Mass. Reports 4,747 New COVID-19 Cases – NBC Boston

Massachusetts reporting 4,747 new confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state on Sunday. The number of coronavirus went down Sunday, compared to Saturday’s figure,…

Source: Mass. Reports 4,747 New COVID-19 Cases – NBC Boston

Federal judge rejects Michigan Republicans’ effort to decertify election results | TheHill

Judge Linda Parker denied a request for an injunction submitted by a group of President Trump‘s electors against state officials, finding that their lawsuit is “far from likely to succeed in this matter.”

“In fact, this lawsuit seems to be less about achieving the relief Plaintiffs seek—as much of that relief is beyond the power of this Court—and more about the impact of their allegations on People’s faith in the democratic process and their trust in our government,” Parker wrote in her 36-page decision. “Plaintiffs ask this Court to ignore the orderly statutory scheme established to challenge elections and to ignore the will of millions of voters.  This, the Court cannot, and will not, do.”

Source: Federal judge rejects Michigan Republicans’ effort to decertify election results | TheHill

To My Fellow Americans, From One of You – CRAIN’S COMMENTS (#covid19)

You want to make America great? Don’t get sick. Don’t infect Grandma. Wear a mask. Yes, sacrifice is necessary. I know it sucks you can’t get together on Christmas. Use it as an excuse to lounge around in sweatpants all day. I know it sucks not gathering with friends and family. It’s been a long nine months. We all long for normalcy, but we owe it to those who have no choice–because they are essential workers, because they are frontline workers–to protect them by doing everything we can.

Source: To My Fellow Americans, From One of You – CRAIN’S COMMENTS

Covid-19 vaccine distribution is a huge supply challenge, from vials to freezers to keep it all cold – Vox (the President’s greatest failures – not ramping up ability to make/give vaccines and not helping small businesses and their employees to stay afloat)

The vaccines’ successful journey from the pharmaceutical companies’ manufacturers to Americans’ immune systems will require more than just the vaccine itself. The inoculation of more than 300 million people in the United States will require everything from glass vials to syringes to sophisticated cooling systems. But since this summer, there has been fear that the production of these supplies won’t have ramped up enough by the time a viable vaccine is ready for distribution.

Source: Covid-19 vaccine distribution is a huge supply challenge, from vials to freezers to keep it all cold – Vox

Racism literally ages Black Americans faster, according to our 25-year study | Race | The Guardian

We utilized a technique that examines how old a person is at a cellular level compared with their chronological age. We found that some young people were older at a cellular level than would have been expected based on their chronological age. Racial discrimination accounted for much of this variation, suggesting that such experiences were accelerating ageing. Our study shows how vital it is to think about how mental and physical health difficulties are interconnected. Some of the next steps for our work include focusing more closely on the accelerated ageing process. We also will look at resiliency and early life interventions that could possibly offset and prevent health decline among Black Americans. Due to Covid-19, the next scheduled blood sample collection has been delayed until at least spring 2021. The original children from this study will be in their mid to late 30s and might possibly be experiencing chronic illnesses at this age due, in part, to accelerated ageing. With continued research, my colleagues and I hope to identify ways to interrupt the harmful effects of racism so that Black lives matter and are able to thrive.

Source: Racism literally ages Black Americans faster, according to our 25-year study | Race | The Guardian

Covid blood test can predict patient survival chances | Coronavirus | The Guardian

A blood test has been developed that can predict whether Covid patients will need intensive care – or are even likely to survive – shortly after they develop symptoms.

If validated in real-life hospital settings, the test could enable doctors to direct life-saving treatment to the most needy patients sooner, boosting their chances of survival. It could also bolster doctors’ confidence in the face of difficult decisions, such as whether to offer palliative care or an ICU bed when hospitals are close to capacity.

Source: Covid blood test can predict patient survival chances | Coronavirus | The Guardian

With nearly 20,000 dead, California faces treacherous pandemic phase – Los Angeles Times (with no leadership or aid from Washington – states have few good choices to protect the physical or economic health of their citizens)

She said it will take some time for the effects of the stay-at-home order to become clear, and in the meantime, the numbers will keep going up. The average number of L.A. County residents dying daily of COVID-19 is now about 39, nearly quadruple the number from early November, and is expected to worsen.

“We’re going to see three weeks of devastation before we’ll be able to assess the impact,” she said.

But the grim forecast was little solace to thousands of restaurants, hair salons and other businesses that will have to either close or dramatically curtail operations due to the order. Retailers have already been devastated by earlier lockdowns. And many say they are not sure they can survive another one.

The stay-at-home rules, which are less stringent than those imposed in the spring, have faced strong opposition from restaurant owners and others who say they are being unfairly targeted. L.A. County suspended outdoor dining last month, but the new order extends the suspension to counties that are home to tens of millions of people.

Source: With nearly 20,000 dead, California faces treacherous pandemic phase – Los Angeles Times