Vaccine reaction can mimic breast cancer: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2021/02/26/covid-vaccine-side-effect-mimics-sign-breast-cancer-mammogram/6818923002/ . Inflammation, particularly in the lymph nodes, is a common side effect of many vaccines. Still, it is good to get the word out during a national vaccination program.
Vaccine reaction can be more severe with second dose: https://bestlifeonline.com/news-second-shot/ . In particular, fever and chills are four times more likely after the second coronavirus vaccine shot than the first. Again, this is a relatively common occurrence with many vaccines.
WSJ: J&J proves viral vector technology has an important future in vaccination: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-vaccines-yield-breakthroughs-in-long-term-fight-against-infections-disease-11614537238 .
WSJ: CDC signs off on J&J vaccine: https://www.wsj.com/articles/j-j-covid-19-vaccine-endorsed-by-cdc-advisers-11614544468 .
First J&J doses ship tonight (Sunday): https://apnews.com/article/public-health-coronavirus-pandemic-prayuth-chan-ocha-bangkok-china-95b1993785c4daf1349665a231077580 . Four million doses will have some impact this week. As a one-dose vaccine, this will significantly raise the number of vaccinated Americans this week.
J&J shipments delayed by production glitches: https://www.ft.com/content/c8aa79c1-5f18-47d8-a09c-c13547e7a57d . The vials used had to be checked by hand after a machine broke down: https://www.ft.com/content/b5ba2702-3bad-4f10-9d80-00eb3d48d802 .
WSJ: Rapid testing to be part of the NYC economic comeback: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-york-city-invests-in-rapid-covid-19-test-to-aid-economic-recovery-11614528000 .
WSJ: Institutional racism inhibits equitable vaccine distribution: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-vaccine-is-a-struggle-for-those-with-no-hospital-connection-11614508201 .
France and Germany implement some border restrictions: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-france-germany-idUSKCN2AS0PC . More: https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-digest-germany-to-tighten-controls-at-french-border/a-56727786 .
EU struggles with vaccination campaign: https://apnews.com/article/europe-europe-coronavirus-pandemic-coronavirus-vaccine-d1ff623e8244c710452c9093cf619203 . Another serious problem is vaccine skepticism about the coronavirus vaccine. As the AstraZeneca vaccine is apparently ineffective against the South African variant, that is a legitimate reason for skepticism. (2/8)
UK boosts its rapid vaccination campaign: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-britain-vaccine/uk-earmarks-a-further-2-3-billion-for-its-covid-vaccine-push-idUSKCN2AS0RE?il=0 . Much of this program is the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine, so the comments above about the EU apply here as well. More: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9308401/AstraZeneca-vaccine-reduces-risk-Covid-infection-90-effective-Pfizer-jab.html .
P.1 (Brazilian) variant detected in UK: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-britain-manaus/up-to-six-cases-of-manaus-variant-of-coronavirus-detected-in-uk-idUSKCN2AS0KO?il=0 .
The second dose timing debate continues: https://www.theverge.com/2021/2/20/22292144/stretched-vaccine-timelines-re-enter-the-spotlight . Once the supply catches up to demand, the debate will be unnecessary.
Senate considers stimulus changes: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/540784-senate-mulls-changes-to-19-trillion-coronavirus-bill . WSJ: But Democrats drop $15 minimum wage from stimulus bill: https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-relief-bill-heads-to-senate-as-democrats-face-emerging-divisions-11614542698 . This is a major decision which may open rifts within the Democratic Party.
WSJ: Israel begins vaccination of Palestinians living under its control: https://www.wsj.com/articles/israel-to-vaccinate-palestinians-who-have-israeli-work-papers-11614543519 .
Africa’s COVID experience: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/28/what-can-we-learn-from-africa-experience-of-covid-death-toll-paradox . The original theory was that because Africa has a young population, it would have relatively low mortality relative to cases. That theory is still believed to explain the so-called “African paradox”, as noted about halfway into the article. It is unclear what we can learn from the African experience.
Auckland lockdown causing economic damage: https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-newzealand/new-zealand-lockdown-costs-millions-each-day-to-auckland-businesses-idUSL2N2KY0O9 . Why was the infected family allowed to have visitors? I thought they locked positive cases down. Anyway, it’s just a small taste of what the rest of the world has dealt with. Auckland is not the only international point of entry into New Zealand. I don’t really see the logic of making Auckland a priority for vaccinations.
Brasilia enters two-week lockdown: https://thehill.com/policy/international/americas/540907-brazilian-capital-enters-two-week-coronavirus-lockdown .
WSJ: China’s shrinking workforce: https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-got-its-economy-growing-again-but-a-shortfall-in-babies-will-be-harder-to-fix-11614488414 . “Il sorpasso” seems a very apt model. Babies born today affect distant workforce. China is likely to pass the US within the next 16 years. That’s the earliest today’s babies join the workforce. Is another answer increased internal mobility?: https://www.wsj.com/articles/go-east-young-man-china-needs-to-set-its-labor-force-free-11614520801 .
The anti-news from CPAC: https://www.vox.com/2021/2/26/22303446/cpac-organizers-begged-attendees-to-wear-masks-and-got-booed . Just verifying that a significant portion of the Republican Party is completely nuts.
Tiger Woods’ recovery time could be up to one year: https://www.yardbarker.com/golf/articles/doctor_provides_expected_recovery_timeline_for_tiger_woods/s1_13132_34221269 .
The late Chadwick Boseman wins a Golden Globe for “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”: https://www.wsj.com/articles/chadwick-bosemans-golden-globes-win-for-ma-raineys-black-bottom-opens-his-likely-run-to-the-oscars-11614570862 . Boseman’s last performance cemented his legacy as an electrifying screen presence. Wakanda forever!