WSJ: US round-up: https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-latest-news-08-21-2020-11597999872 . News on India, New Zealand, and WHO is in last paragraphs.
WSJ: Hospital data reporting to return to CDC: https://www.wsj.com/articles/troubled-covid-19-data-system-returning-to-cdc-11597945770 . Another example of unnecessary chaos in the federal response. And, the CDC is working to build a revolutionary new data system … how reassuring …
WSJ: More on federal data collection during the pandemic: https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-covid-19-changed-the-way-government-collects-data-11598002200 .
WSJ: Demand increases for clinics specializing in long-term COVID-19 symptoms: https://www.wsj.com/articles/as-covid-19-symptoms-linger-demand-for-specialized-clinics-surges-11597925200 .
20% of nursing homes short on staff, PPE where virus rebounds: https://apnews.com/ff2bbfb4a7431e86cdca5132042d4a0e .
More on long-term COVID-19 symptoms: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/long-term-effects-covid-19_l_5f3bf79bc5b6f9e1e10a8f0f .
Could a COVID-19 vaccine be mandatory?: https://www.healthline.com/health-news/covid-19-vaccination-refusal-mandate#Plan-B:-Targeted-mandates . As a general matter, legally feasible but politically unlikely. Targeted situations seem more likely: one that comes to mind is residential admittance at a nursing home.
Could teachers be forced to return to class if exposed to COVID-19?: https://apnews.com/b5ab43d4b0efc89426c814732c2bb05c . Apparently, it’s hypothetical day in the (virtual) newsroom. It seems to me a teacher could just say, I have an intermittent dry cough (hence, symptomatic). It also seems to me that if this was district policy, and there is an outbreak, the district has an increased chance for legal liability, both for teachers and students.
WSJ: Re-opening NYC schools: https://www.wsj.com/articles/reopening-schools-is-so-complicated-new-york-struggles-to-schedule-classes-11597939473 .
WSJ: Rising debt may derail NYC’s MTA: https://www.wsj.com/articles/mounting-debt-threatens-to-derail-new-york-transit-system-11597928401 . Ironically, even the Subway Series is in jeopardy: https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/news/yankees-mets-subway-series-covid-19-tests/eu2iffrughe19a57ploth19h .
This study raises serious questions about assuming everyone can work until 65: https://www.theladders.com/career-advice/this-is-the-ideal-age-to-retire-according-to-experts . We know that developed countries in general have a longer life expectancy than the US, and also that there are significant differences between the health of the US insured and uninsured populations. This study raises the question of the length of healthy working life. A longitudinal study in the US would be of considerable value in addressing these questions, although universal access to care in the US would undoubtedly improve the probability of being able to work until age 65, especially as people can and often do move between the insured and uninsured populations.
White House blocks FDA from regulating many lab tests, including for COVID-19; concerns over rising, unreported child abuse: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2020-08-21/white-house-blocks-fdas-power-to-regulate-lab-tests . As the article notes, it’s extremely dangerous to allow unregulated tests in the face of the US testing shortage. Compare to this link from August 18: https://www.wsj.com/articles/us-coronavirus-covid-testing-delay-11597267543 . It would be more rational to have the FDA exempt trusted academic or other labs to develop their own tests, and continue to have the FDA regulate lab tests overall.
Masks undermine lip readers: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/aug/20/deaf-people-mask-wearing-lipreading .
South Korea: Virus “in full swing” after church gathering: https://in.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-southkorea-idINKCN25G05C .
WSJ: Weekly unemployment claims rise to 1.1 million: https://www.wsj.com/articles/unemployment-benefits-jobless-claims-08-20-2020-11597873460 .
WSJ: Global economies sputter: https://www.wsj.com/articles/global-economies-show-signs-of-stuttering-recovery-from-coronavirus-lockdowns-11598001890 . Seems like the wrong day to say “stutter”.
Brexit deal talks show no progress: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-eu-official/eu-britain-trade-blame-after-scant-progress-towards-post-brexit-deal-idUSKBN25H0RA .
WSJ: ECB considering additional European stimulus: https://www.wsj.com/articles/battered-eurozone-could-see-more-economic-stimulus-in-the-fall-11597929527 .
WSJ: Kodak’s drug manufacturing deal on life support: https://www.wsj.com/articles/what-drove-kodaks-roller-coaster-trump-deal-one-determined-white-house-official-11597935982 . The print headline is “Kodak’s moment didn’t last long”; much cleverer.
WSJ: The downside of just-in-time manufacturing: https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-arent-there-enough-paper-towels-11598020793 .
WSJ: Virtual grand juries used: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-courts-virtual-jury-duty-zoom-wifi-indictments-grand-jury-pandemic-lockdown-11597931499 . Other reports indicate that the virtual trial jury approach is failing: one or both lawyers object, the judge determines the method is or could be unfair, a lawyer appeals the result arguing one or more jurors were not paying attention, etc.
More on Portland protests: Here is a report by Physicians for Human Rights based on their direct observations, interviews and medical examinations of volunteer medics and a “mom” protester injured during the demonstrations in Portland: https://phr.org/our-work/resources/preliminary-findings-use-of-crowd-control-weapons-on-protestors-in-portland-oregon/ .