Monthly Archives: July 2020

2020-07-19: News Headlines

RT (2020-07-19). Florida officials admit counting MOTORCYCLE death as Covid-19 fatality, remove it from list after media scrutiny. rt.com Officials in Orange County, Florida have confirmed that a motor accident death was initially included into the coronavirus death toll. It was later struck off the list, but not until authorities were challenged by the media. | Florida Department of Health in Orange County announced on Saturday that it no longer counts the death of a man aged in his 20s in a motorcycle accident as a coronavirus fatality. | The case "was reviewed and he was taken off the list for Covid fatalities," Kent Donahue, spokesman for Orange County Health Officer Dr Raul Pino, told Fox35, which initially broke the story after perusing li…

Dean Baker (2020-07-19). Prescription drugs & American exceptionalism. zcomm.org It would be a great thing for humanity if a low-priced coronavirus vaccine became the first example of a new prescription drug policy in America.

Laura Flanders (2020-07-19). The racist reality of who is dying of Covid-19. zcomm.org The institutionalized bias that reflects this is even more of a national shame—or it should be—than that distractor-in-chief, our president…

news.un (2020-07-19). 'My children ask me when I am coming home': stranded seafarers share their frustrations. news.un.org Hundreds of thousands of seafarers are finding themselves stranded at sea, sometimes for over a year, and with no end in sight, as a result of COVID-19 travel restrictions. The uncertainty and long spells away from home are taking a heavy mental toll.

Irwin Redlener (2020-07-19). America Is on Track for $1M Covid Cases a Day and 800K Deaths. zcomm.org Until we have effective and safe medications, a proven vaccine and better testing, our best shot at getting control would be to again close many businesses and activities…

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-19). VIDEO: protest against Netanyahu. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 19 (MNA) — Police used water to disperse demonstrators around Zionist regime's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence on Saturday as protests mounted against him over alleged corruption and his handling of the coronavirus crisis.

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-19). Covid-19 claims 209 lives in past 24 hours in Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 19 (MNA) — Iran's Health Ministry spokesperson announced on Sunday that in the past 24 hours the lethal coronavirus has claimed 209 lives in Iran.

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-19). Iran-Turkey flight canceled due COVID-19 restrictions. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 19 (MNA) —According to reports the Iranian Mahan and Qeshm airlines announced the cancellation of the flights to Turkey.

Zach Conti (2020-07-19). G20 Finance Ministers Kick COVID Crisis Decisions to Fall. indybay.org Washington DC – Chaired by Saudi Arabia, G20 Finance Ministers met virtually and focused on the global health and economic impacts of the coronavirus. A communiqué issued by the Ministers suggested most decisions on the crisis will be made later in the year.

By Lynda Carson (2020-07-19). Housing wage for 2 bedroom unit is $43.06 for Oakland-Fremont area. indybay.org COVID-19 Guidance for Multifamily Residential Buildings:…

Alameda Health System SEIU & others (2020-07-19). Monday 7/20: Alameda County Strike for Black Health and Vitality. indybay.org ALAMEDA COUNTY: | Highland Hospital, 1411 E 31st St, Oakland, CA 94602 | Fairmont Hospital, 15400 Foothill Blvd, San Leandro, CA 94578…

yenisafak (2020-07-19). Turkey has suspended flights to Iran amid coronavirus outbreak. yenisafak.com Turkey has suspended flights to Iran amid a coronavirus outbreak in the Islamic Republic, a spokesman for Iran's Civil Aviation Organization, Reza Jafarzadeh, said on Sunday, according to the official IRNA news agency.The suspension of flights had begun on Saturday, he said.

