22nd Nov 2021 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=544 lockdown_exit

Lockdown Exit

Reuters Singapores government is easing some of the tight social curbs it imposed to contain the spread of COVID19 after infections stabilised in the citystate over the past month. From Monday limits on social interactions and dining out will be expanded to five people from the current rule of up to two vaccinated people government ministers told a news conference on Saturday. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/singapore-relaxes-tight-covid-19-social-curbs-monday-2021-11-20/ 20th Nov 2021

Lockdown Exit

Sky News Spiking coronavirus infections across Europe show the critical need for people in the UK get vaccinated a government scientific adviser has told Sky News. Soaring cases on the continent underlined how quickly things can go wrong said Professor John Edmunds who pointed out there were still many millions across Britain who were still not fully vaccinated while some had not had any COVID19 shots. His comments came as a number of European countries wrestle with a resurgence of the coronavirus. https://news.sky.com/story/covid-surge-in-europe-shows-critical-need-to-vaccinate-millions-still-not-jabbed-in-uk-government-expert-warns-12473210 20th Nov 2021

Lockdown Exit

Aljazeera.com Austria will become the first country in Western Europe to reimpose a full coronavirus lockdown to tackle a new wave of infections and will require its whole population to be vaccinated by February its government has said. Fridays announcement came as roughly twothirds of Austrias population is fully vaccinated against COVID19 one of the lowest rates in western Europe. The countrys infection rate is among the highest on the continent with a sevenday incidence of 991 per 100000 people. Austria had introduced a lockdown for all those who were unvaccinated on Monday but since then infections have set new records. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/19/austria-to-enter-lockdown-bring-in-mandatory-vaccinations 20th Nov 2021

Lockdown Exit

The Associated Press There is something mysterious going on in Africa that is puzzling scientists said Wafaa ElSadr chair of global health at Columbia University. Africa doesnt have the vaccines and the resources to fight COVID19 that they have in Europe and the U.S. but somehow they seem to be doing better she said. Fewer than 6 of people in Africa are vaccinated. For months the WHO has described Africa as one of the least affected regions in the world in its weekly pandemic reports. https://apnews.com/fcf28a83c9352a67e50aa2172eb01a2f 20th Nov 2021

Lockdown Exit

Bloomberg A fresh blast of the pandemic may be catching traders and investment strategists off guard. As countries throughout Europe announce new restrictions going as far as full lockdowns research notes outlining risks and opportunities for 2022 appear to completely ignore the virus. The word lockdown isnt even mentioned in yearahead outlooks for Europe circulated by Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Morgan Stanley. Meanwhile in a Bank of America Corp. survey this week fund managers saw Covid19 as only the fifthbiggest tail risk with just 5 expressing concern about its potential impact on markets. Inflation central bank rate hikes stalling Chinese growth and asset bubbles topped the list. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-11-19/virus-may-prove-elephant-in-the-room-that-strategists-missed 20th Nov 2021

Lockdown Exit

Reuters COVID19 lockdowns have returned anew to haunt Europes economic prospects forcing investors on Friday to reassess portfolios and sell vulnerable assets such as the euro and bank stocks. Days after the Netherlands Hungary Slovakia and the Czech Republic reimposed curbs Austria put itself back under lockdown and Germanys health minister refused to rule out one. https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/covid-comeback-threatens-fresh-setback-european-market-bulls-2021-11-19/ 20th Nov 2021

Lockdown Exit

Reuters The Philippines has approved a plan to allow entry soon to foreign tourists vaccinated against COVID19 its tourism ministry said on Friday following moves by other Southeast Asian countries to relax travel curbs. The coronavirus task force approved in principle the entry of fully vaccinated tourists from countries with low COVID19 cases the ministry said adding that guidelines must be finalised. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-reopen-soon-vaccinated-foreign-tourists-2021-11-19/ 20th Nov 2021

