Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #80

[Trino]

I hate to say it, but I think there are quite a few people who do not read any news about covid.
Nor does a 'peak' mean much to some. They are numbed from the covid death figures they have been seeing for months.

It is a pandemic, one of the most significant events that may happen in our own lifetimes, and yet too many people seem to have just basically switched it off in their minds.
Other than remembering to slip on a mask when they walk into the grocery store (in that area).

IMO

I hear a lot of, "Oh, I don't pay attention to that stuff."

 

[mickey2942]

I hear a lot of, "Oh, I don't pay attention to that stuff."

Or worse. "It is all "fake news"."

 

[weepingangel]

Or worse. "It is all "fake news"."

@mickey2942 do you keep changing your avatar or am I losing my mind

 

[weepingangel]

Or just I don’t care

I hear a lot of, "Oh, I don't pay attention to that stuff."

Or worse. "It is all "fake news"."

 

[mickey2942]

@mickey2942 do you keep changing your avatar or am I losing my mind

Sometimes, you just need a baby goat.

 

[CocoChanel]

Or just I don’t care

I have friends who like to say “I am so over CoVid” like it’s an attitude choice.
It reminds me of little ones who think if they close THEIR eyes you won’t be able to see them.

 

[Tippy Lynn]

Is it really just the pandemic or is it our impossibly difficult relations with China? Or are the two the same thing. I think we were already putting restrictions on trade with China before the pandemic...at any rate, without Chinese manufacture, we're going to run out of a whole bunch of things.

Covid has slowed down production at plants in the US.

 

[margarita25]

September 25, 2020 / WHO Briefing / ACT Accelerator
(*recent previous conferences were re: the COVAX Facility, iirc, not posted yet)

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(Opening Remarks only, full transcript not included, which includes Q&A with full panel)

WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 - 25 September 2020

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• Today, WHO and our partners are publishing a detailed strategic plan and investment case for the urgent scale-up phase of the ACT Accelerator, building on the success of the start-up phase.
  
• By the end of next year, the ACT Accelerator aims to deliver 2 billion doses of vaccine; 245 million courses of treatment; and 500 million diagnostic tests to low- and middle-income countries.
  
• The number of countries joining the COVAX facility grows every day. As of today, 67 high-income countries have formally joined and another 34 are expected to sign, joining 92 lower-income countries who are eligible for financial support through Gavi.
  
• The current financing gap for the ACT Accelerator stands at 35 billion dollars. Of the 35 billion dollars, 15 billion dollars is needed immediately to exploit the ACT-A progress to fund research and development, scale up manufacturing, secure procurement and strengthen delivery systems.

--------------

Good morning, good afternoon and good evening.

With the northern hemisphere flu season approaching, and with cases and hospitalizations increasing, many countries find themselves struggling to strike the right balance between protecting public health, protecting personal liberty and protecting their economies.

So-called lockdowns and the impact on global travel and trade have already taken such a heavy toll.

The global economy is expected to contract by trillions of US dollars this year.

Many countries have poured money into domestic stimulus packages. But these investments will not on their own address the root cause of the economic crisis – which is the disease that paralyses health systems, disrupts economies and drives fear and uncertainty.

We continue to urge countries to focus on four essential priorities.

First, prevent amplifying events.

Second, protect the vulnerable.

Third, educate, empower and enable communities to protect themselves and others, using every tool at their disposal.

And fourth, get the basics right: find, isolate, test and care for cases, and trace and quarantine their contacts.

This is what works.

Effective vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics will also be vital for ending the pandemic and accelerating the global recovery.

But these life-saving tools will only be effective if they are available for the most vulnerable equitably and simultaneously in all countries.

The Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator is the best bet for speeding up the development of the tools we need to save lives as fast as possible, and to make them available for as many as possible, as equitably as possible.

Today, WHO and our partners are publishing a detailed strategic plan and investment case for the urgent scale-up phase of the ACT Accelerator, building on the success of the start-up phase.

