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December 8, 2021 - Brief Issue 270
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
Pfizer’s Vaccine Provides Only Some Protection Against Omicron, Says Study; Omicron Expected to be Dominant Strain in Europe Soon (Health & Science)
FDA Expected to Authorize Covid Pills Soon (Health & Science)
In Nigeria, 1 Million Covid Vaccines Expired Last Month (Around the World)
Austria to End Lockdown But Keep Restrictions for Unvaccinated (Around the World)
South Korea’s Cases Exceed 7,000 for First Time (Around the World)
CDC Issues Level 4 Warnings for France and Portugal (U.S. Government & Politics)
U.S. Invests $400 Million into Global Vaccine Efforts (U.S. Government & Politics)
Stocks Rebound Faster After Each New Covid Drop (U.S. Economy)
Pandemic Savings Dwindle (U.S. Society)
Health & Science
There have been 49,389,503 coronavirus cases in the United States, and 791,514 people have died (Johns Hopkins). The United States has administered 473,243,228 vaccine doses, with 71.2% of all Americans having received at least one vaccine dose and 60.1% fully vaccinated. Among adults aged 18 or older 83.5% have received at least one dose, and 71.6% are fully vaccinated (U.S. CDC). 24% of fully vaccinated Americans have received a booster shot. Worldwide, there have been 267,244,972 cases of coronavirus, with 5,273,641 deaths.
Pfizer’s Vaccine Provides Only Some Protection Against Omicron, Says Study; Omicron Expected to be Dominant Strain in Europe Soon
A study out of South Africa published online on Tuesday found that antibodies in people vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine were less successful against the Omicron variant than other forms of the coronavirus but hinted that people who received a booster shot might be better protected (Reuters). The data suggests that people might be more vulnerable to breakthrough infections with Omicron compared to other variants but scientists say they don’t believe vaccines are totally ineffective against the variant, since they produce a response that includes more than just antibodies. The researchers found that “The antibodies from the six uninfected vaccinated people were very weak against Omicron. But among the volunteers who had Covid-19 before vaccination, five out of six still produced fairly potent responses.
One reason for the difference is that people who are vaccinated after an infection produce higher levels of antibodies than do people who were not infected,” (NYT). Alex Sigal, the virologist who led the study, told reporters “The vaccine takes a hit but it is not a completely different ballgame,” (WSJ).
The study provided initial insights into the new variant, which scientists are racing to understand better. Government officials and scientists have said that Omicron is just weeks away from becoming the dominant strain in parts of Europe (WSJ). Early evidence from the UK. and Norway suggests that vaccines offer significant protection against severe illness from the variant, but that the variant is more transmissible and more easily able to sidestep immunity and cause breakthrough infections.
FDA Expected to Authorize Covid Pills Soon
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expected to authorize two new covid-19 pills: one made by Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, called molnupiravir, and another developed by Pfizer (NYT). Merck’s pill reduces the risk of hospitalization and death from Covid-19 by 30% if taken within five days of the onset of symptoms. Pfizer’s pill could perform even better; interim analysis showed it was 85% effective if taken within five days of the start of symptoms. The FDA could authorize Pfizer’s pill by the end of this year. The FDA advisory committee already voted to recommend authorizing Merck’s pill, but only by a small majority due to reservations of committee members about the potential side effects, which could cause mutations in DNA. The pills are welcome developments especially as the Omicron variant circulates around the globe. If vaccines are not as effective against it or other future strains of the virus, scientists are optimistic that the pill will still be a suitable treatment option.
Around the World
In Nigeria, 1 Million Covid Vaccines Expired Last Month
Up to one million Covid-18 vaccines expired in Nigeria last month without being used, according to a report by Reuters. The loss demonstrates how difficult it is to administer doses of the vaccine in African nations due to logistical problems and vaccine hesitancy. The expired doses were made by AstraZeneca and delivered from Europe through COVAX, the dose-sharing program. The doses reportedly arrived within four-to-six weeks of their expiration dates and could not be used in time, despite efforts by health authorities. "Vaccine wastage is to be expected in any immunization programme, and in the context of COVID-19 deployment is a global phenomenon," the WHO said in a statement responding to Reuters' questions. It said vaccines delivered with "very short" shelf lives were a problem.
Austria to End Lockdown, But Keep Restrictions for Unvaccinated
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said on Tuesday that the country would lift its coronavirus lockdown this Sunday while keeping restrictions in place for unvaccinated individuals (WaPo). The country shut down restaurants and closed hotels for tourists on Nov. 22. Nehammer took office on Monday after the sudden resignation of Sebastian Kurz, which prompted a government crisis. Nehammer said “the lockdown for the unvaccinated is staying,” however. Around 68% of Austria’s population is fully vaccinated and the government has mandated vaccination for all beginning in February.
