Testing decline challenge: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2021/03/05/fewer-americans-getting-covid-tests-amid-vaccines-doctors-worry/4578032001/ . In response to a previous item on this topic, a reader asked if the use of at-home test kits was contributing to this decline. This article does not mention that possibility. It does describe other reasons why tests have declined, including the focus on vaccinations, the closure of certain mass testing sites and COVID fatigue.
Here is an excellent summary of at-home test kit information: https://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-at-home-covid-tests.html . You will note that all involve sending the specimen to a lab. As such, they may be included in the figures in the above article. Even if they are not, most cost over $100, so their use is unlikely to explain a significant percentage of the declines described in the article. I have not found any sales figures for these tests. If other readers have this or other relevant information, please let me know.
Cue Health receives FDA EUA approval for at-home test: https://www.axios.com/fda-authorize-home-coronavirus-test-c46b796e-6884-4ab4-a20d-36d44a8e6377.html .
Vaccine scheduling: Here are the highlights of vaccine scheduling in Oregon. We are currently vaccinating all groups in Phase 1A and groups 1-5 in Phase 1B (child-care workers, K-12 educators, and everyone over age 65). Ages 45+ will be added no later than June 1, and ages 16+ no later than July 1. Given the increasing vaccine flow, it seems likely that these last groups will open earlier. Here is the complete “infographic”: https://sharedsystems.dhsoha.state.or.us/DHSForms/Served/le3527A.pdf?utm_source=195305&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Phase+1A&utm_campaign=COVID-19+All-patient+email+-+How+to+get+a+vaccine+appointment%2c+location+information .
Guidance for vaccinated delayed as COVID declines stall: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/cdc-delays-guidance-vaccinated-americans-new-covid-19-cases-stall-n1259719 . As discussed yesterday (and before), the pandemic should be viewed as multiple epidemics associated with each variant. A booster shot is in our future. What vaccination does now is to reduce the prevalence of the initial variants. Variants which can evade these vaccines are like new epidemics which can sweep the country. And the vaccinated are essentially as unprotected as the unvaccinated.
I have https://coronavirusnewsonline.info/covid-19-spread-within-hospitals-new-york-reopens-nail-salons/ that the virus is embedded in the global population. However, now it is fair to say that each of the major variants is embedded in the global population. We must reduce the overall global viral load (by current vaccinations) to reduce the emergence of additional variants. At the same time, the booster vaccination must cover all the existing major and emerging variants to end the pandemic. The rapid approval of modified mRNA vaccines is a welcome approach.
The pandemic is not over, and it is not near over. Greg Abbott is a misguided political opportunist who will prolong the pandemic for all of us.
WSJ: Guidance for vaccinated: https://www.wsj.com/articles/what-you-can-and-cant-do-if-youve-been-vaccinated-travel-gatherings-risk-factors-what-you-need-to-know-11614978343 . Once again, there is no recognition of the risks associate with variants. Who are these experts?
AstraZeneca stockpiling vaccine: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/astra-stockpiles-us-vaccine-that-could-speed-up-biden-timeline/ar-BB1eicSB?li=BBnb7Kz . Personally, I’m looking forward to being vaccinated on Sunday so this vaccine is not in the mix. It offers almost no protection against the South African variant and is not being used in that country. It is subject to vaccine skepticism in Europe. The mRNA vaccines appear to offer superior flexibility in dealing with the variants. Oxford needs to address the variant issue (reformulation or booster) in order to restore confidence in this vaccine. More: AstraZeneca hopes to file for US EUA within a few weeks: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-vaccine-astrazeneca-oxford-file-fda-authorization-next-weeks/ .
Vaccination priority debate: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-age-based-vaccination-rules-come-under-fire-11614940200 . So, I like the strictly age-based system because COVID mortality is so heavily age-related. The counterargument is to prioritize medically fragile patients as they are also at increased risk of death, as are essential workers. This has recently slid to prioritizing obese people and even smokers in some states. This returns me to the age-based system, because it is easy to administer. Also, with the new expectation that every US adult can be vaccinated by the end of May, the priority issue is less critical.
