When will COVID become endemic?: https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2022/01/19/1071809356/covid-booster-omicron-efficacy . Readers are already familiar with what constitutes an endemic disease. Obviously, COVID remains a global pandemic at this time. Still, this article does provide some definitions that you may find useful.
Fauci’s 2022 worst case scenario: https://news.yahoo.com/fauci-worst-case-scenario-for-2022-is-variant-that-eludes-vaccine-protection-194015191.html . It’s no surprise that the scenario is a variant that evades the vaccines. But Fauci is correct that our low levels of vaccination and boosting are currently making the pandemic here worse. It emphasizes to me that Orange Julius’ election was part of the perfect storm of this pandemic. While the majority of Americans recognize the value of the vaccine, that is not enough. The minority that accepts being misled by OJ as leadership endangers all of us. We have record divisiveness at exactly the wrong time.
Booster protection and antibodies: https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2022/01/19/1071809356/covid-booster-omicron-efficacy . This article notes recent studies that antibody levels decline significantly several months after the booster shot. That is not the entire story, as there is more to the immune system than antibodies, and the boosters do appear to offer longer protection against severe disease. This may be because of their effect on our B and T cells, the “memory” and “killer” cells of our immune system.
These studies do illustrate why the low levels of booster uptake create increasing population vulnerability, especially with the low levels of child vaccination. They also suggest that we may not have a complete picture of the causes behind Omicron breakthrough infections. However, the article ignores the upcoming development of an omicron-specific vaccine, which will likely change the balance yet again.
WSJ: Some areas see declining COVID hospitalizations: https://www.wsj.com/articles/some-u-s-hospitals-see-covid-19-patient-counts-decline-as-omicron-retreats-11642697531 .
Generic drugmakers to make Merck COVID antiviral pill for developing world: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/dozen-drugmakers-make-mercks-covid-19-pill-82370261 .
WSJ: The medical benefits of a gratitude practice: https://www.wsj.com/articles/is-the-secret-to-happiness-having-a-gratitude-practice-11642691301 . There are many studies supporting the value of practicing and being thankful.
US healthcare costs continue to rise: https://news.yahoo.com/health-care-costs-americans-obamacare-134431939.html .
WSJ: Successful pig-to-human kidney transplant: https://www.wsj.com/articles/pig-kidneys-transplanted-into-brain-dead-man-as-patients-face-organ-shortages-11642680005 . There is no truth to the rumor that the surgery was performed in Alabama due to their abundance of brain-dead people.
WSJ: Weekly jobless claims spike up to 286,000: https://www.wsj.com/articles/weekly-jobless-claims-01-20-2022-11642628196 .
Austria moves toward mandatory vaccination: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60077767 .
WSJ: Omicron defeats Australia lockdown: https://www.wsj.com/articles/omicron-is-undoing-australias-zero-covid-progress-11642686652 . So we wonder even more about China.
WSJ: TIAA to offer annuity product for 401(k) plans: https://www.wsj.com/articles/tiaa-offers-annuity-product-for-corporate-401-k-retirement-plans-11642683601 . The retirement market continues to evolve. These products will only become more attractive as interest rates rise. Meanwhile, the Fed considers a federal cryptocurrency: https://www.wsj.com/articles/fed-launches-review-of-possible-central-bank-digital-currency-11642706158 .
Alec Baldwin has a new problem not associated with shooting and killing someone: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/alec-baldwin-hit-25m-defamation-lawsuit-family-marine-killed-afghanist-rcna12884 . The lawsuit strikes me as a pissing contest. Baldwin has a free speech right, and he isn’t required to know that the FBI released this woman. And it seems unlikely that Baldwin will back down or settle.
Oath Keepers have active military as members: https://www.aol.com/news/leaked-oath-keepers-list-names-100157539.html .
WSJ: Georgia investigation of Orange Julius interference heads to grand jury: https://www.wsj.com/articles/georgia-d-a-requests-grand-jury-to-probe-trump-bid-to-overturn-2020-vote-11642712177 .
WSJ: Meanwhile, the House January 6 committee pursues Ivanka Trump: https://www.wsj.com/articles/jan-6-committee-asks-ivanka-trump-to-voluntarily-cooperate-with-probe-11642699824 . This reminded me that Steve Bannon described her as “dumb as a brick”.
Other officers at George Floyd murder go on trial for failing to stop it: https://www.aol.com/news/minnesota-jury-decide-chauvins-colleagues-110431893-121108388.html . While there are significant legal differences between acts of commission and omission, here a crowd pleaded with these officers to intervene. Police training will also figure in this trial.
WSJ: China cuts lending rates to support developers: https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinese-stocks-rally-in-hong-kong-after-beijing-cuts-key-rates-11642677526 . Buried in the article, we find that more real estate developers near bond default. More on Evergrande: https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-evergrandes-international-bondholders-threaten-legal-action-against-developer-11642684984 .
WSJ: Tonga’s disaster preparedness saved lives: https://www.wsj.com/articles/tongas-disaster-preparedness-likely-limited-tsunami-death-toll-11642662466 . Meanwhile, in Oregon there were people walking on the beach, ignoring the tsunami warnings. Who has the better-educated population? More on the eruption: https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-the-tonga-volcano-eruption-led-to-a-tsunami-11642688386 .