Members phkrause Posted November 15, 2022 Members Share Posted November 15, 2022 November 14, 2022 Here’s your update on the coronavirus pandemic and other virus news. By Jonathan Wolfe Students and teachers: How is the school year going for you? This school year, students and teachers returned to campus in a more normal setting. While Covid remains a concern, it may no longer be the main issue that educators and parents are worried about. Now the focus centers on learning loss, adapting to in-person instruction, and other urgent issues from pandemic-related disruptions, like declines in mental health or increases in behavioral issues. As we approach winter break, we’d like to know how things are going — but from inside the classroom. We’re asking students to write in and tell us: How have things gone for you so far this year? And what is your biggest concern about this school year? We’re also asking teachers for their perspective. If you’d like to share your story, you can do that here. We may use your response in an upcoming newsletter or in print. Now on to the news … TOP NEWS Jon Han Covid Depression Is Real. Here’s What You Need to Know. The risk of developing symptoms of depression remains high up to a year after you’ve recovered. By Knvul Sheikh Erika P. Rodriguez for The New York Times New Covid Booster Strengthens Immune Response Against Subvariants, Moderna Says A study suggested that the updated booster shot produced higher levels of neutralizing antibodies against BA.4 and BA.5 than the first booster, the company said. By Sharon LaFraniere Getty Images Yellen Encourages Vaccinations in China as Covid Restrictions Slow Growth With China’s strict pandemic policies stalling the economy at home and globally, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said American mRNA vaccines are at the ready. By Alan Rappeport Justin Lane/EPA, via Shutterstock As the Pandemic Drags On, Americans Struggle for New Balance As offices, restaurants and schools fill up, people are adjusting expectations and habits in another moment of deep uncertainty. By Roni Caryn Rabin Jim Wilson/The New York Times The Nation’s ‘Report Card’ on Remote Learning America’s national test scores have dropped sharply. What do students need now? By Sabrina Tavernise, Luke Vander Ploeg, Will Reid, Patricia Willens, Dan Powell, Marion Lozano and Chris Wood What else we’re following Coronavirus The Biden administration is finalizing a request for an additional $10 billion in Covid funding by the end of the year, The Washington Post reports. A spike in cases in China is testing the country’s new Covid rules, Bloomberg reports. The Supreme Court declined to hear a case that would consider whether the pandemic was a “natural disaster” that would exempt companies from giving advance notice for mass layoffs, Reuters reports. A cruise ship with 800 infected passengers docked in Sydney over the weekend, CNN Reports. Influenza Vox explains why this year’s flu season looks so bad, in one chart. R.S.V. A new study estimates that R.S.V. is responsible for one in 50 deaths of children under the age of 5 across the globe, CNN reports. Email your thoughts to virusbriefing@nytimes.com. Quote phkrause By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near. {5T 451.1} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members phkrause Posted November 17, 2022 Members Share Posted November 17, 2022 November 16, 2022 Welcome to the Virus Briefing, your comprehensive guide to the latest news and expert analysis on the coronavirus pandemic and other outbreaks. Find the latest updates here, and check out our maps and vaccine tracker. A Covid testing booth in Beijing last week.Gilles Sabrié for The New York Times A window into “zero Covid” policy By Jonathan Wolfe This fall, as Omicron spread throughout China, reporters at The Times began noticing an uptick in social media videos that depicted the country’s stringent “zero Covid” measures. The footage often showed Chinese officials going to extremes to enforce lockdowns and demonstrated how disobedience could lead to public shaming or arrest. “Compared with previous outbreaks, when the country could contain cases more easily, with Omicron it was different,” my colleague Muyi Xiao, a reporter on the visual investigations team, said. “Cases were popping up everywhere, and a lot more videos were coming out. Local officials were also under a lot of pressure to make sure their outbreaks didn’t go too badly. And the way that some of them tried to do that was to apply really harsh measures.” To better understand the toll of China’s “zero Covid” policy, journalists at The Times collected and analyzed dozens of videos from cities that have recorded outbreaks this fall. Here’s what they found. Separation of children and parents The authorities’ main tool for enforcing “zero Covid” is restricting movement. Officials have targeted not only people who tested positive, but also their neighbors, co-workers or anyone who had visited the same public places. In some cases, they have confined children away from their parents. The Times found several instances where boarding schools kept thousands of young students in lockdown. Boarding students in China normally return home once a week, but now they can be prevented from doing so for weeks or even months. “In China, boarding students sometimes have limited access to cellphones, but we started to see videos coming out where teachers would help students film videos with notes to their parents,” Muyi said. A video shared on social media shows a group of students, filmed through a window on a door, taking turns reassuring their parents about their conditions in lockdown. “It’s OK. Everything is fine,” one girl says. Enforcement above all else Stopping infections can also take precedence over people’s basic needs, such as shelter or medical care. Videos have shown residents in Zhengzhou forced to “quarantine in place” outdoors. One person said that her mother was asked to go to a quarantine center in the middle of the night after one of the employees at the Foxconn factory where her mother worked tested positive. While waiting for admission to the center, workers spent at least nine hours outdoors, shivering and hungry. In areas with outbreaks, some hospitals have taken in only Covid patients, or they have required up-to-date negative coronavirus test results for entry. In some cases, the regulations have prevented or delayed people from getting medical help. A video filmed on Oct. 15 in Urumqi, the capital of the northwestern region of Xinjiang, shows a man confronting workers in hazmat suits at a hospital, asking why they will not allow several pregnant women to enter. The guards do not respond. “You see that story over and over again — people not getting access to hospitals,” Muyi said. “And it’s very difficult to see how the guards reacted in that video. They’re just standing there. They’re literally saying nothing.” After the video drew an outcry online, the hospital said in a statement that all beds were full at the time and that one of the women was later admitted. Strict punishments Offenses such as leaving quarantine or refusing to wear a mask outdoors can lead to swift punishment, including public shaming or even physical violence. In one video, police officers confront an unmasked man at an outdoor produce market in Sichuan Province. After the man turns to address bystanders who are also urging him to put on a mask, an officer sprays him with an irritant. Then, police officers handcuff and lead him away. Some officials have also beaten residents who complain about quarantine conditions. These incidents have stoked dissatisfaction toward the rigid control measures, despite the heavy censorship. A shift? China moderated some of its extensive Covid restrictions last week. It limited its contact-tracing efforts and did away with some measures that kept people at home for weeks if they lived in an area where a case was detected. But the shift has been modest. The country is sticking to its “zero Covid” policies and still uses strict lockdowns to tamp down outbreaks. And that approach is continuing to stoke dissatisfaction. On Monday, violent protests erupted in Guangzhou against the city’s Covid policies, and protest chatter continues to circulate online. “I think one of the biggest lessons that we learned from watching these videos is how this type of top-down policy — and the lack of flexibility in ground-level implementation — can cause hazards and tragedies and pain,” Muyi said. Read our video analysis of China’s Covid policies. Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here. Unusual Covid symptoms Many people know the telltale symptoms of a Covid infection, but a tiny subset of people also develop less common symptoms like hairy tongue or tingling nerves. Here’s what to do about them. Hairy tongue Healthy tongue cells rapidly replace themselves. But if older cells linger and build on top of one another, they form a dark, thick, fuzzy overgrowth, often called hairy tongue. Some people may also feel a burning sensation inside their mouths, said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco. The affliction is generally temporary. People with hairy tongue can use a tongue scraper or toothbrush to scratch away those tongue cells, and they can make sure to practice good oral hygiene to prevent additional buildup. Tingling nerves When people develop the sensation of pins and needles on their skin, it may be because their nerves are inflamed by immune cells that are fighting off infection, Dr. Chin-Hong said. It’s also possible that the virus itself could damage peripheral nerves, like those that go to your hands and feet, another expert said. For many people, the tingling sensation goes away in a matter of days. If patients are in pain, they should consult their doctors, who may recommend taking Tylenol or Motrin. Hair loss Any type of physical or emotional distress can cause your hair to fall out, said Dr. Shilpi Khetarpal, a dermatologist at Cleveland Clinic. It’s not totally clear whether it’s the coronavirus infection, or the stress related to it, that leads some people to experience hair loss, she said. But don’t panic: Your hair will come back. “It just needs time,” Dr. Khetarpal said. Read more about unusual Covid symptoms. What else we’re following Coronavirus The White House asked Congress on Tuesday to approve nearly $48 billion to prepare for a possible winter Covid surge and to direct additional support to Ukraine. The C.D.C. director said that Covid hospitalizations were rising in children under 6 months old, The Los Angeles Times reports. Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia said he had tested positive for the coronavirus and would cut short his trip to Bali for the G20 summit. China’s Covid test providers are reporting a steep increase in unpaid fees, raising questions about the financial stability of the country’s “zero Covid” policy, The Financial Times reports. Australia cleared the tennis star Novak Djokovic to play in the Australian Open, after he was deported and barred from Australia earlier this year over his failure to be vaccinated against Covid. “Revenge” tourism is taking off internationally, The Economist reports. R.S.V. A child under the age of 5 died from R.S.V. in California, CBS News reports. It was the state’s first young child to die from the virus this winter. The R.S.V. hospitalization rate among older U.S. residents is 10 times as high as it would normally be the case at this point in the season, CNN reports. A lack of child care amid a surge in Covid, flu and R.S.V. cases is keeping parents out of work and at home caring for sick children, The Washington Post reports. Monkeypox The U.S. granted emergency authorization to a monkeypox test from Roche, Reuters reports. Ebola The W.H.O. and Uganda plan to test vaccine candidates, with the first doses arriving in the country as early as next week, Stat News reports. Other viruses A new study from Australia suggests that environmental changes have been driving spillovers of the Hendra virus by radically altering the ecology of fruit bats. Your approach to the holidays I love Thanksgiving and having family and friends around. I will ask people to test before the holiday and to wear masks in public spaces the week before Thanksgiving. I expect that everyone will mostly ignore my request. I am 66 and my husband is 65 and we are still being careful about Covid (and flu and R.S.V.). We still wear masks in all common indoor spaces and even in crowded outdoor spaces. I know — we are outliers. I go crazy when I hear people talk about Covid being over. It is not over, it’s just that so many have given up. — Anne Lown, Portland, Ore. Thanks for reading. I’ll be back Friday — Jonathan Rex Sakamoto compiled images for this briefing. Email your thoughts to virusbriefing@nytimes.com. Quote phkrause By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near. {5T 451.1} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members phkrause Posted November 19, 2022 Members Share Posted November 19, 2022 November 18, 2022 Here’s your update on the coronavirus pandemic and other virus news. TOP NEWS Jack Guez/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images The End of Vaccines at ‘Warp Speed’ Financial and bureaucratic barriers in the United States mean that the next generation of Covid vaccines may well be designed here, but used elsewhere. By Benjamin Mueller Jamie Kelter Davis for The New York Times NEWS ANALYSIS Will Covid Boosters Prevent Another Wave? Scientists Aren’t So Sure. The shots may help vulnerable Americans dodge serious illness or death. But some experts believe boosters must be improved and are calling for a new strategy. By Apoorva Mandavilli Desiree Rios/The New York Times Covid Almost Broke This Hospital. It Also Might Be What Saves It. For decades, smaller “safety net” hospitals like Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, in Brooklyn, have been losing money and are under pressure to close. But the pandemic has shown just how needed they are. By Joseph Goldstein and Desiree Rios Kholood Eid for The New York Times Last Call for the Monkeypox Vaccine Van As the monkeypox emergency subsides, the city has stopped placing vaccine vans outside nightclubs and sex parties. Vaccinations will still be available at sexual health clinics. By Sharon Otterman Kholood Eid for The New York Times NEW YORK TODAY Why It Was Easier to Curb Monkeypox Than Covid The city has pulled back its monkeypox vaccination vans as the number of cases dropped sharply. By James Barron Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times Why Office Buildings Are Still in Trouble Hybrid work, layoffs and higher interest rates are leaving lots of office space vacant and hurting the commercial real estate business. By Peter Eavis, Julie Creswell and Joe Rennison IFC Films ‘Bad Axe’ Review: A Pandemic Family Portrait The filmmaker David Siev chronicles his family’s struggle to keep their Michigan restaurant afloat through the pandemic in this hermetic documentary. By Natalia Winkelman Jordan Macy for The New York Times Covid Tents Have Expanded Their Repertoire Many testing tents and vans are now checking for the flu and R.S.V., too. By Alyson Krueger What else we’re following Coronavirus As cases rise in China, the city of Guangzhou is setting up makeshift hospitals and quarantine sites with nearly 250,000 beds, Reuters reports. The subvariants BQ.1.1 and BQ.1 now make up about 44 percent of cases in the U.S., more than BA.5, according to C.D.C. data. Los Angeles health officials are