All posts by nedhamson

Activist, writer, researcher, addicted to sharing information and facts.

Former Monroe, Louisiana, Police Department Officer Pleads Guilty to Civil Rights Charge for Using Excessive Force | OPA | Department of Justice

According to evidence presented to the court, on or about the evening of April 21, 2020, Desadier, who was at the time a uniformed officer with the Monroe Police Department (MPD), used unreasonable force by kicking an arrestee in the face. The incident occurred shortly after midnight, when MPD officers overheard an alarm system activate, and Desadier and other officers detained a man for questioning. When officers discovered drug paraphernalia on the man, the man ran from the scene and officers gave chase. Approximately a block away, a patrolling MPD officer caught up to the man and ordered him to the ground. The man complied, by lying flat on his stomach and putting his hands behind his back. As that officer approached and prepared to handcuff the man, Desadier ran up to the scene and kicked the man in the face as he lay face-down on the ground with both hands behind his back.

Desadier admitted in court that his assault on the victim was without justification, as the man did not present a threat to any officer or other person on the scene. Desadier also admitted that he knew, at the time, that his actions were unjustified and unreasonable under the circumstances.

 

Source: Former Monroe, Louisiana, Police Department Officer Pleads Guilty to Civil Rights Charge for Using Excessive Force | OPA | Department of Justice

New COVID test can detect the virus in 3 minutes without a blood sample – Study Finds

“First, we developed biodegradable porous microneedles made of polylactic acid that draws up the ISF from human skin,” notes senior author Beomjoon Kim. “Then, we constructed a paper-based immunoassay biosensor for the detection of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies.”

By combining the two, researchers were able to make a small patch that can detect COVID antibodies within three minutes, according to laboratory tests. Study authors say their invention represents a rapid and safe way of screening for coronavirus. It could also provide a cost-effective way of testing for COVID in lower income countries.

 

Source: New COVID test can detect the virus in 3 minutes without a blood sample – Study Finds

Will There Be Enough Monkeypox Vaccine? – The New York Times

“We still have a window of opportunity to contain the virus,” said Zain Rizvi, who studies access to medicines at the advocacy group Public Citizen. “But that means that everyone who needs access to the vaccine needs it now.”

If the number of cases continues to rise unchecked, he warned, monkeypox may become permanently entrenched in several countries, leading to outbreaks for years to come.

The global count has risen to about 5,500 cases, and at least another 5,000 are under investigation. Cases in Europe have tripled in the last two weeks, according to the World Health Organization. The United States has identified 400 monkeypox cases, but the real number is believed to be much higher — and the number of at-risk people orders of magnitude larger than that.

No room for complacency over monkeypox, says WHO | Monkeypox | The Guardian

There is no room for complacency around the monkeypox outbreak, the World Health Organization has said, noting that cases in Europe have tripled in just over two weeks, with some infections identified in children.

In a statement issued on Friday, Dr Hans Kluge, the WHO regional director for Europe, called on governments and the public to increase efforts to prevent the disease from extending its geographical reach. “Urgent and coordinated action is imperative if we are to turn a corner in the race to reverse the ongoing spread of this disease,” he said.

According to Kluge, more than 90% of confirmed cases in the latest outbreak have been in the Europe region, with cases reported in 31 countries and areas. He said confirmed cases across the region had more than tripled since 15 June, reaching more than 4,500.

 

Source: No room for complacency over monkeypox, says WHO | Monkeypox | The Guardian

Covid infections jump by half a million in UK, says ONS – BBC News (Me: But Boris not concerned…)

An estimated 2.3 million people or one in 30 has the virus – a rise of 32% on the week before.

The rise is being driven by two new fast-spreading sub-variants of Omicron – called BA.4 and BA.5.

People can be infected even if they’ve had Covid before, but jabs are helping to protect against serious illness.

Health officials are urging anyone over 75 who has not had a vaccine or booster in the past six months, to get one.

 

Source: Covid infections jump by half a million in UK, says ONS – BBC News

Met officers sacked for racist Meghan WhatsApp post – BBC News

A tribunal heard PC Sukhdev Jeer and PC Paul Hefford, who worked at Bethnal Green police in east London, posted the messages on WhatsApp in 2018.

It found they had committed gross misconduct.

The hearing was told the messages mocked the people the officers were supposed to be policing.

The tribunal heard details of several racist posts, including one containing a racist slur about the Duchess of Sussex shortly before her marriage to Prince Harry.

Source: Met officers sacked for racist Meghan WhatsApp post – BBC News

Avian Flu Diary: CDC Director Endorses ACIP Recommendation On High-Dose/Adjuvanted Flu Vaccines For Seniors

CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., adopted the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation to preferentially recommend the use of specific flu vaccines for adults 65 years and older, including higher dose and adjuvanted flu vaccines. The preference applies to Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent, Flublok Quadrivalent and Fluad Quadrivalent flu vaccines.

While flu seasons vary in severity, during most seasons, people 65 years and older bear the greatest burden of severe flu disease, accounting for the majority of flu-related hospitalizations and deaths. Additionally, changes in the immune system with age mean that older adults often do not have as strong an immune response to vaccination as younger, healthy people. “Given their increased risk of flu-associated severe illness, hospitalization, and death, it’s important to use these potentially more effective vaccines in people 65 years and older,” said José R. Romero, M.D., Director of CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. Additionally, data has shown that racial and ethnic health disparities exist in populations that receive a high-dose flu vaccine compared with standard-dose flu vaccines. “This recommendation could help reduce health disparities by making these vaccines more available to racial and ethnic minority groups,” said Dr. Romero.

Source: Avian Flu Diary: CDC Director Endorses ACIP Recommendation On High-Dose/Adjuvanted Flu Vaccines For Seniors