Hello my beautiful babies. I keep meaning to share this piece, but I also keep forgetting. Because of that, it’s possible that you’ve read it already. It’s Lawrence Wright’s extra, extra long article in The New Yorker about the government’s response to COVID-19. In the print edition, it basically takes up the entire issue, so it’s a big boi. But it is worth the read. And you don’t have to read it all in one sitting!

A quick note on Wright: He is one of the best investigative journalists alive right now. He wrote The Looming Tower, which is the definitive take on the rise of Al Qaeda. In the days of the War on Terror, it was essential reading. I would argue it still is, because as all my babies know, I have been pretty concerned about the reemergence of ISIS over the past 18 months.

One more neat little thread on COVID. It looks like we are starting to see the benefits of seasonality and herd immunity:

Michael Mina @michaelmina_lab

Short thread: Cases are starting to plummet quickly. This isn’t from vaccines (yet). Possible we may be starting see a combination of seasonality on our side and likely seeing herd effects kick in. 1/x

February 4th 2021

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See you all on Monday for the impeachment trial.