BA.4.6 latest “variant of concern”: https://fortune.com/2022/08/04/ba-4-6-omicron-subvariant-covid-ba-5-booster-vaccine/ . This variant now comprises over 10% of cases in a 4-state region in the Midwest. The mid-Atlantic and the South also have rates above the current national average of 4.7%.
Zero COVID still DOES NOT WORK!: https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-travel-99d16a6da3f4dda26f370be6786041e9 . Look, China has 1.4 billion people. Can’t they find some terminally ill person to tell Xi that Zero COVID does not work? And do this each day? Since everyone else is apparently afraid, this seems like the only available solution to get the message across.
Smallpox vaccine effectiveness for monkeypox: https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/clinicians/smallpox-vaccine.html#anchor_1545415175541 . This CDC note provides a nice summary of the use of the smallpox vaccine to prevent monkeypox. Both monkeypox and smallpox are orthopoxviruses: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2020/travel-related-infectious-diseases/smallpox-and-other-orthopoxvirus-associated-infections . The smallpox vaccine is about 85% effective in preventing monkeypox, and protection lasts 3 to 5 years. Protection wanes after that period, but is still believed to prevent severe infections.
WHO declared the world smallpox-free in 1980, still considered one of the greatest achievements of public health. Smallpox infects only humans, so no animal virus reservoirs exist to restart human infection. Smallpox vaccinations were routinely given to US children until 1972, so Baby Boomers retain some protection. However, younger people did not receive the smallpox vaccination, and so have no protection.
We are fortunate to have an off-the-shelf vaccine to protect against monkeypox. However, since routine vaccinations are no longer given, vaccinations are currently limited to the most at-risk individuals (currently, gay and bisexual men). The current outbreak can be controlled, but behavior modification and vaccination is necessary to turn the current situation around. Wider vaccination in Africa would be highly advisable.
GOP Senators block Democratic deal on insulin cap: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/republicans-block-cap-insulin-costs-many-americans-democratic-deal-rcna41913 . The GOP hissy fit continues. Insulin has become unaffordable for many families due to price gouging by the pharmaceutical industry. Why the GOP would block such a popular idea from enactment is beyond me. Yes, they get dough from the pharmaceutical industry, but this seems foolish and indefensible as an election issue. As discussed further below, the GOP simply has no concept of how governance works.
Shifting focus of Alzheimer’s research: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/new-alzheimers-drugs-keep-scientists-shift-focus-rcna40288 . This has become another example of treating a prominent symptom without curing the disease. The controversial approval of Aduhelm continues to be, in my opinion, false hope at a high price. Hope cannot replace science. Maybe the ongoing research can bail out the FDA’s high-profile mistake.
Magic mushrooms and mental health treatment: https://www.aol.com/news/psilocybin-therapy-prompting-states-reconsider-093012989.html .
GOP Congresswoman speaks up about women’s rights: https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/nancy-mace-abortion-handmaids-tale-1393904/ . Calling for moderation in the GOP right now seems to be a Lost Cause, but then she is from South Carolina.
Senate Democrats approve Inflation Reduction Act: https://apnews.com/article/senate-climate-tax-deal-vote-dbdb3107c4c5e3e0e5af8a58d56c7bc1 . House approval and Biden signature seem assured. Biden’s famous quote from the Obama administration applies again: “This is a Big F’ing Deal”. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/democrats-climate-plan-gets-early-green-light-11659798389 .
Senator Mike Rounds speaks up against saving the planet: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/impending-passage-democrats-climate-tax-bill-boondoggle-rounds/story?id=88039015 . Since we focus on science and facts here, little GOP opinion makes it into these pages. However, it is important to occasionally check in to see if anything worthwhile is being said in the Orange Julius tribe.
Could the Inflation Reduction Act be better? Yes, but this is also true of every piece of federal (and state) legislation passed during my lifetime. “Boondoggle” is just name-calling. But even if everything else is the legislation was a waste, the meaningful advance of the climate change fight makes the bill worthwhile. Rounds’ illogical argument against Medicare negotiation contains no substance and ignores the GOP’s support for this change during OJ’s presidency. Rounds proves himself to be just another also-ran in the GOP’s Idiot Olympics, although he did find a way out of South Dakota.
As far as the GOP contribution to valuable thought, there is still nothing to see here. They literally have no idea of how to govern, and they are becoming useless even as an opposition party. Other than that, have a nice day, Mike, and enjoy your time in exciting Milwaukee.
Putin sacks 3 generals in another sign the air in Ukraine is not going well: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/3-kremlin-generals-sacked-biden-urged-to-declare-russia-a-state-sponsor-of-terrorism-ukraine-live-updates/ar-AA10p9Np?cvid=5c4ffe2117a64d14910d59edc16884b9 .
Unexploded WWII ordnance appears on drought-stricken Italian river: https://newstral.com/en/article/en/1225207061/drought-hit-river-reveals-unexploded-wwii-bomb . Yes, it’s another news story on No Mo Po.