Exit Strategies

Reuters Hong Kong has approved lowering the age limit for the COVID19 vaccine from Chinas Sinovac Biotech SVA.O to three years old down from 18 years of age as it pursues a broader campaign to incentivise its 7.5 million residents to get vaccinated. Adolescents aged 12 to 17 will be accorded priority to receive the CoronaVac vaccine with a view to extending to children of a younger age group at a later stage Hong Kongs Secretary for Food and Health SFH Sophia Chan said in a statement published on Saturday. https://www.reuters.com/markets/asia/hong-kong-authorises-sinovac-vaccine-children-aged-3-17-2021-11-20/ 20th Nov 2021

Exit Strategies

Reuters China had given 76.3 of its population complete COVID19 vaccine doses by Nov. 19 Wu Liangyou an official at the National Health Commission NHC said on Saturday. A total of 1.076 billion people in the country have received the required number of doses for their COVID vaccination the NHC spokesperson Mi Feng said in a news briefing. A total of 65.73 million people have received a booster vaccine dose Wu said. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/china-has-given-763-population-complete-covid-19-vaccine-doses-2021-11-20/ 20th Nov 2021

Exit Strategies

CNN As Western Europes vaccination rollout gained strength in the early part of 2021 many of the regions leaders touted the shots as their immediate route out of the pandemic. Press conferences took on an almost celebratory tone as Presidents Prime Ministers and Chancellors announced road maps away from Covid19 restrictions hailing their countrys uptake rates and speaking colorfully about a return to normalcy. But as another Covidstruck winter grips Europe many of those countries are now reversing course. Ireland introduced a midnight curfew on the hospitality industry earlier this week amid a surge in cases despite having one of Europes best vaccination rates. In Portugal the envy of the continent where 87 of the total population is inoculated the government is mulling new measures as infections inch upwards. https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/19/europe/europe-covid-vaccination-rates-fourth-wave-cmd-intl/index.html 20th Nov 2021

Exit Strategies

Yahoo News All players at the Australian Open must be vaccinated tournament chief Craig Tiley confirmed Saturday piling more pressure on world number one Novak Djokovic who has refused to reveal if he has been inoculated. Melbourne where Januarys Grand Slam is held has spent more than 260 days under lockdown during the pandemic and the government of the state of Victoria made clear last month there would be no concessions for unvaccinated players. Tiley said the playing group know they must get the jab to compete at Melbourne Park. Theres a lot of speculation about vaccination and just to be really clear when the Victoria premier announced that everyone on site... will need to be vaccinated we made that clear to the playing group he told Channel Nine television. https://news.yahoo.com/players-must-vaccinated-australian-open-034051588.html 20th Nov 2021

Exit Strategies

The Associated Press Why cant some COVID19 vaccinated people travel to the U.S. Because they might not be vaccinated with shots recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or the World Health Organization. When lifting overseas travel restrictions in November the U.S. required adults coming to the country to be fully vaccinated with shots approved or authorized by the FDA or allowed by WHO. Among the most widely used vaccines that dont meet that criteria are Russias Sputnik V vaccine and Chinas CanSino vaccine. Sputnik V is authorized for use in more than 70 countries while CanSino is allowed in at least nine countries. WHO still is awaiting more data about both vaccines before making a decision. https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-lifestyle-health-united-nations-world-health-organization-9da5e27bee11d7759c1d0515e098a1d9 20th Nov 2021

Exit Strategies

The Associated Press A surge in cases in the Upper Midwest has some Michigan schools keeping students at home ahead of Thanksgiving and the military sending medical teams to Minnesota to relieve hospital staffs overwhelmed by COVID19 patients. The worsening outlook in the Midwest comes as booster shots are being made available to everyone in a growing number of locations. Massachusetts and Utah became the latest to say anyone 18 or older can roll up a sleeve for a booster shots and an advisory committee for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is meeting Friday to discuss expanding boosters. Cold weather states are dominating the fresh wave of cases over the last seven days including New Hampshire North Dakota and Wisconsin according to federal data. But the Southwest had trouble spots too with more than 90 of inpatient hospital beds occupied in Arizona. https://apnews.com/9a8d95fe86d02245cd9d4a5911f6a6bb 20th Nov 2021