South Korea’s Cases Exceed 7,000 for First Time
New coronavirus infections in South Korea topped 7,000 for the first time since the start of the pandemic on Wednesday (AP). More than 5,600 of those cases were reported in Seoul, where the Delta-driven surge has caused hospitals to be overwhelmed. “Last week, the level of daily increase reached 5,000 and today the tally came out over 7,000 – the viral spread has been fierce,” Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, Seoul’s No. 2 behind President Moon Jae-in, said during a virus meeting. “The greater capital region is where 80% of the infections have been concentrated. While we have been working with hospitals to increase the number of hospital beds (designated for COVID-19 treatment), we have been unable to catch up with the speed of transmissions,” he said.
U.S. Government & Politics
CDC Issues Level 4 Warnings for France and Portugal
On Monday, the CDC issued Level 4 travel warnings for France and Portugal among other countries (WaPo). The Washington Post writes, “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said to avoid travel to France, Portugal, Cyprus, Andorra and Liechtenstein, grouping all in a Level 4 category that represents a ‘very high’ level of the coronavirus. Countries and territories in this group have an infection incidence rate of more than 500 new cases per 100,000 people over the past 28 days (or, in places with fewer than 100,000 residents, more than 500 cases cumulatively over the past 28 days).” A CDC advisory reads, “Because of the current situation in France, even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants.”
U.S. Invests $400 Million into Global Vaccine Efforts
On Monday, USAID released a statement announcing an additional $400 million of investment in global vaccine efforts (NYT). The statement coming amid concerns over the Omicron variant, stated, “As more vaccine supply flows to low- and middle-income countries, the United States and other donors must redouble efforts to help countries.” The New York Times writes, “Three-quarters of the money will go toward administering vaccines in remote territories and helping countries with vaccine policies and supply chain logistics, the agency said. The rest of the money will be used to help areas where there are surges in cases and to help countries manufacture vaccines locally, the agency said.”
U.S. Economy
Stocks Rebound Faster After Each New Covid Drop
The New York Times reports that the stock market is rebounding more quickly after each successive drop due to news regarding Covid (NYT). The Times writes, “Each bout of pandemic-driven volatility in the stock market since February 2020 has been shorter than the one before, and followed by a recovery to a new high. The S&P 500 through Monday had recovered nearly all its losses from its previous peak after Omicron’s existence was announced by officials on Nov. 26.” Bonus Read: “Stocks Open Higher; Oil Gains on Omicron Optimism,” (WSJ).
Companies Plan to Provide Big Raises in 2022
The Wall Street Journal reports that companies are planning to provide their largest pay raises since the 2007-2009 recession (WSJ). The Journal writes, “A survey by the Conference Board set for release Wednesday finds that companies are setting aside an average 3.9% of total payroll for wage increases next year, the most since 2008. The survey also shows that companies are planning on raising salary ranges, which would result in higher minimum, median and maximum salaries. That suggests pay raises could be broad-based and affect workers across a company’s pay scale. The results are a sign the recent acceleration in private-sector wages is likely to carry over into 2022.” The planned pay raises could play into inflation, but are also a result of inflation. The Journal notes, “Roughly 39% of respondents to the survey said inflation factored into their decision to set aside funds for wage increases next year.” Gad Levanon, chief economist at the Conference Board, stated, “The impacts of wages on inflation and of inflation on wages are now stronger than they have been in recent decades.”
Kellogg Workers Reject Contract Proposal, Prolong Strike
Kellogg workers who have been on strike since October 5 rejected a contract proposal on Tuesday, prolonging their strike (NYT). The Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union released a statement saying that its membership “overwhelmingly voted” against the proposal but did not release a vote count. The Times writes, “The strike began on Oct. 5 and has largely revolved around the company’s two-tier compensation structure, agreed to in 2015, in which newer employees earn lower wages and receive less generous benefits than veteran workers. Under the previous contract, the lower tier could include up to 30 percent of workers. According to a summary provided by the company, the new agreement would have immediately moved all employees with four or more years at Kellogg into the veteran tier. A group of lower-tier employees equivalent to 3 percent of a plant’s head count would move into the veteran tier in each year of the contract.” Kellogg released a statement reading “We are disappointed that the tentative agreement for a master contract over our four U.S. cereal plants was not ratified by employees,” adding, “The prolonged work stoppage has left us no choice but to hire permanent replacement employees in positions vacated by striking workers.” The practice of replacing workers is currently legal but would be illegal if the Democrats passed the PRO Act. Frustration over the hours worked during the pandemic played into the workforce’s rejection.
U.S. Society
Pandemic Savings Dwindle
Over the pandemic, millions of Americans built up their savings supported in part by infusions of stimulus cash payments, but the New York Times reports that those savings are now dwindling (NYT). The Times writes, “According to Moody’s Analytics, an economic research firm, these excess savings among many working- and middle-class households could be exhausted as soon as early next year — not only reducing their financial cushions but also potentially affecting the economy, since consumer spending is such a large share of activity.” Moreover, JPMorgan Chase Institute research also found that the “greatest percent gains” accrued to lower income families when there was stimulus, but also that those families “exhausted their balances faster.”
Analysis & Arguments
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