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January 13, 2022 - Brief Issue 275
The Coronavirus Daily Brief is a daily news and analysis roundup edited by New America’s International Security Program and Arizona State University.
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Top Headlines
Fauci: Omicron Will Infect “Virtually Everybody” (Health & Science)
CDC Predicts 62,000 More Covid Deaths in Next Four Weeks (Health & Science)
Vaccines for Children Under 5 Expected in 2022 (Health & Science)
Scientists Look for Signs of a Coming ICU Surge (Health & Science)
Boris Johnson Apologizes for Attending Party at No. 10 Downing Street (Around the World)
Japan Will Maintain Border Restrictions Until End of February (Around the World)
Djokovic Admits False Statements (Around the World)
New Guidance Requires Weekly Testing for Unvaccinated Federal Workers (U.S. Government & Politics)
Biden Administration to Distribute Millions of Tests to Schools (U.S. Government & Politics)
Trump Implicitly Calls DeSantis “Gutless” for Not Stating Booster Status (U.S. Government & Politics)
West Virginia Governor Tests Positive, Feeling “Extremely Unwell,” Postpones Address (U.S. Government & Politics)
Inflation Up 7% Annually in December , Fastest Pace of Growth Since 1982 (U.S. Economy)
Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland President Say Interest Rate Increase Likely in March (U.S. Economy)
Denver Kroger Workers Go On Strike (U.S. Society)
Health & Science
There have been 63,203,866 coronavirus cases in the United States, and 844,562 people have died (Johns Hopkins). The United States has administered 522,482,674 vaccine doses, with 74.6% of all Americans having received at least one vaccine dose and 62.7% fully vaccinated. Among adults aged 18 or older 86.6% have received at least one dose, and 73.4% are fully vaccinated (U.S. CDC). 37% of fully vaccinated Americans have received a booster shot. Worldwide, there have been 317,308,612 cases of coronavirus, with 5,515,258 deaths.
Fauci: Omicron Will Infect “Virtually Everybody”
Top U.S. infectious disease expert Anthony S. Fauci issued a serious warning on Wednesday, saying that the coronavirus will probably infect most Americans eventually but said those who are vaccinated will fare better. At a White House news briefing, Fauci said that “virtually everybody is going to wind up getting exposed and likely get infected,” he said, “if you’re vaccinated and if you’re boosted, the chances of you getting sick are very, very low” (WaPo). The warning echoed his statements at a senate hearing on Tuesday where he said that unvaccinated people are 20 times likelier to die, 17 times likelier to be hospitalized and 10 times likelier to be infected than the vaccinated (CNN).
CDC Predicts 62,000 More Covid Deaths in Next Four Weeks
A forecast from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published Wednesday predicts that over 62,000 more people could die from Covid-19 over the next four weeks (CNN). That could mean an average of 2,624 deaths from Covid-19 a day, up from the current average of 1,715 deaths per day, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. But even with the increase, the forecast warned that “current forecasts may not fully account for the emergence and rapid spread of the Omicron variant or changes in reporting during the holidays and should be interpreted with caution.”
Vaccines for Children Under 5 Expected in 2022
Many families and pediatricians are anxiously awaiting approval of Covid-19 vaccines for children under the age of five and experts believe it could come in early 2022. Pfizer and German partner BioNTech recently announced they are adding a third dose of the vaccine to the clinical trial for children from six months to five years as they work “to carefully select the right dose to maximize the risk-benefit profile,” the companies said in a statement. The companies said that two doses triggered an adequate response in children from six months to two years, but in two to four year olds, the two doses failed to trigger a response comparable to that triggered in teens and adults (WaPo). So far, no safety concerns have been identified. Moderna’s vaccine is being tested in children under 12 and trials are ongoing. Johnson & Johnson told the Post that trials are underway for adolescents ages 12 to 17.
Scientists Look for Signs of a Coming ICU Surge
The Omicron variant was responsible for 98% of Covid-19 cases in the U.S. last week according to estimates from the CDC and the current wave of infections has surpassed surges associated with previous variants, including Delta (WSJ). While the rate of hospitalizations associated with the Omicron variant doesn’t seem to be as high, the sheer number of cases has led to an increase in hospitalizations. Studies suggest that Omicron might produce less severe disease than other variants and the preliminary public health data partially supports this hypothesis, but scientists are still waiting to see if there will be an increase in patients needing intensive care. So far, case numbers and hospital admissions have surpassed levels seen during last winter’s peak, but ICU stays have remained below last year’s levels.
