2:00PM Water Cooler 7/9/2024 | bare capitalism

By Lambert Strether of Corrente

Fowl Music of the Day

Nice Horned Owl, East Loma Alta Drive, Altadena. ”
The primary chicken within the recording was perched atop a utility pole about 10 meters from me. Whereas recording it, a feminine flew in and vocalized loudly, after which the the primary chicken flew east about 50 meters and continued to vocalize. This may occasionally have been a household group as a result of they had been shifting across the neighborhood collectively and had been very vocal the entire time. Three birds persistently adopted one male. There have been three males and one feminine, which I made up my mind primarily based on the vocalizations. One of many males made some juvenile sounds an grownup calls. Audio recordings. It’s additionally potential that the feminine was chasing off the primary chicken within the recording under as a result of it seems like there was invoice snapping by the feminine. Though there was an interplay between the 2 birds on the high of the utility pole, I didn’t see it effectively as a result of I wasn’t wanting by binoculars nor was I utilizing a lightweight.”

The owl of Minerva calling “Who? Who?”

In Case You Would possibly Miss…

(1) New Covid charts (apart from CDC’s nationwide wastewater map, which naturally has not been up to date for knowledge later than June 22.

(2) Biden on Morning Joe/

(3) Changing Biden: open processes.

(4) The Enneagram .

Politics

“So most of the social reactions that strike us as psychological are in truth a rational administration of symbolic capital.” –Pierre Bourdieu, Classification Struggles

2024

Lower than a half a yr to go!

Friday’s RCP Ballot Averages:

First post-debate polling: Trump jumps a full level within the 5-way nationwide race, which a Biden supporter may discover regarding. OTOH, the Swing States appear comparatively unaffected. Swing States (extra right here) nonetheless Brownian-motioning round. In fact, it goes with out saying that these are all state polls, subsequently dangerous, and a lot of the outcomes are throughout the margin of error. It could be hilarious if the Biden Debate debacle had precisely the identical impact as Trump’s 34 bazillion felony convictions, i.e., none, each events are so dug in.

* * *

Lambert right here: My image: A pursuing pack of jackals (the funders) and weasels (the press) is taking down an getting older, wounded hyena (Biden). Trying on, a troop of apes (the press and their sources) chatters, gesticulates, and infrequently throws feces. Excessive within the air, vultures circle (the spooks). It’s not an edifying spectacle. I don’t have a rooting curiosity. Within the theatre, we’ve got narratives and expectations that work for people, households, and small teams. I don’t assume we’ve got something that scales past that. Think about King Lear that appeared extra just like the Beltway; a whole bunch of Gonerils and Regans, all scheming for benefit; a whole bunch of Edmunds (“Positive phrase, legit!”) , plotting and betraying; and any Cordelias or Edgars misplaced within the muck. Not the play we all know.

* * *

Biden (D): “Biden firmly denounces calls to step apart from fellow Democrats: ‘The voters have spoken” [NBC]. “Phoning into MSNBC’s ‘Morning Joe’ on Monday, the president mentioned the voters have chosen him and dared his Democratic critics who need him out to problem him on the social gathering’s August conference. ‘I’m getting so pissed off by the elites within the social gathering. … They know a lot extra,’ Biden mentioned, mockingly. ‘If any of those guys don’t assume I ought to run, run in opposition to me. Go forward. Announce for president — problem me on the conference!’” • Which is what Clyburn says will occur in the course of the digital conference. I appeared for a transcript, and couln’t discover a full one. That is one of the best I can do, an enormous slab of materials not quoted elsewhere:

MIKA BRZEZINSKI: So you’ve got repeatedly mentioned that every one of those folks and entities are flawed, and let me undergo them. The New York Occasions editorial board, The Economist, the Atlanta Journal-Structure, The Boston Globe. Jerry Nadler. Seth Moulton. Let me go to Julian Castro, Tim Ryan, David Axelrod–

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: WHOA. You’re kidding.

