WSJ: US round-up: https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-latest-news-09-01-2020-11598946708 . Again, daily figures are not that informative because of the weekend effect. The thing to watch for in September is college and public school re-openings, and the extent to which surges result. News on Guam, Russia, India, Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong is in last paragraphs.
An “interferon” is a natural substance that helps the body’s immune system fight infection and other diseases, such as cancer. Interferons are made in the body by white blood cells and other cells, but they can also be made in the laboratory to use as treatments for different diseases. “Interferons” are named for their ability to “interfere” with viral replication by protecting cells from virus infections (what a great name). “Laboratory studies suggest that the normal interferon response is suppressed in some people after infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. In the laboratory, type 1 interferon can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 and two closely related viruses, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. In addition, two small randomized controlled trials suggest that treatment with interferon beta may benefit patients with COVID-19.” https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-clinical-trial-testing-remdesivir-plus-interferon-beta-1a-covid-19-treatment-begins#:~:text=Laboratory%20studies%20suggest%20that%20the,%2DCoV%20and%20MERS%2DCoV. Researchers currently believe that early interferon response can assist the body in preventing severe infection, while a delayed response can lead to a “cytokine storm” which can exacerbate illness. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/an-immune-protein-could-prevent-severe-covid-19-if-it-is-given-at-the-right-time1/ . Here is the latest NIH recommendation (as of August 27 at the time of this newsletter, updated regularly): https://www.covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/immune-based-therapy/immunomodulators/interferons/ . As described in the first link, NIH is currently running a clinical trial combining remdesivir with interferon beta-1a, with preliminary results expected in the fall. Here is another article describing Interferons in more detail, as well as their role in COVID-19: https://medium.com/swlh/interferon-responses-could-explain-susceptibility-to-severe-covid-19-cc69a654b999 . Here is NIH research news discussing interferons in COVID-19 and other diseases.
WSJ: Vaccine race update: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-vaccines-whats-coming-and-when-11598882964 . 9 vaccines have now made it to Phase 3 trials.
US refuses to participate in international effort to develop vaccines: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/01/us-covid-19-vaccine-refuses-international-effort-coronavirus .
Small events a significant source of virus spread: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/08/30/covid-19-small-gatherings-quietly-significant-source-infections/5650677002/ .
WSJ: Increased focus on indoor ventilation: https://www.wsj.com/articles/key-to-preventing-covid-19-indoors-ventilation-11598953607 . One possibility this suggests is that mask wearing is even more important in indoor spaces. For example, suppose you live alone but in a large apartment building which just recirculates internal air in the winter. That seems like a problem, given the length of time that virus in aerosols can stay airborne; high-quality filtration is needed. The suggestion in the article of portable HEPA air filters would be helpful but not as effective as HEPA filters in the building’s system.
WSJ: Student quarantines: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-college-students-guide-to-back-to-school-quarantine-pop-tarts-cross-stitch-prison-morse-code-11598888413 . It seems like this will incent increased interaction once the quarantine is over. If the university is not maintaining a tight bubble, this has every possibility of ending badly.
College follies continue: https://www.usnews.com/news/education-news/articles/2020-08-31/colleges-attempt-to-beat-back-wave-of-coronavirus-infections?src=usn_nl_coronavirus . Alabama … Notre Dame … fall … football … money … Iowa State is allowing 25,000 fans into its home opener: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/iowa-state-football-25000-fans-first-game-coronavirus-pandemic/ .
Coronavirus cases in the Secret Service: https://www.insider.com/secret-service-sees-coronavirus-cases-as-trump-host-crowded-gatherings-2020-8 .
Alaska sockeye run and COVID-19: https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/2020-08-31/alaskas-salmon-fisheries-confront-covid-19?src=usn_nl_coronavirus . If over 80% of the money goes out of state, it’s not surprising that 84% of the COVID-19 cases were among non-residents.
Air flight “debacle”: https://www.usnews.com/news/world-report/articles/2020-08-31/193-people-ordered-to-self-isolate-after-16-passengers-test-positive-for-coronavirus-on-flight-from-greece-to-wales?src=usn_nl_coronavirus .
Increased US mobility: New Yorkers flee to Florida, Texas: https://www.bloombergquint.com/business/new-yorkers-flee-for-florida-and-texas-as-mobility-surges .
WSJ: Dow components revised; stock splits return as strategy to maximize stockholder value and attract new retail investors: https://www.wsj.com/articles/apple-tesla-shares-keep-rising-after-stock-splits-11598900644 .
WSJ: Fed to resume discussion of future direction: https://www.wsj.com/articles/top-fed-official-says-new-framework-provides-more-humble-approach-to-setting-rates-11598879012 . These comments appear consistent with earlier analysis that the Fed is running out of tools to prop up the economy …
WSJ: Zoom zooms: https://www.wsj.com/articles/zoom-again-lifts-full-year-outlook-as-sales-surge-during-pandemic-11598906550 .
WSJ: No damages in failed Anthem-CIGNA merger: https://www.wsj.com/articles/anthem-cigna-fight-over-failed-merger-ends-in-a-draw-11598904625 .
WSJ: Nestle acquires biopharma Aimmune: https://www.wsj.com/articles/nestle-moves-further-into-health-buying-peanut-allergy-treatment-maker-11598860492 . Um, Nestle makes peanut butter morsels … I guess treating the kids’ allergies makes them future prospective consumers …
WSJ: Retail tenants face increasing evictions: https://www.wsj.com/articles/retail-eviction-proceedings-pick-up-as-economy-restarts-11598952601 . The second wave (economic damage) continues to gather steam.
WSJ: California provides eviction relief until next February: https://www.wsj.com/articles/california-enacts-eviction-moratorium-11598944854 .
WSJ: For Scotland, COVID-19 and Brexit may have killed the UK: https://www.wsj.com/articles/as-scottish-independence-calls-grow-u-k-trumpets-virtues-of-unity-11598872480 .
WSJ: China’s economic stimulus paying off: https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-attempts-to-spur-consumption-show-signs-of-working-11598857041 .
WSJ: Turkish economy contracts: https://www.wsj.com/articles/turkish-economy-contracts-posing-challenge-for-erdogan-11598895201 .
WSJ: More on India’s record economic contraction: https://www.wsj.com/articles/indian-economy-shrank-record-23-9-last-quarter-11598878379 .
The technology of war: https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/36013/mexican-drug-cartel-now-assassinating-its-enemies-with-improvised-explosive-toting-drones . If you have concerns about the misuse in private hands of technology meant for war (like assault weapons, for example), this use of drones may increase those concerns. This also gives me pause about the introductory phrase of the Second Amendment: “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State … “.
Buzz Lightyear after the brainectomy: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/pilots-report-mysterious-man-jetpack-flying-planes/story?id=72755638 .
WSJ: Amazon drone fleet advances: https://www.wsj.com/articles/amazon-gets-u-s-approval-for-drone-fleet-a-package-delivery-milestone-11598913514 . Boy, what could possibly go wrong here?
From today’s Daily Pnut: “It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.” – Albert Einstein. I would add, Einstein was speaking in reference to the atomic bomb; amoral people with access to technology may be even more dangerous.