Tag: COVID-19

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CDC Updates Guidance On Retesting & Immunity

New York state is about to drop its face mask mandate as COVID-19 cases continue to drop in the Empire State.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have updated guidance regarding those who have recovered from COVID-19 saying they do not need to be re-tested for the virus for three months after their infection barring they’re asymptomatic. From KTNV:

The refreshed guidance suggests that the CDC expects those with previous coronavirus infections are unable to spread the virus for three months.

“People who have tested positive for COVID-19 do not need to quarantine or get tested again for up to 3 months as long as they do not develop symptoms again,” the guidance says. “People who develop symptoms again within 3 months of their first bout of COVID-19 may need to be tested again if there is no other cause identified for their symptoms.”

In a statement to CNN, the CDC clarified that does not automatically mean someone is immune for three months.

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Campaign Ad: Biden Calls For More Decisive Action Against COVID-19

In a new campaign ad, former Vice President Joe Biden calls out Donald Trump’s failure to lead in the COVID-19 pandemic and says he would ask governors across the nation to support mandates to wear face masks. “We’re seeing it again: the virus spreading out of control,” begins the narration of the 30-second spot. “The president once again failing to act.” The ad announces that Biden is prepared to “take action now,” which would include “expanding testing, calling for mask mandates nationwide, starting immediately, and producing more protective gear here at home.” “Fighting this virus and rebuilding our economy will take a president who’s ready to lead.” Y’all – just wear the damn mask. It costs you nothing.

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News Round-Up: August 11, 2020

Garrett Magee and his big…rooster on Bravo’s ‘Backyard Envy’
Some news stories you might have missed: • InstaHunks: Don’t miss Garrett Magee (above) and company in a new episode of Backyard Envy tonight. Garrett says “tune in for gardening tips, drama, and a big 🐓.” • Out: A 57-year-old man was disowned by his 90-year-old father after the dad discovered his son was gay. “It’s about this homosexuality,” McPherson recalled his father saying. “Your mother and I can’t condone that. You are not to contact us in any way ever again.” • Instinct Magazine: A gay man was denied entry to an Arkansas casino because he was carrying a bag the resort deemed a “purse.” Y’all, it wasn’t that big AND it was Louis Vuitton. They should welcome the guy – he has money to spend. • Tampa Bay Times: Florida logged a new record for the most coronavirus deaths announced in a day with 277 on Tuesday. Tuesday’s record brought the statewide death toll to 8,685 people, according to the Florida Department of Health. #SoMuchWinning • Edge Media: A British heterosexual couple was sentenced in connection with a plot to blackmail a husband and father who had been “struggling” with his sexuality. After extorting over £5,000, the victim went to the police. • Out Music: A new artist to me, London based pop singer Le Fil, drops his latest single and music video, “Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is.” The upbeat, colorful video pairs well with the catchy hook and 60s-inspired harmonies.

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Russia Approves COVID-19 Vaccine Without Phase 3 Trials

(image via Unsplash)
Well, this would make me uncomfortable… From ABC News:

Russia on Tuesday became the first country to clear a coronavirus vaccine and declare it ready for use, despite international skepticism. President Vladimir Putin said that one of his daughters has already been inoculated.

Putin emphasized that the vaccine underwent the necessary tests and has proven efficient, offering lasting immunity from the coronavirus.

However, scientists at home and abroad have been sounding the alarm that the rush to start using the vaccine before Phase 3 trials — which normally last for months and involve thousands of people — could backfire.

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New Zealand: Zero New Cases Of COVID-19 In Over 100 Days

New Zealand (image via Google Maps)
Axios reports New Zealand has gone more than 100 days with zero new cases of COVID-19 coming from a local source. With an election coming up in September, the current prime minister sees her government’s response as a selling point for reelection.

New Zealanders are going to the polls on Sept. 19. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been widely praised for her leadership that saw NZ lock down hard for several weeks before all domestic restrictions were lifted in June. She sees her government’s response to and recovery from the coronavirus outbreak as key to her Labour Party being re-elected.

By the numbers: New Zealand has 23 active coronavirus cases. All are NZ residents newly returned from abroad, who are staying in managed isolation facilities.

The border remains closed to non-residents and all newly returned Kiwis must undergo a two-week isolation program managed by the country’s defense force. All travelers tested three times before they leave.

Police are stationed outside hotels where travelers are in quarantine.

At this writing, New Zealand (population just over 5 million) has had 1,569 confirmed cases and only 22 deaths from COVID-19. New Zealand’s number of confirmed cases translates to 315 per million people versus 15,366 cases in the U.S. per million citizens.

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Snapshot: First Flight Since Pandemic Began

My hubby Michael had to travel on a business trip yesterday from Nevada to California. My understanding has been that most major airlines require a face mask to board planes. But when Michael got settled, the traveler on the other end of his row was clearly not wearing a mask. And then there’s the personal wine bottle she somehow got on-board…? I hear that was confiscated later.  I reached out to the airline (who I won’t shame here) on Twitter via DM and they responded immediately. At some point in the flight, the woman did don a mask (kinda sorta) but wasn’t wearing it correctly. Just a snapshot of what’s happening out there in the world these days.

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Florida Hits New Record For Weekly COVID-19 Hospitalizations

Florida ends the week hitting a new record for weekly reported hospitalizations due to COVID-19. From the Orlando Sentinel:

From Sunday to Sunday, the state saw 3,355 hospitalizations, a new record for COVID-19 admissions in one week. In the span of five days alone — Tuesday to Saturday — the state reported more than 500 new hospitalizations per day, including a high of 621 on Wednesday.

To date, 30,505 people have been hospitalized in Florida, the state’s COVID-19 dashboard shows, up 254 more than a day earlier.

From June through mid-July in Florida, there were 207 new hospitalizations a day on average. That has spiked to a daily average of 447 since mid-July.

To date, 8,186 people have died in the Sunshine State from COVID-19.

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Trump Says Vaccine Could Be Ready By Election Day, Experts Disagree

Donald Trump (screen capture)
Donald Trump said Thursday that he believes a vaccine for COVID-19 could be ready before Election Day. The medical experts disagree. From NBC News:

When asked on Geraldo Rivera’s radio show if a vaccine could be ready by Nov. 3, Trump said, “I think in some cases, yes, possible before, but right around that time.”

“We have great companies, great. These are the greatest companies of the world,” Trump said. “And the rest of the world is also doing vaccines, so let’s see how they do. I’m all for them, whoever comes up with them.”

Experts say the development, testing and production of a vaccine for the public is still months away, and it would take a medical miracle for one to be available this year, much less before Election Day.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious diseases official, said in an interview with Reuters on Wednesday that vaccine doses could be available in 2021, a more sober timeline than Trump offered.