{"id":91560,"date":"2025-02-28T03:34:15","date_gmt":"2025-02-28T03:34:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/neclink.com\/index.php\/2025\/02\/28\/200pm-water-cooler-2-27-2025-naked-capitalism\/"},"modified":"2025-02-28T03:34:15","modified_gmt":"2025-02-28T03:34:15","slug":"200pm-water-cooler-2-27-2025-naked-capitalism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/neclink.com\/index.php\/2025\/02\/28\/200pm-water-cooler-2-27-2025-naked-capitalism\/","title":{"rendered":"2:00PM Water Cooler 2\/27\/2025 | naked capitalism"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div wp_automatic_readability=\"444.44369181103\">\n<p><em><strong>By Lambert Strether.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>Readers, the fundraiser for my very nearly gold retirement watch + all my Water Cooler work done in 2024 is ongoing. The goal is 400 donors; as of this writing, we have 275, or 68% of goal. Good progress! Thank you. I hope we can close this out Friday, tomorrow, my last day. Any amount helps! <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/2025\/02\/announcing-2025-water-cooler-fundraiser-for-lamberts-gold-retirement-watch-and-work-done-in-2024.html#donate\">If you can give a little, give a little. If you can give a lot, give a lot<\/a>! Thank you all so much! \u2013lambert IMPORTANT Donors who have monthly subscriptions to Water Cooler in PayPal should cancel them next month, so you are not paying me for work I am no longer doing!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Bird Song of the Day<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><iframe src=\"https:\/\/macaulaylibrary.org\/asset\/466944001\/embed\" height=\"300\" width=\"640\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>American Robin, 138 Captains Dr, West Babylon, Suffolk, New York, United States. \u201cAmerican Robin singing from the top of a building before dawn.\u201d I\u2019ve always wondered why Babylon and not, say, \u201cGomorrah.\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.townofbabylonny.gov\/286\/A-New-Babylon\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Here is the story<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><center>* * *<\/center> <\/p>\n<p><strong>In Case You Might Miss\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"#doge\">Executive Order details<\/a> DOGE\u2019s Bolshevik-style structure and operation.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/2025\/02\/doge-class\">DOGE as class war<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#democrats\">Cuomo<\/a> floats Presidential trial balloon.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#economy\">Employment figures<\/a> warn of a souring economy.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Politics<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo many of the social reactions that strike us as psychological are in fact a rational management of symbolic capital.\u201d \u2013Pierre Bourdieu, Classification Struggles<\/p>\n<p><center>* * *<\/center> <\/p>\n<p>Trump Administration<\/p>\n<blockquote wp_automatic_readability=\"87.231931748934\">\n<p>Caution, supergenius at work:<\/p>\n<p><center wp_automatic_readability=\"3.6284153005464\"> <\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" wp_automatic_readability=\"9.9781420765027\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">There is a shortage of top notch air traffic controllers. If you have retired, but are open to returning to work, please consider doing so.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1895136616441905228\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">February 27, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><\/center> <\/p>\n<p>\u201cTrump administration struggles to rehire fired bird flu employees\u201d [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/2025\/02\/27\/trump-fired-bird-flu-hires-00206334\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Politico<\/a>]. \u201cThe Trump administration touted a nearly $1 billion plan Wednesday to combat the spread of avian flu and mitigate skyrocketing egg prices as the outbreak rips through poultry flocks across the United States. But the measures come as the Agriculture Department is struggling to rehire key employees working on the virus outbreak who were fired as part of the administration\u2019s sweeping purge of government workers. Roughly a quarter of employees in a critical office testing for the disease were cut, as well as scientists and inspectors. The dismissals have already helped trigger a partial shutdown at one of the department\u2019s research facilities, according to two USDA employees, interrupting some workers\u2019 efforts to fight bird flu and help livestock recover from illness. Now, agency officials are running into logistical challenges in reinstating its bird flu staff \u2014 and convincing them to return to jobs while the president repeatedly attempts to squeeze government workers.\u201d \u2022 BWA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!! And now people are responding to high egg prices by raising backyard chickens. Nothing to worry abot there!<\/p>\n<p>\u201cVA pauses billions in cuts lauded by Musk as lawmakers and veterans decry loss of critical care\u201d [<a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/doge-veterans-affairs-cuts-health-services-contracts-9a726b744e402da01d711023b0fc49a1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Associated Press<\/a>]. \u201cThe Department of Veterans Affairs has temporarily suspended billions of dollars in planned contract cuts following concerns that the move would hurt critical veterans\u2019 health services, lawmakers and veterans service organizations said Wednesday. The pause affects hundreds of VA contracts that Secretary Doug Collins a day earlier described as simply consulting deals, whose cancellation would save $2 billion as the Trump administration works to slash costs across the federal government\u2026. The Associated Press has obtained the full list of 875 affected contracts, which shows the cuts would affect everything from cancer care to the ability to assess toxic exposure. The list underscores how the Trump administration\u2019s approach to broad spending reductions has immediate and potentially unintended consequences, generating significant concern not just among Democrats but also Republican lawmakers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><center>* * *<\/center> <\/p>\n<p>\u201cTop Social Security deputies leave amid rumored staff cuts\u201d [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.govexec.com\/transition\/2025\/02\/top-social-security-deputies-leave-amid-rumored-staff-cuts\/403317\/?oref=ge-home-top-story\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Government Executive<\/a>]. \u201cMost of the Social Security Administration\u2019s regional commissioners have decided to retire at the end of this week, following mysterious meetings with agency leaders about plans to slash its workforce. At least five of the eight regional commissioners whose offices oversee and support the agency\u2019s frontline offices across the country are leaving, according to a source familiar with the agency and an SSA employee not authorized to speak on the record. The Social Security Administration had largely been spared by the Trump administration\u2019s early efforts to cut staff across government, receiving exemptions for frontline workers from the \u2018deferred-resignation\u2019 program, Voluntary Early Retirement Authority, and the purge of workers who had been recently hired or promoted. But that apparently changed this week, triggering the wave of retirement announcements.\u201d And: \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/prospect.org\/health\/social-security-administration-could-cut-half-its-workforce\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Multiple<\/a> news <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/dc-md-va\/2025\/02\/26\/doge-federal-workforce-firings-job-cuts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">outlets<\/a> reported Wednesday that Acting Commissioner Leland Dudek is looking to halve the agency\u2019s staff of about 57,000 employees. But two SSA employees told Government Executive that an executive at the agency said in an internal meeting that Dudek wants to cut the SSA workforce by about 7,000 people. Another person familiar with the situation also confirmed that Dudek\u2019s goal is to get the workforce down to 50,000. It\u2019s not clear whether this includes frontline staff.\u201d \u2022 No reason to cut support if you\u2019re not going to cut benefits later. (Speculating freely, there will be a hilarious but doomed effort to prevent AI call centers from hallucinating, that should take three or four years to play out.)