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

 

 

Monday, July 20th, 2020

Japan launches a ¥70 billion payment scheme to pay firms to move factories out of China to either Japan itself or countries within the Southeast Asian region in an attempt to better secure its supply chains. 57 firms, including face mask manufacturer Iris Ohyama, are among the first to receive the subsidy. (Bloomberg)

Hong Kong recorded its highest one-day increase in cases since the pandemic began, with 108 new cases which contains 83 local transmission cases and 25 imported cases. (BBC)

An Algerian man in Antwerp, Belgium, dies after a police officer was kneeling on his back during an arrest outside a bar. The death was compared to that of George Floyd. (BBC)

A shooting at the home of U.S. District Judge Esther Salas leaves her son dead and her husband injured. Salas herself is not injured. Law enforcement officials say the gunman was dressed in a FedEx uniform.  (CNN)

Largest street demonstration in Thailand since the 2014 Thai coup d’état erupted at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok with around 2,500 protesters demanded the government resignation, parliament dissolution, and rewriting of the constitution, defying a coronavirus ban on gatherings (Reuters)

Start planning for there not being a vaccine.

 

Monday, July 20th, 2020

 

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries successfully launches Hope, a United Arab Emirates space probe to Mars, from Tanegashima Space Center in Japan. It is the first mission to Mars from the Arab world. (The Independent)

Hong Kong recorded its highest one-day increase in cases since the pandemic began, with 108 new cases which contains 83 local transmission cases and 25 imported cases. (BBC)

Chief Executive Carrie Lam announces new measures including plans to make it compulsory to wear masks inside any public indoor venue and a new order for non-essential civil servants to work for home. (France 24)

Texas Governor Greg Abbott announces that five United States Navy teams would be deployed to hospitals in Harlingen, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, and Rio Grande City. (Texas Tribune)

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler renews calls for federal troops to leave the city, accusing them of using abusive tactics against protesters. (BBC)

 

WHO reports record global coronavirus infections over 24-hour period  The World Health Organization on Saturday reported a new record in daily global coronavirus cases for the second consecutive day, tallying 259,848 infections in a 24-hour period that also saw 7,360 new deaths. Since the pandemic began late last year, The Associated Press reports, more than 600,000 people across the world have died from the virus. The United States, India, Brazil, and South Africa reported the biggest increases Saturday. In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 74,000 new infections Saturday, with Missouri and North Carolina setting new daily highs. Arizona saw its highest number of daily coronavirus deaths, at 147, though NPR notes the figure was reportedly in part the result of a review of death certificates. Source:  Reuters

Oregon AG files lawsuit alleging federal agencies violated protesters’ civil rights  Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum filed a lawsuit Friday night alleging several federal agencies violated Portland protesters’ civil rights by arresting them without probable cause. The legal action comes amid a series of demonstrations against police brutality in Portland this week that continued through Saturday evening. The lawsuit claims agents from the Department of Homeland Security injured and threatened protesters, and it also seeks to require officers to identify themselves and their agency before making an arrest, as well as explain the reason behind any arrest. Previously, U.S. Attorney Billy Williams in Portland requested the DHS inspector general investigate reports that agents arrested people without probable cause. Source: USA Today

 

 

Sunday,  July 19th, 2020

New York records 743 hospitalizations, its lowest since March 18. (CBS News)

Around 85 infants in Nueces County test positive for coronavirus. (The Hill)

Protesters gather near the home of Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. (CNN)

Three Black Lives Matter protesters are charged in Toronto for pouring pink paint on the statues of John A. Macdonald at Queen’s Park and Egerton Ryerson at Ryerson University. (CBC News)

Israelis protest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his handling of COVID-19 and corruption. (Reuters)

President Hassan Rouhani says that the health ministry estimated as many as 25 million Iranians have been infected by the virus and that 30 to 35 million will be infected in the coming months as he urges the public to take the virus seriously. (AP)

Several protesters in Portland, Oregon, are arrested. Authorities said protesters allegedly blocked exits of government buildings and launched fireworks. Saturday morning’s arrests came after the US Attorney for Oregon on Friday requested an investigation into masked, camouflaged federal authorities who have recently arrested Portland protesters. (CNN)

 

The End