Facebook and Instagram ban images of Zwarte Piet

Maïthé Chini (The Brussels Times) reports that photos and videos of someone dressed up as the controversial figure of Zwarte Piet (which translates …

Facebook and Instagram ban images of Zwarte Piet

There Will Be a GoGo Concert and Protest in Front of Postmaster Louis DeJoy’s House

On Sunday night, protestors and a go-go band will join forces in front of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s Kalorama house for a two-hour demonstration. Coordinated by Shut Down DC and Long Live GoGo, protestors will meet at 6 PM in Kalorama Park for an action training, then kick off the festivities at 7.

Shut Down DC gave DeJoy an “early morning ‘wake-up call’ ” at 8 AM last Saturday where protestors brought cowbells, bucket drums, and other noisemakers to protest DeJoy’s plan to cut postal employee overtime, reduce post office hours, and remove postal boxes. Since that protest, DeJoy has said he would push any dramatic changes to the postal service until after the election, and is testifying before Congress today and Monday. Shut Down DC says it’s “a big victory,” but they want more.

 

Source: There Will Be a GoGo Concert and Protest in Front of Postmaster Louis DeJoy’s House

Portion of the $25 billion approved for coronavirus testing was spent – Business Insider

  • A very small fraction of the money approved by Congress to boost coronavirus testing has actually spent yet, the The Wall Street Journal reported.
  • Congress approved the funding in April, and as of August 14, only about 10% to 15% of those funds were spent or committed to the cause.
  • In May, $10.25 billion of the allocated amount was sent to states and US territories. As of August 14, only $121 million had been drawn from the fund.

Source: Portion of the $25 billion approved for coronavirus testing was spent – Business Insider

Doctor runs 36km in a face mask to debunk oxygen levels misinformation

The New Zealand Ministry of Health has cited a British doctor who ran 36 kilometres while wearing a face mask to put to bed “misinformation” circulating on social media that they restrict the flow of oxygen into your body.

Dr Tom Lawton said he has seen “some of the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic” while working in intensive care in Bradford in West Yorkshire, northern England.

“I am massively in favour of anything that might keep us all safe,” he said on his GoFundMe page, in aid of food banks in the surrounding area.

“I have therefore been upset at the misinformation going out around oxygen levels and masks, as well as confused messaging on when to wear them.”

 

Source: Doctor runs 36km in a face mask to debunk oxygen levels misinformation

Nasal vaccine against COVID-19 prevents infection in mice – Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

Unlike other COVID-19 vaccines in development, this one is delivered via the nose, often the initial site of infection. In the new study, the researchers found that the nasal delivery route created a strong immune response throughout the body, but it was particularly effective in the nose and respiratory tract, preventing the infection from taking hold in the body.

Source: Nasal vaccine against COVID-19 prevents infection in mice – Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

Unexamined toxins. Activists and journalists are frequently poisoned in Russia but the authorities almost never investigate these attacks. Here are five notorious cases that preceded Alexey Navalny’s recent hospitalization. 

Opposition politician and Anti-Corruption Foundation creator Alexey Navalny was hospitalized early on Thursday, August 20, in critical condition. At the time of this writing, he is in a coma and breathing through a ventilator. Doctors have yet to share a diagnosis to explain Navalny’s sudden illness, but signs suggest he was poisoned. Will the Russian authorities open a criminal investigation? If they do and if he was indeed poisoned, will the police find those responsible? Judging by past investigations of similar attacks, the chances are slim.

‘I hope common sense will prevail’ Svetlana Tikhanovskaya’s first press conference since fleeing Belarus, in brief — Meduza

The violence against protesters must stop, political prisoners must be released, and the presidential elections must be held anew. I have yet to decide whether or not I’ll take part in the new elections, because they need to be achieved first. “I love my country [rodina] so much and I really want to go back there. I’ll definitely return when I feel safe.” My husband knows that I’m abroad with our children, he’s happy that we’re safe. I don’t know how long the protests will go on, but the Belarusian people will never be able to accept the current government [or] forgive the violence during peaceful demonstrations.

Source: ‘I hope common sense will prevail’ Svetlana Tikhanovskaya’s first press conference since fleeing Belarus, in brief — Meduza

One-third of Israel’s nurses are afraid to go to work due to coronavirus – The Jerusalem Post

A NURSE WEARS a mask in the Coronavirus Unit at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem. (photo credit: NATI SHOHAT/FLASH90)

Some one-third of Israeli nurses are afraid to go to work because they think they could contract coronavirus, according to a new study by the University of Haifa. The study also showed that 33% of nurses considered their work to be “high risk” or “very high risk,” and that 41% were afraid to treat coronavirus patients.

Source: One-third of Israel’s nurses are afraid to go to work due to coronavirus – The Jerusalem Post