furnjeff

News for November 7 — Superspreaders Create More Aerosols

Superspreaders create more aerosols: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/10/why-people-are-coronavirus-superspreaders-how-body-emits-infectious-particles/ . This research explores why some people create more aerosols. Because COVID-19 spreads primarily person-to-person, the creation of aerosols by breathing or speech is believed to be the primary transmission mechanism. Overdispersion: new measures of superspreader events: https://thehill.com/changing-america/well-being/prevention-cures/523587-what-is-overdispersion-and-what-does-it-mean-for . Nasal spray protects ferrets from COVID-19: https://thehill.com/changing-america/well-being/prevention-cures/524785-nasal-spray-prevents-covid-19-infection-in-test . We’ve come a …

News for November 7 — Superspreaders Create More Aerosols Read More »

News for November 6 — Llama Nanobodies and Lipid Nanoparticles

Llama nanobodies fight COVID-19: https://www.npr.org/2020/05/19/858499008/covid-19-researchers-study-llamas-special-antibodies . Once again, a newsletter sentence which was previously unimaginable to me. Competing llama nanobodies: https://www.post-journal.com/news/page-one/2020/11/llama-nanobodies-most-potent-weapon-to-fight-covid/ . These were from Wally rather than Winter. Here’s the technical publication: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41594-020-0469-6 . Thanks to reader Andrew Martin for tipping me off to this topic. We agree that “llama nanobodies” sound like they’re …

News for November 6 — Llama Nanobodies and Lipid Nanoparticles Read More »

News for November 5 — 95% of COVID-19 deaths over 50

95% of COVID-19 deaths over 50: https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2020/coronavirus-deaths-older-adults.html . About 80% of COVID-19 deaths are over age 65. Almost 120,000 daily COVID-19 cases: https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/524746-us-again-breaks-daily-coronavirus-record-with-118k-new-cases . There were almost 1,200 COVID-19 deaths. WSJ: More, global round-up: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-u-s-daily-coronavirus-cases-top-100-000-for-the-first-time-11604560957 . WSJ: Vaccine trial participant tracking tools: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-vaccine-rollout-to-feature-app-tracking-monitoring-of-vulnerable-groups-11604582313 . WSJ: AstraZeneca expects vaccine results this year: https://www.wsj.com/articles/astrazeneca-expects-covid-19-vaccine-trial-results-this-year-11604566767 . Woman sheds …

News for November 5 — 95% of COVID-19 deaths over 50 Read More »

News for November 3 — Zero COVID-19 Tolerance

WSJ: Asia’s “zero COVID-19 tolerance” countries: https://www.wsj.com/articles/as-coronavirus-surges-in-u-s-and-europe-some-other-places-see-even-one-case-as-too-many-11604399645 . “Zero COVID-19 tolerance” is a slogan summarizing a group of policies long advocated here. These include widespread testing, contact tracing and quarantining exposed individuals. “First control the virus, then open the economy” is a lesson these countries have taken to heart, with considerable economic benefits. There are …

News for November 3 — Zero COVID-19 Tolerance Read More »

News for November 2 — Gender Differences in COVID-19 Mortality

WSJ: Gender differences in COVID-19 mortality: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-burden-falls-heavily-on-middle-aged-men-11604313002 . Much of this article is not news to actuaries or regular readers. There has been regular comment here on women’s advantage with a second X chromosome. A new mention in this article is the role of estrogen in moderating the immune system’s response. Kid’s COVID-19 cases set …

News for November 2 — Gender Differences in COVID-19 Mortality Read More »

News for November 1 — Long-hauler Symptoms Studied

WSJ: COVID-19 long-hauler symptoms studied: https://www.wsj.com/articles/doctors-begin-to-crack-covids-mysterious-long-term-effects-11604252961 . Chronic inflammation continues to be a concern. A newer emerging issue is the appearance of autoantibodies, which attack the patient’s tissues. WSJ: Nursing home staffing dropped during initial outbreaks: https://www.wsj.com/articles/staffing-at-some-nursing-homes-plummeted-during-early-covid-19-outbreaks-11604242040 . This is a significant consideration in assessing deaths and virus spread in these facilities. US missteps in …

News for November 1 — Long-hauler Symptoms Studied Read More »

News for October 31 — Trump the Super-spreader

Trump the super-spreader: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/31/trump-study-coronavirus-rallies-433760 (link replaced 11/3/21). I’m not fond of health or mortality studies done by economists. I don’t doubt that Trump rallies have been super-spreaders. However, an alternate explanation for the data cited is that Trump holds rallies where his support is strong. Those areas are the ones where people don’t wear masks …

News for October 31 — Trump the Super-spreader Read More »

News for October 30 — Virus Mutation in Europe

Virus mutation in Europe: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/29/coronavirus-variant-seen-spreading-across-europe-research-says.html . As mentioned here many times, when the viral load in the population increases, the opportunity for virus mutation also increases. This is another downside of failing to control the virus early. Oxford to trial test for asymptomatic COVID-19: https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2020-10-29-oxford-trial-new-covid-19-test-individuals-without-symptoms . The article mentions people who are pre-symptomatic, which is …

News for October 30 — Virus Mutation in Europe Read More »

News for October 29 — Daily COVID-19 Case Record

US sets daily COVID-19 case record at over 91,000: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-record/u-s-breaks-daily-record-for-coronavirus-cases-with-over-91000-new-infections-idUSKBN27F0AI . It has always seemed politically risky for Trump to discourage mail-in voting. There could be weather or disease problems on Election Day. Here we are. Louisiana has indicated that restoring power to voting locations will be a priority after Hurricane Zeta. Wow, we’ve made …

News for October 29 — Daily COVID-19 Case Record Read More »