Covid-19

Comparing flu deaths with Covid-19

On December 20, 2021, Axios provided a story and the above graphic that compares deaths from flu and Covid-19 by week. In case anyone thinks Covid-19 has similar death rates to the flu, this information should put that misinformation to rest.

---

Are we nearing the end of the pandemic?

A December 22, 2021, article in The Atlantic suggests we are nearing the end of the pandemic as we know it. “Despite skyrocketing caseloads, few pundits or politicians are proposing strict measures to slow the virus’s spread. The appetite for shutdowns or other large-scale social interventions simply isn’t there. This means that we have effectively given up on “slowing the spread” or “flattening the curve.” The article predicts that unless there is an emergency that is “already plain for all to see,” the strategy is to adapt to Covid by coping with any surge of cases, “not to prevent them from happening in the first place.” Testing and vaccinations continue to be two of key measures, however.

Climate Change

IPCC Report: Five Takeaways

Its old news at this point, but EOS on August 9, 2021, provided five key takeaways from the International Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) 2021 report that will continue to have relevance in 2022 and beyond.

1. The world has warmed 1.1°C compared to preindustrial levels, and regional hot spots already feel the heat, but we have not surpassed the Paris Agreement goal of limiting warming to 1.5°C or 2°C.
2. Keeping warming below 2°C, and perhaps 1.5°C, is still possible; it’ll take immediate and sustained emissions cuts.
3. Net-zero carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a requirement for any long-term climate solution.
4. The most aggressive scenario to limit warming requires sharp CO₂ cuts per decade, net-zero CO₂ by 2050, and carbon capture.
5. The two scenarios in the report that limit warming below 2°C use carbon removal from the atmosphere during the latter part of the century.

---

Coal use surged, overall GHG emissions rose in 2021

If there was one source of greenhouse gases that the world should eliminate first it would be coal. Unfortunately, according to Fortune in a January 10, 2022, article, despite warnings from the IPCC, U.S. GHG emissions from coal increased by 17% in 2021 and overall U.S. emissions rose 6.2%. Higher oil and natural gas prices and failure to adopt new U.S. GHG regulations contributed to the rise.

Future of Work / The Economy

Inflation is a psychological phenomenon

“Inflation is as real as I have ever seen it in my 35-year career. It is global and seems to be pervasive across industry sectors and skill sets. I am seeing it in every client conversation at the C suite level, and it does have a cascading effect. And finally, it has an element of expectation, as we all know. I worry that the expectation of inflation may itself drive inflation.”

Tiger Tyagarajan, CEO, Genpact, in CEO Daily

“Inflation, at the end of the day, is a psychological phenomenon. Right now, the market is telling us that price increases haven’t yet fully infected people’s thinking about the future. But once they do, watch out.”

Alan Murray, CEO, Fortune Media, in CEO Daily

---

Brits think businesses are out of touch

The London Times on January 11, 2022, reported on a survey of 2,000 adults that found more than half of Britons “think businesses are out of touch and should focus on their staff rather than wider social issues.” Only 9% said businesses shared their values and a whopping 70% said “bosses should focus on communicating how they can better treat their employees or improve services for customers when they make public statements.

The Nett Light-Side

“Go Fish” has new meaning for goldfish that can steer a vehicle - Really!

Science reported on January 4, 2022, about researchers who taught goldfish in a tank on a motorized table to steer down the road by rewarding them with food every time their noses pointed toward a pink board. Soon the fish were able to aim to the board even when its position was changed or decoy boards of different colors were used.

---

Gary the skiing cat

We like cats (dogs, too, no political divide here), but aren’t that into cute cat videos. However, we also like skiing, and a story and video in Adventure Journal on January 3, 2022, about Gary the skiing cat caught our attention. He rides the shoulders of his owner as they slide down the slopes together.