COVID-19 News and Discussions

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Drop in Life Expectancy 'Speaks Volumes' About How U.S. Handled Covid
by Jessica Corbett
April 8, 2022

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2022/ ... vid-expert

Introduction:

(Common Dreams) Just over a month into year three of the Covid-19 pandemic, research revealed Thursday that life expectancy in the United States declined again in 2021—which followed a well-documented drop in 2020 and contrasted a recovery trend in other high-income countries.

"The life expectancy gap between the United States and its peer income countries is now over five years, which is an incredible gap."
The paper, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, shows that U.S. life expectancy fell from 78.86 years in 2019 to 76.99 years in 2020 and 76.60 years in 2021, a net loss of 2.26 years.

The study comes as progressives in Congress continue to fight for Medicare for All legislation to replace the U.S. for-profit healthcare system—one in which 112 million adults struggle to afford care, according to Gallup and West Health.

The research also comes just days after a Poor People's Campaign analysis exposed how the public health crisis was twice as deadly in poor counties as in wealthy ones and "exacerbated preexisting social and economic disparities that have long festered in the U.S."

Johns Hopkins University's case tracker reported that as of Thursday afternoon, Covid-19 had claimed 984,571 lives across the United States, or nearly 16% of the more than six million deaths globally.

[weatheriscool]

Drop in Life Expectancy 'Speaks Volumes' About How U.S. Handled Covid
by Jessica Corbett
April 8, 2022

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2022/ ... vid-expert

Introduction:

(Common Dreams) Just over a month into year three of the Covid-19 pandemic, research revealed Thursday that life expectancy in the United States declined again in 2021—which followed a well-documented drop in 2020 and contrasted a recovery trend in other high-income countries.

"The life expectancy gap between the United States and its peer income countries is now over five years, which is an incredible gap."
The paper, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, shows that U.S. life expectancy fell from 78.86 years in 2019 to 76.99 years in 2020 and 76.60 years in 2021, a net loss of 2.26 years.

The study comes as progressives in Congress continue to fight for Medicare for All legislation to replace the U.S. for-profit healthcare system—one in which 112 million adults struggle to afford care, according to Gallup and West Health.

The research also comes just days after a Poor People's Campaign analysis exposed how the public health crisis was twice as deadly in poor counties as in wealthy ones and "exacerbated preexisting social and economic disparities that have long festered in the U.S."

Johns Hopkins University's case tracker reported that as of Thursday afternoon, Covid-19 had claimed 984,571 lives across the United States, or nearly 16% of the more than six million deaths globally.

I think it is far more complex then just covid. The poverty that we see in our cities is a good sign that people simply aint able to pay anymore and standards in general are dropping. It is really sad.

[raklian]

[wjfox]

[caltrek]

Drop in Life Expectancy 'Speaks Volumes' About How U.S. Handled Covid
by Jessica Corbett
April 8, 2022

...

I think it is far more complex then just covid. The poverty that we see in our cities is a good sign that people simply aint able to pay anymore and standards in general are dropping. It is really sad.

It is far more complex than just Covid, or even just economics. Case in point:

Study Shows Smoking Increased in Those Trying to Quit During COVID-19
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/949387
April 11, 2022


Introduction:

(Florida Atlantic University via EurekAlert) While smoking rates have declined dramatically in the United States, there are still 35 million smokers. There are few data about whether, and if so, how current cigarette smoking habits among those trying to quit are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Charles H. Hennekens, M.D., Dr.PH., senior author, first Sir Richard Doll Professor of Medicine and senior academic adviser to the dean at Florida Atlantic University’s Schmidt College of Medicine and collaborators from Baylor College of Medicine, examined changes to smoking habits and correlates of increases and decreases during the COVID-19 pandemic among participants enrolled in a tobacco cessation and lung cancer screening program.

Between June and October 2020, they conducted a cross-sectional survey of a program participant sample. The survey consisted of three parts: changes in tobacco use; impact and coping strategies; and COVID-19 exposure and use of protective measures. Demographic variables included age, sex, race/ethnicity and marital status.

Results, published in the Ochsner Journal, showed statistically significant and potentially clinically important differences between those who increased and decreased tobacco use during the pandemic. Among current smokers, 28.2 percent reported increased tobacco use, 17.3 percent reported decreased tobacco use and 54.5 percent reported no change. In addition, there were no reports of relapse among former smokers.

Researchers found correlates of increased tobacco use related to coping strategies and mental health such as high uncertainty about the future, loneliness as a result of social distancing, anger or frustration with how the pandemic has disrupted daily life, boredom because of being unable to work or engage in regular daily activities/ routines, desire to cope using alcohol or drugs, sadness or feelings of hopelessness and worry or fear about challenges to securing basic needs such as groceries or medication.

[wjfox]

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^^^Let Freedumb Ring.

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Note that below is referenced a business announcement, not a peer reviewed study.

