Moderna vaccine advances, but with issues: https://www.fiercepharma.com/vaccines/moderna-outlook-too-rosy-amid-multiple-potential-covid-19-vaccines-analyst . The vaccine must be shipped at very low temperatures, creating distribution issues. WSJ: More on Moderna vaccine in older adults: https://www.wsj.com/articles/moderna-says-covid-19-vaccine-shows-signs-of-working-in-older-adults-11598452800 .
WSJ: US round-up: https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-latest-news-08-27-2020-11598519627 . Louisiana locked in Phase 2 re-opening for two weeks as effects of Hurricane Laura assessed.
LA hospital seeks high-risk patients for vaccine trial: https://californiahealthline.org/news/la-hospital-seeks-vaccine-trial-participants-among-its-own-high-risk-diverse-patients/ .
Abbott Labs $5 rapid COVID test snapped up by US government following FDA clearance: https://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/Abbott-shares-surge-on-FDA-clearing-15-minute-5-15518818.php (link replaced 10/8/20). Abbott expects to produce 50 million tests per month starting on October, with “tens of millions” available in September. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/abbotts-5-covid-19-rapid-antigen-test-gets-emergency-use-status-from-fda-11598485933 .
WSJ: Federal effort to provide rapid testing to nursing homes snarls: https://www.wsj.com/articles/sought-after-covid-19-test-analyzers-sit-unused-in-nursing-homes-11598455080 . So, not so rapid.
Persuading people to wear masks: https://health.usnews.com/wellness/slideshows/what-to-say-to-friends-or-family-members-who-hesitate-to-wear-a-mask?src=usn_nl_coronavirus .
Why was the flu season mild in the Southern Hemisphere?: https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/08/26/906323250/from-the-global-south-hints-that-u-s-may-be-spared-flu-on-top-of-covid-19 . We have previously heard that social distancing and masks may have reduced the flu season; this article tells us there was also increased vaccination.
CDC director “walks back” revision to testing guidelines: https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/public-global-health/513946-cdc-director-walks-back-change-in-coronavirus-testing . It is disturbing to see the CDC become “Circus During Coronavirus”. After severing ties with WHO, this is what we have to rely on during a global pandemic. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/cdc-softens-covid-19-testing-guidelines-sparking-criticism-11598487941 .
Behavior modeling: https://www.businessinsider.com/pences-rnc-convention-speech-no-covid-testing-19-2020-8 . Pence is of course head of the Coronavirus Task Force, whose motto is now apparently “Miracles, Not Science – and No Testing Either”. Utterly appalling.
Employees face gag rules over coronavirus information: https://www.nysscpa.org/news/publications/nextgen/nextgen-article/coronavirus-gag-rules-proliferating-in-businesses-082720 .
WSJ: Parents plead to visit children in pediatric nursing home: https://www.wsj.com/articles/five-months-without-a-kiss-parents-plead-to-visit-children-11598522401 .
White House mulls options to prevent airline furloughs: https://apnews.com/c5429e01dd836ea7a216c82921405301 .
WSJ: NY MTA considers 40% service cuts: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-york-citys-subway-operator-considers-40-service-cut-11598457409 .
Weekly unemployment claims remain above 1 million: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jobless-claims-unemployment-benefits-1-6-million/ .
WSJ: Ford plans for long-term remote work post-pandemic: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ford-gears-up-for-the-post-pandemic-office-11598445075 .
WSJ: Post Office overtime questioned: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-postal-service-spent-522-million-on-questionable-overtime-last-year-watchdog-says-11598468331 .
Orders for big-ticket durable goods rise 11.2%: https://apnews.com/article/8afe66d1e2f146262dea708ce192b5fa (link replaced 10/27/20). WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/durable-goods-orders-rose-11-2-in-july-for-third-monthly-gain-11598447386 .
WSJ: US firms object to WeChat ban: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-firms-in-china-say-trumps-wechat-ban-will-hit-them-where-it-hurts-11598437779 .
Pew survey of 14 developed nations: 12 approve of their government’s response to the pandemic: https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2020/08/27/most-approve-of-national-response-to-covid-19-in-14-advanced-economies/ . The 2 populations who don’t approve: the US and the UK.
WSJ: Rich economies see long climb back: https://www.wsj.com/articles/cdc-softens-covid-19-testing-guidelines-sparking-criticism-11598487941 .
WSJ: Brexit uncertainty imperils UK stocks: https://www.wsj.com/articles/brexit-is-coming-back-to-bite-bellwether-u-k-stocks-11598433280 .
WSJ: South Korean government resists tighter restrictions in face of increase in COVID-19 cases: https://www.wsj.com/articles/south-korea-facing-coronavirus-surge-resists-tightest-restrictions-11598440860 . Note that the positions of the liberals and conservatives are reversed from the US, while both populations favor tighter restrictions.