yenisafak (2020-07-19). Pakistan's COVID-19 daily tally continues to drop. yenisafak.com Pakistan's daily coronavirus tally continued to fall, as the country recorded only 1,579 new cases over the past 24 hours, the lowest single-day sum since May, Health Ministry data said Sunday.With the new cases, the total number of infections reached 263,496, with 1,763 of them in critical condition, the data showed.Another 46 patients lost their battle against the disease across the country in the last 24 hours, raising the death toll to 5,568. Nearly 70% of patients, or 204,276, have recovered so far.Health experts, however, cautioned that a sharp fall in the number of COVID-19 cases could be the result of fe…

yenisafak (2020-07-19). Germany's Merkel warns of summit failure on EU recovery fund. yenisafak.com European Union leaders toiled in search of a coronavirus stimulus deal for a third day on Sunday but German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that the mounting acrimony over the level of spending might not easily be overcome.Germany and France, the EU's powerbrokers, are seeking a deal on a 1.8 trillion euro ($2.06 trillion) economic recovery package to rescue the bloc's economies that are facing their worst recession since World War Two.Sticking points are the size of the new recovery fund and what proportion should be in grants and loans, with some "frugal" richer states led by the Netherlands pushing to limit it,…

yenisafak (2020-07-19). Greek PM calls for deal on COVID stimulus, says EU cannot appear weak. yenisafak.com Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Sunday he hoped the third day of EU leaders' summit will manage to ove…

yenisafak (2020-07-19). Kuwait says emir, 91, had successful surgery. yenisafak.com Kuwait's emir, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, 91, underwent successful surgery on Sunday, according to the official KUNA news agency.KUNA cited a statement by the country's royal court calling the surgery a "success," but gave no further details.The royal court said Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah "temporarily assumed some of the emir's constitutional duties for the duration of the operation and till the [emir's] health event was over".Last October, Sheikh Sabah, who ruled Kuwait since 2006, conducted "medical checkups" in the US.*Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara…

yenisafak (2020-07-19). YPG/PKK terror group detains dozens of civilians in Syria. yenisafak.com Through raiding populated areas, the terrorist group YPG/PKK has taken dozens of civilians in eastern Syria, locals told Anadolu Agency.In the Deir Ez-Zor province, after locals protested the terrorist YPG/PKK's oppression, the group barricaded some settlements so no one could enter or leave.It then took dozens of civilians to the Omar oil field, claiming these people were "terrorists."Through three successful anti-terror operations since 2016 in northern Syria, Turkey has liberated areas near its border from YPG/PKK terrorists, but in other areas of Syria, terrorists continue to plague locals.Deir ez-Zor, east o…

Lyudmila Nepomnyashchiy, Bernice Dahn, Rachel Saykpah, Mallika Raghavan (2020-07-18). [Comment] COVID-19: Africa needs unprecedented attention to strengthen community health systems. thelancet.com As the first cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Liberia, in March, 2020, former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf,1 among others,2 highlighted the need to adopt lessons learned from the response to the 2014—16 outbreak of Ebola virus disease in west Africa. Ebola claimed about 11‚Äà300 lives in 21 months across Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea.3 Comparisons to Ebola benefit from remembering the key differences between the two viruses. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a respiratory virus and is infectious among asymptomatic carriers.

Richard Horton (2020-07-18). [Comment] Offline: COVID-19 and the dangers of Sinophobia. thelancet.com One of the most productive experiences editors at The Lancet have had during the past 6 months has been the intense collaborations with medical and public health scientists in mainland China and Hong Kong. Cooperation began early in the pandemic. During the last week of January, The Lancet published five research papers from mainland China and Hong Kong describing the clinical presentation of patients with COVID-19, human-to-human transmission, genomic relatedness to the SARS coronavirus, and the risks of a global pandemic.

Esther Choo (2020-07-18). [Perspectives] Seven things organisations should be doing to combat racism. thelancet.com In the USA, the racial disparities in COVID-19 health outcomes collided with national conversations about racism sparked by the police killing of George Floyd. These events stimulated many organisations, including health-care institutions, to scramble to vocalise their stances on racial equity. The coming years will show if these statements translate into fundamental, lasting change. There are seven actions I hope to see from health-care organisations committed to addressing structural racism and building equitable environments.

