I think the implication that Pokey is alluding to is that tucking the call away after hours a Friday afternoon in which a lot of people are away for vacation could mean that bad news is coming. Bad news is scheduled at these times b/c it allows people to cool off and not immediately sell.

I also think the ordering of the subjects is somewhat telling. The Covid was last to be discussed. Trying to get you excited/focused about the other stuff and apply less focus to Covid funding.

Also no mention or build up of Covid in Joe's quote at the bottom.