Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #106

[Sundog]

Djokovic bets on a COVID cure as he quests for tennis history

Djokovic holds a majority stake in a Danish biotech firm aiming to develop a treatment to counter COVID-19, the company's CEO told Reuters.

QuantBioRes boss Ivan Loncarevic, who described himself as an entrepreneur, said the tennis player's acquisition of the 80% stake was made in June 2020.

The company is developing a peptide, which inhibits the coronavirus from infecting the human cell, expects to launch clinical trials in Britain this summer.

The CEO said the company had about a dozen researchers working in Denmark, Australia and Slovenia.

I hope they're successful!

 

[indicolite22]

Hana Horka: Czech singer dies after catching Covid intentionally

Hana Horka, 57, was unvaccinated and had posted on social media that she was recovering after testing positive, but died two days later.

Her son, Jan Rek, said she got infected on purpose when he and his father had the virus, so she could get a recovery pass to access certain venues.

On Sunday morning, the day she died, Ms Horka said she was feeling better and dressed to go for a walk. But then her back started hurting, so she went to lie down in her bedroom.

"In about 10 minutes it was all over," her son said. "She choked to death".

Her husband and son are vaccinated.

 

[Sundog]

Hana Horka: Czech singer dies after catching Covid intentionally

Hana Horka, 57, was unvaccinated and had posted on social media that she was recovering after testing positive, but died two days later.

Her son, Jan Rek, said she got infected on purpose when he and his father had the virus, so she could get a recovery pass to access certain venues.

On Sunday morning, the day she died, Ms Horka said she was feeling better and dressed to go for a walk. But then her back started hurting, so she went to lie down in her bedroom.

"In about 10 minutes it was all over," her son said. "She choked to death".

Her husband and son are vaccinated.

How sad. May she rest in peace.

 

[indicolite22]

Top Florida health official on leave over support for vaccination

In an email on 4 January, Dr Raul Pino called unvaccinated staff members "irresponsible" and wrote "we are not even at 50% - pathetic".

DOH confirmed on Wednesday the doctor's actions were being investigated.

 

[indicolite22]

Dutch Covid rules: Museums and orchestras stage haircut protest

Under Dutch rules, museums, theatres, bars and cafes aren't allowed to open, but hairdressers, beauticians and gyms can.

Taking part in a protest, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam was transformed into a nail salon. Some other museums turned into gyms for a day.

The museum's director Emilie Gordenker hopes this protest, along with others across the Netherlands, will highlight what she believes is an inconsistency in government policy.

 

[indicolite22]

Should bad science be censored on social media?

People dissuaded from taking vaccines as a result of reading misleading information online have ended up in hospital or even died.

And inaccurate or completely made-up claims about 5G and the origins of Covid-19 have been linked to violence and vandalism.

The Royal Society is the world's oldest continuously operating scientific institution.

In a new report, it advises against social media companies removing content that is "legal but harmful". Instead, the report authors believe, social media sites should adjust their algorithms to prevent it going viral - and stop people making money off false claims.

 

[Simply Southern]

One of the best examples of why Single Payer/Universal would be more efficient and less costly
What a cluster of admin & bureaucratic costs

The "single" pay for over 65 is Medicare and non covered.

The "root cause", testing is free under CARES Act, billions for FREE test and now the government can't/won't meet the commitment, die to poor contracting. Test kits were NOT ordered until Sept 2021. I've gone back one year on the DOD contracts, less than 60 million on home test kits, over 2 BILLION to manufactures for facility expansion completed by Sept 2022.


This company was awarded money to expand and the test kits were recalled months later, ALL kits for 6 months production were recalled. What a waste!!! Did we get a refund on the 231 million NOPE.


DoD, DHS award $231.8M contract for Ellume USA COVID-19 home test - Homeland Preparedness News

The United States Departments of Defense (DoD) and Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded $231.8 million to Ellume USA LLC this week to expand the domestic production capacity of its COVID-19 Home Test.

Ellume COVID-19 Home Test Recalled for False Positive Test Results

The FDA has identified this as a Class I recall, the most serious type of recall. Use of these tests may cause serious adverse health consequences or death.