MIKA BRZEZINSKI: David Remnick, haha– Richard Haass. Yeah, I do know which one you’re responding to there — Zeke Emanuel, however they’re saying that you need to step apart. So what’s your plan of assault shifting ahead? These are fairly massive names.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: I perceive there’s lot of [inaudible]. However I’m not, I don’t care what these massive names assume. They had been WRONG in 2020[1]. They had been flawed in 2022 in regards to the pink wave[2]. They’re flawed in 2024[3]. And go together with– to come back out with the watch and watch folks react. You make a judgment. You make a judgment. And by the way in which I’m going to be have all these international leaders right here. I’ve been in touch with a brand new British prime minister, which is– anyway. Look the nation the remainder of the world. Have a look at our allies searching for U.S. management. Who else do you assume can step in right here and do that? I expanded NATO, I solidified NATO, ask your brother about it in Poland. I made positive that we’re able the place we’ve got a coalition of individuals, of the nations world wide to cope with China, with Russia, when the whole lot is happening on this planet. We’re making actual progress. The Biden plan, which Gaz– in Israel to, for the Gaza Strip. It’s one thing that was adopted by the U.N. Safety Council. Whether or not it involves fruition, it’s terrible shut. We’ll see. G7–. However look, I’m not going to elucidate anymore about what I ought to or shouldn’t do. I’m operating. I’m operating.

NOTES [1] Right. [2] Right. [3] 2024 isn’t 2020 or 2022.

Biden (D): “Biden turns to MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough as calls to step down proceed” [NPR]. “Properly, , Joe Biden has made ‘Morning Joe’ his morning ritual. This morning, he known as in. And, , he’s feisty. He was animated. He was impassioned, and he was type of defiant. And it was form of an intense protection saying, , I’m the man, and folks ought to persist with me.” • That phrase “defiant” is at all times one to observe for; usually what’s being defied is a consensus of the final will, as represented by the press (“Biden pushes defiant message“).

* * *

Biden (D): “Scoop: Biden rebels in Congress see their revolt crumbling” [Axios]. “Simply earlier than Home Democrats’ Tuesday morning ‘come-to-Jesus’ assembly on President Biden’s path ahead, a smaller group of swing-district Democrats held what sources described as a despondent gathering with ‘precise tears.’” Lol. Extra: “The bloc of battleground Home Democrats is likely one of the final agency pockets of a quickly disintegrating motion on Capitol Hill to get Biden off the ticket. One shell-shocked lawmaker who was current on the assembly would supply just one phrase to characterize it: ‘Intense.’ One other described the temper as ‘just about unanimous’ that Biden has ‘bought to step down,’ including, ‘There have been precise tears from folks, and never for Biden.’ Democrats’ full caucus assembly was far much less unanimous, with lawmakers each defending Biden and airing considerations about his potential to tackle former President Trump, attendees advised Axios. One Home Democrat who was in each conferences mentioned: ‘Most of our caucus continues to be with him … which means he’ll keep in. Which sucks for our nation.’ Going out and in of the assembly, a number of Home Democrats who’ve beforehand raised considerations about Biden mentioned they’re now with him: ‘Whether or not or not I’ve considerations is moreover the purpose. He’s going to be our nominee, and all of us should assist him,’ mentioned Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.). Biden loved his first sustained present of assist on Capitol Hill on Monday, with dozens of Home and Senate Democrats saying publicly they assist him staying on the ticket.” • The social gathering decides…. Commentary:

“Dem insiders” are buckling at report pace. All it took was a sternly-worded letter and a Morning Joe tirade. Jerry Nadler “explicitly” mentioned on a personal name Sunday that Biden ought to withdraw — now he is hemming and hawing. This is the reason you’ll be able to’t simply blithely check with some… https://t.co/USWFFuidca

— Michael Tracey (@mtracey) July 9, 2024

Perhaps sure, perhaps no. It’s risky! The Biden staff moved to crush “By no means Biden” sorts early within the week. I’m unsure that’s time for timorous electeds both to course of what they heard again within the district or to digest any polling (and I belief Information for Progress about so far as I can throw a grand piano). However by this Thursday it is going to have been two weeks since Biden slipped a cog in debate. That must be enough time for a dogplle like this one to die down. The sign to observe for is when the date of the Democrat “digital roll name” — anticipated to be in mid-July, however as but unknown — is introduced, as a result of Biden would by no means enable the date to be introduced until the result was sewed up. Who is aware of, they might even faux some open-ness! I can see three counter-forces: (1) a requirement for Biden to disclose the outcomes of a neurological examination builds up a head of steam; (2) Biden slips one other cog at NATO (however I wager they like Biden to both Trump or Kamala); or (3) the spooks drop or instigate one thing extraordinarily nasty, like a tape of some kind — at one take away, in fact. On the examination:

