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Hereās what you need to know
Omicron is fueling more restrictions and border closures. The World Economic Forum is delaying its annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, Israel is banning travel to 10 new countries, and Quebec province is closing schools and businesses.
The WHO said omicron is infecting the vaccinated. However, Moderna said a third shot of its vaccine increases antibodies against the fast-spreading covid-19 variant,Ā and the EU cleared Novavaxās vaccine for use.
Germany named a new central bank chief. Joachim Nagel, who has ties to the Social Democratic Party, is a career central banker.
A top Chinese live-streamer was fined for tax evasion. Huang Wei, or Viya online, accepted the 1.34 billion yuan ($210 million) penaltyĀ in an apology post.
China is debating a law on sexual harassment in the workplace. The legislation would bar companies from asking female job applicants about marriage or pregnancy plans.
What to watch for
US president Joe Biden will give a speech today outlining new measures the country will take as it grapples with the spread of omicron. So far, his administration has taken little responsibility for the new crisis. In a press briefing on Friday, the White House covid-19 response coordinator blamed unvaccinated people, and all but said they deserve to get ill. Still:
š People are unvaccinated for many reasons, including illness, age, poor communication, and lack of access.
š¤ The responsibility for a covid-19 outbreak canāt be put on individuals.
š¤ This approach leads to disease stigmatization, and treating illness as a moral failure.
š¤ Itās unlikely public shaming will do anything to help vaccine skeptics change their minds.
Joe Manchin is wrong aboutā¦
Joe Manchin seems determined to be the lump of coal in Joe Bidenās stocking this year. The US senator from West Virginia said Sunday that he wouldnāt vote for Bidenās signature Build Back Better legislation, a $1.75 trillion climate and social bill. Manchin has balked at the price tag, but some of the reasoning heās given, publicly and privately, for his lack of support is just wellā¦ wrong.
ā Energy prices have never been driven by āthe markets.ā The US currently subsidizes oil and gas production to the tune of about $20 billion per year.
ā Forgoing infrastructure investments isnāt a good way to save money. In the long run, ignoring climate change will be far more damaging to the US economy.
ā Americans arenāt using the child tax credit to buy drugsāthey are paying down debt, growing their savings, and buying essential items for their families.
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Surprising discoveries
To teach foraging, orangutans hoard food from their kids. Juveniles that reach for their momās easy-to-find flowers will get the cold shoulder.
A professor put directions to a hidden cash prize in his syllabus. The $50 was still there at the end of the semester.
Youāll soon be able to order TikTok food. The video-sharing siteās delivery-only kitchen will feature the appās most viral meals and snacks.
Listening to Drake makes you run slower. A study found that hotline bling can only mean a longer race time.
Companies typically operate 95% defect-free. Six Sigma wanted perfection, but it wouldnāt last, as editor Oliver Staley discusses in the latest episode of the Quartz Obsession podcast.
š§ Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google
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