COVID-19 in the USA: ‘109 Hurricane Katrinas’
Black doctors form independent vaccine panel, Home sales surge, RIP Pamela Hutchinson
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🚨 Since the first known US Covid-19 death on February 6, an average of more than 858 people have died from the disease every day.
“Since the first known US Covid-19 death on February 6, an average of more than 858 people have died from the disease every day.”
“Covid-19 is now the second-leading cause of death in the US, just after heart disease, according to the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME).”
“Already, Covid-19 has killed more people in the US than Americans killed in battle during the five most recent wars combined: the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Iraq War, the War in Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf War.”
“The loss of life is like suffering the effects of 109 Hurricane Katrinas. Or enduring the 9/11 attacks every day for 66 days.”
“And researchers project almost 180,000 additional Covid-19 deaths by January 1.”
(CNN)
👀 CDC abruptly removes guidance about airborne coronavirus transmission, says update 'was posted in error'
“The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday abruptly reverted to its previous guidance about how coronavirus is transmitted, removing language about airborne transmission it had posted just days earlier.”
“The guidance pertained to the way the novel coronavirus is spread. While it's known it can spread through droplets among people standing less than 6 feet apart, research has continued to explore how the virus suspends in aerosolized particles in the air and transmitted to people more than 6 feet away.”
“The CDC transmission guidance acknowledging airborne transmission had been quietly posted on Friday, according to the agency's website. CNN was first to report the change on Sunday. The CDC responded to CNN just before noon on Monday to say it was reverting to the previous guidance.”
(CNN)
🦠 Not trusting the FDA, Black doctors’ group creates panel to vet Covid-19 vaccines
“As trust in federal health agencies has withered over the last few months, a group of Black physicians has been working on an antidote: creating their own expert task force to independently vet regulators’ decisions about Covid-19 drugs and vaccines as well as government recommendations for curbing the pandemic.”
“They’ll also be evaluating how well the clinical trial participants represent the demographic breakdown of the American population, as well as the fairness of the federal plans to distribute a vaccine — both of which are especially important given the disproportionate impact that the pandemic has had on Black, Latino, and Native American communities.”
“To scholars who study vaccine acceptance, the task force has the potential to either increase immunization rates or deepen mistrust, which may well be warranted.”
(STAT)
🏡 U.S. existing home sales near 14-year high in August
“U.S. home sales surged to their highest level in nearly 14 years in August as the housing market continued to outperform the broad economy, though record home prices could be an obstacle for first-time buyers.”
“Sales last month concentrated on the upper price end of the market… The housing market has remained resilient despite nearly 30 million people being on unemployment benefits. Unemployment has disproportionately affected low-wage workers in the services sector, who are typically young and renters.”
“Housing is being fueled by record low interest rates and a pandemic-fueled migration to suburbs and low density areas.”
(Reuters)
🎤 The Emotions’ Pamela Hutchinson Dead at 61
“Hutchinson was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1958. As a child, her sisters Wanda, Sheila, and Jeanette performed with their father, Joe, in a group called the Hutchinson Sunbeams. In the late 1960s, they rebranded as the Emotions and signed with an imprint of Stax Records.”
“After Stax closed shop, the Emotions signed with Columbia and teamed up with Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire… Pamela joined the group before their followup, 1977’s Rejoice, which featured the Emotions’ biggest hit: ‘Best of My Love’ reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won the group a Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus.”
(Pitchfork)