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News for December 17 — Sixth Dose Stretches Pfizer Vaccine

Sixth dose stretches Pfizer vaccine supply up to 20%: https://www.aha.org/special-bulletin/2020-12-16-important-update-potential-additional-doses-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine . VA plans to waste extra vaccine, then reverses course: https://www.radio.com/connectingvets/news/inside-veterans-affairs/veterans-affairs-plans-to-waste-extra-coronavirus-vaccine . The sixth dose has been highly publicized. Do these people live under a rock? FDA advisors endorse Moderna vaccine: https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-coronavirus-vaccine-4b34a3ffaf501bcb5300984f98cca757 . Once approved, 6 million doses will be in the initial shipment. This …

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News for December 16 — First US Allergic Vaccine Reaction

First US allergic vaccine reaction: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/alaska-health-care-worker-had-severe-allergic-reaction-pfizer-covid-n1251448 . Coronavirus may slip its genetic material into our chromosomes: https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/12/coronavirus-may-sometimes-slip-its-genetic-material-human-chromosomes-what-does-mean . This may explain some aspects of the long-haulers’ symptoms. It is also a scary unknown. CDC says children more likely to get COVID at home than from school: https://www.usnews.com/news/education-news/articles/2020-12-16/cdc-most-coronavirus-infections-in-kids-not-linked-to-school . In my view, this study does not …

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News for December 15 — Moderna Vaccine Safe and Effective

FDA finds Moderna vaccine safe and effective: https://www.axios.com/fda-review-moderna-vaccine-6c2c4c62-f584-43ac-8873-4eadc98cd7f7.html . Here is the FDA briefing document for their December 17 review meeting: https://www.fda.gov/media/144434/download . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/modernas-covid-19-vaccine-is-next-in-line-for-authorization-11608028201 . FDA recommends monitoring for Bell’s palsy: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2020-12-15/fda-recommends-watching-vaccine-recipients-for-bells-palsy . WSJ: Europe hasn’t approved Pfizer vaccine: https://www.wsj.com/articles/europe-chafes-at-slow-pace-of-covid-19-vaccine-approval-11608036518 . When the response is, “We’re moving as fast as we can”, you …

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News for December 14 — First US Vaccine Shots

First US vaccine shots: https://apnews.com/article/us-health-workers-coronavirus-vaccine-56df745388a9fc12ae93c6f9a0d0e81f . Hopefully a major turning point in the fight against coronavirus. Note from the Grinch: Smallpox is the only virus that has been eliminated from the global human population, and there was no animal reservoir for that virus. And I remain concerned about mutations. London faces COVID the Ripper: https://apnews.com/article/international-news-england-london-coronavirus-pandemic-b6c78f2173016d7df2e6f4121091a2d6 …

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News for December 13 — US Vaccine Campaign; Vaccination Card

US vaccine campaign launched today: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vaccines-distribut/historic-u-s-covid-vaccine-campaign-launches-with-convoy-of-trucks-idUSKBN28N041 . First shots will come Monday. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccines-are-prepped-for-shipment-11607792605 . Vaccination card: https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/02/health/covid-19-vaccination-kit-record-card/index.html . This is quite rational, certainly more so than the vaccine passport. Vaccination goal of 100 million by end of March: https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-usa-immunizations/u-s-expects-to-have-immunized-100-million-against-covid-19-by-end-of-march-slaoui-idUSKBN28N0HH . The earlier prediction of 100 million vaccinated by February is now abandoned. Biden …

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News for December 12 — Nursing Homes Disaster; Zombie Cells

The nursing homes disaster: https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/health/info-2020/covid-19-nursing-homes-an-american-tragedy.html . This oral history of the pandemic in nursing homes is heartwrenching. There are now over 100,000 COVID dead attributable to nursing homes. Nursing homes: A failing business model: https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/health/info-2020/covid-19-nursing-homes-failing-business-model.html . The short answer is that the nursing homes have almost 60% of their residents on Medicaid, on which they …

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News for December 11 — Five Genes Linked to Severe COVID-19

Five genes linked to severe COVID-19: https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-genetics/five-key-severe-covid-19-genes-found-suggesting-drug-targets-idUSKBN28L24X . Here is the Nature abstract. To access the article, click on “Download PDF” on the upper right: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-03065-y . Interferons are discussed in detail here. What science has learned about coronavirus: https://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/what-science-has-learned-about-the-coronavirus-one-year-on/ . This is the transcript of an interview with Britt Glaunsinger. US continues to break …

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News for December 10 — Vaccine Distribution Hurdles

WSJ: Vaccine distribution hurdles: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-covid-19-vaccine-when-will-it-be-available-for-you-11606339361 . Vaccine distribution’s last-mile challenge: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-vaccines-face-last-mile-challenge-to-reach-most-vulnerable-11607633456 . FDA panel approves Pfizer vaccine: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/pfizer-s-covid-19-vaccine-receives-key-fda-panel-recommendation-n1250692 . It is disappointing that the vote was 17-4-1, and we don’t know the reasons for the 4 “no” votes. Apparently it has to do with recommending vaccination now for 16 and 17-year-olds. The allergy warning may …

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News for December 9 — Pfizer Vaccine Allergy Warning

Pfizer vaccine allergy warning: https://news.yahoo.com/us-likely-issue-allergy-warning-213830817.html . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-vaccines-to-cause-temporary-side-effects-doctors-say-11607536289 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/people-with-severe-allergies-shouldnt-get-covid-19-vaccine-says-u-k-regulator-after-reactions-11607515727 . WSJ: Canada authorizes Pfizer vaccine: https://www.wsj.com/articles/canada-authorizes-covid-19-vaccine-from-pfizer-and-biontech-11607531030 . I wonder if Trump is blowing a fuse over FDA procedures. WSJ: US Pfizer vaccine EUA approval expected shortly: https://www.wsj.com/articles/head-of-fda-advisory-panel-predicts-approval-for-pfizers-covid-19-vaccine-11607515201 . This seems like a response to the developments in the previous article. Dry …

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News for December 8 — Sleep Apnea COVID Risk

Sleep apnea COVID risk: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2020-12-08/sleep-apnea-an-overlooked-covid-19-risk-factor . Obstructive sleep apnea appears in 54 million adult Americans, which is about 22% of the adult population. US passes 15 million cases: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa/with-vaccine-drawing-closer-u-s-tops-15-million-coronavirus-cases-idUSKBN28I1WD . It took 100 days for the first million cases. We are currently adding a million new cases every 5 days: https://khn.org/morning-breakout/us-suffers-deadliest-week-since-april-and-thanksgiving-spike-isnt-even-here-yet/ . WSJ: UK begins …

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