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COVID-19: WATCH
The Latest
Global Numbers
- 48,215,732 cases
- 1,227,096 deaths
- 31,958,983 recovered
—Center for Systems Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
Key Developments
Denmark will cull its entire mink population after a mutated SARS-CoV-2 strain found on mink farms spread to people, The Local reports; there is concern that the mutated virus could compromise the effectiveness of future COVID-19 vaccines—but scientists are hesitant to weigh in until data is released, The New York Times reports.
Ireland’s “R” number—indicating the average number of people an infected person will likely infect—has dropped below 1, weeks after the country imposed its toughest-ever coronavirus restrictions. BBC
Australia’s success story: Following a strategy of early and stringent restrictions and strong messaging, the country is close to eliminating community transmission of COVID-19, with zero cases reported Thursday and just 7 since Saturday. The Washington Post
The immune system’s “T-cell” response to COVID-19 remains robust in most adults 6 months after infection, according to a new study out of the UK. CNBC
Related
A Dreadful New Peak for the American Pandemic: The country recorded more than 100,000 coronavirus cases today—the highest single-day total since the pandemic began. – The Atlantic
Coronavirus: China closes door to British, Belgian and Philippine visitors – South China Morning Post
Covid-19: Rwanda records 12 new infections, majority in refugee camp – The New Times
Italy imposes regional lockdown as coronavirus cases spike – Axios
Is it safe to stay in hotels during the pandemic? – AP
Doctor's self-funded test lab leads way in Somalia's COVID fight – Reuters
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covid-19: pollution
Killer Combination: Pandemic and Particulate Matter
Living in polluted areas significantly ups the risk of dying from COVID-19, according to a new study of US counties published in Science Advances.
The study found that over the long term, even a slight increase in particulate matter concentration increases the COVID-19 mortality rate by 11%, New Scientist reports.
The result “matters a tonne” in terms of forecasting which areas will need the most resources to fight the disease, says lead investigator Francesca Dominici of Harvard University.
Air pollution weakens the lungs, making them more vulnerable to respiratory illnesses like COVID-19.
A Global Concern: New Delhi—which already has the world’s worst air quality—clocked its most toxic air in a year Thursday, Reuters reports.
A good intervention for this “double danger”? Wearing a mask, notes the Times of India.
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pollution
Recycling Gone Wrong
Unsafe recycling of lead-based car batteries may be the biggest global scandal you've never heard of.
It’s profitable but especially dangerous for children working in unsafe, unregulated smelting operations across the globe.
There is no safe level of lead exposure—even low levels can damage kids’ intellectual development. In Senegal, 18 children perished in 3 months from encephalopathy—their brains damaged by toxic lead pollution from a battery recycling plant outside Dakar.
While the problem is well-documented, action is thin.
One proposal: establishing a global fund to offer economic incentives to undercut dangerous informal operations.
Yale Environment 360
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mental health
The Magic in Magic Mushrooms
Psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, worked better than standard antidepressants in treating major depressive disorder in a rigorous new study, NPR reports.
The findings build on earlier research suggesting psilocybin relieved depression in cancer patients.
Compared to a waitlist group, those given psilocybin and psychotherapy showed a significant reduction in depression that lasted to the one-month follow up.
The treatment, along with the party drug ketamine, which has been FDA approved for depression, could be a game-changer for mental health interventions.
But: “We need a good deal more research that addresses safety and efficacy and the type of patient who's likely to benefit,” says Charles F. Reynolds III, who wrote an editorial accompanying the study.
Election Link: This week, Oregon became the first state to legalize access to psilocybin for mental health treatment; DC also voted to decriminalize the use psychedelic substances, CNBC reports.
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Twitter
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Twitter
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Health care still loves a divided Congress – Axios
U.S. elections bring wins and losses for research community – Science
A New Hippocratic Oath Asks Doctors To Fight Racial Injustice And Misinformation – NPR Shots
After a breast cancer diagnosis, many Black women face barriers that delay their care – STAT
New strategies at work in eleventh Ebola outbreak in DRC – Médecins Sans Frontières
New research traces the origins of trench fever – Phys.org
Understanding the spread of infectious diseases – University of Münster via ScienceDaily
Four-week cancer treatment delay raises death risk by 10% – study – The Guardian
NK parliament adopts non-smoking law – The Korea Herald
The women who risk their lives to deliver Pakistan's polio vaccines – The Guardian
Positive outlook predicts less memory decline – Association for Psychological Science via ScienceDaily
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