<\/p>\n<p>\u201c50% Cuts at Social Security Administration, According to TAP\u201d [<a href=\"https:\/\/talkingpointsmemo.com\/edblog\/50-cuts-at-social-security-administration\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Talking Points Memo<\/a>]. \u201cI\u2019ve spent the last 24 hours trying to confirm or refute pervasive rumors throughout the Social Security Administration that the agency is about to announce an across-the-board cut of 50% of staff. The decision was purportedly announced at an afternoon meeting yesterday by Acting Commissioner Leland Dudek. He asked for a plan for 50% cuts to be presented to him this afternoon. I have not been able to confirm this. But David Dayen at The American Prospect appears to have found two people who were in the meeting and do confirm it. Here\u2019s David\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/prospect.org\/health\/social-security-administration-could-cut-half-its-workforce\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">report<\/a>. It\u2019s been hard to imagine that they were actually contemplating this, not because it\u2019s horrible but because it\u2019s likely to have such dramatic (and likely political costly) impacts on tens of millions of Americans. But here we are.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs DOGE Attacks Social Security, New Report Shows Elon Is One of the Government\u2019s Biggest Beneficiaries\u201d [<a href=\"https:\/\/gizmodo.com\/as-doge-attacks-social-security-new-report-shows-elon-is-one-of-the-governments-biggest-beneficiaries-2000568740\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Gizmodo<\/a>]. \u201cIn recent weeks, DOGE has been helping to terminate leases for SSA offices across the country, leading to planned closures in locations like Michigan, New York, West Virginia, Ohio, Arkansas, Texas, and others.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><center>* * *<\/center> <\/p>\n<p>\u201cMusk\u2019s Ex-Twitter Workers Win Severance Over \u2018Fork in the Road\u2019 Email\u201d [<a href=\"https:\/\/archive.is\/uQ1wm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Bloomberg<\/a>]. \u201cFour ex-Twitter workers have prevailed in a recent series of closed-door arbitration proceedings over claims they were illegally denied severance, according to a memo seen by Bloomberg News. More than two years ago, Musk asked Twitter employees in an email with the subject line \u2018A Fork in the Road\u2019 to either commit to an \u2018extremely hardcore\u2019 work environment or leave the company. Musk\u2019s cost-cutting strategies have been thrust into the national spotlight with a similar hardline approach to thin out the federal workforce \u2014 which included recently sending more than two million federal workers an email with the same \u201cFork in the Road\u201d subject line. The email gave employees the option to resign but be paid through the end of September, while warning them of upcoming downsizing.<\/p>\n<p>The email was sent as Musk began his new role spearheading a federal cost-cutting effort as a key adviser to the Department of Government Efficiency under President Donald Trump. At Twitter, now known as X, the four workers argued successfully that although they didn\u2019t respond to the email, they did not resign and were instead terminated, meaning they were entitled to severance promised by the company before Musk bought it.The victories for the four employees haven\u2019t previously been reported. The similar emails sent to federal workers are now the subject of several lawsuits. Musk and representatives of X didn\u2019t respond to requests for comment.\u201d \u2022 No doubt!<\/p>\n<p><center>* * *<\/center> <\/p>\n<p>\u201cConservative commentators seen with \u2018Epstein Files\u2019 binders after AG Bondi promises docs release&#8217;\u201d [<a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/jeffrey-epstein-files-pam-bondi-trump-1a6af3e9fa1cfb6d267985a971a4929a\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Associated Press<\/a>]. \u201d Conservative political commentators were spotted at the White House Thursday holding binders that read \u2018The Epstein Files\u2019 hours after Attorney General Pam Bondi promised the release of documents about wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein, who sexually abused underage girls. It was not immediately clear what was in the binders, which have not been released publicly by the Justice Department. The binders read \u2018declassified,\u2019 but it was not immediately clear whether the information contained in the binders ever had been classified. Among those holding the binders was political commentator Rogan O\u2019Handley, also known as DC Draino. Bondi said Wednesday on Fox News that the documents would include flight logs and \u201ca lot of names,\u201d though it was unclear whether there would be details not already publicly known.\u201d \u2022 These files are being released so slowly \u2014 and I assume selectively, since a simple document dump would be quick \u2014 that we might as well be in the molasses-brained Biden administration. And to think I <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/wlwnbcxBuzI?si=VxdMUdDrIJfy7_OB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">shivered with antici\u2026 pation<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>DOGE<\/p>\n<blockquote wp_automatic_readability=\"34.709595959596\">\n<p><a name=\"doge\"\/>\u201cIMPLEMENTING THE PRESIDENT\u2019S \u201cDEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY\u201d COST EFFICIENCY INITIATIVE\u201d [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/presidential-actions\/2025\/02\/implementing-the-presidents-department-of-government-efficiency-cost-efficiency-initiative\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">The White House<\/a>]. <\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/eo_doge.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"764\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-288002\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/eo_doge.png 600w, https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/eo_doge-236x300.png 236w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"\/><\/p>\n<p>This is an implementation of the Bolshevik-style party structure parallel to govenment agencies we have previously seen. <em>Nominally<\/em>, the agency heads are in charge (see the highlights), but in practice that might change, if the \u201cDOGE<del>bag<\/del> Team Lead\u201d is a slithering weasel named \u201cBig Bag,\u201d whose trump card, at any show of resistance or disagreement, is \u201cDo I need to call Elon?\u201d The structure implies that the DOGE teams are there to help governement function better. That assumes facts not in evidence. And needless to say, this will need to be ripped out by the roots when DOGE\u2019s time is up \u2014 if that ever happens \u2014 because otherwise we have a permanent change to the constitutiona order that nobody asked for or voted on.<\/p>\n<p><center>* * *<\/center> <\/p>\n<p>\u201cGOP senators vent Musk frustrations at closed-door meeting\u201d [<a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/senate\/5166003-tech-billionaire-elon-musk-government-jobs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">The Hill<\/a>]. \u201cRepublican senators vented their concerns about tech billionaire Elon Musk\u2019s aggressive approach to freezing federal spending and cutting government jobs during a private meeting with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles on Wednesday\u2026. Every day\u2019s another surprise,\u201d Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said of the daily bombshells from Musk\u2019s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). \u2018It would be better to allow Cabinet secretaries to carefully review their departments and then make surgical, strategic decisions on what programs and people should be cut and then come back to Congress for approval,\u2019 she said.\u201d As Clinton\/Gore did. More: \u201cWiles acknowledged the GOP senators\u2019 concerns and urged them to contact her directly if they have any problems as a result of Musk\u2019s blitz through the federal workforce.\u201d And this is actually sane: \u201c[Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.)] said Musk and DOGE should serve as advisers to Trump\u2019s Cabinet officials instead of taking the lead on major policy decisions themselves. \u2018We\u2019re talking about governmental entities, a lot of complexity. That\u2019s why I believe that DOGE will most likely morph into being an adviser to these Senate-confirmed heads of agencies fairly soon,\u2019 he said.\u201d Note the EO above; <em>nominally<\/em>, that is the structure. And: \u201c\u2018Otherwise, I just have a real problem. If I get confirmed as the head of an agency, a Cabinet-level position, [and] I\u2019ve got somebody else that is pretending \u2014 or that is acting as my boss, that\u2019s a real problem,\u2019 he added. \u2018At the end of the day, you\u2019ve got to have all those employees thinking that you\u2019re looking out for the agencies and their best interests.&#8217;\u201d \u2022 So let\u2019s see how Wiles copes. Maybe there will be an interview with Elon\u2019s ketamine supplier in the Daily Mail\u2026. