(2022-01-18). New York University announces in-person reopening for spring semester 24 hours after former librarian dies from COVID-19. wsws.org Dr. Steenshorne is one of the millions of human beings internationally whose lives have been tragically cut short by capitalist governments' criminal policies to allow the highly infectious and deadly coronavirus to rampage unchecked through the population.
(2022-01-18). Is the US Economy Operating Above Its Capacity? cepr.net If we can get the pandemic under control, the supply problems we are now seeing (along with pretty much every other wealthy country) will dissipate over the course of the year.
(2022-01-18). Oxfam report "Inequality Kills": Billionaires racked up wealth while millions died during the pandemic. wsws.org The latest briefing from the charity paints a devastating picture of the world capitalist order reporting that the unprecedented accumulation of wealth by the world's elite is contributing to the death of one person every four seconds.
(2022-01-18). UK Tory Party threatens war against Russia, prepares class war at home. wsws.org The Tory agenda is driven by a raging crisis of British and world imperialism that has been deepened immeasurably by the pandemic.
(2022-01-18). Quebec's public health director forced to resign as Omicron infections overwhelm health care system. wsws.org The forced resignation of Horacio Arruda, until now a close associate of Premier Legault, is being used to distract attention from the CAQ government's homicidal response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
(2022-01-18). Oxfam report highlights widening pandemic inequality in Asia. wsws.org Like other similar reports, the Oxfam analysis is marked by the stark contrast between the devastating facts and figures it presents and the empty policy prescriptions it advances.
(2022-01-18). Michigan educators and students: Join the fight to close schools and stop the pandemic! wsws.org This statement was adopted by Michigan educators, parents and students to fight plans to reopen schools in Detroit and other cities despite the record-breaking surge in COVID infections and hospitalizations.
(2022-01-18). Think of the many — don't worry for the few. greenleft.org.au Oxfam International revealed that Asia's billionaires have increased their wealth by 74% while 148 million others in the region have been pushed into poverty since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, writes S. Arutchelvan.
(2022-01-18). Chicago students, teachers and workers: Unite! Close all schools and nonessential workplaces to end the pandemic! wsws.org The fight in Chicago to close schools and save lives is far from over, but the development of this struggle requires a united movement of workers and student youth independent of the big-business parties and the corporatist unions.
(2022-01-18). Autoworkers describe horrible working conditions: "There are so many out because of COVID; we are operating with a serious skeleton crew" wsws.org With ranks thinned by sickness, the remaining workers are being forced to labor long hours as the automakers seek to extract every ounce of profit.
(2022-01-18). Amid COVID-19 outbreaks in China, corporate fears of a worsening supply chain crisis. wsws.org The concerted push by the Western media for the Chinese government to drop its COVID-zero policy takes on another dimension as global corporations grapple with mounting supply chain breakdowns.
(2022-01-18). Ontario educator's post about allowing infectious students to return to class gives voice to widespread outrage. wsws.org The teacher, Ken, reported that he was made aware that a student with COVID-19 would be returning to his class today just five days after testing positive. "When I raised the concern that the kid is contagious for 10 days, I was told that the guidelines state he can come back after five days," he wrote on Twitter.
(2022-01-18). America's COVID-19 nightmare. wsws.org As the media and political establishment works tirelessly to downplay the dangers of COVID-19, America's health care system is buckling under the weight of mass infection and death.
(2022-01-18). Australian pathology worker warns about dangerous conditions facing frontline health staff. wsws.org "Up until a few months ago, collectors were having to work in COVID wards, and then later work in the general population, which obviously increased the risk of infection."
(2022-01-18). Polls point to historic political crisis in Australia. wsws.org The underlying disgust has been deepened by outrage over the rising toll of working-class COVID infections, hospitalisations and deaths.
(2022-01-18). Record surge in COVID-19 child deaths as opposition grows among US educators and students. wsws.org The WSWS spoke to educators, parents and students nationwide about conditions in their schools and their thoughts on the most recent collective actions of educators and students across the US and globally.
(2022-01-18). University of Michigan President Schlissel, who led unsafe reopening of campus, fired over sex scandal. wsws.org After removing Schlissel from his position over an alleged consensual relationship with a subordinate, the university administration intends to continue the same policy of mass infection that Schlissel oversaw.
(2022-01-18). Australian prime minister demands schools reopen to maintain workforce for corporations. wsws.org Children, teachers, and school workers are being told to accept the risk of infection and serious health consequences in the interests of big business and finance capital.
(2022-01-17). China makes Winter Olympics decision amid new Covid fears. rt.com 
China will not sell tickets to the general public to attend the upcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing | China has canceled plans for the public sale of 2022 Winter Olympics tickets, with only invited groups set to be allowed to watch the action in person at February's Games in Beijing. | With foreign fans
(2022-01-17). Wealth of 10 Richest Men Doubled During Pandemic, Incomes of 99% of Humanity Drop, Oxfam Says. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic have helped doubling of fortunes of the world's ten richest people, who now are six times wealthier than the poorest 3.1 billion people, Oxfam, international charitable NGO, reported on Monday, ahead of the World Economic Forum's Davos from 17-21 January.
