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COVID-19 Coronavirus

You are here: Home / Archives for Healthcare / COVID-19 Coronavirus

COVID-19 Coronavirus Updates: Sunday/Monday, Dec. 27-28

by Anne Laurie|  December 28, 20204:55 am| 20 Comments

This post is in: COVID-19 Coronavirus, Foreign Affairs

Fauci: Biden is correct that worst of COVID pandemic yet to come https://t.co/IslJeRvBZG pic.twitter.com/br9BxTAWru

— The Hill (@thehill) December 28, 2020

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Dr. Anthony Fauci predicts the general U.S. population will be getting immunized widely by late March or early April, following the front-line workers, elderly and certain other segments of the public given priority for the vaccines. https://t.co/tNzjtA8F3m

— The Associated Press (@AP) December 27, 2020

US Covid-19 deaths: December is the deadliest month since the pandemic began — and projections for January are 'nightmarish' – CNN – https://t.co/kQibWPramS

— Nigel Cameron (@nigelcameron) December 27, 2020

No longer concentrated solely in a few urban areas or in nursing homes, prisons and factories, the virus seems to flourish wherever people let down their guard.https://t.co/xdEsJ8agAm pic.twitter.com/SJGSpnIZ3s

— COVID19 (@V2019N) December 27, 2020

We're investigating the Trump administration's herd immunity strategy https://t.co/1M65LZ7o52

— Citizens for Ethics (@CREWcrew) December 28, 2020

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Covid-19 data – Tracking covid-19 across the world | Graphic detail | The Economisthttps://t.co/GSWolHSUpW

— Equity & Health (@equitylist) December 27, 2020

Zhang Zhan: China jails citizen journalist for Wuhan reports https://t.co/Hy1IECLDoM

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) December 28, 2020

Japan to halt all foreign arrivals as a precaution against a new and potentially more contagious coronavirus variant that has spread across Britain. Last week, Japan banned nonresident foreigners coming from Britain and South Africa. https://t.co/hwA4czVTiS

— The Associated Press (@AP) December 27, 2020

Russia reported 487 new coronavirus deaths Monday, pushing its overall Covid-19 death toll above 55,000 https://t.co/Up1xgHCvNt

— The Moscow Times (@MoscowTimes) December 28, 2020

Israel began its 3rd #coronavirus lockdown Sunday as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced optimism that a "world record" vaccination drive will restore a degree of normality within the coming weeks. Lockdown was imposed to address a sharp resurgence https://t.co/KaCuTuAE13 pic.twitter.com/LzAZ1rPNlX

— delthia ricks 🔬 (@DelthiaRicks) December 27, 2020

"A game-changer": European Union nations eagerly kick off mass coronavirus vaccination programs. Austria's leader says it's "not the end of the pandemic but it is the beginning of the victory." https://t.co/mvq5j0TAn5

— AP Europe (@AP_Europe) December 27, 2020

France's government has taken a more low-key approach to COVID-19 vaccination efforts compared to other European nations. That's because many French fear the vaccines were developed too quickly and are aimed at bringing profit to pharmaceutical companies. https://t.co/qBRmnwE80A

— AP Europe (@AP_Europe) December 27, 2020

The US has 330 million people and 20 million health workers.

The continent of Africa has 1.2 billion people and about 3 million health workers.

If health workers in Africa get sick, it hurts efforts to fight HIV, malaria, TB, and other diseases. They need Covid vaccines fast.

— Dr. Tom Frieden (@DrTomFrieden) December 27, 2020

South Africa exceeds 1 million confirmed cases of COVID-19. As scientists track the dominance of new variant, the government ponders new restrictions to slow the spread of the disease. https://t.co/SYNccwnDWZ

— AP Africa (@AP_Africa) December 27, 2020

The effort to vaccinate millions of people in poor and developing countries against COVID-19 faces monumental obstacles. Health workers have to contend with wars, insurgencies, corruption, poor infrastructure and suspicions about vaccinations. https://t.co/SAM9tcMZym

— The Associated Press (@AP) December 27, 2020

Today is the first ever International Day of Epidemic Preparedness. In the past 12 months, lives and livelihoods have been turned upside down by #COVID19. But over the years @WHO and our partners have warned that the world is not prepared for a pandemic.pic.twitter.com/lZiUD41S3U

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) December 27, 2020

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"Winning formula." AstraZeneca's chief executive says the company's COVID-19 vaccine "should remain effective" against a new coronavirus variant driving a surge in infections in Britain. The shot is expected to be approved by U.K. authorities this week. https://t.co/aLYdqS6aUp

— AP Europe (@AP_Europe) December 27, 2020

CDC's failed race against covid-19: Agency squandered weeks as it pursued a test more complicated than those used in other countries https://t.co/ta0Rvb0cQJ

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) December 26, 2020

Should pregnant women get the COVID-19 vaccine? Will it protect against asymptomatic infections and mutated viruses? An immunologist answers 3 questions https://t.co/8bguIv9eEP pic.twitter.com/Q4YfCP0UmG

