COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths are all declining and federal health officials could ease guidance on masks soon, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday.
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, speaking at a White House briefing on COVID-19, said her agency was assessing data and "will soon put guidance in place" that encourages prevention measures while protecting public health and hospitals.
The CDC recommends indoor masking in areas with substantial or high transmission. That includes 97% of U.S. counties, Walensky said.
"We want to give people a break from things like mask wearing when these metrics are better," Walensky said. "And then have the ability to reach for them again should things worsen."
Read more at:
CDC wants to 'give people a break' from mask wearing: COVID-19 updates
Showing posts with label USA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label USA. Show all posts
Monday, February 21, 2022
Saturday, February 19, 2022
USA: California’s first surgeon general on Covid: ‘Greatest collective trauma’ of a generation
Burke Harris, who resigned this month, said the pandemic is “probably the greatest collective trauma of our generation,” and she, like all Californians she was sworn to serve – will have a long road ahead processing the last two years.
Reflecting on her three years as surgeon general of the most populous US state, Burke Harris warned that “the health consequences of this pandemic will continue, even after the virus itself is contained.”
Read more at: California’s first surgeon general on Covid: ‘Greatest collective trauma’ of a generation | California | The Guardian
Reflecting on her three years as surgeon general of the most populous US state, Burke Harris warned that “the health consequences of this pandemic will continue, even after the virus itself is contained.”
Read more at: California’s first surgeon general on Covid: ‘Greatest collective trauma’ of a generation | California | The Guardian
Thursday, February 17, 2022
USA - Covid Immunity: Nearly three-quarters of Americans have some Covid immunity, experts say
Almost three-quarters of Americans are now estimated to have some level of immunity to the Omicron Covid variant that created havoc after it emerged late last year just as people hoped the pandemic was finally waning.
The subsequent Omicron wave that assaulted the US this winter has, however, bolstered its defenses, leaving enough protection against the coronavirus that future surges will probably require much less – if any – dramatic disruption to society, experts reckon.
Read more at: Nearly three-quarters of Americans have some Covid immunity, experts say | Coronavirus | The Guardian
The subsequent Omicron wave that assaulted the US this winter has, however, bolstered its defenses, leaving enough protection against the coronavirus that future surges will probably require much less – if any – dramatic disruption to society, experts reckon.
Read more at: Nearly three-quarters of Americans have some Covid immunity, experts say | Coronavirus | The Guardian
Wednesday, February 9, 2022
Big Pharma and Corona vaccinations: Putting big pharma in charge of global vaccine rollout was a big mistake : by Nick Dearden
Pfizer has had an exceptionally good pandemic. Today it announced that its Covid-19 vaccine brought in $37bn billion last year, making it easily the most lucrative medicine in any given year in history.
That isn’t all. For a company that was until recently the least trusted company in the least trusted industrial sector in the United States, Covid-19 has been a PR coup. Pfizer has become a household name over the last 12 months. The company was toasted on nights out in Tel Aviv, and there are cocktails named after its vaccine in bars across the world. The US president referred to Pfizer’s chief executive, Albert Bourla, as a “good friend”, and the great man parked his jet next to Boris Johnson’s at last year’s G7 summit in Cornwal
The global vaccine rollout has created levels of inequality so great that many call it a ‘vaccine apartheid’. Pharmaceutical corporations like Pfizer have led this rollout, setting the terms by which they sell vaccines and deciding who to prioritise. Ultimately, their approach affects who does, and does not, receive vaccines.
Right from the start, Pfizer was clear that it wanted to make a lot of money from Covid. The company claims that its vaccine costs just under £5 per dose to produce. Others have suggested it could be much cheaper. Either way, the company is selling doses at a huge profit – the UK government paid £18 a shot for its first order, £22 for its most recent purchase. That means the NHS has paid a mark-up of at least £2bn – six times the cost of the pay rise the government agreed to give nurses last year.
It has been claimed that the company initially tried to pitch their medicine to the US government for an eye-popping $100 a dose. Tom Frieden, a former director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, accused the firm of “war profiteering”.
Pfizer has sold the vast majority of its doses to the richest countries in the world – a strategy sure to keep its profits high. If you look at its global distribution, Pfizer sells a tiny proportion of its vaccines to low-income countries. By last October, Pfizer had sold a measly 1.3% of its supply to Covax, the international body set up to try to ensure fairer access to vaccines.
