Newsletter May 18, 2021

Vaccinated Americans celebrated last week when the CDC said it was OK to go maskless, but implementing and enforcing the policy isn't so simple.

3 Things

Honor system: The CDC's new policies that allow fully vaccinated Americans to go maskless indoors and outdoors is causing a bit of an uproar with those who have and haven't received their shots.
The CDC's announcement on Thursday triggered a range of reactions -- relief from those who are vaccinated and ready to mingle like it's 2019, and frustration from those who haven't been inoculated and feel like second-class citizens. And with no enforcement behind the policy, we're relying on folks being honest about their vax status.
With only 37% of the U.S. population currently fully vaccinated, that puts the onus on a large segment of Americans to do the right thing. If the unvaccinated stop wearing masks, we could see another spike. Experts say a 70-85% vaccination rate is needed for herd immunity.
The policy also puts retail stores and other public venues in an awkward position since there is no obvious way to tell if an individual has been vaccinated aside from asking for proof, which may violate privacy laws. Several major outlets have waved the white flag on mask policies and will rely on the honor system from their customers.
FIND OUT WHICH STORES HAVE DROPPED MASK MANDATES

Fighting the fighting: Escalating violence in the Middle East between Israelis and Palestinians has put the U.S. in a tough spot. Honoring its security pact with Israel while calling for an end to the retaliatory bombings has sparked outrage on both side and beyond.
President Joe Biden said Monday that he called for a ceasefire of hostilities, however, the U.S. thrice blocked United Nation's Security Council efforts to impose one. Biden is also speaking up for Israel's right to defend itself from the flood of incoming Hamas rockets while also pleading with Israel to tone down its level of military response.
Tensions continue to mount both within the region and around the world as countries like China and Russia also get involved in the real-life chess match. Will the U.S. step in and declare check mate?
SEE WHAT ONE U.S. MILITARY OFFICIAL WARNED AGAINST

Gaetz under the gun: A banner plane circled above an Orlando federal court building Monday displaying the word "Tick Tock Matt Gaetz." It was a reminder of the potential bombshell coming out of the case that looks increasingly bad for the Florida representative.
Gaetz's friend and associate Joel Greenberg pleaded guilty to six counts related to sex trafficking, including charges that he gave an underage girl ecstasy and paid her to have sex with him and other men. It increasingly appears that one of those men might be Gaetz.
Greenberg's phone and transactions information showed that Gaetz sent him money in the exact amounts that were paid to the women for "naughty favors." He has agreed to cooperate with federal investigators in the ongoing case that could lead directly to Gaetz.
SEE WHAT GREENBERG'S TESTIMONY MAY MEAN FOR GAETZ

Markets

DJIA	34,327.79	-0.16%
S&P 500	4,163.29	-0.25%
Nasdaq Composite	13,379.05	-0.38%
Japan: Nikkei 225	28,402.64	2.08%
UK: FTSE 100	7,032.85	-0.15%
Crude Oil Futures	66.44	0.26%
Gold Futures	1,868.10	0.03%
Yen	109.17	-0.06%
Euro	1.22	0.11%
* As of market close

Ransom(ware) note

The high-profile cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline that paralyzed the gas supply chain on the East Coast and pushed up fuel prices amid panic-inducted hoarding attracted widespread attention, but such assaults are more common you might think -- and they're occurring more frequently.

The ransomware attacks have been on the rise for years, primarily because of the mounting success the hackers have had at holding computer networks hostage for sizeable ransom payments. The DarkSide group that hacked the pipeline received a reported $5 million in ransom-- not a bad day's work if you don't mind shutting down half the country.

Such incidents have only encouraged and emboldened online hackers to attempt to crack the codes on the computer systems of major corporations and governmental agencies at an alarming rate. Cybersecurity officials have been working to identify the hackers and prevent future attacks, but they are relatively powerless to enact policies outside U.S. borders.

Surprisingly, these attacks are avoidable with the right defense network and protocols, but many entities have failed at vigilance and investment.

GET TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS ABOUT PROTECTING NETWORKS

Platform plunge

What do you get when you cross "Game of Thrones" with "The Amazing World of Gumball"? Viewers will find out soon from a yet-to-be-named media platform announced Monday by ATT's WarnerMedia and Discovery.

In a move designed to rival streaming service giants NetFlix and Disney+, AT&T said it will break off its media holdings like HBO, CNN, TNT and TBS to merge with and Discovery+'s channels like the Cartoon Network, Food Network, TLC and HGTV to create one standalone media platform.

"To be one of the best global media companies requires not only broad and deep creative assets, but an investor base and access to capital to make it happen," AT&T CEO John Stankey said. "The decision to combine WarnerMedia with Discovery is rooted in this conclusion."

No date has been set for the rollout of the highly anticipated venture but industry experts expect it to be a major player in the booming media biz.

FIND OUT WHAT OTHER ENTITIES ARE INVOLVED IN THE DEAL

Preaching malpractice

Controversial megachurch pastor Joel Osteen caught hell on social media Monday following his appearance on NBC's "Today" show for what came off as a very public expression of failure to practice what you preach.

In pitching his new book, "Peaceful on Purpose," Osteen imparted some words of wisdom that seemed to be on the level -- with the exception of the messenger. He told the audience that one of the keys to happiness is de-emphasizing wealth: "Don't focus on what you have or don't have."

The message struck a nerve on social media, which pointed out the hypocrisy of the man with an estimated net wort over $100 million, including two mansions, sports cars and a private jet. And it's all tax-free thanks to his association with his Lakewood Church in Houston.

It's not the first time Osteen has been called out for his self-serving ways. In 2017, when Hurricane Harvey devastated the Houston area, Osteen ordered the church's doors locked to those seeking shelter in the storm. And during the pandemic, his church took $4.4 million in PPP loans.

CHECK OUT THE TWITTER REACTIONS TO OSTEEN'S COMMENTS