— delthia ricks 🔬 (@DelthiaRicks) December 27, 2020

Elimination strategy: It's possible to halt the spread of SARSCoV2 (and any future pandemic viruses) in communities, according to a study in BMJ, the British Medical Journal https://t.co/8QVzC3aSMv

— delthia ricks ?? (@DelthiaRicks) December 24, 2020

Curious about how proof of vaccination will work when the CDC is only giving out easily-forged paper cards? Turns out HIPAA might save you. https://t.co/xsEzRsg1cG

— Felix Salmon (@felixsalmon) December 23, 2020

Russia is cutting the size of a clinical trial for a new domestically developed #COVID19 vax & stopped enrolling volunteers. Decision comes a wk after enrollment slowed in the midst of the Sputnik 5 vaccine rollout. Study cut to ~31k participants from 40k https://t.co/gfsL0LtcJi pic.twitter.com/C8B3smeXsp

— delthia ricks 🔬 (@DelthiaRicks) December 28, 2020

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Like in the Khmer Rouge and Red Guard, you advance in Republican Party by willingness to attack educated professionals. @marcorubio consultants told him this would help him. Irony is Castro did much the same. https://t.co/o8th448n6V

— stuart stevens (@stuartpstevens) December 28, 2020

I’ll be listening to Dr. Fauci and other science and medical professionals. Not the whelps of political lapdogs. If you don’t like the science, let others get the vaccine first.

— Dan Rather (@DanRather) December 27, 2020

Love that Berniebros get super mad about some hypothetical one of them dreams up. https://t.co/6moVCu4LTu

— Biden Won, Bish (@isletsoflngrhns) December 27, 2020

Even as the scientific community pinpoints eateries as likely virus hotspots, the National Restaurants Association and its state affiliates have continued to attack the scientific merits of restrictions imposed to stop the spread of COVID-19. https://t.co/ybB6Uft3jl

— Mother Jones (@MotherJones) December 27, 2020

It is apocalyptically bad here. The numbers are insanely grim. I cannot understand what’s in the psyche of this place that’s causing people to behave this way. You are not immortal and you can get sick no matter how lux the velvet rope on the club is. https://t.co/WQokIJJHFy

— Anna Merlan (@annamerlan) December 27, 2020

Beverly Hills Officials Shame Italian Restaurant La Scala For Promoting Dine-In “Speakeasy” Amid Coronavirus Pandemic https://t.co/aVd5AxAK6p

— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) December 26, 2020

COVID-19 Coronavirus Updates: Sunday/Monday, Dec. 27-28Post + Comments (20)

Late Night GOP Death Cult Open Thread: Early Indicator

by Anne Laurie|  December 28, 202012:50 am| 46 Comments

This post is in: C.R.E.A.M., COVID-19 Coronavirus, GOP Death Cult, Open Threads

Warning — Return of the self-styled Grandma Killer!

the flip side of that “the goal is never to become twitter’s main character” tweet is that there are people who become addicted to it pic.twitter.com/HNBusu6wKY

— my pal andy (@andylevy) December 27, 2020

Have most people who spend their time online complaining about 2020 actually had a bad year? Lost a job or loved one? Most folks I see basically missed out on a vacation.

If you, personally, have not suffered, does suffering actually exist? And if suffering does not actually exist, how can consequences be demanded?

Sure, some people whine about being laid off, or losing loved ones. Poor Bethany has been forced to spend 24/7 time with her ‘beloved’ kids and Darling Husband, without even the blessed balm of salon visits, upscale gym, spa days, or field trips. Talk about unspeakable misery!

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really? pic.twitter.com/G6NQ7UhmOJ

— Jim Swift (@JimSwiftDC) December 27, 2020

To repeat what I said back in May:

Prominent RW ‘thoughtleader’ Bethany Mandel is married to Washington Examiner Executive Editor Seth Mandel. She has a full-time job raising their four kids, so she doesn’t need a second job (not even in the got-to-keep-my-networking-up-to-date sense), if she becomes too toxic for her usual media outlets to use her services for a few years.

This makes her, like Megan McArdle, the perfect spokesperson for marketing the latest ‘conservative’ arguments in favor of kakistocracy. It doesn’t hurt, IMO, that she’s a sloppy writer and quite possibly a stupid person; her defenders can claim She never meant it like that, and besides, only a horrible person would attack four little kids’ MOMMY!!!…

Today’s trial run, as I see it: The pandemic, at least here in the Most Blessed Country in the World(tm), was a minor inconvenience that Democrats will attempt to use as a legislative weapon in favor of Those People. Let us never forget that The Deficit is a monster, forever waiting to devour our precious upper-middle-class kiddies’ patrimony for the benefit of Those People! Such self-centered delusions…

Late Night GOP Death Cult Open Thread: Early IndicatorPost + Comments (46)

COVID-19 Coronavirus Updates: Saturday/Sunday, Dec. 26-27

by Anne Laurie|  December 27, 20205:28 am| 45 Comments

This post is in: COVID-19 Coronavirus, Foreign Affairs

Merry Christmas everyone! La Scala’s Beverly Hills location is tucking these invitations to an indoor New Year’s Eve dinner in their takeout bags: “Please keep this discreet, but tell all your friends.” 💀💀💀 pic.twitter.com/hu4cJGYxce

— Alissa Walker (@awalkerinLA) December 25, 2020


Eat, drink & be merry!…

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UNITED STATES: According to data from Johns Hopkins University, one in every one thousand Americans have now died from coronavirus.