Exit Strategies

Bloomberg Singapore will relax some virusrelated curbs from Monday allowing five people from different households to sit together at restaurants although ministers cautioned against expecting any more major easing this year. We are now transiting towards living with Covid19 and I know many or some prefer to open up more quickly but we must do so in a very careful and stepbystep manner Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong said at a multiministry task force briefing on Saturday. Singapore will also increase the limit on social gatherings to five people from two and visits to hospitals and residential care homes will be extended to those who are medically ineligible for vaccination from Dec. 1. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-11-20/singapore-s-covid-cases-stabilize-ahead-of-curbs-deadline 20th Nov 2021

Exit Strategies

LBC Speaking exclusively to Nick Ferrari at Breakfast Lord Lloyd Webber said people are determined to go out and enjoy themselves following months trapped inside due to Covid lockdowns. It comes as the Scottish Government is considering expanding the scheme to cinemas and other hospitality venues such as theatres with a final decision due on Tuesday. Lord Lloyd Webber who was asked by Nick what he thought of the news said it is a small price to pay. https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/andrew-lloyd-webber-vaccine-passports-theatres/ 19th Nov 2021

Partisan Exits

Reuters Two people were being treated in hospital in the Dutch city of Rotterdam on Saturday after they were seriously injured when police fired shots during a violent protest against COVID19 measures authorities said. Crowds of several hundred rioters torched cars set off fireworks and threw rocks at police during the protests on Friday evening. Police responded with warning shots and water canons. Rotterdam police said on Twitter Saturday that 51 people had been arrested half of whom were under 18. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/rotterdam-mayor-slams-violent-covid-19-protests-scores-arrested-2021-11-20/ 20th Nov 2021

Partisan Exits

Reuters Tens of thousands of people many of them farright supporters protested in Vienna on Saturday against coronavirus restrictions a day after Austrias government announced a new lockdown and said vaccines would be made compulsory next year. Whistling blowing horns and banging drums crowds streamed into Heroes Square in front of the Hofburg the former imperial palace in central Vienna in the early afternoon one of several protest locations. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/thousands-protest-vienna-against-covid-restrictions-before-lockdown-2021-11-20/ 20th Nov 2021

Partisan Exits

Reuters Crowds of rioters in the port city of Rotterdam torched cars and threw rocks at police who responded with shots and water canon as protests against COVID19 measures turned violent on Friday night. We fired warning shots and there were also direct shots fired because the situation was lifethreatening police spokesperson Patricia Wessels told Reuters. We know that at least two people were wounded probably as a result of the warning shots but we need to investigate the exact causes further she said. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/dutch-police-fire-warning-shots-during-riots-over-covid-19-measures-2021-11-19/ 20th Nov 2021

Partisan Exits

Reuters Austria will become the first country in western Europe to reimpose a full COVID19 lockdown it said on Friday as neighbouring Germany warned it may follow suit sending shivers through financial markets worried about the economic fallout. Europe has again become the epicentre of the pandemic accounting for half of global cases and deaths. A fourth wave of infections has plunged Germany Europes largest economy into a national emergency Health Minister Jens Spahn said warning that vaccinations alone will not cut case numbers. https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/austria-imposes-full-lockdown-germany-may-follow-covid-grips-europe-2021-11-19/ 20th Nov 2021

Partisan Exits

Aljazeera.com Dutch police opened fire on protesters and seven people were injured in rioting that erupted in downtown Rotterdam at a demonstration against recently introduced COVID19 restrictions and government plans to restrict access for unvaccinated people to some venues. The Dutch citys Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb told reporters in the early hours of Saturday morning that on a number of occasions the police felt it necessary to draw their weapons to defend themselves as rioters ran rampage through the port citys central shopping district setting fires and throwing rocks and fireworks at officers in what Aboutaleb called an orgy of violence. The police shot at protesters people were injured Aboutaleb said. He did not have details on the injuries. Police also fired warning shots. A number of police officers also were injured in the violence and officers arrested dozens of people and expect to arrest more after studying video footage from security cameras Aboutaleb said. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/20/dutch-police-fire-warning-shots-as-covid-riots-rock-rotterdam 20th Nov 2021