Completely brutal interview with a neurologist on Biden: “He has parkinsonisms, that may be a reality. He has degeneration of the mind. Present me the MRI, present me he does not. Put your cash the place your mouth is. He undoubtedly has it.”

And this aired on NBC!https://t.co/ba9tv7LoGe

— Michael Tracey (@mtracey) July 9, 2024

Biden (D): “Home Dems desperately search consensus on Biden’s future in ‘unhappy’ venting session” [Politico]. “In a closed-door caucus assembly hosted at Democrats’ marketing campaign headquarters, more and more distressed Democrats spoke candidly to one another for the primary time since Biden’s unnerving debate efficiency. A number of lawmakers who’ve already known as for Biden to step apart made their case, scary a bigger block of the caucus that believes Democrats want to remain united behind the president, in accordance with a few half-dozen members within the room…. Democrats who tried to argue that Biden ought to step down from the ticket included Reps. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) and Mike Quigley (D-Sick.), who later advised reporters he’s involved about Biden ‘dragging the ticket down.’ All three have already publicly known as on Biden to drop out of the race. Nonetheless, a lot of the voices on the assembly had been in assist of the president. However the inner divide was on full show — and lots of extra are nonetheless harboring personal doubts. Senate Democrats can have their very own household assembly Tuesday afternoon, although it’s uncertain they’ll have any extra luck on charting a path ahead. Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer will steer that dialogue of his caucus, a number of of whom have voiced their very own considerations about Biden’s electability. No Democratic senators have known as on Biden to step apart.”

* * *

Biden (D): “Parkinson’s Knowledgeable Visited the White Home Eight Occasions in Eight Months” [New York Times]. “The knowledgeable, Dr. Kevin Cannard, is a neurologist who focuses on motion issues and not too long ago printed a paper on Parkinson’s. The logs, launched by the White Home, doc visits from July 2023 by March of this yr. More moderen visits, if there have been any, wouldn’t be launched till later below the White Home’s voluntary disclosure coverage. It was unclear whether or not Dr. Cannard was on the White Home to seek the advice of particularly in regards to the president or was there for unrelated conferences.” • Oddly, potential results of Covid are by no means, ever talked about:

On the danger of stating the plain, it’s very potential that we’re watching Biden expertise COVID-related dementia introduced on by his personal coverage choices and his want to faux that he “ended the pandemic.”

— brittaney (@BeeeCee) July 9, 2024

Biden (D): “White Home physician provides clarification for Parkinson’s knowledgeable’s visits” [ABC]. “Cannard’s visits to the White Home don’t symbolize examinations of the president, in accordance with O’Connor’s letter. Cannard is concerned in a variety of look after others past the president on the White Home, O’Connor mentioned in his observe. ‘Previous to the pandemic, and following its finish [lol], [Cannard] has held common Neurology clinics on the White Home Medical Clinic in assist of the 1000’s of active-duty members assigned in assist of White Home operations,’ his letter reads. ‘Many navy personnel expertise neurological points associated to their service, and Dr. Cannard frequently visits the WHMU as a part of this Basic Neurology Apply.’ With regards to Biden’s bodily, O’Connor famous that ‘President Biden has not seen a neurologist exterior of his annual bodily.’ O’Connor additionally confused that Biden’s final bodily discovered no indicators of Parkinson’s, which he detailed in a Feb. 28 letter. Whereas the White Home press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre refused to verify these particulars earlier Monday, citing privateness considerations, O’Connor mentioned he ‘obtained permission from the President and Dr. Cannard to verify the main points I’m sharing.’ O’Connor supplied in his letter a full-throated endorsement of Dr. Cannard and his work because the neurology guide to the White Home since 2012.”