(2022-01-17). 'Pandemic' mysteriously disappears. rt.com 
The digital board game 'Pandemic' has been pulled from all platforms, developers give no reason | Steam users have noticed that the digital board game version of 'Pandemic' had been pulled from the store without any explanation from the publisher. The game was also taken down from Google and Apple app stores. | The 'Pandemic' board game was delisted from Steam on January 6, with the game's store page saying it was removed "at the request of the publisher." The game still seems to be playable for Steam and mobile users who already bought it, however, new players cannot obtain the game. | The move has come witho…
(2022-01-17). One island becoming a Mecca for crypto millionaires. rt.com 
Bitcoin enthusiasts are flocking to Puerto Rico, thanks to tax breaks and an island lifestyle | The US territory of Puerto Rico has become the new hot destination for cryptocurrency entrepreneurs as it has crypto-friendly policies, including huge tax breaks to those who spend at least 183 days on the island each year. | US citizens can hold on to their American passports while not having to pay any taxes on capital gains. | "That's where all my friends are. I don't have one friend left in New York, and maybe the pandemic accelerated this, but every single one of them has moved to Puerto Rico," crypto entrepren…
(2022-01-17). Biden Urged To Fire Covid Response Chief Over 'Damning' Failures. popularresistance.org President Joe Biden is coming under growing pressure to fire White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Jeff Zients—a former private equity executive with no public health background—as the administration continues to face criticism over its slow-moving and inadequate efforts to combat Covid-19. | Watchdog groups have long warned that Zients is not qualified to take on the massive task of leading the federal government's pandemic response given both his lack of scientific and medical experience as well as his record in the private sector, where his firm invested in a company accused of exploitative…
(2022-01-17). Cuba shows an alternative to Big Pharma hegemony through global solidarity. greenleft.org.au Cuba puts people before profits — showing the world an alternative to the monopolistic practices of Big Pharma. It promotes a public health system, state-funded research and shows global solidarity through tech transfer and vaccine delivery to developing countries, writes Richa Chintan.
(2022-01-17). Australian COVID-19 deaths continue to climb as governments claim Omicron is about to "peak" wsws.org Contrary to claims this is a "pandemic of the unvaccinated," most COVID-19 deaths in New South Wales were of fully vaccinated people.
(2022-01-17). WHO Says Omicron Is Life-Threatening For Unvaccinated, Elderly, Underlying Conditions: 3 Things To Know. moguldom.com While many have dubbed Omicron a "mild" variant of covid-19, the World Health Organization (WHO) is encouraging people to still take precautions against the "massive threat" it presents — particularly certain groups like the unvaccinated, elders and those with underlying conditions. Here are three things to know about how the Omicron variant affects certain groups. …
(2022-01-17). UK income inequality worsens during pandemic. wsws.org UK average earnings for full-time work fell between 2019 and 2021 and soaring inflation and utility prices are reducing wages and living standards further.
(2022-01-17). Germany's health care workers' bonus—another insult to employees. wsws.org While companies have been handed tens of billions since the start of the pandemic, those in the medical wards who have risked their lives and health every day for more than two years get only pittances.
(2022-01-17). Let sunshine of hope light up future of humanity: Xi. ecns.cn Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called on the world to do everything necessary to clear the shadow of the pandemic and boost economic and social recovery and development, so that the sunshine of hope may light up the future of humanity.
(2022-01-17). Germany shortens Covid natural immunity status. rt.com 
Immunity gained by infection will only be valid for 90 days | In new guidelines published by the Robert Koch Institute, Germans who have recovered from Covid-19 will only have immunity status for a period of 90 days, down from 180 days. | On Friday, the Robert Koch Institute, a federal agency responsible for disease control and prevention, published new guidance based on developments concerning the Covid-19 pandemic. | Under the new guidance, people previously infected with Covid-19 will only have immunity status for 90 days. The old rules stated that prior infection could be used as proof of immunity for 180…
(2022-01-17). Retail sales drop in December. fightbacknews.org San José, CA – On Friday, January 14, the U.S. Department of Commerce reported that retail sales dropped 1.9% in December 2021. This number was called "terrible" by economists, who expected a very slight drop of 0.1%. Since the retail sales report is not adjusted for inflation, sales discounting higher prices fell almost 2.5%. | Many news reports tried to blame the new Omicron variant of COVID-19, which began to surge in the United States in December. But online sales, which usually go up when people don't want to shop in stores because of the pandemic, fell a much sharper 8.7% in December, more than four times…
(2022-01-17). Answers needed on how to beat pandemic, build post-COVID world: Xi. ecns.cn Answers must be given to major, urgent questions of how to beat the pandemic and how to build…
(2022-01-17). How can we combat far-right pandemic populism? greenleft.org.au Given the shit show from government in response to the pandemic, it's little wonder the far right is trying to capitalise on the widespread and growing discontent. Felix Dance argues that workers, those who have kept people safe over the last two years, have to take a lead.
