Updates
Despite Strains, Small Colleges Find Advantages In Dealing With COVID-19 On Campus-NPR
The pandemic is straining many small American colleges, which have been scraping by for years with declining enrollment and faltering resources. But some — especially those with an ovearching mission, be it secular or religious — enjoy distinct advantages over their bigger rivals in fighting the spread of the coronavirus on campus. NPR, … Continue Reading
October 30, 2020
U.S. Records More Than 90,000 Covid-19 Cases In One Day For The First Time-NBC News
The United States reached a daily record for coronavirus when more than 90,000 cases were reported on Thursday, according to the latest NBC News tally. More than 30 states reported more than 1,000 cases. It was the first time the U.S. has crossed 90,000 cases in one day, almost 10,000 more than the previous high of 80,662 cases, which was set just a day before on Wednesday. NBC News, … Continue Reading
October 30, 2020
Pence Absent From Covid-19 Planning Calls For More Than A Month-Politico
When Vice President Mike Pence first took charge of the White House’s coronavirus task force, among his earliest moves was establishing a standing call with all 50 governors aimed at closely coordinating the nation’s pandemic fight. Yet as the U.S. confronts its biggest Covid-19 surge to date, Pence hasn’t attended one of those meetings in over a month. Politico, … Continue Reading
October 30, 2020
EU: WHO Should Have More Power To Investigate Outbreaks-The Associated Press
European countries are calling for the World Health Organization to be given greater powers to independently investigate outbreaks and compel countries to provide more data, after the devastating coronavirus pandemic highlighted the agency’s numerous shortcomings. The Associated Press, … Continue Reading
October 30, 2020
Organised 'Overkill': China Shows Off Rapid Lockdown System After Latest Outbreak-Reuters
Days after a 17-year-old girl tested positive for COVID-19 in a remote part of western China last week, health authorities said they had tested over 4.7 million people in the region. China’s strict formula of immediate lockdowns and mass testing even at the first signs of infection has been vital to its success in controlling the disease, allowing its economy to quickly recover from the crisis, officials say. The highly orchestrated strategy - described as “overkill” even by its own proponents … Continue Reading
October 30, 2020
Internal Documents Reveal COVID-19 Hospitalization Data The Government Keeps Hidden-NPR
As coronavirus cases rise swiftly around the country, surpassing both the spring and summer surges, health officials brace for a coming wave of hospitalizations and deaths. Knowing which hospitals in which communities are reaching capacity could be key to an effective response to the growing crisis. That information is gathered by the federal government — but not shared openly with the public. NPR has obtained documents that give a snapshot of data the U.S. Department of Health and Human … Continue Reading
October 29, 2020
FBI Warns Of "Imminent" Ransomware Attacks On Hospital Systems-CBS News
Federal agencies warned that cybercriminals are unleashing a wave of data-scrambling extortion attempts against the U.S. healthcare system designed to lock up hospital information systems, which could hurt patient care just as nationwide cases of COVID-19 are spiking. In a joint alert Wednesday, the FBI and two federal agencies warned that they had "credible information of an increased and imminent cybercrime threat to U.S. hospitals and healthcare providers." CBS News, … Continue Reading
October 29, 2020
India’s Coronavirus Cases Cross 8 Million, Behind US-The Associated Press
India’s confirmed coronavirus caseload surpassed 8 million on Thursday with daily infections dipping to the lowest level this week, as concerns grew over a major Hindu festival season and winter setting in. India’s trajectory is moving toward the worst-hit country, the United States, which has over 8.8 million cases. The Associated Press, … Continue Reading
October 29, 2020
White House Advisers Warn Of 'Unrelenting' COVID-19 Spread In U.S. Midwest, West-Reuters
The White House coronavirus task force is warning of a persistent and broad spread of COVID-19 in the western half of the United States and its members urged aggressive mitigation measures to curb infections. The area includes a number of battleground states that will play an important role in Tuesday’s U.S. presidential election as Republican President Donald Trump seeks a second term against Democratic challenger Joe Biden. Reuters, … Continue Reading
October 29, 2020
It May Be Time To Reset Expectations On When We’ll Get A Covid-19 Vaccine-STAT
The ambitious drive to produce Covid-19 vaccine at warp speed seems to be running up against reality. We all probably need to reset our expectations about how quickly we’re going to be able to be vaccinated. Pauses in clinical trials to investigate potential safety issues, a slower-than-expected rate of infections among participants in at least one of the trials, and signals that an expert panel advising the Food and Drug Administration may not be comfortable recommending use of vaccines on … Continue Reading
October 29, 2020
