Vaccination performance by state: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/why-have-some-states-fared-better-others-vaccine-distribution-n1258626 . The chart here gives a rather different impression than the common media story that red and blue states have similar performances. Six of the top 7 are red states, but they have very small populations. The 9 lowest states are all red, and predominantly in the South.
WSJ: Almost half of Americans over 65 have received first dose of COVID vaccine: https://www.wsj.com/articles/nearly-half-of-u-s-population-65-and-older-has-received-a-first-covid-19-vaccine-dose-11614357767 .
WSJ: Nursing home deaths drop as vaccinations soar: https://www.wsj.com/articles/sustained-drop-in-covid-19-nursing-home-deaths-points-to-vaccinations-11614365486 . Again, the variants could reverse this important progress.
More on Shelby County’s vaccination screw-ups: https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/26/health/tn-coronavirus-shelby-county-vaccines/index.html . There is something really rotten in Tennessee. It is difficult to imagine this is simple incompetence.
COVID virus spikes work together: https://scitechdaily.com/first-complete-covid-19-coronavirus-model-shows-cooperation-they-work-together/ . This makes the virus seem creepier, doesn’t it?
FDA advisors endorse J&J single-shot vaccine: https://apnews.com/article/which-virus-vaccine-shot-is-best-82a23b237ffb6a15624daa8616166f00 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/johnson-and-johnson-covid-19-vaccine-fda-expert-panel-recommendation-11614294002 .
Two report severe allergic reactions to J&J vaccine: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/26/jj-says-two-people-had-severe-allergic-reactions-after-getting-covid-vaccine.html .
WSJ: Summary of virus variant current information: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-covid-19-strains-what-scientists-know-about-coronavirus-variants-11609466017 .
Feds working with Moderna to test vaccine variant booster shot: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-02-26/feds-working-with-moderna-to-test-vaccine-booster-aimed-at-coronavirus-variants .
WSJ: Black adults under 40 are group most likely to be vaccine reluctant: https://www.wsj.com/articles/age-shapes-covid-19-vaccine-reluctance-among-black-americans-11614344415 .
Fauci says to not take pain relievers before COVID vaccination: https://bestlifeonline.com/news-fauci-medication-vaccine/ .
100,000 doses of Lilly monoclonal antibody drug purchased by US: https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/540763-biden-administration-buys-100000-doses-of-lilly-antibody-drug . Note that the price is $2,100 per dose.
US cases may increase due to COVID variants: https://www.salon.com/2021/02/26/decline-in-covid-19-cases-may-be-short-lived-thanks-to-highly-infectious-mutant-strains/ . This has been the view here for some time. More: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/top-health-officials-warn-decline-in-covid-19-cases-is-stalling-and-that-now-is-not-the-time-to-lift-restrictions/ar-BB1e46P0?li=BBnb7Kz .
CBS gets excited about the AstraZeneca vaccine: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coronavirus-variants-oxford-astrazeneca-vaccine-not-yet-approved-fda/ . This strikes me as journalistic malpractice. It’s nice that this vaccine is effective against the UK variant. But it is reportedly ineffective against the South African variant. Also, one of the reasons for the low vaccination rates in the EU is that many medical professionals are turning down this vaccine and waiting for one of the others. How did CBS fail to report these counterbalancing concerns?
WSJ: Cyberattacks hammer US hospitals: https://www.wsj.com/articles/cyberattacks-cost-hospitals-millions-during-covid-19-11614346713 .
Israeli study of Pfizer vaccine: https://bgr.com/2021/02/26/coronavirus-vaccine-update-israel-massive-study/ .
Study finds more than 30% of COVID survivors have PTSD: https://www.yahoo.com/news/30-percent-of-covid-survivors-may-have-ptsd-this-is-a-very-scary-experience-for-the-patients-171435333.html . This is a new category of COVID long-haulers. More on COVID’s mental effects: https://www.eatthis.com/news-covid-side-effect-psychiatric-disorder/ .
COVID spreads easily in gyms: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/covid-19-spreads-easily-in-gyms-cdc-finds-heres-how-you-can-workout-safely-indoors-211626877.html . So research has again confirmed the obvious. Meanwhile, Portland’s Oaks Park roller rink reopens Monday. Also, vaccinations for those over 65 open Monday here. Given the variant risk, I wouldn’t head to the roller rink even post-vaccination. Same, unfortunately, for gyms.
California COVID variant: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/california-covid-variant-strain_l_60368cc5c5b69253191aa143 .
New data extends debate on delay of second vaccine dose: https://www.axios.com/coronavirus-vaccine-second-doses-data-debate-0dd45050-572b-41be-8c01-f6c957c68572.html .
House (Democrats) pass $1.9 trillion COVID relief package: https://apnews.com/article/house-vote-virus-bill-minimum-wage-hike-7545455cccec525285a8ea3c35892c70 . Democrats continue consideration of passage of the $15 minimum wage provision. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/senate-democrats-look-for-back-up-plan-to-raise-minimum-wage-through-taxes-11614374434 .
WSJ: Vaccine passport debate continues: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-vaccine-passports-raise-ethics-concerns-logistical-hurdles-11614335403 .
Brasilia goes to total lockdown to slow COVID surge: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-brazil-lockdown-su/brazils-capital-goes-into-lockdown-to-quell-covid-19-surge-idUSKBN2AR04B .
Philippines extends capital virus limits for another month: https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-philippines/philippines-extends-partial-coronavirus-curbs-in-capital-until-end-march-idUSL1N2KX05H .
WSJ: Search for patient zero points to (another) Wuhan market: https://www.wsj.com/articles/in-hunt-for-covid-19-origin-patient-zero-points-to-second-wuhan-market-11614335404 .
Billion-dollar lawsuit filed against Texas electricity provider for price gouging: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/woman-files-class-action-lawsuit-against-texas-power-provider-after-n1258949 . The Republican objections to the stimulus bill include opposition to providing aid to state and local governments as a blue state bailout. That was not backed up by the facts even before Texas proved it’s the worst-run state.
WSJ: Texas power market short $2.1 billion: https://www.wsj.com/articles/texas-power-market-is-short-2-1-billion-in-payments-after-freeze-11614386958 . We have only begun to see the financial mess created by this Texas-sized screw-up.
US report implicates Saudi crown prince in Khashoggi killing: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/u-s-implicates-saudi-crown-prince-in-khashoggis-killing .
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FBI reported to have focused on single suspect in Capitol Police officer’s death: https://www.npr.org/2021/02/26/971993022/fbi-singles-out-person-seen-on-video-spraying-capitol-police-officer-brian-sickn (NY Times link replaced 4/12/21). The Proud Boys members cited in this article have been repeatedly cited in the press previously.
Do not mess with your ex: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/richard-michetti-capitol-riot-ex-girlfriend-moron_n_60382bfdc5b610bcd98f4b43 . When you’re dumb as a rock, it’s a pervasive condition.
Fantasy Island filming new episodes: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/he-s-back-trump-set-address-cpac-bid-extend-his-n1258861 . What happens when the tax evasion trial starts? Orange Julius will make Capone look small-time. More: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cpac-trump-here-to-stay/ . Sorry, CBS. There is not one speaker here who is a rising star in the Republican Party. And I will confidently predict that none of the speakers (including Trump) can win the presidency in 2024. The major question is who the Democrats will pick to succeed Biden. That is the area where the Republicans have the best chance of 2024 success.