THE WORLD TODAY

COVID-19:

• All signs seem to indicate that the Omicron stealth B.2 subvariant is more contagious than B1, which has caused the recent surge of new cases.  
• Chances are that in a week or two or three, there will be a minor wave of new B2 cases in the USA.
• However, the combination of vaccinations/boosters, previously infected numbers and relatively mild symptoms will almost surely mean a continued decline of deaths. 
• Only 30% of Republican adults have received a booster.
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  There is a new drug called Evusheld from AstraZeneca that is now available to protect unvaccinated individuals who cannot be vaccinated.  There are 850,000 doses available.  This antibody cocktail taken by injection costs $1,000, and is covered by the government.  Typical COVID-19 vaccines cost $3-$30/dose.

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  Also, there is Paxlovid to prevent severe COVID illness, which is only available to those 65 and older.  Costs $530/course, which medical plans or the government will cover.
• The Biden Administration will most likely tomorrow announce approval for a second booster for those 65 and older.

• 
  Something different is happening in China.
• Shanghai, with a population of more than 26 million, is locking down to test everyone.
• So far, it is appearing that 86% of all new cases are ASYMPTOMATIC!  Maybe vaccinations have helped, or perhaps the latest B2 subvariant is uniquely docile.
• Just in Shanghai, with a two-day total of nearly 10,000 new cases, no deaths were recorded.  However, let's see what this number is in two weeks.
• Almost all deaths from COVID-19 today are the unvaccinated.  Simple solution:  get vaccinated and live longer.

Ukraine War.

• Latest mentioned Putin strategy is to control certain sections of Ukraine.
• Biden remarks that Putin cannot remain in power.

Will Smith.

• Slapped Chris Rock at the Academy Award ceremonies last night for making a joke about his wife Jada.
• Went on to win an Oscar for Best Actor.
• He also a decade ago slapped a Ukrainian reporter who tried to kiss him at the Moscow premiere of Men in Black 3.

Razzies.

• Netflix's Diana won the most Razzie awards, five, including worst picture.  From a Guardian review:

This is a Rocky Horror Picture Show of cluelessness and misjudged Judy Garlandification. I can imagine masochists getting together for Diana: The Musical parties, just to sing the most nightmarish lines along with the cast. The rest of us will need a long lie down.

• LeBron James was named worst actor.
• Will Smith, who previously had won four Razzies, won a redeemer award for his role in King Richard.

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  Ironically, previous Oscar winner Jared Leto, here won Worst Supporting Actor for his role in House of Gucci.
• Bruce Willis won a special Worse Performance statue for "going through the motions in an astonishing eight low-budget movies in one year."
• According to organizers, the Golden Raspberry Award members come from "almost every continent and 49 U.S. states, except one of the Carolinas."

Ketanji Brown Jackson's Supreme Court nomination will pass through the Senate Judiciary Committee in a week and be confirmed by the full senate probably on April 9.  58% of Americans support this coming decision.

Hope to be on our Fall trip to the Orient.  This photo was sent to me by someone who was just there.

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