— The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) December 26, 2020

Our daily update is published. States reported 2.1 million tests, 189k cases, and 1,409 deaths. There are more than 117 thousand people hospitalized with COVID-19.

These numbers continue to be affected by disruptions to data pipelines caused by the holidays. pic.twitter.com/4qCPlX3KA2

— The COVID Tracking Project (@COVID19Tracking) December 27, 2020

The American Medical Association, the largest association of doctors in the US, is calling for help to prevent the US healthcare system from "functionally collapsing". That's a big deal. https://t.co/nij5W8PSxV

— Infectious Diseases (@InfectiousDz) December 26, 2020

This is from over 100 years ago… pic.twitter.com/ALCEzE8r8d

— Pantomime Democracy (@pantodemocracy) December 26, 2020

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The number of confirmed coronavirus infections around the world has now topped 80 million, according to Johns Hopkins University, and the global death toll from COVID-19 now exceeds 1.75 million. https://t.co/Z2z064Jf0u

— The Associated Press (@AP) December 26, 2020

Coronavirus cases in Europe top 25 million https://t.co/z30vAQlv3R via @medical_xpress

— delthia ricks 🔬 (@DelthiaRicks) December 26, 2020

Covid: EU launches mass vaccination in 'touching moment of unity' https://t.co/FJUF4AtMp1

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) December 27, 2020

"Every day we wait is a day too long:" An 101-year-old woman gets a coronavirus vaccine shot in Germany as eager EU nations jump-start their campaigns ahead of the bloc's official rollout. https://t.co/8caNzFftAy

— AP Europe (@AP_Europe) December 26, 2020

Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 13,755: RKI https://t.co/dljjdNQTud pic.twitter.com/zbHW27qwK8

— Reuters (@Reuters) December 27, 2020

Seismic change: How Covid-19 altered world events in 2020 https://t.co/KSDsEE5ltd

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) December 27, 2020

Russia on Saturday passed 3 million confirmed coronavirus infections, as authorities hold out against reimposing a national lockdown while the country is battered by a second wave https://t.co/wYoHfkcCVF

— The Moscow Times (@MoscowTimes) December 26, 2020

Beijing tightens COVID-19 curbs as cases detected across capital https://t.co/OpFnil1HZU pic.twitter.com/WBGg0gnj8E

— Reuters (@Reuters) December 27, 2020

… China has largely brought the coronavirus under control but sporadic cases are resurfacing in a small number of cities. Authorities plan to vaccinate 50 million people in high-risk groups before the week-long Lunar New Year holidays from Feb. 11, said state media Global Times.

Beijing has asked its civil servants to stay in the city from Jan. 1 until the holiday and asked the public to avoid unnecessary travel during the period…

Singapore panel recommends maximum level of COVID-19 vaccine coverage https://t.co/5Awh4yuYyL pic.twitter.com/hCCOopYJOW

— Reuters (@Reuters) December 27, 2020

As the #coronavirus resurges in Africa, doctors fear the worst Is yet to come https://t.co/THhLnKtDBV

— delthia ricks 🔬 (@DelthiaRicks) December 26, 2020

South Africa's #coronavirus variant is driving a holiday surge of cases. A record number of 14,305 new cases have been confirmed in the past 24 hours with no sign of South Africa reaching a peak. The country's health systems are on the brink of collapse https://t.co/8bIWHrroz1

— delthia ricks 🔬 (@DelthiaRicks) December 26, 2020

Mexico City's COVID-19 'excess mortality' reaches 214 deaths a day https://t.co/dzraKRG2w3 pic.twitter.com/7Xi8NA4HYk

— Reuters (@Reuters) December 27, 2020

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COVID antibodies preferentially target a different part of the virus in mild cases than they do in severe cases, & wane significantly w/in months of infection. COVID's severity is affected by the proportion of antibodies that target a crucial viral protein https://t.co/oGIXrUmvoT pic.twitter.com/dUjZJJFXvx

— delthia ricks ?? (@DelthiaRicks) December 25, 2020

4) Why is the Oxford #COVID19 vaccine so critical for the world?

—8-10x cheaper than Moderna/Pfizer

—Does **NOT** require any freezing! Only simple refrigeration.

—Is the #1 vaccine on order worldwide.