* * *

Biden (D): Clyburn’s base:

The issue in a way could be very easy. Black older major voting girls need Biden to be the candidate, and nobody opposing Biden will even acknowledge the preferences of that voting bloc.

— Matt Stoller (@matthewstoller) July 9, 2024

(And so they don’t need Kamala, apparently.) Since that is the voting bloc that gave us BIden, Clinton, and Obama — in different phrases, made the Democrat Occasion, not less than the electeds, what it’s right now — I’d be completely glad to throw them below the bus. However then, I’m not a Democrat. Commentary:

Whoopi: “I do not care if [Biden] pooped his pants. I do not care if he cannot put a sentence collectively. Present me he cannot do the job, after which I will say, okay, perhaps it is time to go…I’ve poopy day on a regular basis. On a regular basis.” pic.twitter.com/QlMHzH8LF9

— Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) July 8, 2024

* * *

Lambert right here: How an awesome nation, the world’s oldest democracy, and the oldest political social gathering on this planet choose a Presidential candidate:

Biden (D): “Clyburn says he would assist ‘mini-primary’ forward of DNC if Biden steps apart” [Politico]. “Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn [(84)], a high ally of Joe Biden, mentioned Wednesday that if the president steps apart from the election, he would count on to see a ‘mini-primary’ forward of the Democratic Nationwide Conference with Kamala Harris and Democratic governors vying for the highest two spots on the social gathering’s ticket. Responding to a query on CNN about whether or not Harris must be the social gathering’s computerized nominee if the president had been to step apart or if there must be a ‘mini-primary’ between a number of candidates, Clyburn (D-S.C.) mentioned: ‘Properly, I believe we’re going to have a mini-primary main into the conference,’ describing the digital roll name wanted to seem on the Ohio poll. He added, ‘You’ll be able to really style the method that’s already in place to make it a mini-primary, and I might assist that completely. We will’t shut that down, and we must always open up the whole lot for the final election.’… When pressed by CNN’s Erica Hill as to if there will probably be an expanded discipline in the course of the digital roll name vote forward of the DNC, Clyburn mentioned ‘.’ ‘My understanding is there are 700 uncommitted delegates and naturally there are delegates who’re pledged,’ Clyburn mentioned. ‘It could appear to me that anybody of those individuals who aspire to be president, who want to see a contest happening — have a look at these 700 delegates who at the moment are uncommitted and get into the motion.’” • Hmm.

Biden (D): “Jim Clyburn Is Proper About What Democrats Ought to Do Subsequent” [Ezra Klein, New York Times]. “If Democrats want to decide on one other candidate, they should make the method as aggressive and open as potential. Harris could be the front-runner, and there’s a superb case to be made that she’s underrated. However she must show her mettle. To anoint her as a result of it will decrease battle could be insanity. Think about the intraparty battling if Democrats, after unwisely closing ranks round Biden, shut ranks round Harris and lose to Trump…. In an interview with Politico, a Democratic Nationwide Conference delegate from South Carolina mentioned aloud what many Democrats have advised me privately. ‘I believe it will be implausible for the social gathering. I imply, give it some thought: Folks would watch it. It could get the rankings: It has the drama that individuals would take note of. And if a number of candidates had been in search of our nomination, you’ll have wall-to-wall, weeklong, prime-time protection of all of our greatest rising stars, delivering the social gathering message that, frankly, Joe Biden couldn’t in opposition to Donald Trump.’”

Biden (D): “James Carville: Biden Received’t Win. Democrats Want a Plan. Right here’s One” [James Carville, New York Times]. “I need to see the Democratic Occasion maintain between now and the Democratic Nationwide Conference in August — one every within the South, the Northeast, the Midwest and the West. We will recruit the 2 most blatant and certified folks on this planet to facilitate substantive discussions: Barack Obama and Invoice Clinton. They could not symbolize each faction below our social gathering’s massive tent. However they care as a lot about our democracy as our nation’s first president, they perceive what it takes to be president, they usually know learn how to win. City halls — high-stakes job interviews for the hardest job on this planet — would absolutely entice tv and cable companions and generate report numbers of viewers. Assume the Tremendous Bowl with Taylor Swift within the stands. The younger, the previous and everybody in between will tune in to see historical past being made in actual time. How will potential nominees be chosen to take part within the city halls? There isn’t a reply right here that can fulfill everybody, however onerous decisions have to be made, given the tight timetable, and I believe leaning on the enter of former presidents makes good sense. So I might advise Presidents 42 and 44 to pick eight main contenders out of the pool of those that select to run, with Ms. Harris most undoubtedly getting a well-earned invite. I consider the vp could be a formidable opponent for Mr. Trump.”

