Latest information on XBB.1.5: https://www.abc27.com/news/health/coronavirus/what-we-know-about-xbb-1-5-the-dominant-covid-variant-in-the-us/ .
China COVID tsunami continues: https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-urges-final-victory-over-covid-global-concern-mounts-over-spread-2023-01-04/ . Note the estimates that 9,000 people are now dying of COVID each day in China, up from 5,000 previously. Here’s another edition of our rough math: Suppose China has averaged 5,000 daily deaths since it relaxed Zero COVID a month ago: that’s 150,000 deaths as of today. If China averages 9,000 daily deaths going forward, it will reach 1,000,000 deaths in 95 days, or April 8 (850/9). Since China already had COVID deaths before a month ago, and the 5,000/9,000 estimates are likely conservative, China will probably reach 1 million deaths before April 8.
WSJ: China complains over restrictions on Chinese tourists: https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-rails-against-covid-restrictions-against-its-citizens-11672753133 . Again, China closed their country to the rest of the world for the last 3 years.
WHO calls for credible COVID data from China: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2023-01-03/leading-who-advisers-call-for-realistic-covid-data-from-china-at-key-meeting . So everyone knows China’s reporting is a joke. Unfortunately, this joke could kill millions more and extend the COVID pandemic.
EU offers China free COVID vaccines: https://www.ft.com/content/1c46e139-4b98-4e3a-b66d-7a04c27893d2 . This represents responsible behavior in the face of Chinese insanity. Apparently, since the Party Congress has completed, China now feels free to behave in an authoritarian (and irrational) manner.
Saving the human microbiome: https://people.com/health/scientists-raise-alarm-microbiome-documentary-the-invisible-extinction/ . These scientists make the very reasonable point that antibiotics are upsetting our digestive microbiome. There is evidence that this increasing the incidence of various diseases and conditions.
WSJ: FDA expands abortion pill availability: https://www.wsj.com/articles/abortion-pills-to-be-available-more-widely-under-new-fda-rules-11672789765 .
Kevin McCarthy takes it in the shorts, as in 15 votes short of the Speakership: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2023/01/03/new-congress-house-senate-live-updates/10944392002/ . As one reader describes it, this was Episode #1 of “Kevin Can’t Count”. Needing 218 votes, McCarthy failed on 3 votes, getting 203, 203 and 202, respectively. The guy has chased this job for a decade, but has not figured out how to close the deal. He still has a shot, but the concessions required will leave him as a very weak Speaker. However, McCarthy’s allies are worried: https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2023/01/04/sessions-mccarthy-house-speaker-vote-reax-cnt-vpx.cnn . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/house-prepares-to-vote-for-speaker-as-kevin-mccarthy-tries-to-rally-support-11672750973 .
Weak analysis from ABC: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/house-speaker-vote-failure-suggests-republicans-leader-analysis/story?id=96132172 . This “analysis” makes essentially no sense, because a Speaker must be appointed in order to conduct business. A more realistic commentary would conclude that the rebel Republicans, angered by McCarthy’s dictatorial style, want a sufficiently weakened leader who cannot dictate. This ironic outcome comes from a party that has rolled over to the Orange Furor for the last 6 years.
Weak analysis from Business Insider: https://news.yahoo.com/apparent-dig-mccarthy-democrat-hakeem-195324718.html . This analysis is also off the mark. Jeffries drew all 212 Democratic votes, which is 9 (and now 10) more than McCarthy drew, and the Democrats united behind him. The contrasts further emphasize McCarthy’s weaknesses.
LATE UPDATE: In Colbert’s monologue tonight, he referred to Kevin McCarthy’s day today as being “depantsed”. As readers know, we pointed out the possibility he would be pantsed TWO DAYS AGO. Conclusion: Colbert’s writers read this newsletter. That’s no problem, guys, I’m all for it. Swag might be nice, though …
Moody’s predicts a “slowcession”, not recession: https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/03/economy/moodys-us-economy-slowcession/index.html . Note that Moody’s viewpoint assumes inflation will quickly moderate. My view is that inflation will be sticky, which rules out the Moody’s analysis.
WSJ: Tech layoffs accelerate: https://www.wsj.com/articles/tech-layoffs-are-happening-faster-than-at-any-time-during-the-pandemic-11672705089 .
WSJ: UK strikes mount: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-k-faces-new-wave-of-strikes-as-workers-fight-for-higher-pay-11672755114 . This demonstrates why inflation is sticky.
Russia raises attack death toll to 89, blames soldiers illegally using cell phones: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64159045 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-blames-cellphone-use-for-deadly-ukrainian-strike-11672814476 . We do know Ukrainians have used cell phone information to target Russian troops. However, Russia appears to be looking to scapegoat its soldiers for their own deaths. What a swell government …
WSJ: Ukraine’s air defense against drones improves: https://www.wsj.com/articles/western-supplied-air-defense-helps-ukraine-repel-russian-drone-attacks-11672750680 .
Ending Putin: https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/3795699-theres-a-way-to-end-putin-for-good/ . Things are not as black-and-white as the writer would make out – for example, Putin could die from health or other interventions. However, the overall argument is a valid reason to prioritize supplying Ukraine with weapons.
Missouri executes transgender inmate: https://apnews.com/article/crime-legal-proceedings-missouri-st-louis-capital-punishment-b45a31029fa42d9eb67b5b4e1f6a6ffe . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/missouri-set-to-execute-openly-transgender-inmate-a-first-in-the-u-s-11672780237 .
WSJ: Tesla stock keeps tanking: https://www.wsj.com/articles/tesla-stock-falls-more-than-12-posting-worst-drop-in-over-two-years-11672783776 .
Damar Hamlin remains on 50% oxygen: https://sports.yahoo.com/family-of-damar-hamlin-thanks-first-responders-asks-fans-to-keep-him-in-their-prayers-165714834.html . Not much additional medical information has been released, which is not a good sign. In cardiac arrest, the heartbeat must be restored quickly to get oxygen to the brain. The central question is whether there was sufficient oxygen deprivation to cause brain damage. Again, the lack of additional medical information is troubling. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/damar-hamlin-update-hit-injury-buffalo-bills-nfl-condition-11672763351 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/damar-hamlin-hit-cpr-nfl-bills-bengals-11672713415 .