Partisan Exits

Bloomberg Violent demonstrations broke out in Rotterdam over the Netherlands virus restrictions with the police firing warning shots and deploying a water canon to push back the crowd. The police said in a statement that two people were injured related to the fired shots but said details of the injuries were unclear. Tweets showed at least one car on fire with a bicycle tossed on top amid the anger of hundreds of protesters some reported to be soccer hooligans. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-11-19/netherlands-police-fire-shots-as-rioters-protest-covid-curbs 20th Nov 2021

Partisan Exits

Bloomberg Pockets of unrest are spreading across Europe as governments return to strict measures like lockdowns to reverse the latest coronavirus wave. New infections are at record levels and some countries including Germany the Czech Republic and Greece are clamping down on the unvaccinated as health services are pushed to the limit. Austria has gone further with a nationwide lockdown to start Monday. Violent demonstrations broke out in Rotterdam Friday night over the Netherlands virus restrictions. Police fired warning shots and broke up the crowd with a water cannon. At least seven injuries were reported. The Dutch government has proposed excluding negative tests from the national health pass allowing only vaccination or recovery from infection. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-11-19/austria-braces-for-protests-after-announcing-vaccine-mandate 20th Nov 2021

Partisan Exits

Reuters Veteran appellate lawyers who have pursued highprofile conservative cases are lining up at the 6th U.S. Circuit of Appeals to challenge the Biden administrations COVID19 vaccination requirement. Among them is San Franciscobased lawyer Harmeet Dhillon who is representing conservative media outlet The Daily Wire at the 6th Circuit and who represents the founder of Project Veritas in other matters. Dhillon has led a number of challenges to pandemicrelated restrictions that California imposed to reduce the spread of the virus. She filed one of the first vaccine petitions at the appeals court contesting the vaccine rule requiring employers with 100 workers or more to mandate vaccination or implement a mask policy and weekly testing. https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/biden-vaccine-rule-faces-roster-top-conservative-lawyers-6th-circuit-2021-11-19/ 20th Nov 2021

Partisan Exits

Reuters Several thousand people took to Australias streets on Saturday protesting COVID19 vaccination mandates while smaller crowds gathered to support the measures that have elevated the country to be one of the most inoculated in the world. Nearly 85 of Australians aged 16 and above have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus as of Nov. 19. While nationwide vaccinations are voluntary states and territories have mandated vaccinations for many occupations and barred the unvaccinated from activities such as dining out and concerts. https://www.reuters.com/markets/asia/pro-anti-vaccination-protesters-take-australia-streets-2021-11-20/ 20th Nov 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters Pfizer plans to apply for a European authorisation of its experimental antiviral pill to treat COVID19 on Friday German weekly Wirtschaftswoche said citing sources close to the European Medicines Agency EMA and the company. The paper also said that acting German health minister Jens Spahn plans to buy Pfizers medicine. The health ministry is in contact with Pfizer regarding a possible procurement of the antiviral drug Paxlovid Wirtschaftswoche quoted a ministrys spokesperson as saying. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/pfizer-apply-eu-authorization-its-covid-pill-friday-wirtschaftswoche-2021-11-19/ 20th Nov 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters AstraZeneca Plcs AZN.L COVID19 vaccine partner in China Shenzhen Kangtai Biological Products BioKangtai 300601.SZ has begun its first shipment of the shot sending more than four million doses to Indonesia BioKangtai said on Friday. Including the first batch BioKangtai plans to send over eight million doses of the Chinamade AstraZeneca shot branded as KconecaVac to Indonesia this month Zhang Qian general manager at BioKangtais international affairs department said in a video interview with local media. https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/chinas-biokangtai-begins-first-shipment-astrazenecas-covid-19-shot-2021-11-19/ 20th Nov 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters The first known COVID19 case was a market vendor in the Chinese city of Wuhan not an accountant who appeared to have no link to the market but whose case contributed to speculation the virus could have leaked from a lab a U.S. researcher wrote in a commentary piece published on Thursday. The origin of the SARSCoV2 virus that causes COVID19 remains a mystery and a major source of tension between China and the United States. The new analysis by the researcher does not provide a definitive answer to that question. https://www.reuters.com/world/market-chinas-wuhan-likely-origin-covid-19-outbreak-study-2021-11-19/ 20th Nov 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

