Category Archives: Uncategorized

Lots of states are showing increases in infections today. There are also increases in hospitalizations in several states, particularly in the south. As of yet this has not increased death statistics, but we need to monitor the numbers. As always, people should focus on the most important things. I think that for a respiratory virus,Continue reading “A brief update on Rt.Live”

Yesterday’s post about the dichotomy between increasing COVID-19 infections and decreasing deaths has generated a number of interesting responses. I will try to respond to a few of them now. DN writes “Dr Baker — my understanding of the process in my state (Arizona) is that diagnoses are reported on one track and deaths onContinue reading “Feedback”

Every source I have looked at over the past two weeks has suggested an interesting phenomenon: COVID-19 cases are increasing while deaths are dropping dramatically. I include the figures from tonight’s Apple news spotlight, however the numbers from the New York Times, Johns Hopkins University, and multiple other sources including the CDC also indicate identicalContinue reading “Why are COVID-19 cases rising in the US at the same time deaths are dropping?”

This coronavirus variant first gained attention in May because of a bioinformatics manuscript that suggested the substitution of this single amino acid in a viral protein [Spike (S) protein] had created a dominant virus that had become the primary type of coronavirus identified in Europe and the east coast of the United States. That paperContinue reading “The D614G variant of SARS CoV-2 coronavirus is in the news again.”

I wanted to wish everyone a happy Father’s Day from pandemic pondering! As I said on Mother’s Day, the one most positive aspects of the “stay at home orders” was having my daughter back with us. Hopefully all fathers can look back on this episode and remember bonding with our young adult children as theyContinue reading “Eight things not to worry about this Father’s Day!”

One of the most contentious issues that has emerged in COVID-19 debate is the inaccuracy of statistical modeling of the infection. This has been exacerbated by a very contentious debate on how individuals in the public health community should frame disagreements about predictions are the COVID-19 epidemic.  Two recent articles have highlighted this debate. An editorialContinue reading “Projections and modeling of the COVID-19 pandemic”

On CNN.com the headline reads… COVID-19 trends from the NYT and in Florida, there is concerning news….. Looking at the actual numbers does not seem to indicate a big change? But, someone is finally trying to help Florida! The CDC has released a guidance aimed at government controlled and private beaches to help protect lifeguards and sunbathersContinue reading “Yes the COVID-19 news is confusing!”

The FDA announced yesterday that hydroxychloroquine had a negative drug interaction with remdesivir, the only antiviral drug that showed activity with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The reaction was severe enough that it negated the benefit of remdesivir for treating COVID-19.  This finding helped clarify why the FDA removed the emergency use authorization for hydroxychloroquine, since taking theContinue reading “Three important updates.”

Today, the FDA removed the Emergency Use Authorization supporting the use of hydroxychloroquine treatment or prophylaxis for COVID-19 infection. None of the multiple clinical studies involving the drug has shown any efficacy in treating or preventing COVID-19. While cardiac toxicity was a concern, no study suggested that was the defining issue. The most important thingContinue reading “The end of the line for hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19.”

Today several news outlets highlighted a new report suggesting a single amino acid change in the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 that could alter viral infectivity. This substitution changes the amino acid at position 614 of the viral spike protein from an aspartic acid (D) to a glycine (G).  The D614G virus, as it is identified,Continue reading “A press release suggests functional activity for the SARS-CoV-2 substitution D614G”