Posts

Cell-Phone Cameras Can Detect Coronavirus? Scientists Explain How It’s Possible

/0 Comments/in , /by

The demand for testing during the coronavirus pandemic has put a strain on medical centers around the world. As scientists work to simplify the process, a team in California has come up with a way to spot the virus using an ordinary cell phone camera. Using a special device attached to a regular smartphone, researchers say they can accurately test nasal swabs for SARS-CoV-2 — the virus causing COVID-19.

“Our study shows that we can do the detection part of this assay very quickly, making the measurement with mass-produced consumer electronics,” says Daniel Fletcher, a bioengineer at the University of California-Berkeley, in a media release. “We don’t need fancy laboratory equipment.” . . .

The study focused on testing the detector’s ability to work without needing gene amplification like the standard PCR tests do. For this reason, researchers spiked the nasal swabs with SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The team is now working on a solution that induces the same fluorescence from the virus even without a pure sample of it. Study authors say the fact their device doesn’t need the same amplification means the assay can quantify just how much of the virus is in a sample. . .

Believe it or not, the technology in your smartphone is likely better than some of the tools currently helping to detect COVID-19. Researchers say their fluorescence detector uses a laser to create the illumination and lens to collect light. After that, a standard phone is placed on top of the device.

“One takeaway is that the phone camera is ten times better than the plate reader in the lab,” Ott explains. “This is directly translatable to it being a better diagnosis reader.” (Read more from “Cell-Phone Cameras Can Detect Coronavirus? Scientists Explain How It’s Possible” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE

Gym Fined Nearly $10K per Day for Defying COVID-19 Orders

/0 Comments/in , /by

The owner of a gym in Graham, Washington, has vowed to remain open despite a series of hefty fines levied by the state for disobeying Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee’s restrictions intended to slow the spread of COVID-19.

According to the News Tribune, “Graham Fitness was hit with eight violations totaling $77,112 by the state Department of Labor & Industries on Friday for violating the Safe Start mandate to close up shop.” The outlet described the penalty as the state’s “largest pandemic fine to date,” noting that the total breaks down to $9,639 per day.

“They can fine me whatever they want,” owner Michael Knick told the News Tribune on Friday. “I don’t have it.” . . .

According to Knick, his gym has some coronavirus protocols in place, but does not require members to wear face coverings. Knick said he believes the state agency targeted his business because he has collaborated with the Freedom Foundation, a nonprofit that has filed lawsuits in Washington and other states in response to overreaching coronavirus mitigation policies. (Read more from “Gym Fined Nearly $10K per Day for Defying COVID-19 Orders” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE

CDC Says Child Abuse Hospitalizations ‘Increased Significantly’ During Pandemic

/0 Comments/in , /by

During the coronavirus pandemic, there was a major drop in emergency room visits for cases of child abuse. However, child abuse hospitalizations “increased significantly,” according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Emergency room visits for cases of child abuse and neglect of children under the age of 18, plummeted 53% in mid-March compared to the same time period in 2019, according to the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report that was published on Friday. At this time, the White House introduced the “15 Days to Slow the Spread” strategy, President Donald Trump proclaimed a national emergency regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, and several governors began to implement stay-at-home orders.

“The total number of ED visits related to child abuse and neglect began decreasing below the corresponding 2019 period during week 11 (March 15–March 22, 2020) for all age groups examined, coinciding with the declaration of a national emergency on March 13 (2); simultaneously, the proportion of these visits per 100,000 ED visits began increasing above the 2019 baseline for all age groups,” the CDC revealed.

Even though visits to the emergency room plunged, hospitalizations of children suffering from abuse or neglect increased.

“Despite decreases in the weekly number of ED visits related to child abuse and neglect, the weekly number of these visits resulting in hospitalization remained stable in 2020; however, the yearly percentage of ED visits related to child abuse and neglect resulting in hospitalization increased significantly among all age groups,” the health agency reported. (Read more from “CDC Says Child Abuse Hospitalizations ‘Increased Significantly’ During Pandemic” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE

FDA Approves Pfizer’s COVID Vaccine for Emergency Use (VIDEO)

/0 Comments/in , /by

The Food and Drug Administration has approved Pfizer and BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine for emergency use, a monumental turning point in the once-in-a-century pandemic that has taken nearly 300,000 American lives in less than a year and wreaked havoc on the U.S. economy.

FDA Chief Scientist Denise Hinton told Pfizer in a letter Friday that she was authorizing the emergency use of the company’s vaccine.

President Donald Trump called it a “medical miracle” in a video tweet. “We’ve delivered a safe and effective vaccine in just 9 months,” Trump said. “This is one of the greatest scientific accomplishments in history.”

Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said the decision “holds the promise to alter the course of this pandemic in the United States.”“With science guiding our decision-making, the available safety and effectiveness data support the authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine because the vaccine’s known and potential benefits clearly outweigh its known and potential risks,” he said. (Read more from “FDA Approves Pfizer’s COVID Vaccine for Emergency Use (VIDEO)” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE

Police Fatally Shoot Man Breaking COVID-19 Regulations, Protests Erupt

/1 Comment/in , , /by

Hundreds of protesters set a Christmas tree on fire and knocked over other seasonal decorations in demonstrations Wednesday night after police fatally shot a man for not adhering to a COVID-19 curfew in Albania, Politico reported Thursday.

Protests started in Tirana, Albania, on Wednesday where protesters reportedly threw rocks at government buildings and flares at law enforcement officials before they were teargassed, according to Politico. Two protesters and 16 officers sustained injuries, and one officer was in serious condition.

Protesters demanded Prime Minister Edi Rama and Interior Minister Sandër Lleshaj’s resignations, Politico reported. The officer who shot the man has been arrested. . .

Police shot a 25-year-old man when he didn’t stop after officers approached him for breaking curfew on Tuesday, Politico reported. Police claimed the man would not follow orders and that he was carrying a weapon they later referred to as an unidentified object. (Read more from “Police Fatally Shoot Man Breaking COVID-19 Regulations, Protests Erupt” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE

Maybe One of Biden’s ‘Experts’ Can Explain To Him How FDA Approval Works; Melinda Gates Is ‘Incredibly Disappointed’ Trump Put Americans First; FDA Panel Recommends Use of Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine

/0 Comments/in , , /by

By Townhall. Joe Biden has billed himself as a leader who will work in “lockstep” with experts when it comes to the coronavirus pandemic. Well, a good place for him to start would be to learn the difference between an FDA advisory panel’s recommendation for approval of a drug and actual FDA approval. . .

Following Thursday’s recommendation, Joe Biden released a statement on the FDA’s “approval” of the Pfizer vaccine candidate, which hasn’t happened yet.

“Yesterday marked another tragic milestone in our fight against COVID-19,” Biden’s statement began. “But today’s approval by the Food & Drug Administration of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is a bright light in a needlessly dark time.”

An expert or anybody who read the news about the committee’s recommendation to approve the vaccine candidate could have explained the process to Joe.

“Vaccines don’t equal vaccinations,” Biden lectured. “Our challenge now is to scale up manufacturing and distribution to distribute 100 million shots in the first 100 days of my administration.”

(Read more from “Maybe One of Biden’s ‘Experts’ Can Explain To Him How FDA Approval Works” HERE)

_________________________________________

Melinda Gates Is ‘Incredibly Disappointed’ That Americans Will Get the Vaccine First

By Townhall. Billionaire globalist Melinda Gates is “incredibly disappointed” that President Trump has put Americans first in line to receive the Wuhan coronavirus vaccine.

Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, told CNN’s Poppy Harlow that it’s America’s and other high-income countries’ responsibility to make sure impoverished nations get access to the vaccine just as quickly as everyone else.

“Everybody needs this vaccine,” complained Gates. “If we only get it to the high-income countries, this disease is going to bounce around. We’re going to see twice as many deaths. And our recovery of our economies is going to be much slower than if we get the vaccine out to everybody.” . . .

Melinda Gates, who warns about so-called “vaccine nationalism,” said President Trump’s executive order putting Americans first in line to receive the vaccine “is exactly what we were worried about.”

Gates said Trump should invoke the Defense Production Act, for the umpteenth time, and scale up “lots and lots of manufacturing so that not just the U.S. gets vaccines but everybody gets vaccines.” (Read more from “Melinda Gates Is ‘Incredibly Disappointed’ That Americans Will Get the Vaccine First” HERE)

_________________________________________

FDA Panel Recommends Use of Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine

By CBS News. A federal advisory panel on Thursday recommended the emergency use of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. The Food and Drug Administration is expected to approve the drug, kicking off a massive nationwide operation to get nearly 3 million doses of the vaccine to hospitals and drug stores across the country.

“We’ve been working very closely with our state and local partners to make sure they have plans in place to identify providers that are able to receive, store and use the vaccine,” said Dr. Anita Patel, deputy of the CDC’s vaccine task force.

The experts voted 17 to 4 in favor of recommending the drug for emergency use for people aged 16 years and older, with one of the members withholding. Health care workers and nursing home residents will be among the first to get the vaccine.