➡️Hence a cheap, easy to handle vaccine at 95% is huge!! pic.twitter.com/DZMMXaCWil

— Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) December 27, 2020

Other vaccines: Turkish health official says CoronaVac a vax developed by Chinese biopharmaceutical company Sinovac is 91.25% effective. Infectious diseases expert Dr. Serhat Unal says findings are based on early results of late-stage trials in his country https://t.co/i13CYT88O6

— delthia ricks 🔬 (@DelthiaRicks) December 26, 2020

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Los Angeles County scientists have begun to test samples of the coronavirus from local patients to determine if a new, more contagious strain that is circulating in Britain has arrivedhttps://t.co/iylBLH7kIB

— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) December 25, 2020

Several malls were cited and fined up to $500 for violating COVID-19 measures, which could include not keeping occupancy below 20% capacity and not prohibiting eating and drinkinghttps://t.co/XUKj3hprie

— KTLA (@KTLA) December 26, 2020

Sentinel: “Fred Piccolo, spokesman for Gov. Ron DeSantis, deactivated his Twitter account Wednesday after he tweeted in the middle of night that photos of each dead COVID-19 victim should be balanced with 99 photos of people who survive the disease.” https://t.co/Q90a9W3aQE

— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 26, 2020

Do any of these jack o’lanterns actually grasp that “hating lockdown” isn’t some edgy pose? Everyone hates it. The vast majority of us who support it just value life. pic.twitter.com/KZ22MXJrQW

— Paul Musgrave (@profmusgrave) December 27, 2020

a. recovering from the virus doesn't mean "success"; ppl have lingering illnesses for a long time.

b. given a, & that 1% dead is a huge number of dead, it's better to not get the disease; thus, vaccines.

c. if you're a medical doctor, you should lose your license. https://t.co/1fnFWl2cYg

— Noah Berlatsky (@nberlat) December 27, 2020

“Obituaries are sort of an advertisement for the dead. I wanted the last word.” @ChrisMegerian https://t.co/A0mUrYZX96

— Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) December 26, 2020

COVID-19 Coronavirus Updates: Saturday/Sunday, Dec. 26-27Post + Comments (45)

COVID-19 Coronavirus Updates: Friday/Saturday, Dec. 25-26

by Anne Laurie|  December 26, 20204:37 am| 30 Comments

This post is in: COVID-19 Coronavirus, Foreign Affairs

"This one box is hope that the end is coming"

The delivery driver making "the most important delivery ever" as she takes Covid-19 vaccines to hospitals https://t.co/4U84DR0MR9 pic.twitter.com/OkUAk3w1ek

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) December 25, 2020

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119k Americans are hospitalized with #COVID19 tonight.

I’m grateful for everyone who took care of our loved ones on this holiday.

To my colleagues – nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, physicians, laboratory technicians, transporters – thank you for everything you do!

— Craig Spencer MD MPH (@Craig_A_Spencer) December 26, 2020

There have been at least 400,000 more deaths in 2020 than in 2019—a staggering 15% increase. The largest yearly increase since 1919.

— Dr. Tom Frieden (@DrTomFrieden) December 24, 2020

Now the official line is where it should have been all along…."Herd immunity" against #COVID19 requires >90% population immunity — up there with #measles. https://t.co/ci0sKXjZCV

— Laurie Garrett (@Laurie_Garrett) December 24, 2020

The NYTimes, back on its BS…

Moving the goalposts is a logical fallacy based on changing the rules to advantage one side over another. That isn't what Fauci's doing. He's updating guidance based, as the story says, in part on new information. The framing in this tweet is harmful to public health messaging. https://t.co/2w0sh7wAWv

— Kendra "Gloom is My Beat" Pierre-Louis (@KendraWrites) December 25, 2020

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In his Christmas message, Pope Francis urged political and business leaders to prioritize making COVID-19 vaccines available to all, criticizing ‘vaccine nationalism’ and those who refused to wear masks https://t.co/o3AQ5m4gX6 pic.twitter.com/fJKsqmT4aI

— Reuters (@Reuters) December 26, 2020

Today, we start turning the page on a difficult year. The #COVID19 vaccine has been delivered to all EU countries.

Vaccination will begin tomorrow across the EU.

The #EUvaccinationdays are a touching moment of unity. Vaccination is the lasting way out of the pandemic. pic.twitter.com/pYOj5vS2gV

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) December 26, 2020

A 1st case of the #SARSCoV2 variant observed in the UK has been detected in France.

The man is asymptomatic and has been isolated at his home.https://t.co/auU94W3CcQ #coronavirus #COVID19

— MicrobesInfect (@MicrobesInfect) December 26, 2020

Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 14,455: RKI https://t.co/ExoMwn9nf2 pic.twitter.com/bvZZaAA7sp

— Reuters (@Reuters) December 26, 2020

Russia's total number of COVID-19 cases crosses 3 million mark https://t.co/sy0CXBkZlA pic.twitter.com/Zx5W7GmsmN

— Reuters (@Reuters) December 26, 2020

As 2020 comes to an end and Russia’s total number of coronavirus cases approaches 3 million, it’s time to look back at how the world’s largest country handled the pandemic: https://t.co/d51DcJfPYZ

— The Moscow Times (@MoscowTimes) December 26, 2020

Iran says U.S. approved its funds transfer to buy COVID vaccines https://t.co/lOPAER4C1l pic.twitter.com/JgXw1VoWxb

— Reuters (@Reuters) December 25, 2020

Hong Kong imposes 21-day quarantine for visitors, adds South Africa to banned list https://t.co/iNaJJnCSyP pic.twitter.com/XARRh1I6QH

— Reuters (@Reuters) December 25, 2020

South Korea seemed to be winning the fight against the coronavirus. But with over 15,000 infections in the last 15 days, a deadly resurgence has reached new heights, prompting soul-searching on how the nation sleepwalked into a crisis. https://t.co/whBIJCBUrZ

