Zero COVID protests context: https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/2022-12-01/explainer-what-to-know-about-chinas-covid-19-lockdown-protests . China eases Zero COVID restrictions: https://apnews.com/article/health-china-social-media-business-0541b707cbac22cf3b3d4b545ff34ff5 . As we have emphasized repeatedly, the key to getting out of Zero COVID is effectively vaccinating the population. Until that is completed, easing the restrictions for this population will result in a huge number of deaths. Indeed, projections are for 1.5 million deaths if there is reopening without better vaccination. WSJ: More, sort of: https://www.wsj.com/articles/behind-chinese-covid-protests-economic-worries-simmer-among-youth-11669731493 . As usual, the Journal is more than a day late and more than a dollar short. This article is more timely: https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-clamps-down-on-internet-as-it-seeks-to-stamp-out-covid-protests-11669905228 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-plans-covid-vaccination-drive-for-the-elderly-in-bid-to-ease-pandemic-controls-11669915015 . And: https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-covid-protesters-grapple-with-howand-how-farto-push-11669906039 .
WSJ: Ohio measles outbreak: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ohio-measles-outbreak-among-children-has-officials-urging-vaccination-11669927200 .
WSJ: Part D not in jeopardy: https://www.wsj.com/articles/medicare-prescription-drugs-benefits-part-d-plan-revenue-inflation-reduction-11669849800 . Actually, this is a letter setting the Journal straight, but it’s useful information.
FDA to allow some gay men to donate blood: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fda-likely-to-end-ban-on-sexually-active-gay-men-donating-blood/ .
WSJ: Weekly jobless claims fall to 225,000: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-jobless-claims-fell-last-week-showing-solid-labor-market-11669903138 .
Senate votes 85-15 to avert rail strike: https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-pete-buttigieg-strikes-congress-c95510555dcd4cdc2d839e61d1195b06 . Biden will sign the bill as soon as it hits his desk. This is another major victory for the president, as he and his administration negotiated the original deal. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/senate-lawmakers-to-vote-thursday-on-railroad-labor-deal-11669923305 .
WSJ: Senate looks at FTX bankruptcy: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ftx-collapse-draws-senate-hearing-scrutiny-as-crypto-oversight-in-focus-11669868740 . More scrutiny of FTX: https://www.wsj.com/articles/doj-watchdog-calls-for-independent-ftx-probe-in-bankruptcy-11669940711 .
WSJ: Presidential primaries: https://www.wsj.com/articles/democrats-to-reshape-presidential-primary-calendar-as-joe-biden-mulls-2024-bid-11669890601 . Iowa is a stupid choice for Democrats. The state does not represent more typical Democratic registration, and therefore is not a good test of a primary field. Biden favors South Carolina as first: https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-calls-for-south-carolina-to-be-first-in-democratic-presidential-nomination-process-11669944684 . This is also a poor choice, for the same reason as Iowa. Georgia or Michigan would be much better tests of a candidate able to win the general election.
Musk finds another way to screw up Twitter: https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/eu-warns-musk-beef-twitter-controls-ahead-new-rules-rcna59592 . As we have said from the start, losing control of content will kill a social media platform.
11th Circuit halts special master review of Mar-a-Lago documents: https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-mar-a-lago-criminal-investigations-government-and-politics-16748b82a502c0eec977d3ec51390027 .
Has the GOP finally turned on Kanye?: https://news.yahoo.com/have-republicans-finally-reached-their-limit-with-kanye-wests-antisemitism-204033865.html . Well, how do they feel about Hitler? Even if the GOP can finally move on from Orange Julius, what exactly is worth saving?
WSJ: Kanye no longer buying Parler: https://www.wsj.com/articles/kanye-west-is-no-longer-buying-parler-11669935316 . HaHaHaHaHa .
Warnock looks to beat Walker with … Walker: https://news.yahoo.com/ridiculous-how-a-viral-warnock-ad-used-walkers-own-words-against-him-164005396.html . This strategy is wise. The so-far record turnout bodes well for Warnock, as it suggests that Black voters do not want the embarrassment of Herschel Walker in the Senate for 6 years. One hopes that white voters come to the same conclusion. More: Obama lends a major hand to Warnock: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/obama-s-rally-gives-warnock-a-unique-advantage-from-first-black-us-president/ar-AA14MejI?cvid=18a7445a59244221a5eb60c569318f0f .
WSJ: OJ Inc. tax fraud case closing arguments: https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-organization-tax-fraud-trial-closing-arguments-focus-on-company-role-11669933588 .
College football playoff expands to 12 teams: https://sports.yahoo.com/college-football-playoff-expansion-finally-overcomes-its-rose-bowl-sunset-problem-171655645.html . Bottom line: The playoff now involves 11 games rather than 3. That’s almost 4 times the revenue. That’s all you need to know about the reasoning behind the change.
Cy Young award winner Gaylord Perry passes at 84: https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/01/sport/gaylord-perry-dies-mlb-pitcher-spt-intl . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/gaylord-perry-hall-of-fame-baseball-pitcher-dies-at-84-11669916091 .
World Cup 2022: Germany goes home as Japan defeats Spain: https://sports.yahoo.com/world-cup-2022-why-japans-controversial-goal-vs-spain-stood-despite-appearing-to-go-out-of-play-214416259.html . Japan had previously defeated Germany 2-1, so they clearly deserved to win this group. Beating both Spain and Germany at any World Cup would be a tremendous accomplishment for any national team. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/japan-spain-germany-world-cup-upsets-11669929297 .
World Cup 2022: US meets Netherlands on Saturday, Pulisic day-to-day: https://sports.yahoo.com/christian-pulisic-injury-update-usmnt-world-cup-pelvic-contusion-153339041.html . The US would be a significant underdog even if Pulisic was 100%. As noted before, the US has scored a total of 2 goals in 3 full games. Without Pulisic, they have very little chance. Pulisic will likely play, but he won’t be 100%. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/christian-pulisic-status-world-cup-netherlands-11669914063 .