There are now over 4 million global cases. The US has over 1.3 million cases. Cases have grown by almost 30,000 in the US since yesterday, with over 1,600 deaths in that period as well. There have been over 275,000 deaths across the globe.
Some good news–we may be producing a decently protective immune response:
There had been concern that people with mild or asymptomatic cases of Covid-19 might not produce antibodies. Good news: New research suggests that most everyone does make antibodies, and at levels likely to confer some immunity. https://t.co/PnDPwIOt0G
— NYT Science (@NYTScience) May 7, 2020
Has Plandemic made the rounds on your social media feeds? Here’s a calm, concrete takedown of why Plandemic is total and utter nonsense:
Secret shopping reveals both business owners and shoppers are afraid. 96% of businesses were non-compliant with recommended (and mandated) safety practices. A large amount of data went into the analysis. These folks did a huge amount of work. Over 1,000 businesses were scrutinized.
There are large partisan divisions in people’s opinion of opening back up. Nearly 2/3 of those polled viewed it as risky. Many poll takers were also weary of vaccination.
Hospitalizations are rising in Florida again, as is the positivity rate. These are not great trends:
In Florida, hospitalization rates for covid19 have risen in recent days, while the positivity rate has also increased. The trend line for new cases has been downward for the past few weeks, but in recent days has started to tick up. pic.twitter.com/1E6mUXAUTZ
— Scott Gottlieb, MD (@ScottGottliebMD) May 8, 2020
The unemployment rate has risen to almost 15%. There have been 33 million unemployment claims in the last 7 weeks. Drops in local tax revenues could cause layoffs in the public service arena, creating a downward economic spiral. More economic stimulus programs are going to have to be initiated.
A member of Pence’s staff is also positive for the pandemic virus. Katie Miller, the wife of Stephen Miller, has had known contact with many members of the press and potentially many in the West Wing. The White House is now asking staffers to wear masks. Better late than never.
Vitamin D might play a protective role against COVID-19. There’s a strong correlation between vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19 mortality. Correlation does not mean causation, but it’s certainly something to pay attention to. More study is needed.
Are Nashville health officials giving the names of COVID-19 positive patients to law enforcement? The governor says this will help keep law enforcement officers safe. I say this is massively dystopian and potentially a violation of federal health privacy laws as many of these patients have had no contact with law enforcement at all. Blanket transmission of personal health data with no benefit to the patient seems to flaunt the law. Health and privacy law experts are sure to weigh in.