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><a name=\"democrats\"\/>Democrats <em>en d\u00e9shabill\u00e9<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote wp_automatic_readability=\"29.759277833501\">\n<p>\u201cAndrew Cuomo seen as possible White House candidate by some Democrats\u201d [<a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/campaign\/5165904-cuomo-2028-presidential\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">The Hill<\/a>]. \u201cFormer New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) is days away from potentially entering the New York City mayor\u2019s race. But even before Cuomo is set to make that announcement, some Democrats are already tossing around his name for a bigger race: the 2028 presidential campaign. Since their loss in November, Democrats have been anxious to find a voice not only to lead them out of the wilderness but also to stand up to President Trump and the slew of actions he\u2019s taken in his second term. Cuomo, with his brash, in-your-face style, they say, could shape up to be a dark horse candidate in what is set to be a wide-open race.\u201d \u2022 Cuomo never was held responsible for slaughtering thousands of elders in nursing homes during the first wave of Covid, so the only remaining problem is the sex scandal!<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSanders reintroducing measure increasing Social Security benefits\u201d [<a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/senate\/5167583-sanders-reintroducing-measure-increasing-social-security-benefits\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">The Hill<\/a>]. \u201cSen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is reintroducing a measure that would increase Social Security benefits. Sanders is joined by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) and Val Hoyle (D-Ore.) on the bill, titled the Social Security Expansion Act. It would expand Social Security benefits by $2,400 a year and ensure the federal program is funded for the next 75 years through a tax on households making more than $250,000 a year, according to Sanders\u2019s news release. The lawmakers noted that it would not raise taxes at all for households that make less than $250,000 annually, which is more than 90 percent of Americans. \u2018At a time when nearly half of older Americans have no retirement savings and over 26 percent of seniors are trying to survive on an income of less than $17,500 a year, our job is not to cut Social Security as many of our Republican colleagues want to do,\u2019 Sanders said in a statement.\u201d \u2022 Where are Schumer and Jeffries on this? In fact, where are Schumer and Jeffries?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Realignment and Legitimacy<\/p>\n<blockquote wp_automatic_readability=\"35.558097962102\">\n<p><a name=\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/2025\/02\/doge-class\"\/>\u201cDOGE is waging a class war on America\u2019s new clerisy\u201d [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.spiked-online.com\/2025\/02\/27\/doge-is-waging-a-class-war-on-americas-new-clerisy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Spiked<\/a>]. \u201cThe class dynamics at play in DOGE are not as straightforward as some would have it. It\u2019s not simply a case of Musk, the billionaire oligarch, ruthlessly attacking the lowly administrator. The impetus for DOGE is primarily driven by a conflict within the middle class. On one side are public workers whose pay, and pensions, well exceed those in the private sector. On the other, there are millions who pay tax and feel harassed by regulations, particularly among Trump\u2019s base of small business owners. Millions of middle- and working-class families not sucking the federal teat are falling ever behind the affluent elites, who seem to control the state whichever party is in power. Throughout the Biden years, government employment and related sectors, notably in health services, have emerged as the only consistently growing high-wage sectors, a pattern evident both in the last month of his administration and Trump\u2019s first. In contrast, material sectors, like manufacturing and mining, have slumped. In the first three years of Biden\u2019s presidency, the ranks of government workers, at all levels, expanded by 1.5million. In 2024, the federal government reached its highest worker count in two decades. President Biden\u2019s budget for 2025, signed in March last year, envisaged total spending to be more than 60 per cent higher than it was in 2019.\u201d \u2022 Anecdotally:<\/p>\n<p><center wp_automatic_readability=\"5.2041139240506\"> <\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" wp_automatic_readability=\"13.246835443038\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I was in Georgetown today driving through the nicest parts of DC <\/p>\n<p>The amount of wealth there is staggering. The private high schools look like Ivy League campuses. <\/p>\n<p>Beautiful homes and cars. <\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a beautiful life. No wonder they all hate Trump. <\/p>\n<p>No one wants it to end.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 QE Infinity (@StealthQE4) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/StealthQE4\/status\/1894895943083831775\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">February 26, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><\/center> <\/p>\n<p>Not sure why the dude was even <em>in<\/em> Georgetown. His bio reads: \u201cHealthcare sales, Investor and son of a credit trader,\u201d so presumably some grift lol.<\/p>\n<p>Analytically:<\/p>\n<p><center wp_automatic_readability=\"6.1951871657754\"> <\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" wp_automatic_readability=\"15.045454545455\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">For new followers, here is a diagram illustrating how core NGOs collaborate to create a global soft power structure that shapes elections, public policy, economic policy, and media influence.<\/p>\n<p>Again, many **current** members of Congress hold positions within these taxpayer-funded\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/7wLsotSbTg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">pic.twitter.com\/7wLsotSbTg<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 DataRepublican (small r) (@DataRepublican) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DataRepublican\/status\/1894414372145172548\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">February 25, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><\/center> <\/p>\n<p>Data Republican is a super-interesting account (slowly emergent, not at all sure spontaneously). Worth a follow:<\/p>\n<p><center wp_automatic_readability=\"6.1951871657754\"> <\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" wp_automatic_readability=\"15.045454545455\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">For new followers, here is a diagram illustrating how core NGOs collaborate to create a global soft power structure that shapes elections, public policy, economic policy, and media influence.<\/p>\n<p>Again, many **current** members of Congress hold positions within these taxpayer-funded\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/7wLsotSbTg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">pic.twitter.com\/7wLsotSbTg<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 DataRepublican (small r) (@DataRepublican) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DataRepublican\/status\/1894414372145172548\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">February 25, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><\/center>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Syndemics<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI am in earnest \u2014 I will not equivocate \u2014 I will not excuse \u2014 I will not retreat a single inch \u2014 AND I WILL BE HEARD.\u201d \u2013William Lloyd Garrison<\/p>\n<p><center>* * *<\/center> <\/p>\n<p>Covid Resources, United States (National): Transmission (<a href=\"https:\/\/covid.cdc.gov\/covid-data-tracker\/#county-view?list_select_state=all_states&amp;list_select_county=all_counties&amp;data-type=Risk&amp;null=Risk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">CDC<\/a>); Wastewater (<a href=\"https:\/\/covid.cdc.gov\/covid-data-tracker\/#wastewater-surveillance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">CDC<\/a>, <del><a href=\"https:\/\/biobot.io\/data\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Biobot<\/a><\/del>; includes many counties; <a href=\"https:\/\/data.wastewaterscan.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Wastewater Scan<\/a>, includes drilldown by zip); Variants (<a href=\"https:\/\/covid.cdc.gov\/covid-data-tracker\/#variant-proportions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">CDC<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walgreens.com\/businesssolutions\/covid-19-index.jsp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Walgreens<\/a>); \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/iowacovid19tracker.org\/hospitals\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Iowa COVID-19 Tracker<\/a>\u201d (in IA, but national data). \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/icemsg.