Recalled Product

• Product Names: Ellume COVID-19 Home Test
• Product Codes and Lot Numbers: See Medical Device Recall Database Entries or the Ellume Recall Website below in the Additional Resources section
• Manufacturing Dates: February 24, 2021 to August 11, 2021
• Distribution Dates: April 13, 2021 to August 26, 2021
• Devices Recalled in the United States: 2,212,335
• Date Initiated by Firm: October 1, 2021

Moo...

 

[indicolite22]

Ivermectin: Arkansas inmates sue over Covid treatment with horse dewormer

A group of inmates at a jail in the US state of Arkansas are taking legal action, saying they were unknowingly prescribed the horse deworming drug Ivermectin to treat Covid-19.

In a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the inmates said that after contracting Covid they were given a "cocktail of drugs" they were told contained vitamins, antibiotics and steroids.

The lawsuit said they experienced problems with their vision, diarrhea and stomach cramps after taking the medication.

 

[Simply Southern]

I know you do. I hope I'm remembering this correctly . . . My memory is fuzzy but I think I remember a post written by you very early on in the pandemic about you being in a butcher shop and stocking up on meat. While there you noticed a woman with limited funds and you greatly added at your expense to her order. We all do what we can and hope in the end it adds up to make a difference.

Yeap, that was me, oh my goodness what a blessing to be able to help her. The joy overflowed in my heart!!!

It seems I've been on the mask/testing crusade since day one. Caused so much ruckus, I'm lucky to still be a free woman.

 

[Kingsley]

Dutch Covid rules: Museums and orchestras stage haircut protest

Under Dutch rules, museums, theatres, bars and cafes aren't allowed to open, but hairdressers, beauticians and gyms can.

Taking part in a protest, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam was transformed into a nail salon. Some other museums turned into gyms for a day.

The museum's director Emilie Gordenker hopes this protest, along with others across the Netherlands, will highlight what she believes is an inconsistency in government policy.

Wow! Imagine getting the haircut in the pic with the orchestra playing! Very creative protest.
But, at the same time, I keep hearing the sesame song, "One of these things is not like the other". (Technically more than one thing). Distancing and the ability to mask is significantly different among these. JMO.

The article says that bars and cafes are not allowed to open. I wonder if they consider carry-out as being open? I also wonder if carry-out has significantly helped food establishments through the last couple of years. Early in the pandemic when they were closed in my area, it seems that the people were happy to see me for carry-out or curbside. If I do carry-out now (I've only dined in twice during the "lull") I sometimes feel that I am bothering them. Anybody have insight on whether restaurants still want customers to order out?

 

[155etta]

I would love the recommendation. I have some KN95's but I'm not crazy about them.

We've had great luck with these. I have an adult daughter on the spectrum that can tolerate wearing them and she has a lot of sensitivity issues. These don't seem to fog my glasses up as badly as some other masks. They are not necessarily cheap but they are sturdy and we wear them over and over.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08F6RFGMT?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

 

[Sundog]

Wow! Imagine getting the haircut in the pic with the orchestra playing! Very creative protest.
But, at the same time, I keep hearing the sesame song, "One of these things is not like the other". (Technically more than one thing). Distancing and the ability to mask is significantly different among these. JMO.

The article says that bars and cafes are not allowed to open. I wonder if they consider carry-out as being open? I also wonder if carry-out has significantly helped food establishments through the last couple of years. Early in the pandemic when they were closed in my area, it seems that the people were happy to see me for carry-out or curbside. If I do carry-out now (I've only dined in twice during the "lull") I sometimes feel that I am bothering them. Anybody have insight on whether restaurants still want customers to order out?

All the restaurants in my area are happy for the business, whether it is dine-in or carry-out. We also have some restaurants that offer curbside pickup, if diners don't want to go inside to pick up their carry-out orders. I can't imagine any restaurants in our area that would think that anyone was bothering them that ordered carry-out, I know they would be glad to have the business.

 

[Kingsley]

All the restaurants in my area are happy for the business, whether it is dine-in or carry-out. We also have some restaurants that offer curbside pickup, if diners don't want to go inside to pick up their carry-out orders. I can't imagine any restaurants in our area that would think that anyone was bothering them that ordered carry-out, I know they would be glad to have the business.

Good to know. Thanks.

 

[Simply Southern]

Walgreens launches tool to track COVID-19 cases as omicron surges

The Walgreens COVID-19 Index, which uses testing data from Aegis Sciences Corporation, can track the spread of the omicron variant within 24 to 48 hours, the company announced Wednesday.