The investment case illustrates some of the considerable economic benefits from accelerating the development and deployment of tools to rapidly reduce the risk of severe COVID-19 disease globally.

By the end of next year, the ACT Accelerator aims to deliver 2 billion doses of vaccine; 245 million courses of treatment; and 500 million diagnostic tests to low- and middle-income countries.

Today’s status report shows that in just 5 months, the ACT Accelerator has made remarkable progress.

The diagnostics pillar is evaluating more than 50 tests, including rapid and accurate diagnostics, and we expect to have more news on that next week.

The therapeutics pillar is analysing more than 1,700 clinical trials for promising treatments, and has secured courses of dexamethasone for up to 4.5 million patients in lower-income countries – the only medicine shown to reduce the risk of death so far.

And COVAX – the largest and most varied portfolio of COVID-19 vaccines globally – is supporting the development of 9 vaccines, with several more in the pipeline.

The number of countries joining the COVAX Facility grows every day. As of today, 67 high-income economies have formally joined and another 34 are expected to sign, joining 92 lower-income countries who are eligible for financial support through Gavi.

Investing in COVAX increases the probability of being able to access the best vaccine and hedges the risk that countries that have entered into bilateral agreements end up with products that are not viable.

The ACT Accelerator is an unprecedented global effort.

Of course, realizing its vision needs investment.

The current financing gap for the ACT Accelerator stands at US$35 billion.

US$35 billion is a lot of money. But in the context of arresting a global pandemic and supporting the global economic recovery, it’s a bargain.

To put it in perspective, US$35 billion is less than 1% of what G20 governments have already committed to domestic economic stimulus packages.

Or to put it another way, it’s roughly equivalent to what the world spends on cigarettes every 2 weeks.

Of the US$35 billion, US$15 billion is needed immediately to fund research and development, scale up manufacturing, secure procurement and strengthen delivery systems.

Normally these steps are done sequentially. We’re doing them all at the same time, so that as soon as a product is ready to go, we can get it to the people who need it immediately.

We are not asking for an act of charity. We are asking for an investment in the global recovery.

The economic benefits from restoring international travel and trade alone would repay this investment very quickly.

Next Wednesday, world leaders will meet virtually for a high-level side event during the United Nations General Assembly to discuss the work of the ACT Accelerator, and to call for the financial commitments to realize its promise.

The window of opportunity is now. We must act now, and act together to end COVID-19.

I thank you.

 

[tresir2012]

We are hearing from the AMA (Australian Medical Association), as well as from an Aussie WHO advisor, this morning.

Don't be expecting a vaccine rollout until 2022. Hopefully somewhat sooner, perhaps mid/late 2021 - but have no expectations.

Until then, we need to adjust our lifestyle to allow for safely living within a pandemic. Semi-permanent distancing requirements, continued limits on pubs/clubs/restaurants, preparedness within the health care & aged care systems, etc.


A coronavirus vaccine may not be available until 2022 — anything sooner is optimistic, says epidemiologist and WHO adviser @MarylouiseMcla1
https://twitter.com/BreakfastNews/status/1311057180284518400

AMA warns we must adjust to living with COVID-19

He says that is a worst case scenario though.

From the transcript -

OMAR KHORSHID: Well, the reason we think it's worth preparing for that is that we just don't know and because we don't know, why not plan for the worst-case scenario and get our society ready for either living with COVID or at least living with the risk of COVID?

 

[margarita25]

He says that is a worst case scenario though.

From the transcript -

OMAR KHORSHID: Well, the reason we think it's worth preparing for that is that we just don't know and because we don't know, why not plan for the worst-case scenario and get our society ready for either living with COVID or at least living with the risk of COVID?

Dr. Swaminathan, Chief Scientist at WHO, said phase three clinical trials should take a minimum of 6 months. IF there is a successful vaccine candidate via the global pooling, (again there is no guarantee, although people are indeed optimistic and working really hard in an unprecedented global effort; additionally for reference, as we know the US has not joined the COVAX Facility, so this does not refer to the US), then they can get those deployed, which she reasonably estimates to be in the second to third quarter of next year, in an ideal situation. Some of the phase 3 clinical trials only started in June or July, and of course not all are in phase 3, although some seem to be moving along well (fingers crossed).

