The Omicron variant is the latest reminder that the virus causing Covid-19 will continue to mutate as long as significant pockets of unvaccinated people remain to harbor it.
It’s time for everybody who has not yet been vaccinated to get the shots. Enough data is in; there are no significant long-term negative effects that would justify further resistance.
Vaccination has never been an individual choice. Vaccination is about the whole of humanity. Mandates are fine. In fact, they are appropriate.
***
I want to give a shout out to fellow Substack author Ted Gioia, whose piece “How Music Created Silicon Valley” documents how the popular demand for music led to many of the technological breakthroughs that so define our age.
From the early successes of Hewlett-Packard, the transistor radio, Sony, Disney, RCA or the little known role played by Bing Crosby to the iPod and the ascendance of Apple as one of the world’s biggest companies, music has long the core driver of tech changes.
Of course, it is not the songwriters or even the singers who have profited from these historical developments but the massive companies — Apple, Amazon, Facebook, Netflix and Google — that sit at the apex of the global economy.
***
I rarely write about sports these days but my earliest journalism was sports reporting while a student at the University of Michigan 50+ years ago. In fact I was Sports Editor of the student-run newspaper, The Michigan Daily in 1968-69.
So it was no surprise that early Saturday I was watching the annual revival of the intense football rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State. Both teams entered the game with 10-1 records.
It was a chilly snowy day in Ann Arbor but the weather didn’t interfere with a huge celebration when Michigan won the game 42-27 to advance to the Big Ten title game next Saturday.
As Michigan fans flooded the field after the game, my youthful passion returned with a rush and I cheered out loud. Three of my grandsons watched the final moments and the celebration with me.
***
Sunday’s Headlines:
Omicron variant detected from Britain to Hong Kong as countries race to impose controls — Experts say the emergence of the new variant reflects the risks from vaccine inequities around the world. (WP)
UK, Germany and Italy detect Omicron coronavirus variant cases (Reuters)
Variant Highlights Risks of Low Vaccination Rates in Poor Countries (WSJ)
As Omicron Variant Circles the Globe, African Nations Face Blame and Bans — With countries trying to close their doors to the new coronavirus variant, southern African officials note that the West’s hoarding of vaccines helped create their struggle in the first place. (NYT)
COVID fears spark Dow's biggest sell-off of 2021 (Reuters)
N.Y. declares covid state of emergency as Gov. Hochul warns variant ‘is coming’(WP)
As variant is detected around world, travel bans may be too late, experts say(WP)
New Covid variant triggers urgent moment for Biden health team (Politico)
CDC says no cases of Omicron identified in U.S. so far (Reuters)
New data shows Merck’s experimental covid-19 pill is less effective than early results predicted (WP)
What We Know About the Creator of Bitcoin — In an age in which it is hard to be anonymous, the identity of the cryptocurrency’s inventor remains a mystery (WSJ)
Israel and Iran Broaden Cyberwar to Attack Civilian Targets — Iranians couldn’t buy gas. Israelis found their intimate dating details posted online. The Iran-Israel shadow war is now hitting ordinary citizens. (NYT)
Southern states fall behind in vaccinating kids as pediatric infections climb(WP)
Australia’s spy agency predicted the climate crisis 40 years ago – and fretted about coal exports (Guardian)
How ‘Climate Migrants’ Are Roiling American Politics — Refugees fleeing weather-related disasters are changing the political equation in Florida, Virginia, California, Idaho and beyond. (Politico)
The Military’s Broken Culture Around Sexual Violence and Suicide — The Pentagon isn’t doing what is necessary to protect and care for service members facing trauma. (NYT)
Interior Dept. Report on Drilling Is Mostly Silent on Climate Change — The department recommended higher fees for oil and gas leases, but there was no sign the government planned to take global warming into account when weighing new applications. (NYT)
George Orwell: how romantic walks with girlfriends inspired Nineteen Eighty-Four (Guardian)
Bob Dylan artwork show opens in Miami, new cinema paintings (AP)
Adele tops UK music charts record-breaking comeback album "30" (Reuters)
Guantánamo Bay: Beyond the Prison — With 6,000 residents and the feel of a college campus, the U.S. Navy base has some of the trappings of small-town America, and some of a police state. (NYT)
How Music Created Silicon Valley (The Honest Broker)
Michigan beats Ohio State 42-27, ends 8-game skid in rivalry (AP)
***
Sunday’s Lyrics:
"The Victors"
Now for a cheer they are here, triumphant!
Here they come with banners flying,
In stalwart step they're nighing,
With shouts of vict'ry crying,
We hurrah, hurrah, we greet you now, Hail!
Far we their praises sing
For the glory and fame they've brought us
Loud let the bells them ring
For here they come with banners flying
Far we their praises tell
For the glory and fame they've brought us
Loud let the bells them ring
For here they come with banners flying
Here they come, Hurrah!
Hail! to the victors valiant
Hail! to the conqu'ring heroes
Hail! Hail! to Michigan
The leaders and best!
Hail! to the victors valiant
Hail! to the conqu'ring heroes
Hail! Hail! to Michigan,
The champions of the West!
We cheer them again
We cheer and cheer again
For Michigan, we cheer for Michigan
We cheer with might and main
We cheer, cheer, cheer
With might and main we cheer!
Hail! to the victors valiant
Hail! to the conqu'ring heroes
Hail! Hail! to Michigan,
The champions of the West!
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