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Infection Control, Emergency Management, Safety, and General Thoughts<\/a>\u201d (especially on hospitalization by city).<\/p>\n<p>Lambert here: Readers, thanks for the collective effort. To update any entry, do feel free to contact me at the address given with the plants. Please put \u201cCOVID\u201d in the subject line. Thank you!<\/p>\n<p>Resources, United States (Local): AK (<a href=\"https:\/\/experience.arcgis.com\/experience\/af2efc8bffbf4cdc83c2d1a134354074\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>); AL (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.arcgis.com\/apps\/dashboards\/6d2771faa9da4a2786a509d82c8cf0f7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>); AR (<a href=\"https:\/\/experience.arcgis.com\/experience\/633006d0782b4544bd5113a314f6268a\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>); AZ (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.azdhs.gov\/covid19\/data\/index.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>); CA (<a href=\"https:\/\/skylab.cdph.ca.gov\/calwws\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/coronavirus.marinhhs.org\/surveillance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Marin, dashboard<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/healthalerts.stanford.edu\/covid-19\/wastewater-dashboard\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Stanford, wastewater<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/publichealth.verily.com\/?v=SC2_N&amp;l=Oakland%2C+CA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Oakland, wastewater<\/a>); CO (<a href=\"https:\/\/covid19.colorado.gov\/data\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/cdphe.maps.arcgis.com\/apps\/dashboards\/d79cf93c3938470ca4bcc4823328946b#utility=\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">wastewater<\/a>); CT (<a href=\"https:\/\/data.ct.gov\/stories\/s\/COVID-19-data\/wa3g-tfvc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>); DE (<a href=\"https:\/\/coronavirus.delaware.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>); FL (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.arcgis.com\/apps\/dashboards\/5b9d75ba683849928dc1a49c39ab0b1c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">wastewater<\/a>); GA (<a href=\"https:\/\/dph.georgia.gov\/ga-nwss-wastewater-surveillance-reports\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">wastewater<\/a>); HI (<a href=\"https:\/\/health.hawaii.gov\/coronavirusdisease2019\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>); IA (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dmmwra.org\/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=57\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">wastewater reports<\/a>); ID (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.idahopublichealth.com\/district-2\/novel-coronavirus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>, Boise; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.idahopublichealth.com\/district-2\/novel-coronavirus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/data.wastewaterscan.org\/?plantId=1056f05c-0e46-4e3d-b007-c0453ba7dc0d\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">wastewater<\/a>, Central Idaho; <a href=\"https:\/\/publichealth.verily.com\/#:SARS-CoV-2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">wastewater<\/a>, Coeur d\u2019Alene; dashboard, <a href=\"https:\/\/covid.srhd.org\/topics\/spokane-county-case-data\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Spokane County<\/a>); IL (<a href=\"https:\/\/iwss.uillinois.edu\/wastewater-treatment-plants\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">wastewater<\/a>); IN (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.coronavirus.in.gov\/indiana-covid-19-dashboard-and-map\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>); KS (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov\/160\/COVID-19-in-Kansas\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/experience.arcgis.com\/experience\/4456bae8a38f4b6180e008477382fff9\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">wastewater<\/a>, Lawrence); KY (<a href=\"https:\/\/louisville.edu\/envirome\/thecoimmunityproject\/dashboard\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>, Louisville); LA (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ldh.la.gov\/coronavirus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>); MA (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mass.gov\/info-details\/covid-19-wastewater-report\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">wastewater<\/a>); MD (<a href=\"https:\/\/coronavirus.maryland.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>); ME (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/dhhs\/mecdc\/infectious-disease\/epi\/airborne\/coronavirus\/data.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>); MI (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.michigan.gov\/coronavirus\/stats\/wastewater-surveillance\/dashboard\/sentinel-wastewater-epidemiology-evaluation-project-sweep\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">wastewater<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/gisportal.state.mi.us\/portal\/apps\/insights\/index.html#\/view\/52bbb104ed574887918f990af9f3debe\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">wastewater<\/a>); MN (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.state.mn.us\/diseases\/coronavirus\/stats\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>); MO (<a href=\"https:\/\/storymaps.arcgis.com\/stories\/f7f5492486114da6b5d6fdc07f81aacf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">wastewater<\/a>); MS (<a href=\"https:\/\/msdh.ms.gov\/page\/14,0,420.html#Mississippi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>); <del>MT (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.arcgis.com\/apps\/MapSeries\/index.html?appid=7c34f3412536439491adcc2103421d4b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>)<\/del>; NC (<a href=\"https:\/\/covid19.ncdhhs.gov\/dashboard\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard)<\/a>; ND (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hhs.nd.gov\/health\/coronavirus\/cases\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hhs.nd.gov\/health\/coronavirus\/cases\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">wastewater<\/a>); NE (<a href=\"https:\/\/atlas-dhhs.ne.gov\/Atlas\/Respiratory_Illness\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>); NH (<a href=\"https:\/\/wisdom.dhhs.nh.gov\/wisdom\/dashboard.html?topic=covid-19&amp;subtopic=recurring-updates&amp;indicator=covid-19-wastewater#tabnavbarid\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">wastewater<\/a>); NJ (<a href=\"https:\/\/covid19.nj.gov\/forms\/datadashboard\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>); NM (<a href=\"https:\/\/cvprovider.nmhealth.org\/public-dashboard.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>); NV (<a href=\"https:\/\/nvhealthresponse.nv.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/empower.unlv.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">wastewater<\/a>, Southern NV); NY (<a href=\"https:\/\/mbcolli.shinyapps.io\/SARS2EWSP\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>); OH (<a href=\"https:\/\/coronavirus.ohio.gov\/dashboards\/other-resources\/wastewater\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>); OK (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.arcgis.com\/apps\/dashboards\/51657c21386d4f1a962b1853c76ec589\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>); <del>OR (<a href=\"https:\/\/public.tableau.com\/app\/profile\/oregon.health.authority.covid.19\/viz\/OregonsCOVID-19DataDashboards-TableofContents\/TableofContentsStatewide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>)<\/del>; PA (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.pa.gov\/topics\/disease\/coronavirus\/pages\/Cases.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>); RI (<a href=\"https:\/\/ri-department-of-health-covid-19-data-rihealth.hub.arcgis.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>); SC (<a href=\"https:\/\/scdhec.gov\/index.php\/covid19\/covid-19-data\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>); SD (<a href=\"https:\/\/doh.sd.gov\/COVID\/Dashboard.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>); TN (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tn.gov\/health\/cedep\/ncov\/data.