vortmax

Yes, great news coming from them and Moderna.

This isn't China and the US public wouldn't go for a military-style effort - especially an on-going weekly testing with swabs up the nose. Right now, you can go to virtually any CVS, RiteAid, or Walgreens for a free test. There needs to be a quick 5-minute test developed and deployed to all pharms, doc offices, etc. to make this work - and this is exactly what's happening: https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/10/new-test-detects-coronavirus-just-5-minutes. Once this gets commercialized, which it will, then we can begin the widespread quick testing that is needed to manage this virus (and future ones as well). The good news is that we'll be better prepared for any future viruses as far as testing and vaccinations are concerned with all the $$ being thrown at this. CRISPR and mRNA are getting the funding they need to make it happen.

Same as the POTUS. A national mask mandate from the Feds isn't likely legal though - so I've read at least.

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said he would do "whatever it takes" to combat the spread of coronavirus within the country — including locking down the U.S. if deemed necessary. “I would shut it down; I would listen to the scientists,” Biden told ABC’s David Muir in a joint interview with his running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris, to air Sunday.

Not sure that's a good idea...should be localized.

I'm thinking the POTUS will see unexpectedly high Black and Latino votes...which will clearly push him through on Nov 3.

We've also never had an mRNA vaccine either. The one from Moderna could be how all future vaccines are created - assuming it's successful.

It's like making a movie about a deadly hostage situation while it's still happening. Sad.

Agreed.

“Spoke to the president this morning,” Meadows said. “He continued to improve overnight and is ready to get back to a normal working schedule.” He added that the president “will meet with his doctors and nurses this morning to make further assessments of his progress." Meadows added, “We are still optimistic that he will be able to return to the White House later today, with his medical professionals making that determination later today."

Ah, now we understand the hypocrisy. Seems to be quite prevalent these days. My wife and daughter flew to Maine and back a couple weeks ago and now getting 2-3 calls/messages per day from NYS Department of Health COVID response team saying she just visited NYC from a restricted state (which Maine is not one). She called to correct the clear error, but still getting the call - apparently the agent said there were all sorts of issues like this. Doesn't sound like the system is working quite right. She flew through PHL, and PA isn't a restricted state either.

At night too! lol

A new reality in this post-COVID world. Happening everywhere.

Can't wait for the vaccines to be available and for things to get back to normal. 2021 will be a good year...book it.

The current projected IFR from the CDC for COVID is 0.65, Flu is 0.10 (although H3N2 is higher) ....so about 6.5x based on that projection.

There should be a national standard as to death classification in regards to COVID. What Colorado did, changing the way they count COVID deaths (with vs by) seems reasonable as it gives more detail to the data. However, what is the precedent? How are flu deaths counted? It seems logical to follow precedent.

Read this too. Can anyone find this same data for the flu? Particularly H3N2? Would be interesting to compare. In 2018 80,000 Americans died in that season.

Agreed. It would be tempting to not do it for a larger check.

I thought you could choose to have taxes automatically deducted from the checks.

I think it was meant to force Congress to get something done - while providing some temp relief.

The governor of Iowa will finish the application for a presidential declaration on Monday due to all the damage assessment that needed to be done. Also, she spoke with both the Pres and VP and has been assured federal assistance.

I haven't met a single republican that would want to restrict voting from any legal citizen, save for felons. There is no evidence that a higher turnout hurts or helps either party (regarding presidential wins) as well - so it makes no sense for republicans to want restricted voting for legal citizens. On the flip side, it makes a whole lot of sense why Democrats want to allow non-citizens to vote as well as lowering the age to 16.

Agreed - interesting history. That last paragraph though is a totally different debate topic.

I don't think it's primarily anti-science. I think it's primarily a lack of trust in the people, not the science. Data is data, people on both sides either ignore it, manipulate it, or just conveniently not mention it to support their narrative.

I agree, but because it's the only major "service" with direct competition, I think it should be run more like its competition, in fact, should be the shining example of a well-run business to keep the likes of UPS, FedEx, DHL, Amazon, etc. in-check and competitive.