Updates from Santa Cruz's Struggling Benchlands Meal & Santa Barbara's Peter Marin
Robert Norse | indybay.org | 2020-04-05
Santa Barbara activist Peter Marin blasts Santa Barbara's "Let 'Em Die: " Lack of Services. Santa Cruz Food Not Bombs activist Keith McHenry Calls for More Volunteers, Warns Local Authorities Violate CDC Safeguards for Those Outside…
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/04/04/1883210…
California regulators approve new fracking permits during COVID-19 epidemic
Dan Bacher | indybay.org | 2020-04-05
The increase in oil and gas drilling permits in recent years, including fracking operations
The Billionaires Putting Their Wealth Above Public Health Amid the Pandemic
Staff | truthout.org | 2020-04-05
While millions are facing health and financial uncertainty and unemployment rolls are reaching record levels due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, a small group of wealthy elites are thriving. Not only do the rich and powerful seem to have access to otherwise near-impossible to obtain COVID-19 testing and enjoy better access to healthcare, they are also self-isolating at swanky vacation esta…
truthout.org/articles/the-billionaires-p…
Covid-19 hotspot Italy rolls out plan for 'living with the virus' once peak has passed
rt.com | 2020-04-05
Rome is set to cautiously relax some of its lockdown restrictions when the pandemic slows down or stops its spread, while at the same time boosting health services to keep coronavirus at bay. | Italian Health Minister Roberto Speranza has outlined a five-step plan to allow his Covid-stricken country to outlast the fatal disease, which has claimed 15,362 lives to date. "There are difficult months ahead. Our task is to create the conditions to live with the virus," he was quoted as saying by La Repubblica newspaper. | Italy, the worst-affected country in Europe in terms of Covid-19 deaths, will exit the nationwi…
rt.com/news/485024-italy-ease-coronaviru…
Colleagues pay tribute to NHS staff who have died during Covid-19 crisis
The Canary | thecanary.co | 2020-04-05
Tributes have flooded in for NHS staff known to have died after contracting Covid-19.Two nurses
Spain registers fewer than 700 new coronavirus-related deaths as daily fatalities show signs of slowing
rt.com | 2020-04-05
Spain's death toll from Covid-19 has risen by 674 in the last 24 hours, the country's Health Ministry reported, marking fewer deaths than in previous days. The number of newly-confirmed cases has also fallen by around 1,000. | The daily number of registered cases is also showing signs of decline. Cases rose to 130,759 from 124,736 on Sunday
By Refusing to Cancel In-Person Voting, Wisconsin GOP Weaponizes Coronavirus
Staff | truthout.org | 2020-04-05
Despite warnings from public health experts and legal challenges by voting rights groups, the Democratic primary and state and local elections are set to go forward on Tuesday after Republican state legislators refused to take up a proposal to cancel most in-person voting in light of the coronavirus pandemic. | After Democratic Gov. Tony Evers ordered la…
truthout.org/articles/by-refusing-to-can…
Brazil, Chile, Ecuador Report Highest Number of COVID-19 Cases
telesurenglish.net | 2020-04-05
Brazil, Chile and Ecuador are currently reporting the highest number of COVID-19 (coronavirus) cases in the entire Latin America region, the latest reports revealed on Sunday morning. | RELATED: | Bots Made 55 % of Pro-Bolsonaro Tweets About COVID-19 | According to data from the Brazilian Ministry of Health, the death toll from coronavirus increased to 432, with 73 deaths reported in the last 24 hours. | The figure of 73 deaths is the highest for a single day since the first cas…
telesurenglish.net/news/Brazil-Chile-Ecu…
Spain's Sanchez Calls for New 'Marshall Plan' in Europe
telesurenglish.net | 2020-04-05
