Vaccines are arriving and victory over the coronavirus at some point in 2021 now looks plausible in the US. But the winter months come first and the path ahead looks worrisome.

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* Congress still negotiating a $900 billion coronavirus relief bill
* US reports record Covid-19 deaths (3600-plus) for December 16
* French president tests positive for Covid-19
* Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine expected to receive FDA approval
* Fed leaves rates unchanged and commits to more bond purchases
* Fed lifts US economic growth forecast for 2021
* US retail sales fell more than expected in November
* Eurozone consumer prices fall for fourth straight month
* Bitcoin rises above $23,000 as Wall Street embraces the cryptocurrency
* Home builder confidence slips in December after reaching record high
* US economic expansion slowed in December via PMI survey data