Newsletter Mar 18, 2021

Is the glass half-full or half-empty? Both for President Biden, whose 53% approval rating is average and predictable in the current political climate.
3 Things

  • 50/50 proposition: You know Americans are politically divided when 50% constitutes a positive presidential approval rating, and Joe Biden is scoring slightly above average two months into his term.

    A new poll from RealClearPolitics shows Biden posting a 53% approval rating after maxing out close to 60% during his brief inaugural honeymoon period. His average popularity rating is 57%.

    While that might seem generally low, Biden ranks near the top among recent presidents, most notably his predecessor, Donald Trump. His approval rating was only 42% at this point in his term.

    Biden's approval rating is surprisingly low based on the polling from his $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, which he signed into law earlier this month. Polls show three of four Americans support the $1,400 stimulus payments that are being processed this week.

    SEE HOW BIDEN STACKS UP AGAINST OTHER PRESIDENTS

  • Paging Dr. Trump: Republicans have run into a real conundrum with their messaging at this point in the COVID pandemic: How to urge followers to get vaccinated against a virus they have downplayed.

    Polls show that half of conservative-minded voters do not plan to get the COVID vaccine out of fears and mistrust of science planted and cultivated by Trump. He was not included in a recent PSA featuring all the living former presidents but himself, and he has remained relatively mum on the subject after receiving his shot in private.

    Trump broke his silence Tuesday after being called upon by Biden and Dr. Anthony Fauci to encourage his followers to get inoculated.

    "I would recommend it to a lot of people that don't want to get it and a lot of those people voted for me, frankly," Trump proclaimed. "It's a great vaccine, it's a safe vaccine and it's something that works."

    FIND OUT HOW THE GOP IS ADJUSTING ITS MESSAGING

  • Growth spurt?: Americans are receiving mixed signals about the economic recovery outlook. In fact, the Federal Reserve was guilty of it Wednesday when issuing its report for the economic future.

    The Fed raised its median growth estimate by more than two points to 6.5%, bringing encouraging news to investors unsure of the instability created by the coronavirus pandemic. However, just a few hours later, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell poured some cold water on the smoking predictions and the speed of the recovery.

    "The economy is a long way from our employment and inflation goals, and it is likely to take some time for substantial further progress to be achieved," he said, adding that The Fed "will continue to provide the economy the support it needs for as long as it takes."

    The optimism stems from the new $1.9 trillion stimulus package passed by Congress, pumping some much-needed fuel into the decimated U.S. economy. The forecast also called for inflation to climb to 2.4%, however, the Federal Open Market Committee said it won't increase the benchmark interest rate through at least 2023.

    CHECK OUT THE LATEST PROJECTIONS FROM THE FED
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* As of market close
Amazon M.D.

As if Amazon isn't already a major part of our lives during the pandemic, now the retail tech giant may soon be handling your medical issues.

Amazon Care was rolled out Wednesday as a new telemedicine option for companies to offer their employees. Amazon started the service within its own company and had such success it decided to launch nationwide.

“Making this available to other employers is a big step,” said one exec. “It's an opportunity for other forward-thinking employers to offer a service that helps bring high-quality care, convenience and peace of mind.”

Amazon Care is offered as a supplement to existing health care plans, giving users the change to schedule a virtual appointment with a health professional. The accompanying app allows patience to speak to a doctor or specialist 24 hours a day and even schedule a house call for exams.

It's not the first time Amazon has tried its hand in medicine. In 2018, Amazon acquired online pharmacy PillPack for under $1 billion. 

SEE THE FULL LIST OF BENEFITS OFFERED BY AMAZON CARE
'The Mouse' returns

Hey Americans, you've just survived a year locked in your houses wearing sweatpants and watching your hair grow. Now where are you going to do.

Like the long list of Super Bowl MVPs who answered that same question, Americans will soon be "going to Disneyland" now that the California theme park has announced its plans to reopen at the end of April.

As COVID numbers are on the decline and sister park Disney World has shown the way on how to safely reopen, Disneyland has established protocols that will allow limited crowds through the gates to rub elbows (or at least exchange fist bumps) with Mickey, Minnie and the whole gang.

“I think as people become vaccinated, they become a little bit more confident in the fact that they can travel, and, you know, stay COVID-free,” Disneyland CEO Bob Chapek announced Wednesday. “Consumers trust Disney to do the right thing and we’ve certainly proven that we can [open] responsibly whether it’s temperature checks, masks, social distancing, [or] improved hygiene around the parks.”

The state of California is reporting an average of 2,905 new cases per day, which shows a dramatic drop-off over the past two weeks.

FIND OUT DISNEYLAND'S PLANS FOR PHASED-IN REOPENINGS

Love me Tinder

One of the surest signs that the COVID pandemic is fading is the reemergence of dating. You remember, when two people who like each other go out to dinner, a movie, and maybe even share a kiss on the lips.

The popular dating app Tinder is stepping up its game to find matches made in heaven (or the laboratory) by offering users and their potential dating mates a free COVID-19 test to make sure the coast is clear. The company is providing 1,000 Everlywell COVID-19 Home Collection Kits

“The pandemic has created no shortage of dating obstacles, but we think our members are pretty optimistic about getting back out there,” a Tinder official said in a statement. “We’re excited to be working with Everlywell to make it easier for our members to go and meet their matches safely.” 

Tinder said swipe activity hit a high of 3.4 billion on Jan. 3, which was one of the busiest days of the entire pandemic. The numbers continue to climb as millions of Americans are getting their shots and are ready to mingle.

SEE WHAT ELSE TINDER IS DOING TO MAKE IT EASIER TO DATE

Sloppy day

March 18 is National Sloppy Joe Day. You can probably guess the inventor's name, but what city and cafe's claim to fame is the Sloppy Joe?

(Wednesday's answer: St. Patrick was born in 387 AD in Scotland.)

SEND YOUR ANSWER HERE TO SHOW OFF YOUR KNOWLEDGE
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