Bonus Read: “Which mask? What test? Covid’s latest surge spreads an epidemic of confusion,” (WaPo).
Around the World
Boris Johnson Apologizes for Attending Party at No. 10 Downing Street
U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson apologized on Wednesday after admitting that he attended a party in the garden of No. 10 Downing Street during Britain's first lockdown. The prime minister claimed he believed the party, held on May 20, 2020, was a “work event” (Politico). Earlier this week, ITV news reported that Johnson’s private secretary, Martin Reynolds, invited more than 100 staff members for “socially distanced drinks in the No 10 garden” and told them to “bring your own booze!” while the rest of the country was adhering to strict guidelines on gathering and going out. Johnson told parliament: “I want to apologize. I know that millions of people across this country have made extraordinary sacrifices over the last 18 months” (NYT). Opposition leader Keir Starmer dismissed the apology as “worthless” (WaPo).
Japan Will Maintain Border Restrictions Until End of February
On Tuesday Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said that the country would maintain its border controls, which are some of the strictest in the world since the discovery of the Omicron variant late last year (Reuters). "Thanks to the toughest border rules in the G7 nations, we've been able to keep the spread of Omicron to a minimal level, giving us time to prepare to deal with domestic infection," Kishida told reporters. The rules require six days in strict hotel quarantine for both Japanese and resident foreigners followed by quarantine at home.
Djokovic Admits False Statements
Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic admitted on Wednesday that a travel document that he presented to Australian border officials last week contained false information (NYT). It is the latest revelation in the saga of Djokovic, who is against getting vaccinated, trying to enter Australia, which has strict entry restrictions, to seek a 21st Grand Slam title. He was included in the Australian Open official draw on Thursday, but uncertainty about the government’s decision on his visa remained (Reuters).
Bonus Read: “The Army of Millions Who Enforce China’s Zero-Covid Policy, at All Costs,” (NYT).
U.S. Government & Politics
New Guidance Requires Weekly Testing for Unvaccinated Federal Workers
On Tuesday, the Biden administration released guidance requiring that unvaccinated federal workers get tested on a weekly basis (WaPo). The requirement becomes active on February 15. The Washington Post writes, “The testing, which mainly affects those exempted from President Biden’s vaccination mandate for federal workers, would be required during any week in which those employees ‘work onsite or interact in person with members of the public as part of their job duties,’ the guidance says.” More than 90 percent of the federal workforce and uniformed armed services have complied with federal vaccination mandates. The Post notes that the new guidance is mostly about those who have sought exceptions.
Biden Administration to Distribute Millions of Tests to Schools
On Wednesday, the Biden administration announced that it would distribute millions of free Covid tests to schools as part of an effort to keep schools open (NYT, WSJ). The New York Times writes, “Five million rapid antigen tests will be made available to K-12 schools across the country each month, the administration said, but states will have to apply for them. Once such requests are made, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will work to deliver the first shipments as early as this month.” A White House fact sheet on the announcement read, “Today the Biden-Harris Administration is doubling down on our commitment to keeping all schools safely open for full-time in-person learning.” These tests come in addition to the 500 million rapid tests the administration has already said it would distribute to the public. The move comes amid efforts by Democrats to avoid shutdowns as a response to Omicron, as we covered in a prior brief, and in particular a concern that closing schools would be politically costly.
Trump Implicitly Calls DeSantis “Gutless” for Not Stating Booster Status
In an interview with the right wing One News Network, Former President Trump lobbed an implicit criticism of Florida’s Republican Governor and rumored potential 2024 contender for the Republican presidential nomination, for his silence over whether he has gotten a booster shot (Daily Beast, Politico). Trump stated that he had received his booster, and added, “I watched a couple of politicians be interviewed and one of the questions was, ‘Did you get the booster?’ Because they had the vaccine, and they’re answering like—in other words, the answer is ‘yes,’ but they don’t want to say it, because they’re gutless. You gotta say it, whether you had it or not, say it.” While he did not name DeSantis, DeSantis has avoided talking about his booster status. DeSantis “sidestepped” the question in a December Fox interview, and his staff says they do not know whether he has been boosted, calling it a private matter, according to Politico.
