WSJ: US life expectancy drops 1.5 years: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-life-expectancy-fell-by-1-5-years-in-2020-the-biggest-decline-in-generations-11626840061 . Yes, COVID is a big deal.
The beta variant in Europe: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/21/what-is-the-beta-variant-heres-what-we-know-so-far.html . Delta is outcompeting the other variants around the world. However, we have seen variants coexist in the same person: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/12/belgian-woman-infected-with-two-covid-variants-at-the-same-time.html . In this situation, new variants can appear sharing the strongest characteristics of the two infecting variants. Here, because the woman declined so rapidly, the risk is limited. However, some COVID infections persist for months in one individual, typically with immunocompromised individuals. In these cases, multiple new variants of COVID have appeared.
The lambda variant in Texas: https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/public-global-health/564099-texas-hospital-reports-first-case-of-lamda-covid-19 . America may again be a melting pot, but not in a good way.
The gamma variant in Illinois: https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/564173-illinois-reporting-six-times-as-many-gamma-variant-cases-than-delta-report . As you can see, the risk of further variant evolution is significant.
Fully vaccinated deaths in New Jersey: https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/564243-new-jersey-officials-say-nearly-50-fully-vaccinated-residents-have-died .
Is DeMentis a superspreader?: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/florida-ag-tests-positive-for-covid-19-days-after-being-with-desantis-in-texas/ar-AAMpTMB?li=BBnb7Kz . The ongoing idiot circus on the right really is disgusting. And the Texas border is not a valid concern of Florida taxpayers. Ditto for South Dakota.
Rubio recommends vaccination for everyone: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/564108-rubio-on-coronavirus-vaccine-hesitancy-its-really-not-a-partisan-issue . I have never been a fan of Rubio. With Florida generating 20% of new US cases, apparently now Rubio feels the need to speak up. And everyone realizes the partisan divide on vaccination, and why the divide exists.
The need for contact tracing: https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/contact-tracing-covid-delta-delaware-pennsylvania-new-jersey-20210721.html . Here’s another call to follow basic public health procedures.
COVID’s effects on medical practices has reduced income and led many doctors to sell: https://ctmirror.org/2021/02/06/medical-practices-become-another-pandemic-casualty/ .
WSJ: J&J expects increased revenue from its COVID vaccine: https://www.wsj.com/articles/johnson-johnson-posts-higher-quarterly-profit-as-healthcare-demand-returns-11626867300 .
South African vaccine production: https://www.wsj.com/articles/pfizer-biontech-join-halting-effort-to-produce-covid-19-vaccines-in-africa-11626866121 . With a global population of over 8 billion, 100 million doses per year is a drop in the bucket.
Two state transgender restrictions enjoined by federal judges: https://apnews.com/article/business-health-government-and-politics-arkansas-eb81755d293622d71ff832d8cbbea97d .
WSJ: Will the Delta variant derail the US economy?: https://www.wsj.com/articles/delta-variant-of-covid-19-isnt-expected-to-dent-robust-u-s-recovery-11626875957 . We have already seen global supply chain problems. It is rather likely that the less developed nations will see further waves of COVID, as we will regionally in the US.
WSJ: More on the $26 billion opioid settlement: https://www.wsj.com/articles/states-announce-26-billion-settlement-to-resolve-opioid-lawsuits-11626890613 .
The ongoing attempts at a bipartisan infrastructure bill: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/republicans-poised-to-thwart-schumer-on-infrastructure-vote/ar-AAMorU9?li=BBnb7Kz . Update: WSJ: Republicans block debate, but negotiations continue: https://www.wsj.com/articles/republicans-set-to-block-infrastructure-debate-as-details-remain-unresolved-11626878408 .
WSJ: Will Powell be reappointed Fed chair?: https://www.wsj.com/articles/fed-chair-powell-enjoys-support-for-reappointment-but-hes-not-a-lock-11626859803 . Biden may well reappoint Powell, but in my view this is a poor choice. The Fed has gone too far with easy money, and at some point it will be faced with a difficult retreat.
The UK’s “pingdemic”: https://news.sky.com/story/pmqs-boris-johnson-apologises-to-businesses-over-pingdemic-after-more-than-half-a-million-told-to-isolate-12360492 . The “contact and isolate” system becomes a problem when cases rise rapidly. The “contact and test” system addresses that problem, but is less effective in slowing disease spread. The real answer is to rigorously do contact tracing when cases are low, something the West knows but refuses to do.
China’s birth rate continues to decline: https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2021/07/08/the-reality-of-chinas-fertility-decline/ .
Indonesian man cheats on COVID test: https://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/ny-covid-positive-indonesian-man-dresses-as-wife-to-fly-back-home-20210721-z7qbqtxxrjh4dm7nmhd6r5zxn4-story.html . This guy deserves to be in trouble.
Younger voters rejecting the GOP: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/10-things-in-politics-young-voters-are-rejecting-the-gop/ar-AAMonlg?li=BBnb7Kz . This summary also contains a link to the full Business Insider article, which is behind a paywall.
Nancy slam dunks over Kevin, rejects two GOP appointees to January 6 select committee: https://apnews.com/article/pelosi-capitol-investigation-jordan-banks-00d2cfd5ddde4aa1d8c0c72189738ce6 . WSJ: More (or less): https://www.wsj.com/articles/pelosi-rejects-two-gop-selections-for-jan-6-capitol-riot-committee-11626889294 . Note that the committee can proceed because Nancy already appointed Liz Cheney to the committee. As usual, Nancy was three steps ahead of Kevin. Nancy accepted three of Kevin’s picks – the two that voted to approve the electoral votes, and the least horrible of the three that did not. Because she rejected two, no one was singled out. On the other hand, Nancy made it clear that she is not taking any more of Jim Jordan’s crap. Bravo to Nancy! The GOP should have taken the independent commission.
WSJ: Another Surfside condo is evacuated for structural concerns: https://www.wsj.com/articles/another-surfside-fla-condo-is-evacuated-after-building-deemed-unsafe-11626895331 .
California utility to bury 10,000 miles of power lines: https://www.wsj.com/articles/pg-e-in-reversal-to-bury-power-lines-in-fire-prone-areas-11626905920 .
WSJ: The Bootleg fire is almost 400,000 acres, affects air quality in New York: https://www.wsj.com/articles/bootleg-fire-in-oregon-nears-400-000-acres-11626880991 .
Another US Olympian tests positive for COVID: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/olympics/american-volleyball-player-taylor-crabb-tests-positive-covid-tokyo-olympics-n1274580 .