Pfizer wasn’t selling many doses to poorer countries, but neither would it allow them to produce the life-saving vaccine on their own, through licensing or patent sharing..
Read more at: Putting big pharma in charge of global
That isn’t all. For a company that was until recently the least trusted company in the least trusted industrial sector in the United States, Covid-19 has been a PR coup. Pfizer has become a household name over the last 12 months. The company was toasted on nights out in Tel Aviv, and there are cocktails named after its vaccine in bars across the world. The US president referred to Pfizer’s chief executive, Albert Bourla, as a “good friend”, and the great man parked his jet next to Boris Johnson’s at last year’s G7 summit in Cornwal
The global vaccine rollout has created levels of inequality so great that many call it a ‘vaccine apartheid’. Pharmaceutical corporations like Pfizer have led this rollout, setting the terms by which they sell vaccines and deciding who to prioritise. Ultimately, their approach affects who does, and does not, receive vaccines.
It has been claimed that the company initially tried to pitch their medicine to the US government for an eye-popping $100 a dose. Tom Frieden, a former director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, accused the firm of “war profiteering”.
Pfizer has sold the vast majority of its doses to the richest countries in the world – a strategy sure to keep its profits high. If you look at its global distribution, Pfizer sells a tiny proportion of its vaccines to low-income countries. By last October, Pfizer had sold a measly 1.3% of its supply to Covax, the international body set up to try to ensure fairer access to vaccines.
Pfizer wasn’t selling many doses to poorer countries, but neither would it allow them to produce the life-saving vaccine on their own, through licensing or patent sharing..
Read more at: Putting big pharma in charge of global
Sunday, February 6, 2022
USA: Why the CDC’s guidelines on isolation, boosters, and masks are so confusing - by Dylan Scott
The fierce backlash to the CDC’s recent decision to shorten the recommended isolation period for people who test positive for Covid-19 was the latest in a series of communications blunders so severe that they have now become a meme.
Communication is an essential part of any public health response. But US health agencies have struggled with it since the very beginning of the pandemic, when government officials initially advised against wearing masks in early 2020 before reversing themselves to recommend nearly
It appeared the initial guidance may have been issued in order to preserve enough masks for health care workers. Government officials were warning at the time that hospitals’ supplies could be depleted at a critical moment if there was a run on masks. It was the first of the pandemic’s “noble lies,” The Week’s Ryan Cooper wrote in a blistering essay on the paternalistic treatment of the US public that has undermined the country’s Covid-19 response.
America’s public health institutions have failed to communicate effectively with the US public throughout the pandemic for two reasons: either they have been left trying to defend poor policies, or the messaging has taken the place of creating any kind of coherent policy at all
Read more at: Why the CDC’s guidelines on isolation, boosters, and masks are so confusing - Vox
Communication is an essential part of any public health response. But US health agencies have struggled with it since the very beginning of the pandemic, when government officials initially advised against wearing masks in early 2020 before reversing themselves to recommend nearly
It appeared the initial guidance may have been issued in order to preserve enough masks for health care workers. Government officials were warning at the time that hospitals’ supplies could be depleted at a critical moment if there was a run on masks. It was the first of the pandemic’s “noble lies,” The Week’s Ryan Cooper wrote in a blistering essay on the paternalistic treatment of the US public that has undermined the country’s Covid-19 response.
America’s public health institutions have failed to communicate effectively with the US public throughout the pandemic for two reasons: either they have been left trying to defend poor policies, or the messaging has taken the place of creating any kind of coherent policy at all
Read more at: Why the CDC’s guidelines on isolation, boosters, and masks are so confusing - Vox
Wednesday, February 2, 2022
USA: Health experts warn of new COVID variant already making its way across the country
"It looks like this new variant may be slightly more contagious than Omicron, but it does not appear to be more dangerous than Omicron. It does not seem to cause more serious disease," Bailey said.
Bailey said it's more important than ever to be wearing masks because Omicron, and now BA.2, are so easily transmitted from person to person.
"These new variants, because they are so contagious, we get such high viral loads," Bailey said. "It's much more helpful to use an N95 type mask than just a regular surgical type mask or cloth face covering."
Read more at: Health experts warn of new COVID variant already making its way across the country | WCHS
Bailey said it's more important than ever to be wearing masks because Omicron, and now BA.2, are so easily transmitted from person to person.