— The Associated Press (@AP) December 26, 2020

Tokyo coronavirus cases hit record 949: media https://t.co/QBOIgIIrkV pic.twitter.com/TDQUOFpSC8

— Reuters (@Reuters) December 26, 2020

Thailand confirms 110 new coronavirus infections https://t.co/ZU34aSB2Nz pic.twitter.com/jT1MEBpUx2

— Reuters (@Reuters) December 26, 2020

Sydney residents discouraged from Boxing Day shopping, some suburbs to re-enter lockdown https://t.co/3Vse7e08JC pic.twitter.com/L3JPfqtVxI

— Reuters (@Reuters) December 26, 2020

Brazil coronavirus death toll hits 190,000 https://t.co/nOSVKlq3wG pic.twitter.com/LRXnwz2BX8

— Reuters (@Reuters) December 26, 2020

Several countries across Latin America began receiving COVID-19 vaccine deliveries this holiday week including Mexico, Chile and Costa Rica https://t.co/YNudXcLHP1 pic.twitter.com/9r93nwitv5

— Reuters (@Reuters) December 26, 2020

Mexico records 9,679 new coronavirus cases, 665 more deaths https://t.co/QoKaVZX1NA pic.twitter.com/TOw4j0uGw5

— Reuters (@Reuters) December 26, 2020

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New research finds evidence of lasting immunity after mild or asymptomatic SARSCoV2 infection. Understanding the nature of immunity following mild/asymptomatic infection is key to pandemic control https://t.co/LjWjbNbpDt pic.twitter.com/Jm3pPxoSIK

— delthia ricks 🔬 (@DelthiaRicks) December 26, 2020

New #coronavirus variant: This time in Nigeria reports the director of Africa's CDC. "It's a separate lineage from the UK & South Africa," said Dr. John Nkengasong. He said Nigeria's Center for Genomics of Infectious Diseases will be analyzing more samples https://t.co/zHaaK1GcB1 pic.twitter.com/qhJjty7Yon

— delthia ricks ?? (@DelthiaRicks) December 24, 2020

Coronavirus variant: What is the spike protein and why are mutations involving it important? https://t.co/FR51uHrfSy

— delthia ricks ?? (@DelthiaRicks) December 24, 2020

Person with ‘severe shellfish allergy’:

Boston doctor has severe allergic reaction to Moderna COVID vaccine: NYT https://t.co/qpVb04y3DZ pic.twitter.com/AG33Qn3mWY

— Reuters (@Reuters) December 26, 2020

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Southern states are being overwhelmed by coronavirus cases. 6 of these states: TN,AL,GA,SC,FL&TX have had sustained case increases in the last wk. TN has reported the country’s most cases per 100k over the last 7 days. The gov has refused to enforce masks https://t.co/T7knmnABml pic.twitter.com/YYBwDBaLbe

— delthia ricks ?? (@DelthiaRicks) December 24, 2020

Hospital workers start to ‘turn against each other’ to get vaccinated. “I am so disappointed and saddened that this happened,” a New York hospital executive wrote to his staff who did not have priority to be first in line for the vaccine https://t.co/jL3wbkdf5h

— delthia ricks ?? (@DelthiaRicks) December 24, 2020

Southern California’s hospitals are overwhelmed, and it may get worse https://t.co/aSvq1hwSZI

— delthia ricks 🔬 (@DelthiaRicks) December 25, 2020

COVID-19 Coronavirus Updates: Friday/Saturday, Dec. 25-26Post + Comments (30)

COVID-19 Coronavirus Updates: Thursday/Friday, Dec. 24-25

by Anne Laurie|  December 25, 20204:05 am| 38 Comments

This post is in: COVID-19 Coronavirus, Foreign Affairs

COVID-19 Coronavirus Updates: Thursday/Friday, Dec. 24-25

(Strange Brew via GoComics.com)

In case anyone else needed to hear this. 🤍 pic.twitter.com/fIrclgKUdM

— Emily Calandrelli (@TheSpaceGal) December 21, 2020

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Americans celebrate Christmas Eve under spiraling COVID pandemic https://t.co/lLg2oyroAR pic.twitter.com/V8NWeRgLv1

— Reuters (@Reuters) December 25, 2020

Fauci’s Christmas Eve: Turning 80 and fighting the pandemic https://t.co/zKCQJGCM13

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) December 23, 2020

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the US' top infectious disease expert since 1984, has worked on the federal response to Covid-19, AIDS, Ebola, the Zika virus and anthrax scares.

He turns 80 today. Here's a look back at his career serving under six US presidents. https://t.co/O3HPxlEgq6

— CNN International (@cnni) December 24, 2020

What's it like being Santa in a pandemic? ????

