An Undiscovered Coronavirus? The Mystery of the ‘Russian Flu’ Scientists are grasping for any example that could help anticipate the future of Covid, even a mysterious respiratory pandemic that spread in the late 19th century. New York Times – By Gina Kolata Feb. 14, 2022
Another article from the Guardian concerning the lifting of COVID protocols in England and some experts reactions: Next Covid strain could kill many more warn scientists ahead of England restrictions ending. Demands grow for government science chiefs to reveal evidence backing move to lift last protective measures … The dangers posed by accepting the widespread … [Read more…]
In the Guardian: Abolish internet shopping in Belgium, says leader of party in coalition Paul Magnette, the Socialist party leader, describes e-commerce as ‘social and ecological degradation’ There are no options for commenting on this idea on the Guardian itself, so after you read it, come back here and let us know what you think.
Dana Milbank sums up what I’ve felt for years about Newt – he is the pivot point that turned the GOP in to the monster it is today. Opinion: Newt Gingrich started us on the road to ruin. Now, he’s back to finish the job. By Dana Milbank 02/04/2022
Jason Epstein, Editor and Publishing Innovator, Is Dead at 93 His literary and marketing instincts brought quality paperbacks to American readers and led to the creation of The New York Review of Books. New York Times Christopher Lehmann-Haupt Feb. 4, 2022
On the Guardian today – Covid-19 vaccine is cheaper, easier to make and patent-free Caveat – little about efficacy: “Corbevax’s clinical trial data has yet to be released due to resource constraints, but Texas Children’s hospital said the vaccine was over 90% effective against the original Covid-19 strain and over 80% effective against the Delta … [Read more…]
In the Atlantic, Ed Yong writes about the impact of the current COVID variants and the state of the health care system. There is a lot to take in here and his summary is most telling: “Some experts are hopeful that Omicron will peak quickly, which would help alleviate the pressure on hospitals. But what … [Read more…]
In the NYT, an interview with Ms. Menker: The Ethiopian entrepreneur Sara Menker founded Gro Intelligence, which uses artificial intelligence to forecast global agricultural trends and battle food insecurity. When toilet paper shortages happened during Covid and everybody was running to stock up, I was like, “I don’t know why you’re stocking up. I have … [Read more…]
In the Guardian: America is now in fascism’s legal phase Jason Stanley is Jacob Urowsky professor of philosophy at Yale University. He is the author of How Fascism Works. Wed 22 Dec 2021 “The history of racism in the US is fertile ground for fascism. Attacks on the courts, education, the right to vote and … [Read more…]
In the New York Times Science section is this article; The Coronavirus Attacks Fat Tissue, Scientists Find (subscription paywall) The research may help explain why people who are overweight and obese have been at higher risk of severe illness and death from Covid. “This could well be contributing to severe disease,” Dr. Catherine Blish, a … [Read more…]