WSJ: US round-up: https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-latest-news-08-26-2020-11598427633 .
CDC changes testing guidelines: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/cdc-testing-guidelines-coronavirus-no-symptoms_n_5f4667fac5b64f17e136efd2 . As the article points out, asymptomatic people spread the disease, so this change makes no sense, unless long-term testing shortages are expected – oh …
WSJ: FDA defends plasma decision: https://www.wsj.com/articles/fda-officials-reject-claims-that-convalescent-plasma-decision-was-politicized-11598362563 . Not sure the FDA has any real defense here.
Head of Harvard Global Health Institute argues for paradigm shift in testing in Time editorial: https://time.com/5873444/radically-rethink-covid-19-testing-approach/ . HGHI also argues that the US needs to get positive test rates under 3% to control the pandemic: https://globalhealth.harvard.edu/evidence-roundup-why-positive-test-rates-need-to-fall-below-3/ . Here’s the HGHI main page, including an interesting, interactive risk chart by US county: https://globalhealth.harvard.edu/ .
A scientific model of social distance: https://www.businessinsider.com/6-foot-distancing-rule-is-outdated-oxford-mit-new-system-2020-8 . This makes total sense.
February Biogen conference linked to tens of thousands of US cases: https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/biogen-conference-likely-linked-to-tens-thousands-covid-19-cases-researchers-say .
Why mosquitoes can’t spread coronavirus: https://apnews.com/f97e764bd59304462c10e483036bef73 .
Why are COVID-19 deaths declining when cases are increasing?: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/23/why-do-covid-fatalities-remain-low-when-infection-numbers-are-rising . To repeat, my view is that the virus has not become less deadly. Medical treatment has improved, and the age mix of cases has trended toward younger individuals.
More on super-spreading: https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/08/25/905386953/why-the-novel-coronavirus-is-so-superspready . To me, this strengthens the HGHI position above that positive test rates should be under 3% before schools re-open.
Sturgis: the gift that keeps on giving: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/coronavirus-cases-linked-sturgis-motorcycle-rally-found-8-states-n1238065 .
WSJ: Cases jump in rural Illinois: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-surge-in-illinois-is-inflamed-by-rural-counties-11598362161 .
WSJ: Cases jump in Danbury, Connecticut: https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-cases-jump-in-connecticut-city-11598379799
WSJ: COVID-19 surging telemedicine and telemedicine deals: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-pandemic-drives-patients-to-telemedicine-deal-makers-too-11598358823 .
WSJ: Teva Pharmaceuticals indicted for price-fixing: https://www.wsj.com/articles/teva-pharmaceuticals-u-s-unit-indicted-on-price-fixing-charges-11598392891 .
Africa declared polio-free: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-53887947 . Afghanistan and Pakistan are now the only countries with polio cases.
WSJ: Inspectors general press SBA for more PPP disclosure: https://www.wsj.com/articles/teva-pharmaceuticals-u-s-unit-indicted-on-price-fixing-charges-11598392891 . Maybe oversight is coming.
WSJ: USPS: NY state sues to halt postal service changes: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-york-attorney-general-sues-to-stop-changes-at-postal-service-11598390949 .
Immigration Service layoffs reversed: https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2020-08-25/uscis-cancels-plans-to-furlough-70-of-workforce-averting-major-immigration-crisis?src=usn_nl_coronavirus . Congress didn’t think too much of this idea, either.
American Airlines plans major employment reduction: https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2020-08-25/american-airlines-plans-19-000-furloughs-layoffs-in-october?src=usn_nl_coronavirus . Unless they receive more federal relief … WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/american-airlines-to-cut-19-000-jobs-11598367869 .
US consumer confidence drops to lowest level in 6 years: https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2020-08-25/consumer-confidence-drops-unexpectedly-in-august?src=usn_nl_coronavirus . This is based on consumer worries about the economy and their economic well-being. See a pattern here? Maybe Congress should pass a relief package …
WSJ: Focus on air quality in schools: https://www.wsj.com/articles/air-quality-is-safety-focus-for-new-yorks-schools-11598396348 .
Computer shortage hits home schooling: https://www.wsj.com/articles/laptop-shortage-hits-u-s-schools-as-thousands-face-online-learning-without-device-11598434201 .
WSJ: Mexico: School on TV: https://www.wsj.com/articles/school-in-mexico-during-covid-19-means-turning-on-the-tv-11598362936 .
WSJ: Australia: How did COVID-19 get through their defenses?: https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-got-through-australias-hotel-defense-and-authorities-are-seeking-how-11598434205 .
Black paint saves birds: https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/08/black-paint-on-wind-turbines-helps-prevent-bird-massacres/ . Science may solve Trump’s problem with “windmills”.
Japanese Tanpopo (meaning dandelion) experiment outside International Space Station shows bacteria can survive in space for at least 3 years: https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/26/world/earth-mars-bacteria-space-scn/index.html . So it is plausible that life on Earth could have been seeded from life on Mars.