Dr. Bruce Aylword, head of the COVAX facility, also talks extensively/has a lot of information about this.

COVID-19 -Media, Maps, Videos, Timelines, CDC/WHO Resources, etc. ***NO DISCUSSION***

 

[astheworldfallsdown]

Coronavirus: Royal Glamorgan Hospital reports major COVID-19 outbreak with 82 COVID-19 cases

Service restrictions have been put in place at a hospital in Wales after 82 cases of coronavirus were confirmed.

A major outbreak of COVID-19 has been declared at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant.

The Royal Glamorgan Hospital is in Rhondda Cynon Taf, which is currently in local lockdown.

The hospital said the emergency department will remain open for walk-in patients and those who can be treated in the ambulatory care department.

 

[tresir2012]

Dr. Swaminathan, Chief Scientist at WHO, said phase three clinical trials should take a minimum of 6 months. If there is a successful vaccine candidate, for which there is no guarantee, but people are optimistic and working really hard in an unprecedented global effort, (minus the US), this is what she says is a “best case scenario.“ Those clinical trials started in June or July, if I’m not mistaken, and are around 200? I think (have to double check that, it keeps going up). So, IF, and I repeat if, any of the pooled candidates from around the world have a successful product, then the mobilization and distribution occurs, which she gave her estimate for being reasonably around second or third quarter next year.

Dr. Bruce Aylword, head of the COVAX facility, also has a lot of information about this.

Grabbing link.

TY for that. Are they talking about the Global distribution (GAVI) effort when they say that? I need to read your link.

 

[tresir2012]

Coronavirus: Royal Glamorgan Hospital reports major COVID-19 outbreak with 82 COVID-19 cases

Service restrictions have been put in place at a hospital in Wales after 82 cases of coronavirus were confirmed.

A major outbreak of COVID-19 has been declared at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant.

The Royal Glamorgan Hospital is in Rhondda Cynon Taf, which is currently in local lockdown.

The hospital said the emergency department will remain open for walk-in patients and those who can be treated in the ambulatory care department.

Oh no. Praying for them and the staff.

 

[margarita25]

TY for that. Are they talking about the Global distribution (GAVI) effort when they say that? I need to read your link.

Yeah above was a really short answer to address the timeline I’m expecting in a best case scenario, based on what Dr. Aylward and Dr. Swaminathan are saying. The COVAX and ACT Accelerator conferences have been really informative. There are several hours worth of these. I haven’t posted all of them, but have posted some of them.

Press briefings

COVID-19 -Media, Maps, Videos, Timelines, CDC/WHO Resources, etc. ***NO DISCUSSION***

eta: iirc, @SouthAussie summarized one of the WHO links I posted, that might have been the one where Dr. Swaminathan mentioned phase 3 clinical trials being 6 months, and estimated distribution mid to the third quarter of next year, IF there is a successful candidate via global pooling via the COVAX facility (note to pull current list of countries). I think there are up to 200 different trials going on, the number keeps going up, as well as the countries participating. It is truly an unprecedented global effort.

 

[SouthAussie]

He says that is a worst case scenario though.

From the transcript -

OMAR KHORSHID: Well, the reason we think it's worth preparing for that is that we just don't know and because we don't know, why not plan for the worst-case scenario and get our society ready for either living with COVID or at least living with the risk of COVID?

Gawd ... I hope that it is a worst case scenario.

The good news is that we are now hearing more and more about other things that may come into play to help things along a little more.

ScoMo is starting to talk about other security measures for quarantining, a travel bubble with NZ then some Pacific Islands and maybe Japan .... and I hope that the next thing he speaks of is fast-track testing which could allow safer international travel.
Not that I know where we can go at the moment. I personally don't want to go to any risky places. Well, I do want to go - I just don't want to go while the risks are so high.
But it would be great if we could have people who are willing to home-quarantine come and visit us.

