WSJ: US round-up: https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-latest-news-08-13-2020-11597306799 .
More US data follies: Cases are dropping because testing is dropping: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/12/accuracy-of-us-coronavirus-data-thrown-into-question-as-decline-in-testing-skews-drop-in-new-cases.html . Pitiful. Testing shortages and delays continue. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-latest-news-08-12-2020-11597220360 .
Mortality analysis by docs: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2769236 .
WSJ: One part of the testing problem is a machine shortage: https://www.wsj.com/articles/rapid-response-covid-19-test-makers-face-outsize-demand-11597231427 . This relates to rapid-response antigen testing, which becomes critical when labs cannot rapidly turn around results.
US epidemic by state, explained in 5 maps: https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2020/7/31/21340268/coronavirus-pandemic-covid-state-maps-charts-data . Of course, the data follies must be considered in interpreting these results.
WSJ: Voluntary thermal screening at JFK: https://www.wsj.com/articles/jfk-airport-tests-thermal-imaging-to-screen-for-signs-of-covid-19-11597262679 .
Study: The virus is airborne: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.08.03.20167395v1 . Note that 4.8 meters equals 15.75 feet, much more than the 6 foot distancing requirement. This demonstrates why bars and restaurants are (1) spreading locations and (2) not viable (at least for indoor operations) until the virus is controlled. Masks could help, although they obviously interfere with eating and drinking.
CDC warns against masks with valves: https://thehill.com/changing-america/well-being/prevention-cures/511847-masks-with-valves-or-vents-dont-stop-the-spread .
Vaccines less effective in obese people: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/covid-19-vaccine-effective-obese-people-experts-warn/story?id=72335991 .
WSJ: Amid COVID-19, experts push flu shots to limit influenza in the fall: https://www.wsj.com/articles/beset-by-coronavirus-health-authorities-brace-for-flu-season-11597316400 . As previously reported, there has been very little influenza in Southern Hemisphere countries due to mask wearing. So mask wearing is a very appropriate flu precaution, especially for anti-vaxxers.
Pandemic shaping public opinion about drug costs: https://www.vox.com/2020/8/12/21364775/covid-19-vaccine-treatment-price-poll-2020-election .
Preventing opioid overdoses during COVID-19: https://www.usnews.com/news/healthiest-communities/articles/2020-08-12/preventing-opioid-overdoses-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic?src=usn_nl_coronavirus .
WSJ: Report on lack of pandemic preparedness: https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-deadly-coronavirus-was-inevitable-why-was-no-one-ready-for-covid-11597325213 . Note the table at the end of the article, showing sources of past disease emergence, 1940 to 2004. Almost half are from 2 sources, land use changes (31%) and agricultural industry changes (17%). Another quarter comes from 2 sources, international travel and commerce (13%) and medical industry changes (11%). From consumption of wild animal meat? 3%. The last section of the report, Distractions and Missteps, is brief and contains this table; it’s worth reading.
Child evacuated from China gets COVID-19 in the US: https://www.wsj.com/articles/young-wuhan-evacuee-finds-no-refuge-from-coronavirus-in-u-s-11597311000 .
Schools hurt by lack of relief package: https://www.usnews.com/news/education-news/articles/2020-08-12/schools-left-in-the-lurch-as-negotiations-on-coronavirus-relief-bill-collapse?src=usn_nl_coronavirus . The Heroes Act has $90 billion for schools; Senate Republicans proposed $70 billion; the schools estimate they need $245 billion.
New Jersey moves to all-remote learning: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-jersey-schools-can-reopen-with-all-remote-learning-after-governors-reversal-11597263641 .
More on the payroll tax deferral: https://www.npr.org/2020/08/12/901416058/payroll-tax-delay-to-boost-take-home-pay-but-dont-spend-it-yet .
The “new normal” of nursing home visits: https://health.usnews.com/wellness/articles/what-to-expect-as-nursing-homes-ease-covid-19-visitor-restrictions?src=usn_nl_coronavirus .
The retail apocalypse continues: Stein Mart files for bankruptcy: https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2020-08-12/stein-mart-files-for-bankruptcy-to-close-nearly-300-stores?src=usn_nl_coronavirus .
McKinsey take on US business recovery: a long way back for small businesses: https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/public-and-social-sector/our-insights/us-small-business-recovery-after-the-covid-19-crisis .
WSJ: Fed warns virus response is hurting economic recovery: https://www.wsj.com/articles/fed-official-warns-pandemic-response-is-hobbling-economic-rebound-11597241418 .
WSJ: Strapped states imperil economic recovery: https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-hit-state-budgets-create-a-drag-on-u-s-recovery-11597224600 . Gee, what about a stimulus package?
Virus shocks oil demand: https://www.wsj.com/articles/oil-demand-faces-bigger-coronavirus-shock-than-first-thought-11597234800 .
Trump says he will not fund the Post Office in order to limit mail-in voting: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-seeks-to-starve-post-office-to-limit-mail-in-voting . Fox News is cited to show these are the president’s comments; they are widely reported. In the face of massive blowback, Trump is now trying to soften his remarks: https://www.npr.org/2020/08/13/902109991/trump-admits-to-opposing-funding-for-postal-service-to-block-more-voting-by-mail . Here is how to vote by mail in every state: https://www.businessinsider.com/deadlines-for-absentee-and-mail-ballot-in-every-state-2020-7 . Because of questions about the Post Office’s current ability to postmark mail on the day deposited, voters should request their ballots early, and then vote and return their ballots as soon as received.
WSJ: Virus has a long plateau in developing world: https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronaviruss-long-deadly-plateau-in-the-developing-world-11597252841 .
China says Brazilian chicken wings test positive: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/08/13/covid-19-chicken-wings-brazil-china-coronavirus/3371923001/ . Somewhat ironic to export COVID-19 to China.
Beer really does power Australia: https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/11/australia/coronavirus-australia-beer-energy-intl-hnk-scli/index.html .