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>); TX (<a href=\"https:\/\/txdshsea.maps.arcgis.com\/apps\/dashboards\/4ae43eefd0f641d59d35c3df82ee59cc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>); UT (<a href=\"https:\/\/avrpublic.dhhs.utah.gov\/uwss\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">wastewater<\/a>); VA (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/coronavirus\/sars-cov-2-in-wastewater\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">wastewater<\/a>); VT (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthvermont.gov\/disease-control\/covid-19\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>); WA (<a href=\"https:\/\/doh.wa.gov\/emergencies\/covid-19\/data-dashboard\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/covid19.bfhd.wa.gov\/cases-and-roadmap-to-recovery\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">dashboard<\/a>); WI (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dhs.wisconsin.gov\/covid-19\/wastewater.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">wastewater<\/a>); WV (<del><a href=\"https:\/\/oehs.wvdhhr.org\/news\/oehs-coivd-19-information\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">wastewater<\/a><\/del>); WY (<del><a href=\"https:\/\/covidwastewatermonitor.wyo.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">wastewater<\/a><\/del>).<\/p>\n<p>Resources, Canada (National): Wastewater (<a href=\"https:\/\/health-infobase.canada.ca\/covid-19\/wastewater\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Government of Canada<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>Resources, Canada (Provincial): ON (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.publichealthontario.ca\/en\/Data-and-Analysis\/Infectious-Disease\/COVID-19-Data-Surveillance\/Wastewater\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">wastewater<\/a>); QC (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.inspq.qc.ca\/covid-19\/donnees\/eaux-usees\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><em>les eaux us\u00e9es<\/em><\/a>); BC (<a href=\"https:\/\/bccdc.shinyapps.io\/respiratory_wastewater\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">wastewater<\/a>); BC, Vancouver (<a href=\"https:\/\/metrovancouver.org\/services\/liquid-waste\/testing-for-the-covid-19-virus-in-wastewater\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">wastewater<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>Hat tips to helpful readers: Alexis, anon (2), Art_DogCT, B24S, CanCyn, ChiGal, Chuck L, Festoonic, FM, FreeMarketApologist (4), Gumbo, hop2it, JB, JEHR, JF, JL Joe, John, JM (10), JustAnotherVolunteer, JW, KatieBird, KF, KidDoc, LL, Michael King, KF, LaRuse, mrsyk, MT, MT_Wild, otisyves, Petal (6), RK (2), RL, RM, Rod, square coats (11), tennesseewaltzer, thump, Tom B., Utah, Bob White (3). <\/p>\n<p>Stay safe out there!<\/p>\n<p>Airborne Transmission<\/p>\n<blockquote wp_automatic_readability=\"20.448979591837\">\n<p>\u201cAn integrated airborne transmission risk assessment model for respiratory viruses: short- and long-range contributions\u201d [<a href=\"https:\/\/royalsocietypublishing.org\/doi\/10.1098\/rsif.2024.0740\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Journal of the Royal Society<\/a>]. From the Abstract: \u201cThis study presents an advanced airborne transmission risk assessment model that integrates both short- and long-range routes in the spread of respiratory viruses, building upon the CERN Airborne Model for Indoor Risk Assessment (CAiMIRA) and aligned with the new World Health Organization (WHO) terminology. Thanks to a two-stage exhaled jet approach, the model accurately simulates short-range exposures, thereby improving infection risk predictions across diverse indoor settings. Key findings reveal that in patient wards, the short-range viral dose is 10-fold higher than the long-range component, highlighting the critical role of close proximity interactions. Implementation of FFP2 respirators resulted in a remarkable 13-fold reduction in viral dose, underscoring the effectiveness of personal protective equipment (PPE). Additionally, the model demonstrated that an 8 h exposure in a poorly ventilated office can equate to the risk of a 15 min face-to-face, mask-less interaction, emphasizing the importance of physical distancing and source control.\u201d \u2022 Worth a careful read. Commentary:<\/p>\n<p><center wp_automatic_readability=\"3.7881619937695\"> <\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" wp_automatic_readability=\"10.417445482866\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">What this means, is that airborne disease transmission is exceedingly more complicated than what we can predict based solely on the Wells-Riley model. What is clever in the current work is that they are differentiating between short and long distance transmission.<\/p>\n<p>This is key<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Al Haddrell (@ukhadds) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ukhadds\/status\/1894893664687751176\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">February 26, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><\/center> <\/p>\n<p>In the Wells-Riley model, the main assumption was that the air within the room was well mixed. Obviously not so.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><center>* * *<\/center> <\/p>\n<p><a name=\"table\"\/><strong>TABLE 1: Daily Covid Charts<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody wp_automatic_readability=\"10.869565217391\">\n<tr colspan=\"2\">\n<td valign=\"top\"><strong>Wastewater<\/strong><\/td>\n<td\/>\n<\/tr>\n<tr valign=\"top\" wp_automatic_readability=\"3.625\">\n<td valign=\"top\">  This week[1] <a href=\"https:\/\/covid.cdc.gov\/covid-data-tracker\/#wastewater-surveillance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">CDC<\/a> February 17<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\"> Last week[2] <a href=\"https:\/\/covid.cdc.gov\/covid-data-tracker\/#wastewater-surveillance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">CDC<\/a> (until next week):<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr valign=\"top\">\n<td>\n<p><span class=\"Apple-tab-span\">\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/covid-cdc-ww-natl-4.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"310\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-287667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/covid-cdc-ww-natl-4.png 600w, https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/covid-cdc-ww-natl-4-300x197.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"\/><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"align: left; margin-left: 0px !important; padding: 9px 0 9px 0;\">\n<p><span class=\"Apple-tab-span\">\t<span class=\"Apple-tab-span\">\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/covid-cdc-ww-natl-3.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"310\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-287221\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/covid-cdc-ww-natl-3.png 600w, https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/covid-cdc-ww-natl-3-300x190.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"\/><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr colspan=\"2\" wp_automatic_readability=\"3.6521739130435\">\n<td valign=\"top\"><strong>  Variants<\/strong> [3] <a href=\"https:\/\/covid.cdc.gov\/covid-data-tracker\/?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery#variant-proportions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">CDC<\/a> February 15<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">  <strong> Emergency Room Visits<\/strong>[4] <a href=\"https:\/\/covid.cdc.gov\/covid-data-tracker\/#trends_select_7dayeddiagnosed_00\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">CDC<\/a> February 15 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr valign=\"top\">\n<td valign=\"top\">\n<p><span class=\"Apple-tab-span\">\t<span class=\"Apple-tab-span\">\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/covid-cdc-variants-natl-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"310\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-287220\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/covid-cdc-variants-natl-1.png 600w, https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/covid-cdc-variants-natl-1-300x230.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"\/><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">\n<p><span class=\"Apple-tab-span\">\t<span class=\"Apple-tab-span\">\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/covid-cdc-ed-natl-3.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"310\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-287665\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/covid-cdc-ed-natl-3.png 600w, https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/covid-cdc-ed-natl-3-300x159.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"\/><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr colspan=\"2\">\n<td valign=\"top\"><strong>Hospitalization<\/strong><\/td>\n<td\/>\n<\/tr>\n<tr valign=\"top\" wp_automatic_readability=\"3.9240506329114\">\n<td valign=\"top\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; color: gold;\">\u2605<\/span> New York[5] <a href=\"https:\/\/coronavirus.health.ny.gov\/daily-hospitalization-summary\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">New York State<\/a>, data February 25:<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">  National [6] <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/coronavirus\/2019-ncov\/covidnetdashboard\/de\/powerbi\/dashboard.