Category Archives: News to use

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

Prepandemic coronavirus antibodies may react to COVID-19 | CIDRAP

They found that blood samples from some noninfected donors—particularly children—contained antibodies that could recognize both SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and other common coronaviruses, such as those responsible for the common cold.

To confirm their results, the researchers analyzed more than 300 blood samples collected from 2011 to 2018. While almost all samples had antibodies against coronaviruses that cause the common cold, 16 of 302 adults (5.3%) had antibodies that would recognize SARS-CoV-2—regardless of whether they had recently had a cold. Only 1 of an additional 13 adult blood donors (7.7%) recently infected with other coronaviruses had cross-reactive antibodies. Of samples from 50 pregnant women, 5 (10%) had such antibodies.

In contrast, 21 of 48 children aged 1 to 16 (44%) had cross-reactive antibodies, with those aged 6 to 16 most likely to have them.

Source: Prepandemic coronavirus antibodies may react to COVID-19 | CIDRAP

Former GOP lawmakers call on Trump to accept election results | TheHill

The Republican signers of the statement — a large number of whom endorsed Biden for president — include former Reps. Tom Coleman (Mo.), Susan Molinari (N.Y.), Jim Greenwood (Pa.), Jim Kolbe (Ariz.), Chris Shays (Conn.), Mickey Edwards (Okla.), Dick Zimmer (N.J.),  Jim Walsh (N.Y.), Ray La Hood (Ill.), Peter Smith (Vt.), Steve Bartlett (Texas), Charlie Dent (Pa.), Scott Klug (Wis.), John LeBoutillier (N.Y.), Doug Bereuter (Neb.), Deborah Pryce (Ohio), Charles Djou (Hawaii), Bob Inglis (S.C.), Alan Steelman (Texas), Steve Kuykendall (Calif.), Connie Morella (Md.), Wayne Gilchrest (Md.), Bob Bauman (Md.), Mike Parker (Miss.), Tim Petri (Wis.), Barbara Comstock (Va.), Carlos Curbelo (Fla.), Jack Quinn (N.Y.) and Jim Leach (Iowa).

Source: Former GOP lawmakers call on Trump to accept election results | TheHill

Trump associate David Bossie tests positive for coronavirus | TheHill

David Bossie, who was recently tapped with overseeing the Trump campaign’s legal challenges in the aftermath of Election Day, has tested positive for coronavirus, a person familiar with the matter confirmed Monday.

The campaign last week had reportedly tasked Bossie with leading efforts to pursue lawsuits in battleground states where President Trump was trailing President-elect Joe Biden. It’s unclear how his diagnosis will impact that effort, which has largely been scattershot and marked by chaotic press conferences.

Source: Trump associate David Bossie tests positive for coronavirus | TheHill

Georgia GOP senators call on Georgia secretary of state to resign | TheHill (ROTFLMAO – ha ha ha ha ha ha)

The joint call for Raffensperger’s resignation by both of his state’s Republican senators comes as the vote count out of the traditionally red state shows President-elect Joe Biden with a roughly 10,600-vote lead over President Trump.

Source: Georgia GOP senators call on Georgia secretary of state to resign | TheHill

Former Vice President Dan Quayle: It is time for Trump to ‘move on’ | TheHill

“Unfortunately, we were the last incumbent president to lose, and it’s not easy,” he said. “But we’ve had enough time to look at what’s going on, there have been a lot of allegations they continue to investigate, but from my viewpoint, I don’t think there’s any systemic fraud.”

“It’s time to move on, and therefore I hope that there’s some sort of announcement from the White House sooner rather than later,” he continued.

Quayle is among the few current and former Republican leaders who have acknowledged Biden’s electoral win.

Source: Former Vice President Dan Quayle: It is time for Trump to ‘move on’ | TheHill

Bustos won’t seek to chair DCCC again in wake of 2020 results | TheHill (elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as DCCC chair!)

Bustos won’t seek to chair DCCC again in wake of 2020 results

Bustos won't seek to chair DCCC again in wake of 2020 results
© Greg Nash

Illinois Rep. Cheri Bustos will not run for a second term leading House Democrats’ campaign arm following a disappointing election where her party saw at least seven vulnerable incumbents go down to defeat.

Source: Bustos won’t seek to chair DCCC again in wake of 2020 results | TheHill

Coronavirus: Ohio seeing ‘unprecedented’ spike in hospitalization, says chief medical officer

More than 150 hospitalizations were reported in Ohio Monday, just below the state’s 21-day average of 166. There are 2,533 COVID-19 patients in hospitals across the state, up by more than 1,000 than the 1,456 patients reported on Oct. 27, according to ODH.

In southwest Ohio, there were 671 hospitalized coronavirus patients on Monday, with 163 in the ICU and97 on ventilators. COVID-19 patients account for 9.76% of the region’s hospital beds, with 2,018 beds, or 29.34%, open.

Ohio added 4,706 coronavirus cases Monday, bringing its total to 254,974, according to the ODH. It is the seventh straight day the state has reported more than 4,000 cases a day.

Source: Coronavirus: Ohio seeing ‘unprecedented’ spike in hospitalization, says chief medical officer

Four Texas battleground races remain undecided days after Election Day | The Texas Tribune

In Texas, Monday is the last day for counties to receive overseas and military mail-in ballots. Tuesday is the last day for counties to review provisional ballots so they can be sent to ballot boards for counting. Nov. 16 is the last day for ballot boards to count late-arriving mail-in and provisional ballots, and the next day is the canvass deadline.

A runner-up candidate is eligible to request a recount if the difference between the number of votes they received and the number of votes the No. 1 finisher received is less than 10% of the latter. (For instance, if the leading candidate gets 2,000 votes and second place gets 1,850 votes, the margin of 150 is less than 200, which is 10% of 2,000, so the second-place candidate can call for a recount.)

Source: Four Texas battleground races remain undecided days after Election Day | The Texas Tribune