can't get in. but thanks for playing, anyway. :)

Try this link. Should get you in at least 1 time.
https://seekingalpha.com/article/4571846-investment-picks-for-retirees-in-2023

Thank you for the extra effort, hank. But no, it would not let me read it. Not past the header and bullet points. I'm glad to read from someone else on this thread the "closing thoughts" Lynn offered. THAT is helpful, indeed. @sven. @hank.

can't get in. but thanks for playing, anyway. :)

Try this link. Should get you in at least 1 time.
https://seekingalpha.com/article/4571846-investment-picks-for-retirees-in-2023

https://www.gmo.com/americas/research-library/after-a-timeout-back-to-the-meat-grinder_viewpoints/
you may have to register to read it but always worthwhile.
" Continued economic and financial problems are likely. I believe they could be dire"
SP500 3200 end of 2023. Will probably dip further sometime this year.
He believes the peak in 2021 was one of the classic bubbles in history like 1929 2000 and 2006 and most of the decline could be after the first rate cut.
There is also a link to his recent interview about Climate Change

This (delete) rhetoric goes back at least to the (delete) beginning 50s or 60s. Subscribed to (the then very excellent) U.S. News & World Report as a teen - always enjoying reading of current events. So, the “can’t run a household this way” refrain goes back at least (delete) to the 50s and 60s. Truth is … A nation that prints its own currency and backs it with full faith and credit is much different than a household. That’s not to say it doesn’t have to practice good financial policies - just to say the two situations are dissimilar.
Now, despite these dire warnings of economic doom (delete) over the past 60 years, the nation has done pretty well over those decades, whether measured by the strength of our corporations and financial giants, scientific achievements or numbers of less fortunate in other countries who would like to live and work here. And, the USD is still the envy of most any other nation that issues a currency. So, let’s cool the rhetoric and get on with governing.
(Delete) Getting back to the “household” analogy. Can households raise armies and go to war? Are they charged with building and maintaining public highways, bridges, airports, seaports and schools? Do they / can they provide subsistence level services for the poor and needy or render emergency relief unto those whose lives have been devastated by fire or flood? The differences are stark - and too numerous to even quantify.

Added to FPBFX Fidelity Pacific Basin, most likely a trade as long as it continues to trend. Reasonable country diversification that can benefit from China re-opening, but not a pure China play.
Japan 37.94%
China 22.16%
Taiwan 7.26%
Korea (South) 6.88%
Australia 5.97%
Hong Kong 4.75%
Singapore 4.58%
India 2.93%
Also added FNMIX Fidelity New Markets Income (emerging markets bond fund)

IMO, the US lawmakers, who grew up in the dollar-reserve-currency environment don't appreciate the global significance of a potential US default, technical or not. There are already serious global concerns on dollar-diplomacy/weaponization and this is really a bad time to mess with this debt-ceiling issue. The time for discussions is when federal appropriations are made, not when the bills come due.
Gold (physical GLD, gold-miners GDX) has been outperforming since October lows. https://stockcharts.com/h-perf/ui?s=GLD&compare=GDX,SPY&id=p72295455994
Global reserve currencies have 100+ or so years of life (in the list below from Bitcoin enthusiasts, you can ignore the last projection), and the US can only hasten the change. https://twitter.com/BTC_for_Freedom/status/1616047232947560448
"World reserve currency periods:
- Portugal (1450–1530)
- Spain (1530–1640)
- Netherlands (1640–1720)
- France (1720–1815)
- Great Britain (1815–1920)
- United States (1921-2030)
- Bitcoin (2030-Forever)"

My Investment Picks For Retirees In 2023
{Forewarned - this article is from Seeking Alpha and some may not be able to access it}
Summary
° I expect the Federal Reserve to continue to increase rates at a slower pace until they reach about 5% and hold them there through 2023, creating opportunities for retirees.
° A recession is likely in the second half of 2023 and valuations are still high with respect to inflation and interest rates. Earnings growth is likely to decline.
° This article looks at how retirees may benefit from diversifying in bonds and staying diversified in conservative equity funds.

of course the future is likely to be different with bonds, but schp too has been a weak investment for 2/1/0.5y (compared w stip, agg, fbnd, bsv)

:)
You've just given me some new stuff to research.

