(2020-12-12). Christmas easing of restrictions a 'mistake which will have consequences'. thecanary.co 
Relaxing coronavirus restrictions throughout the UK over Christmas is a "mistake" which will have "consequences", a public health expert has said.Christmas: Linda Bauld, professor of public health at the University of Edinburgh, said she was concerned about people travelling from areas with high infections to parts of the country with lower prevalence of the virus.The UK government and devolved administrations have agreed a joint plan to relax social distancing rules for five days over the festive period, between 23 and 27 December, allowing friends and family to hug for the first time in months.But Bauld…
(2020-12-12). [World Report] Humanitarian access deal for Tigray. thelancet.com Humanitarian groups will be allowed into Tigray, Ethiopia, where conflict has displaced thousands and strained health services. Sharmila Devi reports.
(2020-12-12). CBO Shows Medicare For All Could Cover Everyone For Less Per Year. popularresistance.org The Congressional Budget Office on Thursday released a report examining the costs associated with universal healthcare proposals that are based on Medicare's fee-for-service program and found that implementing a single-payer health insurance program in the United States would not only guarantee coverage for every person in the country but would also reduce overall healthcare spending nationwide. | In the words of researcher Matt Bruenig—founder and president of the progressive think tank People's Policy Project who called the CBO's working paper (pdf) on the topic "more exhaustive than any other…
(2020-12-12). World must invest in strong health systems that protect everyone — now and into the future. news.un.org The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed just how important it is for all countries to have strong health systems that provide the entire population with quality services when and where they need them, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has stressed.
(2020-12-12). [Correspondence] One Health or Planetary Health for pandemic prevention? thelancet.com It is a well accepted narrative that the disruption of forests, rapid urbanisation, and population growth are driving zoonotic events simply by increasing close contact between people and animals.1 However, these predictor variables (eg, urbanisation, land usage, human population density) only explain about 30% of the total variation in zoonotic potential.2 With advancing technologies, it has been shown that vertebrate RNA viruses, despite transmitting between species, have co-evolved with their hosts for millions of years, which only strengthens the theory that zoonotic diseases caused by RNA virus spillover, su…
(2020-12-12). [World Report] Experts call to include prisons in COVID-19 vaccine plans. thelancet.com As some countries begin vaccination, experts are questioning the allocation and prioritisation lists. Nayanah Siva reports.
(2020-12-12). [Correspondence] One Health or Planetary Health for pandemic prevention? — Authors' reply. thelancet.com One Health recognises the fundamental interconnectedness and complex interdependence of all living species and their shared environment.1 Thus, a view that One Health is focused on human—animal interaction alone, primarily addresses the risk of zoonotic events, and that these events occur as a result of urbanisation, land usage, and increasing human population density, therefore suggesting that One Health is sufficient to address pandemic risks, is flawed. Nevertheless, there is abundant evidence that disease agents of zoonotic origin account for over half of all emerging or re-emerging human infectious dis…
(2020-12-12). [Correspondence] Association of SARS-CoV-2 renal tropism with acute kidney injury. thelancet.com In their report on the association of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) renal tropism with acute kidney injury, Fabian Braun and colleagues1 do not appear to have provided evidence for acute kidney injury as defined in the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) clinical practice guidelines—that is, an increase in serum creatinine (SCr) by 26 ∑5 Œºmol/L or more within 48 h; an increase in SCr to 1 ∑5 times or more from baseline, which is known or presumed to have occurred within the previous 7 days; or a urine volume of less than 0 ∑5 ml/kg per h f…
(2020-12-12). British Government And Other Warnings Re Pfizer Covid Vaccine. indybay.org Warnings from UK health officials, CNN, NPR and other | sources re the covid vaccine.
(2020-12-12). Iran to conduct human test of domestic COVID-19 vaccine. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 12 (MNA) — The head of the Execution of Imam Khomeini's Order (EIKO) said that Iran will conduct the human test of domestic COVID-19 vaccine for the first time in two weeks.
(2020-12-12). "There is no vaccine to save the planet" indybay.org In the Arctic, 2020 has seen exceptional warmth, with temperatures more than 3 degrees Celsius above average – and more than 5 degrees in northern Siberia. Arctic sea ice in October was the lowest on record – and now re-freezing has been the slowest on record. Greenland ice has continued its long-term decline, losing an average of 278 gigatons a year.
(2020-12-12). [Obituary] Valerie Curtis. thelancet.com Engineer turned hygiene scientist and public health advocate. She was born in Seascale, UK, on Sept 20, 1958, and died of vaginal cancer in Haywards Heath, UK, on Oct 19, 2020, aged 62 years.
