AD1184
Celestial
https://harvardmagazine.com/2011/01...pptIUhjcpNwV4KHCnprNv1fkiZ9bAVTU-p7ZMdB1IHLho
Lieber's research is only superficially relevant to this subject. When you look a little deeper, you see that it is not really relevant. SARS-Cov-2 is a coronavirus, not a nano-machine.
https://www.nbcboston.com/news/coro...Hc6fssKx2LQJN62MPmG_7yxkstQJmcU943zhIDM3wHw-8
This Chinese employee was a biostatistician, you might want to point out, not a lab worker. This story also does not have any bearing on anything else you mention.
http://investors.biogen.com/news-re...7YkA41_5y7O9sFiGyAMGbTCaavH1LKuggsi9xJTvx7a8s
The original source for the quote according to that article is this article:
Concerns raised in Mass. life sciences sector about US crackdown on China - The Boston Globe
Hotlzman is a former executive of Biogen. And the reason he was approached for comment by the Boston Globe is likely revealed by the story about the Biogen employee who took antipyretic medicine before flying to China: he used to be an executive for a scientific firm in the Boston area which employs Chinese nationals. The article itself is about the chilling effect US government crackdowns are having on ties between US and Chinese researchers.
Biogen is a pharmaceutical company specializing in developing treatments for neurological diseases. I do not see how their expertise is relevant to the genetic engineering of a virus. Being based in the Boston area, it is not surprising that some of its researchers also hold academic positions at Harvard. There is no demonstrated link to Lieber.
AD1184
Celestial
Is Japan having a second wave, or a delayed first wave? Japan seemed to have been sweeping the problem under the carpet for a long time and avoiding a major epidemic by luck, taking very little in the way of decisive measures to deal with the virus.
AD1184
Celestial
The EuroMOMO project data has had its weekly update today (a Thursday).
It shows a clear peak in all-cause mortality for participating European countries that was a record for the time of year. It is a very sharp peak, but it now appears that we are on the other side of it, unless the downward turn is an artefact of how the data is gathered.
It shows a clear peak in all-cause mortality for participating European countries that was a record for the time of year. It is a very sharp peak, but it now appears that we are on the other side of it, unless the downward turn is an artefact of how the data is gathered.
nivek
As Above So Below
They had better make sure without a doubt that no astronaut goes up there carrying the virus, we have no way of treating them in the ISS, or do we?...
...
Coronavirus threat on International Space Station after Russian official present at cosmonaut launch tests positive for Covid-19
Concerns circulate whether crew aboard the International Space Station could have been infected with coronavirus prior to a launch, after a senior Russian official present tested positive.
Deputy head of Energia Rocket and Space Corporation Evgeniy Mikrin tested positive for the virus following his attendance of the launch of the Soyuz MS-16, at Baikonur Cosmodrome , southern Kazakhstan, on April 9.
Mikrin, 64, also chief designer, shared a three-hour flight beforehand with the head of Russia's State Corporation for Space Activities (Roscosmos), who later broke social distancing by standing too close to the astronauts.
The crew aboard the Soyuz MS-16 include two Russian cosmonauts and one American astronaut.
(more on the link)
.
...
Coronavirus threat on International Space Station after Russian official present at cosmonaut launch tests positive for Covid-19
Concerns circulate whether crew aboard the International Space Station could have been infected with coronavirus prior to a launch, after a senior Russian official present tested positive.
Deputy head of Energia Rocket and Space Corporation Evgeniy Mikrin tested positive for the virus following his attendance of the launch of the Soyuz MS-16, at Baikonur Cosmodrome , southern Kazakhstan, on April 9.
Mikrin, 64, also chief designer, shared a three-hour flight beforehand with the head of Russia's State Corporation for Space Activities (Roscosmos), who later broke social distancing by standing too close to the astronauts.
The crew aboard the Soyuz MS-16 include two Russian cosmonauts and one American astronaut.
(more on the link)
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I'm using the CDC data because they post the tallies on a regular 24-hour basis. Worldometer just constantly updates, so it's hard to know what their numbers actually mean on a daily basis.