strongly recommending that people return to masking indoors and on public transit as cases rise, CBS News reports. Scientific American looked at who is dying from the virus now, and why. NPR reports that long Covid clinics are struggling with how to help their patients. The BBC has an update on what we know about long Covid. R.S.V. The Children’s Hospital Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics asked the Biden administration to declare an emergency in response to the R.S.V. surge, CNBC reports. Other viruses The dengue virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes and can be fatal, was found in Arizona, Gizmodo reports. Cases of antibiotic-resistant pathogens known as “superbugs” more than doubled in health care facilities in Europe during the pandemic, Reuters reports. A new tick-born disease is killing cows in the U.S., the MIT Technology Review reports. Email your thoughts to virusbriefing@nytimes.com. Quote phkrause By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near. {5T 451.1} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members phkrause Posted November 21, 2022 Members Share Posted November 21, 2022 Top COVID-19 Symptoms Have Changed, Study Finds Coronavirus symptoms now often mimic those of cold and flu, vaccination status makes a difference, and sneezing has become a COVID-19 sign. https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/top-covid-19-symptoms-have-changed-study-finds/? Quote phkrause By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near. {5T 451.1} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members phkrause Posted November 21, 2022 Members Share Posted November 21, 2022 China announces 1st COVID-19 death in almost 6 months BEIJING (AP) — China on Sunday announced its first new death from COVID-19 in nearly half a year as strict new measures are imposed in Beijing and across the country to ward against new outbreaks. https://apnews.com/article/health-business-china-beijing-covid-1cf94c199eb97d057c92002b2e6175a0? Quote phkrause By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near. {5T 451.1} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members phkrause Posted November 22, 2022 Members Share Posted November 22, 2022 November 21, 2022 Here’s your update on the coronavirus pandemic and other virus news. TOP NEWS Peter Dejong/Associated Press John Kerry Tests Positive for Covid at U.N. Climate Talks, Complicating Final Hours Debate intensified over a contentious issue: the creation of a fund to help poor and vulnerable countries pay for loss and damage caused by climate change. By Max Bearak, Brad Plumer and Lisa Friedman Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times Gauging Our Return to Office and the Subways, One Tip at a Time It has been over a year since buskers, and their music, returned underground, and their slightly fuller tip jars and instrument cases suggest things may be looking up. By Kalia Richardson Marco Bertorello/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Novak Djokovic Finds Harmony and a Lot of Wins Djokovic missed long stretches of the tennis season because he has refused to get vaccinated against Covid-19. That has only made him more determined. By Matthew Futterman Ricardo Tomás GUEST ESSAY Twitter Was Influential in the Pandemic. Are We Better for It? Reflecting on what worked and what didn’t. By Carl T. Bergstrom Matthias Grunsky/Magnolia Pictures In ‘There There,’ the Actors in the Room Are Far Far From Each Other Andrew Bujalski set the rules for the ultimate pandemic film: No one could be in the same location. That wound up including the cinematographer and director. By Ben Kenigsberg What else we’re following Coronavirus Beijing moved teaching online as the city recorded three Covid deaths over the weekend, The South China Morning Post reports. The city of Guangzhou locked down its largest district as it combated a major outbreak, The Associated Press reports. Hospitals across the U.S. are being overwhelmed by cases of Covid, R.S.V. and the flu, The Washington Post reports. Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean reinstated mask mandates and other virus restrictions on some cruises after a string of recent outbreaks, The Points Guy reports. The Washington Post explores the next generation of monoclonal antibodies. R.S.V. The Wall Street Journal has advice on R.S.V. symptoms to watch for in children and adults — and when to seek help. Monkeypox The C.D.C. noted two recent cases of resistance to Tpoxx, which treats monkeypox, in immunocompromised patients. Email your thoughts to virusbriefing@nytimes.com. Quote phkrause By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near. {5T 451.1} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members phkrause Posted November 23, 2022 Members Share Posted November 23, 2022 Beijing shuts parks, Shanghai tightens entry as China COVID cases rise BEIJING, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Beijing shut parks and museums on Tuesday and Shanghai tightened rules for people entering the city as Chinese authorities grapple with a spike in COVID-19 cases that has deepened concern about the economy and dimmed hopes for a quick reopening. https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-reports-28127-new-covid-cases-nov-21-vs-27095-day-earlier-2022-11-22/ Quote phkrause By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near. {5T 451.1} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members phkrause Posted November 23, 2022 Members Share Posted November 23, 2022 How many Covid cases does China have and what are its rules? China has seen its first deaths from Covid-19 in six months, and thousands more people are catching the disease, despite the government's strict lockdown policy. https://www.bbc.com/news/59882774 Quote phkrause By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near. {5T 451.1} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members phkrause Posted November 24, 2022 Members Share Posted November 24, 2022 When and How Should You Restart Your Workouts After Having COVID-19? What the guidelines and top experts say about exercising after recovering from the coronavirus. https://www.everydayhealth.com/fitness/when-and-how-should-you-restart-your-workouts-after-having-covid-19/? Quote phkrause By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near. {5T 451.1} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members phkrause Posted November 24, 2022 Members Share Posted November 24, 2022 November 23, 2022 Welcome to the Virus Briefing, your comprehensive guide to the latest news and expert analysis on the coronavirus pandemic and other outbreaks. Find the latest updates here, and check out our maps and vaccine tracker. Damon Winter/The New York Times Sizing up the first “normal” school year By Jonathan Wolfe The busy holiday season is here, and before we know it, many of us will be gathering for parties, visiting relatives and ringing in the New Year with friends. (Now is a good time to stock up on at-home rapid tests and high-quality masks and to consider getting an updated booster, if you haven’t already.) Schools are also winding down the first half of what, by many accounts, was the first truly back-to-normal school year since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. As we approach winter break, we thought we’d take a look at how the school year is unfolding during this stage of the pandemic. I spoke with my colleague Sarah Mervosh, who covers education. What has the school year looked like so far? Masks are not required in an estimated 99 percent of districts, according to Burbio, a school tracking site. I think by and large there’s a recognition in schools that the coronavirus is here to stay, and we’re learning to live with it. Last year, we heard a