* * *

Biden (D): “The International Coverage Biden Is Placing on the Poll” [Seymour Hersh]. “Regardless of some early losses, Russia, with its benefit in air and floor forces, is now dominating the conflict and, regardless of scant curiosity in Washington, there are occurring. A senior American official advised me that Putin ‘has what he needs’ in Ukraine and delayed an all-out assault on Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest metropolis, whereas a potential settlement is being negotiated, with .” • Hmm. One way or the other I don’t assume the events to the negotiations, whoever they could be, can have election 2024 as their uppermost concern, so the timing of the talks — if profitable — ought to show attention-grabbing.

* * *

Trump (R): “RNC poised in draft textual content to drop nationwide limits on abortion from social gathering platform” [Politico]. “The Republican Occasion is poised to desert its present place explicitly advocating for federal abortion limits, in accordance with a draft textual content of its new proposed platform obtained by POLITICO. The platform represents a serious change for the GOP — and one which anti-abortion advocates had spent months rallying in opposition to. The brand new language describing abortion as a problem to be determined by the states is in keeping with the place held by former President Donald Trump. Nonetheless, some anti-abortion leaders are lauding the inclusion of language pointing to 14th Modification protections that conservatives have lengthy argued protects life starting at conception.” • And in keeping with the reward handed to Trump by the Supreme Courtroom overturning Roe (hat tip, Democrats, for by no means codifying it).

Our Famously Free Press

Cope:

Change in Headline pic.twitter.com/CrR3GvoDit

— Enhancing TheGrayLady (@nyt_diff) July 9, 2024

Syndemics

“I’m in earnest — I cannot equivocate — I cannot excuse — I cannot retreat a single inch — AND I WILL BE HEARD.” –William Lloyd Garrison

Covid Sources, United States (Nationwide): Transmission (CDC); Wastewater (CDC, Biobot; consists of many counties; Wastewater Scan, consists of drilldown by zip); Variants (CDC; Walgreens); “Iowa COVID-19 Tracker” (in IA, however nationwide knowledge). “An infection Management, Emergency Administration, Security, and Basic Ideas” (particularly on hospitalization by metropolis).

Lambert right here: Readers, thanks for the collective effort. To replace any entry, do be happy to contact me on the tackle given with the vegetation. Please put “COVID” within the topic line. Thanks!

Sources, United States (Native): AK (dashboard); AL (dashboard); AR (dashboard); AZ (dashboard); CA (dashboard; Marin, dashboard; Stanford, wastewater; Oakland, wastewater); CO (dashboard; wastewater); CT (dashboard); DE (dashboard); FL (wastewater); GA (wastewater); HI (dashboard); IA (wastewater stories); ID (dashboard, Boise; dashboard, wastewater, Central Idaho; wastewater, Coeur d’Alene; dashboard, Spokane County); IL (wastewater); IN (dashboard); KS (dashboard; wastewater, Lawrence); KY (dashboard, Louisville); LA (dashboard); MA (wastewater); MD (dashboard); ME (dashboard); MI (wastewater; wastewater); MN (dashboard); MO (wastewater); MS (dashboard); MT (dashboard); NC (dashboard); ND (dashboard; wastewater); NE (dashboard); NH (wastewater); NJ (dashboard); NM (dashboard); NV (dashboard; wastewater, Southern NV); NY (dashboard); OH (dashboard); OK (dashboard); OR (dashboard); PA (dashboard); RI (dashboard); SC (dashboard); SD (dashboard); TN (dashboard); TX (dashboard); UT (wastewater); VA (dashboard); VT (dashboard); WA (dashboard; dashboard); WI (wastewater); WV (wastewater); WY (wastewater).

