Category Archives: News to use

Useful news for all to advance knowledge of the world and how it works

Avian Flu Diary: MMWR: Monkeypox Outbreak — Nine States, May 2022

The following measures can be taken by the public to prevent infection with monkeypox: 1) isolate ill persons from uninfected persons; 2) practice good hand hygiene and use appropriate personal protective equipment to protect household members if ill or caring for ill persons at home (e.g., a surgical mask, long sleeves and pants, and disposable gloves); 3) use an Environmental Protection Agency–registered disinfectant with an emerging viral pathogens claim that is found on EPA’s List Q for disinfection of surfaces.††† Patients should also avoid contact with pets and other animals while infectious, because some mammals might be susceptible to monkeypox. Persons with symptoms of monkeypox, including unexplained lesions, should contact their health care provider for an evaluation and should avoid close contact with others, including intimate or sexual contact, until they are evaluated or receive testing.
CDC urges health care providers in the United States to be alert for patients who have rash illnesses consistent with monkeypox, regardless of a patient’s gender or sexual orientation or a history of international travel or specific risk factors for monkeypox. Clinicians should contact their local or state health department if they suspect a case of monkeypox. There are 110 LRN laboratories available and equipped for rapid diagnostic testing of emerging pathogens across the United States; currently 68 test for orthopoxviruses. The prolonged interval from rash onset to positive test result was reflective of delays in clinical suspicion of an unfamiliar illness; all patients had results within 0–2 days after specimens were collected. During this outbreak, a positive test result for an Orthopoxvirus at an LRN laboratory is presumed to be monkeypox and is actionable for antiorthopoxviral treatment, and by public health authorities to initiate isolation, contact tracing, monitoring, investigation, and PEP of exposed contacts. PEP with smallpox vaccines remains available from the strategic national stockpile for eligible exposed persons.

Source: Avian Flu Diary: MMWR: Monkeypox Outbreak — Nine States, May 2022

Ohio Republicans Pass Bill Allowing Teachers to Carry Guns With Just 24 Hours of Training – Mother Jones

Under the tortured logic of the new Ohio legislation, armed school staff with only 24 hours of training will now be expected to do what Uvalde law enforcement could not: incapacitate or possibly kill a would-be mass shooter before a multitude of lives are lost. Such a policy could also make it more likely that a school employee will shoot someone who isn’t a deadly threat.

Republicans claim that they’re streamlining redundancies in the current training program. But many Ohio teachers seem unwilling to shoulder the grave new responsibility that the state legislature has thrust upon them. Teachers unions reportedly lined up against the measure, with representatives from the Ohio Federation of Teachers testifying in opposition.

 

Mike Weinman, a representative from the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police also spoke in opposition, contrasting the proposed 24 hours of training for teachers with the 60 hours of firearms training required for Ohio police officers.

“Our communities expect officers to be highly trained in the use of force and de-escalation; we should expect the same from armed school staff members,” he said.

Source: Ohio Republicans Pass Bill Allowing Teachers to Carry Guns With Just 24 Hours of Training – Mother Jones

Former Trump aide Peter Navarro indicted for contempt of Congress in defying Jan. 6 Capitol probe subpoena

  • Former Trump White House advisor Peter Navarro was indicted by a federal grand jury for two counts of contempt of Congress over his refusal to comply with a subpoena issued by the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.
  • Navarro had refused to appear to testify on March 2 in response to the subpoena and also refused to produce by Feb. 23 documents sought by that same subpoena.

Source: Former Trump aide Peter Navarro indicted for contempt of Congress in defying Jan. 6 Capitol probe subpoena

Trained rats wearing backpacks are learning to help earthquake survivors – Study Finds

A special group of rats is learning to crawl into earthquake debris wearing tiny backpacks, allowing rescue teams can talk to survivors. It may sound like something out of the children’s movie “The Rescuers,” but a non-profit in Africa is hoping this real-life project can save lives around the world.

Research scientist Dr. Donna Kean is spearheading the innovative project. So far, the group has trained seven rats, taking only two weeks to get them up to speed. At the moment, the rats are using homemade prototype backpacks containing a microphone, which they carry into mock debris.

 

Source: Trained rats wearing backpacks are learning to help earthquake survivors – Study Finds

Cruise becomes the first paid driverless robotaxis in the US (Me: Not sorry Tesla :))

With this permit, Cruise may offer passenger services to the general public in its 30 all-electric AV fleet — without a safety driver present. The taxi service is restricted to selected San Francisco streets. It can operate only at a maximum speed of 30mph (48 kmph), from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily. It cannot offer paid rides during heavy rain, heavy fog, heavy smoke, hail, sleet, or snow.

Source: Cruise becomes the first paid driverless robotaxis in the US