https://www.wsj.com/articles/social-security-cola-increase-2022-11634067648? Social Security Benefits to Increase 5.9% for 2022 Increase in payments for seniors and other Americans reflects surging inflation during pandemic Seniors and other Americans receiving Social Security benefits in 2022 will see the largest increase in their payments in four decades, reflecting surging inflation during the pandemic. Next year’s cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, will be … Continue reading Good news (really?) for Social Security recipients — highest inflation adjustment since 1982
Month: October 2021
The great bridge boycott — it’s not a game without intrigue
I played contract bridge often during college. The "cool guys" were the ones sitting at the tables leaning back with a cigarette held lazily, infallibly calling out the right bids and playing the unexpected cards. (yeah, this was awhile ago) I always loved the intellectual challenge and took to it more than chess. So this … Continue reading The great bridge boycott — it’s not a game without intrigue
New clues emerge about whether vaccines can help fight long COVID
https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-clues-emerge-about-whether-vaccines-can-help-fight-long-covid-11633957200?mod=hp_featst_pos5 New Clues Emerge About Whether Vaccines Can Help Fight Long Covid Recent studies suggest vaccination helps reduce the likelihood of developing longer-term symptoms after a Covid-19 infection, and may help some people with symptoms feel better By Sumathi Reddy Oct. 11, 2021 9:00 am ET Millions of people suffer from symptoms of long Covid, doctors estimate. … Continue reading New clues emerge about whether vaccines can help fight long COVID
Pandemic pondering leading workers to quit their jobs insisting on better conditions and higher pay
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/10/12/jolts-workers-quitting-august-pandemic/ A record number of workers are quitting their jobs, empowered by new leverage 4.3 million people quit their jobs in August, nearly 3 percent of the workforce By Eli Rosenberg, Abha Bhattarai and Andrew Van Dam Yesterday at 4:56 p.m. EDT|Updated yesterday at 5:01 p.m. EDT The number of people quitting their jobs has surged to record highs, pushed by a combination … Continue reading Pandemic pondering leading workers to quit their jobs insisting on better conditions and higher pay
Supply chain problems and global chip shortages may cut iPhone 13 production by millions
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/oct/13/apple-may-cut-iphone-13-production-by-millions-as-us-warns-of-christmas-shortages?CMP=oth_b-aplnews_d-1 Apple may cut iPhone 13 production by millions as US warns of Christmas shortages Shares in Apple fall as global chip shortage and supply chain issues prompt White House to admit there could be empty shelves during festive season Apple's production of its iPhone 13 has reportedly been hit by the global chip shortage. Photograph: … Continue reading Supply chain problems and global chip shortages may cut iPhone 13 production by millions
Heart inflammation risk from Pfizer COVID vaccine very low
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02740-y? Heart-inflammation risk from Pfizer COVID vaccine is very low Two studies from Israel quantify the risk of myocarditis following the Pfizer–BioNTech shot, with one suggesting the chance of developing the condition is about one in 50,000. Smriti Mallapaty, October 8, 2021 A 16-year-old boy receives a shot of the Pfizer vaccine at Clalit Health … Continue reading Heart inflammation risk from Pfizer COVID vaccine very low
Monster seawater fish tanks grow even larger during the pandemic
Glad the article includes at least a mention of the rarity of tropic fish for aquariums and at least one owner who cultures living coral. http://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/12/realestate/high-end-home-aquariums.html High-End Design Comes to the Fish Tank Luxury home aquariums now can rival installations at public aquariums in size and scale, and they come with hefty price tags. A … Continue reading Monster seawater fish tanks grow even larger during the pandemic
Complicated, but clear, explanation of why coming winter likely to be tough
Altho it is published with a European spin, the explanations of the polar vortex and the expected changed this winter don't end at the Atlantic coast. The next article on this site is, in fact, about a powerful storm this week in the northern Rockies that included deep snow and blizzard conditions plus a severe … Continue reading Complicated, but clear, explanation of why coming winter likely to be tough
The most influential sci-fi books of all times (and some that may become contenders)
bookriot.com/the-most-influential-sci-fi-books-of-all-time/? THE MOST INFLUENTIAL SCI-FI BOOKS OF ALL TIME K.W. Colyard Oct 12, 2021 What do we talk about when we talk about science fiction? Is it our hope for the future, or our fear of creating the very thing that will destroy us? If the most influential sci-fi books of all time are any indication, … Continue reading The most influential sci-fi books of all times (and some that may become contenders)
Easing COVID restrictions may prompt a fierce flu rebound
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02558-8? Why easing COVID restrictions could prompt a fierce flu rebound As pandemic restrictions ease, other respiratory viruses are returning in unexpected ways. Nicola Jones, 7 October 2021 Influenza and other respiratory viruses were suppressed by measures intended to curb COVID.Credit: Shutterstock The COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to have unusual and unexpected effects on a … Continue reading Easing COVID restrictions may prompt a fierce flu rebound
What U.S. churches say during sermons
What American Christians Hear at Church Drawing on newly ubiquitous online services, Pew has tried to catalogue the subject matter of contemporary sermons. By Casey Cep October 7, 2021 "Now that I have preached about a dozen sermons I find I am repeating myself,” a young minister wrote despairingly in his diary in 1915. He was … Continue reading What U.S. churches say during sermons
A unique actor shows off his chops in a different direction
https://www.wsj.com/articles/nicolas-cage-prisoners-of-the-ghostland-11631836232? Nicolas Cage as You’ve Never Seen Him…With Bombs Strapped Between His Legs The star of a new fantasy film that he compares to ‘Conan the Barbarian’ digs into what keeps him interested four decades into his movie career Nicolas Cage as Hero in ‘Prisoners of the Ghostland,’ a film he describes as an R-rated … Continue reading A unique actor shows off his chops in a different direction
Abycats' Thoughts 