Wednesday, December 22, 2021

And another day of special sessions, a Covid treatment pill, lockdowns, General warnings, standing ovations, hospital charges, the first HIV prevention injection, pausing student loan payments, passport fees, and the ‘Christmas Comet’ comes to a close:

“If you have to deploy the military to support hospitals you may have spent your budget on the wrong part of the system given the challenges we actually face.” -- Alexander Chee

“Republican Strategy: Do everything they can to obstruct and destroy government and then claim that government is ineffective.” -- Teri Kanefield

Deaths

US: 833,029 (+2039)

World: 5,393,233 (+8217)

Cases

US: 52,510,978 (+257,130)

World: 277,520,533 (+930,718)

Omicron less likely to put you in the hospital, studies say. Scientists stress that even if the findings of these early studies hold up, any reductions in severity need to be weighed against the fact omicron spreads much faster than delta and is more able to evade vaccines. Sheer numbers of infections could still overwhelm hospitals.

High court to hold special session on vaccine requirements. The Supreme Court says it will hold a special session in just over two weeks to hear arguments on the Biden administration’s vaccine or testing requirement for large employers and a separate vaccine requirement for healthcare workers, an announcement that comes amid rising coronavirus cases.

Pfizer pill becomes 1st US-authorized home COVID treatment. U.S. health regulators on Wednesday authorized the first pill against COVID-19, a Pfizer drug that Americans will be able to take at home to head off the worst effects of the virus.

China orders lockdown of up to 13 million people in Xi’an. China ordered the lockdown of as many as 13 million people in neighborhoods and workplaces in the northern city of Xi’an following a spike in coronavirus cases, setting off panic buying just weeks before the country hosts the Winter Olympic Games.

Apple closes several stores due to COVID-19 outbreaks, encourages online shopping. Free two-hour shipping is now available in “most metro areas.”

Generals Warn Of Divided Military And Possible Civil War In Next U.S. Coup Attempt. Three retired U.S. generals warned in a chilling column Friday that another coup attempt in America in 2024 could divide the military and plunge an unprepared nation into civil war. “With the country still as divided as ever, we must take steps to prepare for the worst,” wrote former Army Major Gen. Paul Eaton, former Brigadier Gen. Steven Anderson and former Army Major Gen. Antonio Taguba…“Without constant maintenance, the potential for a military breakdown mirroring societal or political breakdown is very real,” the trio noted. A “disturbing number” of veterans and even active-duty military members took part in the attack on the Capitol. The “potential for a total breakdown of the chain of command along partisan lines ... is significant should another insurrection occur,” they added. In a “contested election, with loyalties split,” some might “follow orders from the rightful commander in chief,” while other “rogue units” might “follow the Trumpian loser ... it is not outlandish to say a military breakdown could lead to civil war,” the generals warned.

Conservative event gives Rittenhouse a standing ovation a month after acquittal. Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, praised Rittenhouse, telling him: “You’re a hero to millions, it’s an honor to be able to have you.” — When your hero’s only claim to fame is murdering two people, you get the current version of the Republican Party.

“Cheering for Kyle Rittenhouse makes it abundantly clear that the dream is a world where white men can kill in the streets without consequence.” — Rev. Dr. Jacque Lewis

Protecting people from hate more important than free speech to Brits, eye-opening poll finds. Many of those that decry cancel culture use freedom of speech to back up their argument: That people should be able to say whatever they like, at any cost to others. But the YouGov poll showed that Britons are actually more likely to prioritise protecting others from hate speech (43 per cent), than protecting free speech (38 per cent).

A hospital offered a payment plan for baby's NICU stay — $45,843 a month for a year. AdventHealth Orlando billed $660,553 for Dorian's NICU care. Because of an insurance snafu, the "patient responsibility" portion of the bill sent to the Bennetts was $550,124. They were offered an installment payment plan of $45,843 a month for 12 months. — The American healthcare system needs to change.

FDA approves first HIV prevention injection. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first injectable treatment for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, providing another option to help individuals at-risk avoid sexually transmitted HIV. The drug, called Apretude, will be available to at-risk adults and adolescents who weigh at least 77 pounds and have tested negative for HIV immediately beforehand, the FDA announced on Monday.

Pause on student loan payments is extended through May 1. Under the action, payments on federal student loans will remain paused through May 1. Interest rates will remain at 0% during that period, and debt collection efforts will be suspended. Those measures have been in place since early in the pandemic, but were set to expire Jan. 31.

Fees for US passports are about to pop way up. On December 27, the fee for a US passport book will shoot up by $20 for all customers, the US State Department has announced.

"Christmas Comet" to light up the sky this holiday.

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Stay safe and stay sane. Good night.