Stephen Colbert discusses the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, citing Dr. Anthony Fauci's statement that the Omicron variant will likely infect almost everyone. Colbert jokes about the mixed messages from public health officials and the challenges of navigating the pandemic. He also touches on the economic impacts, including shortages of various products, rising inflation, and increased prices for used cars.
Colbert then shifts to more positive news, sharing a study that suggests COVID-19 cases may be dropping in Britain and the US, and that Omicron may be losing its potency. He also mentions a study that found cannabis compounds can stop COVID-19 infection, joking about the potential benefits for teenagers caught with weed.
Throughout the monologue, Colbert uses his signature humor, sarcasm, and wit to tackle the serious topic of the pandemic. The segment also includes humorous asides, such as his story about a 35-year-old can of sausage that he claims is still good, and his joke about Snoop Dogg's COVID-fighting properties.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Dr. Anthony Fauci said that Omicron will infect just about everybody.
2. According to Dr. Fauci, those who have been vaccinated will likely do reasonably well against Omicron, with some exceptions.
3. Unvaccinated individuals are 10 times more likely to be infected and 20 times more likely to die from COVID-19.
4. The CEO of United Airlines said that 4% of its U.S. employees have tested positive for COVID-19.
5. Nearly one-third of United Airlines' workforce called out sick in one day alone at Newark.
6. The World Health Organization reported that half of the population in Western Europe will be infected with COVID in the next six to eight weeks.
7. According to experts, Omicron may be headed for a rapid drop in Britain and the United States.
8. The worst of Omicron could be over by March, and it may be out of the headlines by summer.
9. A recent study found that COVID loses 50% of its ability to infect after 10 seconds in office air.
10. The FDA announced that they've extended the shelf life for expired COVID test kits.
11. A new study found that cannabis compounds stopped infection by the COVID-19 virus.
12. A compound found in cannabis prevents the virus that causes COVID from penetrating healthy human cells.
13. The study on cannabis compounds has been reviewed by the CDC.
14. The FDA extended the shelf life of up to a million COVID tests that were set to expire in a warehouse in Florida.
15. Inflation soared 7% in the past year, the most since 1982.
16. Used car prices are up more than 37% due to pandemic-related supply problems.
17. Rolls-Royce set an all-time sales record in 2021.
18. The University of Washington reported that the true daily case number of Omicron has already peaked, hitting six million on January 6.