Red Lights on the Dashboard

Some recent news items that add to concern about American democracy.

President Joe Biden, joined by Johnson & Johnson CEO Alex Gorsky and Merck CEO Ken Frazier, delivers remarks on COVID-19 vaccine production Wednesday, March 10, 2021, in the South Court Auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz) President Joe Biden, joined by Johnson & Johnson CEO Alex Gorsky and Merck CEO Ken Frazier, delivers remarks on COVID-19 vaccine production Wednesday, March 10, 2021, in the South Court Auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz)

Vaccine Incentivization: Sticks Better Than Carrots

Making it difficult for refuseniks works better than prizes.

Major Kimberly Bender, Director Air Force Public Affairs , Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, receives the first of two COVID 19 vaccine shots, Brooke Army Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, 29 Jan 2021. Major Kimberly Bender, Director Air Force Public Affairs , Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, receives the first of two COVID 19 vaccine shots, Brooke Army Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, 29 Jan 2021.

Mandatory Military Vaccinations Expected

It appears to be only a matter of time before the SECDEF orders active-duty troops to get the shots.

COVID Breakthrough Data

Compared to what?

Who Pays for COVID Tests?

As workplaces require proof of health status, a new debate has started.

Vaccine Mandates are Popular and (Often) Legal

Despite a rising groundswell of support, the obvious solution to our crisis has not been implemented.

Duterte Says Unvaccinated ‘Can Die Anytime’

The Philippine president is taking a novel approach to the problem.

President Joe Biden, joined by Vice President Kamala Harris, delivers remarks on the COVID-19 National Month of Action on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in the South Court Auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz) President Joe Biden, joined by Vice President Kamala Harris, delivers remarks on the COVID-19 National Month of Action on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in the South Court Auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz)

Biden’s Vaccination Speech

The President hit all the right notes.

Delta Essentially a New Coronavirus

Behind the CDC’s messaging debacle.

Punishing the Virtuous to Protect the Jerks

It’s time for our political leaders to grow a spine.

President Joe Biden, joined by Vice President Kamala Harris, delivers remarks on the COVID-19 National Month of Action on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in the South Court Auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz) President Joe Biden, joined by Vice President Kamala Harris, delivers remarks on the COVID-19 National Month of Action on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in the South Court Auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz)

Biden to Announce Vaccine Requirement for Feds

The country’s largest employer is soon going to be less tolerant of the unvaccinated.

A Little Monday Tab Clearing

Several stories, not enough time for full write-ups.

France Increases Vaccinations

And so general discussion of vaccine passports and requirements in the US.

Biden’s Plunging Job Approval!

Democrats and Independents are losing their enthusiasm. But some perspective is needed.

Talk to Trump Voters!

We’re hurting the feelings of those trying to destroy the country.

Conservatives and Children’s Rights

COVID vaccine hesitancy is just the tip of the iceberg.

The Stupid, Evil Party

It’s not getting any better, folks.

Most Unvaccinated Americans are Poor

Almost everyone in households making over $75,000 are protected from COVID.

Delta Variant

More reminders that the pandemic is not over.

Masking, Science, and Public Health

Guidance from WHO, CDC, and local governments differs widely and for good reason.

Has America Reached Peak Vaccination?

The rate at which Americans are getting COVID shots is slowing rapidly.

Masking in a Post-Vaccination World

The politics of face coverings continues to shift.

Is the Pandemic Over?

A lot of Americans think so.

The Tragedy of Politicized Vaccines

Public health shouldn’t be made into a partisan issue.

Two Americas?

Yet more evidence that we’re a nation divided.

COVID Bullying at West Point?

Vaccination is voluntary but refusal is not without consequence.

May Inflation Higher than Expected

The question is: for how long and ultimately how much?

Retail Employees as Vaccine Police

The new CDC guidelines raise some serious questions.

Unmasked Stupidity in Congress

Speaker Pelosi and House Republicans are waging separate battles with science.

CDC Green Lights Vaccinated Folks

Great news—with a rather huge caveat.

Following the Science Isn’t Our Nature

The reaction to the pandemic has long since been about much more than the pandemic.

US Herd Immunity Unlikely

Covid appears here to stay, so the goal is management.

Vaccine Nationalism in a Global Pandemic

The US has more shots available than willing arms while those in the developing world are dying.

Masking Outdoors

Science, politics, and social norms intersect in some really strange ways.

Partisan ID and Vaccination

More evidence that elite signals matter for mass behavior.

200 Million Served

Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Concerns

CDC and FDA have recommended a pause after one in a million issues with blood clotting.

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Britain Nears Herd Immunity

More than 73 percent of Britons will be vaccinated or previously-infected by Monday.

Vaccine Mandates and Education

The politics and the science are in conflict.

Vaccine Stats

The US continues in the right direction.

Additional Thoughts on Vaccine Passports

It makes sense for large-scale venues, yes? But making sense is not the issue.

Florida Governor Bans Vaccine Passports

He probably lacks the legal authority. And business interests in is state will fight hard against him.

Americans Ignoring Conflicting CDC Advice

Vaccinations are not keeping up with recklessness.

President Joe Biden signs executive orders on immigration Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, in the Oval Office of the White House. President Joe Biden signs executive orders on immigration Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, in the Oval Office of the White House.

Biden Pleads with Governors to Reinstate Mask Mandates

A shocking number of states no longer require them and the Leader of the Free World lacks the authority to change that.

COVID Passports Redux

Competing analogies and externalities.

Vaccine Eligibility Floodgates Open Before Supply

Many states are moving to a first come, first served basis for COVID shots.

New York Launches COVID Passport

The Excelsior Pass is the nation’s first. Will it start a trend?

Biden’s Immigration Crisis

Immigration policy is harder than it looks.