West Virginia Governor Tests Positive, Feeling “Extremely Unwell,” Postpones Address
On Tuesday West Virginia’s Republican Governor Jim Justice tested positive for Covid, resulting in him delaying his planned State of the State address (CNN). In a statement his office said, “Today, upon the sudden onset of symptoms Gov. Jim Justice received a positive PCR test for COVID-19. Confirmatory testing was performed by the West Virginia State Lab with an additional positive result. An additional test is being administered tonight to confirm the initial PCR results.” The statement noted that he is vaccinated and boosted, but Governor Justice also said “I feel extremely unwell at this point, and I have no choice but to postpone my State of the State address to the Legislature.”
U.S. Economy
Inflation Up 7% Annually in December , Fastest Pace of Growth Since 1982
On Wednesday, the Department of Labor released data showing that the Consumer Price Index, which measures the price of goods and services and thus inflation, was up 7 percent in December compared to a year earlier, its fastest pace of growth since 1982 (WSJ, WaPo, NYT, Politico). It is also the third month straight of 6%+ growth in the index. The Wall Street Journal writes, “The last time consumer prices clocked in at such an annual increase was in June 1982, but the circumstances were very different from today. While inflation right now is rising, back then it was falling after peaking at 14.8% in 1980, when Jimmy Carter was still president and the Iranian revolution had pushed up oil prices.” The Journal notes, “The so-called core price index, which excludes the often-volatile categories of food and energy, climbed 5.5% in December from a year earlier. That was a bigger increase than November’s 4.9% rise, and the highest rate since 1991.” President Biden issued a statement regarding the data, in which he noted that the rate of month to month growth was slowing (it was .5% in December), but also warning, “this report underscores that we still have more work to do, with price increases still too high and squeezing family budgets.” Republicans have argued that stimulus efforts have contributed to inflation. Bonus Read: “Five charts explaining why inflation is at a 40-year high,” (WaPo).
Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland President Say Interest Rate Increase Likely in March
On Wednesday, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland President Loretta Mester said that the Federal Reserve will likely raise interest rates at its March meeting (WSJ). She said “the case is very compelling” for such an increase, adding, “If things looked like they do today in March I would support raising, lifting off from zero at that point.” The Journal notes, “Ms. Mester is a voting member of the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee this year due to the rotation of regional Fed leaders on that panel. She spoke in the wake of the release of consumer level inflation data that showed the highest levels of price pressures since 1982.”
Bonus Read: “West Virginians scramble to get by after Manchin kills child tax credits,” (Guardian).
U.S. Society
Denver Kroger Workers Go On Strike
On Wednesday, thousands of workers for the supermarket company Kroger in Denver walked off their jobs and went on strike (WSJ, Reuters). The Wall Street Journal wrote, “About 8,400 unionized workers at Kroger’s King Soopers stores in Denver walked off the job at 7 a.m. ET on Wednesday, according to Kroger and United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7, which represents King Sooper workers in Colorado. The strike currently is affecting 77 of 151 King Soopers locations, a company spokesperson said after it began.” According to Reuters, workers at Kroger owned King Sooper stores sought a pay increase of $6 per hour, but the company only offered a $4.50 an hour increase that was also limited to particular kinds of employees rather than being across the board. Kroger said its stores would continue to operate and called the strike, “reckless and self-serving.” The strike comes amid a wave of labor activity during the pandemic including prominent strikes at Kellogg and John Deere. Groceries and retail companies note that the pandemic has created a moment of tight labor markets that can empower workers and tough conditions, as we covered in yesterday’s brief. The Journal writes, “Many U.S. grocers increased hourly wages for workers at the start of the pandemic but phased out so-called hazard pay months later. The labor market has since tightened, companies say, as unemployment checks and federal stimulus checks made it harder for them to find workers. Retailers have offered overtime pay for workers who cover shifts, sick pay for employees who need to quarantine, and raised pay or provided referral bonuses to appeal to potential hires.”
Analysis & Arguments
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