news Covid19-Coronavirus updates and news

[Mister Funsky]

Having relatives and friends scattered all over the globe, I am getting an overload of input (some on the record and some off the record).

My intention for this thread is for community members from around the world to post first hand stories and/or links to information sources that, for the most part, should be reliable.

In my community, just outside a major southeastern city, 'assets' have been placed. Only because I have friends in both high and low places have I heard about some of this. At this point it is only some basic medical supplies that should be equally distributed anyway in preparation for a natural emergency (hurricane/wildfire/etc.).

I will start with posting a link to a site with current data that seems to come from an aggregate of sources and hope others will do the same as they come across similar sites/pages.

Because of the 'typhoid Mary' spread-ability of this disease, I feel we may be in for a really large spread globally which will impact the global economy and through extension, retail domain prices.

One thing is for sure...things will get worse before they get better.

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/usa-coronavirus/

 

[MasterOfMyDomains]

https://www.castanet.net/news/Canad...r-alleged-threats-driving-at-a-police-officer

 

[Cannuck]

Dr Fauci now says he's 'not convinced' COVID developed naturally and calls for a full investigation into 'what went on in China'

'We're not going to make pronouncements that prejudge an ongoing WHO study into the source of SARS-CoV-2, but we've been clear that sound and technically credible theories should be thoroughly evaluated by international experts.'

The United States, Norway, Canada, Britain and other countries in March expressed concerns about the WHO-led COVID-19 origins study, and called for further investigation and full access to all pertinent human, animal and other data about the early stages of the outbreak.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...-not-convinced-COVID-19-formed-naturally.html

A lab escape?

"Could you rule out a laboratory escape? The answer in this case is probably not. Will you in front of this group categorically say that the Covid-19 could not have occurred through serial passage in a laboratory," Paul asked Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

"I do not have any accounting of what the Chinese may have done and I'm fully in favor of any further investigation of what went on in China," Fauci responded. He added: "I fully agree that you should investigate where the virus came from. But again, we have not funded gain of function research on this virus in the Wuhan Institute of Virology. No matter how many times you say it, it didn't happen.'"

While the administration has faulted it as incomplete, a World Health Organization report with Chinese cooperation called a 'zoonotic transmission' from animals to humans 'likely to very likely' as the cause.

https://meaww.com/covid-19-develop-naturally-dr-anthony-fauci-china-coronavirus

 

[Mister Funsky]

Current Covid19 death numbers as of 9:00 am EST are below, primarily from the source in the original post (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus). If your country of interest is not listed below, simply go to the link above to do a search for relevant information.

Total: 3,479,925
United States: 604,089
Brazil: 449,185
India: 303,751
Russia: 118,801
United Kingdom: 127,721
France: 108,596
Italy: 125,225
Spain: 79,620
Mexico: 221,647
Poland: 72,945
South Africa: 55,802
Indonesia: 49,455
Netherlands: 17,544
Canada: 25,231
Chile: 28,518
Belgium: 24,842
Philippines: 19,951
Japan : 12,312
Bolivia: 13,965
Papua New Guinea: 156

 

[rh2000]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1396880474866393089

 

[Mister Funsky]

This will be interesting...lots of data points on this going back to the end of October...

White House insists COVID-19 origins requires 'transparent' international investigation

The White House is continuing to call for a "transparent" international investigation into the origins of COVID-19, while maintaining that the Biden administration does not yet have enough data to draw a conclusion on the matter.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Monday was asked about a report in The Wall Street Journal over the weekend which suggested that several workers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology fell ill in mid-November 2019. The Journal, citing a previously undisclosed U.S. intelligence report, went further, saying the workers required hospital care for their illnesses, which caused symptoms consistent with COVID-19.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/worl...onal-investigation/ar-AAKkPrV?ocid=uxbndlbing

 

[Mister Funsky]

Current Covid19 death numbers as of 8:00 am EST are below, primarily from the source in the original post (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus). If your country of interest is not listed below, simply go to the link above to do a search for relevant information.

Total: 3,489,057
United States: 604,416
Brazil: 450,026
India: 307,249
Russia: 119,194
United Kingdom: 127,724
France: 108,658
Italy: 125,335
Spain: 79,711
Mexico: 221,695
Poland: 73,096
South Africa: 55,874
Indonesia: 49,627
Netherlands: 17,553
Canada: 25,265
Chile: 28,548
Belgium: 24,853
Philippines: 20,019
Japan : 12,398
Bolivia: 14,024
Papua New Guinea: 156

 

[J Sokol]

White House touts US reaching 50% adults fully vaccinated

(CNN)The White House on Tuesday touted the US reaching a new milestone when it comes to vaccinations, with 50% of adults becoming fully vaccinated, according to White House senior Covid-19 adviser Andy Slavitt.