"These new variants, because they are so contagious, we get such high viral loads," Bailey said. "It's much more helpful to use an N95 type mask than just a regular surgical type mask or cloth face covering."
Read more at: Health experts warn of new COVID variant already making its way across the country | WCHS
Saturday, January 1, 2022
USA: Florida reports 56,865 new COVID cases, positivity rate continues to soar
After days of record-breaking COVID-19 cases in the Sunshine State, Florida reported 56,865 new cases on Saturday and the positivity rates in South Florida continue to soar.
According to the latest figures released, both Miami-Dade and Broward counties have positivity rates of 30%.
Public health experts don’t consider the virus to be under control in an area unless the positivity rate is under 5%.
Read more at: Florida reports 56,865 new COVID cases, positivity rate continues to soar
According to the latest figures released, both Miami-Dade and Broward counties have positivity rates of 30%.
Public health experts don’t consider the virus to be under control in an area unless the positivity rate is under 5%.
Read more at: Florida reports 56,865 new COVID cases, positivity rate continues to soar
Monday, December 27, 2021
Coronavirus - isolation period: US cuts recommended isolation period
US health authorities on Monday announced that quarantine periods for asymptomatic coronavirus patients would be shortened from 10 to five days.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cited evidence that those infected with the virus were most infectious during the two days before and then three days after symptoms developed.
Read more at: Coronavirus: US cuts recommended isolation period | News | DW | 27.12.2021
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cited evidence that those infected with the virus were most infectious during the two days before and then three days after symptoms developed.
Read more at: Coronavirus: US cuts recommended isolation period | News | DW | 27.12.2021
Friday, December 24, 2021
USA: Florida - COVID update: State breaks single-day case record - by Devoun Cetoute and Carli Teproff
Florida on Friday saw it’s largest single-day increase of newly reported COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began — and that was even before people gathered for Nochebuena and Christmas brunch.
“After the holidays I suspect we will have a very busy week,” said Randy Katz, associate district medical director of emergency services for Memorial Healthcare System. “I do think we have another week or two before we really peak and then see the numbers come down.”
There were 31,758 cases on Thursday, according to Miami Herald calculations of state data reported Friday to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. The previous record was during the height of the delta wave in Florida with 27,584 cases reported on Aug. 27, according to Herald calculations.
Read more at: Florida COVID update: State breaks single-day case record | Miami Herald
“After the holidays I suspect we will have a very busy week,” said Randy Katz, associate district medical director of emergency services for Memorial Healthcare System. “I do think we have another week or two before we really peak and then see the numbers come down.”
There were 31,758 cases on Thursday, according to Miami Herald calculations of state data reported Friday to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. The previous record was during the height of the delta wave in Florida with 27,584 cases reported on Aug. 27, according to Herald calculations.
Read more at: Florida COVID update: State breaks single-day case record | Miami Herald
Monday, December 20, 2021
USA: Army Has Over 3,800 Refuse to Get COVID Vaccine, Could Be Removed From Military Next Month - by Zoe Strozewski
More than 3,800 members of the Army have refused to get the COVID-19 vaccine by this week's deadline, setting them up for a potential ouster from the military beginning in January.
Six soldiers resisting the mandate were fired from leadership roles and more than 2,700 others have already been issued written reprimands, according to Army data.
Read more at: Army Has Over 3,800 Refuse to Get COVID Vaccine, Could Be Removed From Military Next Month
Six soldiers resisting the mandate were fired from leadership roles and more than 2,700 others have already been issued written reprimands, according to Army data.
Read more at: Army Has Over 3,800 Refuse to Get COVID Vaccine, Could Be Removed From Military Next Month
Sunday, December 12, 2021
USA: Kentucky tornadoes: up to 100 feared dead in historic US storms
Dozens remained unaccounted for on Sunday as rescuers worked overnight searching for survivors after what could be the longest tornado in US history left a trail of destruction from Arkansas to Kentucky, part of a vast storm front that it is feared may have killed at least 100 people.
Kentucky governor Andy Beshear said the path of devastation was about 227 miles (365km) long, which, if confirmed, would surpass the 218-mile Tri-State tornado in 1925, which killed at least 695 people and destroyed 15,000 homes across Missouri, Illinois and Indiana.