Sources, Canada (Nationwide): Wastewater (Authorities of Canada).

Sources, Canada (Provincial): ON (wastewater); QC (les eaux usées); BC (wastewater); BC, Vancouver (wastewater).

Hat tricks to useful readers: Alexis, anon (2), Art_DogCT, B24S, CanCyn, ChiGal, Chuck L, Festoonic, FM, FreeMarketApologist (4), Gumbo, hop2it, JB, JEHR, JF, JL Joe, John, JM (10), JustAnotherVolunteer, JW, KatieBird, KF, LL, Michael King, KF, LaRuse, mrsyk, MT, MT_Wild, otisyves, Petal (6), RK (2), RL, RM, Rod, sq. coats (11), tennesseewaltzer, Tom B., Utah, Bob White (3).

Keep protected on the market!

Maskstravaganza

Useful chart of masks for extra functions than Covid prevention (e.g., wildfire smoke):

Since most individuals don’t know to contemplate something moreover an N95 for wildfire smoke occasions, I’ve designed a chart that helps folks find out about extra superior choices & simplifies how to decide on the suitable safety for the totally different hazards discovered within the smoke.

Please assist share… https://t.co/rX1Jrer0TU pic.twitter.com/J00BqruIhQ

— Nicolas Smit (@PPEtoheros) July 6, 2024

Censorship and Propaganda

An infection

“Why You Ought to All the time Select a Window Seat on a Airplane Throughout Flu Season” [Travel and Leisure]. “Industrial planes are cramped, with a whole bunch of vacationers all sharing the identical recycled air for a number of hours. They’re, unsurprisingly, breeding grounds for infectious sicknesses. However some seats are deemed safer than others as a result of they’re additional away from the zone with the very best danger….. All of it has to do together with your contact with different folks. The researchers discovered that the nearer passengers are to the aisle, the extra probably they’re to stand up to go to the rest room or transfer round. And the extra they transfer, the upper their probabilities of coming into contact with germs. Whereas about 80 p.c of passengers in aisle seats ended up leaving their seats not less than as soon as in the course of the flights on this examine, solely about half that quantity moved from their seat whereas sitting subsequent to a window. Passengers in aisle seats had a median of 64 “contacts” with different passengers throughout a flight, making it the best contact house. Passengers in center seats had 58 contacts, and people in window seats had simply 12.” And: “[S]tting within the final couple rows of the cabin prevents you from being breathed on from behind, as a result of airflow usually strikes ahead and never backward — subsequently, your probabilities of catching a contagious sickness will probably be decrease.’” • So, select a window seat behind the aircraft. Want I’d seen this earlier than the July 4 vacation; sorry!

Origins Debate

“Serologic Testing of US Blood Donations to Establish Extreme Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 and different Coronaviruses, December 2019-July 2020” [Open Forum Infectious Diseases]. N = 46,120. From the Summary: “The primary COVID-19 case in america was acknowledged on January 19, 2020, however the time of introduction of the virus into the US is unknown. An current pattern cohort was examined for serologic proof of early SARS-CoV-2 infections…. 9 (0.07%) confirmed-positives had been recognized among the many 13,364 donations collected between December 13, 2019 and January 22, 2020.” From the Dialogue: “In Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, the primary cluster of medical circumstances later attributed to SARS-CoV-2 was recognized on January 7, 2020.”

Coverage

“Fee finds COVID pandemic triggered $18 trillion in financial injury to US” [FOX]. “A brand new report by the Heritage Basis’s Nonpartisan Fee on China and COVID-19 discovered that the COVID pandemic triggered $18 trillion in financial losses to the U.S. and positioned blame for the outbreak on the Chinese language authorities.

