
Links 12/21/2020
Jupiter and Saturn ‘Christmas Star’ to Coincide With Winter Solstice, Ursid Meteor Shower Newsweek
The financial system after Covid-19 Bank of International Settlements
Central banks to walk tightrope on communication in 2021 FT
At Banque Havilland, Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Was Known as ‘The Boss’ Bloomberg
A tale of two SEC enforcement actions, Part 1 – GE and Luckin Coffee Francine McKenna, The Dig
Tesla’s rise made 2020 the year the U.S. auto industry went electric Reuters
Tesla’s Elon Musk asks about converting ‘large transactions’ to bitcoin Channel News Asia. Oh.
#COVID19
Mutant coronavirus in the United Kingdom sets off alarms but its importance remains unclear Science. Good information on this fast-breaking story.
COVID-19 vaccine distribution algorithms may cement health care inequalities VentureBeat. Of all places.
Why Two Vaccines Passed the Finishing Line In a Year and Others Didn’t, and a Month 12 Roundup Hilda Bastian, “Absolutely Maybe,” PLOS. Excellent review of the bidding.
What the Vaccine’s Side Effects Feel Like The Intercept
Covid-19: politicisation, “corruption,” and suppression of science British Medical Journal
Why many countries failed at COVID contact-tracing — but some got it right Nature
The Vast Majority of America’s Cities Qualify as ‘Sustained Hotspots,’ New Federal Covid-19 Data Shows Public Integrity
A Shock to the PPE System: New Method for Recharging N95 Masks to Meet COVID Demand SciTech Daily
The Coronavirus Vaccine Could Be the Ultimate Gateway Drug Bloomberg
China?
China’s stunning export comeback has factories scrambling for workers Reuters
Amid Coal Crunch, Cities Limit Power to Businesses, Factories Sixth Tone and Australia forecasts drop in coal output under pressure from Chinese curbs Reuters
Engineers of the Soul: Ideology in Xi Jinping’s China by John Garnaut Sinocism (from 2019, still germane. Recommended by China Law blog).
Singapore Hotel Used for Quarantine May Have Spread Infection Bloomberg
S.Korea’s capital Seoul to ban gatherings of five people or more -mayor Reuters
Thailand Considers More Lockdowns as Seafood Workers Hit by Virus Bloomberg
India
Farmer unions announce relay hunger strike on Monday, observe ‘Shradhanjali Diwas’; Amit Shah hints at resumption of talks Times of India. Relay hunger strike: “a form of protest in which a number of persons go without food by turns” (Gene Sharp #159b). Some tactical advantages here.
Facebook removes official page of Kisan Ekta Morcha, restores it after outrage India Today
Is the Sub-Classification of Scheduled Castes Justified? The Wire
Mauritius
Wakashio Shows Need for Spill Response Plans in Western Indian Ocean Maritime Executive
UK/EU
EU countries ban UK travel and limit Channel freight over Covid variant FT
Emergency talks to prevent Christmas food shortages after freight hit by border closures Sky News
Extra police are deployed at train stations in bid to stop non essential Tier 4 trips and halt spread of mutant Covid strain, as Matt Hancock slams travellers fleeing London as ‘totally irresponsible’ Daily Mail. What did the Government expect when they announced a lockdown?
Germany and Europe Could Fall Short on Vaccine Supplies Der Spiegel (Re Silc). They’re supposed to be better than we are….
Trump Transition
Congress seals agreement on $900 billion COVID relief bill AP. Commentary:
Totally inadequate, but only reason people will be getting any stimulus money is cause Sanders worked with a Republican and threatened to keep Congress there til Christmas. The Dems’ supposed leader was, as usual, absent, except to tell them to take the first, even worse deal. https://t.co/rHaUhkL324
— Branko Marcetic (@BMarchetich) December 20, 2020
This Deal Is Good Enough Editorial Board, NYT. Nothing too meh for our working class!
Pa. misses deadline to spend $108M in rent, mortgage relief from CARES Act Spotlight PA
Bring Back the Superdole! Jacobin
Surgeon general: Immigration status should not be barrier to receiving COVID-19 vaccine The Hill
Unlearning The Constitution: University President Declares That Biden Can “Unpardon” Trump Jonathan Turley
Intelligence Community
Democrats cry alarm over proposal to split up NSA, Cyber Command amid hacking crisis Politico
Biden Transition
The diversity of Biden’s cabinet will be just for show if it ends up promoting bad policies Business Insider
For the First Time, a Woman Will Take Command of an Aircraft Carrier Military.com. This hardy perennial:
Misting the White House between administrations won’t kill Covid-19 — and it could be harmful, experts say STAT. Great theatre though!
Boeing 737 MAX
European regulator says Boeing’s 737 Max is safe BBC
Congress on the brink of major FAA oversight reform in wake of Boeing 737 MAX crashes Seattle Times
Black Injustice Tipping Point
The truth in Black and white: An apology from The Kansas City Star Kansas City Star
Guillotine Watch
Birx travels, family visits highlight pandemic safety perils AP (MV). This keeps happening (and it’s bipartisan).
Class Warfare
The first global event in the history of humankind Branko Milanovic, Social Europe
Hospital Ceos Have Gotten Rich Cutting Staff and Supplies. Now They’re Not Ready for the Next Wave. The Intercept
AOC Said “Sex Work Is Work” in Response to New York Post Hit Piece on a Paramedic With an OnlyFans Teen Vogue
Crime Shouldn’t Pay: Why Big Tech Executives Should Face Jail Matt Stoller, Big
John Rawls: can liberalism’s great philosopher come to the west’s rescue again? Guardian
Antidote du jour (via Steve McManus in Galion OH):
See yesterday’s Links and Antidote du Jour here