Here are the daily increases in the US since April 1st from the CDC data:
26135
37926
27621
26065
43438
20682
32449
31705
33251
33288
29145
24156
26385
27158
It's troubling that we seem to be stuck at an increase of ~100K cases every 4 days. Each day, that represents a lower percentile increase over the previous day, since the total number keeps increasing. So that means that our efforts are working. They're just not working quite well enough, because that total number of active cases needs to stop growing every goddamn day, so we can all take a breath for a change and see the other side of this coming down the pike.
pepe
Celestial
pepe
Celestial
Yeah and the rest.
If they think this will do them any favours then once again they have misjudged the sino sceptic world view that has come to the forefront.
Why I link this to the German's sense of humour and how they just don't get funny like we do is a strange one but there it is.
China virus epicentre Wuhan raises death toll 50%
If they think this will do them any favours then once again they have misjudged the sino sceptic world view that has come to the forefront.
Why I link this to the German's sense of humour and how they just don't get funny like we do is a strange one but there it is.
China virus epicentre Wuhan raises death toll 50%
AD1184
Celestial
Public Health England has started to add some new features to its Covid-19 data dashboard (Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the UK).
They are producing daily tables of new case counts for dates back to he 15th of March. I copied these tables for yesterday's release, and the day before. Here is a comparison:
At far right is a difference of the 16th's data and the 15th's data. Where cases have been added on a day, they are in black, and where cases have been taken away from a day's total they are in red. The sum of additions to earlier specimen dates amounts to more than 3,000. So getting up-to-the-minute data on what the rate of new infections is is complicated.
It is apparently the case that the death data also have similar adjustments done to them (although the data for the 16th and 15th do not show an retroactive adjustment), and the lazy media's announcements that daily new death tolls reflect 'the number of people who have died in the past 24 hours' or 'the number of people who have died in hospital in the past 24 hours' should not be accepted at face value.
They are producing daily tables of new case counts for dates back to he 15th of March. I copied these tables for yesterday's release, and the day before. Here is a comparison:
At far right is a difference of the 16th's data and the 15th's data. Where cases have been added on a day, they are in black, and where cases have been taken away from a day's total they are in red. The sum of additions to earlier specimen dates amounts to more than 3,000. So getting up-to-the-minute data on what the rate of new infections is is complicated.
It is apparently the case that the death data also have similar adjustments done to them (although the data for the 16th and 15th do not show an retroactive adjustment), and the lazy media's announcements that daily new death tolls reflect 'the number of people who have died in the past 24 hours' or 'the number of people who have died in hospital in the past 24 hours' should not be accepted at face value.
Last edited:
baleeber
Adept
I'm sure that's what "THEY" want you to believe. You're not ... you're not one of "THEM" are you? Not that you'd admit it! I'm watching you!
Joking aside, of course you're right. It was terribly tenuous at best, but I thought it unusual that a "Chemical Biologist" was arrested having links to both Wuhan, Chinese military spies, smuggling biological samples.
baleeber
Adept
Oh, Japan was definitely sweeping it under the rug, and still is. Even after the nationwide "state of emergency" I didn't see a difference this morning. I'm not sure people are taking this seriously, I'm worried we're going to take a REAL hit.
The news characterized this as a "second wave", but you make a good point. It does seem more like a delayed first wave. I think what we thought was the first wave was just a taste. We may end up seeing really bad numbers soon.
However, it does SEEM like COVID-19 is an illness that just keeps charging in, backing off, charging in, backing off, each time taking more ground. You see it in the progress of the illness in individuals (who report getting sick, feeling better, then getting sicker, repeat) and in the progress of the illness in cities, where it smashes in, then seems to back off, but then comes rushing right back once you think things are getting better.
nivek
As Above So Below
As if China hasn't done enough damage...
...
China is 'not allowing US companies to ship millions of surgical masks and coronavirus test kits' back to the States
China is not allowing American companies with factories in the country to ship desperately needed medical items like masks, gowns, and coronavirus test kits back to the US, it has been reported.
American companies operating in China are unable to import the critically needed supplies back to the states because the government in Beijing needs those high-quality items for their own efforts to stamp out the pandemic.