FRANCE 24 Canada on Friday became the latest country to authorize the PfizerBioNTech Covid19 vaccine for children aged between five and 11yearsold. After a thorough and independent scientific review of the evidence the department has determined that the benefits of this vaccine for children between five and 11 years of age outweigh the risks said an official statement from Health Canada. The decision follows an application by the companies submitted on October 18 after carrying out a clinical trial among thousands of children in this age group. The vaccine was found to be more than 90 percent effective at preventing Covid19 and no serious sideeffects were identified. It is dosed at 10 micrograms rather than the 30 micrograms used in older ages and administered as two shots three weeks apart. https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20211119-canada-authorizes-pfizer-covid-vaccine-for-ages-5-11 20th Nov 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

RFI The EUs drug watchdog on Friday backed Mercks antiCovid pill for emergency use ahead of its formal authorisation and started reviewing Pfizers antiviral treatment as cases soar across Europe. The two pills by the US pharma giants represent a potentially groundbreaking step in the fight against coronavirus as studies show they cut the risk of hospitalisation and death in highrisk patients. The European Medicines Agency EMA said that while the Merck pill was not yet approved it had issued advice so that individual countries in the 27nation EU could decide whether to use it in case of a surge in infections. The medicine which is currently not authorised in the EU can be used to treat adults with Covid19 who do not require supplemental oxygen and who are at increased risk of developing severe Covid19 the EMA said in a statement. EMA issued this advice to support national authorities who may decide on possible early use of the medicine prior to marketing authorisation for example in emergency use settings in light of rising rates of infection and deaths due to Covid19 across the EU. https://www.rfi.fr/en/business-and-tech/20211119-merck-covid-pill-backed-for-eu-emergency-use 20th Nov 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Aljazeera.com The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC has expanded eligibility for COVID19 booster jabs to all adults in the United States move that paves the way for millions more Americans to receive additional protection against the virus. The CDC on Friday evening endorsed the advice of a health advisory panel which earlier voted unanimously to recommend expanding booster eligibility to all Americans aged 18 and older who received their second dose of the PfizerBioNTech or Moderna vaccines at least six months earlier. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/19/us-fda-approves-pfizer-moderna-vaccine-boosters-for-all-adults 20th Nov 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Aljazeera.com The vaccine is 90.7 percent effective at preventing COVID19 in kids with no serious side effects Health Canada said. Canada has approved the PfizerBioNTech coronavirus vaccine for children between the ages of five and 11. Its the first jab to be approved for kids in that age group Health Canada said on Friday calling the move a major milestone in the fight against COVID19. The vaccine was 90.7 percent effective at preventing COVID19 in children five to 11 years of age Health Canada said and no serious side effects were identified. After a thorough and independent scientific review of the evidence the Department has determined that the benefits of this vaccine for children between 5 and 11 years of age outweigh the risks Health Canada said in a statement. Kids in Canada will receive two doses of the vaccine at 10 micrograms each to be taken three weeks apart. That is a lower dose than the 30 micrograms twodose regimen authorised for people 12 years of age and older. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/19/canada-approves-pfizer-biontech-jab-for-kids-starting-at-age-five 20th Nov 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Al Jazeera English Soon after the pandemic began we knew that certain groups of people are more at risk of dying from COVID19 than others. It was immediately clear that those with specific underlying health conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease were at increased risk but slowly it became evident that certain ethnic groups were also being disproportionately affected. Social factors have played an important role in why these groups have been more affected than others but genetics may also play a part. Scientists at Oxford University have now identified a version of a gene that may be associated with doubling the risk of respiratory failure from COVID and it could go some way to explaining why people from particular backgrounds are more likely to die from the virus. The studys authors said that their work identifying the gene was extremely difficult because it wasnt merely the presence of the gene they were looking for but whether it was switched on making it more high risk. https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2021/11/17/could-this-gene-double-your-risk-of-dying-from-covid-19 20th Nov 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Aljazeera.com Countries in the Northern Hemisphere are facing an unpredictable winter as COVID19 continues to spread during the flu season experts have warned. Last year when governments recommended a range of protective measures such as maskwearing social distancing and lockdowns to slow COVID19 infections the number of influenza cases dropped dramatically compared with the seasonal average. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control ECDC about 20 percent of the population catches the flu each year but that figure fell by more than 99 percent in 202021. There were no hospitalised cases nor fatalities reported from influenza last season. Cases this year have remained low according to the World Health Organization WHO but with COVID restrictions being lifted in many parts of the world children back in school and the coronavirus continuing to spread experts are urging people to remain cautious. An uptick of influenza cases could burden health systems already facing difficulties due to outbreaks of COVID19 https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/19/how-will-the-covid-pandemic-affect-flu-season 20th Nov 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