"This is a major milestone in our country's vaccination efforts," Slavitt said during a White House briefing, noting only 1% of Americans were vaccinated when President Joe Biden entered office in January.
More than 130.6 million Americans are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as of Tuesday morning, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

More than 130.6 million Americans are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as of Tuesday morning, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/25/politics/half-of-americans-fully-vaccinated-covid/index.html

 

[Mister Funsky]

Current Covid19 death numbers as of 8:00 am EST are below, primarily from the source in the original post (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus). If your country of interest is not listed below, simply go to the link above to do a search for relevant information.

Total: 3,501,443
United States: 605,208
Brazil: 452,224
India: 311,421
Russia: 119,600
United Kingdom: 127,739
France: 108,879
Italy: 125,501
Spain: 79,801
Mexico: 221,960
Poland: 73,305
South Africa: 55,976
Indonesia: 49,771
Netherlands: 17,566
Canada: 25,324
Chile: 28,585
Belgium: 24,873
Philippines: 20,169
Japan : 12,497
Bolivia: 14,124
Papua New Guinea: 159

 

[Mister Funsky]

Current Covid19 death numbers as of 9:00 am EST are below, primarily from the source in the original post (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus). If your country of interest is not listed below, simply go to the link above to do a search for relevant information.

Total: 3,514,288
United States: 606,179
Brazil: 454,623
India: 315,263
Russia: 120,002
United Kingdom: 127,748
France: 109,023
Italy: 125,622
Spain: 79,855
Mexico: 222,232
Poland: 73,440
South Africa: 56,077
Indonesia: 49,907
Netherlands: 17,576
Canada: 25,361
Chile: 28,624
Belgium: 24,889
Philippines: 20,379
Japan : 12,601
Bolivia: 14,226
Papua New Guinea: 162

 

[Mister Funsky]

Biden orders US intel to further probe origins of COVID-19, raise 'questions for China'

President Joe Biden said Wednesday he is ordering U.S. intelligence agencies to "redouble their efforts" to investigate the origins of COVID-19, including "specific questions for China."

Biden said an initial report he asked for earlier this month on whether the virus came from human contact with an infected animal or from a lab incident in China was inconclusive, so he's asking for a second report in 90 days to "bring us closer to a definitive conclusion."


"As of today, the U.S. Intelligence Community has 'coalesced around two likely scenarios' but has not reached a definitive conclusion on this question," Biden said in a statement. "Here is their current position: 'while two elements in the IC leans toward the former scenario and one leans more toward the latter – each with low or moderate confidence – the majority of elements do not believe there is sufficient information to assess one to be more likely than the other.'"

Biden's directive is a significant change in how the White House is dealing with the theory the virus might have originated from the Wuhan Institute of Virology -- one elevated last year by former President Donald Trump, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other hawkish Republicans.

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/biden-orders-us-intel-probe-origins-covid-19/story?id=77919319

 

[Mister Funsky]

Current Covid19 death numbers as of 8:00 am EST are below, primarily from the source in the original post (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus). If your country of interest is not listed below, simply go to the link above to do a search for relevant information.

Total: 3,527,101
United States: 607,726
Brazil: 456,753
India: 318,895
Russia: 120,406
United Kingdom: 127,758
France: 109,165
Italy: 125,793
Spain: 79,888
Mexico: 222,657
Poland: 73,557
South Africa: 56,170
Indonesia: 50,100
Netherlands: 17,592
Canada: 25,411
Chile: 28,809
Belgium: 24,902
Philippines: 20,566
Japan : 12,714
Bolivia: 14,312
Papua New Guinea: 162

 

[Mister Funsky]

Looks like viewership has reduced a bit...things are getting better (for now) so I will likely post numbers every other day or so unless/until the variants start working their way through those without antibodies. I, like all of you, will likely travel and visit quite a bit over the next few months...may those vaccinated and unvaccinated have a happy, safe and healthy summer.

Current Covid19 death numbers as of 8:00 am EST are below, primarily from the source in the original post (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus). If your country of interest is not listed below, simply go to the link above to do a search for relevant information.

