News Of The Week Roundup: Week 44, 2021

Really a lot of big news happened over the past week but I am still most enthralled and enraged by the AstroWorld concert tragedy. Like, after people ran past the barricades and all security was toast - why did the show continue? Why didn't the promoters just insist everyone exit to be screened (or rescreened) before allowing any artist to perform? This would have kept out the unticketed people and reduced crowd numbers.

The horror and helplessness that unfolded at the Astroworld festival was captured in a graphic social media post by a woman who was trapped in the deadly crush, barely escaped, and tried to get help—only to have her pleas to stop the music go ignored. https://t.co/g4YUrxeCMG

— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) November 7, 2021

The engineering student mentioned attended the University of Dayton - just like I did for grad school.

Absolutely heartbreaking. A 14-year-old baseball devotee, a high school junior who loved dancing, and an engineering student were among the eight people who died Friday at Travis Scott’s Astroworld music festival in Houston. https://t.co/W1CP9BMDKu

— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) November 7, 2021

Astroworld was supposed to be a mind-blowing collection of top stars. No one would be admitted without proof of vaccination or a negative test for covid-19, organizers said. But any effort to control the crowd collapsed soon after the gates opened. https://t.co/8Fe0VRPFXy

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) November 7, 2021

‘They Weren’t Prepared’: Experts point to missed warning signs at Astroworld https://t.co/B5wlVN9tW8

— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) November 7, 2021

It was finally infrastructure week in Washington, D.C. - a bipartisan $1.2T bill will be signed in to law this coming week. Lots of salty people (well, elected folks) and I'm just sitting over here glad that maybe some roads around my house will get fixed so I don't destroy my tires by accidentally hitting a pot hole on the way to Starbucks.

BREAKING: The House has passed the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill https://t.co/L3pgsUFBmC

— Axios (@axios) November 6, 2021

Is it a full moon? I kind of agree with Bill Kristol!

So:
1. Infrastructure passed.
2. Employment & wages up.
3. Kids vaccinated & adults boosted.
Shouldn't Democrats make sure we hear a lot about these for rest of this year? If internecine fights about BBB would be distraction--put BBB on back burner.@Sen_JoeManchin @SenatorSinema

— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) November 6, 2021

The sexual assault allegations against Marilyn Manson continue. The details in this story are pretty troubling.

Some who worked closely with Marilyn Manson said they never witnessed him behave violently. But others interviewed said that many bandmates, employees and executives ignored or failed to prevent misconduct. (Warning: details in this story are graphic) https://t.co/he4D8PcwiP

— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) November 6, 2021

This could be literally life changing: an experimental drug for ALS may be approved by the FDA:

The maker of a promising drug to treat ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, submitted an application to the FDA for approval https://t.co/uAa8ewm82H

— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) November 6, 2021

Here's the COVID-19 pandemic game-changer:

BREAKING: Pfizer says its experimental COVID-19 pill cut hospitalization and death by 90% and will seek authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and international regulators.https://t.co/wDVaLwk9lF

— The Associated Press (@AP) November 5, 2021

And I leave you with this:

I got the COVID-19 vaccine today! My wing is feeling a little sore, but it'll give my body an extra protective boost that keeps me and others healthy.

Ms. @EricaRHill even said I’ve been getting vaccines since I was a little bird. I had no idea!

— Big Bird (@BigBird) November 6, 2021