Interesting piece on the PBS Newshour tonight: A guy about 65 talking about COVID-19 being the second pandemic during his lifetime. What? Turns out he was talking about AIDS. That’s a really good point. In the early 1980’s, AIDS was viewed as some sort of rare cancer affecting gay men. But in 1985, the CDC identified a virus causing AIDS, and cases almost doubled from the prior year. I’ve always loved to garden, and I remember thinking one day in the yard, around that time, do we really know how this virus is transmitted? Could a mosquito transmit it? Am I safe out here?
I bring this up because the analogy has a lot of validity. There was a lot of fear then, as this disease was growing in intensity and no one understood its nature. We all had to go through a steep learning curve as the medical community worked through what the disease was, how it was transmitted, and how it could be treated. We’re doing the same thing now, just in months instead of over years, and we already know a great deal about COVID-19. But the fear of the unknown with a deadly disease was very similar.
Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, age 86, announced he would not attend the Republican Convention for the first time in 40 years due to COVID-19. Very reasonable decision.
News for Monday, July 6, 2020:
Current COVID-19 news summary: https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/07/05/887458298/121-university-of-washington-students-infected-in-greek-row-outbreak (link replaced 7/11/21). I haven’t seen any evidence of outbreaks associated with the recent protests; apparently outdoors plus masks is not a significant transmission risk, even with limited social distancing. Outdoors plus partying is a different story. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-53296689 . A lot of information on the current situation in the UK, where Americans won’t be visiting anytime soon. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8491821/English-drinkers-return-pubs-night-bar-closures.html . Looks like a repeat of Florida and Texas, albeit with a lower base of currently active cases.
London economic news: https://www.bloombergquint.com/global-economics/banks-are-ditching-london-offices-and-not-just-because-of-covid . A key tidbit in here is that large banks laid off 5% of their workforce in the first quarter – the largest decline in at least 6 years. A no-deal Brexit will accelerate retrenchment of this world financial center, while Germany rises.
The recipients of $500 billion+ taxpayer aid to US small businesses: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-ppp/u-s-pandemic-aid-program-saved-51-1-million-jobs-but-wealthy-and-connected-also-benefited-idUSKBN2471ZD (link updated 1/4/21).
WSJ: A seriously underreported aspect of COVID-19’s global economic impact: https://www.wsj.com/articles/developing-world-migrant-workers-remittances-coronavirus-pandemic-lockdown-reopen-11593969595 . “Billions” is an understatement – $554 billion exceeds ½ a trillion dollars, and that’s an annual figure.
Regeneron antibody treatment trial progress: https://www.precisionvaccinations.com/double-coronavirus-antibody-cocktail-launches-phase-3-study (link replaced 8/10/20).
WSJ: Antibodies: https://www.wsj.com/articles/antibodies-can-be-the-bridge-to-a-vaccine-11593969735 . A follow-on to Dr. Gottlieb’s comments on remdesivir noted yesterday.
Spain and COVID-19: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-spain-poverty/covid-19-exposed-deep-flaws-in-spains-anti-poverty-system-u-n-expert-says-idUSKBN2471NN (link replaced 1/3/2021).
COVID-19 disrupts addiction treatment: https://khn.org/news/coronavirus-crisis-disrupts-treatment-for-another-epidemic-addiction/ (link replaced 7/11/21). The lockdown afforded an opportunity for people with an addiction to spend time in treatment, but COVID-19 reduced treatment availability.
WSJ: More questions about Chinese medical research: https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinese-research-papers-raise-doubts-fueling-global-questions-about-scientific-integrity-11593939600 . This focuses on cancer research, but the problems may well be more pervasive – it references the Lancet retraction concerning COVID-19 previously covered here. However, note that one “European Journal” published113 of the 121 articles questioned. Note to WSJ: Starting the headline with “Red Flags” is a poor choice.
WSJ: Winning and losing against a “no-brainer”: https://www.wsj.com/articles/as-coronavirus-surges-in-u-s-some-countries-have-just-about-halted-it-11594037814 .
Bone-brain: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/jul/04/does-the-key-to-anti-ageing-lie-in-our-bones . Surprising research on hormone production by your bones. But dissenters have emerged: https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/two-studies-question-function-of-bone-hormone-osteocalcin-67592 .
Modeling to understand COVID-19 in the US: https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/study-identifies-abnormal-surge-of-flu-like-illnesses-in-march-67681 .
WSJ: More on farm workers: https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-hits-nations-key-apple-cherry-farms-11594027802 .
Frederick Douglass statute desecrated: https://www.npr.org/sections/live-updates-protests-for-racial-justice/2020/07/06/887618102/frederick-douglass-statue-vandalized-on-anniversary-of-famous-speech (link replaced 7/11/21). Can we focus on saving lives?
Follow-up on Amy Cooper: https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/06/us/amy-cooper-central-park-birdwatcher-charges/index.html (link replaced 7/11/21).
A very basic question asked and answered: https://bestlifeonline.com/never-wear-mask/ (link replaced 7/11/21; your mask must cover your mouth and nose to be effective).
Baseball struggles: https://www.forbes.com/sites/larryfleisher/2020/07/05/mlb-starts-workouts-amid-positive-tests-skepticism-and-player-opt-outs/#6dc9ea567fd9 . In practice at Yankee Stadium, pitcher Masahiro Tanaka was knocked out by a line drive hit by Giancarlo Stanton. He was taken to the hospital and placed in concussion protocol.