lot about behavioral issues and mental health issues. Students were still adjusting from the traumas and the disruptions of the pandemic and adjusting to being back in the classroom. But this year, I’m hearing less about that and more about the urgency around helping students recover academically. How are students doing academically? During the pandemic, kids learned less. We got a sense of how seriously they were affected this fall with the results of a key national test, the National Assessment of Educational Progress, which tests fourth and eighth graders in math and reading. The results were pretty devastating. Eighth grade math scores fell in 49 out of 50 states. Only about a quarter of eighth graders were proficient, down from about a third in 2019. Fourth graders fared a little better: There were declines in 41 states in math, with just 36 percent of fourth graders proficient in the subject, down from 41 percent in 2019. Reading ability declined a bit less across the board, but scores still fell in more than half the states. In both fourth and eighth grade, only about one in three kids were proficient. The stakes are high for kids because establishing literacy in early elementary school is important for their future success in high school and beyond. Similarly, it’s important for eighth graders to be set up for success as high school freshmen, a crucial transition year. And districts and schools are on a tight timetable to use pandemic relief money to help kids catch up. How so? There were three rounds of pandemic relief funding, and the last one, at $123 billion, was the federal government’s single largest investment in American schools. That’s about $2,400 per student. At least 20 percent of the money has to be spent on academic recovery and needs to be allocated by 2024. This is a big year for actually spending the money and getting the interventions that kids need. What approaches are working? There has been a lot of focus on tutoring. When done in small groups of three to four students with a trained tutor multiple times a week during the school day, it can be quite effective. It can be even more effective than lowering class sizes, for example, or summer school. Some experts have advocated extending the school day or year, and lots of places are doing summer school. No one strategy is going to be the thing that is potent enough to help kids recover. What about the argument that every child experienced the pandemic, so if they’re all a little behind, it might make less of a difference? This is a very important question. I can see why it’s appealing to say, “Well, everyone was affected, so why does it really matter? This whole cohort of children is sort of in a similar place.” But that’s not actually true. We know that in fourth grade math, for example, Black, Hispanic and Native American students lost more ground than white and Asian students. This deepened divides in outcomes, because white and Asian students were already scoring at a higher level for many reasons, which include structural societal advantages. And we are also seeing a troubling drop-off among the country’s lowest-performing students, particularly among younger students and in reading. So it is the very students who were struggling most coming into the pandemic who were most affected, and will now need the most help. What does the future look like? The pandemic and everything that came with it disrupted kids’ lives in huge ways. So that means that this recovery is going to need to be long-term. I’ve talked to people who are concerned that one day, when this is all sort of in the rearview mirror, we’re going to forget that the pandemic happened and we’re going to blame some kids for being behind. Or we’re going to say, “Well, these kids recovered from the pandemic easily. Why didn’t those kids?” It’s important to remember that some kids have a higher mountain to climb. They have a longer path to recovery, and this is not going to be something that is fixed overnight. Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here. Your school year We recently asked students how being back in the classroom felt this year. Thanks to all of you who wrote in. “It’s really stressful. I’m growing more nervous, anxious and stressed constantly. I sleep less, constantly worrying about everything and nothing. I feel like I have no relaxation time, that I can’t breathe. Covid times has made me incredibly anxious, and I don’t know how to calm down. My mind is too active.” — Yuxuan, Paris “The school year started off really strong, but around mid-September the overall atmosphere of my campus changed drastically. Everyone began to suddenly slump into a deep depressive state and fall behind in their work. Professors were affected, too. Many of them would come to class drained and not even remotely enthusiastic about what they were teaching. I would hear students talk about failing back-to-back tests and just not caring.” — Nicholas L., Rohnert Park, Calif. “The school year hasn’t been completely terrible, but it hasn’t been perfect. I feel like lots of students lost the ability to socially mature, resulting in a kind of split between their maturity level and actual grade level. I was in the seventh grade when everything stopped so I missed a chunk of middle school. Returning to school has been hard especially because I lost so much motivation and I never had the desire to really get it back. My biggest concern is that I won’t be prepared to enter adulthood because there was a gap in adolescent socializing.” — Zen James, Miami “Overall, I would say that I am thrilled to be back in school and am having a fun and enriching experience. Seeing the full faces of my teachers and peers — and being forced to roll out of bed instead of opening a Zoom meeting on my phone — has definitely helped concepts in the classroom stick. For me, the larger concern is the decay of my healthy habits. Covid (and the online school) enabled me to sit in my room for hours on end, practically developing an entertainment dependency. I often scroll through my phone or watch videos for hours, and there are many times I glance at the clock in awe at how much time has flown right by me.” — Jake Glasser, Mercer Island, Wash. “My school year so far has been difficult. I’ve noticed that I’ve distanced myself from my peers. I’m usually a hard-driven student with a strict schedule that I push myself to follow. Ever since the pandemic began and my school was pushed online, my will to stick to that schedule diminished. I’ve never felt burnout this way before Covid.” — Presha Kandel, Conroe, Texas What else we’re following In what was most likely his last appearance at the White House, Dr. Anthony Fauci said the Biden administration was optimistic that “we’re not going to see a repeat of what we saw last year” when the Omicron variant swept through the country. Outbreaks are testing China’s efforts to fine-tune its pandemic restrictions. These photos show scenes across China of disruptions from lockdowns. Violent protests have erupted at the world’s biggest iPhone factory in Zhengzhou, China, the BBC reports. Here’s how immunocompromised health experts are approaching the holidays. R.S.V. The Atlantic asks, Will the flu and R.S.V. always be this bad? Monkeypox A new study found that among cisgender women and nonbinary people who were assigned female at birth, only 61 percent of cases could be connected to sexual contact. Thanks for reading. We’ll be off Friday for Thanksgiving. Stay safe this holiday, and we’ll be back Monday. — Jonathan Email your thoughts to virusbriefing@nytimes.com. Quote phkrause By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near. {5T 451.1} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members phkrause Posted November 24, 2022 Members Share Posted November 24, 2022 