The Associated Press The U.S. governments booster campaign got a lot simpler Friday after Food and Drug Administration officials authorized extra shots of Pfizer and Moderna COVID19 vaccines for all adults. It replaces a complicated system in which eligibility was based on age health conditions and other factors. Its simplified things I think significantly over the situation that we had in place previously FDAs vaccine chief Dr. Peter Marks told The Associated Press. The FDA action comes after months of debate among experts over whether everyone 18 and older should get an extra shot for protection. https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-health-db91e37a256d7db0b8fca0b5c78a71cf 20th Nov 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

The Associated Press Pregnant women with COVID19 face increased chances for stillbirths compared with uninfected women and that risk spiked to four times higher after the delta variant emerged new government data show. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report Friday that examined 1.2 million deliveries in 736 hospitals nationwide from March 2020 through September 2021. Stillbirths were rare overall totaling 8154 among all deliveries. But the researchers found that for women with COVID19 about 1 in 80 deliveries resulted in stillbirth. Among the uninfected it was 1 in 155. Among those with COVID19 stillbirths were more common in people with chronic high blood pressure and other complications including those in intensive care or on breathing machines. https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-lifestyle-health-centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention-09d66b3b147016b45bae8e405062d7d8 20th Nov 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

The Associated Press The U.S. on Friday opened COVID19 booster shots to all adults and took the extra step of urging people 50 and older to seek one aiming to ward off a winter surge as coronavirus cases rise even before millions of Americans travel for the holidays. Until now Americans faced a confusing list of who was eligible for a booster that varied by age their health and which kind of vaccine they got first. The Food and Drug Administration authorized changes to Pfizer and Moderna boosters to make it easier. Under the new rules anyone 18 or older can choose either a Pfizer or Moderna booster six months after their last dose. For anyone who got the singledose Johnson Johnson vaccine the wait already was just two months. And people can mixandmatch boosters from any company. https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-boosters-adults-cdc-fda-pfizer-moderna-34aabde2c1c5a88c7763fa1dac77df5f 20th Nov 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

The Hill The nations top infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci has been inundated with calls following a mistake in a scientific journal claiming that the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases NIAID was funding experimental research on beagles. The calls were so frequent that Faucis assistant stopped answering the phone for two weeks in October The Washington Post reported Friday. He received 3600 phone calls in 36 hours. The constant harassment in the form of ridiculous accusations and outright lies makes doing my job and that of my staff of fighting the covid19 pandemic all the more difficult Fauci told the Post. This attack on me which clearly has political overtones to a nonpolitical scientist I feel is dangerous to the entire field of science and shows how people try to intimidate scientists. https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/582377-fauci-overwhelmed-by-calls-after-misinformation-campaign-over-beagle 20th Nov 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

The Wall Street Journal Booster shots from Pfizer Inc and partner BioNTech and Moderna Inc. MRNA will be available to all adults after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention endorsed the extra doses for people at least six months after their second shot. The signoff Friday by CDC Director Rochelle Walensky will lead to a significant widening of the U.S. booster campaign that health officials hope will remove confusion and offer people more protection ahead of holiday gatherings and travel as new daily Covid19 cases are beginning to rise again. Booster shots have demonstrated the ability to safely increase peoples protection against infection and severe outcomes and are an important public health tool to strengthen our defenses against the virus as we enter the winter holidays Dr. Walensky said. https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-boosters-from-pfizer-biontech-moderna-cleared-for-all-u-s-adults-11637329341 20th Nov 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Bloomberg Merck Co.s antiviral pill for Covid19 can be used to treat adults in the European Union the blocs drug regulator said giving countries another weapon to use as a fourth wave of the pandemic sweeps the continent. Mercks Lagevrio pill known generically as molnupiravir is still under review and hasnt been formally authorized for sale. But until then it can be used to treat adults who dont need oxygen therapy and face an increased risk of developing severe Covid the European Medicines Agencys human medicines committee said on Friday. National authorities may decide to use the pill in emergency settings in light of rising rates of infection and deaths due to Covid19 across the EU the regulator said. Austria imposed a nationwide lockdown on Friday and German authorities said they wouldnt rule out a similar move as cases rise and intensive care facilities fill up. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-11-19/merck-covid-pill-can-be-used-to-treat-adults-eu-regulator-says 20th Nov 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

