BREAKING—Updated results from Pfizer said it’s #COVID19 vaccine is 95% effective (vs 90% in previous early results) and had no serious side effects. 94% effective in older adults. Of 170 cases, 162 in placebo. Of 10 severe, 9 in placebo. This is HUGE!! nytimes.com/2020/11/18/hea…
2) If the F.D.A. authorizes the two-dose vaccine, Pfizer has said that it could have up to 50 million doses available by the end of the year, and up to 1.3 billion by the end of next year.
3) However, only about half of its supply will go to the United States this year, or enough for about 12.5 million people — a sliver of the American population of 330 million
4) “It’s pretty amazing,” said @VirusesImmunity. She said the results in age >65 were the most promising. “We know from influenza vaccine that it’s very difficult to achieve protection in this age group with vaccines,” she said, so 94 percent efficacy “is really remarkable.”
5) “The vaccine must be stored at minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit, colder than any other vaccine in development. Pfizer will ship the vaccine in special boxes of 1,000 to 5,000 doses that are stuffed with dry ice and equipped with GPS-enabled sensors.
6) “Pfizer’s vaccine can be stored in conventional freezers for up to five days, or in the special coolers for up to 15 days, as long dry ice is replenished and the boxes are not opened more than twice a day.
7) “Moderna’s vaccine must also be stored in a freezer long-term, but at minus 4 degrees F. The company said on Monday that its vaccine could be stored in the freezer for up to 30 days, not seven as previously thought, which could make it easier to store than the Pfizer vaccine.”
RATIONING CARE—El Paso has been so depleted by #COVID19 that besides moving bodies with inmates, hospitals are nearing a point where health workers could decide who gets care and who doesn’t. EP begging TX gov for national guard, but Abbott blocks so far. texastribune.org/2020/11/18/el-…
2) There are now 218 deceased bodies stuff in those refrigerated morgue trailers according to El Paso county judge.
Listen up—if there is a scientist who is a *hero* besides Fauci, it’s Dr Kim Prather @kprather88–world renowned aerosol expert. Not many know, but it was Kim who alerted Fauci on airborne #SARSCoV2. If it weren’t for her, we still wouldn’t have airborne guidelines. She’s my hero.
2) Dr Prather is also an extremely rare “double inductee” in both the National Academy of Science & National Academy of Engineering (harder than winning Triple Crown). She wrote “Tony” (Fauci) a strong note of concern, and made Fauci see his blind spot on airborne aerosols. See👇
3) Basically, Dr Fauci admits above (and elsewhere) it was a group led by @kprather88 (& @CorsIAQ) that approached him & explained small aerosols Microdroplets are airborne. Here is Kim explaining the difference between droplets & aerosols with @DrLaPook.
2) and if hosting a gathering, they recommend virtual or “Have a small outdoor meal with family and friends who live in your community.”
3) the reason we haven’t even seen the worst yet is because of death lag. All the surging cases so far this month won’t translate into deaths for 3 weeks — until after Thanksgiving / into December.
⚠️JUST IN—Analysis shows #COVID19 surge is worst now in places where leaders neglected to keep up forceful virus containment efforts or failed to implement basic measures like mask mandates, according to NYT analysis of Oxford data.
Worst state leadership? S & N Dakota, IA, FL.
2) Using an index that tracks policy responses to the pandemic, these charts show the number of new virus cases and hospitalizations in each state relative to the state’s recent containment measures. nyti.ms/32WOqgC
3) The worse overall in state level containment leadership consistently is South Dakota’s leadership under @govkristinoem, along with by Iowa and North Dakota, according to the data.
Folks—something big is afoot... the CDC is soon holding its first press conference since the start of the pandemic. #COVID19
➡️ Hope this means CDC doesn’t give a damn what Trump does or says anymore. Hope CDC is waking up from its long 10 month censorship oppression.
LFG ✊🏼.
2) For example: Trump officials and CDC scientists waged a nasty battle over reopening guidelines for churches. Pence went ballistic after it was published and forced CDC to delete it. All proven and documented science censorship malfeasance by Trump/Pence WH. #COVID19
BREAKING—New York City’s entire public school system of 300,000 kids will shutter on Thursday because of surging #COVID19–at just 3% positivity. Schools have been open for in-person instruction for just 8 weeks. nytimes.com/2020/11/18/nyr…
2) “the spike in cases does not appear to be caused by the reopening of school buildings.
Still, the city is choosing to end in-person learning while allowing indoor dining and gyms to remain open at reduced capacity.”
3) “Case numbers are rising so quickly in New York that more restrictions appear likely. Mr. de Blasio has said that indoor dining should be reassessed; only Mr. Cuomo has the authority to close indoor dining rooms.”