Type 2 Diabetes During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A 2021 Special Report Part of managing type 2 diabetes involves eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly. The pandemic has made it more difficult to do both. https://www.everydayhealth.com/type-2-diabetes/diabetes-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-a-special-report/? Quote phkrause By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near. {5T 451.1} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members phkrause Posted November 24, 2022 Members Share Posted November 24, 2022 China expands lockdowns as COVID-19 cases hit daily record BEIJING (AP) — Pandemic lockdowns are expanding across China, including in a city where factory workers clashed this week with police, as the number of COVID-19 cases hits a daily record. https://apnews.com/article/health-business-china-beijing-covid-503f456d60db49fde9b0d49bd68a908f? Quote phkrause By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near. {5T 451.1} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members phkrause Posted November 25, 2022 Members Share Posted November 25, 2022 11 Foods and Drinks to Help Soothe COVID-19 Symptoms Even with vaccination, you might come down with a breakthrough case. Here’s what to turn to as you recover. https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/foods-and-drinks-to-help-soothe-covid-19-symptoms/? Quote phkrause By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near. {5T 451.1} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members phkrause Posted November 29, 2022 Members Share Posted November 29, 2022 November 28, 2022 Here’s your update on the coronavirus pandemic and other virus news. TOP NEWS Ng Han Guan/Associated Press China Protests Break Out as Covid Cases Surge and Lockdowns Persist After a weekend of confrontations between officials and demonstrators, video from two sites in Shanghai and Beijing showed a heavy security presence. Here’s the latest on the situation. By Vivek Shankar Thomas Peter/Reuters A Protest? A Vigil? In Beijing, Anxious Crowds Are Unsure How Far to Go. In a country where protests are swiftly quashed, many who gathered to voice their discontent — under the watchful eye of the police — were uncertain about how far to go. By Vivian Wang Hector Retamal/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Memes, Puns and Blank Sheets of Paper: China’s Creative Acts of Protest In a country where the authorities have little tolerance for open dissent, demonstrators against Covid restrictions have turned to more subtle methods. By Chang Che and Amy Chang Chien via Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Protests Erupt in Shanghai and Other Chinese Cities Over Covid Controls A chanting crowd called for China’s leader, Xi Jinping, to step down, a rare act of defiance reflecting growing anger after nearly three years of lockdowns. By Chris Buckley and Muyi Xiao UGC, via Associated Press Protest in Xinjiang Against Lockdown After Fire Kills 10 A fire in a residential high-rise in Urumqi, where many residents have been under lockdown, set off public anger and questions about China’s zero-Covid policy. By Chang Che and Amy Chang Chien Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group, via Getty Images Flu and R.S.V. Hit the Holidays, Heightening Demand for Antibiotics and Antivirals An intense early flu season, coupled with a pediatric rise in respiratory illnesses, has left families frantically searching for medicines that are in short supply. By Andrew Jacobs and Roni Caryn Rabin Steve Gschmeissner/Science Source MATTER Happy Birthday, Omicron One year after the variant’s discovery, virologists are still scrambling to keep up with Omicron’s rapid evolution. By Carl Zimmer Tom Jamieson for The New York Times UPSTART Can Sensor Technology Help Keep Office Workers Healthy? The company OpenSensors uses small, inexpensive sensors to monitor air quality and other conditions in offices. The timing couldn’t be better. By Craig S. Smith Andrey Kasay GUEST ESSAY Why Are Lots of Kids Likely to Be Sick This Holiday Season? We can lower the toll of respiratory viruses for good. By Florian Krammer and Aubree Gordon What else we’re following Coronavirus Nearly 9 out of 10 deaths are now in people 65 or older, The Washington Post reports. The BBC explored vaccine hesitancy in Western Sahara, a Covid “black hole” where no information exists on cases or vaccination rates. A man returned home for the holidays after being hospitalized with Covid for 453 days, The Washington Post reports. Research shows that Apixaban, a blood thinning drug given to some patients in the U.K. with severe Covid, does not work and may cause major bleeding, The Guardian reports. A new study found mysterious Covid variants in New York City’s rat population, The New York Post reports. R.S.V. Dr. Anthony Fauci told “Face the Nation” that R.S.V. cases were at a “critical” point but would hopefully reach their peak and decline soon. Monkeypox The virus was renamed Mpox by the World Health Organization in response to complaints that the word monkeypox conjures up racist tropes and stigmatizes patients. The Atlantic took a look at the future of the outbreak. Email your thoughts to virusbriefing@nytimes.com. Quote phkrause By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near. {5T 451.1} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members phkrause Posted November 29, 2022 Members Share Posted November 29, 2022 China’s ‘zero-COVID’ limits saved lives but no clear exit China’s strategy of controlling the coronavirus with lockdowns, mass testing and quarantines has provoked the greatest show of public dissent against the ruling Communist Party in decades. https://apnews.com/article/science-health-china-pandemics-xi-jinping-2fd68a0b6ac855fbad7d3fdc6c98be3f? Quote phkrause By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near. {5T 451.1} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members phkrause Posted November 30, 2022 Members Share Posted November 30, 2022 New COVID Subvariants Take Over the U.S. Nearly half of coronavirus cases are now due to BQ.1 and BQ.1.1. https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/new-covid-subvariants-take-over-the-us/? Quote phkrause By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near. {5T 451.1} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members phkrause Posted November 30, 2022 Members Share Posted November 30, 2022 November 30, 2022 Welcome to the Virus Briefing, your comprehensive guide to the latest news and expert analysis on the coronavirus pandemic and other outbreaks. Find the latest updates here, and check out our maps and vaccine tracker. Blank pieces of paper have become an implicit protest of censorship.Kevin Frayer/Getty Images China’s Covid revolt By Jonathan Wolfe The broadest and boldest surge of protests in a generation is sweeping China, as people in cities across the country take to the streets to denounce the government’s inflexible and exhausting Covid measures. Last night, in the southern city of Guangzhou, workers and residents resisting a Covid lockdown tore down barricades and threw bottles at riot police. They pushed over a makeshift hut used for Covid tests, while hundreds of onlookers roared in approval. Videos showed hundreds of police officers subduing residents. For more on the protests, I connected with my colleague Li Yuan, who wrote about what the protesters want in her New New World column. Why are these protests happening now? That’s a question I’ve asked more than a dozen protesters, and the “zero Covid” policy is definitely one of the main issues. The Chinese people have been locked up, literally, for almost three years. But this year, the zero Covid restrictions have become very extreme