Read more at: Kentucky tornadoes: up to 100 feared dead in historic US storms | Tornadoes | The Guardian
Kentucky governor Andy Beshear said the path of devastation was about 227 miles (365km) long, which, if confirmed, would surpass the 218-mile Tri-State tornado in 1925, which killed at least 695 people and destroyed 15,000 homes across Missouri, Illinois and Indiana.
Read more at: Kentucky tornadoes: up to 100 feared dead in historic US storms | Tornadoes | The Guardian
Monday, December 6, 2021
USA: CEOs across economy agree on one 2022 prediction: No Covid end - USA: CEOs across economy agree on one 2022 prediction: No Covid end -
Chief executive officers of companies from sectors including healthcare, restaurants, packaged food, manufacturing, logistics and chip sector tell CNBC that any hope of a “return to normal” in 2022 is misguided and volatility will remain a primary business challenge.
CEOs see opportunity in the changes already made during Covid to become permanent competitive advantages, and for global economic growth to remain strong, but it won’t be without a high level of uncertainty and volatility.
Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/02/ceos-across-economy-agree-on-one-big-2022-prediction-more-volatility.html
Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/02/ceos-across-economy-agree-on-one-big-2022-prediction-more-volatility.html
Saturday, November 27, 2021
USA: Biden and Harris briefed as US braces for arrival of Omicron Covid variant - by Edward Helmore
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have been briefed on the latest situation regarding the new Omicron coronavirus variant, the White House said on Saturday, as Britain, Germany and Italy reported detecting cases.
Read more at: Biden and Harris briefed as US braces for arrival of Omicron Covid variant | Coronavirus | The Guardian
Read more at: Biden and Harris briefed as US braces for arrival of Omicron Covid variant | Coronavirus | The Guardian
Monday, November 8, 2021
USA: CDC approves Pfizer's COVID vaccine for kids 5 to 11 in the U.S.
.S. health officials on Tuesday gave final approval to Pfizer's kid-sized COVID-19 shot, a milestone that opens a major expansion of the nation's vaccination campaign to children as young as five.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) already authorized the shots for children ages five to 11 — doses just one-third of the amount given to teens and adults. But the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) formally recommends who should receive FDA-cleared vaccines.
The announcement by CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky came only hours after an advisory panel unanimously decided Pfizer's shots should be opened to the 28 million youngsters in that age group.
Read more at: CDC approves Pfizer's COVID vaccine for kids 5 to 11 in the U.S. | CBC News
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) already authorized the shots for children ages five to 11 — doses just one-third of the amount given to teens and adults. But the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) formally recommends who should receive FDA-cleared vaccines.
The announcement by CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky came only hours after an advisory panel unanimously decided Pfizer's shots should be opened to the 28 million youngsters in that age group.
Read more at: CDC approves Pfizer's COVID vaccine for kids 5 to 11 in the U.S. | CBC News
Sunday, October 31, 2021
Covid-19 origin: Covid-19 origins may never be known, US intelligence agencies say
In an updated assessment of where the virus began, the Office of the US Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) said an animal-to-human transmission and a lab leak were both plausible hypotheses for how it spread.
But there was not enough information to reach a definitive conclusion.
China has criticised the report.
Read more at: Covid-19 origins may never be known, US intelligence agencies say - BBC News
But there was not enough information to reach a definitive conclusion.
China has criticised the report.
Read more at: Covid-19 origins may never be known, US intelligence agencies say - BBC News
Friday, October 8, 2021
USA - Coronavirus vaccine: Biden says vaccine mandates ′lifesaving′
US President Joe Biden on Thursday advocated for COVID-19 vaccine mandates to force roughly 67 million unvaccinated American adults to get the jab, even as he acknowledged that the requirements weren't his "first instinct.''
"There is no other way to beat the pandemic than to get the vast majority of the American people vaccinated,'' Biden said in Chicago at an event promoting the mandates.
Read more at: Coronavirus digest: Biden says vaccine mandates ′lifesaving′ | News | DW | 08.10.2021
"There is no other way to beat the pandemic than to get the vast majority of the American people vaccinated,'' Biden said in Chicago at an event promoting the mandates.
Read more at: Coronavirus digest: Biden says vaccine mandates ′lifesaving′ | News | DW | 08.10.2021
Tuesday, October 5, 2021
C0VID -19 pill: Merck says experimental drug molnupiravir cuts worst effects of COVID-19
Merck & Co. said Friday that its experimental COVID-19 pill reduced hospitalizations and deaths by half in people recently infected with the coronavirus and that it would soon ask health officials in the U.S. and around the world to authorize its use.