(2020-12-12). [Articles] Genome-edited, donor-derived allogeneic anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T cells in paediatric and adult B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: results of two phase 1 studies. thelancet.com These two studies show, for the first time, the feasibility of using allogeneic, genome-edited CAR T cells to treat patients with aggressive leukaemia. UCART19 exhibited in-vivo expansion and antileukaemic activity with a manageable safety profile in heavily pretreated paediatric and adult patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The results this study are an encouraging step forward for the field of allogeneic CAR T cells, and UCART19 offers the opportunity to treat patients with rapidly progressive disease and where autologous CAR-T-cell therapy is unavailable.
(2020-12-12). [Correspondence] Cardiovascular preventive strategies are not conflicting. thelancet.com We agree with Michael Brainin and Karen Sliwa1 about the urgent need to improve the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease but would like to correct some other points they raise. Brainin and Sliwa suggest that we2 promoted high-risk approaches over population-based approaches; however, we stated that "Too often debate about prevention of cardiovascular disease is polarised between opposing evangelists for the high-risk and population-wide approaches. An agnostic approach based on effectiveness and cost-effectiveness is preferable.
(2020-12-12). Predicting hyperprogressive disease in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treated with anti-programmed cell death 1 therapy. thelancet.com We identified three clinical variables as risk factors for HPD, providing an opportunity to aid the pre-treatment evaluation of the risk of HPD in patients treated with immunotherapy.
(2020-12-12). Wednesday 12/16: NAACP Town Hall: Slowing Pandemic Spread, #COVID19 Vaccine, & Health of Black Community. indybay.org Online town hall…
(2020-12-12). How to Cure America's Vaccine Paranoia. zcomm.org The vaccine refusers among us will likely continue to benefit from living in a largely vaccinated community, mooching off of the herd immunity they refuse to contribute to…
(2020-12-12). [World Report] Bolivia's new health minister promises universal health care. thelancet.com Once implemented, the system will guarantee free health care to Bolivians, but critics say more funding is needed. Amy Booth reports.
(2020-12-12). [Seminar] Primary biliary cholangitis. thelancet.com Primary biliary cholangitis is an autoimmune liver disease that predominantly affects women. It is characterised by a chronic and destructive, small bile duct, granulomatous lymphocytic cholangitis, with typical seroreactivity for antimitochondrial antibodies. Patients have variable risks of progressive ductopenia, cholestasis, and biliary fibrosis. Considerations for the cause of this disease emphasise an interaction of chronic immune damage with biliary epithelial cell responses and encompass complex, poorly understood genetic risks and environmental triggers.
(2020-12-11). Big Pharma's Hazardous to Health COVID Vaccines. globalresearch.ca Like other corporate predators, Big Pharma prioritizes profits over human life, health and welfare. | Corporate America buys politicians like toothpaste, buying influence, assuring their interests are served over the public welfare and rule of law. | Everyone willing to be vaxxed …
(2020-12-11). Cuba's medical brigades fight the pandemic. workers.org 
Socialist Cuba embodies the spirit of international solidarity by its constant medical aid to countries around the world, especially those impacted by imperialism. This is not just an empty phrase. The true meaning of solidarity is shown every day by teams of Cuban health care workers — the doctors and . . . |
(2020-12-11). Selected Articles: What Happens if Something Goes Wrong after You Receive a COVID Vaccine? globalresearch.ca 
By Government and media propaganda has firmly convinced most of the citizenry of the West that Russia invaded Crimea, and the truth …
(2020-12-11). Turkish lawyer on hunger strike sent back to prison after release. middleeasteye.net 
Turkish lawyer on hunger strike sent back to prison after release | Aytac Unsal re-arrested as a flight risk despite being released on health grounds in September after 213-day hunger strike | Fri, 12/11/2020 – 11: 44 | Aytac Unsal recovering in bed following his hunger strike (People's Law Bureau) | A Turkish lawyer who was released from prison on medical grounds after spending more than seven…
(2020-12-11). PDF of December 10 issue. workers.org 
Download the 12-page PDF. Capitalist COVID catastrophe FIGHT or DIE! Message from Peltier; Reparations now! Justice for Breonna denied again; Disability rights; Workers demand justice; DEA surveillance; Editorial: New president — same wars; Commentary: Becoming a cadre; GLOBAL: China: global vaccines, science; India: worker & farmer uprising; Cuba; France; Palestine; Venezuela. . . . |
