An Ignoble Experiment: Vaccines are more important than ever as Omicron rises

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Tuesday 11.30.21

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By AJ Willingham

Travelers wait over the weekend at an airport check-in counter in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Coronavirus

Stocks and oil prices fell yesterday as more cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant were reported across the globe. At least 19 countries have reported cases of the variant, and 70 countries and territories have imposed travel restrictions. The economic outlook was also darkened by Moderna's CEO, who said vaccines may struggle with this variant. But Pfizer's CEO said boosters, even if they're not as effective as against Delta, should reduce Omicron's threat dramatically. The CDC says Omicron is all the more reason for all vaccinated adults to get a booster dose because, its director said, "strong immunity will likely prevent serious illness." In the UK, the government has authorized all adults to get a booster shot a mere three months after their last dose. In the US, Pfizer is now expected to seek authorization for booster doses for 16- and 17-year-olds.

Supply chain

President Biden met with the CEOs of a number of major retailers and grocers to discuss supply chain concerns during the holiday season. Biden noted that despite ongoing labor shortages, shipping snarls and new Omicron variant worries, consumer spending is up and the retail outlook is better than it was last year. However, those challenges, along with materials shortages and trouble hiring workers, are shrinking the availability of some items both online and in stores. Experts say this may be the year to return to brick-and-mortar stores to avoid supply chain problems. In-store sales are predicted to rise by 8% this year -- to a 10-year high -- according to a real estate research firm.

China

The Pentagon will focus on building up bases in Guam and Australia to better prepare the US military to counter China. The decision comes in response to the Department of Defense's global posture review, in which Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin calls China "the pacing challenge" in the Indo-Pacific region. While the review is classified, a senior defense official outlined some of the findings. They include recommendations to bolster assets across the Pacific, seek more regional military partnerships and even reduce troops and equipment in other parts of the world to address growing challenges from China. Senior Pentagon officials have publicly expressed alarm about China's efforts to upgrade and modernize its military. The country's ongoing dispute over Taiwan and other points of conflict only add to the urgency.

Barbados

Barbados has cut the last of its nearly 400-year-old ties with the British monarchy and is now a republic. The Caribbean nation removed Queen Elizabeth II as head of state and inaugurated its first-ever President last night. Governor-General Sandra Mason, a 73-year-old former jurist and the Queen's own former representative, will now lead the country. Barbados declared independence from Britain 55 years ago, but the Queen remained head of state there. Prince Charles was in Barbados for the historic ceremony and spoke of the atrocities of the transatlantic slave trade that led the British to colonize parts of the region. As the republic enters a new age, it intends to remain part of the Commonwealth -- a 54-member group of mostly former British territories designed to foster international cooperation and trade.

Twitter

Twitter's Jack Dorsey, the cofounder and public face of one of the biggest social media platforms in the world, is stepping down as CEO. The move is effective immediately, and Dorsey says he thinks the company is "ready to move on from its founders." However, Dorsey will remain a member of Twitter's board until at least next year. Twitter stock jumped briefly after the announcement. Twitter, like other social media brands, has been mired in ongoing debates over free speech and the potentially harmful social effects of its platform. Though the platform took the extraordinary step of banning a sitting US President this year, it has publicly struggled to form and enforce policies about its use.

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