Not a big proponent of tech analysis. However, several sources I follow have in the last week or so referenced this “breadth thrust” (bullish) indicator. If nothing else, word of it may have induced some investors to take more risk and might be reflected in those early 2023 numbers. That said, I suspect it would be very easy right now to get caught “flat-footed” / leaning the wrong way and get burned by a sharp market retrenchment. - ”You pays your money, and you takes your chances”
”For only the 25th time since World War II (an average of once every 3 1/2 years), the Dow Jones Industrials registered what technician Walter Deemer calls “breakaway momentum” (or “breadth thrust”). This often signals a new bull market (or a new intermediate upleg within a bull market).”
Barry Ritholtz

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1657201/000110465923005868/tm233913d2_497.htm
497 1 tm233913d2_497.htm 497
INVESCO EXCHANGE-TRADED SELF-INDEXED FUND TRUST
SUPPLEMENT DATED JANUARY 23, 2023 TO THE:
PROSPECTUSES AND STATEMENTS OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
DATED DECEMBER 16, 2022 OF:
Invesco BulletShares 2023 USD Emerging Markets Debt ETF (BSCE)
Invesco BulletShares 2024 USD Emerging Markets Debt ETF (BSDE)
Invesco Investment Grade Value ETF (IIGV)
Invesco RAFITM Strategic Developed ex-US ETF (ISDX)
Invesco RAFITM Strategic Emerging Markets ETF (ISEM)
Invesco RAFITM Strategic US Small Company ETF (IUSS)
(each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”)
At a meeting held on January 20, 2023, the Board of Trustees of the Invesco Exchange-Traded Self-Indexed Fund Trust approved the termination and liquidation of each Fund, with the liquidation payment to shareholders expected to take place on or about April 6, 2023.
After the close of business on March 23, 2023, the Funds no longer will accept creation orders. The last day of trading in each Fund on NYSE Arca, Inc. or The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (each, an “Exchange”), as applicable, will be March 30, 2023. Shareholders should be aware that while the Funds are preparing to liquidate, they will not be pursuing their stated investment objective or engaging in any business activities except for the purposes of winding up their business and affairs, preserving the value of their assets, paying their liabilities, and distributing their remaining assets to shareholders. A liquidation may also be delayed if unforeseen circumstances arise.
Shareholders may sell their holdings of a Fund on the applicable Exchange until market close on March 30, 2023, and may incur typical transaction fees from their broker-dealer. Each Fund’s shares will no longer trade on the applicable Exchange after market close on March 30, 2023, and the shares will be subsequently delisted. Shareholders who do not sell their shares of a Fund before market close on March 30, 2023 will receive cash equal to the amount of the net asset value of their shares, which will include any capital gains and dividends, in the cash portion of their brokerage accounts, on or about April 6, 2023.
Shareholders generally will recognize a capital gain or loss equal to the amount received for their shares over or under their adjusted basis in such shares.
Shareholders should call the Fund’s distributor, Invesco Distributors, Inc., at 1-800-983-0903 for additional information.
Please Retain This Supplement For Future Reference.
P-PS-SIFT-PROSAI-SUP 012323
=====================================================================
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1209466/000110465923005869/tm233913d9_497.htm
497 1 tm233913d9_497.htm 497
INVESCO EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND TRUST
SUPPLEMENT DATED JANUARY 23, 2023 TO THE
PROSPECTUSES AND STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
DATED AUGUST 26, 2022 OF:
Invesco S&P SmallCap 600 Equal Weight ETF (EWSC)
(the “Fund”)
At a meeting held on January 20, 2023, the Board of Trustees of the Invesco Exchange-Traded Fund Trust approved the termination and liquidation of the Fund, with the liquidation payment to shareholders expected to take place on or about April 6, 2023.