The Washington Post Once the delta variant took hold in the United States pregnant individuals and their fetuses or babies faced increased risks from coronavirus infections according to two new reports released Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One report found that 15 pregnant patients died of covidrelated causes between March 2020 and early October including nine who died after delta became the most prominent strain. All but one of the women who died had underlying health conditions and none had been fully vaccinated. The second report found that the risk of stillbirth increased about fourfold for women with covid19 as delta surged. The reports authors emphasize the importance of preventive measures including vaccination which the CDC recommends for pregnant people. Only about 30 percent of pregnant Americans are vaccinated a rate far lower than the population as a whole. https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/11/19/covid-delta-variant-live-updates/ 20th Nov 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Bloomberg Hong Kong approved lowering the age of eligibility for the Covid19 vaccine from Chinas Sinovac Biotech Ltd. to three years old down from 18 years old. The citys Secretary for Food and Health said adolescents from 12to17 years will be accorded priority to receive the vaccine with a view to extending to children of a younger age group at a later stage according to a statement on Saturday. Experts serving on panels for the Centre for Health Protection had earlier backed the new age limit. The expansion of the eligible population comes as Hong Kongs immunization campaign hits a wall. Vaccine hesitancy is ripe especially among the elderly population many of whom refuse to even get one dose. Since the effort began in February about 60 of residents have been fully vaccinated according to Bloombergs Vaccine Tracker. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-11-20/hong-kong-approves-sinovac-vaccine-for-children-ages-3-17 20th Nov 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters The European Unions drug regulator on Friday advised that an experimental COVID19 pill from Merck should be given within five days of first symptoms to treat adults who do not need oxygen support and are at risk of their disease worsening. The European Medicines Agency EMA said the pill developed along with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics should be taken twice a day for five days but advised against use during pregnancy for in women who plan to get pregnant. https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/eu-recommends-merck-covid-19-pill-adults-risk-severe-illness-2021-11-19/ 20th Nov 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Reuters U.S. regulators expanded eligibility for booster shots of COVID19 vaccines to all adults on Friday allowing millions more Americans to get additional protection against the virus amid a recent rise in infections. The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Rochelle Walensky signed off on the expanded eligibility on Friday evening after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration broadened its authorization of booster doses to all adults who had received their second shot of either the PfizerBioNTech or Moderna Inc vaccine at least six months prior. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/covid-19-boosters-for-all-discussion-moves-cdc-2021-11-19/ 20th Nov 2021

