The numbers in Massachusetts continue to drop very slightly, creeping towards zero. For all intents and purposes the spread of the disease appears to have been arrested in Massachusetts.
3 weeks before June 19th the trajectory of new deaths, new infections, and current hospitalizations suggested the counts would be near zero by June 19th, but since that time the rate of decrease has slowed while never rising.
With an infection rate of about 17 people per thousand, or 1.7%, Massachusetts leads the country and the world along with New York, New Jersey, and Lousiana. New York state has the highest infection rate in the world for a region over 5 million people at about 2.3%
New cases per day
Deaths per day. Down to 11 or 12 per day on average from 23/day a month ago.
New cases are down from 250/day a month ago to under 200/day.
There are under 500 people hospitalized. 67 in intensive care and 38 intubated.
https://www.businessinsider.com/german-scientists-host-concert-to-study-how-the-coronavirus-spreads-2020-7
There will not be a vaccine for corona. Ever.
Tuesday, July 21st, 2020
Oxford vaccine produces dual immune response A study published Monday in The Lancet found a coronavirus vaccine candidate developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca to be safe, albeit with some mild side effects like fatigue and headaches. The injection also led to a dual immune reaction to the coronavirus. Patients in the trial involving 1,077 people produced both neutralizing antibodies and the less-frequently discussed T-Cells, a type of white blood cell that helps coordinate the body’s immune system and destroys infected cells. “We’re stimulating both arms of the immune system,” said Adrian Hill, the head of Oxford’s Jenner Institute. T-Cell and antibody levels peaked at 14 and 28 days after vaccination, respectively, but the study did not run long enough to get a sense of long-term immunity. More trials will be necessary to ensure safety and prove the immune responses reach levels necessary to fight off the virus. Source: The Lancet, BBC
Florida’s largest teachers’ union sues governor over school reopening order The Florida Education Association — the state’s largest teachers’ union — filed a lawsuit on Monday against Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), alleging that by hurrying to fully reopen all public schools in August, he is violating a Florida law meant to keep schools “safe and secure.” With coronavirus cases surging in the state, DeSantis has recommended that all public schools reopen to their full capacity, and earlier this month, Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran issued an emergency order for the fall semester requiring all schools to be open for five days a week. Corcoran said schools provide everything from academic learning to socialization, and Florida can’t hit its “full economic stride” until the schools are all reopened. The suit — which names DeSantis, Corcoran, the Florida Department of Education, and the Florida State Board of Education — attempts to block the order. Source: NBC News
DHS will reportedly send federal agents to Chicago to combat protests The Department of Homeland Security plans to deploy about 150 federal agents to Chicago this week to “assist other federal law enforcement and Chicago police in crime-fighting efforts, the Chicago Tribune reported on Monday. It still hasn’t been made clear “the chain of command they would fall under,” though the agents “would not be involved in immigration or deportation matters,” the Tribune writes. The report comes as President Trump on Monday praised the work of federal agents in Portland, Oregon, some of the unmarked, who have been arresting protesters in the city. He also said he’d consider sending more officers to Baltimore, Chicago, Detroit, New York, Oakland, and Philadelphia despite there being no major reports of violent protests there. Source: Chicago Tribune
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she has “great concerns” about the possibility President Donald Trump could deploy federal agents to Chicago to crack down on gun violence and protests, similar to an approach in Portland, Oregon. The Trump Administration will be sending 175 federal agents to Chicago to assist police in curbing violent crime. (CBS Chicago)
The EU meeting on a post-coronavirus recovery fund enters deadlock on its fourth day. Complicating matters, the group is also negotiating a deal for the bloc’s next long-term budget. Today’s early talks over a proposed €750bn ($857bn / £680bn) recovery package have reportedly been testy. Resumption is scheduled for 14:00 GMT. (BBC)
Nationals invite Fauci to throw out first pitch on Opening Day The Washington Nationals invited Dr. Anthony Fauci, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, to throw out the ceremonial first pitch Thursday when the defending World Series champions host the New York Yankees for Major League Baseball’s opening night. In a statement, the Nationals said Fauci, who is a big fan of the club, “has been a true champion for our country during the COVID-19 pandemic and throughout his distinguished career.” The Nationals and Yankees will kick off a 60-game season that was shortened because of the coronavirus pandemic. Fans won’t be in attendance to watch the Nationals mount their title defense due to public healthy and safety concerns. Source: Washington Nationals
The End
artificial stupid 