RedHill Reports Potent Inhibition of Omicron with Oral COVID-19 Drug Candidate Opaganib in Vitro
by April 11, 2022

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/949386

Introduction:

(RedHill via EurekAlert) TEL AVIV, Israel and RALEIGH, NC, April 11, 2022, RedHill Biopharma Ltd. (Nasdaq: RDHL) (“RedHill” or the “Company”), a specialty biopharmaceutical company, today announced study results in which opaganib (ABC294640), a leading oral drug candidate for hospitalized patients with moderate to severe COVID-19, was observed to have potent in vitro efficacy against the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant, while maintaining host cell viability. Based on the new and previously announced data, opaganib’s unique human host-targeted, dual antiviral and anti-inflammatory suggested mechanism is expected to act independently of viral spike protein mutations and remain effective against Omicron sub-variants BA.2, XE and other emerging and future variants.

Work on testing opaganib against Omicron was conducted by the Centre for Immunology and Infection (C2i), The University of Hong Kong’s world-renowned infectious diseases research center, School of Public Health, by Dr. Michael Chan, Principal Investigator, of the Centre for Immunology and Infection, who said: “The results of this study showed opaganib exerting potent inhibition of Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant viral replication in a model that we believe comes as close as currently possible to representing the Omicron clinical pathophysiological pathway. These are highly promising results that lend further weight to opaganib’s hypothesized host-mediated antiviral activity and expected effect irrespective of viral variant.”

“Opaganib was tested for inhibition of Omicron SARS-CoV-2 viral replication using an ex vivo human respiratory explant model, a methodology based on the finding that Omicron has a replication advantage in respiratory tract explants culture,” said Reza Fathi, PhD., RedHill’s Senior VP, R&D. “The results of the study, led by Dr. Chan, one of the leading experts in the field whose extensive COVID-19-related research is widely published in top tier journals such as Nature, are encouraging. The results are also consistent with findings from the Phase 2/3 study in which opaganib was shown, together with reducing mortality in key subpopulations and improving the time to recovery, to accelerate viral RNA clearance by more than 4 days, even in an advanced patient population with a median of 11 days from onset of symptoms – we believe a likely first for a novel oral therapy in this underserved hospitalized moderate to severe COVID-19 patient population.”

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Philadelphia reinstates indoor mask mandate
Source: WHYY (PBS Philadelphia)

Philadelphia officials announced Monday that masks will once again be required in indoor spaces. This includes restaurants, gyms, retail stores and schools. The change goes into effect in one week, on April 18th.

The move comes as the city crossed the threshold into Response Level 2: Mask precautions. The city had been in the “All Clear” level for just over a month, since March 2nd, meaning there were no mask or vaccination requirements across the city, with the exception of health care settings and public transit.

To qualify for Level 2, the city must meet two or more of the following requirements:

Daily case levels exceed 100
Cases increase by more than 50% over the previous ten days
Hospitalizations exceed 50



As of Monday, the city reported an average of 142 daily new infections, and cases had increased by more than 50% over the last 10 days. Hospitalizations were at 46, still below the limit. Still, Philadelphia Health Commissioner Cheryl Bettigole said it would be foolish to avoid the warning signs: every time so far, rising cases have been followed by rising hospitalizations and deaths. “ I suspect that this wave will be smaller than the one we saw in January,” she said, referring to the original omicron wave. “But if we wait to find out and to put our masks back on, we’ll have lost our chance to stop the wave.” She added that if it appears hospitalizations don’t increase in response to the new BA2 variant as they have in the U.K. and elsewhere in Europe, the health department can adjust its metrics and the mandate can be

dropped again.

Read more: https://whyy.org/articles/philadelphia- ... k-mandate/

[wjfox]

[wjfox]

[raklian]

So, it's going to be vastly more transmissible than the measles-like BA.2 and will be at least as severe as the Delta variant.

Just great. Just great.

[raklian]

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Some Experts Argue That Rich Nations, and Big Pharma are Still Blocking 'Early Exit' From Pandemic
by Jake Johnson
April 13, 2022

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2022/ ... ic-experts

Introduction:

(Common Dreams) In a scathing letter on Wednesday, more than 300 public health experts, academics, labor leaders, and activists accused rich countries of denying the world an "early exit" from the coronavirus pandemic by continuing to stonewall efforts to expand vaccine production and distribution in low-income nations.

Addressed to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the new letter calls on the two leaders to reject a recently leaked compromise proposal that departs dramatically from South Africa and India's popular original plan to waive coronavirus-related patents for the duration of the pandemic.

That plan, first unveiled at the World Trade Organization in October 2020 in an attempt to ensure equitable global access to vaccines and therapeutics, has been blocked by the European Union and other rich countries. The pharmaceutical industry, which has reaped huge profits from its monopoly control over vaccine production, lobbied aggressively against South Africa and India's proposal.

