Global round-up: https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/14/world/million-coronavirus-cases-five-days-intl/index.html (link replaced 7/17/21). The virus is becoming further embedded in the global population, and the virus load is such that the possibility of mutation has to be increasing. And: https://apnews.com/article/df87c36e6274a775dacaf9adb6f5221f (link replaced 7/17/21). Hawaii extends ban of travel from mainland to September 1. WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-latest-updates-071420-11594716924 . New restrictions in California, Oregon and Florida. Disney Hong Kong will close less than a month after re-opening.
State medical data and rules around social distancing: https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/public-health/states-ranked-by-covid-19-test-positivity-rates-july-14.html (link replaced 7/17/21).
WSJ: Moderna vaccine progresses: https://www.wsj.com/articles/modernas-covid-19-vaccine-moves-to-bigger-study-11594760401 .
Medical professionals express concern about surges: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coronavirus-doctors-states-rising-covid-19-cases-fears/ (link replaced 7/17/21).
Florida: the new Wuhan: https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/13/health/florida-coronavirus-cases-comparisons/index.html (link replaced 7/17/21). If the article yesterday concerning movement of the virus into South Florida nursing homes is accurate, things will only get worse in Florida.
Southern California: Different views on school re-openings: https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/507198-californias-orange-county-votes-to-reopen-schools-without-requiring (link replaced 7/17/21). County health official resigned after death threats over mask order.
WSJ: How to re-open schools: https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-schools-can-reopen-safely-recommendations-from-health-experts-11594652649 . So, there is no plan, no testing infrastructure, and no money to pay for it, and it’s mid-July.
AP: Rule on foreign university students rescinded: https://www.aol.com/article/news/2020/07/14/trump-administration-rescinds-rule-on-foreign-students/24560837/ . The right decision.
AARP: One in four teachers at risk in school re-openings: https://www.aarp.org/work/working-at-50-plus/info-2020/teachers-coronavirus-risk.html?cmp=EMC-DSO-NLC-RSS-WORKJOBS–CTRL-071420-P4-4711314&ET_CID=4711314&ET_RID=15824395&encparam=71LIMDwQ5g3iKOsdrF1d2hOsfx1gejOSzzLgFiTLk6c%3d .
WSJ: Children and COVID-19: https://www.wsj.com/articles/what-we-know-about-children-and-covid-19-11594483200 . Connecting the dots here, if children were not a testing priority, the “2% of infections are in children under 18” is likely an undercount, and even 2% of 3.5 million infections is 70,000 children.
COVID-19 transmitted to unborn child: https://www.fr24news.com/a/2020/07/doctors-in-france-have-discovered-the-worlds-first-recorded-case-of-an-unborn-child-contracting-his-mothers-covid-19-in-the-womb.html (link replaced 7/17/21). So, not reassuring, especially as the infant showed signs of brain inflammation.
Photos of test site demand, plus current results delay information in various states (1 to 2 weeks): https://www.businessinsider.com/drive-thru-coronavirus-testing-lines-photos-2020-7 . Obvious problems for contact tracing. The links are informative, especially this one that 1 in 3 young adults are at risk of severe COVID-19, with smoking the major risk factor: https://www.businessinsider.com/young-adults-teens-severe-coronavirus-cases-smoking-genetics-2020-7 .
CDC recommends alternatives to in-person voting: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/in-new-guidance-cdc-recommends-alternatives-to-in-person-voting-safety-precautions-for-in-person-voting/2020/07/07/5b62cbba-c078-11ea-b178-bb7b05b94af1_story.html .
Texas: COVID-19 moves state Republican convention online: https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/14/politics/texas-gop-convention-online/index.html .
WSJ: Virus and warmer weather: https://www.wsj.com/articles/scientists-hoped-summer-temperatures-would-tamp-down-covid-19-cases-what-happened-11594632601 . An important point not mentioned here: hot weather drives people inside to air conditioning, which increases the spread.
WSJ: Support for Fauci: https://www.wsj.com/articles/health-experts-democrats-rally-to-faucis-defense-after-white-house-criticism-11594667308 . The most useful information here is the last two paragraphs; the rest is predominantly spin.
COVID-19 and ACA: https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/14/politics/us-election-coronavirus-health-care/index.html . There are 19 states without the Medicaid expansion; the current explosion in COVID-19 cases is in those states, and lack of coverage creates problems in controlling the disease.
Major recipient of SBA COVID-19 funds: Roman Catholic Church: https://apnews.com/dab8261c68c93f24c0bfc1876518b3f6 . At least $1.4 billion and perhaps as much as $3.5 billion.
Former CDC heads stand up for scientific independence: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/07/14/former-cdc-chiefs-trump-agency-guidelines-360527 (link replaced 7/17/21).
Ongoing shortages of PPE: https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/13/politics/delayed-use-defense-production-act-ppe-shortages/index.html (link replaced 7/17/21).
Save the economy: Wear a mask: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-fed-kaplan/want-more-jobs-wear-a-mask-says-feds-kaplan-idUSKCN24E2HG .
Election officials sound alarm about November elections: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/covid-voting-mail-in-ballots-election-officials-running-out-of-time-money-for-november/ (link replaced 7/17/21). Results may be delayed past Thanksgiving? The election is November 3, Thanksgiving is November 26. Primary elections are today in Alabama, Maine and Texas.
Squirrel tests positive for bubonic plague: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/14/a-squirrel-has-tested-positive-for-the-bubonic-plague-in-colorado.html (link replaced 7/17/21). Squirrel is still waiting for COVID-19 test results.
Round-up in hummus: https://www.insider.com/weed-killer-linked-to-cancer-found-in-hummus-ewg-report-2020-7 (link replaced 7/17/21).
Another re-tweet from Need2Know: @HashtagGriswold: FedEx is a bad fit for the Redskins anyway. They now deliver on Sundays
This is awesome: Comet Neowise from space: https://www.businessinsider.com/comet-neowise-rising-above-earth-astronaut-2020-7 . I recommend the full 7 minutes, but if you’re impatient, join the video at 3 minutes.