because of the nature of the Omicron variant. It’s very infectious and it’s impossible to eliminate, which is a goal of zero Covid. So we’ve seen large-scale lockdowns all over the country. Some analysts have said that anywhere between 200 million and 400 million residents have been placed under some form of lockdown this year. And when people are in lockdown they can’t go out. It can be difficult to go to the hospital, and pregnant women have had miscarriages, and some people have died. Many people have lost jobs, lost income and lost business. Others have had mental problems, and we saw many reports of people jumping off apartment buildings during lockdown. It’s very tragic, and these protesters have lived through all of that. At the same time, it’s obvious to everybody that this policy has become a political campaign for Xi Jinping. And some people say it shows that the government doesn’t really care about the people, because the policy continues no matter how many tragedies have happened and no matter how much people complain. So I think these young protesters have lost their faith in the Chinese government. I think they have lost their faith in the rule of Xi Jinping, who promised them a new era, but they no longer believe that promise. And they definitely pose a threat to the rule of Xi Jinping, no doubt about it. The New York Times What do the protesters want? Chinese people — we don’t know how to protest. They are very disorganized. They have all kinds of slogans. They want the end of zero Covid. They want the government to stop locking down residential compounds. They want freedom of speech. They want their movies back — there are barely any new movies in China this year because so many movies fail to pass the censors. So it’s all kinds of things, but the main consensus is that they want the zero Covid craziness to end. They saw Xi Jinping go to Bali and meet with Biden, and he was not wearing a mask. Then they watch the World Cup and see people from all over the world in the stadiums not wearing masks and having fun, and they are like, “What are we doing?” Protesters held up their mobile phones in a symbol of tacit defiance in Beijing on Sunday.Kevin Frayer/Getty Images How unusual are these protests? I haven’t seen anything like this since 1989, when millions of Chinese students took to the streets all over China, but especially in Beijing and Tiananmen Square. I was in high school during those protests, and even in my city — I’m from a small town in China — we had protests. So the scale of the protests now is not comparable to 1989, but they’re happening. I recently heard from someone who was in college in 1989, and he participated in the protests. He told me, “These young protesters went a step further than we did. We did not say we don’t want the Communist Party. We didn’t dare to say that. And these protesters are saying, ‘We don’t want you anymore.’” Protesters in Tiananmen Square in 1989. Since then, Chinese leaders have fixated on antigovernment social movements.Catherine Henriette/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images How does it feel to watch these protests? It’s pretty amazing to watch what’s going on in China. So many of my friends told me they have become emotional. One friend told me that she woke up Sunday morning and watched the videos from the Shanghai protests the night before. She said, “I cried for hours.” Because we haven’t seen anything like that. People have been complaining online for years, and nothing changes. And everyone in China knows what it means if you’ll take to the streets and what kind of a risk these young people are taking — jail, detention, harassment from the police. People are very moved by the bravery and the courage of these young protesters. How have officials reacted? I just got a message right now from a protester who says he was taken away by the police this morning and questioned for a few hours. There is a very heavy police presence at these protests. The Chinese government has almost unlimited resources to go after people who protest, so the police are calling and visiting protesters at home. But the government hasn’t said anything, and the state media has kind of kept quiet, which is understandable because many Chinese aren’t aware of these protests. If the official media reported on these protests, or even criticized them, then people would know what happened. Police officers watching protesters in Beijing on Sunday. Mark R Cristino/EPA, via Shutterstock What do the protests mean for zero Covid? That’s the billion-dollar question. People have been looking for signs of relaxing, and the government has changed some rules, but no one knows. On Tuesday the Chinese government announced that it would do more to vaccinate older people. Investors on Wall Street have been trading on expectations that China would move away from its zero Covid rules. But so far it seems to be two steps forward and one and a half steps back. But, you know, in China, we had the three-year Great Famine, which was caused by a political campaign of Mao Zedong. And we had the 10-year Cultural Revolution. Now people are talking and saying, “So what is the number? We are reaching three years. Are we going to have a 10-year zero Covid campaign?” That’s how people are talking about it, but no one knows. What’s next for the protesters? Part of it depends on how brutal the government is going to be. So far, the police might take you in and question you for a few hours and release you — that’s one thing. But if they are going to sentence everybody to a few years, or a few months in jail, that’s another thing. People are also politically isolated. They cannot share their thoughts with their classmates, their friends or their colleagues, because the vast majority of Chinese people are still pro-government. But I also think there’s a political awakening going on among young Chinese. And once that starts, it’s very hard to stop. Almost all of the protesters I interviewed recently were first-time protesters. Quite a few of them said that if this happens again tomorrow, they’ll be there. They are willing to protest. At the same time, we saw quite sizable protests in front of Chinese embassies and consulates in London, New York and elsewhere by Chinese living there. These were also unexpected even a week ago. To quote Leonard Cohen, “There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.” Now these young people know where to look for light. Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here. Flowers laid in protest outside the Chinese embassy in London on Monday.Kin Cheung/Associated Press What else we’re following Twitter announced that it’s no longer enforcing its policy on Covid-19 misinformation. Two lawsuits in California are challenging a new law that would punish doctors for misleading patients about Covid. Driven by Covid chaos, two Americans went looking for solace on a sailboat in the middle of the ocean. They found a different fate. A writer describes the benefits of group music therapy after a Covid infection. Thanks for reading. I’ll be back Friday. — Jonathan Email your thoughts to virusbriefing@nytimes.com. Quote phkrause By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near. {5T 451.1} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members phkrause Posted December 6, 2022 Members Share Posted December 6, 2022 Pfizer asks FDA to clear updated COVID shot for kids under 5 Pfizer is asking U.S. regulators to authorize its updated COVID-19 vaccine for children under age 5 — not as a booster but part of their initial shots. https://apnews.com/article/health-business-covid-edb67e3e548e7ff089380c2367f4ccf7 Quote phkrause By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near. {5T 451.1} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members phkrause