After the close of business on March 23, 2023, the Fund no longer will accept creation orders. The last day of trading in the Fund on NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “Exchange”), will be March 30, 2023. Shareholders should be aware that while the Fund is preparing to liquidate, it will not be pursuing its stated investment objective or engaging in any business activities except for the purposes of winding up its business and affairs, preserving the value of its assets, paying its liabilities, and distributing its remaining assets to shareholders. The liquidation may also be delayed if unforeseen circumstances arise.
Shareholders may sell their holdings of the Fund on the applicable Exchange until market close on March 30, 2023, and may incur typical transaction fees from their broker-dealer. The Fund’s shares will no longer trade on the Exchange after market close on March 30, 2023, and the shares will be subsequently delisted. Shareholders who do not sell their shares of the Fund before market close on March 30, 2023 will receive cash equal to the amount of the net asset value of their shares, which will include any capital gains and dividends, in the cash portion of their brokerage accounts, on or about April 6, 2023.
Shareholders generally will recognize a capital gain or loss equal to the amount received for their shares over or under their adjusted basis in such shares.
Shareholders should call the Fund’s distributor, Invesco Distributors, Inc., at 1-800-983-0903 for additional information.
Please Retain This Supplement For Future Reference.
P-PS-PRO-1-SUP-1 012323
==========================================================================
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1169717/000110465923005878/tm233913d11_497.htm
497 1 tm233913d11_497.htm 497
INVESCO BLDRS INDEX FUNDS TRUST
SUPPLEMENT DATED JANUARY 23, 2023 TO THE
PROSPECTUS DATED JANUARY 31, 2022, AS PREVIOUSLY SUPPLEMENTED, OF:
Invesco BLDRS Emerging Markets 50 ADR Index Fund (ADRE)
(the “Fund”)
Invesco Capital Management LLC (the “Sponsor”) and The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Trustee”), as Sponsor and Trustee, respectively, have approved the termination and liquidation of the Fund, with the liquidation payment to shareholders expected to take place on or about April 6, 2023.
Effective after the close of business on March 10, 2023 (the effective date of the notice of termination), the Fund no longer will accept creation orders.
The termination date and last day of trading in the Fund on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (the “Exchange”) will be March 30, 2023. During the period March 10, 2023 through March 30, 2023, Authorized Participants may redeem baskets of shares for a pro rata portion of the Fund’s portfolio on hand. After the close of business on March 30, 2023, the transfer books of the Fund will be closed. Shareholders should be aware that while the Fund is preparing to liquidate, it will not be pursuing its stated investment objective or engaging in any business activities except for the purposes of winding up its business and affairs, preserving the value of its assets, paying its liabilities, and distributing its remaining assets to shareholders. The liquidation may also be delayed if unforeseen circumstances arise.
Shareholders may sell their holdings of the Fund on the Exchange until market close on March 30, 2023, and may incur typical transaction fees from their broker-dealer. The Fund’s shares will no longer trade on the Exchange after market close on March 30, 2023, and the shares will be subsequently delisted. Shareholders who do not sell their shares of the Fund before market close on March 30, 2023 will receive cash equal to the amount of the net asset value of their shares, which will include any capital gains and dividends, in the cash portion of their brokerage accounts, on or about April 6, 2023.
Shareholders generally will recognize a capital gain or loss equal to the amount received for their shares over or under their adjusted basis in such shares.
Shareholders should call the Fund’s distributor, Invesco Distributors, Inc., at 1-800-983-0903 for additional information.
Please Retain This Supplement For Future Reference.
P-BLDRS-PRO-1-SUP-1 012323

