Coronavirus and Avian Flu Tidbits #302

Covid levels cont to rise...

see Wastewater SCAN

Mike Hoerger:

PMC COVID-19 Forecast, Jul 5, 2024 (U.S.) Biobot has corrected last week's data upward 12% & reports a further 12% increase this week. We're still hopefully in a plateau the next few weeks, but now at 600,000-800,000 infections/day. V concerned for early Sept.

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“Massachusetts on Thursday reported 1,151 new confirmed coronavirus cases and 6 deaths in the week from June 23-June 29.”

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Seasons and Covid and boosters

CDC now notes that Covid is a year round threat, also increasing in the summer months, and is recommending those > 65 or vulnerable patients get a booster this summer.

They advise multi layered protection, including clean air. https://cdc.gov/ncird/whats-new/covid-19-can-surge-throughout-the-year.html

In a stupid new graphic, however, they still stress handwashing and put masking only as an accessory measure. Ass backwards. https://pic.twitter.com/UMEGieTVUe

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Infectivity of masks:

“New study by Linsey Marr: ‘We aerosolized SARS-CoV-2 & pulled it through masks. After 1hr we were able to recover infectious virus from fabric masks but not an N95 or surgical mask. When we pressed artificial skin against the masks we found viral RNA but no infectious virus on the skin’.” (via Lucky Tran)

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Should people with long COVID-19 who have a new COVID-19 infection use metformin?

Canadian Guidelines for Post COVID-19 Condition suggests YES

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Organ damage from Covid:

"COVID-19 can also cause organ damage in individuals without symptoms, who would not fall under the current definition of Long COVID. This organ damage, whether symptomatic or not, can lead to various health impacts such as heart attacks and strokes.”

https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/mr-2024-0030/html

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Supremes strike Public Health

SCOTUS struck down the Chevron decision, "that directed judges to defer to reasonable federal agency interpretations of ambiguous or technically challenging aspects of the law." “What’s less secure is the individual actions and even temporary rules or permanent rules, final rules that are put in place.”

“Without Chevron, agencies may be wary of acting, even during an emergency, because their actions could be challenged, and they would no longer be able to cite Chevron in defense of their policy choices,” White said.

https://archive.ph/2sgeq (Stat news)

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Mask bans are advancing in several cities/states

I'll have a thorough overview of this in Forbes on Weds and will have the link next week. It's appalling.

NY: ACTION: Sign up for account on NY Senate webpage & let them know you oppose mask ban bill S09867. There is a question on right side of webpage for bill that asks if you oppose/support bill. Write you oppose the bill. Also add comment. #NoNYMaskBan

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2023/S9867

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Avian Flu

CDC confirms 4th human case of H5N1 avian flu

This one in Colorado, and presenting with conjunctivitis.

4% of Americans report regularly consuming raw milk products, and selling such products is legal in 30 states.

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/avian-influenza-bird-flu/cdc-confirms-4th-human-case-h5n1-avian-flu-more-dairy-herds-colorado-hit

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How does Bird Flu Spread in Cows?

Study did not find evidence that #H5N1 can spread as a respiratory infection, suggesting that the virus is mainly spread via contaminated milking machines. Results offer hope that the #birdflu outbreak in cows could be halted.

"Dr. Richt said that the results offered hope that the outbreak could be halted before the virus evolved into a form that could spread readily between humans."

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/29/health/bird-flu-dairy-cows-infection.html?

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@WastewaterSCAN has reported two positive samples over the past month from SF.

Epis think this signal is from a market where they sell wild birds. This isn't the first signal in NorCal. All assumed to be wild birds; ww sewer sheds are “leaky.” via Katelyn Jetelina

Given CA’s major agriculture sector supplying dairy nationwide and many raw milk consumers who live in the state, it’s crucial to know how much testing has been done. -- Krutika Kupalli

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H1N2v flu

CDC reported this year’s second and third U.S. cases of H1N2v (variant) #flu viruses. CDC recommends that people in contact with pigs take specific precautions. More here: https://bit.ly/4eCdY5T

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Dengue:

local cases are now at 10 from 4 counties since the first of the year.

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/dengue/quick-takes-dengue-florida-keys-trial-nipah-monoclonal-antibody

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