Germany Sees Generational Conflict Over Pandemic As Virus Spreads-NPR
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has announced a limited lockdown in a bid to stop the exponential growth in coronavirus cases, currently doubling every seven days. Following long negotiations with Germany's 16 state governors, Merkel, who's been urging the public to dial down socializing for weeks, persuaded the governors that closing bars, restaurants, cafes, gyms, swimming pools, theaters, cinemas and concert venues is their best option. NPR, … Continue Reading
October 28, 2020
Senate Democrats Want Hearing On Pentagon Vaccine Effort-The Hill
Two Senate Armed Services Committee Democrats want panel leaders to hold a hearing on the Pentagon’s efforts to help develop a coronavirus vaccine, citing concerns the Trump administration is skirting public disclosure rules. The committee “has yet to hold a public hearing dedicated exclusively to [Defense Department] efforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Sens. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), and Mazie Hirono (Hawaii), wrote in letter to Committee Chairman James Inhofe (R-Okla.), and ranking … Continue Reading
October 28, 2020
PPP Loans Were Supposed To Be Forgiven. So Far, That Hasn’t Happened.-Vox
Congress created the PPP when it passed the CARES Act in March, aiming to funnel billions of dollars through banks to businesses that were suffering from widespread lockdowns during the pandemic. The loans were mainly meant to cover payroll, a way to keep employees earning money while stopping companies from going under, and were designed to be completely forgiven if used properly. But getting the $15,000 Laundon received forgiven has been anything but straightforward. She tried to find out … Continue Reading
October 28, 2020
A Flu Shot Might Reduce Coronavirus Infections, Early Research Suggests-Scientific American
U.S. health officials are urging Americans to get their flu shots this year in the hopes of thwarting a winter “twindemic”—a situation in which both influenza and COVID-19 spread and sicken the public. But a new study suggests that there could be another key reason to get a flu jab this year: it might reduce your risk of COVID-19. Scientific American, … Continue Reading
October 28, 2020
The Next Vaccine Challenge: Nationalism-Politico
As scientists edge closer to a vaccine for Covid-19, a more vexing exercise may be ahead: overcoming the mounting forces of nationalism to get all those doses around the world. Scaling up the production and distribution of vaccines on a global scale is shaping up to be an unprecedented challenge for year two of the pandemic — requiring massive quantities of chemicals and lab equipment, including billions of glass vials, rubber stoppers and enough refrigerated storage and transportation. … Continue Reading
October 28, 2020
‘Every Minute Counts.’ This Immunologist Rapidly Reshaped Her Lab To Tackle COVID-19-Science Magazine
Until this year, Akiko Iwasaki had never had tubes of human blood delivered to her lab. “We were mostly working with mouse models,” says the Yale University immunologist, who speaks precisely and thoughtfully. “We used to look at the data and contemplate it.” Then COVID-19 struck, and such unhurried musings flew out the window. In a matter of weeks, Iwasaki overhauled her research to launch a slew of studies on how the new virus, SARS-CoV-2, takes its toll on patients. Science Magazine, … Continue Reading
October 28, 2020
'A Lost Decade': Latin America Must Embrace Sustainable Development For Recovery, UN Report Says-Devex
The U.N. Economic Commission on Latin America and the Caribbean says the region needs a new development model to recover from COVID-19 and correct longstanding inequality and economic growth issues. Devex, … Continue Reading
October 28, 2020
Venezuelans Brave COVID Wing To Bathe, Feed Sick Loved Ones-The Associated Press
Leaning against a hospital wall for balance, Elena Suazo wiggled each foot into blue protective pants. Then she slipped her arms into a surgical gown and snapped on white rubber gloves, finally ready to enter the COVID-19 wing.Suazo is not a nurse. She is a cafeteria worker at a kindergarten in Venezuela’s capital. But she is also a loving daughter; her 76-year-old father, sick with the virus, waited inside. And in this ruined country, the only way to ensure that he received the care he needed … Continue Reading
October 28, 2020
America’s Inmate Population Fell By 170,000 Amid COVID. Some See A Chance To Undo Mass Incarceration-Reuters
As jails and prisons cut their inmate populations amid the COVID-19 pandemic, some communities seized a chance to amend long-entrenched policies that make the U.S. the world’s incarceration capital. The changes could free some suspects who die before getting their day in court. Reuters, … Continue Reading
October 28, 2020
There’s No Place Like Home For Older And High-Risk People To Get Covid-19 Vaccines-STAT
Staying at home has never been so vital for older Americans and those with compromised health. After nine months of the coronavirus pandemic, sheltering in place is still the most effective protection against Covid-19 for many older adults, and likely will be until an effective vaccine helps stop the pandemic. STAT, … Continue Reading