Category Archives: pandemic

Opinion | To Manage the Coronavirus in New York, You Need Testing and Tracking – The New York Times

It can’t do this alone.
— Read on www.nytimes.com/2020/04/17/opinion/coronavirus-new-york-testing.html

That may be but the President wants to play with wannabe fascists and pretend he is a winner and not a whiner! 😡

The rightwing groups behind wave of protests against Covid-19 restrictions | World news | The Guardian

While protesters in Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and other states claim to speak for ordinary citizens, many are also supported by street-fighting rightwing groups like the Proud Boys, conservative armed militia groups, religious fundamentalists, anti-vaccination groups and other elements of the radical right.

Source: The rightwing groups behind wave of protests against Covid-19 restrictions | World news | The Guardian

The Trump Administration Paid Millions for Masks From a Company That Doesn’t Sell Medical Equipment-grand theft?

As a result of the covid-19 pandemic, the federal government has been wildly scrambling to purchase personal protective equipment for medical professionals and other essential workers. At the top of the list are N95 masks, which is presumably the decision that led the Trump administration to award a $55 million contract to Panthera Worldwide LLC for N95 masks.

— Read on jezebel.com/the-trump-administration-paid-millions-for-masks-from-a-1842912511

Grand theft

What happens if the US stops funding the WHO in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic? – ABC News

The US has threatened to freeze funding for the UN’s leading health body. It will create a power vacuum and those living in poorer countries will suffer the most, experts say.
— Read on mobile.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-16/coronavirus-who-explainer-what-does-trump-funding-decision-mean/12151080

Nation’s hot spots see rise in COVID-19 deaths | CIDRAP

On Twitter, Governor John Bel Edwards said that, despite the spike in deaths, the state is seeing some signs virus activity is slowing. “We are seeing positive signs in respect to lower hospitalizations and the number of people on ventilators, but all of these gains can be easily lost if we ignore the stay at home order & social distancing guidelines,

Source: Nation’s hot spots see rise in COVID-19 deaths | CIDRAP

Today New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Twitter his state was sending 100 ventilators to Michigan and 50 ventilators to Maryland—a promise of resource sharing he has touted in the past several weeks as he urged governors to work together to contain the virus. Cuomo also announced a new executive order that all New York residents must wear face coverings in public when maintaining a separation of 6 feet from other people is not possible.

Michigan announced today plans to increase COVID-19 testing among those with mild symptoms. In the past weeks, only the hospitalized, healthcare workers, or people in congregate living situations were tested. According to Michigan Public Radio, the move to increase testing will help state officials understand how widely spread the virus is and guide reopening decisions.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): any community, city, or region that wants to reopen must first meet four criteria: low incidence of infection, a well-functioning testing and surveillance system, a public health system capable of reacting to a surge in cases, and a hospital system with enough beds and staffing to rapidly respond to a surge in cases.

Reopening is not recommended before May 1, and in some areas may be pushed into June, the document said.