Total: 3,539,758
United States: 608,961
Brazil: 459,171
India: 322,512
Russia: 120,807
United Kingdom: 127,768
France: 109,290
Italy: 125,919
Spain: 79,905
Mexico: 223,068
Poland: 73,682
South Africa: 56,293
Indonesia: 50,262
Netherlands: 17,615
Canada: 25,440
Chile: 28,928
Belgium: 24,910
Philippines: 20,722
Japan : 12,819
Bolivia: 14,377
Papua New Guinea: 162

 

[J Sokol]

Vietnam discovers new hybrid Covid variant, state media reports

Vietnam has discovered a new Covid-19 variant which spreads quickly by air and is a combination of variants first identified in India and the UK, state media has reported.

The country is struggling to deal with fresh outbreaks across more than half of its territory including industrial zones and big cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...-new-hybrid-covid-variant-state-media-reports

 

[J Sokol]

The big problem with 'herd immunity'

(CNN)The United States reached a significant milestone this week: More than 50% of adults have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

This Memorial Day marks a threshold moment in the pandemic — and we should anticipate better days as the nation starts reopening. Most states have lifted mask mandates and capacity restrictions in response to rising vaccination rates, falling case counts and guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that deemed it safe for the majority of fully vaccinated people to take off their masks in most outdoor or indoor settings.

But in Mississippi, only 35% of adults are fully vaccinated. In Alabama, it's 37%. In Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wyoming, they're all at or under 43%.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/29/opinions/big-problem-with-herd-immunity-besser/index.html

 

[Mister Funsky]

Current Covid19 death numbers as of 9:00 am EST are below, primarily from the source in the original post (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus). If your country of interest is not listed below, simply go to the link above to do a search for relevant information.

Total: 3,550,234
United States: 609,421
Brazil: 461,142
India: 325,998
Russia: 121,162
United Kingdom: 127,775
France: 109,358
Italy: 126,002
Spain: 79,905
Mexico: 223,455
Poland: 73,738
South Africa: 56,363
Indonesia: 50,404
Netherlands: 17,615
Canada: 25,478
Chile: 29,047
Belgium: 24,921
Philippines: 20,860
Japan : 12,920
Bolivia: 14,435
Papua New Guinea: 162

 

[J Sokol]

Looks like viewership has reduced a bit...things are getting better (for now) so I will likely post numbers every other day or so unless/until the variants start working their way through those without antibodies. I, like all of you, will likely travel and visit quite a bit over the next few months...may those vaccinated and unvaccinated have a happy, safe and healthy summer.

A year ago it didn't possible that we'd be in such a hopeful place by now. Thanks @Mister Funsky for keeping the thread going through all the difficult days and months. Safe travels and good health to you as well.

 

[Mister Funsky]

Current Covid19 death numbers as of 9:00 am EST are below, primarily from the source in the original post (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus). If your country of interest is not listed below, simply go to the link above to do a search for relevant information.

Total: 3,566,563
United States: 609,767
Brazil: 462,966
India: 331,909
Russia: 121,873
United Kingdom: 127,782
France: 109,528
Italy: 126,128
Spain: 79,953
Mexico: 223,568
Poland: 73,856
South Africa: 56,506
Indonesia: 50,723
Netherlands: 17,623
Canada: 25,547
Chile: 29,300
Belgium: 24,955
Philippines: 21,012
Japan : 13,048
Bolivia: 14,524
Papua New Guinea: 162

 

[Mister Funsky]

A year ago it didn't possible that we'd be in such a hopeful place by now. Thanks @Mister Funsky for keeping the thread going through all the difficult days and months. Safe travels and good health to you as well.

Thank you too! Your posts and contributions to the thread were, and are, much appreciated. I'm afraid the reality is this subject may have a while to go before it becomes mute. The Vietnam variant shows how the virus can mutate...it will either mutate to become stronger/deadlier or it will mutate away. In the meantime, I will keep a copy of my vax card and travel as much as financially possible. I would love to visit London and pretty much anywhere in Australia but will start with a visit to somewhere that has an In-n-Out Burger store!

 

[J Sokol]

Now proven against coronavirus, mRNA can do so much more

The messenger RNA, or mRNA, platform may be new to the global public, but it's a technology that researchers had been betting on for decades. Now those bets are paying off, and not just by turning back a pandemic that killed millions in just a year.