(2022-01-17). Hospital greed caused nurse shortage, not COVID-19. liberationnews.org 
Short-staffing is an intentional practice where hospitals don't schedule enough RNs to safely care for patients in order to increase hospital profits.
(2022-01-17). Boston students walk out to demand remote learning & stronger COVID safety. liberationnews.org 
Students across Boston walked out of their schools at 10: 30 a.m. on Jan. 14 in protest against unsafe learning conditions. Their demands align with the Boston Teachers Union — that state officials strengthen COVID-19 safety protocols and make remote learning an option.
(2022-01-17). Australian childcare centres hit by COVID outbreaks. wsws.org Child care workers are among those confronting the highest risk of infection in their workplace.
(2022-01-17). SEIU Members On Death Of Ludwig Leota,Chicago Teachers/ Zero Covid vs Permanent Covid. indybay.org WorkWeek covers SEIU 1021 Members On Death Of Ludwig Leota, Chicago Teachers & Zero Covid vs Permanent Covid 19, Vermont AFL-CIO On Rise Of Fascism, Journalist Jeremy Portjo's Assault & Argentina General Strike Against A Mining Company.
(2022-01-17). Tomgram: Alfred McCoy, An Epochal Decline in American Global Power. warisacrime.org This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here. Honestly, I wonder why (other than Covid-19) Americans aren't out in the streets protesting. Oh wait, given that we've just "celebrated" the anniversary of January 6th and our world is alive with talk of coming violence against the …
(2022-01-17). Spanish scientists oppose PSOE-Podemos call to treat COVID-19 like the flu. wsws.org The Socialist Party (PSOE)-Podemos government plans to ignore mass COVID-19 infections and deaths by treating it as an "endemic disease" similar to influenza.
(2022-01-17). Brain Fog From Long Covid Is Similar To 'Chemo Brain' After Cancer Therapy. moguldom.com Brain fog, a symptom of long-haul covid-19 or long covid, has been compared to chemo brain, the cognitive impairment that can occur after chemotherapy treatment for cancer, according to new research. Chemo brain is not limited to people who get chemotherapy. Surgery and radiation can also contribute, but it is more noticeable if you've had …
(2022-01-17). Thousands of airline workers out due to COVID-19 infections in the US. wsws.org Airlines cut thousands of flights due to worker illness and severe winter weather over the past two months.
(2022-01-17). Redondo Beach, California high school students walk out amid mass COVID-19 infections. wsws.org Redondo Union High School senior Michael Lee-Chang spoke with the WSWS on the students' courageous actions and the deepening spread of COVID-19 within schools.
(2022-01-17). Swiss snowboarders expect Beijing 2022 to be safe and great. ecns.cn Two of Switzerland's best snowboarders to compete in the Beijing Winter Olympics said they had high hopes for medals as well as faith in China's organization and COVID-19 safety measures during the Games.
(2022-01-17). Doctor discusses desperate situation at Sri Lankan COVID-19 treatment hospital. wsws.org "Health workers held protests demanding a lockdown, as well as more tests and health facilities. The government only declared a second lockdown because this opposition was developing." — Sri Lanka doctor…
(2022-01-17). Banker Brought in to Clean Up Credit Suisse's Image Resigns Over Breach of Covid Quarantine Rules. sputniknews.com Credit Suisse — the global investment bank and financial services giant headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, has reeled from a series of scandals and poor investment decisions which put a major dent in its reputation and position on Wall Street's coveted bulge bracket listing of the world's largest and most profitable banks.
(2022-01-17). Novak Djokovic deported by Australian government terrified of public opposition to its "let it rip" COVID policies. wsws.org Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who has unleashed a COVID tsunami over the past month, has absurdly claimed that the decision was motivated by the need to "keep Australia safe."
(2022-01-17). Omicron's surge through rural America will take a terrible toll. wsws.org The number of people admitted for COVID-19 remains at record highs. The surge of infections has begun to move into rural America, where the completely unprepared health care systems face calamity.
(2022-01-17). 32-year-old Ford Chicago Assembly Plant worker dies of COVID-19. wsws.org Caleb Dye's death was a preventable tragedy, under conditions in which management, the unions and the political establishment have allowed COVID to spread uncontrolled in workplaces and schools.
(2022-01-17). Omicron wave in Germany leads to massive increase in infections. wsws.org Despite a massive spread of the virus, the German government is continuing the "profits before lives" policy that has already led to more than 115,000 dead.
(2022-01-17). Jacobin to teachers and kids: Back to death trap schools! wsws.org Jacobin magazine, associated with the Democratic Socialists of America, published an article calling for the end of remote instruction, demanding that students and teachers go back to schools where they will almost certainly be infected with a potentially deadly and debilitating disease.