 

[katydid23]

In my opinion, there is a much higher rate of voluntary compliance, in the NFL, due to the relative lack of guaranteed contracts. As I recall, the league made it very clear there would be no sympathy for careless behavior. A player on the Seahawks was cut after trying to sneak someone into the team's hotel, before the season.

There are over 1500 NFL team players.

So far, there are only 3 players who have tested positive. I think that is pretty amazing, since they began practicing about 8 weeks ago. And playing games for the past 3 weeks.

We will see what happens when they test again on Thursday and Friday, to see how many others may have been infected.

The good news is that , of the small hand full of players that were infected in the past few months, none of them had serious cases. They are in pretty good shape so they have all come through pretty well. Even the 2 coaches have recovered and are back at work.

 

[SouthAussie]

“When children are denied access to health services because the system is overrun, and when women are afraid to give birth at the hospital for fear of infection, they, too, may become casualties of COVID-19." UNICEF Executive Director, Henrietta Fore.

UNICEF


David Beasley, the executive director of the U.N.’s World Food Program, warned during a Sept. 18 briefing that a “wave of hunger and famine still threatens to sweep across the globe.” He said his organization needed close to $5 billion to prevent 30 million people from dying of starvation. According to the agency, some 135 million people around the world faced acute food insecurity before the pandemic, and that number is expected to double this year.

The pandemic pushes hundreds of millions of people toward starvation and poverty

 

[tresir2012]

Window pain.....


Window pain: Isolating students send a message

• 28 September 2020

Related Topics

• Coronavirus pandemic

Image copyrightPA MEDIA
Image caption'Let us out!' reads one sign at MMU's Birley campus. The BBC could not possibly comment on the other



Students across the UK have been forced to self-isolate in their halls or private accommodation because of Covid-19 outbreaks.

But some have chosen humour as the best way to cope and are using sticky notes and posters in windows to communicate with the outside world.

Image copyrightPA MEDIA
Image captionStudents at MMU have to pass the time somehow

Image copyrightPA MEDIA
Image captionThe Zoom pub quiz is long gone, anyone fancy an Instagram Covid party?
"Help!", "Refund", and "I'm claustrophobic, Darren!" are just some of the colourful signs popping up (and yes, that last one is a Gemma Collins in Big Brother reference).


Lucy, a student at MMU, told Radio 1 Life Hacks she's been "unable to get food".

"We're completely locked in. We're not allowed to leave the accommodation unless it's a medical emergency," she said. "We can't even go out for a walk."

Image copyrightPA
Image captionWindow skills: If in doubt, send beer


But there's concern from students when it comes to whether they are getting value for money.

Students pay £9,250 a year in fees to go to UK universities, with rent and living costs on top.

Most learning is being done online, making the need to physically be at university redundant for some.

More at link

(Lots of requests for beer )

 

[musicaljoke]

In my opinion, there is a much higher rate of voluntary compliance, in the NFL, due to the relative lack of guaranteed contracts. As I recall, the league made it very clear there would be no sympathy for careless behavior. A player on the Seahawks was cut after trying to sneak someone into the team's hotel, before the season.

The NHL had a successful experience by hosting all the teams in two bubbles, one in Edmonton, and one in Toronto. It must have been brutal for the players during those many weeks when they followed the strict isolation protocol, but they did a great job, and managed to finish the hockey season.


From the article:

There have been many extraordinary aspects to the National Hockey League's return to the ice after it paused its season for the coronavirus pandemic in March. Hockey being played in August. Stanley Cup playoff games held in empty arenas echoing with artificial crowd noise. But perhaps most notable of all about the restart: How much COVID-19 hasn't impacted it.

The first week of testing in Phase 4 of the NHL's return-to-play protocol, as teams entered the "hub" zones in Toronto and Edmonton, Alberta, produced zero positive tests out of 7,703 of them.

How the NHL has kept its playoff bubble coronavirus-free -- so far

 

[tresir2012]

Dbm wrong thread.