Today we offer four items of Covid-19 news: a county-level dashboard of dangerousness; new discoveries on how the virus spreads so effectively and why it inhibits long-term immunity; and at-home saliva testing. Plus the accustomed frippery. Why illness may not … Continue reading →
The Update has gone semi-weekly. Herewith three more items of pandemic news you may have missed recently: the next pandemic; the duration of immunity; and two new metrics that may portend severe Covid-19. Plus a frippery. Two New Metrics That … Continue reading →
We’re going to be stringing together Covid-19 and the immune system’s response to it with genes we inherited from Neanderthals. Bear with us. First, let’s look at a paper outlining a genetic defect that results in sub-par production of one … Continue reading →
This week two Operation Warp Speed-supported vaccine makers began Phase III trials: Johnson & Johnson began enrolling 60,000 participants in the US and worldwide on Monday, and yesterday Novavax opened a 10,000-person trial in the UK. Johnson & Johnson / … Continue reading →
After pressure from scientists and public health experts, vaccine makers are releasing the detailed protocols for their Phase III vaccine trials. Moderna went first yesterday morning and Pfizer followed in the afternoon. The others will come around. These documents let … Continue reading →
The biggest drawback to one of the vaccine candidates receiving an FDA Emergency Use Authorization: it would halt the Phase III trial and destroy any chance of getting more data about that vaccine’s safety, efficacy, and longevity. On the This … Continue reading →
You have probably heard that one of the three vaccine makers in Phase III trials in the US, AstraZeneca, has paused its effort while an outside committee studies a “serious adverse incident.” This is jargon for “something bad happened.” AZ … Continue reading →
Nine vaccine makers have signed an unprecedented pledge to conduct the search for a Covid-19 vaccine only “in accordance with high ethical standards and sound scientific principles,” in an attempt to bolster public confidence in any vaccine that emerges. Political … Continue reading →
The President, always one to say the quiet parts out loud, has made no secret of wanting to announce a vaccine before November 3 in order to boost his chances for reelection. Let’s look at how that might be possible. … Continue reading →
This post is simply a paean to the TWiV YouTube channel and podcast, and an entreaty for you to go check it out and subscribe. It’s my favorite source for authoritative current Covid-19 information. TWiV was created and is hosted … Continue reading →