If cleared, Merck's drug would be the first pill shown to treat COVID-19, a potentially major advance in efforts to fight the pandemic. All COVID-19 therapies now authorized in the U.S. require an IV or injection.
Read more at: Merck says experimental drug molnupiravir cuts worst effects of COVID-19 | CBC News
If cleared, Merck's drug would be the first pill shown to treat COVID-19, a potentially major advance in efforts to fight the pandemic. All COVID-19 therapies now authorized in the U.S. require an IV or injection.
Read more at: Merck says experimental drug molnupiravir cuts worst effects of COVID-19 | CBC News
Saturday, October 2, 2021
USA: COVID-19 deaths eclipse 700,000 in US as delta variant rages across the country
The milestone is deeply frustrating to doctors, public health officials and the American public, who watched a pandemic that had been easing earlier in the summer take a dark turn. Tens of millions of Americans have refused to get vaccinated, allowing the highly contagious delta variant to tear through the country and send the death toll from 600,000 to 700,000 in 3 1/2 months.
Florida suffered by far the most death of any state during that period, with the virus killing about 17,000 residents since the middle of June. Texas was second with 13,000 deaths. The two states account for 15% of the country’s population, but more than 30% of the nation’s deaths since the nation crossed the 600,000 threshold.
Read more at: COVID-19 deaths eclipse 700,000 in US as delta variant rages across the country - South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Florida suffered by far the most death of any state during that period, with the virus killing about 17,000 residents since the middle of June. Texas was second with 13,000 deaths. The two states account for 15% of the country’s population, but more than 30% of the nation’s deaths since the nation crossed the 600,000 threshold.
Read more at: COVID-19 deaths eclipse 700,000 in US as delta variant rages across the country - South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Friday, October 1, 2021
USA: Covid-19 medicine: Merck says antiviral COVID-19 pill halves death and hospitalizations
US pharmaceutical giant Merck announced on Friday the results of an internal study of its antiviral COVID-19 treatment pills. It said the results showed hospitalizations and deaths were reduced by half when taken by people recently infected with COVID-19, although academic peer review is not yet completed.
The company will soon ask health officials in the US and around the world to authorize the use of the drug, called molnupiravir. It would be the first antiviral pill to treat COVID-19 effectively, a potential turning point in the pandemic.
Read more at: Merck says antiviral COVID-19 pill halves death and hospitalizations | News | DW | 01.10.2021
The company will soon ask health officials in the US and around the world to authorize the use of the drug, called molnupiravir. It would be the first antiviral pill to treat COVID-19 effectively, a potential turning point in the pandemic.
Read more at: Merck says antiviral COVID-19 pill halves death and hospitalizations | News | DW | 01.10.2021
Friday, September 24, 2021
USA: How America mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic and why we aren't ready for the next crisis - by Lewis Brogd
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed this country in ways that will take decades to understand and address. A year and a half into this historic time, the world is exhausted and operating on reserves with no clear end date in sight.
Over the past year, I have been reflecting on two incisive quotes from staff writers at The Atlantic — George Packer and Ed Young. The first is short and to the point. Packer said, “The coronavirus has revealed a sick and unequal society incapable of self-government.”
As a scholar of Bible and religion, the idea of the pandemic acting as a catalyst, exposing the realities of our sick and unequal society, resonated with me. In scripture, God reveals and exposes truth about humanity in unorthodox ways. Throughout history, societies get locked into unhealthy and oppressive patterns and refuse to change. The Sovereign One reveals the true character of these nations. God uses nature, animals, disease, even corrupt neighboring nations to bring judgment.
Read more at: How America mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic and why we aren't ready for the next crisis
Over the past year, I have been reflecting on two incisive quotes from staff writers at The Atlantic — George Packer and Ed Young. The first is short and to the point. Packer said, “The coronavirus has revealed a sick and unequal society incapable of self-government.”
As a scholar of Bible and religion, the idea of the pandemic acting as a catalyst, exposing the realities of our sick and unequal society, resonated with me. In scripture, God reveals and exposes truth about humanity in unorthodox ways. Throughout history, societies get locked into unhealthy and oppressive patterns and refuse to change. The Sovereign One reveals the true character of these nations. God uses nature, animals, disease, even corrupt neighboring nations to bring judgment.
Read more at: How America mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic and why we aren't ready for the next crisis
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