Thursday, December 30, 2021

Wake-Up Call: COVID Cases Expected To Peak Next Month

WSJ Graphic

The latest wave of the coronavirus pandemic may hit its peak towards the end of January. Then, if it follows the pattern seen in South Africa, it could subside quickly. That is the projection of Dr. Anthony Fauci, interviewed on CNBC yesterday. He added cautionary words about the unpredictability of the path of coronavirus thus far. A record number of coronavirus infections have been recorded in the U.S. this week.
  • The U.S. is now averaging more than 181,948 new COVID cases daily, according to Johns Hopkins University data. Of those, 73 percent are the newer Omicron variant.
  • The governor of Georgia has called on the National Guard to help overwhelmed healthcare staff in the state's hospitals and nursing homes. Other states that have called on the Guard include New York, New Hampshire, Indiana and Maine.
  • New record numbers of cases also were recorded in Denmark, France, Great Britain, Greece, Italy and Spain.
  • Yesterday was two years from the day that the World Health Organization was alerted to an outbreak of a mysterious new viral illness in Wuhan, China.

➤FDA..RAPID AT-HOME COVID-19 TESTS MAY NOT BE AS SENSITIVE TO OMICRON: Early research suggests some rapid COVID-19 tests may be less able to detect the Omicron variant. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said Tuesday that while the antigen tests “do detect the Omicron variant” they “may have reduced sensitivity” meaning it’s possible the tests could miss an infection, particularly in the early stages of the disease. Still, the organization says, “The FDA continues to authorize the use of these tests as directed in the authorized labeling and individuals should continue to use them in accordance with the instructions included with the tests. Antigen tests are generally less sensitive and less likely to pick up very early infections compared to molecular [PCR] tests.”


➤GHISLAINE MAXWELL GUILTY OF SEX TRAFFICKING: Ghislaine Maxwell has been found guilty on five out of six charges related to child sex trafficking. Prosecutors successfully argued that Maxwell recruited underage girls to engage in sexual acts with Jeffrey Epstein from 1994 to 2004. Maxwell faces up to 65 years in prison. Epstein committed suicide in prison in 2019.

➤RED CROSS SEEKS DONORS: The Red Cross is calling on healthy Americans to donate blood due to "historically low" supplies across the nation. Blood centers have less than a one-day supply ready, a Red Cross spokesperson told Fox Business. Blood donations typically are lower in the winter months, but the pandemic has made the shortfall more severe.

💲MINIMUM WAGE RISES ACROSS U.S.: The minimum wage will rise in 26 states on January 1st. There is a wide range among the states, though. Florida's minimum will go from $8.65 to $10 an hour, while California and New York minimums will go to $15 an hour for many workers. CNBC notes that many employers have already raised their wages in response to a tight labor market.

CHECK IT OUT: CNBC maps the minimum wage state by state.


➤RETURNING GIFTS ONLINE IS GETTING SO EXPENSIVE FOR RETAILERS THAT THEY MIGHT LET YOU KEEP IT :  You might just luck out if you want to return a gift that was purchased online. Optoro, a returns processor, says the cost of online returns is soaring, contributing to increased prices, product shortages and supply chain stress. The company says returning a $50 item is expected to cost an average of $33, up 59 percent from 2020. The bad news: retailers are expected to pass on the cost of returns in the form of higher prices. But the good news: some retailers, namely Amazon, sometimes tell the returner to just keep it, as it would cost them too much to process a return. But, don’t try to game the system to get free stuff, as there’s tracking involved that could catch you trying to take advantage.


➤TRAVEL CHAOS CONTINUES: The holiday traveler's nightmare in the air continued yesterday, with about 800 more flights canceled and another 1,000 delayed. Crew shortages due to coronavirus combined with winter storms in the western U.S. are to blame.

🐶WESTMINSTER DOG SHOW POSTPONED: The 146th annual Westminster Dog Show, a perennial highlight of New York's January social calendar, has been postponed due to the spread of Omicron. The Westminster Kennel Club says it hopes to reschedule the show for later in 2022.

🏀CAVALIERS' RUBIO OUT FOR THE SEASON: Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ricky Rubio will be out for the rest of the season, the team announced. He tore the ACL in his left knee during Tuesday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans. Adding insult to injury, the Pelicans won, 108-104.

🏈YOU WIN ONE, YOU LOSE ONE: The Minnesota Vikings got running back Dalvin Cook back from reserve list limbo yesterday, in time for their game against the Green Bay Packers this weekend. Unfortunately, wide receiver Adam Thielen won't be there. An ankle injury has flared up and he'll be on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.

🎾DJOKOVIC WITHDRAWS FROM TOURNAMENT IN AUSTRALIA: Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the ATP Cup in Australia, the first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the season. He did not cite a reason, but he has previously refused to comment on his vaccination status. Australia is requiring that all players, officials and fans to be fully vaccinated against COVID.

🏈CLEMSON WINS CHEEZ-IT BOWL: The Clemson Tigers beat the Iowa State Cyclones 20-13 in the Cheez-It Bowl in Orlando last night. Clemson quarterback Mario Goodrich had an interception and returned it 18 yards in the third quarter for the winning touchdown.

🏈MARYLAND TAKES PINSTRIPE BOWL: The Maryland Terrapins blew by the Virginia Tech Hokies 54-10 in the Pinstripe Bowl. The undisputed MVP was quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, younger brother of Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

🏀HEAT-SPURS GAME POSTPONED: The NBA postponed last night's game between the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs because the Heat couldn't produce eight available players for the game. A total of 12 of its players are out with injuries or COVID-related issues.

🏀ISAIAH THOMAS POPS UP IN DALLAS: Isaiah Thomas is joining the Dallas Mavericks for 10 days. It's the last in a series of NBA temp jobs he's taken, the most recent of which was a 10-day stint with the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this month. Thomas was a star for the Boston Celtics until a series of injuries slowed his career.

Thomas is one of 80 players who have signed 10-day contracts with NBA teams this season to fill in for players sidelined by coronavirus protocols.











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