very well.
Toomey congratulates Biden: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/527049-gop-senator-congratulates-biden-says-trump-should-accept-results . So what? Toomey announced his retirement at the start of October: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/519616-toomey-announces-retirement-at-end-of-2022 . The five GOP senators listed in the article are already known to sometimes defy Trump. When will the other 48 emerge from their slime pits? A dose of reality follows below.
Ballot certification dates: https://ballotpedia.org/How_and_when_are_election_results_finalized%3F_(2020) . Trying to figure out when the GSA administrator has to give in? I’ve done the math for you. Biden is entitled to 306 electoral votes. All states must certify by December 11, so for sure by that date the GSA administrator must give up. When does Biden reach 270 votes? Unfortunately, California is last, with 55 electoral votes, so Biden does not pass 270 until December 11. However, no one doubts California will remain in Biden’s column.
What if we restrict ourselves to battleground states? Counting backward from the 36 vote margin, Arizona is last (November 30), with 6 electoral votes. Nevada is November 24, with 5 electoral votes. Michigan and Pennsylvania are November 23, with 16 plus 20 electoral votes. So Biden crosses 270 on November 23 (Monday). Democrats can get pretty vocal starting now.
Far right promotes Georgia Senate election boycott: https://www.newsweek.com/parler-pro-trump-call-georgia-runoff-boycott-threatens-mitch-mcconnells-plan-restrain-biden-1549282 . These people are nuts and getting nuttier. Parler gains traction: https://www.newsweek.com/right-wing-app-parler-has-been-downloaded-more-4-million-times-since-election-1549029 . Parler gets no respect: https://www.newsweek.com/bill-gates-parler-app-social-media-holocaust-denial-crazy-content-1548645 . This demonstrates why the Internet should be regulated like a utility. Again, free speech is a right, but not an unrestricted right. (Ha, so that’s what I’ve been suggesting, a restricted “right”).
And speaking of nuttier: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/trump-attorney-sidney-powell-im-going-to-blow-up-georgia-with-new-lawsuit . Here’s why this is NOT going to happen: Lawyers falsely alleging fraud in court are subject to sanctions: https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-cries-election-fraud-in-court-his-lawyers-dont-11605271267 . Even RUDY refuses to allege fraud! More Sidney Powell Looney Tunes: https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-campaign-wants-states-to-override-electoral-votes-for-biden-is-that-possible-11605973695 . Um, That’s all, Sidney!
WSJ: The COVID real estate effect: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-covid-effect-is-pricing-out-locals-from-scotlands-rugged-western-isles-11605970802 . The coldest I have ever felt in my life was in Edinburgh one October. The daytime highs were near freezing and it was foggy – incredibly penetrating cold. At dinner one night, the couple at the next table was complaining loudly and bitterly about the cold – and they had just flown in from Reykjavik! This will go back to a buyers’ market soon enough.