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla applauded the panel’s decision. “We are pleased with the strong majority vote, and if the FDA issues an authorization, stand at the ready to bring this vaccine to people in the U.S. in an effort to help combat this devastating pandemic,” Bourla said in a statement.

The FDA, however, is not required to follow the panel’s advice. “After we receive recommendations, we will incorporate that into our decision,” Stephen Hahn, the agency’s commissioner, told “CBS This Morning,” calling the endorsement “nonbinding.” (Read more from “FDA Panel Recommends Use of Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE

Democrat Governor Tightens Coronavirus Restrictions: You Don’t Have To Sit in Church for God To Hear Your Prayers

/0 Comments/in , /by

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced new coronavirus restrictions Thursday and urged people of faith to stay out of their churches during the Christmas season.

“This year, we need to think about what is truly the most important thing. Is it the worship or the building?” Northam said at a press conference. “For me, God is wherever you are. You don’t have to sit in the church pew for God to hear your prayers.”

He urged faith leaders to “lead the way” and “set an example” for their communities.

“Worship with a mask on is still worship, worship outside or worship online is still worship,” Northam said.

Northam conceded that he could not legally limit in-person worship ceremonies, noting that the recent Supreme Court decision against the state of New York prevented him from doing that.

(Read more from “Democrat Governor Tightens Coronavirus Restrictions: You Don’t Have To Sit in Church for God To Hear Your Prayers” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE

Doctors Tell Senate They’re Attacked for Saving COVID Patients

/0 Comments/in , /by

At a Senate hearing, six prominent physicians called for removing obstacles to outpatient therapies for COVID-19 they contend are saving lives.

The testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on Tuesday was the second part a hearing organized by Chairman Ron Johnson titled “Early Outpatient Treatment: An Essential Part of a COVID-19 Solution.”

Dr. Jane Orient, the executive director of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, urged the committee to exercise its oversight over federal agencies that are “effectively blocking treatment that could prevent 100,000 needless deaths and stop the crippling fear and the destruction of millions of livelihoods.”

“Today’s top-down, authority-based ‘standard of care’ for early COVID, promulgated in NIH guidelines, is therapeutic nihilism,” she said in her prepared statement.

“This is shocking and unprecedented, but in today’s litigious environment,” she said, doctors who “dare prescribe” a drug proven to effectively treat COVID-19 like hydroxychloroquine could be “fired, removed from insurance panels, investigated, or even delicensed.” (Read more from “Doctors Tell Senate They’re Attacked for Saving COVID Patients” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE

Lockdowns Have Caused Over 240,000 Children to Drop Out of School

/0 Comments/in , /by

The past nine months have seen more than a quarter-million Americans die from the coronavirus. Each and every death represents a tragedy — a life cut short, an empty place at the family table this holiday season, children mourning their parents, even parents mourning their children.

But a separate and ongoing tragedy has also struck at countless more than another quarter-million Americans: Children who have disappeared from school following last spring’s COVID-19 closures. A survey conducted by CBS’s “60 Minutes” found that among 78 of the largest school districts in the country, at least 240,000 students remained unaccounted for when school resumed, in many cases virtually, this fall. This number doesn’t, of course, include the many other children schools have lost in other districts.

Each and every one of those cases also represents a tragedy. Indeed, it’s a slow-moving crisis. Every child who doesn’t return to school to complete his or her education represents dreams unfulfilled. It means diminished career prospects, lower earnings, an increased risk of trouble with law enforcement or substance misuse, more expense to society through the criminal justice and welfare systems, and on, and on, and on.

Just as these students have fallen through the proverbial cracks, however, policymakers do not seem to be doing nearly enough to solve the problem. (Read more from “Lockdowns Have Caused Over 240,000 Children to Drop Out of School” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE

Devastating: Poll Reveals the Financial Strain COVID Has Caused Small Businesses

/1 Comment/in , /by

A poll released Tuesday found that 85% of small businesses will need federal funds to stay open during the coronavirus pandemic.

Alignable, an online referral network for small businesses, conducted the poll, which asked small businesses how important additional federal relief funds were to their ability to stay open through June 2021. 48% of small businesses said federal funds are “critical” to their survival, 37% said they are significantly important, 12% said they are somewhat important, and just 3% said that federal funds are not important.

Small businesses need an average of $110,000 per business in order to survive through June of 2021, according to the poll.

Business owners were also asked what they would spend the money on if they received another loan. The most common response was paying rent or employee salaries. Business owners also said that they would pay for additional bills, pay themselves, pay off other loans, invest in expansion plans, or participate in online education to become more virtual. (Read more from “Devastating: Poll Reveals the Financial Strain COVID Has Caused Small Businesses” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE