Category Archives: Uncategorized

What is causing the current surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, especially given the explosive increases seen over the past weekend? A third peak in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations has been ongoing for several weeks, in places like El Paso Tx. The reasons behind this gradual increase aren’t entirely clear but likely involve a numberContinue reading “Did the election cause the recent surge in COVID-19 infections?”

After the wonderful news about the Pfizer vaccine yesterday, today we are faced with the harsh reality of this third peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Data from the COVID tracking project has shown that hospitalizations have now risen sharply in response to the increase in infections. The hospitalization numbers, which may be a better marker for diseaseContinue reading “COVID-19 hospitalizations surge again”

The Moderna vaccine is very similar to the Pfizer vaccine (mRNA for the virus spike protein). It should have a high likelihood of success, which will increase supplies if both are available. Also, it does not require the extreme refrigeration of the Pfizer vaccine. This may open wider distribution. Presuming no safety problems, supplies shouldContinue reading “Three additional points on the great vaccine news.”

Wonderful news broke this AM as Pfizer announced its COVID-19 vaccine was over 90% effective in preventing symptomatic infections. It means that immunity to the infection induced by the vaccine is effective in preventing illness after two doses of the vaccine, and given the high degree of efficacy vaccination should be able to end theContinue reading “Pfizer’s COVID-19 Vaccine Works!”

There are several reports out today about new initiatives related to COVID-19. Several reports state that the President-elect will be naming his COVID-19 task force leaders tomorrow. If the names are correct (Vivek Murthy, David Kessler, and Marcella Nunez-Smith), these are strong individuals who have extensive public health credentials and strong personalities dedicated to improvingContinue reading “Reports on new COVID-19 initiatives pierce a quiet Sunday.”

It is hard to compare what is happening with COVID-19 in different states right now. In part, that is because states are reporting their data differently, on different days of the week and in different ways. For example, Sue Campbell points out the Illinois is now counting “probable cases” and not just PCR confirmed infectionsContinue reading “Current State Trends”

It is humbling to see nature in a rampage. Today, our country had 120,000 new cases of COVID-19. The numbers reflect a diffuse increase in infections throughout the country, with almost every state seeing increases. Most of the areas impacted are new, so one could explain this surge with areas naive to the virus. ThisContinue reading “120,000 cases in a day.”

Tonight we undertake the second part of our analysis of the government’s coronavirus leadership and how it should change going forward. While last night’s individuals were officials who clearly should leave their position in government, tonight’s leaders are more difficult to evaluate. These individuals have accomplished some useful activities, but have issues that seem toContinue reading “Assessing the performance of additional government leaders of the COVID-19 response.”

Since this is an avowed apolitical blog, I am taking tonight off. However tomorrow, I think it will be time to suggest changes in the pandemic response task force based on performance. This is not a political issue; in fact both parties would likely support changing the faces but for different reasons. So stay tunedContinue reading “Election Night”

A new article today brings news about the presence of immunity after COVID-19 infection. The article in the prestigious journal Science shows that protective antibody persists even in patients with non-severe COVID-19. This is an important paper that contradicts many other reports and does so in a convincing manner. The authors are from Mt. SinaiContinue reading “Definitive data is published showing strong and lasting immunity after COVID-19 infection!”