Scientific Viewpoint

Bloomberg The citys Secretary for Food and Health said adolescents from 12to17 years will be accorded priority to receive the vaccine with a view to extending to children of a younger age group at a later stage according to a statement on Saturday. Experts serving on panels for the Centre for Health Protection had earlier backed the new age limit. The expansion of the eligible population comes as Hong Kongs immunization campaign hits a wall. Vaccine hesitancy is ripe especially among the elderly population many of whom refuse to even get one dose. Since the effort began in February about 60 of residents have been fully vaccinated according to Bloombergs Vaccine Tracker. That compares with over 80 in Singapore its rival financial hub in Asia. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-11-20/hong-kong-approves-sinovac-vaccine-for-children-ages-3-17?srnd=premium-europe 20th Nov 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters Russia on Friday reported 1254 coronavirusrelated deaths in the last 24 hours a record daily high that follows a surge in cases. The government coronavirus task force also reported 37156 nationwide infections including 3371 in Moscow down from a peak of 41335 recorded on Nov. 6. https://www.reuters.com/world/russias-daily-covid-19-deaths-reach-new-record-high-2021-11-19/ 20th Nov 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters The Czech Republic reported 22936 new coronavirus cases for Friday its biggest daily tally since the pandemic began health ministry data showed on Saturday. Earlier in the week the country tightened restrictions on people who have not had COVID19 shots to encourage more vaccinations and to ease the burden on hospitals. The Czech government has approved plans to allow only those who are vaccinated or have recovered from COVID19 in the past six months to enter restaurants attend certain events and use some other services from Monday https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/czechs-report-highest-daily-coronavirus-cases-since-pandemic-start-2021-11-20/ 20th Nov 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters The prevalence of COVID19 infections in England fell back to about 1 in 65 people in the week ending Nov. 13 Britains Office for National Statistics said on Friday dropping for a second week after hitting its highest level of the year. Prevalence had been 1 in 60 people in previous week. Recorded cases and estimated prevalence of infection have both dropped back from peaks hit before a school halfterm holiday at the end of last month. https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/englands-covid-prevalence-drops-second-week-ons-says-2021-11-19/ 20th Nov 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters France does not need to follow those European countries imposing COVID19 lockdowns on unvaccinated people because of the success of its health pass in curbing the virus spread President Emmanuel Macron said. Europe has again become the epicentre of the pandemic prompting some countries including Germany and Austria to reintroduce restrictions in the runup to Christmas and causing debate over whether vaccines alone are enough to tame COVID19. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/macron-says-france-will-not-need-lockdown-non-vaccinated-people-covid-spreads-2021-11-18/ 20th Nov 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Associated Press Germany has entered a nationwide state of emergency because of surging coronavirus infections the head of the countrys disease control agency said Friday. Lothar Wieler the head of the Robert Koch Institute said regular medical care cannot be guaranteed anymore in some parts of the country because hospitals and intensive care wards are overstretched. The German air force confirmed a report by daily Bild that it was preparing to help transfer patients to clinics with free beds. All of Germany is one big outbreak Wieler told reporters in Berlin. This is a nationwide state of emergency. We need to pull the emergency brake. He called for urgent additional measures to tackle the rise in COVID19 cases which topped 50000 for the third day running. The Robert Koch Institute also reported 201 further deaths taking the toll to 98739 since the start of the outbreak. https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-europe-germany-berlin-cd31b33f8acb3bbb1cb11bfd495348f7 20th Nov 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

The Associated Press Austria announced a national lockdown and a plan to mandate vaccinations as coronavirus infections hit a record high Friday forcing the government to walk back promises that strict shutdowns were a thing of the past. While the scope of the proposed mandate was unclear a blanket requirement would be a first for a Western country. Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg said those who didnt comply would likely be fined but gave no other details. The moves come as vaccinations in Austria have plateaued at one of the lowest rates in Western Europe and as hospitals in heavily hit states have warned that their intensive care units are reaching capacity. Average daily deaths have tripled in recent weeks though the number of fatalities reported over the past week remains well below the high of last winter and 13 U.S. states are already seeing more deaths per 100000 people. Earlier this month Schallenberg indicated a full lockdown would not be needed and instead imposed the restrictions only on those not vaccinated. https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-lifestyle-health-europe-restaurants-9627ef468fa8484796d33e8dc656e989 20th Nov 2021

Coronavirus Resurgence

Reuters on MSN.com Dutch healthcare officials said on Friday they have begun delaying operations for some cancer and heart patients to free up space in intensive care units during a record wave of COVID19 infections. These are cancer patients that should actually be operated on within six weeks of diagnosis and that wont be met in all cases. Its also heart patients said a spokesperson for LCPS the national organisation that allocates hospital resources. Its horrible of course for the patients. The National Institute for Health RIVM reported a record of more than 23000 new cases in the previous 24 hours on Thursday compared with the previous daily high of around 13000 reached in December 2020. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/facing-new-covid-wave-dutch-delay-care-for-cancer-heart-patients/ar-AAQTYk0 20th Nov 2021