Spanish President Pedro Sánchez, told the nations of the European Union (EU) that they will fail as a community if forceful measures are not taken to face the coronavirus pandemic. | RELATED: | Spain: Bio-Engineers Find Drug That Blocks Effects of COVID-19 | In an article published on Sunday in more than a dozen European newspapers, in different languages, Sánchez appealed for solidarity between EU countries to get ahead in the face of the health emergency that is hitting the co…
telesurenglish.net/news/Spains-Sanchez-C…
Tory incompetence revealed as Hancock admits NHS may not hit ventilator target before virus peak
The Canary | thecanary.co | 2020-04-05
The health secretary has said the government is on track to meet its goal of ventilator capacity for 18,000 patients. However, he also admitted that may not be in place before the expected peak of the virus.Matt Hancock said the virus is expected to peak within a week to 10 days but said the ventilator capacity will likely be below 18,000 by then.He defended the government's handling of the outbreak and said the army is now helping to get personal protective equipment (PPE) to the NHS front line.He also said now is "not the time" to be discussing a pay rise for nurses, but said he was "sympathetic" to calls for t…
thecanary.co/uk/news/2020/04/05/tory-incompetence-revealed-as-hancock-admits-nhs-may-not-hit-ventilator-target-before-virus-peak/
Colleagues pay tribute to NHS staff who have died during Covid-19 crisis
The Canary | thecanary.co | 2020-04-05
Tributes have flooded in for NHS staff known to have died after contracting Covid-19.Two nurses
Scottish health chief RESIGNS after police tells her off for breaking Covid-19 lockdown rules
rt.com | 2020-04-05
Dr Catherine Calderwood is stepping down from…
rt.com/uk/485041-scottish-health-chief-r…
Governor Newsom Issues Moratorium on Water Shutoffs to Homes, Small Businesses
Dan Bacher | indybay.org | 2020-04-05
In a statement, Alexandra Nagy, Food & Water Action California Director, lauded Newsom for making the "common sense decision" to halt water shutoffs in California. | "We're very pleased that Governor Newsom has made the common-sense decision to halt water shutoffs in the state while we confront this overwhelming public health crisis. He must also ensure that water is restored to every home where it was previously cut off.
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/04/03/1883208…
'Low-risk' businesses in Iran will start operating within a week, Rouhani says
rt.com | 2020-04-05
Some commerce and industries in Iran will likely be able to resume activities in a week's time, President Hassan Rouhani has announced, signaling that the Islamic Republic has survived the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic. | "Under the supervision of the Health Ministry, all those low-risk economic activities will resume from Saturday," Rouhani said in a televised meeting. | He added that two-thirds of Iranian government employees will work from their offices starting next weekend, adding that the easing of anti-coronavirus measures does not conflict with the country's health advisories. | Businesses deemed "hig…
rt.com/news/485000-iran-businesses-coron…
NARAL America: Combating Health Disinformation National Training Webinar
NARAL Pro-Choice America | indybay.org | 2020-04-05
Online…
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/04/04/1883210…
No-one's buying Matt Hancock's excuse for more draconian restrictions on our lives
Emily Apple | thecanary.co | 2020-04-05
Health secretary Matt Hancock appeared on The Andrew Marr Show on 5 April. He warned that unless people follow the rules on essential travel and social distancing then tougher restrictions would be introduced. Hancock stated that: I don't want to have to take away exercise as a reason to leave home… if too many people are not following the rules. | If you don't want us to take the next step and ban exercise… then the message is very clear… you have to follow the rules.