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1418144/000110465923005865/tm233913d21_497.htm
497 1 tm233913d21_497.htm 497
INVESCO ACTIVELY MANAGED EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND TRUST
SUPPLEMENT DATED JANUARY 23, 2023 TO THE:
PROSPECTUSES AND STATEMENTS OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
DATED FEBRUARY 25, 2022, AS PREVIOUSLY SUPPLEMENTED, OF:
Invesco Balanced Multi-Asset Allocation ETF (PSMB)
Invesco Conservative Multi-Asset Allocation ETF (PSMC)
Invesco Focused Discovery Growth ETF (IVDG)
Invesco Growth Multi-Asset Allocation ETF (PSMG)
Invesco Moderately Conservative Multi-Asset Allocation ETF (PSMM)
Invesco Select Growth ETF (IVSG)
Invesco US Large Cap Core ESG ETF (IVLC)
(each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”)
At a meeting held on January 20, 2023, the Board of Trustees of the Invesco Actively Managed Exchange-Traded Fund Trust approved the termination and liquidation of each Fund, with the liquidation payment to shareholders expected to take place on or about April 6, 2023.
After the close of business on March 23, 2023, the Funds no longer will accept creation orders. The last day of trading in each Fund on the Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. (the “Exchange”) will be March 30, 2023. Shareholders should be aware that while the Funds are preparing to liquidate, they will not be pursuing their stated investment objective or engaging in any business activities except for the purposes of winding up their business and affairs, preserving the value of their assets, paying their liabilities, and distributing their remaining assets to shareholders. A liquidation may also be delayed if unforeseen circumstances arise.
Shareholders may sell their holdings of a Fund on the Exchange until market close on March 30, 2023, and may incur typical transaction fees from their broker-dealer. Each Fund’s shares will no longer trade on the Exchange after market close on March 30, 2023, and the shares will be subsequently delisted. Shareholders who do not sell their shares of a Fund before market close on March 30, 2023 will receive cash equal to the amount of the net asset value of their shares, which will include any capital gains and dividends, in the cash portion of their brokerage accounts, on or about April 6, 2023.
Shareholders generally will recognize a capital gain or loss equal to the amount received for their shares over or under their adjusted basis in such shares.
Shareholders should call the Fund’s distributor, Invesco Distributors, Inc., at 1-800-983-0903 for additional information.
Please Retain This Supplement For Future Reference.
P-PSM4IV3-PROSAI-SUP 012323
=======================================================================
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1378872/000110465923005881/tm233913d12_497.htm
497 1 tm233913d12_497.htm 497
INVESCO EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND TRUST II
SUPPLEMENT DATED JANUARY 23, 2023 TO THE:
PROSPECTUSES AND STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
DATED FEBRUARY 25, 2022, AS PREVIOUSLY SUPPLEMENTED, OF:
Invesco FTSE International Low Beta Equal Weight ETF (IDLB)
Invesco S&P International Developed High Dividend Low Volatility ETF (IDHD)
Invesco PureBetaSM FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (PBEE)
Invesco PureBetaSM FTSE Developed ex-North America ETF (PBDM)
and
PROSPECTUSES AND STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
DATED DECEMBER 16, 2022 OF:
Invesco PureBetaSM MSCI USA Small Cap ETF (PBSM)
Invesco PureBetaSM US Aggregate Bond ETF (PBND)
Invesco Russell 1000 Enhanced Equal Weight ETF (USEQ)
Invesco Russell 1000 Low Beta Equal Weight ETF (USLB)
(IDLB, IDHD, PBEE, PBDM, PBSM, PBND, USEQ and USLB are
each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”)
At a meeting held on January 20, 2023, the Board of Trustees of the Invesco Exchange-Traded Fund Trust II approved the termination and liquidation of each Fund, with the liquidation payment to shareholders expected to take place on or about April 6, 2023.
After the close of business on March 23, 2023, the Funds no longer will accept creation orders. The last day of trading in each Fund on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC or the Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. (each, an “Exchange”), as applicable, will be March 30, 2023. Shareholders should be aware that while the Funds are preparing to liquidate, they will not be pursuing their stated investment objective or engaging in any business activities except for the purposes of winding up their business and affairs, preserving the value of their assets, paying their liabilities, and distributing their remaining assets to shareholders. A liquidation may also be delayed if unforeseen circumstances arise.
Shareholders may sell their holdings of a Fund on the applicable Exchange until market close on March 30, 2023, and may incur typical transaction fees from their broker-dealer. Each Fund’s shares will no longer trade on the applicable Exchange after market close on March 30, 2023, and the shares will be subsequently delisted. Shareholders who do not sell their shares of a Fund before market close on March 30, 2023 will receive cash equal to the amount of the net asset value of their shares, which will include any capital gains and dividends, in the cash portion of their brokerage accounts, on or about April 6, 2023.
Shareholders generally will recognize a capital gain or loss equal to the amount received for their shares over or under their adjusted basis in such shares.
Shareholders should call the Fund’s distributor, Invesco Distributors, Inc., at 1-800-983-0903 for additional information.
Please Retain This Supplement For Future Reference.
P-PS-TRUSTII-PROSAI-SUP 012323

