Wednesday,  Aug. 5th, 2020

Early vaccine trial produces strong antibody response with minimal side effects  Maryland-based Novavax released released a preliminary study Tuesday showing all 130-some recipients of its coronavirus vaccine trial produced COVID-19 antibodies that could reduce their chance of infection. Of them, 56 produced a high level of antibodies without any dangerous side effects. More than 60 percent of recipients had minor side effects, and eight people had to be hospitalized, though not for life threatening reasons. John Moore, a virologist at Weill Cornell Medicine, said these were some of the most promising vaccine results he has seen yet. Bipartisan state attorneys general are meanwhile seeking to use a federal patent law to increase the supply of the drug remdesivir and lower its price, as it has proven to be a promising coronavirus treatment but is only made by the biopharmaceutical company Gilead. Source:  USA Today

Officials say deadly Beirut explosion caused by 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate  Lebanese officials believe Tuesday’s enormous explosion in Beirut’s port was likely caused by 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse, and Prime Minister Hassan Diab vowed that those “responsible for this catastrophe will pay the price.” The blast killed at least 78 people and injured nearly 4,000, Lebanon’s health ministry said, with many people still missing. The explosion leveled buildings, flipped cars, and blew out windows, and was so strong that it registered as a 3.3 magnitude earthquake. Beirut’s hospitals, already under stress due to the coronavirus pandemic, are now overwhelmed by patients, and medical facilities are asking for blood donations and generators. The city’s governor, Marwan Abboud, told reporters he has “never in my life seen damage this enormous … this is a national catastrophe. This is a disaster for Lebanon.” Source: The Guardian

 

UK-based airline Virgin Atlantic declares itself bankrupt and files for Chapter 15 Bankruptcy Protection in New York amid a decline in international flights during the COVID-19 pandemic. (The Guardian)

The Philippines posts a single-day Southeast Asian record, with 6,352 new coronavirus cases reported in the last 24 hours, as well as 11 deaths. More than 66,000 people have recovered. (The Straits Times) 

Poland reports a single-day record of 680 new cases in the last 24 hours, as well as six deaths. More than a third are in the southern Silesia region, largely amongst coal miners. (Voice of America)

The Congress of the Republic of Peru votes 54–37 no confidence against Prime Minister Pedro Cateriano, forcing all 19 government ministers to resign. President Martín Vizcarra has 48 hours to form a new cabinet. (Reuters)

Newly leaked bodycam footage shows George Floyd pleading with police officers not to lock him up in a police vehicle, as well as saying that he is claustrophobic. (NBC News)

President Donald Trump vows to sue Nevada over legislation signed by Governor Steve Sisolak that, amid the coronavirus pandemic, requires election officials to send all active, registered voters a mail-in ballot ahead of the November election. This also would apply to any others that happen in the wake of a statewide emergency or disaster directive. (Reuters)

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Tuesday,  Aug. 4th, 2020

Victorian premier Daniel Andrews orders the temporary closure of many businesses and retail stores in Melbourne under stage four lockdown restrictions for six weeks to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Victoria. Only essential services such as supermarkets, food stores, liquor shops, petrol stations, pharmacies, convenience stores, and other essentials that can remain open. (9 News)

BBC News reports that the number of deaths and confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Iran are about three times higher than what was reported by the government, according to a data leak. (BBC)

Catalonia exceeds 100,000 COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic. (La Vanguardia)

Brazil’s Chief of Staff of the Presidency Walter Souza Braga Netto tests positive for COVID-19. (Reuters)

A UN Security Council Sanctions Committee on North Korea report concedes that North Korea has “probably developed miniaturized nuclear devices to fit into the warheads of its ballistic missiles”. (Reuters)

President Donald Trump says he has the right to issue an executive order on mail-in voting but hasn’t gotten to it yet. (Reuters)

Lawmakers remain gridlocked on coronavirus relief The Trump administration and congressional leaders remained at a stalemate on Monday after resuming negotiations for the next round of coronavirus relief. Democrats have pushed to renew the $600 per week in extra jobless benefits that expired Friday, although House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said the sum could be reduced as unemployment falls. Senate Republicans have proposed lowering the figure to $200 per week, and have argued payments should be tied to a percentage of wages rather than a flat amount. On Monday, Pelosi conceded a deal was not likely this week, and said lawmakers were still far from agreeing on major aspects of a large-scale bill that could include unemployment boosts, SNAP benefits, and aid for altering election processes amid the pandemic. Source: Politico

 

 

Monday, Aug. 3rd, 2020

In rare talks, Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif held a video call to discuss various regional issues, including combating COVID-19 in their respective countries. (Al Jazeera)

Hundreds of people gather and protest in Portland, Oregon, marking the 66th night of protests in the city. (CNN)

 

The End

Joe Rogan Best of week May 17th, 2020

Good stuff. Predictions in May for now. Ventilator Blues. Hilarious. Beach fences. Interesting virus information.

Monday, Aug. 3rd, 2020

Hundreds of people gather and protest in Portland, Oregon, marking the 66th night of protests in the city. (CNN)

U.S. records 1,000 coronavirus deaths for 5th straight day  The United States on Saturday recorded more than 1,000 coronavirus fatalities in the previous 24-hour period for the fifth consecutive day. Data collected by Johns Hopkins University revealed more than 58,000 new infections in that same span. The pandemic has continued to take a toll around the world. South Africa on Saturday surpassed 500,000 cases after recording more than 10,000 in a single day, while the Philippines topped 100,000 infections after medical groups in the country said “we are waging a losing battle against COVID-19.” The Australian state of Victoria, home to Melbourne, declared a state of emergency Sunday and imposed new lockdown measures after a surge in infections despite earlier optimism that the country had successfully contained the virus. Source:  Al Jazeera

Wildfire scorches more than 20,000 acres in Southern California  The Apple fire in Riverside County, California, is still burning out of control, with fire authorities saying on Sunday that it is zero percent contained. So far, the blaze has scorched more than 20,000 acres. It was first reported on Friday evening in Cherry Valley, about 75 miles east of Los Angeles, and is sweeping through rugged terrain and steep hillsides. Fire authorities said the cloud of smoke is so immense that it is generating its own winds. Nearly 8,000 people have been evacuated, and there are more than 1,300 firefighters on the scene. The Apple fire is California’s first major wildfire this year. Source: Los Angeles Times

Crew Dragon Endeavour makes the first splashdown in 45 years after successfully completing Crew Dragon Demo-2 mission. (Space.com)

GOP convention will reportedly be closed to press In an unprecedented move, the scaled-back 2020 Republican National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, will reportedly be closed to the press, although an official said the decision is not final and press coverage options are still being considered for the August event. A conventions spokesperson on Saturday said the decision was the result of “health restrictions and limitations in place within” North Carolina amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Associated Press reporter Zeke Miller, the president of the White House Correspondents’ Association, called the decision “ill-advised” since the nomination of President Trump “is very much the business of the American people.” If the rules are not changed, the entire convention still won’t be completely private: A Republican official told CNN that the proceedings on the Monday of the convention, including the vote to formally nominate Trump, will be live-streamed. Source: CNN

 

The End

Joe Rogan Best of week May 17th, 2020

COVID comments at 08:55