Posted December 6, 2022 Members Share Posted December 6, 2022 New Zealand launches inquiry into its coronavirus response WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand is launching a wide-ranging inquiry into whether it made the right decisions in battling COVID-19 and how it can better prepare for future pandemics. https://apnews.com/article/health-business-new-zealand-covid-economy-ed4548f52efc3740b9bd0cd19a9e40cc Quote phkrause By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near. {5T 451.1} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members phkrause Posted December 6, 2022 Members Share Posted December 6, 2022 Unvaxxed father of 11 dies of COVID. You can't make up what happened next This series documents stories from the Herman Cain Awards subreddit, tracking the COVID mis- and disinformation on Facebook that is leading to so many deaths. Today’s cautionary tale is a bizarre story of stupid and … greed? Greed would be a new one, for sure. https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/1/12/1609128/-Unvaxxed-father-of-11-dies-of-COVID-You-can-t-make-up-what-happened-next? Quote phkrause By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near. {5T 451.1} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members phkrause Posted December 6, 2022 Members Share Posted December 6, 2022 This is the price of COVID-19 disinformation: The worst flu season in decades Last week, it became clear that under new CEO Elon Musk, Twitter had stopped enforcing a policy against spreading disinformation related to COVID-19 and vaccinations. They didn’t make a big announcement about this. It wasn’t until people began wondering why so much outright anti-vax nonsense was suddenly floating around, that it was discovered that Twitter had stopped trying to block such propaganda back in mid-November. https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/12/3/2139814/-This-is-the-price-of-COVID-19-disinformation-The-worst-flu-season-in-decades? Quote phkrause By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near. {5T 451.1} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members phkrause Posted December 6, 2022 Members Share Posted December 6, 2022 December 5, 2022 Here’s your update on the coronavirus pandemic and other virus news. By Jonathan Wolfe How is the pandemic shaping the way you live now? We always knew that the pandemic would set off a series of ripple effects that would shape our lives for years to come. But now, as we approach our fourth pandemic year, many of us are just beginning to manage and live with them. These disruptions have made life harder for many (like students who continue to struggle after school shutdowns) but have also opened up doors to new opportunities for others (like some disabled workers, as remote work has gained acceptance). As we come to the end of the year, and we take stock of where we are, we’re asking readers about Covid’s aftereffects. We’d like to know: What is the aftereffect of the pandemic that is most notably shaping the way you live now? Tell us about it. We may use your response in an upcoming newsletter. Now onto the news … TOP NEWS Kevin Frayer/Getty Images China Stems Wave of Protest, but Ripples of Resistance Remain Students, residents, lawyers and workers are still challenging the country’s Covid-19 restrictions, even though the intensity of the political chants has been dialed back. By Chang Che, Chris Buckley, Amy Chang Chien and Joy Dong Peter Parks/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Covid Protests in China Raise Hope for Solidarity Among Activists Abroad People opposing Beijing over issues like Hong Kong, Taiwan or the persecution of Uyghurs see the moment as an opportunity to find common cause. By Tiffany May and John Liu Christopher Lee for The New York Times Chinese Abroad: Worried, Wary and Protesting Chinese expatriates in the United States are elated but nervous as they watch the protests at home. By Amelia Nierenberg Qilai Shen for The New York Times The Chinese Dream, Denied The world’s harshest Covid restrictions exemplify how Xi Jinping’s authoritarian excesses have rewritten Beijing’s longstanding social contract with its people. By Vivian Wang Kevin Frayer/Getty Images After Fanning Covid Fears, China Must Now Try to Allay Them Beijing had long warned that the only effective response was testing, quarantine and lockdowns. As it shifts policy, it must change how it portrays the risks. By Keith Bradsher Phil Walter/Getty Images Her Baby Needs Heart Surgery. But She Is Demanding ‘Unvaccinated’ Blood. New Zealand’s health service is seeking to take temporary custody of a critically ill infant so it can perform a lifesaving operation. By Emanuel Stoakes What else we’re following The World Health Organization estimates that 90 percent of the world has some resistance to Covid, The Guardian reports. U.S. Covid hospitalizations reached their highest point in three months after a post-Thanksgiving increase, The Washington Post reports. Congress may roll back the military’s Covid vaccine policy, Politico reports. New Zealand is launching an inquiry into its coronavirus response and how it can better prepare for future pandemics, The Associated Press reports. New Zealand’s health service is attempting to take temporary custody of a critically ill infant whose parents are refusing a surgery unless the child receives “unvaccinated” blood. Email your thoughts to virusbriefing@nytimes.com. Quote phkrause By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near. {5T 451.1} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members phkrause Posted December 8, 2022 Members Share Posted December 8, 2022 December 7, 2022 Welcome to the Virus Briefing, your comprehensive guide to the latest news and expert analysis on the coronavirus pandemic and other outbreaks. Find the latest updates here, and check out our maps and vaccine tracker. Workers removing a Covid testing booth in Beijing on Saturday, after local officials started easing policies.Kevin Frayer/Getty Images Reversing ‘zero Covid’ By Jonathan Wolfe In a stunning turn of events, China announced a broad rollback of its “zero Covid” policies today, an implicit concession to public protests last month that posed the most widespread challenge to the ruling Communist Party in decades. The move seems to be an attempt at a tactical, face-saving retreat for China’s leader, Xi Jinping, without acknowledgment that widespread opposition and mounting economic difficulties forced his hand. China’s state media depicted the move as a planned transition after the zero-tolerance approach secured a victory over a virus that has now weakened. The new policy takes aim at some of the most onerous pandemic measures: China largely did away with rules requiring mass testing and digital passes used to indicate possible exposure to the virus. P.C.R. tests and health codes will no longer be checked for travel between regions in China. The government appeared to retain the power to impose lockdowns, but only on buildings, floors or units rather than neighborhoods, districts or cities. Such confinements would be lifted if no new positive cases were detected for five consecutive days. People with mild or asymptomatic Covid will be allowed to isolate at home and no longer be sent to makeshift isolation facilities or hospitals. Close contacts are also allowed to quarantine at home and will be released with a negative test on the fifth day. The government also ordered pharmacies not to ban or control the sale of cold and flu medication — a policy enforced in some places to prevent residents from using them to reduce fevers and avoid detection. While not a complete dismantling of “zero Covid,” the changes loosen measures that have dragged down the economy by disrupting daily life for