183,047 confirmed #covid19 deaths in the United States so far https://t.co/gadJKxkufH
— Carl Zimmer (@carlzimmer) August 31, 2020
Huge and free opportunity here. https://t.co/t8uWVj2eeY
— Maryn McKenna (@marynmck) August 31, 2020
Trust is an essential part of any epidemic response. What we've seen in recent days from the CDC has threatened to undermine public confidence in the agency. That's unprecedented and dangerous. https://t.co/hzpvk9WXBg
— Dr. Tom Frieden (@DrTomFrieden) August 30, 2020
A top FDA official vows to resign if the agency rubber-stamps an unproven COVID19 vaccine. Peter Marks, head of FDA’s biologics center said he's concerned about possible Trump administration pressure to authorize a COVID vax ahead of the November election https://t.co/8uYFIsUGf0 pic.twitter.com/PstOkPVGza
— delthia ricks ? (@DelthiaRicks) August 31, 2020
.@ScottGottliebMD calls new @CDCgov guidance to not test asymptomatic people for #COVID19 "unfortunate" because they might be high risk
One reason for the decision: "Businesses were requiring people to test negative for infection before they can return to work." pic.twitter.com/6wMOnx7fwu
— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) August 30, 2020
BREAKING: Potential pressure to end vaccine trial to offer it more immediately.
If this turns out to be true, it is what I’m starting to think of as “predictable lunacy.” https://t.co/hjV0BhlMea
— Andy Slavitt @ ? (@ASlavitt) August 30, 2020
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AFP graphic highlighting the countries with the largest number of Covid-19 cases and deaths in the past week@AFPgraphics pic.twitter.com/5AxZ4GFsaT
— AFP news agency (@AFP) August 31, 2020
Many of you asked for the chart I showed on the @newshour last night, comparing Covid-19 deaths/per million amongst modern, developed nations. Here it is: pic.twitter.com/DuQM42asaU
— William Brangham (@WmBrangham) August 29, 2020
There *are* meaningful differences in these countries: they have distinct health-care systems… their people have different views of their government.. and they will (and are) still going to have outbreaks, but the point is: they took this pandemic seriously.
— William Brangham (@WmBrangham) August 29, 2020
Global COVID-19 cases cross 25 million as India sets grim record.
A million additional cases have been detected globally roughly every four days since mid-Julyhttps://t.co/1F8zmMEtfj
? Juan Barreto pic.twitter.com/DjBug76a18
— AFP news agency (@AFP) August 31, 2020
Coronavirus sceptics, conspiracy theorists and anti-vaxxers protest in London https://t.co/p10ELibCBq
— Carl Zimmer (@carlzimmer) August 29, 2020
Germany coronavirus: Outrage at attempt to storm parliament https://t.co/ht4qCoFRlY
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) August 30, 2020
In Spain, children over the age of 6 required to wear masks at school https://t.co/XLVdE9K6vI via @medical_xpress
— delthia ricks ? (@DelthiaRicks) August 30, 2020
Not all schools in France will reopen Tuesday, the education minister admits, as the nation sees an ''exponential" growth in coronavirus infections. https://t.co/PI2B4mzmSH
— AP Europe (@AP_Europe) August 30, 2020
VIDEO: Clashes over #coronavirus Ashura ban in Morocco.