Video calls and plexiglass may be part of the deal this year. But for Santa Larry Christmas, it's always about bringing cheer ??https://t.co/ffgJ9L6sVB pic.twitter.com/6j23ckcGpd

— BBC World Service (@bbcworldservice) December 23, 2020

Hey all- if you have a loved one working in COVID (pubhealth, ID, HCW, etc.) the natural response during a holiday zoom is to ask lots of qxs. We’re always happy to answer them but please be gentle w/ us -we’ve been 24/7 COVID since Jan & sometimes need a mental health break

— Dr. Saskia Popescu (@SaskiaPopescu) December 24, 2020

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I wish everyone a safe and restful holiday season. This year by staying apart to stay safe from #COVID19, we can all give the most important gifts of all: the gifts of life and health. #InThisTogetherpic.twitter.com/HlNobGujwg

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) December 24, 2020

Blocked from the beach and the pub. Stuck in your region or not allowed to drive at all. Or perhaps there's no national rules even as new infections race through the country. Worldwide, it's a holiday mashup of virus restrictions. https://t.co/zsfVxfi4o8

— AP Europe (@AP_Europe) December 23, 2020

"It isn't a happy Christmas": The coronavirus pandemic has upended holiday traditions and brought in a season of loneliness, fear, isolation and financial distress. https://t.co/TPrDGBSaIP

— AP Europe (@AP_Europe) December 23, 2020

WATCH: Take a look at the measures adopted for Christmas and year-end festivities by some European countries https://t.co/LtE7scaJ4n pic.twitter.com/B7g6c0DsAJ

— Reuters (@Reuters) December 20, 2020

A stream of marching bands joyously paraded through Bethlehem, but few people were there to greet them as the coronavirus pandemic and a strict lockdown dampened Christmas Eve celebrations in the traditional birthplace of Jesus. https://t.co/eyqwQXq5sG

— The Associated Press (@AP) December 24, 2020

Five families, five Christmases: A festive season like no other around Europe https://t.co/u0Gvt190cx

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) December 24, 2020

Theatrical versions of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol have been performed for nearly 200 years

Can the tradition survive the pandemic? https://t.co/n5nmK858cz pic.twitter.com/RH23rZGCbk

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) December 24, 2020

Volunteers called "Santa's grandchildren" are bringing Christmas cheer to Italian nursing home residents isolated by coronavirus restrictions. "I still want to be a grandchild," says one who lost both grandparents this year. https://t.co/tIuX4QYo1E

— AP Europe (@AP_Europe) December 24, 2020

Pope Francis celebrated a low-key Christmas Eve Mass made somber by the coronavirus pandemic https://t.co/wN44R13hZI pic.twitter.com/n7l8wYV3Vy

— Reuters (@Reuters) December 25, 2020

The traditional Czech golden-pig ornament, said to bring good luck and happiness, is getting a modern twist to reflect how people are adapting for the holidays this year https://t.co/pLvltXdlkh pic.twitter.com/Z1fzKu25Dz

— Reuters (@Reuters) December 3, 2020

Advertisements for “Ded Moroz with antibodies” have appeared in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk and other cities across Russia in the weeks before the New Year holiday https://t.co/5BK5yvdB0l

— The Moscow Times (@MoscowTimes) December 7, 2020

Millions of Sydney residents asked to 'limit' Christmas festivities to fight COVID cluster https://t.co/t4jK3YC2ai pic.twitter.com/j18WLsTzXv

— Reuters (@Reuters) December 24, 2020

Baby Jesus dons a face mask, a face shield and a hazmat suit for Christmas in Bolivia pic.twitter.com/dPuaXaNARz

— Reuters (@Reuters) December 17, 2020

Along the U.S. borders with Canada and Mexico, @AP photographers found families connecting in smaller, more intimate ways, overcoming unusual obstacles for shared celebrations. https://t.co/fFxxpIG6vA

— The Associated Press (@AP) December 25, 2020

======

COVID-19 Coronavirus Updates: Thursday/Friday, Dec. 24-25 2

(Cornered via GoComics.com)

Covid smell loss can replace the sweet smells of mulled wine, egg nog and hot mince pies with nothingness or a horrible smellhttps://t.co/itLPBzwiAD

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) December 24, 2020

======

COVID-19 Coronavirus Updates: Thursday/Friday, Dec. 24-25 1

(Mike Luckovich via GoComics.com)

Doctors and nurses caring for the sickest COVID-19 patients are doing what they can to get through the holidays. At one Alabama hospital, the intensive care unit is decorated with Christmas trees, snowman stickers and lights. https://t.co/Rmvb1gIPam

— The Associated Press (@AP) December 22, 2020

A family Christmas Eve traditions is watching “It’s A Wonderful Life.”

I noticed this year the opening scene is set in 1919, and 12-year old George Bailey comforts the druggist, Mr Gower, on losing his son to influenza.

Will never miss that in the future.

— Mark Hertling (@MarkHertling) December 25, 2020

Opinion: All I want for Christmas are covid-19 mandates https://t.co/K3WOoySD0j

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) December 24, 2020

My family asked me to make a Christmas ornament to help us remember 2020 five years from now.