China imposed export restrictions on American companies with products that have long been approved by the Food and Drug Administration because they are superior in quality to the masks, gowns, and other personal protective items made by domestic Chinese firms.
The State Department and several US-based businesses told The Wall Street Journal on Thursday that millions of test kits are stranded in warehouses in China, which has so far refused to clear them for export back to the US.
The kits are currently stranded in its factory in the Chinese city of Suzhou after the central government in Beijing imposed export restrictions requiring new certification procedures, according to the Journal.
According to PerkinElmer’s web site, the company has developed a ‘real-time’ test kit.
The company told the Journal that it is working with authorities in Beijing to clear the test kits for export.
Another US-based firm, 3M, is also having difficulty getting clearance from Beijing to ship urgently needed N-95 respirator masks, which are in short supply among hospital staff around the country.
.
...
China is 'not allowing US companies to ship millions of surgical masks and coronavirus test kits' back to the States
China is not allowing American companies with factories in the country to ship desperately needed medical items like masks, gowns, and coronavirus test kits back to the US, it has been reported.
American companies operating in China are unable to import the critically needed supplies back to the states because the government in Beijing needs those high-quality items for their own efforts to stamp out the pandemic.
China imposed export restrictions on American companies with products that have long been approved by the Food and Drug Administration because they are superior in quality to the masks, gowns, and other personal protective items made by domestic Chinese firms.
The State Department and several US-based businesses told The Wall Street Journal on Thursday that millions of test kits are stranded in warehouses in China, which has so far refused to clear them for export back to the US.
The kits are currently stranded in its factory in the Chinese city of Suzhou after the central government in Beijing imposed export restrictions requiring new certification procedures, according to the Journal.
According to PerkinElmer’s web site, the company has developed a ‘real-time’ test kit.
The company told the Journal that it is working with authorities in Beijing to clear the test kits for export.
Another US-based firm, 3M, is also having difficulty getting clearance from Beijing to ship urgently needed N-95 respirator masks, which are in short supply among hospital staff around the country.
.
Dejan Corovic
As above, so bellow
This medication shows some promise, although trial is still going on
Gilead's remdesivir looks promising in leaked early results, but don't jump to conclusions: analyst
Gilead's remdesivir looks promising in leaked early results, but don't jump to conclusions: analyst
nivek
As Above So Below
I'm really glad to hear that the remdesivir results for severe cases will be in at the end of this month, and the results for moderate cases will be in at the end of May. The leaked indications do look hopeful, but frankly I'm skeptical about the overall efficacy: it's one thing to have a helpful treatment...it's another thing entirely to have a cure. If remdesivir cuts the mortalities in half - that's great...but it won't let us lift the behavioral restrictions. And it may have significant risks; I worry that the RNA transcription interference that makes remdesivir work, could also impair normal and essential transcription processes in cells. A blanket approach like this just sounds a little too good to be true.
I'm more encouraged by the synthetic antibodies that Distributed Bio has developed to bind specifically to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. If that works without killing people (and it certainly looks like a safe and logical approach), then it would cure the patient very quickly and provide significant immunity for at least a few weeks, maybe longer. But we could all get booster shots as required until this is all over.
It's a race. The question is: can we develop an effective treatment before global civilization completely collapses under this crisis? Can we really hold it together for 18-24 months with many millions of people out of work, while science marches forward? I guess we'll find out the hard way. But this seems like the type of crisis that could topple our entire global economic system, because the whole thing has been a house of cards for decades...and exporting nearly all of our industrial infrastructure to Communist China was a grave strategic error that was sure to bite us on the nuts sooner or later.
nivek
As Above So Below
There's a PLC supply company that I sometimes purchase components from when at work and today I got an email from them stating they have hospital masks for sale, 99 dollars for a box of 50 count...
...
nivek
As Above So Below
There is 'no evidence' that people who have survived coronavirus have immunity - WHO warns - after Britain 'paid £16m' for two million antibody tests from China that DON'T WORK
There is currently no evidence to support the belief that people who have recovered from coronavirus are immune to catching the virus again, the World Health Organisation has said. Senior WHO epidemiologists warned despite the hopes governments across the world have piled on antibody tests, there is no proof those who have been infected cannot be infected again.
