Five genes linked to severe COVID-19: https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-genetics/five-key-severe-covid-19-genes-found-suggesting-drug-targets-idUSKBN28L24X . Here is the Nature abstract. To access the article, click on “Download PDF” on the upper right: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-03065-y . Interferons are discussed in detail here.
What science has learned about coronavirus: https://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/what-science-has-learned-about-the-coronavirus-one-year-on/ . This is the transcript of an interview with Britt Glaunsinger.
US continues to break COVID-19 records: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/live-updates/coronavirus/?id=74578775 . This is obviously not good for hospitals, or anyone who needs hospitalization.
Sanofi, GlaxoSmthKline vaccine delayed to late 2021: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-11/sanofi-gsk-delay-covid-vaccine-after-elderly-get-little-boost . The vaccine formulation produced a limited immune response in people over 50. The vaccine makers had reached a deal with the US government for 100 million doses, with an option for another 500 million doses. The problem traces to a lab error. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/broader-vaccine-plan-in-west-dealt-setback-by-sanofi-gsk-delay-11607696740 . Still more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/12/11/covid-vaccine-sanofi-gsk-announce-delay-doses-expected-end-2021/3893370001/ .
Along with Sanofi’s “lab error”, the Oxford vaccine had a similar problem with its Phase III test about 2 weeks ago: https://www.bbc.com/news/health-55086927 . These are astonishing mistakes in a test protocol of this size and visibility. Besides the financial and reputational damage done to these companies, this is more fuel for vaccine skepticism.
US buys another 100 million doses of Moderna vaccine: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/11/government-buys-moderna-vaccine-444626 . The reason for this seems clear from the Sanofi article.
FDA approves Pfizer vaccine: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/fda-authorizes-the-first-coronavirus-vaccine-a-rare-moment-of-hope-in-the-deadly-pandemic/ar-BB1bR9AC?li=BBnb7Kz . Yet again, the White House has compromised the integrity of the FDA by threatening its director. Once again, vaccine skepticism is fed by this bizarre behavior.
Spinning failure into success: https://www.newsweek.com/australia-failed-covid-vaccine-hiv-science-best-1554131 (link replaced 12/28/20; original was more aggressive in claiming that the vaccine failure demonstrated the safety of the approval process and should increase public confidence). We honor different points of view here, with the caveat that very little in Trump World rises to the level of “point of view”. If somehow high-profile failure reduces vaccine skepticism, that would be a good thing.
WSJ: Vaccine combination heads to trial: https://www.wsj.com/articles/combination-of-astrazeneca-russian-vaccines-to-undergo-trial-11607703278 . The chance of allergic reaction may be increased here.
More on allergic reactions: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-vaccine-rollout-tripped-up-by-rare-but-serious-allergic-reactions-11607709948 .
Vaccine side effects: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/side-effects-coronavirus-vaccine_l_5fd1428bc5b61d81b33ba425 .
WSJ: Vaccine roll-out and priorities: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-covid-19-vaccine-when-will-it-be-available-for-you-11606339361 . More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-fda-review-11605715625 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccine-is-authorized-in-the-u-s-11607740101 .
WSJ: Should legislators get vaccine priority?: https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-debate-should-lawmakers-get-vaccines-first-11607690926 . First, Steny, who says Congress is operating now? Second, we’re talking 535 people at the federal level. This is an issue of appearance, not one that affects overall distribution. However, the people would prefer you all get the jab in the butt rather than the shoulder.
Vaccine line-jumping: https://www.foxnews.com/health/coronavirus-vaccine-line-jumping-expected-after-first-round-is-administered . At least on Fox, it’s expected that people are jerks and will try to game the system. Maybe they’re Canadian ex-pats: https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nhl/health-officer-canucks-jumped-h1n1-vaccine-line .
WSJ: Vaccine testing for children: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-vaccine-makers-turn-toward-testing-children-11607688001 . Based on prior results, it would be safer to test on 10 to 18-year-olds and work to younger children from there.
WSJ: The need for home testing: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-year-of-covid-and-hopefully-the-year-of-easy-home-based-testing-11607682603 .
Cuomo threatens to sue Trump: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/cuomo-threatens-sue-trump-coronavirus-vaccine-distribution . Cuomo has a point. But maybe the solution is to provide safe transportation to the nearest vaccination sight for minority communities. Or put a major chain team in a minority community pharmacy.
More on China’s vaccine candidates: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-55212787 . Now that we see vaccines failing their Phase 3 trials, the Russian and Chinese approaches seem increasingly iffy.
The mother of all superspreaders: Biogen conference tied to 300,000 case worldwide: https://www.bostonherald.com/2020/12/11/massachusetts-superspreader-biogen-conference-tied-to-300000-coronavirus-cases/ .
The price of Thanksgiving: https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-thanksgiving-f4d7db2ec316819bb8d5d6ec28047502 . “My first reaction was the f-word.” Wow. Very succinct.
Doctors feel pressure not to speak out: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/11/arizona-doctor-cleavon-gilman-says-fired-covid-tweets . “What we have here is a failure to communicate.” That’s true. The hospital didn’t know Biden would tweet the doctor with support. More: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/12/11/cleavon-gilman-fired-arizona-hospital-posting-coronavirus/3894723001/ .
WSJ: Industries vie for vaccine priority: https://www.wsj.com/articles/whose-workers-are-most-essential-meatpackers-airlines-lobby-for-covid-19-vaccine-priority-11607682603 .
Relief/stimulus: Both packages will work: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/coronavirus-stimulus-output-gap-2021-analysis-195944409.html . There is less fraud and more stimulus when the money is placed in the hands of those individuals who really need it. Pass something, dammit!
WSJ: The K-shaped recovery: https://www.wsj.com/articles/here-comes-a-k-shaped-recovery-11607708144 .
Trump signs stopgap spending bill: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/12/11/government-shutdown-senate-passes-bill-pushing-deadline-one-week/3877590001/ . No other institution works in this ridiculous manner. Allegedly, a deal is “close”: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/529914-congress-close-to-massive-government-funding-deal .
Supreme Court tosses out trash: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/supreme-court-rejects-texas-lawsuit-attempting-to-overturn-biden-victory . I’m happy to not talk about this particular lunacy after today.
Nuthouse turns on the Court: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/newsmax-turns-on-trumps-scotus-picks-after-texas-ruling/ar-BB1bRnui?li=BBnb7Kz . Hey, this is crazy, but we’re getting rich fleecing the rubes … And: https://www.mediaite.com/tv/trump-admitting-privately-hes-pitting-newsmax-and-oan-against-fox-news-to-make-the-network-more-loyal/ .
Zodiac Killer cipher decoded by amateur sleuths: https://www.cnet.com/news/zodiac-killer-message-known-as-340-cipher-solved-after-51-years/ . So, decoded is good news; the bad news is it took 51 years. The Zodiac Killer has never been caught. More: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/i-am-not-afraid-of-the-gas-chamber-codebreakers-solve-old-zodiac-killer-cipher/ar-BB1bRaHj?li=BBnb7Kz . Still more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zodiac_Killer . There were 4 ciphers. The first was deciphered quickly. This is the second.
Oracle moves to Austin: https://www.wsj.com/articles/oracle-moves-corporate-headquarters-to-austin-texas-11607724881 . Huge mistake. Obviously, they should have moved to Delphi, Indiana.
WSJ: Lord Sutch: https://www.wsj.com/articles/tony-blair-answered-lord-sutch-11607721761 . Really? There’s a Lord Sutch? Is he married? If so, the couple should not be called Lord and Lady Sutch. Vastly preferable is Lord Sutch and Sutch.