Harry Rutter, Richard Horton, Theresa M Marteau (2020-07-18). [Comment] The Lancet—Chatham House Commission on improving population health post COVID-19. thelancet.com The health of populations across the planet is in a perilous state during the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than 550‚Äà000 deaths worldwide as of July 10, 2020.1 The disease burden is falling mainly on the most disadvantaged groups worldwide and there are major impacts on health systems across high, middle, and low-income countries. In parallel with these direct health impacts, the economic effects of lockdowns are leading to an unprecedented global recession which will have ramifications well into the future.

The Lancet (2020-07-18). [Editorial] No more normal. thelancet.com Do you long for a return to normal after COVID-19?

Federico Bilotta, Francesco Pugliese (2020-07-18). [Comment] The evolving clinical use of dexmedetomidine. thelancet.com In patients having cardiac and non-cardiac surgery, new-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation and postoperative delirium have been associated with several adverse long-term outcomes, including increased cardiovascular, renal, and cerebral complications, worsened postoperative cognitive function, increased mortality, longer length of stay in hospital, and increased medical costs.1—3 Identifying effective therapies and modifiable factors that might reduce the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation and postoperative delirium is paramount.

Alparslan Turan, Andra Duncan, Steve Leung, Nika Karimi, Jonathan Fang, Guangmei Mao, Jennifer Hargrave, Marc Gillinov, Carlos Trombetta, Sabry Ayad, Manal Hassan, Andrew Feider, Kimberly Howard-Quijano, Kurt Ruetzler, Daniel I Sessler, DECADE Study Group (2020-07-18). [Articles] Dexmedetomidine for reduction of atrial fibrillation and delirium after cardiac surgery (DECADE): a randomised placebo-controlled trial. thelancet.com Dexmedetomidine infusion, initiated at anaesthetic induction and continued for 24 h, did not decrease postoperative atrial arrhythmias or delirium in patients recovering from cardiac surgery. Dexmedetomidine should not be infused to reduce atrial fibrillation or delirium in patients having cardiac surgery.

Antoine Dugast, Nathan Judais, Faith Nganyi, Huangjin Zhang (2020-07-18). [Correspondence] Tackling corruption in global health. thelancet.com The fight against corruption, which is defined by the global anti-corruption body, Transparency International, as "an abuse of entrusted power for private gain", is a transversal theme of the Sustainable Development Goals that the UN member states aim to achieve by 2030. The health sector is highly affected by corruption, for reasons including the increasing demand for health services, the amount of public money spent on these services, and the consider ≠able scale and complexity of this sector, which has led to information asymmetry and entry barriers to accessing health care.

Nicolien J Schepers, Nora D L Hallensleben, Marc G Besselink, Marie-Paule G F Anten, Thomas L Bollen, David W da Costa, Foke van Delft, Sven M van Dijk, Hendrik M van Dullemen, Marcel G W Dijkgraaf, Casper H J van Eijck, G Willemien Erkelens, Nicole S Erler, Paul Fockens, Erwin J M van Geenen, Janneke van Grinsven, Robbert A Hollemans, Jeanin E van Hooft, Rene W M van der Hulst, Jeroen M Jansen, Frank J G M Kubben, Sjoerd D Kuiken, Robert J F Laheij, Rutger Quispel, Rogier J J de Ridder, Marno C M Rijk, Tessa E H Rà∂mkens, Carola H M Ruigrok, Erik J Schoon, Matthijs P Schwartz, Xavier J N M Smeets, B W Marcel Spanier, Adriaan C I T L Tan, Willem J Thijs, Robin Timmer, Niels G Venneman, Robert C Verdonk, Frank P Vleggaar, Wim van de Vrie, Ben J Witteman, Hjalmar C van Santvoort, Olaf J Bakker, Marco J Bruno, Dutch Pancreatitis Study Group (2020-07-18). [Articles] Urgent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with sphincterotomy versus conservative treatment in predicted severe acute gallstone pancreatitis (APEC): a multicentre randomised controlled trial. thelancet.com In patients with predicted severe gallstone pancreatitis but without cholangitis, urgent ERCP with sphincterotomy did not reduce the composite endpoint of major complications or mortality, compared with conservative treatment. Our findings support a conservative strategy in patients with predicted severe acute gallstone pancreatitis with an ERCP indicated only in patients with cholangitis or persistent cholestasis.