Clashes erupt between young Moroccans and security forces after authorities banned Ashura commemorations in some regions as a preventive measure against the spread of the coronavirus pic.twitter.com/P0DkFqvoCY
— AFP news agency (@AFP) August 31, 2020
Coronavirus: India surpasses US for single-day rise in Covid-19 cases https://t.co/fEE6vEQidv
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) August 30, 2020
India registers a record new 78,761 coronavirus cases, the highest single-day spike in the world since the pandemic began, just as the government began easing restrictions to help the battered economy. https://t.co/CrWW6W0GfJ
— The Associated Press (@AP) August 30, 2020
Australia virus cases drop after lengthy Melbourne lockdownhttps://t.co/CALTx6uIja
? William West pic.twitter.com/nLbummrBKM
— AFP news agency (@AFP) August 31, 2020
Bali won’t allow tourists until 2021. These 4 destinations will probably follow. https://t.co/stiBY7szxb
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) August 29, 2020
Mexico's coronavirus death toll surpasses 64,000 https://t.co/VNtjPsAcgj pic.twitter.com/Vp905OZkhk
— Reuters (@Reuters) August 31, 2020
Locked out by COVID, refugees' lives on hold https://t.co/jwku9C3w0Y pic.twitter.com/RUcIHE5QoV
— Reuters (@Reuters) August 31, 2020
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Mathematical model shows potential benefit for contact tracing as a way to lower #COVID19 cases & deaths. The US is the global leader in COVID deaths yet there is no nat'l effort to develop a cohesive contact tracing plan https://t.co/ZmAL43pt4E via @medical_xpress
— delthia ricks ? (@DelthiaRicks) August 30, 2020
Months into the pandemic, still no easy answers on coronavirus testing https://t.co/hQD3kx3wuf
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) August 30, 2020
Herd immunity from infection is not likely. To achieve herd immunity the world needs a safe vaccine, doctors say https://t.co/2DdJstsCHE
Johns Hopkins public health expert Dr. Stuart Ray says trying to achieve herd immunity via infection is dangerous https://t.co/zXhf20qf1l pic.twitter.com/z6XoDBIy6j— delthia ricks ? (@DelthiaRicks) August 30, 2020
Japan has the world’s oldest population. Yet it dodged a coronavirus crisis at elder-care facilities. https://t.co/5FScaA3CKh
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) August 31, 2020
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Cases of coronavirus in the U.S. topped 6 million, as many states in the Midwest reported increasing infections. Many of the new cases in Iowa are in the counties that are home to the University of Iowa and Iowa State University https://t.co/9YWb1ObZe4 pic.twitter.com/pB0XsxgJNn
— Reuters (@Reuters) August 31, 2020
A rural wedding led to dozens of coronavirus cases. Officials see it as a cautionary tale. https://t.co/mgnUIxF824
— Jonathan Metzl (@JonathanMetzl) August 31, 2020
Caption: Anti-maskers have all the excuses. 1 silent spreader has enough COVID for everybody
@GaryMarkstein 'toon pic.twitter.com/hZUFuy5KSv
— delthia ricks ? (@DelthiaRicks) August 31, 2020
We reported over 100,000 tests yesterday. Highest number to date.
Our infection rate remains under 1%.
The takeaway?
More tests does not equal more cases. And masks work.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) August 30, 2020
University students gonna party, #Covid19's gonna Covid.
Will we ever learn?
What spreads among 20-somethings won't stay within 20-somethings. This is how infections amplify. https://t.co/S8T9Eftuya— Helen Branswell (@HelenBranswell) August 31, 2020
Kutztown University professor regrets telling students to seek out COVID-19, 'get it over with' — Dr. Victor Massad says he's mulling retirement after 'huge lapse of judgment' https://t.co/BdoO5DDel5https://t.co/ddaOmO0Fc4
— The Jersey Devil (@Jersey_Devil) August 29, 2020
Dude really stuck the landing, though:
… “This lapse of judgment on my part has caused me to reflect on all of the factors that have led up to it, including my level of burnout, the expectations of higher education in these days of hyper-charged political correctness, the viral nature of social media and the ease with which a reputation can be destroyed by it, the changing attitudes of students, and most importantly my advancing age and the fact that, as a classical liberal, I am somewhat of a pariah and dinosaur in higher education.”…
Brachiator
Good article on Sweden’s problematic pandemic response.
Amir Khalid
Malaysia’s daily numbers. Six new cases. Two cases from local infection: both Malaysians, both in Kedah, one from the Tawar cluster and one from the Telaga cluster. Four imported cases: Two Malaysians returning from Singapore, two-non-Malaysians arriving from Singapore. The cumulative reported total is 9,340 cases.
Six more patients recovered and were discharged, for a total of 9,054 patients recovered — 96.9% of the cumulative reported total. Active cases currently being isolated/treated in hospital 159 patients; six are in ICU, four of them on respirators.
One patient in ICU, from the Tawar cluster, has died. This is the second consecutive day with a death reported. The total is now at 127 deaths, 1.36% of the cumulative reported total and 1.38% of resolved cases.
Shalimar
Is “classical liberal” still code for boorish asshole, or is he using it in a different sense?
Robert Sneddon
@Shalimar: Reagan liberal, I think. Voted for Trump because of “her emails” and “shrill”, doesn’t hold with all this lack of comity in modern politics from the “Left”.
YY_Sima Qian
Yesterday, China reported 0 new domestic confirmed cases and 0 new domestic asymptomatic case, for the 9th day in a row.