"We know that the blame for this inadequate text does not lie with your governments, who have worked tirelessly to deliver a TRIPS waiver," reads the new letter from experts and campaigners. "The European Union and other rich countries have chosen to block the path to an early exit from this pandemic. They have put the lives of millions of people at risk by perpetuating vaccine inequality, creating the perfect breeding ground for new and potentially more dangerous or vaccine-resistant variants."

"They have looked the other way," the letter continues, "while millions have died needlessly because developing countries were not given the rights and the technology to make or import Covid-19 vaccines, tests, and treatments."

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Biden administration extends transportation mask mandate for 15 more days
Source: CNBC

The Biden administration is extending a mask mandate for airplanes and transit for 15 days, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday.

The mandate was set to expire after April 18, following a one-month extension announced in March. Airlines have required masks on planes since early in the pandemic in 2020, but the Biden administration made them mandatory in early 2021.

The CDC said it is monitoring the spread of omicron, including the BA.2 subvariant.

“Since early April, there have been increases in the 7-day moving average of cases in the U.S. In order to assess the potential impact the rise of cases has on severe disease, including hospitalizations and deaths, and health care system capacity, the CDC Order will remain in place at this time,” the CDC said in a statement.

Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/13/us-exte ... -days.html

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Axios-Ipsos poll: Most Americans say COVID is no longer a crisis
Source: Axios

Less than one in 10 Americans now describe COVID-19 as a crisis — with about three in four calling it a manageable problem and one in six saying it's no problem at all — according to the latest installment of the Axios/Ipsos Coronavirus Index.

Why it matters: These sentiments — and the public's growing desire to be done with mask mandates and other restrictions — raise significant challenges for public health officials in managing new surges, and could create real political headwinds ahead of the midterms.

Between the lines: Democrats were five times as likely as Republicans to say COVID-19 is a crisis (16% to 3%). Meanwhile, Republicans were 10 times as likely as Democrats to say COVID-19 is not a problem (31% to 3%).

Here's another way to look at the overall numbers: About twice as large a share of Americans said COVID-19 is "not a problem at all" (17%) than said it is "a serious crisis" (9%).

Read more: https://www.axios.com/axios-ipsos-poll- ... 25159.html

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New Drug Slashed Deaths Among Patients With Severe Covid, Maker Claims
Source: New York Times

An experimental drug halved the death rate among critically ill Covid patients who were receiving supplemental oxygen and were at high risk for serious lung disease and death, the drug’s developer announced on Monday.

There is a pressing need for new treatments for critically ill patients. Drugs like Paxlovid, made by Pfizer, are aimed primarily at patients who have mild or moderate disease. Other treatments administered to hospitalized patients in serious condition have shown limited effectiveness.

The new drug, sabizabulin, reduced deaths among hospitalized Covid-19 patients so drastically in a clinical trial that independent safety monitors recommended stopping it early, officials at Veru Inc., the drug’s maker, said. The trial was halted on Friday.

The results of that trial have not been reviewed by outside experts or published in a medical journal. Veru announced the findings at an early-morning news conference. The company’s stock soared in trading Monday following the announcement.

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/11/heal ... =url-share

[wjfox]

World surpasses half a billion confirmed COVID cases

9 hours ago - Health

Confirmed COVID-19 cases have now surpassed 500 million worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University data.

State of play: The actual number of cases among the world's population of 7.9 billion is believed to be much higher, but many are going unreported — and experts are concerned this will worsen as testing is scaled down in some countries, including the U.S., the New York Times reports.

There's been an issue throughout the pandemic with lower-income countries having limited public health resources and a lack of coronavirus vaccine access — particularly in Africa, where 21 countries had vaccinated less than 10% of their populations as of February, according to the World Health Organization.

Why it matters: WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has stressed that the world is still in the grip of the virus' acute phase. But this could end by the middle of 2022 if 70% of the world is vaccinated, he said.

https://www.axios.com/world-covid-cases ... 6dd57.html

[wjfox]

Valneva approved to be UK’s sixth Covid vaccine

Thu 14 Apr 2022 07.38 BST

A Covid-19 vaccine developed by the French pharmaceutical company Valneva has been given regulatory approval by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, bringing the total number of jabs approved for use in the UK to six.

As the Covid pandemic swept the world, scientists began developing vaccines against it, with the Pfizer/BioNTech jab being the first in the UK to be authorised for emergency use by the MHRA in 2020. Since then the MHRA has approved the Moderna, Oxford/AstraZeneca, Janssen and Novavax vaccines, although, according to NHS England, Janssen and Novavax are not currently available.

The UK’s independent medicines regulator was the first in the world to approve the Valneva product, the MHRA said. Unlike the other approved Covid jabs, the Valneva vaccine is an inactivated whole-virus vaccine, which means the live virus was grown in a laboratory, rendered unable to infect cells, then administered to people to trigger an immune response.

The MHRA said this approach was already being used for flu and polio vaccines and experts have previously suggested that Covid jabs based on the whole virus may result in a broader immune response than those that involve only the spike protein, and may work better against new variants.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/ ... id-vaccine