Teacher vaccinations not tracked: https://apnews.com/article/teacher-vaccinations-untracked-amid-school-reopening-9bff06c32c15bde19d08e90691191432 . There are ways around this error. Oregon is one of those states that prioritized teachers but still has schools closed.
New variant discovered in Oregon: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-03-05/scientists-discover-mutation-of-uk-coronavirus-strain-in-oregon . Swell. I’m staying in until my Sunday night vaccination. The conclusions described in the article – that only one case is known, but that it originated in Oregon with someone else – seem highly unusual. I can’t imagine the data that would lead to this conclusion. And by the way, we can’t figure out who came in contact with the patient? This is just pathetic public health management.
Scientists confused by US variants: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00564-4 . Good grief. The problems in analysis seem clear. There is very limited and wholly inadequate genomic sequencing data before about two weeks ago. So of course we have no real idea about the timing of mutations or the nature of their spread. When a new variant is discovered, the correct response is aggressive contact tracing, testing and isolation. In other words, we try to stamp out each new variant.
As discussed above, the pandemic should be viewed as a collection of epidemics, one for each variant. We try to control each variant. If they escape control and spread, they are a candidate for inclusion in the upcoming booster shot or shots. Really, the control issues are not that difficult. We just continue to fail by not instituting the appropriate public health mechanisms.
WSJ: The Texas mess: https://www.wsj.com/articles/as-texas-drops-mask-mandate-covid-19-cases-bear-watching-11614945601 . The graphic demonstrates that Abbott has relaxed restrictions too early multiple times, always with a surge in cases.
WHO skips summary report, will present full report on coronavirus origins in mid-March: https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/03/under-intense-pressure-who-skips-summary-report-on-coronavirus-origin/ . When you mishandle the logistics, you cast doubt on the substance. More: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/5/coronavirus-origins-report-due-week-of-march-15-who . WSJ: Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/who-investigators-to-scrap-interim-report-on-probe-of-covid-19-origins-11614865067 .
WSJ: Antiviral COVID drug shows promise: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-pill-shows-promise-in-preliminary-testing-11615006861 .
The role of T-cells in COVID infections: https://www.ft.com/content/5cf2ee49-df7a-4990-b337-860cf7737b2f . This is quite informative on a rather complex topic. We have generally thought of T-cells as the killer cells for foreign invaders, while B-cells carry the memory of the immune system. This article tells us that there are various types of T-cells, including some that carry memory.
US approves COVID T-cell test: https://www.ft.com/content/3a3d8fcc-28db-4190-8740-2ce962dd361b . The prior article will help in understanding this one.
The obese and the elderly are major superspreaders: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/this-group-is-a-major-superspreader-according-to-scientists/ss-BB1ehxgO?li=BBnbcA0 . Together, these groups are a large and growing percentage of the US population.
WSJ: New York’s “patient zero”: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19s-patient-zero-what-life-is-like-for-the-new-york-lawyer-11614686401 .
WSJ: The global COVID baby bust: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-covid-baby-bust-could-reverberate-for-decades-11614962945 .
FDA warns against use of invermectin for COVID prevention: https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/05/health/ivermectin-covid-19-fda-statement-wellness/index.html .
Scientific American’s weekly summary: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/coronavirus-news-roundup-february-27-march-5/ . The summary disappointed me this week. There is no recognition of the risk variants pose.
WSJ: Israeli employers offer perks for vaccination: https://www.wsj.com/articles/in-covid-19-battle-israeli-employers-offer-perks-for-the-vaccinated-11615006802 . Color-coded bracelets would seem to violate HIPAA laws here.
China requires anal swabs of some travelers: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-china-anal-factbox/factbox-chinas-controversial-anal-tests-for-coronavirus-upset-visitors-idUSKBN2AV0Y4 . Welcome to China!
WSJ: Indonesia allows employers to buy vaccines for their employees: https://www.wsj.com/articles/as-texas-drops-mask-mandate-covid-19-cases-bear-watching-11614945601 .