At Ürumqi in Xinjiang “Autonomous” Region, there are currently 49 confirmed and 20 asymptomatic cases, with no cases in serious condition. 13 confirmed cases recovered yesterday and were discharged from hospitals, 5 asymptomatic cases were released from medical quarantine. There are 938 close contacts remaining under quarantine and medical observation.
As the city starts it’s phased relaxation, some stores and shopping centers are opening, 30% of bus routes have resumed service. Limited flight services are resuming, as well.
Yesterday, China reported 17 new imported confirmed cases, 19 imported asymptomatic cases:
Today, Hong Kong reported 9 new cases, 7 from local transmission, 2 of whom do not have clear source of transmission.
Amir Khalid
@Amir Khalid:
Newly tweeted info from Ministry of Health: all four imported cases are from a new shipboard cluster, aboard a cargo ship, name given as Bunga.
mrmoshpotato
Fixed.
mrmoshpotato
@Amir Khalid:
Was half of Silvio Berlusconi on that ship?
Gvg
@Shalimar: I think he means he didn’t study any science, just ancient literature. He feels like the college doesn’t respect him etc. He is trying to make an excuse that shifts some of the blame elsewhere. My mom is a retired humanities professor. I grew up around liberal arts professors. They all had basic science knowledge and wouldn’t have made this kind of idiot statement that got him in trouble. He is an idiot by himself.
Amir Khalid
@mrmoshpotato:
Bunga is Malay for flower.
gkoutnik
NYS may be below 1% infection rate (per Andrew Cuomo), but our little upstate SUNY campus (SUNY Onoenta) is over 3%, and yesterday announced it would go to all virtual starting today, for at least two weeks, as per NYS protocols for campus over 3%. Over 100 cases found in the last three days, in a county that didn’t get to 100 cases until, I think, June. Sororities and students suspended, but horse/barn.
Continuing to hunker down, tighten up quarantine. Students will stay in town and – I assume – do what they normally do, except go to class.
WereBear
The Republican Party is a stark reminder of the wisdom in “separation of church and state.” The moment the conservatives threw in with the Evangelicals, the religion of the Confederacy, no good would come.
So now 40% of the country is proudly anti-science, steeped in abuse that pretends it’s love, and resistant to all known methods of persuasion. Trump has become their idol, and even if he dies, there is going to be Trump worship with a decorative layer of QAnon.
The “business as usual” of the corporate media has never been more infuriating. Right now, I feel like EVERYONE should pay. There are so many responsible. This sick organization must DIE.
mrmoshpotato
@Amir Khalid: Not my question. :)
WereBear
@gkoutnik: I expect winter will be a game-changer, too.
mrmoshpotato
@WereBear: Yes, and it should’ve happened 40+ years ago.
TS (the original)
They should send an invite to everyone in the trump administration
mrmoshpotato
@TS (the original): Do you really want Trump trash yelling “Fake class!”?
Geminid
@WereBear: in a recent interview Lord Jonathan Sacks, former UK Chief Rabbi, addressed the separation of church and state. Asked about a recent endorsement of trump by an influential American Orthodox rabbi, Sacks said it was “a big mistake….You mix religion and politics, you get terrible politics and even worse religion.” From The Times of Israel, August 28.
Robert Sneddon
Scotland — Today 160 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported overnight with a large number of these occurring in the Glasgow area. They seem to be in family-centred groups rather than spreading via schools at the moment. The Government is concerned by this rise although the test positivity rate is still under 1%, even with increased testing, and is again emphasising that people should not visit other family members outside limited family bubbles.
The Tayside outbreak at the 2 Sisters food processing plant seems to be subsiding and the plant is reopening after a 2-week shutdown. Other smaller outbreaks in the Borders and Ayrshire are being monitored with mobile testing units sent to the affected areas. Hospital patient numbers are rising but slowly.
PaulB
@Shalimar: “Classical liberal” is a term that many libertarians use to refer to themselves. I wouldn’t be surprised to find that it’s true in this case.
Enhanced Voting Techniques
The Passion of The Trump.
I think others have pointed out Trump hijacked the St Reagan the Maxiumus cult of the Right. More likely it would morph into this absurd mixture of Trump and Reagan’s presidency with lots of walls.
FlyingToaster
@mrmoshpotato: Only enrolled MIT students will be able to unmute. Heh.
Aleta
@Brachiator: Thanks for this.
Sloane Ranger
@Geminid: I know this is pedantic, but, as a Peer of the Realm, he should be Jonathan, The Lord Sacks.
