Variants mutating in similar ways: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2021/01/coronavirus-evolving-same-mutations-around-world/617721/ . This article also contains some explanation of the names assigned to different variants.
WSJ: COVID citizen scientists are cataloging their symptoms and experiences: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-patients-are-doing-their-own-research-11611982860 .
WSJ: COVID citizen volunteers building vaccine access websites: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-vaccine-confusion-leads-volunteers-to-create-online-guides-11612002601 .
COVID can affect menstrual cycles: https://www.salon.com/2021/01/30/doctors-puzzled-as-to-why-coronavirus-is-affecting-some-womens-menstrual-cycles/ .
Orange Julius’ crew lost track of 20 million vaccine doses: https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/30/biden-covid-vaccine-states-463953 . Once again, stupid knows no bounds.
WSJ: Biden team focuses on vaccine logistics: https://www.wsj.com/articles/mass-vaccination-sites-will-mean-scaling-up-logistics-coordination-11612004400 .
Pfizer CEO pledges to accelerate vaccine development to under 100 days: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9204251/Pfizer-CEO-vows-speed-vaccine-development-100-days.html . There is growing recognition that quick vaccine deployment is needed for COVID and future illnesses to reduce the vaccine load in the population. Otherwise, the risk of potent variants increases.
South African variant in Maryland: https://www.baltimoresun.com/coronavirus/bs-md-south-africa-variant-20210130-dp5urrqwwvdxhalocgqbpe4tee-story.html . Yet again, a variant’s appearance comes through community spread, not testing.
WSJ: NY ramping up variant search: https://www.wsj.com/articles/hunt-for-virus-variants-looks-to-ramp-up-in-new-york-labs-11612022637 .
Rapid evolution of virus raises concerns: https://www.yahoo.com/news/clinical-trials-raise-fears-coronavirus-040855671.html . The article correctly states that the rapid mutation reflects the large viral load currently carried by the global population. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-coronavirus-mutations-are-taking-over-11612019829 .
Nations with cultural looseness have 5 times the COVID cases of those with tighter cultures: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(20)30301-6/fulltext .
Freezer failure causes rush to distribute 1,300 doses: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/seattle-hospitals-rush-out-vaccines-after-freezer-failure .
CDC issues mask mandate for public transportation: https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-biden-masks/update-1-cdc-orders-sweeping-us-transportation-mask-mandate-as-covid-19-rages-idUSL1N2K504J . Will we see arrests upon arrival for “patriots” who violate the mandate? Actually, I hope so. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/cdc-to-require-masks-on-all-forms-of-public-transportation-11612027813 .
Disorganized FDA set back development of antivirals for COVID: https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/how-the-search-for-covid-19-treatments-faltered-while-vaccines-sped-ahead-9760731 (link replaced 2/13/21; original was the NYT article cited). Hydroxychloroquine was not only a wasted effort, it diverted attention from appropriate science.
Dodger Stadium vaccination site temporarily shut as protester block entrance: https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/536640-los-angeles-vaccination-site-temporarily-shut-down-after-protestors . The protesters are apparently antivaxxers and conspiracy theorists. Swell.
WSJ: COVID safety precautions limit ability to increase manufacturing production: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-safety-measures-supply-constraints-crimp-manufacturers-11612018801 .
WSJ: How the UK became the world leader in genomic sequencing: https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-the-u-k-became-world-leader-in-sequencing-the-coronavirusgenome-11612011601 .
WHO criticizes EU over vaccine nationalism in export restrictions: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-55860540 .
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The depth of the far-right threat: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/law-enforcement-veterans-say-the-capitol-siege-was-just-the-tip-of-the-iceberg-of-the-cult-like-threat-far-right-extremists-pose-to-the-us/ar-BB1ddtqC?li=BBnb7Kz . Job 1 was beating Orange Julius; mission accomplished. Job 2 is jailing Orange Julius; work is in progress. Job 3 is consigning disinformation to the fringes; that is a heavy lift.
DOJ indicts two Proud Boys for conspiracy to obstruct law enforcement: https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/two-members-proud-boys-indicted-conspiracy-other-charges-related-jan-6-riots .
Here comes the judge: https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/legal-pressure-on-trump-increases-with-judges-order-in-fraud-inquiry/ (link replaced 2/13/21). If the Republicans think Orange Julius is immune to his wrongdoing, they are sadly mistaken. This idea is the equivalent of rallying the band on the Titanic.
Five lawyers leave Orange Julius’ defense team: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-attorneys-part-ways-with-legal-team/ . The short answer here is that when five lawyers leave a defense team so soon after being hired, each one wants no part of that client. More: https://currently.att.yahoo.com/att/two-trumps-attorneys-no-longer-011203993.html . And WSJ: Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/lead-lawyers-leave-trumps-impeachment-defense-team-11612068082 .
Following the money behind the January 6 insurrection: https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2021/01/30/publix-heiress-paid-for-trump-rally-preceding-capitol-riots-wsj-reports/ .
George W. Bush weighs in on Liz Cheney: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/george-w-bush-wades-into-gop-civil-war-as-matt-gaetz-stirs-wgyomin-revolt/ar-BB1df8tP?li=BBnb7Kz .
Woman arrested for entering Capitol on January 6, saying she wanted to shoot Nancy Pelosi: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/woman-saying-she-wanted-shoot-pelosi-friggin-brain-during-capitol-n1256275 . And of course she sent out a selfie video showing the crime.
Romney pushes back on Greene: https://thehill.com/homenews/news/536618-romney-blasts-news-of-trump-call-with-taylor-greene-lies-of-a-feather-flock . The Republicans cannot be a “Big Tent” party based on white supremacy. It is remarkable how little sway the 2012 Republican nominee has in the party in 2021.
More on how nuts Greene and Boebert are: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-congress-greene/u-s-house-democrat-to-move-office-after-confrontation-with-republican-lawmaker-idUSKBN29Y2YR . While we are becoming conditioned to shocking news, the type of harassment these two women are engaging in is way, way beyond the pale.
Greene claims Orange Julius supports her: https://www.wsj.com/articles/embattled-marjorie-taylor-greene-says-she-has-trumps-backing-11612036516 .