Melatonin in lungs prevents COVID infection: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-01/fda-mpi012721.php . The article partially addresses the question of whether melatonin could be used in an inhaler to prevent COVID.
Wear a quality mask: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-01-25/biden-pushes-mask-messaging-as-europe-pushes-mask-upgrades .
US still has N95 mask supply shortage: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/as-new-coronavirus-strains-raise-questions-about-mask-quality-the-n95-market-in-the-u-s-is-still-facing-supply-issues-11611774634 .
COVID-19 and the brain: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-does-sars-cov-2-affect-the-brain . Remember that many long-haulers experience brain fog.
Why variants are appearing now: https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/22247525/covid-19-variants-uk-south-africa-brazil-b117-why-now . There is considerable speculation and some conflicting ideas here. However, I agree that the primary driver for a virus coming to dominate is natural selection.
World map of UK and South African virus spread: https://vdata.nikkei.com/en/newsgraphics/coronavirus-variant-infection-map/ . This is a cool map. I hope they keep updating it.
Next weeks may be darkest of pandemic: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/michael-osterholm-warning-coronavirus-pandemic_n_60112bc5c5b6b8719d888159 . I agree, although emergence of a vaccine-resistant variant would be a gamechanger: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/covid-19-vaccines-coronavirus-variants-challenges .
Biden announces changes in vaccine roll-out: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/coronavirus-update-biden-announces-changes-to-vaccine-rollout-150903211.html .
Vaccine faker arrested: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/johnny-stine-charged-covid-vaccine-injections_n_60116102c5b67848ee7ce977 .
WSJ: Vaccine mechanics: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-vaccines-and-how-they-work-11611759029 .
Retired doctors, nurses approved to administer vaccine: https://consumer.healthday.com/1-27-retired-doctors-nurses-will-be-approved-to-give-covid-vaccine-white-house-says-2650156126.html .
WSJ: Vaccines end isolation in nursing homes: https://www.wsj.com/articles/at-a-retirement-home-covid-19-vaccines-mean-an-end-to-isolation-11611756008 . And what an enormous risk they face if a variant evades the vaccines.
California variant contributed to LA COVID surge: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-science/california-virus-variant-driving-surge-around-la-smell-training-advised-for-lingering-problem-idUSKBN29R2K9 .
WSJ: New York vaccine wait list: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-vaccine-wait-list-offers-new-yorkers-a-way-to-get-the-shot-11611792744 .
Countries ranked by pandemic performance: https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-australia-lowy-idUSKBN29W30Z . Of the 98 countries ranked, the US ranks 94th.
CDC projects 100,000 COVID deaths in Biden’s first month in office: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-01-27/cdc-100k-projected-to-die-of-coronavirus-in-bidens-first-month-in-office .
CDC says school transmission risk low: https://thehill.com/changing-america/well-being/prevention-cures/536060-cdc-says-risk-of-coronavirus-in-schools-is-small . I don’t agree. The Hill points out that studies in other countries disagree with this conclusion, but there is a more central problem. CDC also projects that the UK variant will become dominant in this country in March. Studies also indicate the UK variant is more transmissible, and that it poses increased risk to women and children. CDC – Duh! I am losing confidence in the CDC rebounding post-Orange Julius.
Feds diverted vaccine research money for administrative purposes: https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/27/politics/hhs-inspector-report-general-vaccine-development-funds/index.html . No matter how low you think the Trump enterprise could go, the answer is always lower.
Teachers: Vaccinations before in-person classes: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/teachers-say-they-want-covid-19-vaccine-they-head-back-n1255915 .
WSJ: WHO recommends against Moderna, Pfizer vaccines for pregnant women: https://www.wsj.com/articles/who-recommends-against-moderna-pfizer-vaccines-for-most-pregnant-women-11611775138 .
State Department recommends against all non-essential international travel: https://bestlifeonline.com/officials-covid-travel-warning-news/ . Hey, sun is essential.
Biden orders DOJ to end use of private prisons: https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-race-and-ethnicity-prisons-coronavirus-pandemic-c8c246f00695f37ef2afb1dd3a5f115e .
WSJ: Stocks drop over vaccine supply, delays: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-stock-futures-waver-with-major-tech-earnings-on-tap-11611737172 .
WSJ: Boeing loses $12 billion for 2020: https://www.wsj.com/articles/boeing-reports-record-annual-loss-11611753635 . Wow. And $8.5 billion was in the fourth quarter.
India vaccinates 2 million health workers: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/latest-china-offers-flight-refunds-curb-travel-75483785 .
WSJ: Africa overwhelmed by latest COVID wave: https://www.wsj.com/articles/africa-ill-equipped-and-without-vaccines-grapples-with-a-deadlier-covid-19-surge-11611754940 .
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An interesting way to dismantle the Proud Boys: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-proudboys-leader-exclusive-idUSKBN29W1PE .
Congresswoman, QAnon fruitcake, liked a post about shooting Nancy Pelosi: https://news.yahoo.com/marjorie-taylor-greene-threats-pelosi-mccarthy-qanon-parkland-163725291.html .
Man pleads guilty in Whitmer kidnapping plot: https://apnews.com/article/ty-garbin-plead-guilty-kidnap-whitmer-e75bd5bd6afef044b20efde2559ea855 .
WSJ: Feds charge Twitter personality with 2016 election interference: https://www.wsj.com/articles/twitter-personality-charged-with-2016-election-interference-11611791506 .
Will Burr join Toomey and Portman in retirement?: https://www.newsweek.com/wave-gop-senate-retirements-complicates-partys-path-back-majority-1565005 . These may become very big money races. They are all swing states. I’m hoping Jim Jordan runs for Portman’s seat. We’d be rid of him in the House, and he is unlikely to win a statewide race.
Mar-a-Lago is not a residence: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-maralago-palm-beach-legal-review_n_60108813c5b61cb9534f3f76 . Lock him in! Lock him in!
Insurrectionist defenses begin to surface: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/capitol-rioters-attorney-claims-he-has-to-deprogram-his-client-from-cult-leader-trump-090643777.html .