Upbeat jobs report: 379,000 jobs added in February: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/05/jobs-report-february-2021.html . The additions were almost entirely hospitality jobs: 355,000. A COVID surge is (in my view) coming soon, and the variants present an ongoing and longer-term challenge. As such, while this jobs report is welcome, reverses are built in unless the stimulus package can tide people over. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/industries-hit-hard-by-pandemic-gain-jobs-on-long-road-to-recovery-11614970792 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/february-jobs-report-unemployment-rate-2021-11614909553 .
Stimulus negotiations behind closed doors: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/seeking-to-flex-new-political-muscle-centrist-senate-democrats-push-early-changes-to-dollar19-trillion-stimulus/ar-BB1ehOHC?li=BBnb7Kz . The bottom line is that 50-50 is as perilous a majority as there is. The voting rights bill is a must-do for Democrats, and they will not be able to hide behind the filibuster: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/541818-sen-tina-smith-calls-for-eliminating-filibuster . This is, however, a chess match.
Republican objections and impact on the stimulus package: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/03/05/biden-covid-stimulus-bill-why-relief-legislation-so-partisan/6889189002/ .
WSJ: Ron Klain’s stimulus strategy: https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-white-house-chief-learns-from-obama-mistakes-to-sell-covid-plan-11614956402 . This is pretty much a fluff piece. The Republicans’ sort-of $600 billion offer was nowhere near what Biden campaigned and won on, so it was quickly dismissed. Big deal. Do better next time, Susan, or you’ll get the same result.
WSJ: Ron Johnson’s stimulus strategy: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ron-johnson-emerges-as-democrats-chief-antagonist-in-covid-aid-push-11614961307 . Ron is a waste of digital space.
Update: Democrats announce deal to move stimulus forward: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/senate-democrats-announce-deal-on-unemployment-insurance-allowing-biden-bill-to-move-forward/ar-BB1eh6yi?li=BBnb7Kz . Did they get something from Manchin on the filibuster? WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/stimulus-update-biden-covid-19-relief-package-11614095748 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/democrats-agree-to-300-unemployment-benefits-in-covid-19-aid-bill-11614958832 .
More on ERCOT’s $16 billion error: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-weather-texas-ercot-power/texas-grid-operator-made-16-billion-price-error-during-winter-storm-watchdog-says-idUSKBN2AX0SV . This follows the WSJ report yesterday. Again, this error led to deaths and major bankruptcies. More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/texas-opts-not-to-fix-16-billion-power-overcharge-11614965291 . Sure, why give back a blatant overcharge that has bankrupted citizens and co-ops. Miles and miles of litigation ahead.
Rep. Swalwell sues Orange Julius and allies over January 6 insurrection: https://news.yahoo.com/eric-swalwell-sues-trump-allies-130638220.html . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-faces-new-lawsuit-alleging-incitement-of-capitol-riot-11614965456 .
First Orange Julius appointee arrested in January 6 insurrection: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/former-state-department-aide-arrested-connection-capitol-riot-n1259689 . The charges include assaulting officers with a riot shield. This doesn’t seem like an appropriate temperament for a State Department position. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ex-state-department-trump-appointee-arrested-in-connection-with-jan-6-attack-11614966215 .
Former astronaut considers NC Senate run: https://www.politico.com/news/2021/03/05/joan-higginbotham-nc-senate-473958 . She would be a formidable candidate.
Deprogramming as a public health problem: https://www.npr.org/2021/03/03/971457702/exit-counselors-strain-to-pull-americans-out-of-a-web-of-false-conspiracies . To what extent are Republican politicians intentionally playing into conspiracy theories for their personal gain? That certainly is true of Orange Julius. Those who wish to access his base – Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, Ron Johnson and many others – seem to be doing exactly the same thing. Remember, 8 Republican Senators and 147 Republican House members voted not to certify the election results, directly after the armed insurrection.
WSJ: Researching, defining and achieving happiness: https://www.wsj.com/articles/forget-what-you-think-happiness-is-11614952677 . Sigh. First of all, joy is a good thing. If you can recall your joy, so much the better. The keys here are near the end of the article. Practicing gratitude and mindfulness are indeed the most effective route to happiness. We’ve known this for decades. The practice should be daily – it is most effective as a habit. As to teaching people how to forgive and apologize … that would end the Republican Party, wouldn’t it? Just sayin’ …