FOX Enterprise completely considered an advance copy of the report, which estimated that as of December 2023, the pandemic’s complete financial price within the U.S. topped $18 trillion after taking into consideration a number of methods through which the pandemic affected the economic system. That determine consists of greater than $8.6 trillion attributable to extra deaths; greater than $1.825 trillion in misplaced earnings; $6 trillion resulting from persistent situations comparable to ‘lengthy COVID’; and psychological well being losses of $1 trillion and academic losses of $435 billion pushed the overall above $18 trillion.” • “Nonpartisan” is in caps as a result of it’s a part of the identify of the Fee (!).

Elite Maleficence

“Pandemic Revisionism: Docs Who Defend Dr. Scott Atlas Are Afraid to Precisely Quote Dr. Scott Atlas. I’m Not” [Science-Based Medicine]. “Dr. Atlas was considered one of a number of Stanford docs (Dr. John Ioannidis, Drs. Eran Bendavid and Jay Bhattacharya) who predicted that COVID’s 2020 loss of life toll could be 10,000-40,000 folks and that the mass an infection of unvaccinated youth would result in herd immunity. Like Dr. Atlas, these doctors- none of whom handled COVID patients- now insist they had been principally proper about the whole lot. Think about predicting that the flu was going to be worse than COVID, and 1.1 million COVID deaths later, having the audacity to assert that the passage of time has validated your preliminary pandemic pronouncements. The truth is, advocates of mass an infection are aggrieved. Though they turned pandemic celebrities, they declare to have been silenced, they usually really feel they’re owed an apology. Since they will’t admit error, they declare there’s a conspiracy to cover the truth- COVID wasn’t that dangerous in spite of everything.”

Readers, there isn’t any excellent news right here in any respect, and this knowledge doesn’t embody the Fourth of July weekend. It could positive be useful to have Biobot nonetheless in operation, so we might have a single indicator for an infection, however in fact that was to not be.

[2] (CDC) Final week’s wastewater map.

[3] (CDC Variants) LB.1 developing on the surface.

[4] (ER) That is one of the best I can do for now. At the least knowledge for the whole pandemic is offered.

[5] (Hospitalization: NY) Now acceleration, which is appropriate with a wastewater lower, however nonetheless not a superb feeling .(The NY city space has kind; in 2020, as the house of two worldwide airports (JFK and EWR) it was an vital entry level for the virus into the nation (and from thence up the Hudson River valley, because the wealthy sought to flee, after which across the nation by air journey.)

[6] (Hospitalization: CDC). That is one of the best I can do for now. Observe the belief that Covid is seasonal is constructed into the presentation, which in truth reveals that Covid is not seasonal. At the least knowledge for the whole pandemic is offered.

[7] (Walgreens) Nonetheless going up! (As a result of there may be knowledge in “present view” tab, I believe white states right here have skilled “no change,” versus haven’t any knowledge.)

[8] (Cleveland) Nonetheless going up!

[9] (Vacationers: Positivity) Up. These sh*theads at CDC have modified the chart in order that it doesn’t even run again to 1/21/23, because it used to, however now begins 1/1/24. There’s additionally no solution to alter the time rasnge. CDC actually doesn’t need you to have the ability to take a historic view of the pandemic, or examine one surge to a different. In an any case, that’s why the form of the curve has modified.

[10] (Vacationers: Variants) Similar deal. These sh*theads. I’m leaving this right here for one more week as a result of I detest them a lot:

[11] Deaths low, however positivity up.

[12] Deaths low, ED up.

Stats Watch

Small Enterprise Optimism: “United States Nfib Enterprise Optimism Index” [Trading Economics]. “The NFIB Small Enterprise Optimism Index within the US rose to 91.5 in June of 2024 from 90.5 within the earlier month, the very best because the begin of the yr, and contrasting with expectations that the index would sluggish to 89.5. Nonetheless, the studying remained under the long-term common of 98. ‘Essential Road stays pessimistic in regards to the economic system for the stability of the yr,’ mentioned NFIB Chief Economist Invoice Dunkelberg. ‘Rising compensation prices has led to greater costs throughout.’”

Retail: “United States Used Automotive Costs YoY” [Trading Economics]. “The Manheim Used Car Worth Index for the US decreased 8.9% year-on-year in June 2024, following a 12.1% drop in Might.” • Looks as if a number one indicator of some variety, however I don’t know what. Readers?