hundreds of millions of people, forcing many small businesses to close and driving youth unemployment to a record high. The changes also try to alleviate public anger against the system of digital surveillance used to track and limit the movements of practically everyone. For many in China, the relief was immediate. People flocked to Chinese social media to post comments like, “I’m crying, I’ve waited for three years.” Ctrip, a Chinese travel booking site, said that searches for air tickets had more than doubled on its platform. One migrant worker who protested against a lockdown last month at an iPhone manufacturing complex in central China said he was elated by the news. “Our voices are finally heard,” he said. “We workers no longer have to be locked up, starved and suppressed.” The protests of late November showed how drastically “zero Covid” had undermined the party’s public support. For many, the expansive pandemic measures became the clearest example of the excesses of Xi’s authoritarian tendencies. More important, the economic slowdown caused by “zero Covid” undermined a key tenet of the party’s rule: That in exchange for democratic freedoms, the people would enjoy steady economic growth and the chance at a better life. The strict controls have also become harder to justify as rapidly spreading Omicron variants have continued to slip through, and especially as the rest of the world had increasingly adjusted to living with the virus. Xi “may still insist that he was right with ‘zero Covid’, but by force of circumstances, he has no choice,” said Willy Lam, a senior fellow at the Jamestown Foundation, referring to the recent protests and the reeling economy. “They’re now trying to cover up the mistakes they had made by finally telling the truth to the public that the Omicron variant is not life-threatening.” Dismantled barricades in Guangdong Province on Friday, after the authorities eased Covid curbs.CHINATOPIX, via Associated Press A Pandora’s box in China As Omicron spread across the globe this year, China’s ability to keep the virus under control gave it valuable time to prepare for the inevitable arrival of the variant. But rather than laying the groundwork for that scenario, China stepped up its commitment to “zero Covid,” deploying snap lockdowns and contact tracing. In the meantime, daily vaccinations fell to record lows, critical-care beds remained in short supply and research on homegrown mRNA vaccines failed to keep up with the fast-mutating virus. Now, China is in a bind. As lockdowns lift, schools reopen and people try to resume normal life, the country could confront a catastrophic surge of infections. A huge percentage of the nation’s elderly remain vulnerable, scientists say — just two-thirds of people ages 80 and older are vaccinated, and only 40 percent have received a booster dose — and a surge in deaths and hospitalizations may occur. Making matters more difficult, China’s last major vaccination push was in the spring, making it eight months or more since the last dose for many recipients. If cases keep climbing, gaps in vaccine coverage could pile more pressure on hospitals that may also need to confront a winter cold and flu season. China has fewer intensive-care beds per capita than many other Asian countries. Even if China moves at lightning speed to boost its vulnerable populations, it will need a few months to vaccinate at the level needed for reopening, and it takes a few weeks for protection from vaccines to kick in, said Siddharth Sridhar, a virologist at the University of Hong Kong. “If they are considering a pivot, they need to bolster their defenses, because a storm is coming,” he said. Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here. What else we’re following Coronavirus The organization that has led the global effort to bring Covid vaccines to poor and middle-income countries will decide this week whether to shut down that project, ending a historic attempt to achieve global health equity. Lawmakers announced an $858 billion military policy bill that would end mandatory coronavirus vaccines among troops, a move that the Biden administration has resisted. Republicans threatened to block the bill without it. As federal funding for the pandemic response dries up, Americans without health insurance risk being left footing the bill for coronavirus tests and treatments. New York City’s Pandemic Response Lab, which provided mass testing, is shutting down in part because of the prevalence of at-home tests and a reduction in business. Cases and deaths in Los Angeles are climbing, raising the possibility that an indoor mask mandate could be reimposed, The Los Angeles Times reports. Some Covid clinical trials for treatments and vaccines didn’t include enough women or people of color, an analysis found. The Atlantic argues that Covid science is moving backward. R.S.V. R.S.V. cases seem to be leveling off, experts said, but flu cases continue to climb, The Hill reports. Ebola Uganda discharged its last known Ebola patient from the hospital last week. That’s great news for the country, but it will affect research on experimental vaccines that could prevent a future outbreak, Science reports. Other viruses Research suggests cold air damages the immune response in the nose, which could be why there are more cold and flu cases in the winter, CNN reports. Canine influenza is back and can spread quickly through shelters, kennels and day care facilities, although most dogs will recover on their own. Your Covid diaries Spring 2020, Green Brook, N.J. Being in China while I was on leave from college; visiting my ailing grandparents; being shuffled through paranoid airport security measures after arriving in the States as quarantine measures were being imposed to prevent Covid from spreading — these were among the most liminal moments of my life. I never took on Asian hate crimes because of Covid as a personal banner, because the phenomenon of Covid seemed more lived-in, more global somehow. Yet as soon as I landed in the States, it all came rushing back — the politics, the drama, the way I both saw myself as uniquely autonomous and other. Race is so weird here. — Carrie Zhang Thanks for reading. I’ll be back Wednesday. — Jonathan Email your thoughts to virusbriefing@nytimes.com. Quote phkrause By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near. {5T 451.1} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members phkrause Posted December 11, 2022 Members Share Posted December 11, 2022 Hospitalizations signal rising COVID-19 risk for US seniors Coronavirus-related hospital admissions are climbing again in the United States, with older adults a growing share of U.S. deaths and less than half of nursing home residents up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations. https://apnews.com/article/health-seniors-covid-nursing-homes-government-and-politics-1d8182dbc11706018739331cdbe310ab Quote phkrause By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near. {5T 451.1} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members phkrause Posted December 13, 2022 Members Share Posted December 13, 2022 Fact check: False claim FTX funded research into ivermectin as a COVID-19 treatment The claim: FTX funded TOGETHER Trial research that found ivermectin ineffective for treating COVID-19 TOGETHER Trial, a research consortium that studies the use of existing drugs as treatments for diseases, produced one of the most significant studies labeling ivermectin ineffective at reducing hospitalizations from COVID-19. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2022/11/30/fact-check-ftx-funding-together-trial-came-after-ivermectin-study/10798874002/ Quote phkrause By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near. {5T 451.1} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.