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/880859/000110465923005890/tm233916d2_497k.htm
SUPPLEMENT DATED JANUARY 23, 2023 TO THE CURRENT
SUMMARY AND STATUTORY PROSPECTUSES AND STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR:
Invesco International Core Equity Fund
(the “Fund”)
This supplement amends the Summary and Statutory Prospectuses and Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) of the above referenced Fund and is in addition to any other supplement(s), unless otherwise specified. You should read this supplement in conjunction with the Summary and Statutory Prospectuses and SAI and retain it for future reference.
On January 19, 2023, the Board of Trustees of AIM International Mutual Funds (Invesco International Mutual Funds) (the “Board”) approved a Plan of Liquidation and Dissolution (the “Plan”), which authorizes the termination, liquidation and dissolution of the Fund. In order to effect such liquidation, the Fund will close to investments by new accounts after the close of business on February 24, 2023. Existing shareholders will continue to be able to invest in the Fund until the close of business on or about April 10, 2023 when no further purchases or exchanges into the Fund will be accepted as the Fund prepares for liquidation on or about April 24, 2023 (the “Liquidation Date”) as described below. The liquidation may occur sooner if at any time before the Liquidation Date there are no shares outstanding in the Fund. The liquidation may also be delayed or occur sooner if unforeseen circumstances arise. Shareholders of the Fund may redeem their shares at any time prior to the Liquidation Date. The Fund reserves the right, in its discretion, to modify the extent to which sales of shares are limited prior to the Liquidation Date.
To prepare for the closing and liquidation of the Fund, the Fund’s portfolio managers may increase the Fund’s assets held in cash and similar instruments in order to pay for Fund expenses and meet redemption requests. As a result, the Fund may deviate from its stated investment strategies and policies and may no longer be managed to meet its investment objective. On or promptly after the Liquidation Date, the Fund will make a liquidating distribution to each remaining shareholder equal to the shareholder’s proportionate interest in the net assets of the Fund, in complete redemption and cancellation of the Fund’s shares held by the shareholder, and the Fund will be dissolved. If necessary, the Fund will declare and pay a dividend to distribute to its shareholders all of the Fund’s remaining investment company taxable income, if any, and all of the Fund’s net capital gain, if any (after reduction for any capital loss carry-forward) and any additional amounts necessary to avoid any excise tax. Alternatively, the Fund may, if eligible, treat some or all of such amounts distributed to its shareholders as being paid out as dividends as part of the liquidating distributions. The Fund’s liquidation may be a taxable event to its shareholders. Please consult your tax advisor about the potential tax consequences.
At any time prior to the Liquidation Date, shareholders may redeem their shares of the Fund pursuant to the procedures set forth in the prospectus under “Redeeming Shares,” as it may be supplemented. Contingent deferred sales charges will be waived in connection with any redemptions prior to the Liquidation Date. Shareholders who wish to avoid being liquidated out of the Fund altogether may also exchange their shares prior to the Liquidation Date for shares of another Invesco fund, subject to minimum investment account requirements and other restrictions on exchanges as described in the prospectus under “Exchanging Shares,” as it may be supplemented. Any such redemption or exchange of Fund shares for shares of another Invesco fund, as eligible, will generally be considered a taxable event for federal income tax purposes, except for exchanges in a tax-advantaged retirement plan or account. Shareholders who hold their shares in the Fund through financial intermediaries should contact their financial representatives to discuss their options with respect to the liquidation and the distribution of their redemption proceeds...