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">CDC<\/a> February 20:<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr valign=\"top\">\n<td valign=\"top\">\n<p><span class=\"Apple-tab-span\">\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/covid-ny-hospitalization-nyc-12.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"340\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-288000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/covid-ny-hospitalization-nyc-12.png 600w, https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/covid-ny-hospitalization-nyc-12-300x170.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"\/><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">\n<p><span class=\"Apple-tab-span\">\t<span class=\"Apple-tab-span\">\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/covid-cdc-hospitalization-natl-3.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"310\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-287666\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/covid-cdc-hospitalization-natl-3.png 600w, https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/covid-cdc-hospitalization-natl-3-300x297.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"\/><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr colspan=\"2\">\n<td valign=\"top\"><strong>Positivity<\/strong><\/td>\n<td\/>\n<\/tr>\n<tr valign=\"top\" wp_automatic_readability=\"2.6111111111111\">\n<td valign=\"top\">  National[7] <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walgreens.com\/healthcare-solutions\/covid-19-index\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Walgreens<\/a> February 24:<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\"> Ohio[8] <a href=\"https:\/\/clevelandcliniclabs.com\/respiratory-virus-surveillance-statistics\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Cleveland Clinic<\/a> February 15:<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr valign=\"top\">\n<td>\n<p><span class=\"Apple-tab-span\">\t<span class=\"Apple-tab-span\">\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/covid-walgreens-positivity-states-2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"310\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-287823\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/covid-walgreens-positivity-states-2.png 600w, https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/covid-walgreens-positivity-states-2-300x189.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"\/><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p><span class=\"Apple-tab-span\">\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/covid-cleveland-positivity-oh-2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"310\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-287668\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/covid-cleveland-positivity-oh-2.png 600w, https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/covid-cleveland-positivity-oh-2-300x196.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"\/><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr colspan=\"2\">\n<td valign=\"top\"><strong>Travelers Data<\/strong><\/td>\n<td\/>\n<\/tr>\n<tr valign=\"top\" wp_automatic_readability=\"3.5789473684211\">\n<td valign=\"top\">  Positivity[9] <a href=\"https:\/\/covid.cdc.gov\/covid-data-tracker\/#traveler-genomic-surveillance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">CDC<\/a> February 3:<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\"> Variants[10] <a href=\"https:\/\/covid.cdc.gov\/covid-data-tracker\/#traveler-genomic-surveillance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">CDC<\/a> February 3 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\">\n<p><span class=\"Apple-tab-span\">\t<span class=\"Apple-tab-span\">\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/covid-cdc-positity-travelers.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"310\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-287820\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/covid-cdc-positity-travelers.png 600w, https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/covid-cdc-positity-travelers-300x165.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"\/><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">\n<p><span class=\"Apple-tab-span\">\t<span class=\"Apple-tab-span\">\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/covid-cdc-variants-travelers-3.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"310\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-287821\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/covid-cdc-variants-travelers-3.png 600w, https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/covid-cdc-variants-travelers-3-300x230.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"\/><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr colspan=\"2\">\n<td valign=\"top\"><strong>Deaths<\/strong><\/td>\n<td\/>\n<\/tr>\n<tr valign=\"top\" wp_automatic_readability=\"3.76\">\n<td valign=\"top\"> Weekly Deaths vs. % Positivity [11] <a href=\"https:\/\/health.hawaii.gov\/coronavirusdisease2019\/what-you-should-know\/current-situation-in-the-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">CDC<\/a> January 25:<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\"> Weekly Deaths vs. ED Visits [12] <a href=\"https:\/\/health.hawaii.gov\/coronadisease2019\/what-you-should-know\/current-situation-in-the-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">CDC<\/a> January 25:<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr valign=\"top\">\n<td valign=\"top\">\n<p><span class=\"Apple-tab-span\">\t<span class=\"Apple-tab-span\">\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/covid-cdc-deaths-positivity-natl.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"310\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-286757\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/covid-cdc-deaths-positivity-natl.png 600w, https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/covid-cdc-deaths-positivity-natl-300x202.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"\/><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">\n<p><span class=\"Apple-tab-span\">\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/covid-cdc-ed-natl-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"310\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-286972\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/covid-cdc-ed-natl-1.png 600w, https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/covid-cdc-ed-natl-1-300x186.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"\/><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>LEGEND<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>1) <span style=\"font-size: 10pt; color: gold;\">\u2605<\/span> for charts new today; all others are not updated.<\/p>\n<p>2) For a full-size\/full-resolution image, Command-click (MacOS) or right-click (Windows) on the chart thumbnail and \u201copen image in new tab.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>NOTES<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>[1] (CDC) Down, nothing new at major hubs.<\/p>\n<p>[2] (CDC) Last week\u2019s wastewater map.<\/p>\n<p>[3] (CDC Variants) XEC takes over. That WHO label, \u201cOmmicron,\u201d has done a great job normalizing successive waves of infection.<\/p>\n<p>[4] (ED) A little uptick.<\/p>\n<p>[5] (Hospitalization: NY) Weird plateau without exponential growrht<\/p>\n<p>[6] (Hospitalization: CDC). Leveling out.<\/p>\n<p>[7] (Walgreens) Leveling out.<\/p>\n<p>[8] (Cleveland) <\/p>\n<p>[9] (Travelers: Positivity) Uptick.<\/p>\n<p>[10] (Travelers: Variants). Don\u2019t know what the dominance of XEC is all about,<\/p>\n<p>[11] Deaths low, positivity leveling out.<\/p>\n<p>[12] Deaths low, ED leveling out.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Stats Watch<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Employment Situation: \u201cUnited States Initial Jobless Claims\u201d [<a href=\"https:\/\/tradingeconomics.com\/united-states\/jobless-claims\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Trading Economics<\/a>]. \u201cInitial jobless claims in the US soared by 22,000 from the previous week to 242,000 on the third week of February, the most in over two months and well above market expectations that they would remain stable at 221,000.\u201d \u2022 I wonder why. \u2018Tis a mystery!<\/p>\n<p>GDP: \u201cUnited States GDP Growth Rate\u201d [<a href=\"https:\/\/tradingeconomics.com\/united-states\/gdp-growth\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Trading Economics<\/a>]. \u201cThe US economy expanded an annualized 2.3% in Q4 2024, the slowest growth in three quarters, down from 3.1% in Q3 and in line with the advance estimate.