Favorites January 10th 2022

Jan 11, 2022

Huge surge in popularity of the game Wordle, a very simple word game that only allows you to play once per day. More comics and jokes on the subject.

Nate Silver @NateSilver538

A problem with analysis like this: It's likely there's FAR more underreporting of cases than last winter. Why? * At home tests now likely >=50% of overall volume * Huge demand overwhelming in-person test facilities * Omicron milder = cases easier to miss nytimes.com/interactive/20…

Plus there might be further underreporting due to polarization.

Tom Nichols @RadioFreeTom

Starting to think all of these guys are having a secret competition to see who can get the rubes to do the craziest things.

The Daily Beast @thedailybeast

Anti-vax leader tells his followers that drinking their own pee will cure COVID-19: "The antidote that we have seen now, and we have tons and tons of research, is urine therapy" https://t.co/6IZucDCjtM

This and horse paste, competition for ridiculousness.

Robinson Meyer @yayitsrob

I understand why this line invites dunks. But it is (1) true, (2) a victory of the progressive movement, and (3) caused not by the US’s early reopening, but because Congress—pushed by left-wing members and staff—provided unmatched fiscal support through the downturn.

Secretary Marcia L. Fudge @SecFudge

The United States is the only major economy in the world where the economy as a whole is stronger now than before the pandemic.

We did something really awesome, and it's worked, we should be proud of ourselves.

Airline Passengers for Justice @APforJustice

Flight attendants say a vaccine mandate would slow the spread but also stop unruly and violent passengers: “This feels terrible to even say, but anything that would filter out the anti-maskers, anti-vaxxers, anti-whatever, would just make things easier." thedailybeast.com/flight-attenda…

Plus it convinces more people to get vaccinated, win/win.

Andrew Prokop @awprokop

The theory of the talking filibuster is that Republicans are comfortable blocking Dem bills in a low-profile way but, under the spotlight, would grow afraid or ashamed to do so. But that's absurd. Republicans love taking credit for blocking Democratic bills!

There was a bunch of debate today about whether it's possible to reform the filibuster. Some discussed a "talking filibuster," requiring senators actually talk to block bills, which isn't required right now. From what I've read filibuster reform seems a bit less likely as of today than yesterday. This is all ridiculous of course, the filibuster isn't some hallowed tradition, it's current form is quite new.