COVID Again

[phkrause]

DeSantis administration caves on COVID statistics, agrees to massive data dump

FL Dept. of Health will reveal detailed case counts, deaths, vaccinations going forward

https://floridaphoenix.com/2023/10/09/desantis-administration-caves-on-covid-statistics-agrees-to-massive-data-dump/?

[phkrause]

You paid $152k for DeSantis’ latest legal loss, another attempt to keep public info hidden | Commentary

I’ve often argued that Floridians are subjected to such a steady stream of bonkers headlines that they get numb to news that would make most folks’ heads explode.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2023/10/11/desantis-florida-health-public-records-covid-lawsuit/?

[phkrause]

COVID Is Ramping Up for a Year of Deadly Surges

Scientists hope that by the end of 2024 COVID may become more flu-like but before that fading immunity means more killer waves are on the way.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/covid-is-ramping-up-for-a-year-of-deadly-surges?

[phkrause]

💼 Charted: Post-COVID win

Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics; Graph: Deena Zaidi/Axios Visuals The gap in economic results among racial groups has narrowed in the last three years, making the recovery from the pandemic's recession "the most equitable in recent history," Axios chief economic correspondent Neil Irwin writes from a new Treasury Department report. That's unlike other modern recessions, which have seen Black and Hispanic workers bear the disproportionate brunt of the downturn. 🧮 By the numbers: The median net worth of Black and Hispanic families rose 60% and 47%, respectively, from 2019 to 2022. That compares to 31% for white families, according to inflation-adjusted data from the Federal Reserve. It reflects Black and Hispanic households' lower wealth levels entering the pandemic. So the same cash transfers from the government resulted in higher percentage gains. Go deeper.

[phkrause]

New Highly Contagious COVID-19 Variant on the Rise: Key Symptoms to Watch For

As we navigate the ups and downs of the ongoing pandemic, a new COVID-19 variant, HV.1, is becoming prominent in the United States. This variant has started to replace the currently dominant EG.5 variant.

https://www.newsbreak.com/news/3210585147123-new-highly-contagious-covid-19-variant-on-the-rise-key-symptoms-to-watch-for?

[phkrause]

💼 Stat du jour

Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios

Three and a half years after many companies sent their workers home due to COVID, telecommuting has demonstrated its staying power: Some 70% of people who can do their jobs remotely still choose to do so some or all days of the week, The New York Times reports. Zoom in: Some studies and surveys have shown that remote work is chipping away at company culture and employee engagement. But job satisfaction among Americans is the highest it has been since the Conference Board began tracking 36 years ago — and it's especially high among teleworkers, The Times notes. Go deeper: States where remote work is thriving

[phkrause]

More free COVID-19 tests from the government are available for home delivery through the mail

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans can order more free COVID-19 tests online for home delivery.

https://apnews.com/article/free-covid-tests-ef7c50d0804f39f961da10adfd0d6274?

[phkrause]

Here’s what you should know about COVID-19 cases ahead of Thanksgiving

A variant of COVID-19 called HV.1 now accounts for 29 percent of cases in the U.S. This variant became the most dominant across the country in the middle of October, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

https://floridaphoenix.com/blog/heres-what-you-should-know-about-covid-19-cases-ahead-of-thanksgiving/?

[phkrause]

Scoop: Biden administration sending free COVID tests to schools

The Biden administration for the first time will allow all schools to order free COVID-19 tests from the federal government ahead of the holidays, officials told Axios first.

https://www.axios.com/2023/11/29/biden-send-covid-tests-schools-free?

[phkrause]

Iowa man sues after being fired for refusing to ‘sin’ by getting vaccinated

Former medical-supply worker said he believes God will heal him of COVID-19

https://floridaphoenix.com/2023/11/29/iowa-man-sues-after-being-fired-for-refusing-to-sin-by-getting-vaccinated/?

[phkrause]

L-O-N-G Covid

Following the God-given lifestyle that optimizes our immune resilience and observing prudent public health measures are still effective.

Read more at: https://adventistreview.org/house-call/l-o-n-g-covid/

[phkrause]

Spread of COVID-19 Variant ‘Pirola’ Raises Concerns

Cases of the highly mutated BA.2.86 strain have tripled in the U.S. in recent weeks, but severe illness remains low.

https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/rising-covid-19-variant-pirola-raises-concerns/?

[phkrause]

$47,000,000 Covid Vaccine Class Action Settlement Reached With Pharma Company Novavax

Novavax, a pharmaceutical company that developed a Covid vaccine, has agreed to settle a Class Action lawsuit and establish a $47,000,000 fund to repay investors that were allegedly defrauded by Novavax. The Securities Class Action lawsuit, originally filed in 2021, alleges that Novavax knowingly made false statements regarding its capacity and competency to produce a Coronavirus vaccine, and its ability to commercialize and scale the vaccine. The class action lawsuit also alleges that Novavax deceived investors by overstating its ability to achieve regulatory approval in time to be commercially viable, most notably approval from the FDA.

https://local.newsbreak.com/ohio-state/3260423254962-47000000-covid-vaccine-class-action-settlement-reached-with-pharma-company-novavax?