I had some spare parts kicking around the workbench so I made this. pic.twitter.com/6BcJfHHzU2

— Jim Rodda (@Zheng3_Jim) December 20, 2020

COVID-19 Coronavirus Updates: Thursday/Friday, Dec. 24-25Post + Comments (38)

Dr. Fauci’s Warning

by Cheryl Rofer|  December 24, 202012:14 pm| 137 Comments

This post is in: COVID-19 Coronavirus, Science & Technology

Dr. Fauci is warning us that it may take more than we thought to get to herd immunity. Now that anti-science Donald Trump is on the way out and Fauci is advising President-elect Joe Biden, he’s telling us what he thinks.

A year ago, we knew next to nothing about SARS-CoV-2. Since then, experts have bootstrapped us all the way to effective vaccines. The bootstrapping started from what we know about other coronaviruses and pandemics in general. It’s a matter of informed guesses, testing them against each other and observations, modifying them, and testing again.

Because the math of epidemiology is similar to the math of chemical kinetics, I’ve been following the modeling. It is also bootstrapping, guessing parameters, testing them, and modifying them. It’s a set of multiple parameters (an unknown number of them) being fitted to data that has serious limitations. The estimates get better as we get more data. That’s what Fauci is saying. Our first guess for herd immunity was around 70%. With almost a year of data, it looks like that could be as high as 90%.

This ties in with what I’ve been thinking, but I want to let the people who are expert in epidemiology and virology lead. I can see what they are doing, but they have knowledge that they’ve acquired through experience that I don’t have. Here’s my version of what’s behind Fauci’s warning.

We don’t know R0, the inherent rate of spread of SARS-CoV-2, and we won’t know for some time. Pulling it out of the data is a statistical operation and needs a lot of data. Additionally, the data are lumpy – that’s what people are talking about in “superspreaders.” The lumpiness is measured by another parameter, k. We don’t know k either.

We can measure the rate of spread in a particular situation. I’ll call that R, but it sometimes is designated RT and other names. I have seen confusion of R and R0, even from modelers, who should know better. R0 does not vary, but R does. However, the estimate of R0 changes with time, as more data comes in. Because the level of immunization depends on R0, that changes with time too. That’s what Fauci is saying.

New Mexico has recently gone from an R of about 1.3 to an R of about 0.86. That’s R, not R0. R above 1 means the number of cases is going up; less than 1, that the number is going down. The reason R has decreased for New Mexico has very little if anything to do with the virus itself or R0. It’s because people are acting more responsibly and staying home, wearing masks, practicing hygiene. Here’s a site that estimates up to date values of R for all the states, although they call it Rt.

In order to back out R0 from that, we need to know how much of that decrease is due to staying home, how much to wearing masks, and so on. It’s hard to get at those numbers. Modelers estimate them, try them out in the models against observation, modify them, and try again.

And k. Don’t forget k. Lumpy data can help or hinder the analysis. What I see so far is that it seems to be more of a hindrance.

Fauci is probably being conservative – it’s better to predict a more difficult situation so that people can be relieved when it’s not that bad – but there are many indications that the first guesses of 70% immunization for herd immunity are too low. As percent immunization goes up, estimates of R0 and k will improve.

SARS-CoV-2 won’t be easy to control. But we control measles, and it needs 95% herd immunity. A year ago, nobody – nobody! – was immune to SARS-CoV-2. That’s why it has swept the world. For the diseases we’re familiar with, most people have some immunity, whether old folks who had the measles when they were kids or residual immunities to the flu carried over poorly every year. Better times are coming.

Cross-posted to Nuclear Diner

Dr. Fauci’s WarningPost + Comments (137)

COVID-19 Coronavirus Updates: Wednesday/Thursday, Dec. 23-24

by Anne Laurie|  December 24, 20204:55 am| 35 Comments

This post is in: COVID-19 Coronavirus, Foreign Affairs

Fauci says US could see return to normal by next summer https://t.co/dhACEUmchm via @medical_xpress

— delthia ricks 🔬 (@DelthiaRicks) December 23, 2020

show full post on front page

Vaccinations: More than 1 million people have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in the United States, CDC director Robert Redfield said Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/J5ufPOnWbb

— delthia ricks 🔬 (@DelthiaRicks) December 23, 2020

The US had +232,342 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today, bringing the total to over 18.9 million. The 7-day moving average declined to under 217,000 per day. pic.twitter.com/S7x9M252yn

— Patrick Chovanec (@prchovanec) December 24, 2020

The positive test rate across the US is holding steady at around 11.2%. pic.twitter.com/6CFe4nOnso

— Patrick Chovanec (@prchovanec) December 24, 2020

Pfizer and the U.S. reach an agreement for an additional 100 million vaccine doses https://t.co/cNPF1upkA6

— delthia ricks 🔬 (@DelthiaRicks) December 23, 2020

The U.S. government invested more than $10B to speed COVID-19 vaccine development. It has distributed next to no funding to make sure those shots reach patients.

Now, a week into the rollout, millions of doses are available but have yet to reach people. https://t.co/K4NDa82z7b

— Rebecca Spalding (@rcurtisspalding) December 23, 2020

Why a negative #COVID19 test does not "clear" you for holiday gatherings ⬇https://t.co/oTi9h0hw6U

— Global Health Strategies (@GHS) December 23, 2020

This is kind of like saying World War II was the greatest thing that happened to Eisenhower. In a sense that's true, but I'm pretty sure he would have skipped it if he could. https://t.co/l3lVbdn2Ko

— Patrick Chovanec (@prchovanec) December 24, 2020

I wish there was a pardon equivalent for our severely ill COVID patients.