The index offers a snapshot of data for the past seven days based on analysis of positive tests at thousands of Walgreens testing locations nationwide. The index will be continually updated, according to the retail pharmacy.

[The VDH dashboard reports 3.8% omicron, Walgreens 83%, I'm trusting Walgreens]

https://www.walgreens.com/businesssolutions

 

[pocketaccent]

Here at the retirement home there is a big CASINO party going on today. Blackjack, roulette, poker....all in the activity room. All unmasked of course. The "funny" thing is- none of these events seem to be the "super spreaders" I thought they would be.
Maybe I am being lulled into a false sense of security? How much longer can I hold out?
My friends are bugging me- in my mind - I stay away until March....gosh that seems like a long time.
Wish I knew more about what the real story is- how many are sick, is there still a risk here....sorry for the rambling.

Minus Covid, your community seems like a fun, delightful place to be in for retired folks. Minus Covid, it's like being on a cruise every day.

I'm glad you are doing the right thing and staying safe. You shouldn't doubt yourself. Continue to say No to peer pressure, most importantly to covid so you can enjoy all the convenience and enviable amenities just a bit later. Ganbare!

 

[Kingsley]

Walgreens launches tool to track COVID-19 cases as omicron surges

The Walgreens COVID-19 Index, which uses testing data from Aegis Sciences Corporation, can track the spread of the omicron variant within 24 to 48 hours, the company announced Wednesday.

The index offers a snapshot of data for the past seven days based on analysis of positive tests at thousands of Walgreens testing locations nationwide. The index will be continually updated, according to the retail pharmacy.

[The VDH dashboard reports 3.8% omicron, Walgreens 83%, I'm trusting Walgreens]

https://www.walgreens.com/businesssolutions

An excellent site. Thank you.
The presumed cases vs. confirmed is also very useful since the confirmation of omicron results in such a significant time lag.

 

[Teche]

Biden administration to give away 400 million N95 masks. Here's what you need to know

The White House announced Wednesday that the masks will come from the government's Strategic National Stockpile, which has more than 750 million of the highly protective masks on hand. The masks will be available for pickup at pharmacies and community health centers across the country. They will begin shipping this week for distribution starting late next week, the White House said.

Biden administration to give away 400 million N95 masks. Here's what you need to know

So how do we get the “free” masks? Do we need to register?

 

[Sundog]

We've had great luck with these. I have an adult daughter on the spectrum that can tolerate wearing them and she has a lot of sensitivity issues. These don't seem to fog my glasses up as badly as some other masks. They are not necessarily cheap but they are sturdy and we wear them over and over.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08F6RFGMT?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

I like these as well. I bought very similar KN94 masks from a different seller, like these, also on Amazon. I read through all the reviews and have now placed two orders with this seller over the past year or two. I have been very pleased with them. I do find that I need to extend the ear elastic bands by tying each side of them together with a paper clip behind my head to get a tighter fit, but that's no problem, I keep the clips in my car and have a system all worked out. These masks are very tight and comfortable.

Recently I bought some N95 masks at Grainger, they are very good as well. I ordered small size, and they are very tight, but that's okay, I guess that is how they should be. At Grainger you order them online and pay for them, and they will either deliver them or you can pick them up by curbside at your closest Grainger store. I didn't want to pay the extra shipping charges, so I picked them up curbside when they arrived at the closest Grainger store. These are the "duck bill" kind of N95 masks that sometimes you see the CDC director wearing. They are NIOSH certified and made by 3M.

edited typos

 

[RANCH]

So how do we get the “free” masks? Do we need to register?

I'm not sure how they plan on keeping track on who gets the masks. How many masks can each person get? Not much info yet.

 

[Simply Southern]

I'm not sure how they plan on keeping track on who gets the masks. How many masks can each person get? Not much info yet.

I've been searching for the official program, distribution, and the details. I've check DOD, HHS, FEMA, HLS doesn't appear any agency is claiming this.

Called both public health clinic directors, who happen to be aquantances, they've received no information, and are as in the dark as the rest of us.

Texted my friend, she a Walgreen pharmacists, she's heard nothing. She worried her store will be flooded with folks demanding free masks.

50 million masks at 3 each ...16.6 million.

It'll be like a Black Friday door buster, moo.

Moo...