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News roundup for Fri, Nov 26, 2021
There’s a new and concerning variant of COVID-19 emerging, this time from South Africa. Initially labeled as "Nu," it has now been officially named Omicron by the World Health Organization. This variant carries over 30 mutations in its spike protein, which could potentially allow it to evade immune responses—making both vaccines and prior infections less effective. Although only around 1,200 cases have been reported so far, it appears to be outperforming Delta in terms of transmission in South Africa. The variant has already spread to Belgium, Hong Kong, and Israel, prompting several countries to impose travel bans on African nations. While some argue that these measures may be premature given the limited data, companies like BioNTech are actively testing whether current vaccines offer protection. If not, targeted booster shots may soon be necessary. We’re closely monitoring the situation.
In other news, Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued strong warnings against NATO, expressing concerns over the alliance's expansion near Russian borders and its use of missile defense systems. Some of these systems can be repurposed for offensive use, which adds to Russia’s sense of encroachment and tension.
A recent study highlights the effectiveness of wolf re-entry programs in reducing deer-vehicle collisions. These programs have shown a 24% decrease in such incidents, resulting in economic benefits far exceeding the costs of livestock losses. This demonstrates how wildlife management can lead to significant cost savings for communities.
Meanwhile, labor negotiations at U.S. ports could worsen existing supply chain delays. With three out of the last four negotiations leading to operational disruptions, the timing couldn’t be worse amid an ongoing container crisis and national elections.
Logistics issues are also affecting the ethanol supply chain, which is critical for supplementing gasoline. Ethanol prices have risen, adding to the pressure on fuel costs.
On the financial front, the stock market experienced its worst “Black Friday†selloff in 70 years, dubbed “Red Friday,†following concerns about the new variant.
Globally, there are 260.7 million confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 4.4 million new cases reported in the past eight days. Over 5.2 million deaths have been recorded worldwide. In the U.S., the country has seen 49 million cumulative cases, with over 600,000 new cases in the last week. Nearly 800,000 Americans have died from the virus, including over 7,000 in the last seven days. Thanksgiving Day saw only 27,000 new cases, but reporting may be delayed due to the holiday. The U.S. remains the global leader in daily case growth.
Despite having effective antiviral treatments available, access remains a challenge due to inadequate testing infrastructure. Delays in test results often prevent timely treatment, limiting the effectiveness of these therapies.
Finally, Europe is once again seeing a surge in cases, particularly in Central Europe. As the virus continues to evolve, vigilance and proactive public health measures remain essential.