— Craig Spencer MD MPH (@Craig_A_Spencer) December 24, 2020

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Russia confirmed 29,935 new coronavirus cases and 635 deaths Thursday — the highest single-day total since the pandemic began https://t.co/0VVxwmHD4Y

— The Moscow Times (@MoscowTimes) December 24, 2020

France rewards hundreds of frontline immigrant workers with citizenship https://t.co/63xKiIWeKW

— CBS News (@CBSNews) December 23, 2020

UK 744 Covid deaths highest since 29April. Bear in mind treatment has improved & saved many lives since April (~30% reduction), mortality rates much lower now in people hospitalised. 744 deaths reported. Heartbreaking & tragic. Situation worse than 'Wave 1"https://t.co/AmYqUhpzNn

— Jeremy Farrar (@JeremyFarrar) December 23, 2020

How South Korea's early coronavirus success left it scrambling to contain a new wave https://t.co/odOg2FSE49 pic.twitter.com/PtTsCjTmKj

— Reuters (@Reuters) December 24, 2020

Singapore confirms first case of new coronavirus variant found in UK https://t.co/JMT0wJewPu pic.twitter.com/KttCYNtG5u

— Reuters (@Reuters) December 24, 2020

Airline fires pilot blamed for Taiwan's first Covid case in months https://t.co/fEd2ZDCzM0

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) December 24, 2020

Thailand confirms 67 new coronavirus infections https://t.co/PiGfwbw8vc pic.twitter.com/vl2beIev00

— Reuters (@Reuters) December 24, 2020

The first shipment of the 25 million doses of the vaccine bought by the Argentine government is due to arrive on Thursdayhttps://t.co/VnYYXGzuxe

— The Moscow Times (@MoscowTimes) December 23, 2020

Update: To prevent the new variant of COVID-19 from spreading in Canada, we’re extending the temporary suspension of passenger flights from the UK for another two weeks, until January 6th. We’ll continue to monitor the situation and do whatever it takes to keep you safe.

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) December 23, 2020

======

Two new studies give encouraging evidence that a COVID-19 infection may offer some protection against getting it again.https://t.co/Ff5zjSQvdG

— AP Health & Science (@APHealthScience) December 23, 2020

Scientists urge concern, not alarm over new virus strains emerging in Britain, S. Africa & beyond. "There's zero evidence that there's any increase in severity of COVID-19," said Dr. Michael Ryan, emergencies chief of the World Health Organization https://t.co/eggP8g6iUD

— delthia ricks 🔬 (@DelthiaRicks) December 23, 2020

Covid antibody 'cocktail' drugs are going unused even though the need for them is soaring. While such treatments are promising, their use has been slowed by testing lags, overwhelmed hospitals & a perception the therapies are only for the well-connected https://t.co/NEnnqovoRj

— delthia ricks 🔬 (@DelthiaRicks) December 23, 2020

More than 150 California children have been diagnosed with coronavirus-related syndrome https://t.co/VLXcvmcFpB

— Baronian Consulting (@BaronianConsult) December 24, 2020

A 12-year-old boy got COVID-19 but was back to playing basketball in a few days. Then a rare complication hit, sending him to the emergency room as his organs swelled. His parents feared he wouldn't make it, and now they're urging precautions. https://t.co/ZsSVayz0CE

— The Associated Press (@AP) December 24, 2020

Disposable surgical masks are the best for being heard clearly when speaking, according to a study in The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. The research compared the acoustic effects of medical, cloth & transparent face masks on speech signals https://t.co/ViCuRajKtW pic.twitter.com/UqSQvtdy5r

— delthia ricks 🔬 (@DelthiaRicks) December 23, 2020

======

The question of whether to get the coronavirus vaccine early has become a political one for some U.S. lawmakers. Some are opting to wait with the general public while others are hoping to show how safe it is. https://t.co/w8qyMNWOGw

— The Associated Press (@AP) December 23, 2020

After nine harrowing months, the Fire Department of New York began vaccinating its own members Wednesday, starting with the front-line EMTs who this year responded to more than 1 million emergency medical calls throughout New York City. https://t.co/CYHAaaqneM

— The Associated Press (@AP) December 24, 2020

Coronavirus: New York City orders international visitors to quarantine https://t.co/nslPn9i47y

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) December 24, 2020

Kirk Cameron says he’s offering people hope. He uses the term “immunity in community” a few times and says we shouldn’t have a mask gestapo. pic.twitter.com/tOry9upeOS

— Acyn Torabi (@Acyn) December 23, 2020

I'll retract this if anyone can show me an example where his utter indifference to the pandemic actually caused his polls to drop but it seems like his supporters spent six months rallying around their outrage that they couldn't go to the gym just cuz it might kill a poor person.

— Syndicalist Weedle Collective (@Weedledouble) December 23, 2020

COVID-19 Coronavirus Updates: Wednesday/Thursday, Dec. 23-24Post + Comments (35)

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