Back by popular demand! We never intended to become a “news blog,†but we started sharing critical updates on the early stages of the pandemic in January 2020, when mainstream media seemed to be ignoring the growing crisis. It felt like a natural time to wrap things up for the year, but so many of you asked for more that we’re bringing it back. Expect biweekly summaries of news relevant to preppers—no politics, just real-world insights.
January was a wild month. The Capitol insurrection on January 6th left the nation shaken, and there's still so much to unpack. For a deeper dive, check out this investigative series from ProPublica. Meanwhile, the National Guard is keeping 7,000 troops stationed at the Capitol through mid-March.
Meanwhile, Reddit users pulled off a historic financial maneuver by flooding the market with GameStop stock (GME), taking down a billion-dollar hedge fund. Brokerages like Robinhood tried to stop the surge, but the retail traders won. AMC, a company nearly crippled by pandemic restrictions, has also seen a dramatic rebound thanks to these same investors.
A crucial prep tip: building non-retirement savings. An emergency fund can protect families during unexpected financial crises. Each year, 25% of U.S. households face sudden income drops. A recent study on family financial health highlights the importance of having even small amounts saved, showing how it can make a big difference.
Globally, there are over 103.5 million confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 19.8 million added in just one month. Over 2.2 million people have died worldwide. In the U.S., we’ve hit 26.7 million cases, adding 6.3 million in the past 30 days. Over 452,000 Americans have lost their lives, with 100,000 deaths recorded in January alone. While daily new cases have dropped from the winter peak of 250,000 to around 107,000, the U.S. still leads the world in both case growth and mortality.
The CDC predicts over 62,000 deaths in the next three weeks, which seems low given the recent pace. We're seeing a decline from the peak, but a fourth wave is still possible.
In California, residents can sign up for vaccine eligibility alerts—but access remains an issue. Protesters forced the closure of a major vaccination site at Dodger Stadium, causing delays and potential waste of doses. As Laurie Garrett put it, "Forcing a mass vax site to shut down, knowing it means vaccines may go to waste, is criminal."
New variants continue to challenge vaccine efforts. The South African B.1.351 variant is already present in several U.S. states, and a concerning Brazilian variant has also been detected. Dr. Anthony Fauci has warned that vaccine manufacturers must stay ahead of mutations, emphasizing the need for rapid global vaccination.
Novovax’s vaccine shows reduced effectiveness against the B.1.351 variant, highlighting the urgency of updating vaccines. Moderna is already working on boosters targeting these mutations, and some experts suggest people may eventually receive three doses of mRNA vaccines.
Global supply chains remain strained. Shipping costs have doubled, leading to higher prices and delays. Container ships are stuck in port, creating bottlenecks that threaten global trade.
Johnson & Johnson has now rolled out its single-dose vaccine, though it’s only 66% effective. Still, it offers a simpler option for those seeking protection.
Finally, China claims anal swabs are more accurate for testing, but I’ll stick with the traditional method. Stay informed, stay prepared, and keep your eyes on the big picture.
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