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Manufacturing: \u201cUnited States Durable Goods Orders\u201d [<a href=\"https:\/\/tradingeconomics.com\/united-states\/durable-goods-orders\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Trading Economics<\/a>]. \u201cNew orders for manufactured durable goods in the US rose 3.1% month-over-month to $282.3 billion in January 2025, the most in six months and above market expectations of a 2% increase. It follows a downwardly revised 1.8% drop in December. The rebound was driven by transportation equipment, which surged 9.8%, particularly nondefense aircraft and parts (93.9%).\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Manufacturing: \u201cUnited States Kansas Fed Manufacturing Index\u201d [<a href=\"https:\/\/tradingeconomics.com\/united-states\/kansas-fed-manufacturing-index\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Trading Economics<\/a>]. \u201cThe Kansas City Fed\u2019s Manufacturing Production Index fell to -13 in February 2025, the lowest in five months. The declines were driven more by nondurable manufacturing, particularly food, chemical, and paper manufacturing.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><center>* * *<\/center> <\/p>\n<p><a name=\"economy\"\/>The Economy: \u201cEconomists are starting to worry about a serious Trump recession\u201d [Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/business\/2025\/02\/25\/economists-starting-worry-serious-trump-recession\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">The Telegraph<\/a>]. \u201cDonald Trump\u2019s assault on the US federal government and the world\u2019s interlinked manufacturing system have together reached an economic tipping point. \u2018It seems almost unavoidable that we are headed for a deep, deep recession,\u201d said Jesse Rothstein, Berkeley professor and former chief economist at the US labour department. Once the pace of job losses crosses a critical line, the multiplier effects can snowball suddenly. Prof Rothstein said monthly non-farm payrolls \u2013 the barometer of US economic health watched closely by markets \u2013 could turn viciously negative by late spring, contracting at rates surpassed only during the worst months of Covid and the Lehman crisis in 2008. \u2018I think we\u2019re going to see historically large drops. Losses of 400,000 a month are not implausible because people are getting nervous out there. It is not just the federal employees being fired: it\u2019s all the other people worried they could be next, so they are cutting back too,\u2019 he told The Telegraph. Torsten Slok, of Apollo Global, said layoffs could approach 1m after factoring in the likely chain reaction through contractors. \u2018We are starting to worry about the downside risks to the economy and markets,\u2019 he said. Mr Slok said it is a mystery as to why credit spreads and equities are still so well-behaved when the US Economic Policy Uncertainty Index was now higher than at any time during the great recession. Prof Rothstein said the damage would not show up immediately due to lag effects. The ugly months will be in April and May, but by then secondary shocks will have spread far and wide.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>Manufacturing: \u201cAirbus has not taken full advantage of Boeing\u2019s weakness\u201d [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.economist.com\/business\/2025\/02\/27\/airbus-has-not-taken-full-advantage-of-boeings-weakness\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">The Economist<\/a>]. \u201cEven if Boeing can restore its reputation and ramp up production, Airbus will maintain its lead in narrow-body jets for some time. The American firm hopes to raise the rate of 737 max production to around 38 planes a month later this year. Airbus already makes around 50 a month of its competing a320 family, and hopes to increase that to around 75 by 2027. Yet both firms are weighed down by supply chains struggling to recover after severe cutbacks during the pandemic. And Airbus\u2019s lead in narrow-body jets is not mirrored in wide-body ones. In 2024 Boeing delivered 83 twin-aisle planes, only six fewer than Airbus. The A220, a smaller passenger jet, remains unprofitable and A320 production hardly grew at all in 2024. Both firms may also be distracted by difficulties in other divisions. Boeing\u2019s defence-and-space arm has lost money for three years. Airbus\u2019s space business took charges of \u20ac1.3bn last year amid troubles at its satellite unit.<\/p>\n<p>With the duopoly\u2019s combined backlog now up to 14,000 orders, would-be competitors are looking to cut in. One is COMAC, China\u2019s state-owned planemaker. Its C919 narrow-body jet will not constitute much of a threat for some time\u2014just 30 deliveries are planned for 2025\u2014but could eventually take market share in China and elsewhere. Rumours that Embraer, a Brazilian maker of smaller regional jets, is considering taking on the Airbus-Boeing duopoly are growing louder.\u201d \u2022 Assuming the upper atmosphere remains stable, of course.<\/p>\n<p>Tech: \u201cOn the consistent reasoning paradox of intelligence and optimal trust in AI: The power of \u2018I don\u2019t know&#8217;\u201d [<a href=\"https:\/\/arxiv.org\/abs\/2408.02357\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">arXiv<\/a>]. From the Abstract: \u201cWe introduce the Consistent Reasoning Paradox (CRP). Consistent reasoning, which lies at the core of human intelligence, is the ability to handle tasks that are equivalent, yet described by different sentences (\u2018Tell me the time!\u2019 and \u2018What is the time?\u2019). The CRP asserts that consistent reasoning implies fallibility \u2014 in particular, human-like intelligence in AI necessarily comes with human-like fallibility. Specifically, it states that there are problems, e.g. in basic arithmetic, where any AI that always answers and strives to mimic human intelligence by reasoning consistently will hallucinate (produce wrong, yet plausible answers) infinitely often. The paradox is that there exists a non-consistently reasoning AI (which therefore cannot be on the level of human intelligence) that will be correct on the same set of problems. The CRP also shows that detecting these hallucinations, even in a probabilistic sense, is strictly harder than solving the original problems, and that there are problems that an AI may answer correctly, but it cannot provide a correct logical explanation for how it arrived at the answer. Therefore, the CRP implies that any trustworthy AI (i.e., an AI that never answers incorrectly) that also reasons consistently must be able to say \u2018I don\u2019t know\u2019. Moreover, this can only be done by implicitly computing a new concept that we introduce, termed the \u2018I don\u2019t know\u2019 function \u2014 something currently lacking in modern AI. In view of these insights, the CRP also provides a glimpse into the behaviour of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). An AGI cannot be \u2018almost sure\u2019, nor can it always explain itself, and therefore to be trustworthy it must be able to say \u2018I don\u2019t know\u2019.\u201d \u2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/2023\/01\/ai-bs.html\">AI = BS<\/a>, as I said when the bubble began to inflate. Imagine a bullshitter who can\u2019t put a bridle on this mouth! Commentary:<\/p>\n<p><center wp_automatic_readability=\"4.009009009009\"> <\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" wp_automatic_readability=\"10.423423423423\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Why &#8216;I don\u2019t know&#8217; is the true test for AGI\u2014it\u2019s a strictly harder problem than text generation!<\/p>\n<p>This magnificent 62-page paper (<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/MJXpVF4qv9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">https:\/\/t.co\/MJXpVF4qv9<\/a>) formally proves AGI hallucinations are inevitable, with 50 pages (!!) of supplementary proofs. