Steve Kelman on Politics, Culture, and Life, 12.29.2021
Harvard Kennedy School prof, moderate Dem, pro free speech/anti cancel culture, pro tax rich, pro Israel.
A great covid selflessness story
A story of selflessness in the age of covid: a woman on a transatlantic flight was not feeling well, went to the bathroom, and gave herself a rapid covid test, which was positive. She then remained in the bathroom for 4 hours so as not to risk others.
Fauci hate
Hatred for Doctor Fauci is now right up there with mask mandates as a theme on Fox. Today he was described as "the last man on a sinking ship" for his views on covid. A reporter exclaimed, "Doctor Fauci told me not to celebrate Christmas. I will celebrate Christmas."
Asians and Hispanics more likely to be vaccinated than whites
In an interesting article on deaths from covid, Times notes that "white people are now less likely than Asians and Hispanics to be vaccinated, though somewhat more likely than Black people."
Covid deaths
Covid is still responsible for 11% of deaths in the US, though this is down from 14% before the vaccine. This decline is less than I would have expected/hoped.
People wearing masks in Miami
I am surprised how many people outside on the main drag in my upscale area of Miami wearing masks. Not the majority. But a significant minority similar to Cambridge.
One area where Republican governors generous about unemployment benefits
Wow, Republican governors have finally become generous about providing unemployment insurance.
...Several Republican-run states have announced they will provide unemployment benefits to people who have lost their jobs for not complying with mask mandates.
Film production in Saudi Arabia
The Times has an amazing article today on the growth of the film production industry in Saudi Arabia. A recent film festival in Jeddah featured 27 Saudi-made films. Up until several years ago, movie theaters were banned in the country. A picture in the article from the festival showed women with uncovered heads. Now all they need to do is stop murdering journalists.
More arrests in Hong Kong
7 employees of a pro-democracy news site in Hong-Kong have been arrested. We must not forget these outrages, Hong-Kong was once free.