What we know about Omicron BA2: https://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/know-ba2-newest-covid-omicron-variant-rcna13784 .
Could Delta come back?: https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2022/01/delta-omicron-showdown/621380/ .
The poop on the pandemic: https://www.dailynews.com/2022/01/27/what-our-poop-is-telling-us-about-the-omicron-surge/ . Put differently, on a population-wide basis, poop is more reliable than current US testing levels in predicting the course of the pandemic.
Pandemic safety in Florida draws attention: https://news.yahoo.com/pandemic-tensions-deepen-in-florida-as-de-santis-digs-in-over-battle-with-critics-192843576.html . DeMentis seems increasingly out of touch with reality as he demands Regeneron against Omicron.
WSJ: Booster protection high in UK study: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-vaccine-booster-shot-cuts-omicron-death-risk-by-95-u-k-study-shows-11643302875 .
More evidence of cannabinoid preventative effects on COVID: https://heysocal.com/2022/01/27/study-use-of-cannabinoids-effective-in-preventing-covid-19-infection/ .
Moderna launches Omicron-specific vaccine trials: https://finance.yahoo.com/video/coronavirus-moderna-launches-trials-omicron-202710947.html .
Moderna HIV mRNA-based vaccine enters trials: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/moderna-launches-clinical-trial-hiv-vaccine-mrna-technology/story?id=82510807 .
Are athletes dying from vaccination?: https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/27/politics/ron-johnson-john-stockton-covid-comments/index.html . No. But apparently being unvaccinated has caused John Stockton to have a serious brain injury. Then again, it may have been a pre-existing condition.
Cultural differences in combating COVID: https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2022/1/28/as-omicron-pushes-west-to-reopen-asia-hunkers-down .
WSJ: Europe opens up to Omicron: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-curbs-eased-further-in-europe-as-new-version-of-omicron-spreads-in-places-11643286710 . Meanwhile, Beijing tightens in advance of the Olympics: https://www.wsj.com/articles/beijing-steps-up-covid-19-control-measures-ahead-of-lunar-new-year-winter-olympics-11643286485 .
WSJ: Weekly jobless claims fall to 260,000: https://www.wsj.com/articles/weekly-jobless-claims-01-27-2022-11643232186 .
Justice Breyer’s resignation letter: https://news.yahoo.com/stephen-breyer-read-supreme-court-172822825.html .
WSJ: The effects of Justice Breyer’s departure: https://www.wsj.com/articles/justice-breyers-retirement-could-reshape-supreme-courts-liberal-wing-11643298816 . Not much insight from the Journal. I think there are two interesting dynamics no one is talking about. First, the liberal wing will be all female – could this have an effect on Justice Barrett, the sole female conservative? Secondly, we will now have a capable Black on the Court for the first time since Thurgood Marshall’s retirement. This will further isolate Justice Thomas and may have an impact on Chief Justice Roberts.
Russians remain belligerent over Ukraine: https://www.politico.com/news/2022/01/27/russia-conflict-us-written-response-00002668 . One reason for optimism is that the war of words continues. My guess is that the Russians will not invade during the Olympics. The longer talk continues, the more the international community will organize its support for Ukraine.
I think the smartest move Biden has made is to say he guesses that Putin will invade Ukraine. If Biden had said no, Putin may have regarded it as a dare. Biden is willing to be “wrong” on his guess if it helps protect Ukraine. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraines-bulked-up-military-is-still-outgunned-by-russia-11643286624 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-seeks-to-confront-russia-atu-n-security-council-over-ukraine-11643324475 . And: https://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-says-it-sees-little-scope-for-optimism-in-u-s-proposals-on-ukraine-11643290065 .
WSJ: US helps Europe on gas supply: https://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-standoff-prompts-europe-to-enlist-u-s-help-securing-gas-11643294410 .
Judge rules Oath Keepers founder must remain in jail: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/judge-orders-oath-keepers-founder-charged-jan-6-riot-remain-custody-rcna13733 . Based on the allegations here, which is how availability of bail is determined, an appeal verges on frivolousness. Further, unless there are gaps in the evidence or the defendant can substantially disprove the government’s allegations, he is likely to spend years in prison. However, the defense attorney fails to confront the gravity of someone leading insurrectionists. These trials (and punishment) usually focus on deterring others.
January 6 insurrectionist gets 44 months in prison: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/january-6-nicolas-languerand-qanon-assault-sentence-44-months/ . Assuming this clown reports to prison in February, 44 months later would be October 2025. Most prisoners serve less than their full sentence. Even if Orange Julius was re-elected, this guy is likely already out of prison. In other words, there’s not going to be any meaningful pardon possibility for almost all of the insurrectionists.
Fusion research progresses: https://bgr.com/science/major-scientific-breakthrough-brings-unlimited-fusion-energy-closer-to-reality/ .
49ers fans fight back against Rams: https://sports.yahoo.com/rams-effort-to-block-49-er-fans-from-buying-tickets-for-nfc-championship-game-may-have-backfired-145454914.html . The genius in Rams management who suggested selling tickets only in LA made a really big mistake.