WSJ: FDA questions put Inovio Phase 2/3 vaccine trial on hold: https://www.wsj.com/articles/inovio-covid-19-vaccine-trial-placed-on-hold-after-fda-questions-11601304999 .
Feds to ship millions of tests in push to re-open schools: https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-virus-outbreak-donald-trump-archive-elections-7ad94115ac126ce1eb7a38bee6c5eedf . So, these are rapid-response tests from Abbott. These tests are less accurate, so follow-up of positives will be needed with more accurate, slower tests. How will results reporting be handled? This article does not create confidence that there is a detailed, workable plan.
Speaking of ships, thinking of a cruise?: https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2020/09/28/covid-19-tui-cruise-12-crew-members-test-positive/3559971001/ . Again, is their test accurate? “Mein Schiff” is German for “My Ship” – clever name.
WSJ: One family, four different reactions and recoveries: https://www.wsj.com/articles/four-different-family-members-four-different-covid-19-outcomes-11601299859 . Some interesting medical comments emerge from this article. About 10% of COVID-19 sufferers turn out to be long-haulers. People who end up in the ICU may become long-haulers because of prolonged hospitalization and general de-conditioning. Pregnant women shed virus longer – perhaps up to 100 days. COVID-19 may reactivate dormant viruses in the body by exhausting the immune system.
Industrial pollution correlated to increased COVID-19 severity: https://www.propublica.org/article/new-research-shows-disproportionate-rate-of-coronavirus-deaths-in-polluted-areas . Or, properties in areas with high industrial pollution are less desirable. They are populated by those in lower socio-economic classes, who we know are subject to increased COVID-19 severity.
WSJ: Obesity surgery as COVID-19 protection: https://www.wsj.com/articles/patients-seek-surgery-to-combat-major-covid-19-risk-factor-obesity-11601299708.
WSJ: Obesity concerns lead to recommendation to reduce sugar intake: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-limits-urged-on-americans-sugar-consumption-amid-rising-obesity-concerns-11601334000 .
Fauci to HHS official: Take a hike: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/09/fauci-caputo-alexander-cdc-fda/616436/ .
WSJ: Hospital chain Universal Health Services hit by ransomware attack: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ransomware-attack-hits-universal-health-services-11601341873 . Fallout included diverting ambulances and cancelling surgeries. This follows recent hospital cyberattacks in Europe.
Hospitalizations surge in Midwest, with some states exceeding 25% positive test rates: https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN26I10Y .
WSJ: US round-up: https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-latest-news-09-28-2020-11601279640 . The world passes 1 million deaths from COVID-19.
AP: Global round-up: https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-archive-united-nations-pandemics-2ceccd489e5cb56055fe71f667a5b9df .
WSJ: NYC sees COVID-19 surge in some neighborhoods: https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-cases-rise-in-parts-of-new-york-city-11601318389 .
WSJ: COVID-19 travel Q&A: https://www.wsj.com/articles/all-your-coronavirus-travel-questions-answered-11582980999 .
WSJ: Teacherless classrooms: https://www.wsj.com/articles/schools-reopen-with-virtual-classrooms-as-some-teachers-stay-home-11601292009 .
WSJ: Life insurers have small liability for COVID-19 deaths: https://www.wsj.com/articles/those-dying-from-covid-19-are-least-likely-to-own-life-insurance-11601285400 . Those who die are unlikely to own life insurance.
WSJ: Victims of opioid crisis try to pursue Purdue: https://www.wsj.com/articles/opioid-victims-seek-chance-to-take-purdues-owners-to-court-11601323960 .
WSJ: EPA challenges California’s move to electric vehicles: https://www.wsj.com/articles/epa-raises-legal-questions-about-california-s-plan-to-ban-new-gas-powered-cars-starting-in-2035-11601321975 .
WSJ: Prime California wine country aflame: https://www.wsj.com/articles/northern-california-wildfires-in-napa-and-sonoma-counties-force-the-evacuation-overnight-of-thousands-of-residents-11601302102 .
WSJ: United cuts furlough estimates: https://www.wsj.com/articles/united-trims-furlough-plans-as-pilots-agree-to-deal-11601320153 .
WSJ: House Democrats push $2.2 trillion relief aid package: https://www.wsj.com/articles/democrats-ready-2-2-trillion-pandemic-relief-bill-11601332118 .
WSJ: Commerce Department requires licenses to export to largest Chinese chip manufacturer SIMC: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-sets-export-controls-on-chinas-top-chip-maker-11601118353 .
WSJ: More on judge’s ruling lifting TikTok download ban: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-likely-exceeded-authority-in-tiktok-ban-judge-says-11601321415 .
WSJ: More on China’s “unreliable entities” list: https://www.wsj.com/articles/possible-china-blacklist-adds-more-uncertainty-for-u-s-businesses-11601326119 .
WSJ: Germany: AI price-fixing: https://www.wsj.com/articles/when-the-machines-learn-to-price-gouge-11601281879 . So now the computers have learned how to rip us off.
WSJ: India: COVID-19 disrupts consumer goods distribution: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-blunts-unilevers-edge-in-emerging-markets-11601290772 .
WSJ: VR virtual meetings: https://www.wsj.com/articles/you-can-go-back-to-the-officeyou-just-need-a-virtual-reality-headset-11601290813 . Your enthusiasm here is highly dependent on how much you miss seeing the office. VR tourism makes more sense to me.
Crowing over birdbrains: https://www.statnews.com/2020/09/24/crows-possess-higher-intelligence-long-thought-primarily-human/ .
Hero rat honored: https://www.npr.org/2020/09/25/916892377/hero-rat-wins-a-top-animal-award-for-sniffing-out-landmines . His parents must be so pleased.