Ian Roberts, Haleema Shakur-Still (2020-07-18). [Correspondence] Tranexamic acid for traumatic brain injury — Authors' reply. thelancet.com We thank the many correspondents for their comments about the CRASH-3 trial.1…

Raija Silvennoinen, Caroline A Heckman (2020-07-18). [Comment] A candid view of CANDOR. thelancet.com Investigations into new myeloma therapies have included combinations of up to four drugs containing a proteasome inhibitor, immunomodulating agent, monoclonal antibody, and dexamethasone.1,2 However, increasing efficacy requires careful balance with toxicity. In The Lancet, Meletios Dimopoulos and colleagues3 report the initial results of the randomised, phase 3 CANDOR study, investigating a three-drug combination excluding an immunomodulator; carfilzomib, daratumumab, and dexamethasone (KdD) was compared with carfilzomib and dexamethasone (Kd) for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who had rec…

Yoshiko Iwai, Zahra H Khan, Sayantani DasGupta (2020-07-18). [Perspectives] Abolition medicine. thelancet.com Who do you serve, who do you protect? Doctors and nurses are not soldiers. Antibiotics are not bombs, hospitals are not the front lines, hard-working medical trainees are not "gunners", and neither disease nor patients are "the enemy". Militarised language valorises aggression and violence in medical training and the clinical encounter while obfuscating the loyalties of health workers who serve and protect individuals and communities in need.

Ann Danaiya Usher (2020-07-18). [World Report] New funds proposed to prevent pandemics. thelancet.com A new fund to prevent future pandemics has been proposed by the US Senate, and another by the World Bank. But some global health leaders have criticised the plans. Ann Danaiya Usher reports.

Meletios Dimopoulos, Hang Quach, Maria-Victoria Mateos, Ola Landgren, Xavier Leleu, David Siegel, Katja Weisel, Hui Yang, Zandra Klippel, Anita Zahlten-Kumeli, Saad Z Usmani (2020-07-18). [Articles] Carfilzomib, dexamethasone, and daratumumab versus carfilzomib and dexamethasone for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (CANDOR): results from a randomised, multicentre, open-label, phase 3 study. thelancet.com KdD significantly prolonged progression-free survival versus Kd in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma and was associated with a favourable benefit—risk profile.

Talha Burki (2020-07-18). [World Report] Cumberlege Review slams health care in England. thelancet.com The Review describes a culture of denial, institutional resistance to responding to safety concerns, and an absence of accountability. Talha Burki reports.

Geoff Watts (2020-07-18). [Obituary] Bertram S Brown. thelancet.com Influential leader in US mental health. He was born in Brooklyn, NY, USA, on Jan 28, 1931, and died of cardiovascular disease in Bala Cynwyd, PA, USA, on May 14, 2020, aged 89 years.

Angelos G Kolias, Daniel Horner, David K Menon, Mark Wilson, Peter J Hutchinson (2020-07-18). [Correspondence] Tranexamic acid for traumatic brain injury. thelancet.com We congratulate the CRASH-3 trial collaborators for completing their trial of tranexamic acid for patients with traumatic brain injury.1 Because the primary analysis is neutral (ie, the null hypothesis cannot be rejected), we think that the following points should be addressed to ensure the most appropriate implementation of tranexamic acid administration into traumatic brain injury guidelines, which we support.