The British Government has bought 3.5 million serology tests, which measure levels of antibodies in blood plasma, even though they are not definitive of growing levels of herd immunity. Many tests being developed are pin prick blood tests similar to widely used instant HIV tests and measure for raised levels of the antibodies the body uses to fight the virus.
Speaking at a press conference in Geneva, Dr Maria van Kerkhove said: 'There are a lot of countries that are suggesting using rapid diagnostic serological tests to be able to capture what they think will be a measure of immunity. 'Right now, we have no evidence that the use of a serological test can show that an individual has immunity or is protected from reinfection.' She added: 'These antibody tests will be able to measure that level of seroprevalence - that level of antibodies but that does not mean that somebody with antibodies means that they are immune.'
.
There is currently no evidence to support the belief that people who have recovered from coronavirus are immune to catching the virus again, the World Health Organisation has said. Senior WHO epidemiologists warned despite the hopes governments across the world have piled on antibody tests, there is no proof those who have been infected cannot be infected again.
The British Government has bought 3.5 million serology tests, which measure levels of antibodies in blood plasma, even though they are not definitive of growing levels of herd immunity. Many tests being developed are pin prick blood tests similar to widely used instant HIV tests and measure for raised levels of the antibodies the body uses to fight the virus.
Speaking at a press conference in Geneva, Dr Maria van Kerkhove said: 'There are a lot of countries that are suggesting using rapid diagnostic serological tests to be able to capture what they think will be a measure of immunity. 'Right now, we have no evidence that the use of a serological test can show that an individual has immunity or is protected from reinfection.' She added: 'These antibody tests will be able to measure that level of seroprevalence - that level of antibodies but that does not mean that somebody with antibodies means that they are immune.'
.
nivek
As Above So Below
THREE MILLION people could die from coronavirus in Africa unless the spread is contained, UN report warns - as WHO officials say the continent could be the next COVID-19 epicentre
The UN report warns that if Africa does not implement measures to prevent the spread of the virus then total infections could spiral out of control and reach 1.2 billion.
A separate study from a team of international researchers has found that more than 16million Africans will likely be infected by the end of June. Their own mathematical model predicts more than 20,000 people on the continent will lose their lives to COVID-19 during the next 10 weeks alone. However, the scientists warn these figures are highly uncertain. They say that the true figure for total infection numbers in Africa by the end of June 2020 could well be as low as 2.7million or as high as 98.4million, depending on how the continent responds to the outbreak.
The first confirmed COVID-19 case in Africa was reported in Egypt on February 14 and since then there have been more than 18,000 confirmed cases. Algeria has the most COVID-19 related deaths in Africa with 348, with Egypt, Morocco and South Africa the next hardest hit countries. Pictured: Current death toll for Africa (main); Mourners attend the funeral of covid-19 victim Benedict Somi Vilakasi in Johannesburg, South Africa (top right); Municipal workers in Bab el-Oued district of Algeria's capital Algiers (bottom right).
The UN report warns that if Africa does not implement measures to prevent the spread of the virus then total infections could spiral out of control and reach 1.2 billion.
A separate study from a team of international researchers has found that more than 16million Africans will likely be infected by the end of June. Their own mathematical model predicts more than 20,000 people on the continent will lose their lives to COVID-19 during the next 10 weeks alone. However, the scientists warn these figures are highly uncertain. They say that the true figure for total infection numbers in Africa by the end of June 2020 could well be as low as 2.7million or as high as 98.4million, depending on how the continent responds to the outbreak.
The first confirmed COVID-19 case in Africa was reported in Egypt on February 14 and since then there have been more than 18,000 confirmed cases. Algeria has the most COVID-19 related deaths in Africa with 348, with Egypt, Morocco and South Africa the next hardest hit countries. Pictured: Current death toll for Africa (main); Mourners attend the funeral of covid-19 victim Benedict Somi Vilakasi in Johannesburg, South Africa (top right); Municipal workers in Bab el-Oued district of Algeria's capital Algiers (bottom right).