Look at the bounce (and volatility) from October 2022 low.

of course the future is likely to be different with bonds, but schp too has been a weak investment for 2/1/0.5y (compared w stip, agg, fbnd, bsv)

bivalent use remains low. Despite the safety of the booster for kids 5 to 11 (Update January 16), only 11.5% of recipients of a primary series have gone back for the bivalent (CDC).

That is the sad part of this political environment. So what so great of being long COVID patients and your outlook on life is greatly diminished.

"Mine will only forecast a day or two ahead !!!"
Yeah, mine too... but the forecasts only have about a 50/50 chance of being right.

Morningstar analysts added several promising funds to the Morningstar Prospects list.
Four of the six strategies which were added to the January 2023 list are discussed.
Link

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/49905/000119312523012796/d440160d497.htm
497 1 d440160d497.htm HARTFORD MUTUAL FUNDS II INC
JANUARY 23, 2023
SUPPLEMENT TO THE FOLLOWING PROSPECTUSES:
HARTFORD SCHRODERS SECURITIZED INCOME FUND SUMMARY PROSPECTUS
DATED MARCH 1, 2022
HARTFORD SCHRODERS FUNDS PROSPECTUS
DATED MARCH 1, 2022, AS SUPPLEMENTED TO DATE
This Supplement contains new and additional information regarding Hartford Schroders Securitized Income Fund and should be read in connection with your Summary Prospectus and Statutory Prospectus.
On or about February 28, 2023 (the “Liquidation Date”), Hartford Schroders Securitized Income Fund (the “Fund”), a series of The Hartford Mutual Funds II, Inc. (the “Company”), will be liquidated (the “Liquidation”).
SUSPENSION OF SALES. The Fund is instructing its transfer agent, other service providers, and financial intermediaries to no longer accept any account applications or purchase orders from new investors effective no later than the close of business on January 31, 2023. Accordingly, the Fund will be closed to all new investors on or before that date.
Until the close of business on February 21, 2023, the Fund will remain open to retirement plans and shareholders currently invested in the Fund. After that date, the Fund will no longer accept any purchase orders and will no longer be available for automatic investments (other than dividend reinvestments). Prior to the Liquidation Date, retirement plans and shareholders currently invested in the Fund may continue to reinvest dividends and capital gain distributions in the Fund.
At any time prior to the Liquidation Date, the Fund may, in the Fund’s discretion, reject any purchase orders for any reason, including for operational reasons relating to the Liquidation of the Fund.
LIQUIDATION OF ASSETS. To prepare for the Liquidation, it is anticipated that the Fund will depart from its stated investment objective and policies as it prepares to distribute its assets to investors. It is anticipated that the Fund’s sub-adviser will increase the portion of the Fund’s assets held in cash and similar investments and reduce maturities of non-cash investments in order to prepare for orderly liquidation and to meet anticipated redemption requests. As a result, the Fund’s portfolio may consist of all or substantially all cash or cash equivalents prior to the Liquidation Date, which may adversely affect the Fund’s performance. From the date of this Supplement, the Fund may invest all or a substantial portion of its assets in cash or cash equivalents. The impending liquidation of the Fund may result in large redemptions, which could adversely affect the Fund’s expense ratios, although existing expense limitations are expected to be maintained.
In connection with the Liquidation, any shares of the Fund outstanding on the Liquidation Date will automatically be redeemed by the Fund as of the Liquidation Date (except as noted below for qualified accounts that were opened directly with the Hartford Funds). The proceeds of any such redemption will be equal to the net asset value of such shares after all charges, taxes, expenses and liabilities of the Fund have been paid or provided for. The distribution to shareholders of the Liquidation proceeds will occur on the Liquidation Date, and will be made to all shareholders of record as of the close of business on the business day preceding the Liquidation Date, other than as disclosed below. The Fund’s investment manager, Hartford Funds Management Company, LLC (“HFMC”), will bear all expenses associated with the Liquidation to the extent such expenses exceed the amount of the Fund’s normal and customary fees and operating expenses. However, the Fund and its shareholders will bear transaction costs associated with the sale of the Fund’s holdings prior to Liquidation...

The most recent data from Henry A Choy a UCLA biologist. He sends out irregular summaries of Covid. I can't remember where I heard of him or if you can email him and get on his mailing list but worth trying as he has very good data and references
hac5[email protected]
"Although infections and deaths are trending down, the Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 continues to grow outside of the Northeast, where it’s already dominating at 87% of new cases (CDC). In the West and Midwest, it’s at 24% (up 50% and 71%, respectively, in a week) and at 39% in the Southeast (up 26%). At 49% nationally, XBB.1.5 will eventually replace BQ.1.1, which has slid to 27%. 
 
So far, the bivalent mRNA boosters remain effective in lowering the risks for serious disease and death. Besides the not-vaccinated having a 19-fold higher chance of dying from an infection than people with up-to-date boosters, the latter group is 3 times less likely to get hospitalized than those with only a primary series (CDC). 
However, bivalent use remains low. Despite the safety of the booster for kids 5 to 11 (Update January 16), only 11.5% of recipients of a primary series have gone back for the bivalent (CDC). 
Kids under 5 not yet eligible for a bivalent booster (Pfizer’s 3-jab primary series for this age group uses the bivalent as the 3rd dose) are not even getting their primary vaccination. Only 5% of kids 2 to 4 have a primary and 3% of those under 2 (CDC). For the kids under 2, this translates to the highest rate of recent emergency department visits for COVID, 5.0%, which tops the 3.8% for adults over 64. "
How can you not vaccinate your kids? This makes refusing measles vaccine look like a good idea, I guess you can believe that since everyone else is vaccinated, there is no measles for you kid to catch, but clearly there is a lot of Covid still.