COVID conspiracy theorists: https://apnews.com/article/conspiracy-theories-iran-only-on-ap-media-misinformation-bfca6d5b236a29d61c4dd38702495ffe . The global nut festival, these folks swim in their own ocean. And it’s polluted.
Cuomo on defensive over nursing home deaths: https://apnews.com/article/new-york-andrew-cuomo-coronavirus-pandemic-nursing-homes-b8af86bb6b1f8f6fb557f08f8a973996 . His aide admitted that the lack of transparency was for exactly the reason people suspect: they were burying adverse data. The proper response is to apologize clearly and to fully commit to transparency.
More on WHO AstraZeneca vaccine approval: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who-astrazeneca/who-approves-astrazeneca-oxford-covid-19-vaccine-for-emergency-use-idUSKBN2AF1KC . This doesn’t make much sense without upgrading the vaccine’s effectiveness against the variants now rising.
Australian AstraZeneca vaccine approval: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/feb/16/astrazeneca-coronavirus-vaccine-approved-by-australias-drug-regulator . Same comment as above.
COVAX launch nears: https://apnews.com/article/europe-immunizations-coronavirus-pandemic-united-nations-611ca364df6235099be95548c3c22c4d . Same comment as above.
Colombia to launch vaccinations Wednesday: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-colombia/colombia-to-start-covid-19-vaccinations-on-wednesday-president-idUSKBN2AF1RE . NOT the same comment, because Colombia is using Pfizer. The question is whether they appropriately maintain cold chain shipment.
COVID shots might be adapted to new variants: https://apnews.com/article/flu-united-nations-coronavirus-pandemic-coronavirus-vaccine-c0b2253cf5adc1458d895acbf2f5a8e8 . Not “might be”, “must be”. The mRNA vaccines were designed to be rapidly adaptable. If the others do not adapt, they lose their utility.
WSJ: J&J vaccine approval science and politics: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-vaccine-approval-process-does-it-take-too-long-11613385000 . Biden has said he will listen to the scientists. The difference between 2 ½ and 3 weeks is 3 days. This appears to be a WSJ tempest in a teapot.
WSJ: Boomers’ post-vaccination plans: https://www.wsj.com/articles/after-covid-19-vaccine-baby-boomers-grapple-with-what-activities-to-resume-11613401201 .
UK move to open up “irreversible”: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-56068362 . For a country where the UK variant is already dominant, this is very likely to end disastrously. So why do it? This truly is a policy of dying for the economy.
WSJ: Orange Julius’ racist policies hurt the US economy: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ban-on-new-foreign-workers-left-u-s-jobs-unfilled-even-in-covid-downturn-11613409911 . Why didn’t WSJ come up with my snappier headline? Oh, right.
WSJ: Implementing the Obamacare extension: https://www.wsj.com/articles/obamacare-helper-groups-call-for-more-funding-to-meet-enrollment-demand-11613406696 .
US buys but doesn’t use rapid COVID tests: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-u-s-bought-rapid-covid-19-tests-to-help-control-the-virus-now-many-are-unused-11613397601 . It is understandable that other tests are more accurate. Isn’t this still useful as an early warning system?
WSJ: Update on Israel’s vaccination program: https://www.wsj.com/articles/israels-covid-19-vaccinations-hold-lessons-for-u-s-11610307240 . It also helps to have a geographically small country where winter weather is not an issue. More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/israeli-data-shows-94-drop-in-symptomatic-covid-19-cases-with-pfizer-vaccine-11613401510 .
Fauci wins $1 million Israeli prize: https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/02/15/968059128/fauci-awarded-1-million-israeli-prize-for-speaking-truth-to-power-amid-pandemic .
WSJ: Storms across US: https://www.wsj.com/articles/winter-storm-forces-flight-cancellations-leaves-thousands-without-power-11613324944 . This certainly describes my day and perhaps the next 10. This also creates significant vaccination rollout headaches and delays.
WSJ: Bill Gates’ new book on climate change: https://www.wsj.com/articles/bill-gates-interview-climate-change-book-11613173337 .
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Independent commission on January 6 insurrection: https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-capitol-siege-acquittals-impeachments-trump-impeachment-7ebcbaedd6985537dec0c3918cbf06d9 . Politically, no one can oppose this. The final report will blame Orange Julius in a style parallel to the House prosecutors, and blame the now-resigned sergeants-at-arms for the security failures. The more interesting question is why the advance warnings were ignored: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/capitol-police-officers-give-vote-of-no-confidence-in-leaders/ . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/pelosi-outlines-steps-to-create-9-11-style-commission-to-investigate-capitol-riot-11613424026 .
GOP donor wants voter fraud contribution back: https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/15/politics/fred-eshelman-voter-fraud-donor-2020-election/index.html . So Eschelman can write a $2.5 million check with no awareness of widespread reports that only a small fraction of the money was to be used on voter fraud? Caveat emptor.
Facebook considers OJ’s return: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/feb/16/donald-trump-facebook-ban-future . If he returns, the board is nuts. And that is the real issue – does this board serve a meaningful function?
Swear off OJ, it’s bad for America’s health: https://www.mediaite.com/opinion/now-that-trump-is-mostly-irrelevant-it-is-time-for-the-media-to-put-up-or-shut-up/ .
What did Orange Julius’ second impeachment accomplish?: https://news.yahoo.com/what-did-trumps-2nd-impeachment-accomplish-185330628.html . The selection of opinions here seems to miss the obvious points: (1) OJ hasn’t been out of office a month yet. The legal and financial challenges he faces make November 2022 an eternity away; (2) OJ is the perfect counterfoil to Biden’s middle-of-the-road bipartisanism, and Biden has the team to make government work; (3) OJ will be an ongoing source of Democratic fundraising, as well as the great Democratic unifier; (4) The second impeachment is much easier to understand than the first.
Pro-OJ candidates launch for 2022: https://www.wsj.com/articles/pro-trump-candidates-launch-early-senate-governor-bids-11613385001 . One can understand why these gambles are being made. However, the previous paragraph should give these rabbits cause to pause. Will they be able to pivot when necessary? A well-funded Democrat awaits many in the general election, and these Republicans will be taking general election salvos early. Meanwhile, the Republican donor and corporate pro-OJ money is drying up. More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/mcconnell-atop-a-fractious-party-is-open-to-jumping-into-primary-races-11613423935 . Does anyone really want to see a 78-year-old turtle dance?