An Undiscovered Coronavirus? The Mystery of the ‘Russian Flu’ Scientists are grasping for any example that could help anticipate the future of Covid, even a mysterious respiratory pandemic that spread in the late 19th century. New York Times – By Gina Kolata Feb. 14, 2022
Another article from the Guardian concerning the lifting of COVID protocols in England and some experts reactions: Next Covid strain could kill many more warn scientists ahead of England restrictions ending. Demands grow for government science chiefs to reveal evidence backing move to lift last protective measures … The dangers posed by accepting the widespread … [Read more…]
In the Guardian: Abolish internet shopping in Belgium, says leader of party in coalition Paul Magnette, the Socialist party leader, describes e-commerce as ‘social and ecological degradation’ There are no options for commenting on this idea on the Guardian itself, so after you read it, come back here and let us know what you think.
From the PROMED bulletin ****** [2] Carnosic acid (rosemary) Date: Tue 1 Feb 2022 Source: Scripps [edited] https://www.scripps.edu/news-and-events/press-room/2022/20220201-lipton-rosemary-covid19.html A team co-led by scientists at Scripps Research has found evidence that a compound contained in the medicinal and culinary herb rosemary could be a 2-pronged weapon against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The scientists, in … [Read more…]
On the Guardian today – Covid-19 vaccine is cheaper, easier to make and patent-free Caveat – little about efficacy: “Corbevax’s clinical trial data has yet to be released due to resource constraints, but Texas Children’s hospital said the vaccine was over 90% effective against the original Covid-19 strain and over 80% effective against the Delta … [Read more…]
In the Atlantic, Ed Yong writes about the impact of the current COVID variants and the state of the health care system. There is a lot to take in here and his summary is most telling: “Some experts are hopeful that Omicron will peak quickly, which would help alleviate the pressure on hospitals. But what … [Read more…]
In the NYT, an interview with Ms. Menker: The Ethiopian entrepreneur Sara Menker founded Gro Intelligence, which uses artificial intelligence to forecast global agricultural trends and battle food insecurity. When toilet paper shortages happened during Covid and everybody was running to stock up, I was like, “I don’t know why you’re stocking up. I have … [Read more…]
In the Washington Post today was this historical essay: First U.S. vaccine mandate in 1809 launched 200 years of court battles (subscription paywall). Jess McHugh recounts the history of the smallpox vaccination from 1809 through a Supreme Court review of Massachusetts’s vaccine mandates. Just as at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, a … [Read more…]
In the New York Times Science section is this article; The Coronavirus Attacks Fat Tissue, Scientists Find (subscription paywall) The research may help explain why people who are overweight and obese have been at higher risk of severe illness and death from Covid. “This could well be contributing to severe disease,” Dr. Catherine Blish, a … [Read more…]
Dr. Sherif R. Zaki, Acclaimed Disease Detective, Dies at 65 He helped identify numerous viruses, including Covid-19, as well as the bioterrorism attack that spread anthrax in 2001. By Sam Roberts Dec. 4, 2021 Dr. Sherif R. Zaki in 2006. He was, a colleague said, considered to be “among the most influential infectious disease pathologists … [Read more…]