Moderna Omicron-targeted vaccine works: https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-business-cfa00d6c2a69b642bd44f779f7719c18 . I’m glad I got my second booster in May. I would expect to eligible to receive the updated booster in the fall, when it (hopefully) becomes available. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/modernas-covid-19-vaccine-targeting-omicron-produces-stronger-immune-response-11654686002 .
US wasted 82 million vaccine doses: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/covid-vaccine-doses-wasted-rcna31399 .
White House shifts COVID funding to vaccines: https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2022-06-08/white-house-signals-focus-on-covid-19-vaccines-treatments-as-money-runs-short .
Omicron subvariants move toward dominance in the US: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/two-omicron-subvariants-gain-bigger-foothold-us-rcna32410 . All together now: THE PANDEMIC IS NOT OVER!
Certain food allergies cut risk of contracting COVID by half: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/people-with-certain-allergies-50-percent-less-likely-to-get-covid-study/ar-AAY3riY?cvid=67317dc5df004c89b0a3b71d09796ceb .
WSJ: Evusheld cuts risk of severe COVID: https://www.wsj.com/articles/astrazeneca-covid-19-antibody-drug-found-to-cut-risk-of-severe-disease-11654690004 . However, AstraZeneca’s study was completed prior to the Omicron surge.
COVID cases and deaths falling almost everywhere globally: https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-southeast-asia-middle-east-a7e48f1a7516986818ebd666b6a0a144 .
“Mortality gap” between Republican and Democratic counties widening: https://www.aol.com/news/mortality-gap-between-republican-democratic-223009915.html . Good grief! Presumably you wouldn’t want an actuary in charge of your liver transplant. This sort of longitudinal study requires considerable adjustments to the exposure risk over time which doctors do not have the training to understand, let alone do. I also seriously doubt the data required even exists. Of course, it’s easier to do the study if you don’t understand the complexities. So, unfortunately, the appropriate caveat is “garbage in, garbage out”.
Still, I am amused by their sort-of recognition that healthy behaviors can affect longevity. Their conclusion? “The takeaway is that we’re seeing social shifts that mean that the Democratic party is increasingly pulling in healthier people and the Republican party is pulling in sicker people.” So, their demographic analysis is flawed, but their conclusion is right.
Parts of Shanghai impose new lockdown measures: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-06-08/shanghais-minhang-district-announces-new-lockdown . Yes, Zero COVID is still failing.
Man arrested outside Justice Kavanaugh’s house charged with attempted murder: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/armed-man-arrested-saying-wanted-150357924.html . There are several problems with the reporting here. A key missing item is that the man called 911 on himself: https://www.newser.com/story/321546/man-near-kavanaughs-house-charged-appears-in-court.html . This article also indicates that the man was contemplating suicide. It seems clear that he was having a mental health crisis. There is no evidence that is public so far indicating the man did make an attempt on the Justice’s life. Preparations do not constitute an attempt. The self-reporting before any attempt seems to wipe away that charge. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/armed-man-arrested-near-supreme-court-justice-brett-kavanaughs-home-high-court-says-11654701203 .
House passes gun control bill: https://apnews.com/article/congress-texas-buffalo-new-york-shootings-0d552cfe6c5a4fb8c83a151ea29d467f . The bill raises the minimum age for semi-automatic or automatic weapon purchases from 18 to 21, and limits magazines to 15 rounds. But it has no chance of passage in the Senate, which is tragic. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/house-to-vote-on-democrats-gun-measures-as-senate-talks-continue-11654719702 .