FEATURED INSIGHTS
INSIGHTS
UK COVID Variant Now Spreading in US
It has been just three weeks since U.K. health officials announced discovery of a new strain of coronavirus had been detected in Kent and was rapidly spreading northeast toward London. The variant called B.1.1.7 was found to be far more contagious -- as much more as 70%. Almost immediately after it was detected, dozens of nations cut off travel from the U.K. Finally, after many countries had acted, the U.S. last week shut off travel from the U.K, but then quickly reversed its decision with the only requirement that U.S.-bound travelers must have tested negative within three days prior to departure.
California: Critical Condition
More dire COVID numbers were reported Saturday with 16,504 new cases and 96 deaths in Los Angeles. Positivity rate and hospitalizations are both at an all time high. Saturday morning, LA County officials reported there are no more ICU beds for patients requiring critical care, which means those patients are being transported to other triage centers in the state, or makeshift efforts are being constructed to care for those in need. Rationing may well be the next step if conditions worsen…
Who’s Next in Line for a COVID Vaccine?
FDA Approves Moderna Vaccine
Approval of Moderna's vaccine late Friday under an Emergency Use Authorization by the FDA ensures millions more doses are now en route to distribution centers across the nation. Planes and trucks filled with Moderna's COVID immunization began journeys to distribution centers in every state Sunday morning. Healthcare supply chain giant McKesson is handling the distribution for Moderna from its centers in Kentucky and Mississippi. Pfizer mostly is utilizing the U.S. Government, predominately through the military, for dissemination. McKesson will utilize FedEx and UPS for delivery of its vaccine. Many of the Moderna shipments are being accompanied by local and state police.
Now is the Winter of Our Discontent
Dr. Anthony Fauci has repeatedly said that “the cavalry is coming” when he speaks of the advent of forthcoming vaccines — particularly the two leading contenders, Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna. But these revolutionary developments utilizing first-ever technology never before applied against a pandemic, or perennial infectious diseases like influenza or measles, won’t be available to quell the overwhelming surge in COVID-19 cases nationwide. Every public health expert is warning the most horrific period of the pandemic has yet to unfold…
California’s Bleak Reality
California is reeling from the long expected surge in COVID-19. In Los Angeles, 421,881 cases had been recorded as of Friday — 7854 new cases since Thursday and 44 deaths in the past 24 period. 2572 persons are hospitalized across the county of more than 12 million. The county’s positivity rate is inching toward 8% — and it is expected to increase in coming days. Los Angeles recorded more COVID-19 cases in one day Thursday than 44 states combined.
COVID Vaccine Distribution: A four-phase plan
Pfizer, in cooperation with German-based BioNTech, crossed an historic milestone this week when they submitted to the Food and Drug Administration an emergency use authorization (EUA) for a COVID-19 vaccine. The data will quickly be analyzed by FDA and then submitted to an independent advisory panel in early December for approval, which then also will receive a necessary ‘green light’ from the Centers for Disease Control, particularly regarding the rollout process for Pfizer/BioNTech’s vaccine on a prioritization scale. Read more…
Oxford Vaccine Progress
AstraZeneca is now reporting its AZD1222 COVID-19 mRNA vaccine could be available as early as January of next year. Long favored in the epidemiological community as one of the more likely effective and safe vaccines in development by several major pharmaceutical companies, AstraZeneca’s teaming with Oxford University is now in late-stage trials in Britain and the U.S., as well as other countries, to determine the vaccine’s efficacy and safety.
Undecided California House Races: Election Quirk
While California voters overwhelmingly delivered Joe Biden a whopping two-thirds majority win over Donald Trump for the grand electoral prize of 55 electoral votes, the Golden State lived up to its quirky reputation as it rejected an amendment that would have provided labor protections for delivery and ride-share ‘gig’ workers. Voters also appear to have said ‘no’ to tax on commercial landlords that could have put a big dent in the state’s budget deficit — severely worsened since last March when the COVID-19 outbreak began. And, in an unexpected outcome, California voters also repealed an affirmative action amendment.
Colleges & Universities: More COVID Cases, Fewer Games
The nation’s leading infection disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, also warned American academic administrations last week not to send infected students home, stating that the students could take the highly transmittable virus with them.
Transparent COVID Vaccine Key to Public Confidence
There is little question in the scientific community now that Pfizer and Moderna are the two most likely companies to develop viable vaccines — at least at this juncture.
Pinellas, Florida: The Ultimate Bellwether
Any political strategist, pollster, or political operative will tell you to watch Pinellas County, Florida on election night this November. Why? Because this Florida county, just east to Tampa, and home to St. Petersburg, is one of the most important swing counties in one of the most critically important swing states.