This approach that led to remarkably safe and effective vaccines against a new virus is also showing promise against old enemies such as HIV, and infections that threaten babies and young children, such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and metapneumovirus. It's being tested as a treatment for cancers, including melanoma and brain tumors. It might offer a new way to treat autoimmune diseases. And it's also being checked out as a possible alternative to gene therapy for intractable conditions such as sickle cell disease.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/01/health/mrna-vaccines-covid-future/index.html

 

[J Sokol]

The Plague Year: America in the Time of Covid review – a devastating analysis

It has become an embarrassingly well known fact that in the 2019 Global Health Security Index, the US was ranked No 1 in the world for preparedness for a pandemic (the UK, almost as embarrassingly, was No 2). Exactly how the US became the worst affected country in the world – more than 590,000 Americans have so far died from Covid – is now the subject of much finger-pointing debate.

Recently, Michael Lewis’s Premonition looked at a group of people in public health in the US who warned of what was coming but were ignored. Lawrence Wright, who is a master of knitting together complex narratives, takes a much broader view of the proceedings in The Plague Year.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2...e-time-of-covid-review-a-devastating-analysis

I highlighted Micheal Lewis' name because tragically his 19-year-old daughter was killed in a car accident over the weekend.

 

[Mister Funsky]

Déjà vu

China reports first known human case of H10N3 bird flu

A man in China caught the first case of H10N3 bird flu ever reported in a human, China's National Health Commission (NHC) announced Tuesday (June 1).

The H10N3 strain of avian influenza normally causes mild disease in birds, and until now, no cases of the viral infection had been reported in humans, according to a statement on the NHC website, as translated by Reuters. But on April 23, a 41-year-old man in the city of Zhenjiang developed a fever that progressed over the following days, and on April 28, he went to a local hospital for treatment.

(Although H10N3 only causes mild disease in its natural hosts, that may not hold true when the strain jumps to people.)

On May 28, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CCDC) performed a genetic analysis on specimens from the infected man and determined he was infected with H10N3, according to the statement. The CCDC then monitored the surrounding province of Jiangsu for additional cases of infection and specifically sought out the man's close contacts, but they discovered no additional cases. The man is now in stable condition and ready for discharge from the hospital, the statement notes.

https://www.livescience.com/first-human-case-bird-flu-h10n3.html

 

[J Sokol]

China reports first known human case of H10N3 bird flu

Hopefully we'll be better prepared this time ... and we all already have our masks and hand sanitizer.

 

[J Sokol]

‘Waiting to happen’: the California region where masks are taboo – and cases are rising

Rural northern California is seeing a troubling rise in Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations, an alarming trend that comes as residents and businesses continue to protest against safety measures and vaccinations – with one Mendocino cafe threatening to charge customers $5 for wearing a mask.

While the region makes up a small proportion of the state’s population, the growth in its caseload has been considerable, and comes at a time when the state overall is enjoying some of the lowest rates of Covid in the country. After largely avoiding the worst of the pandemic, a block of far northern California counties now leads the state with nearly 40 cases per 100,000 residents over the past week, according to statistics maintained by the Los Angeles Times. Tehama county ranked the highest in the LA Times case ratings with 139 cases per 100,000 residents. Meanwhile 10 of the 21 total Covid deaths in nearby Siskiyou county have occurred since the beginning of May.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/02/covid-cases-northern-california

 

[Mister Funsky]

Current Covid19 death numbers as of 8:00 am EST are below, primarily from the source in the original post (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus). If your country of interest is not listed below, simply go to the link above to do a search for relevant information.

I've added Peru to the list now that they have revised their numbers that many knew were underreported. They now have the sad distinction of having the highest percentage of death due to covid.

Total: 3,708,334
United States: 611,020
Brazil: 467,706
India: 338,013
Russia: 122,660
United Kingdom: 127,794
France: 109,758
Italy: 126,283
Spain: 79,953
Mexico: 228,146
Poland: 74,075
South Africa: 56,711
Indonesia: 51,095
Netherlands: 17,644
Canada: 25,612
Chile: 29,385
Belgium: 24,982
Philippines: 21,357
Japan : 13,245
Bolivia: 14,732
Papua New Guinea: 162
Peru: 184,942

 

[Mister Funsky]

Current Covid19 death numbers as of 8:00 am EST are below, primarily from the source in the original post (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus). If your country of interest is not listed below, simply go to the link above to do a search for relevant information.

Total: 3,729,250
United States: 612,240
Brazil: 470,968
India: 344,101
Russia: 123,436
United Kingdom: 127,823
France: 109,916
Italy: 126,415
Spain: 80,196
Mexico: 228,568
Poland: 74,139
South Africa: 56,832
Indonesia: 51,449
Netherlands: 17,666
Canada: 25,679
Chile: 29,696
Belgium: 25,014
Philippines: 21,732
Japan : 13,449
Bolivia: 14,900
Papua New Guinea: 164
Peru: 185,813