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News for November 27 — Abionic COVID-19 Severity Test

Abionic COVID-19 severity test: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201125005354/en/Abionic-Launches-First-Covid-19-Severity-Test-to-Triage-Patients-Quickly-and-Accurately . This blood test allows doctors to assess the risk a patient faces of severe COVID-19 within minutes, and triage them appropriately. WSJ: Vaccine trials may suffer as volunteers drop out: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-vaccine-studies-may-suffer-as-volunteers-consider-dropping-out-11606485601 . This has a quite valid logic. Since the pandemic continues to rage, additional volunteers could be sought …

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News for November 26 — New General-Use Facemasks

WSJ: New general-use facemasks roll out: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-face-masks-relieve-pressure-on-n95-supplies-11606386602 . ACB votes to block New York COVID orders: https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/11/26/939264852/supreme-court-says-new-york-cant-limit-attendance-in-houses-of-worship-due-to-co . It’s not good that ACB has immediately stepped up on a religious case, and in opposition to the Chief Justice. The case is also wrongly decided, in my view. The WSJ take, which somehow fails to mention …

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News for November 25 — Oxford Vaccine Dosing Error Success

Oxford vaccine dosing error success: https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-astrazeneca-oxford/decades-of-work-and-half-a-dose-of-fortune-drove-oxford-vaccine-success-idUKKBN2832NG . Wondering how Oxford vaccine got to the half-dose/dose approach? Me, too. Turns out they screwed up the first dose – a happy accident that raised the effectiveness. With time of the essence, Oxford had to admit their mistake to use the data. Ain’t science great? I like their …

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News for November 24 — Vaccine Nationalism; Sputnik V

Vaccine nationalism: https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/21439799/covid-19-vaccine-pfizer-moderna-priority-access-covax-who . Vaccine nationalism is bad only if you trying to do the right thing. If you’re interested in staying in power, it’s a no-brainer. And the world is run by no-brainers right now (puns intended). Here is an argument that supports wealthy countries getting the majority of the initial doses. The people …

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News for November 23 — Louisiana Tests Vaccine Distribution System

Louisiana tests vaccine distribution system with flu shots in Shreveport: https://www.arklatexhomepage.com/news/louisiana-department-of-heath-offering-free-flu-shots-drive-thru-style-in-shreveport/ . WSJ: COVID-19 kills neurons: https://www.wsj.com/articles/damaged-sense-of-smell-in-covid-patients-holds-clues-to-how-recovery-might-work-11606140319 . More clues emerge on the mechanisms of the disease. Front-line clinicians’ webinar: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2020-11-23/front-line-clinicians-share-lessons-from-battling-covid-19 . More on Dr. Choo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esther_Choo . AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine 70% effective; 90% effective if given as half-dose plus full dose: https://apnews.com/article/astrazeneca-vaccine-third-cheaper-oxford-c99d26eb2946f6fde45a1edc002ff028 . More: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/11/23/covid-news-los-angeles-county-dining-nevada-bryan-steil/6383796002/ …

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News for November 22 — Vaccine Shots by Mid-December

Vaccine shots by mid-December: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa/covid-19-shots-could-reach-first-americans-by-mid-december-top-health-official-says-idUSKBN2820JZ . Will Moderna’s storage advantages trump Pfizer’s vaccine?: https://www.fool.com/investing/2020/11/22/heres-why-modernas-coronavirus-vaccine-could-outse/ . Moderna’s vaccine shots do not require the very low temperatures need by Pfizer. WSJ: Some of the pandemic dead are now COVID-19 long-haulers: https://www.wsj.com/articles/nyc-dead-stay-in-freezer-trucks-set-up-during-spring-covid-19-surge-11606050000 . This is truly inhumane and disturbing. And as to my long-term complaints about the failure …

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News for November 21 — US Exceeds 12 Million Cases

US exceeds 12 million cases: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa/u-s-hits-12-million-covid-19-cases-as-many-americans-defy-thanksgiving-travel-guidance-idUSKBN2810OM . We were at 9 million cases at the end of October. So, we are currently running 1 million cases per week. FDA grants EUA to Regeneron monoclonal antibody drug: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-monoclonal-antibodies-treatment-covid-19 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/fda-authorizes-regenerons-covid-19-antibody-cocktail-drug-11606007526 . Texas National Guard called out to assist El Paso morgues: https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/21/us/el-paso-national-guard-morgue-coronavirus-trnd/index.html . The …

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News for November 20 — Pfizer applies to FDA for EUA

Pfizer applies to FDA for EUA for vaccine: https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-vaccines-pfizer/pfizer-files-covid-19-vaccine-application-to-u-s-fda-idUSKBN2801D8 . Pfizer estimates it can provide 50 million doses of its 2 dose vaccine this year. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/pfizer-to-seek-authorization-of-covid-19-vaccine-friday-11605872700 . Oxford vaccine shows strong immune response in those over 55: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2020-11-19/astrazeneca-oxford-coronavirus-vaccine-triggers-immune-response-in-adults?src=usn_nl_coronavirus . WSJ: Vaccine scoreboard update: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-vaccines-whats-coming-and-when-11598882964 . US daily deaths exceed 2,000: https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2020-11-20/us-returns-to-daily-coronavirus-death-toll-of-over-2-000-lives. And the …

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News for November 19 — Picking Up Bad Vibrations

Picking up bad vibrations: https://news.mit.edu/2020/vibrations-coronavirus-proteins-1119 . WSJ: Review confirms strong vaccine response in elderly: https://www.wsj.com/articles/oxford-astrazeneca-coronavirus-vaccines-strong-response-in-elderly-confirmed-in-review-11605783756 . Again, this is extremely important. The elderly show the most vulnerability to COVID-19. It is typical for the elderly to have weaker immune responses to vaccines. US testing falls short of need: https://apnews.com/article/us-covid-19-testing-strained-holidays-db20ebbcc1fa8a411be8f9ebc241af3b . At this point, it appears …

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News for November 18 — Pfizer Vaccine; US Hospital Conditions

Pfizer vaccine is safe and 95% effective: https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizer-and-biontech-conclude-phase-3-study-covid-19-vaccine . The distribution issues for the Pfizer vaccine are considered significant in relation to the Moderna vaccine. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-when-11605715625 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/pfizers-covid-19-vaccine-95-effective-in-final-results-company-to-seek-approval-within-days-11605699996 . Pfizer vaccine cold storage explained: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/11/17/935563377/why-does-pfizers-covid-19-vaccine-need-to-be-kept-colder-than-antarctica . Hey, Antarctica is warming, though … Chinese vaccine antibody concerns: https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinese-covid-vaccine-gives-scientists-pause-over-antibody-levels-in-early-trials-11605725159 . This is why …

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