(2020-12-11). McConnell's virus lawsuit ban far worse than advertised. peoplesworld.org 
WASHINGTON—Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell's ban on lawsuits through 2024 against firms that don't protect workers and consumers from the coronavirus is even worse than advertised, the National Council on Occupational Safety and Health reports, and an inspection of the measure's underlying text confirms. The GOP Majority Leader's bill is actually S4317, introduced July 27 by …
(2020-12-11). Go Vote Yourself a Raise, Georgia — You've Long Earned It. counterpunch.org All political eyes are on Georgia's runoff election on January 5th, 2021. Two Senate seats are up for grabs and will decide whether the evil Trumpster and corporatist Senator Mitch McConnell stays in total control of the U.S. Senate or not. If the Democrats win both seats, the Senate would be split, 50-50. Vice President
(2020-12-11). Choice in Health Care Plans and Medicare: It's More Complicated. cepr.net Margot Sanger-Katz had a very good NYT piece on the difficulty of choosing among health insurance plans. The gist of the piece is that people have a very difficult time choosing among plans, and even well-educated people often make choices that are bad for them. (The highlight is that Nobel Prize winning economist Paul Krugman …
(2020-12-11). 'Defacto Human Experiment:' Mary + Polly Discuss Rollout of Pfizer Vaccine in UK, Danger of Vaccinating Elderly + More. globalresearch.ca In "This Week," Mary and Polly discuss the latest COVID vaccine-related headline news, including the rollout of Pfizer's vaccine in the UK, concerns about vaccinating the elderly … and more. | *** | This week marked the "landmark" rollout of the …
(2020-12-11). Argentina's Lower House Approves Safe Abortion Bill. telesurenglish.net After 20 hours of discussion, the Lower House approved the bill for the voluntary termination of pregnancy with 131 votes in favor, 117 votes against, and six abstentions. Now the bill must be sent to the Senate for final approval. | RELATED: | The bill sent by President Alberto Fernandez allows the woman to have a free, safe, and legal abortion until the 14th week of pregnancy. The new rule also establishes that the health workers ma…
(2020-12-11). Rebekah Jones, Florida's COVID-19 whistleblower, says Gov. DeSantis has health officials "terrified" salon.com After campaigning for transparency in COVID-19 case reporting, Jones' home was raided by armed agents…
(2020-12-11). Tibetan Delek Children's Foundation: Helping Poor Kids in the Himalayan Mountains. indybay.org Delek Children's Foundation helps with healthcare & education to the poor children in the isolated villages of Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan and Indian in the Himalayan Mountains…
(2020-12-11). What Happens if Something Goes Wrong after You Receive a COVID Vaccine? globalresearch.ca The bottom line is that if you are injured by a vaccine or other "countermeasure" designated by the DHHS Secretary as intended for a pandemic or bioterrorism threat (Covid-19, Pandemic Flu, Anthrax, Smallpox) your options for receiving any financial benefit …
(2020-12-11). Sweden sees ICU occupancy approach 99 percent in Stockholm. wsws.org The "herd immunity" model for dealing with the pandemic has led to a massive surge in infections, with the health system in the Swedish capital reaching capacity.
(2020-12-11). New claims for unemployment insurance jump almost 20% in one week. fightbacknews.org San José, CA – On Thursday, December 10, the U.S. Department of Labor reported that new claims for regular state unemployment went up by 137,000, or 19.1% for the week ending December 5. This is the biggest increase in applications for unemployment since the first week of April. In addition, new claims for the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance or PUA also increased by almost 140,000. The total of almost 280,000 applications by jobless Americans in a week was the second largest jump during the entire recession, raising the danger of a 'double-dip' recession, where the economy goes downhill a second time.
(2020-12-11). 'Seems Like a Good Policy!' CBO Shows Medicare for All Could Cover Everyone for $650 Billion Less Per Year. commondreams.org The analysis shows that administrative costs under a single-payer healthcare system "will be lower than what even the most rabid Medicare for All supporters have traditionally claimed." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
(2020-12-11). Thoughts on the Silence of Republican Lawmakers. indybay.org Coronavirus continues to devastate the country, with official deaths topping 281,000 today, but it turns out that the Trump administration did not actually have a plan for distribution of vaccines. Federal officials have drastically slashed the amount of vaccine they promised to states before the election. Instead of the 300 million doses, the plan is currently to distribute 35 to 40 million doses.