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/0dLZ49LHtd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">pic.twitter.com\/0dLZ49LHtd<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Miles Cranmer (@MilesCranmer) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MilesCranmer\/status\/1894849312011468845\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">February 26, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><\/center> <\/p>\n<p>Tech: Let no one else\u2019s work evade your eyes:<\/p>\n<p><center wp_automatic_readability=\"4.4301994301994\"> <\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" wp_automatic_readability=\"11.518518518519\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Remember this study about how LLM generated research ideas were rated to be more novel than expert-written ones? <\/p>\n<p>We find a large fraction of such LLM generated proposals (\u2265 24%) to be skillfully plagiarized, bypassing inbuilt plagiarism checks and unsuspecting experts. A \ud83e\uddf5 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/u1C9yN2KvD\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">https:\/\/t.co\/u1C9yN2KvD<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Danish Pruthi (@danish037) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/danish037\/status\/1894428793194123541\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">February 25, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><\/center> <\/p>\n<p>Tech: \u201cTracking You from a Thousand Miles Away! Turning a Bluetooth Device into an Apple AirTag Without Root Privileges\u201d [<a href=\"https:\/\/nroottag.github.io\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">nroottag<\/a>]. \u201cApple\u2019s Find My network, leveraging over a billion active Apple devices, is the world\u2019s largest device-locating network. We investigate the potential misuse of this network to maliciously track Bluetooth devices. We present nRootTag, a novel attack method that transforms computers into trackable \u201cAirTags\u201d without requiring root privileges. The attack achieves a success rate of over 90% within minutes at a cost of only a few US dollars. Or, a rainbow table can be built to search keys instantly. Subsequently, it can locate a computer in minutes, posing a substantial risk to user privacy and safety. The attack is effective on Linux, Windows, and Android systems, and can be employed to track desktops, laptops, smartphones, and IoT devices. Our comprehensive evaluation demonstrates nRootTag\u2019s effectiveness and efficiency across various scenarios.\u201d \u2022 Yikes!<\/p>\n<p><center>* * *<\/center> <\/p>\n<p>Today\u2019s Fear &amp; Greed Index: 23 Extreme Fear (previous close: 22 Extreme Fear) [<a href=\"https:\/\/money.cnn.com\/data\/fear-and-greed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">CNN<\/a>]. One week ago: 46 (Neutral). (0 is Extreme Fear; 100 is Extreme Greed). Last updated Feb 26 at 1:44:02 PM ET.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Musical Interlude<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>One reader asked for a railroad tune:<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Johnny Cash - Folsom Prison Blues - Live at San Quentin (Good sound quality)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wG0fS4DoGUc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019d probably move it just a little farther down the line.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Gallery<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I wanted to make a joke about aptronyms and \u201cWhistler,\u201d but unfortunately this painting turns out to be by Turner:<\/p>\n<p><center wp_automatic_readability=\"2.1230769230769\"> <\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" wp_automatic_readability=\"6.3692307692308\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">William Turner : Rain, Steam and Speed (detail) <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/5ouX1rmNBr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">pic.twitter.com\/5ouX1rmNBr<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Olga Tuleninova \ud83e\udd8b (@olgatuleninova) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/olgatuleninova\/status\/1133754005543358464\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">May 29, 2019<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><\/center> <\/p>\n<p><a name=\"class\"\/><strong>Class Warfare<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cILA Members Ratify 6-Year Contract with Accommodations for Technology\u201d [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.maritime-executive.com\/article\/ila-members-ratify-6-year-contract-with-accommodations-for-technology\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Maritime Executive<\/a>]. \u201cThe membership of the International Longshoremen\u2019s\u2019 Association officially ratified the new 6-year contract on Tuesday, February 25, bringing to close one of the most contentious contract negotiations in decades. The ILA is calling the new contract the \u2018gold standard\u2019 for dockworker unions globally while saying with the ratification there would be \u2018labor peace\u2019 and that the ILA would be working in partnership with USMX to help all ILA ports grow and flourish\u2026. [ILA President Harold Daggett] is publicly declaring a key win saying it is the greatest contract in ILA history. He reports it provides \u2018full protections against automation,\u2019 without providing details on the contract terms. The ILA had firmly declared it would not accept automation or semi-automation for any port operations. In December 2024, then President-elect Donald Trump met with the union leaders. He also issued a strong statement against port automation.\u201d \u2022 Hmm.<\/p>\n<p><strong>News of the Wired<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cWinners of the $10,000 ISBN visualization bounty\u201d [<a href=\"https:\/\/annas-archive.org\/blog\/all-isbns-winners.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Anna\u2019s Blog<\/a>]. \u201cUltimately we wanted to answer the following questions: which books exist in the world, how many have we archived already, and which books should we focus on next? It\u2019s great to see so many people care about these questions.\u201d \u2022 Very neat, and also\u2026 <em>books<\/em>! On <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Anna%27s_Archive\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Anna\u2019s Archive<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><center>* * *<\/center> <\/p>\n<p><strong>Contact information for plants<\/strong>: Readers, feel free to contact me at lambert [UNDERSCORE] strether [DOT] corrente [AT] yahoo [DOT] com, to (a) find out how to send me a check if you are allergic to PayPal and (b) to find out how to send me images of plants. Vegetables are fine! Fungi, lichen, and coral are deemed to be honorary plants! If you want your handle to appear as a credit, please place it at the start of your mail in parentheses: (thus). Otherwise, I will anonymize by using your initials. See the previous Water Cooler (with plant) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/2025\/02\/200pm-water-cooler-2-21-2025.html\">here<\/a>. From AM:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/roses_devon.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"498\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-287997\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/roses_devon.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/roses_devon-300x249.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"\/><\/p>\n<p>AM writes: \u201cRoses in July 2021 at a rental house in Devon, England.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><center>* * *<\/center> <\/p>\n<p><a name=\"donate\"\/><strong>Readers<\/strong>: Water Cooler is a standalone entity <em>not<\/em> covered by the annual NC fundraiser. Material here is Lambert\u2019s, and does not express the views of the Naked Capitalism site. If you see a link you especially like, or an item you wouldn\u2019t see anywhere else, please do not hesitate to express your appreciation in tangible form. Remember, a tip jar is for tipping! <em>Regular positive feedback both makes me feel good and lets me know I\u2019m on the right track with coverage<\/em>. When I get no donations for three or four days I get worried. More tangibly, a constant trickle of donations helps me with expenses, and I factor in that trickle when setting fundraising goals:<\/p>\n<p>Here is the screen that will appear, which I have helpfully annotated:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-226891\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/contribution.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"606\" height=\"384\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/contribution.png 606w, https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/contribution-300x190.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 606px) 100vw, 606px\"\/><\/p>\n<p>If you hate PayPal, you can email me at lambert [UNDERSCORE] strether [DOT] corrente [AT] yahoo [DOT] com, and I will give you directions on how to send a check. Thank you!<\/p>\n<div class=\"printfriendly pf-alignleft\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"nofollow\" onclick=\"window.print(); return false;\" title=\"Printer Friendly, PDF &amp; Email\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"border:none;-webkit-box-shadow:none; -moz-box-shadow: none; box-shadow:none; padding:0; margin:0\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.printfriendly.com\/buttons\/print-button-gray.png\" alt=\"Print Friendly, PDF &amp; Email\"\/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/2025\/02\/200pm-water-cooler-2-27-2025.html\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Lambert Strether. Readers, the fundraiser for my very nearly gold retirement watch + all my Water Cooler work done in 2024 is ongoing. 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