Jeremy Loffredo (2020-07-18). Why the Bill Gates Global Health Empire Promises More Empire and Less Public Health. Gates Foundation Owns the WHO! globalresearch.ca Behind a veil of corporate media PR, the Gates Foundation has served as a vehicle for Western capital while exploiting the Global South as a human laboratory. The coronavirus pandemic is likely to intensify this disturbing agenda. | *** | President Donald …

Vijay Prashad (2020-07-18). COVID-19: Rot exposed by pandemic augurs a future of fear. mronline.org Vijay Prashad raises deep questions about the exhaustion of the global capitalist system in a time of great human suffering.

RT (2020-07-18). JPMorgan CEO gets all the money in the 'most corrupt scheme ever,' amid Covid-19 misery — RT's Keiser Report. rt.com The US' biggest bank, JPMorgan Chase, together with other lenders, managed to take a big slice of the coronavirus relief program pie through fees, while reporting record quarterly profits. | Max Keiser and Stacy Herbert discuss how the banks managed to get such a large cut of the funds, having made a fortune in the last financial crisis after the government bailed them out. Keiser, a former Wall Street stockbroker, notes that professional banks enjoy almost zero risks by using hedging strategies, but, at the end of the day, get bailouts sponsored by the "losers in retail trading." | "That's where the capita…

RT (2020-07-18). American investors pile more money into India as tensions with China keep rising. rt.com India has attracted over $40 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) from the US, after the latest funding spree from major tech giants, such as Google and Facebook, according to a US-based business advocacy group. | American companies have boosted investment in India despite the coronavirus pandemic, the president of the US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum (USISPF), Mukesh Aghi, has said. According to his data, in recent weeks alone, the nation secured over $20 billion in funds, including those from Silicon Valley behemoths as well as investors from the Middle East, among other regions. | "Year to dat…

RT (2020-07-18). As violent protests grip Portland for weeks, Dems call for an investigation of 'horrific' tactics by federal law enforcement. rt.com With Portland plagued by weeks of violent protests, including attacks on police, Oregon's leaders are demanding an investigation into federal officers who they branded an "occupying" force assaulting "peaceful protesters." | Four Democratic lawmakers from the state — US Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, as well as US House members Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici — called for the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to probe the "violent actions of federal forces in Portland" on Friday. | Like Mayor Ted Wheeler, who said on Tuesday that his biggest wo…

_____ (2020-07-18). 'Putin Hacked Our Coronavirus Vaccine' Is the Dumbest Story Yet. strategic-culture.org Caitlin JOHNSTONE | Today mainstream media is reporting what is arguably the single dumbest Russiavape story of all time, against some very stiff competition. | "Russian hackers are targeting health care organizations in the West in an attempt to steal coronavirus vaccine research, the U.S. and Britain said," "Hackers backed by the Russian state are trying to steal COVID-19 vaccine and treatment research from academic and pharmaceutical institutions around the world, Britain's National Cyber…

The Canary (2020-07-18). Scientists warn PM that returning to normal in time for Christmas 'is going to be difficult'. thecanary.co Boris Johnson will struggle to deliver his vision of a "significant return to normality" in time for Christmas, leading scientists have warned.The prime minister signalled another significant easing of coronavirus (Covid-19) lockdown restrictions in England on Friday 17 July, relaxing work-from-home guidance and paving the way for theatres and sports stadiums to reopen.At a No 10 press conference, he said it was his "strong and sincere hope" that ministers would be able to review the remaining restrictions from November onwards, "possibly in time for Christmas"."It is going to be tough": However, Mark Walp…

WSWS Repost (2020-07-18). SEP candidates respond to California state officials in ballot access lawsuit. indybay.org Joseph Kishore and Norissa Santa Cruz respond to California officials who would have Socialist Equality Party (SEP) signature gatherers run a deadly COVID-19 "minefield" to gain them ballot access in November. In federal court they argued that putting the signature gatherers and the public at risk during the pandemic is unconstitutional and unacceptable.