thecanary.co/trending/2020/04/05/no-ones-buying-matt-hancocks-excuse-for-more-draconian-restrictions-on-our-lives/
'Better days will return': Queen Elizabeth compares Covid-19 fight to WWII, but reassures Brits, as coronavirus deaths near 5,000
rt.com | 2020-04-05
Adapting her wartime message for the present, Queen Elizabeth II has assured the UK that by remaining "united and resolute" it will beat the coronavirus pandemic. Meanwhile, the virus claimed another 621 lives overnight. | In what was only her fourth special broadcast since her coronation in 1953, the queen thanked healthcare workers "who selflessly continue their day-to-day duties outside the home in support of us all." | Her Majesty The Queen addresses the UK and the Commonwealth in a special broadcast recorded at Windsor Castle. pic.twitter.com/HjO1uiV1Tm– The Roy…
rt.com/uk/485036-queen-elizabeth-covid-p…
California Apartment Association is afraid of coronavirus rent strikes
Lynda Carson | indybay.org | 2020-04-05
With millions in California losing their jobs, income, food, and healthcare, while being ordered to shelter-in-place as a result of the coronavirus pandemic spreading across the state and the nation, it seems reasonable to many that a rent strike not only seems feasible, but necessary.
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/04/04/1883210…
A Tale of Two Stockpiles
Brian Terrell | commondreams.org | 2020-04-05
The United States Strategic National Stockpile of essential medical supplies maintained by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, seems unable to respond to the present COVID-19 crisis.
commondreams.org/views/2020/04/05/tale-t…
The Struggle Of The Grand Princess Crew & All Crew Members For Healthcare & Justice
Labor Video Project | indybay.org | 2020-04-05
Terry Valen, the president of the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON) talks about the conditions of the Grand Princess crew which is docked off Hunters Point shipyard. He also talks about the conditions of repatriated seafarers from the Grand Princess who are now in the Philippines…
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/04/02/1883207…
The Billionaires Putting Their Wealth Above Public Health Amid the Pandemic
Staff | truthout.org | 2020-04-05
While millions are facing health and financial uncertainty and unemployment rolls are reaching record levels due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, a small group of wealthy elites are thriving. Not only do the rich and powerful seem to have access to otherwise near-impossible to obtain COVID-19 testing and enjoy better access to healthcare, they are also self-isolating at swanky vacation esta…
truthout.org/articles/the-billionaires-p…
Latinos and Asian Americans hit hardest by early COVID-19 job losses
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2020-04-05
San José, CA – The headline news that the unemployment rate for March jumped by almost a full percentage point, to 4.4%, was bad enough. The actual unemployment rate was much higher by the end of March, given that the more 10 million people who lost their jobs and filed for unemployment insurance benefits in the last two weeks of March were not counted. Adding in these workers would have increased the unemployment rate by more than 6%, raising the total rate at the end of March to about 10.5%. | The official government unemployment rate also understates the number of jobless workers, as you have to be out of work…
www.fightbacknews.org/2020/4/5/latinos-a…
Magic bullet for Covid-19? Scientists look to century-old plasma treatment, but there are some big 'BUTS'
rt.com | 2020-04-05
As the world seeks a Covid-19 panacea, treating patients with plasma harvested from those who have recovered from the virus is being touted as a possible cure
Some good news! Number of people who've RECOVERED from Covid-19 passes quarter of a million
rt.com | 2020-04-05
Perhaps the most under-reported statistic in the entire coronavirus pandemic passed an important milestone on Sunday as 250,000 were marked as having recovered from the illness. | The onward march of the death toll and number of confirmed cases has prompted countless hours of media coverage, as the virus spread around the globe. However, the number of people who are officially recorded as having recovered from the disease receives far less attention. | The important stat climbed past the quarter of a million barrier (to 252,478) on Sunday, as more than 20 percent of confirmed carriers of the virus have officia…
rt.com/news/485027-recovered-from-corona…
US Government's Handling of Coronavirus Crisis Has Likely Led to Severe Undercounting of Deaths, Public Health Officials Say
Julia Conley, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2020-04-05
Decision-making by the U.S. government early on during the coronavirus outbreak has likely led to the country severely undercounting the number of deaths from the coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19, according to public health experts. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
commondreams.org/news/2020/04/05/us-gove…
'Reckless': Chaos Expected in Tuesday's Elections After Wisconsin Republicans Refuse to Cancel In-Person Voting
Julia Conley, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2020-04-05
Despite warnings from public health experts and legal challenges by voting rights groups, the Democratic primary and state and local elections are set to go forward on Tuesday after Republican state legislators refused to take up a proposal to cancel most in-person voting in light of the coronavirus pandemic. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
commondreams.org/news/2020/04/05/reckles…
'This President Has Blood on His Hands': Trump Again Urges Public to Take Anti-Malaria Drug for Coronavirus, Despite Reports of Danger
Julia Conley, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2020-04-05
The nation's top expert on infectious diseases was forced once again on Sunday to negate President Donald Trump's latest claim that an anti-malaria drug can treat coronavirus, which the president made at his Saturday evening press conference. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
commondreams.org/news/2020/04/05/preside…
[Editorial] Open versus endovascular repair of aortic aneurysms
The Lancet | thelancet.com | 2020-04-04
When the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) released draft guidelines on the diagnosis and management of abdominal aortic aneurysms in May, 2018, it caused outcry. By recommending that endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of unruptured aneurysms should not be offered–even in patients for whom open surgical repair was contraindicated–critics said that many patients would be denied life-saving treatment and that the guidelines were unworkable.
thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PI…(20)30759-5/fulltext?rss=yes
[Editorial] Redefining vulnerability in the era of COVID-19
The Lancet | thelancet.com | 2020-04-04
What does it mean to be vulnerable? Vulnerable groups of people are those that are disproportionally exposed to risk, but who is included in these groups can change dynamically. A person not considered vulnerable at the outset of a pandemic can become vulnerable depending on the policy response. The risks of sudden loss of income or access to social support have consequences that are difficult to estimate and constitute a challenge in identifying all those who might become vulnerable. Certainly, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, vulnerable groups are not only elderly people, those with ill health and comorbidities, or…
thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PI…(20)30757-1/fulltext?rss=yes
[Comment] Offline: COVID-19–what countries must do now
Richard Horton | thelancet.com | 2020-04-04
How should countries plan for the approaching health crisis caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)? In the UK, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, himself struck down with infection, has written to every household warning that, "we know things will get worse before they get better". The UK Government is right to prepare the public for the coming human catastrophe. All governments have a responsibility to do the same. But this advice does not go far enough. Here are five critical actions that need to be considered immediately.
thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PI…(20)30787-X/fulltext?rss=yes
[World Report] 2020 Canada Gairdner Award winners announced
Talha Burki | thelancet.com | 2020-04-04
On March 31, the Gairdner Foundation announced the winners of its annual prizes in biomedical science and global health. Talha Burki spoke with the laureates.
thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PI…(20)30789-3/fulltext?rss=yes
[Correspondence] Obsolete medical law in Japan harms doctors' health
Genichi Sugihara, Nori Takei | thelancet.com | 2020-04-04
Japan has achieved one of the most successful health-care systems in the world.1 Under the nation's insurance scheme, Japanese citizens have taken for granted that anyone can choose any health-care facility and receive the most advanced medical care across the nation. However, little attention has been paid to the fact that such a health system is supported by dedicated and self-sacrificing medical professionals. Such overloaded expectation is especially high in rural areas where the number of doctors remains low.
thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PI…(20)30176-8/fulltext?rss=yes
[Comment] A planetary health perspective on COVID-19: a call for papers
Alastair Brown, Richard Horton | thelancet.com | 2020-04-04
It is natural during the unfolding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic to focus on emergency response planning, including containment, treatment procedures, and vaccine development, and nobody would doubt the need for these measures. However, an emergency can also open a window of opportunity for reflection and learning. We live in increasingly global, interdependent, and environmentally constrained societies and the COVID-19 pandemic exemplifies these aspects of our world. We would therefore be wise to take a broad integrated perspective on this disease, the impacts of which are already spilling over in…
thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PI…(20)30742-X/fulltext?rss=yes
[Department of Error] Department of Error
thelancet.com | 2020-04-04
Biswal S, Borja-Tabora C, Martinez Vargas L, et al. Efficacy of a tetravalent dengue vaccine in healthy children aged 4–16 years: a randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. Lancet 2020; published online March 17. dox.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30414-… appendix of this Article has been corrected as of April 2, 2020.
thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PI…(20)30682-6/fulltext?rss=yes
[Correspondence] Authoritarianism and the threat of infectious diseases
Juan M Pericà s | thelancet.com | 2020-04-04
Punitive social policy, encompassing the dismantling of the welfare state with the expansion of the penal state and its associated institutions, as nicely stated by Elias Nosrati and Michael Marmot in their Perspective,1 might indeed be considered an upstream social determinant of health. Nosrati and Marmot's analysis relates to the findings described by Navarro and colleagues,2 linking political ideology with policies aimed at reducing social inequalities such as welfare state and labour market policies.
thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PI…(19)32595-4/fulltext?rss=yes
[Correspondence] Chagas disease: still a neglected emergency?
Renato D Lopes, Claudio Gimpelewicz, John J V McMurray | thelancet.com | 2020-04-04
10 years after highlighting the health consequences for millions of people infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, a 2019 report from the Pan American Health Organization concluded that there has been little progress in the prevention and treatment of Chagas disease, a problem that now extends beyond Latin America.1…
thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PI…(20)30171-9/fulltext?rss=yes
[Correspondence] Education and research are essential for lasting peace in Yemen
Fathiah Zakham, Olli Vapalahti, Hilal A Lashual | thelancet.com | 2020-04-04
Yemen, known to many as the land of Sheba, and Manhattan of the desert, is now referred to only as one of the poorest countries on Earth. The name Yemen has become synonymous with cholera, famine, death, instability, and war. The war continues to erase the lives, history, and the future of Yemenis, and meaningful aid and peace have yet to reach Yemen.
thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PI…(20)30162-8/fulltext?rss=yes
[Comment] The COVID-19 pandemic in the USA: what might we expect?
Gerardo Chowell, Kenji Mizumoto | thelancet.com | 2020-04-04
As of March 19, 2020, 191‚Äà127 cases of, including 7807 deaths attributed to, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been reported worldwide.1 The incidence of reported cases in China has dramatically reduced to tens per day as a result of strict social distancing measures; however, the pandemic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is now generating sustained transmission in many countries including the USA. In The Lancet, Isaac Ghinai, Tristan D McPherson, and colleagues2 report details of the first known human-to-human transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the USA, which was…
thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PI…(20)30743-1/fulltext?rss=yes
[Correspondence] Mass drug administration: time to consider drug pollution?
Gorka Orive, Unax Lertxundi | thelancet.com | 2020-04-04
Mass drug administration is the strategy recommended by WHO to control or eliminate many neglected tropical diseases that cause devastating consequences worldwide. This strategic approach, which has produced unquestionable benefits, consists of treating every person, infected or not, living in a defined geographical area at approximately the same time.1 In 2017, more than 1 ∑7 billion treatments (mainly albendazole, mebendazole, ivermectin, azithromycin, and praziquantel) were delivered to 1 ∑04 billion individuals.
thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PI…(20)30053-2/fulltext?rss=yes
[Obituary] Philip Leder
Geoff Watts | thelancet.com | 2020-04-04
Molecular geneticist and genetic code breaker. He was born in Washington, DC, USA, on Nov 19, 1934, and died from complications of Parkinson's disease in Chestnut Hill, MA, USA, on Feb 2, 2020, aged 85 years.
thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PI…(20)30685-1/fulltext?rss=yes
Democratic National Convention changes date, so does planned march on the DNC
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2020-04-04
Milwaukee, WI – A new date is being announced for the March on the Democratic National Convention: Monday, August 17. Organizers are going ahead with the march by discussing ways to make the protest safe and taking into account health guidelines. Due to the coronavirus crisis, the Democratic Party recently changed their dates, as they continue to discuss limiting participation at the convention. | …
www.fightbacknews.org/2020/4/4/democrati…
Sanders Calls for Boldest Legislation in Modern History to Halt COVID-19 Crisis
Staff | truthout.org | 2020-04-04
Sen. Bernie Sanders on Friday released his demands for six key priorities that he said must be included in the next round of federal economic relief for suffering Americans as the coronavirus pandemic cripples the country's healthcare system and eviscerates the economy. | "We are in the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic that could lead to the death of hundreds of thousands of Americans and infect millions of others, and we are entering an economic downturn that could be worse than the Great Depre…
truthout.org/articles/sanders-calls-for-…
Ecuador Reports 3,465 COVID-19 Infections, 172 Deaths
telesurenglish.net | 2020-04-04
The Ecuadoran Ministry of Public Health on Saturday raised the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus to 3,465, with 172 deaths. | RELATED: | President Maduro Sends Solidarity to Colombia and Ecuador | Vice Minister of Health Ernesto Carrasco stated that in the last 24 hours, 97 new cases and 27 new deaths were reported. | Carrasco noted that of the total number of confirmed cases nationwide, 2,402 have been reported in the southwestern province of Guayas, the epicenter…
telesurenglish.net/news/Ecuador-Reports-…
Mounting opposition among German health care, industrial workers
wsws.org | 2020-04-04
The German government has implemented a bailout program for major companies and banks, but health care and industrial workers are forced to work under catastrophic conditions.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/04/04/germ…
Trump Endangers Lives by Feuding With Governors and Withholding Health Insurance
Staff | truthout.org | 2020-04-04
As U.S. COVID-19 deaths start to spike, at least 11 of the 13 states with their own health insurance exchanges have reopened enrollment, so as to allow residents to access affordable health care. "We're not going to be able to control the virus unless we get everyone covered and able to get tested and access the treatment they need," Anthony Wrig…
truthout.org/articles/trump-endangers-li…
US health care workers face retribution for criticizing unsafe hospital conditions
wsws.org | 2020-04-04
The shortage or entire absence of personal protective equipment (PPE) is driving health care workers to voice their concern over the danger of becoming infected.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/04/04/safe…
From Free CovidCare to Medicare For All: The Time is Now to Provide Health Care as a Public Good for All
Anja Rudiger | commondreams.org | 2020-04-04
The coronavirus pandemic is exposing the deadly failings of market-driven health care. It takes all of us to protect our health, yet our health system is divided and unequal.
commondreams.org/views/2020/04/04/free-c…
Nepal: Masses confront enormous hardships from coronavirus pandemic
wsws.org | 2020-04-04
Nepal's government has made no serious effort to ensure that the country's overwhelmingly poor population will have daily essentials, medicine and health safety equipment.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/04/04/nepa…
Iran Expands Its Hospital Capacity to Treat Over 55,000 Cases
telesurenglish.net | 2020-04-04
Iran's Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi reported that his country continues to expand its hospital capacity as a preventive measure against a possible worsening of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has killed 3,452 people so far. | RELATED: | US Senators Request to Ease Sanctions Against Venezuela, Iran | In the last 24 hours, 2,560 new cases and 158 deaths have been confirmed, bringing the total count to 55,743 infected, of whom 4,103 are in serious condition. So far, 19,736 pati…
telesurenglish.net/news/Iran-Expands-Its…
Corporate Media Ignore International Cooperation as Shortcut to Coronavirus Vaccine
Joshua Cho | commondreams.org | 2020-04-04
When Dr. Jonas Salk was asked in a legendary interview about who owned the patent on the effective polio vaccine he and his team had developed, he acknowledged that their achievement belonged to "the people," and likened efforts to profit off their innovation to be as unethical as trying to patent the Sun.
commondreams.org/views/2020/04/04/corpor…