[phkrause]

😷 COVID high ahead of holiday travel

Data: CDC. Map: Alice Feng/Axios Wastewater analysis sites nationwide are showing high levels of COVID as we head into the holiday travel season, Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick and Alice Feng report from the latest CDC data. Almost every state reporting such data is showing at least "high" levels compared to baseline trends, with 22 reporting "very high" levels. 🧮 By the numbers: There have been nearly 67,200 COVID-related deaths this year. That's down significantly from 246,200 last year and 463,300 in 2021 — but is still a considerable toll.

[phkrause]

😷 New COVID strain rises in U.S.

Data: CDC. Chart: Kavya Beheraj/Axios A fast-spreading new COVID variant — JN.1 — could drive a new wave of disease across the U.S. this holiday season just as other respiratory viruses are cresting. While the situation isn't as dire as last year, when a "tripledemic" of respiratory diseases swamped hospitals, JN.1 cases have more than doubled since mid-November, Axios' Adriel Bettelheim writes. The variant doesn't pose a major new public health risk, the World Health Organization says. COVID modeler Jay Weiland estimated on Monday that JN.1 would become the dominant strain within a week — and that daily new infections, now around 965,000, aren't close to peaking.

[phkrause]

Orange school district worries about ‘funding cliff’ as COVID money dries up

Federal COVID-19 relief money has boosted the budget of Orange County Public Schools for more than three years, but that windfall ends in September, and school leaders already are worried about important services approaching a “funding cliff.”

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2023/12/22/ocps-covid-money/?

[Gregory Matthews]

A previous post suggested that masks do not protect against a virus caused illness.  The URL below links to article from the Mayo clinic that discusses in detail this issue.  In actual fact, there are several types kof masks available.   It is true that for some types, there is little to no protection against a virus.  There is another type that provides major protection.  However, most people do not wear that type.  But, there is a type that is available that provides good protection as long as one uses other common-sense methods, hand washing for example.  This type stops the transmission of the droplets that contain the virus.

The bottom line is:  COVID cases are rising again.  I have a relative who has just been diagnosed with COVID.

 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-mask/art-20485449#SnippetTab

 

[phkrause]

Excellent, excellent article!! I've posted a number of articles in this "Covid Again" thread which you started a while back, about this exact thing, do masks work or not!!

[phkrause]

COVID variant JN.1 is nearly half of COVID cases in US, CDC says. What are the symptoms?

COVID cases continue to rise across the U.S. and the newest COVID variant, dubbed JN.1 , is now accounting for majority of the latest cases.

https://local.newsbreak.com/arizona-state/3275721406787-covid-variant-jn1-is-nearly-half-of-covid-cases-in-us-cdc-says-what-are-the-symptoms?

[phkrause]

Doctors fear new Covid strain could trigger 'heart failure pandemic' across the globe

Covid-19 could trigger a 'heart failure pandemic', experts have warned, calling it a 'global healthcare risk'. The rise in Covid cases, especially due to the new strain known as JN.1, could lead to potential heart issues.

https://www.newsbreak.com/news/3279258716358-doctors-fear-new-covid-strain-could-trigger-heart-failure-pandemic-across-the-globe?

[phkrause]

COVID Mask Mandates Return to Hospitals in Five States

Hospitals across the U.S. are reinstating COVID-19 mask mandates as the JN.1 variant becomes the dominant strain spreading throughout the country.

https://www.newsweek.com/covid-mask-mandate-return-hospitals-usa-1856530

[phkrause]

Wastewater tests show COVID infections surging, but pandemic fatigue limits precautions

Although it’s spotty and inconsistent in many places, wastewater testing is pointing to a new wave of COVID-19 infections, with as many as one-third of Americans expected to contract the disease by late February.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2024/01/30/wastewater-tests-show-covid-infections-surging-but-pandemic-fatigue-limits-precautions/?

[phkrause]

Not wearing a mask during COVID-19 health emergency isn’t a free speech right, appeals court says

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — A federal appeals court shot down claims Monday that New Jersey residents’ refusal to wear face masks at school board meetings during the COVID-19 outbreak constituted protected speech under the First Amendment.

https://apnews.com/article/covid-mask-free-speech-lawsuits-new-jersey-108abf877288999f34d1c604b731d34c?

[phkrause]

Largest Covid vaccine study ever finds shots are linked to small increased risk of neurological, blood and heart disorders - but they are still extremely rare

Covid vaccines have been linked to small increases in heart, blood, and neurological disorders, according to the largest global study of its kind.

https://www.newsbreak.com/news/3339191858056-largest-covid-vaccine-study-ever-finds-shots-are-linked-to-small-increased-risk-of-neurological-blood-and-heart-disorders-but-they-are-still-extremely-rare?

[phkrause]

COVID-19 no longer means five days in isolation, CDC says

NEW YORK (AP) — Americans who test positive for COVID-19 no longer need to stay in isolation for five days, U.S. health officials announced Friday.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/03/01/covid-19-no-longer-means-five-days-in-isolation-cdc-says/