Over the red line: Hospitals report over 100% capacity – The Jerusalem Post

Coronavirus test site for the residents of Bnei Brak (photo credit: ROI HADI)

Israeli hospitals are straining under the weight of the novel coronavirus, and the latest reports show that some of them are at more than 100% capacity in a month when hospitalizations are normally down.

The number of coronavirus patients continues to increase, with the percentage of those testing positive out of those screened close to 9% in the last day, the Health Ministry reported.

Source: Over the red line: Hospitals report over 100% capacity – The Jerusalem Post

‘People don’t want to fly’: Covid-19 reawakens Europe’s sleeper trains | World news | The Guardian

For all their promise of romance and adventure, Europe’s sleeper trains had appeared to have reached the end of the line.

Cripplingly expensive to run and forsaken by travellers for budget airlines, a decision by the German rail operator Deutsche Bahn to terminate the service connecting Paris to Berlin six years ago ushered in the closure of routes across the continent including almost all of France’s network.

But as Europe continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic, there are tentative signs of a new dawn for the couchettes and twin bunks, as the concerns of both governments and travellers’ over the environmental impact of short-haul flights are being complemented by a desire to avoid airport departure lounges and security queues.

 

Source: ‘People don’t want to fly’: Covid-19 reawakens Europe’s sleeper trains | World news | The Guardian

Revealed: new evidence links Brazil meat giant JBS to Amazon deforestation | Environment | The Guardian

New evidence appears to connect JBS, the world’s biggest meat company, to cattle supplied from a farm in the Brazilian Amazon which is under sanction for illegal deforestation.

This is the fifth time in a year that allegations have surfaced connecting the company to Amazon farmers linked with illegal deforestation.

 

Source: Revealed: new evidence links Brazil meat giant JBS to Amazon deforestation | Environment | The Guardian

What Europe Can Learn from Scotland in Fighting the Pandemic – DER SPIEGEL

Sridhar: Virologists, immunologists, epidemiologists, clinicians, pharmacologists, they all figure out what to do in this pandemic. My task is then to find out how best to implement these measures. It’s about leadership, strategy, logistics, financing and the structures of delivering public health. How do you convince people to wear face coverings and practice social distancing? How do you get governments to work together in fighting this virus? How do you get the right partners at the table? What is good leadership? Often it is quite clear what should be done. But to actually do it is horribly difficult. I am doing my best to help with this.

Source: What Europe Can Learn from Scotland in Fighting the Pandemic – DER SPIEGEL

Avian Flu Diary: COVID: HK New Daily Record, Vietnam Evacuates 80K From Da Nang

Hong Kong third wave: public gatherings limited to two people, dining at restaurants banned as record 145 Covid-19 cases recorded

Vietnam to evacuate 80,000 people from Danang after virus outbreak

Those who are evacuated will be required to go into home quarantine for 14 days. Meanwhile, local residents have been ordered to observe heightened social distancing and to wear masks.

Source: Avian Flu Diary: COVID: HK New Daily Record, Vietnam Evacuates 80K From Da Nang

Slashdot Interviews an Oxford Vaccine Trial Participant – Slashdot – Covid-19

Slashdot: Did you have to meet any special qualifications to participate?

JR: The only qualifications were a willingness to volunteer, being within an age range which I think is 18 to 55, no underlying immune conditions, not pregnant or breastfeeding and not shielding anyone else who is at risk.

I got bloods and vitals taken at pre-check, including serology to make sure I haven’t had COVID-19 already. Then a week later I had bloods and temperature checked again and I got a vaccine. (The people preparing the vaccines are in a different room and are the only people to know which one.) Then four weeks later I had another blood test and temperature check. In eight weeks I will again.

Slashdot: I’ve heard that it requires a 12-month commitment, with anywhere from 6 to 12 visits. Do you get just one shot of the vaccine, and then swing by for follow-up tests — or are there injections in more than one visit?

JR: Every week — maybe for the full year — I also have to take the swab test to check if I have the virus, which I do at home and mail in, registering online for results. I get those results texted to me in less than 48 hours.

Source: Slashdot Interviews an Oxford Vaccine Trial Participant – Slashdot