Above the Fold

Our Latest COVID-19 Problem: Growing Concern Over Vaccine Safety

According to the World Health Organization, there are close to 200 different vaccines at different stages of development around the world; nearly a dozen are in or close to final testing stages. Some countries, like Russia and China, have already administered state-developed vaccines for emergency use, but most western nations are just now approving a small handful of well-vetted inoculations that will begin distribution in a matter of days. 

Despite the fact that vaccines have been one of the biggest success stories in American history (according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), there’s now a growing concern about their safety and long-term effects. Several global studies show that large numbers of people are NOT likely to get inoculated. The biggest factor for most is the speed at which the vaccines were developed, and concerns about long-term effects. Here in the states, a survey by Ipsos showed a 4% decline in those willing to get vaccinated just over the last few months, which now stands at around 73%. In Japan, sentiments are far less optimistic as nearly 80% of respondents to a survey by ad company Dentsu said they would “wait and see,” with only 7% willing to get it immediately. So while many countries are facing a second wave of illness and subsequent economic strain, many could reject the treatment and, ironically, prolong the pandemic’s effects.

Three Things 

1. Chick-fil-A Cries Fowl – America’s No. 1 chicken chain is suing several major poultry producers for allegedly manipulating prices that cost the fast-food company billions of dollars. The lawsuit includes major suppliers Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., Sanderson Farms, Tyson Foods and Perdue Farms; and accuses them of coordinated production limitations, which kept prices artificially high. With Americans consuming roughly 37 billion pounds of poultry per year, even small price fluctuations can have a major financial impact.
2. Digital Media Coming to a Sliding Door Near You – Electronics giant LG and its partner Assa Abloy Entrance Systems are creating the world’s first automatic sliding glass doors with built-in OLED (organic light-emitting diode) displays. The doors will be geared toward commercial applications, such as retailers or corporations, and can be used to advertise, greet customers or offer critical information for employees. This latest development is a useful addition to their existing transparent signage product portfolio.
3. After 70 Years, IKEA Gives Up on an Extremely Popular Product – Just four years ago, the venerable IKEA catalog reached its peak, with more than 200 million printed globally in 35 languages. According to BBC News, the catalog, which cost hundreds of millions of dollars to make, was the most widely distributed publication in the world. But with the rise of digital and a global pandemic pushing its ecommerce business to new heights, IKEA will end the catalog’s production after 70 years in print. 

Did You Know?

It’s Been Nearly 80 Years Since the “Day of Infamy” Speech

Just a day after Pearl Harbor was left in ruin by roughly 360 Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his powerful, passionate speech to Congress and to the American people denouncing the surprise attack. It was also on this day in 1941 that the U.S. and Britain declared war on Japan, officially thrusting the former into World War II.