Lord Jonathan Sacks would be the correct way to refer to the younger son of a Duke or, possibly a Marquis.
And, yes, I’m a bit of a stickler for things like this. If we’re going to have a Peerage, lets go for broke and get the usage right.
Aleta
@TS (the original): Thanks. A link: https://biology.mit.edu/undergraduate/current-students/subject-offerings/covid-19-sars-cov-2-and-the-pandemic/
Sloane Ranger
Today’s figures from the rest of the UK.
There were 1,406 new cases, 1149 in England, 58 in Northern Ireland and 39 in Wales plus the ones Robert Sneddon reported from Scotland.
As far as England is concerned, the North West remains the hardest hit area with Yorkshire and The Humber following.
On Wednesday, 26 August, 186,500 tests were processed. This is the most recent figure available on this metric.
On Thursday, 27 August, 764 people were in hospital, 449 of them were in England, 17 in Northern Ireland, 41 in Wales and 257 in Scotland. 52 people in England were on ventilators, 2 in Northern Ireland and 3 each in Scotland and Wales.
There were 2 new deaths reported today, both in England.
In other news, 16 people have tested positive after flying into Cardiff from the Greek Island of Zante. The flight was on a TUI (a major UK holiday company) plane and other passengers have complained that the flight staff did not enforce the requirement to wear face coverings. Over 200 people have now been required to quarantine for 14 days. Also, the police have broken up several illegal raves across the country. Thank God, the weather’s so bad. I hate to think what would be going on if we had normal August temperatures!
Aleta
Re: that rural wedding
The press has been quiet until now (over three weeks since start of cases) about the evangelical pastor, and even now there’s little mention of his churches, attitude to Covid, personal ambitions, the plane he owns and pilots to spread the g-word. To say he’s not careful is an understatement. Political.
hotshoe
USA on track to have so many confirmed Covid19 cases that one out of every thousand persons on Earth will be a US case.
At current rates, that number will be reached in four weeks.
What’s weird to me, though, is that it’s already 1 out of every 50 people in the US. That means almost everyone knows someone — in their network of family, friends, coworkers, and other acquaintances — who has been diagnosed positive. How can there still be anyone who is ignorant enough to believe it’s a hoax!
LongHairedWeirdo
A friend of mine once said that you could best compare Covid-19 to polio. See, a lot of polio cases were mild, and only rarely did people die (however, some can be damaged really badly – this friend has post-polio syndrome)… and yet, everyone understood you did not want to get, or spread, polio.
Another way to consider it is one that I’ve been thinking through.
“Here’s the deal. Your body has never seen the Covid-19 virus before. Since it’s never seen it before, there’s always a chance – maybe not a very big one, but definitely a chance – that it will kill you before your immune system kills it. Sure, it’s far more dangerous to those with certain pre-existing conditions, but it can kill a young, healthy, person with no pre-existing conditions, because the body might have to build up its defenses from scratch. If something goes wrong, that stresses the body (e.g., like getting dehydrated due to high fever), that tiny thing might be what gives Covid-19 the upper hand, even in a healthy, strong, young person.
“It can also cause damage to the lungs. If that damage doesn’t heal – and we don’t know if it will, or won’t! – lung damage is an absolute upper limit on the things you can do. If your lungs can’t oxygenate your blood sufficiently for whatever you want to do, you’ll feel completely wiped out – just like you had anemia or heart failure. It might not be too bad if your lungs are only mildly damaged – but it’s a terrible risk.
“So: Covid-19 can kill, and can almost certainly cripple, people. In this way, it’s a lot like polio.
“Unless you feel you’d voluntarily contract, and risk spreading, polio, you should take Covid-19 seriously. And the idea of herd immunity by infection should seem stone cold stupid – we used a vaccine to wipe out polio. To quote Wikipedia, ‘Poliomyelitis has existed for thousands of years, with depictions of the disease in ancient art.[1] The disease was first recognized as a distinct condition by the English physician Michael Underwood in 1789[1]‘. Herd immunity via infection didn’t stop polio; and even with strong vaccination programs, we still haven’t eradicated it in the wild. ”
I’ve never been a great writer, but if anyone finds that helpful, maybe they can expand on the idea and run with it. (NB: for those who hate seeing people put their talents down, I consider myself a “good, but not great, writer”.)
Geminid
@Sloane Ranger: Thanks, that’s good to know. Whatsizname did hit the nail on the head, though.