U.S. COVID Deaths Top 150K
(Baltimore, MD) — The coronavirus death toll in the U.S. has surpassed 150-thousand. Johns Hopkins researchers say over four-point-four million Americans have tested positive for the virus. The New York Times reports the death rates in 24 states and Puerto Rico are going up. Florida and North Carolina set record highs in deaths Wednesday. The Association of American Medical Colleges says the nation could be dealing with “multiple hundreds of thousands” of deaths if new cases aren’t brought under control.
Fauci: Long-Term Consequences Of COVID Infection Are Unknown
(Bethesda, MD) — Dr. Anthony Fauci [[ FOW-chee ]] says the long-term effects of getting infected with the coronavirus are unknown. The infectious disease expert tells MSNBC coming down with the virus “is not a trivial issue” because of that. Fauci’s comments come as two studies out of Germany took a look at the hearts of coronavirus patients. One study found the virus was still affecting a majority of the patients’ hearts. Another study looked at the heart tissue of those who had died of the disease. Most of the dead did have the virus in the tissue.
Biden Criticizes Trump For Promoting Hydroxychloroquine video
(Undated) — Joe Biden is sounding off on President Trump for promoting a video of doctors claiming an antimalarial drug is a cure for the coronavirus. In a virtual event, Biden called one of the doctors touting the effects of hydroxychloroquine [[ HIGH-drox-ee-klor-eh-quin ]] a “crazy woman.” The President has long claimed the drug is an effective treatment for the virus despite growing research showing it’s not. The presumptive Democratic nominee said Trump needs to stop tweeting and start doing something about the virus.
Johns Hopkins Scholars Call For U.S. To Reset During Pandemic
(Baltimore, MD) — A new report is suggesting the U.S. should start over with its coronavirus response. Scholars from Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security said “it is time to reset.” They argue America isn’t on course to get control of the virus like many other countries. It provided several recommendations for federal, state and local leaders to get a grip on the outbreak. Those include mask mandates, putting in more stay-at-home orders where healthcare systems are in crisis and bolstering test supply chains.
Andy Cohen Calls FDA Policy Discriminatory
(Undated) — TV host Andy Cohen is calling out one of the FDA’s policies saying it’s discriminatory. While speaking on The View this week, Cohen talked about how unfortunate it is he can’t donate his plasma containing COVID-19 antibodies because he is a gay man. In an order to prevent the spread of HIV, the FDA bans men who have had sex with another man within the last year from donating. He went on to say his doctor said his antibodies were robust which is unusual only four months after testing positive for the virus. Cohen has previously spoken on the matter, telling CNN anchor Anderson Cooper last month he understands the concern but doesn’t get why a 20 minute HIV test can’t be given before donation.
Studies Show New Blood Test Can Accurately Diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease
(Chicago, IL) — Scientists are making progress in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers are developing a simple blood test to determine if a person has the disease. Currently, there is only two ways to diagnose a patient with Alzheimer’s by using a spinal tap or conducting a P-E-T scan. Researchers found that blood tests have been able to identify patients with the disease with accuracy between 89-and-98-percent. The chief science officer at the Alzheimer’s Association says it could open up the positivity of being able to use a blood test to diagnose someone.