(2020-12-10). Worth it for a pint? 'Covid-free pub' with mandatory on-site testing for patrons opens in Ireland. rt.com 
Is this how all future nights out are going to look? An Irish pub owner has introduced mandatory coronavirus testing for all customers in order to create a truly safe environment at his establishment. | Eileen's Bar in the village of Aghamore in County Mayo opened its doors on Thursday, becoming the first "Covid-free pub" in the country, according to its owner, Donal Byrne. | To achieve such status, Byrne brought a batch of German-made coronavirus test kits, which he said provide results in 15 minutes and are 99.9-percent accurate. He said the World Health Organization (WHO) had used the same kits, having orde…
(2020-12-10). Food Is the Pathway to Peace: World Food Programme Wins Nobel Peace Prize & Warns of Hunger Pandemic. democracynow.org 
The World Food Programme, the world's largest humanitarian organization dealing with hunger and food security, accepted the Nobel Peace Prize today, with its executive director David Beasley warning that the combination of conflict, climate crisis and COVID-19 could push 270 million people to the brink of starvation. In his acceptance speech, Beasley said, "Because of so many wars, climate change, the widespread use of hunger as a political and military weapon, and a global health pandemic that makes all of that exponentially worse, 270 million people are marching toward starvation. Failure to address their needs…
(2020-12-10). Children's Health Defense (CHD): Life-Threatening Allergic Reactions to Pfizer COVID Vaccine. globalresearch.ca In August, CHD asked regulators to investigate the use of polyethylene glycol (PEG) in COVID mRNA vaccines, which could have caused the severe allergic reactions reported this week by two of the first UK recipients of Pfizer's vaccine. | *** | Media …
(2020-12-10). Canadian Health Ministry Exploring "Immunity Passports," Vaccine "Tracking and Surveillance" globalresearch.ca The Health Minister of Ontario in Canada has stoked controversy by suggesting that people who do not take the coronavirus vaccine will face restrictions on where they can travel and spend time. | *** | When asked by reporters about how the …
(2020-12-10). Saturday 12/12: Virtual Vigil Supporting Healthcare Workers & Abolishing Healthcare Profiteering. indybay.org Online livestream…
(2020-12-10). 2009 H1N1 Vaccine Caused Brain Damage in Children. Dr. Anthony Fauci on "Vaccine Safety" Issues. globalresearch.ca A lawsuit against the Trudeau Government for its handling of the COVID-19 Crisis has been launched. What is at stake is the violation of fundamental rights of Canadians. | "The mass and indiscriminate containment of citizens, the restriction of access to …
(2020-12-10). Michigan Restaurant Owner Calls For Popular Uprising Against Hypocritical Covid Policy. dissidentvoice.org As U.S. death tolls from Covid 19 spiral towards three or four thousand a day, health officials urge us to stop breathing on each other while saying nothing about the vast majority being dependent employees or small entrepreneurs, not free agents, thus unable to cheerfully comply with draconian public health orders that torpedo our jobs …
(2020-12-10). [Commentary] Switching the focus from weight to health: Canada's adult obesity practice guideline set a new standard for obesity management. thelancet.com For the majority of human existence, food supply has been scarce; stored energy, in the form of adipose tissue, was therefore vital for survival. Consequently, multiple powerful biological mechanisms developed to drive eating when food was available. These once life-preserving mechanisms are now key contributors to the global obesity epidemic.
(2020-12-10). No Time to Waste on Whining, Absent Politicians. counterpunch.org The United States is facing what medical professionals call the most serious public health threat in the history of the nation. The coronavirus pandemic is raging fully out of control, which is exacerbated by a near total lack of leadership at the national level and pitifully little on the state or local level. In the meantime,
(2020-12-10). Preventing Spike in Evictions Will Help Limit COVID-19's Spread. commondreams.org Evicted families' limited housing options increase their contact with others and limit their ability to social distance, quarantine, access appropriate health services, or practice recommended hand hygiene. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
(2020-12-10). [Commentary] We have to get it right: Ensuring success. thelancet.com Eleanor Roosevelt said, "Life is like a parachute jump; you've got to get it right the first time." With a spate of Covid-19 vaccines on the horizon, we must prepare to jump.
(2020-12-10). So When Can I Get the Covid Vaccine? thenation.com So When Can I Get the Covid Vaccine?
(2020-12-10). Improving elective care planning could extend life for thousands of patients. imperial.ac.uk Optimizing hospital scheduling for treatment of tumours, diseases of the digestive system and injuries & poisoning will result in notable gains.
(2020-12-10). CDC Official Says She Was Told to Delete Email on Kids' Covid-19 Risk to Match Trump's School Reopening Message. commondreams.org "Federal employees have affirmative obligations to preserve documents, and destruction of federal records is potentially illegal," warned Rep. James Clyburn. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