Tech: “Gen AI: Too A lot Spend, Too Little Profit?” (PDF) [Goldman Sachs]. The conclusion: “So, what does this all imply for markets? Though Covello believes AI’s elementary story is unlikely to carry up, he cautions that the AI bubble might take a very long time to burst, with the “picks and shovels” AI infrastructure suppliers persevering with to profit within the meantime. GS senior US fairness strategist Ryan Hammond additionally sees extra room for the AI theme to run and expects AI beneficiaries to broaden out past simply Nvidia, and notably to what appears to be like set to be the following massive winner: Utilities. That mentioned, wanting on the larger image, GS senior multi-asset strategist Christian Mueller-Glissmann finds that solely probably the most favorable AI state of affairs, through which AI considerably boosts pattern progress and company profitability with out elevating inflation, would lead to above-average long-term S&P 500 returns, making AI’s potential to ship on its oft-touted potential much more essential.” • Pop? Commentary:

At present’s Concern & Greed Index: 52 Impartial (earlier shut: 52 Impartial) [CNN]. One week in the past: 48 (Impartial). (0 is Excessive Concern; 100 is Excessive Greed). Final up to date Jul 9 at 2:01:04 PM ET

Rapture Index: Closes unchanged [Rapture Ready]. Report Excessive, October 10, 2016: 189. Present: 186. (Keep in mind that bringing on the Rapture is nice.) • Not what the local weather protection implies.

The Gallery

Inventor of the eponymous cheese, so no marvel:

Édouard Manet, Rochefort’s Escape pic.twitter.com/SjssoWpqP1

— Impressions (@impression_ists) July 4, 2024

Zeitgeist Watch

“Merchandising machines promoting bullets at grocery shops” [Cleveland.com]. “Grocery shops in Alabama and Oklahoma have merchandising machines that enable customers to buy ammo for weapons. The merchandising machine provider, American Rounds, markets ‘ammo gross sales such as you’ve by no means seen earlier than’ on its web site. The corporate is seeking to revolutionize how ammunition for handguns, rifles and shotguns is offered. The automated ammunition dispenser makes use of synthetic intelligence expertise to confirm a purchaser’s identification and age by card scanning and facial recognition software program. The client inserts their picture ID, and the machine conducts a scan to match it to the ID card. In a promotional video, American Rounds CEO Grant Magers mentioned the shops had been searching for an modern solution to carry ammo gross sales to their shops.” • Wowsers

Information of the Wired

“The 9 Methods: On the Enneagram” [The Paris Review]. “Ichazo’s core idea is that individuals, on the deepest stage, want to keep away from a really dangerous feeling, an expertise so terrible it’s what we think about loss of life is like. There are 9 methods this terror will be imagined reaching us, and 9 correspondent methods it may be prevented. The 9 strategies of avoiding this common concern are figured as factors on the enneagram and exist in a fancy and dynamic interaction with each other. In any particular person persona, one of many 9 is predominant. The 9 methods are sometimes referred to utilizing a type of shorthand: 1 is the Reformer; 2, the Helper; 3, the Achiever; 4, the Individualist; 5, the Investigator; 6, the Loyalist; 7, the Fanatic; 8, the Challenger; and 9, the Peacemaker. It may be onerous to pinpoint the suitable metaphor for the function these numbers are thought to play in an individual’s psyche. The 9 will be conceived of as components, dimensions, or kinds. I typically image every quantity as being a nook in a really giant room. Think about the aircraft of this room’s flooring is uneven, and the partitions, in consequence, are of irregular sizes and shapes. We could discover one thing near a pure consolation in a single nook or in some nook close by. The sunshine from a window may amiably rhyme with that of a spot throughout the room. Some components of the room may need excessive ceilings with naked white partitions. Others, although slim, may overlook a courtyard. If this place is large enough, its far corners may appear past attain and even nonexistent. We’d hesitate to emerge from our favourite hideaways. I supply this prolonged picture for instance that whereas, as a numerical typology, the enneagram could look like a cheesy try to scale back human complexity, it’s supposed do the other.” • 10, Analyst.

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Upstater writes: “It’s that point of yr! These are early bearded irises.”

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