Pandemic Report
The latest stats from WaPo:
The latest vaccine stats from CDC:
Others (e.g., CNN) have pointed out what I've been pointing out the last couple of journal posts that I saw the cases leveling off rather than continuing to contract. It seems related to the BA.2 variant of omicron which is up to a third of new cases and already the major subvariant in the Northeast. This variant is thought to be what's been behind the recent spike in Europe. I heard about some modeling on the West Coast which doesn't see a major BA.2 spike in the States but maybe a modest surge before eventually resuming the decline. This is obviously not behind us given the White House Press Secretary's recent infection.
A lot of focus on the vaccine front. Moderna has filed for emergency authorization for its shots for kids under 6. Moderna has also asked for authorization of a second booster for all adults while Pfizer earlier pushed one for senior citizens (>=65)
Miscellaneous Notes
The blog is going through one of its worst reader slumps this past week in recent memory. There's still a week left in the month, but if the current slump continues, this will fall behind February's bad numbers, maybe the worst in over a year. Not sure why; the special format posts do reasonably well although not great.
WWE's upcoming card for Wrestlemania is fairly weak I do like Brock Lesnar's more humorous persona, although no one expects part-time talent Lesnar to be booked as the "title reunification" champ over Roman Reigns. I don't think the Kevin Owens "interview" with retired Stone Cold Steve Austin will sell out the stadium; everyone knows KO is going to eat a Stunner. Speaking of Stone Cold, isn't it obvious to everyone that NXT's LA Knight is running a Stone Cold persona gimmick? His promos seem like a blatant imitation. The women's matches are predictable. Charlotte Flair has been booked weakly against Rousey. Asuka and Bayley are rumored available It would have been interesting if they had booked Lynch's return to regain her title from Asuka, although the latter's injury didn't allow it. I also like the idea of Rousey tagging with Baszler and/or a clash between Rousey and Asuka.