Caleb Castaneda (2020-07-18). 'Welcome to Typhoid Mary Middle School': Why an Educator and Dad Thinks Reopening Our Schools Is a Non-Starter. commondreams.org Children in an elementary school class wear masks and sit as desks spaced apart as per coronavirus guidelines during summer school sessions at Happy Day School in Monterey Park, California on July 9, 2020. (Photo: Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…

Peadar O'Cearnaigh (2020-07-18). 'Hundreds of billions' of EU coronavirus aid could become an easy target for criminals. But problems with aid don't end there. thecanary.co EU leaders are Estimates

WSWS (2020-07-18). Australian medical experts call for workplace and school shutdowns as Victoria's COVID-19 surge escalates. wsws.org Despite the highest spike in Australian coronavirus infections since the pandemic began, the Victorian Labor government has implemented a "lockdown" that leaves schools and most workplaces open.

Robbie Goldstein (2020-07-18). We Need Healthcare Professionals in Washington to Fight Back Against a Reckless President. commondreams.org Members of National Nurses United, the largest nurses union in the United States, protest in front of the White House April 21, 2020 in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…

WSWS (2020-07-18). Brazil surpasses two million coronavirus cases as reopening drive continues. wsws.org "We cannot continue suffocating the economy," President Jair Bolsonaro said, as Brazil suffered the highest single day death toll in the world.

Dara Lind (2020-07-18). Hospitals are suddenly short of young doctors—because of Trump's visa ban. nationofchange.org Doctors treating coronavirus patients were supposed to be allowed into the U.S. But hundreds of young doctors have their visas put on hold indefinitely.

Democracy Now! (2020-07-18). U.S.-Backed Saudi Bombing in Yemen Continues as Coronavirus Spreads. dissidentvoice.org As the coronavirus spreads in Yemen, where the population already devastated by the world's worst humanitarian crisis faces growing hunger and aid shortages, the Saudi-led, U.S.-backed coalition continues to drop bombs in the country. We speak to Yemeni scholar Shireen Al-Adeimi, who calls the ongoing crisis "Trump's war." "We're seeing death rates that are just …

Fight Back (2020-07-18). The $600 is essential for the unemployed, extend FPUC now! fightbacknews.org San José, CA – In less than two weeks the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation or FPUC, which provides an extra $600 a week to those who are unemployed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, will end. The FPUC was part of CARES act passed back in March as disaster relief as the pandemic began to ravage the U.S. economy. | In addition to the $600 a week in extra unemployment benefits, another part of the CARES act protecting tenants is about to expire. There has been an eviction ban on all apartment buildings that are part of federal assistance programs, or whose landlords have federally insured mortgages. These…

2020-07-18: News Headlines

Richard Horton (2020-07-18). [Comment] Offline: COVID-19 and the dangers of Sinophobia. thelancet.com One of the most productive experiences editors at The Lancet have had during the past 6 months has been the intense collaborations with medical and public health scientists in mainland China and Hong Kong. Cooperation began early in the pandemic. During the last week of January, The Lancet published five research papers from mainland China and Hong Kong describing the clinical presentation of patients with COVID-19, human-to-human transmission, genomic relatedness to the SARS coronavirus, and the risks of a global pandemic.

Lyudmila Nepomnyashchiy, Bernice Dahn, Rachel Saykpah, Mallika Raghavan (2020-07-18). [Comment] COVID-19: Africa needs unprecedented attention to strengthen community health systems. thelancet.com As the first cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Liberia, in March, 2020, former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf,1 among others,2 highlighted the need to adopt lessons learned from the response to the 2014—16 outbreak of Ebola virus disease in west Africa. Ebola claimed about 11‚Äà300 lives in 21 months across Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea.3 Comparisons to Ebola benefit from remembering the key differences between the two viruses. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a respiratory virus and is infectious among asymptomatic carriers.

The Lancet (2020-07-18). [Editorial] No more normal. thelancet.com Do you long for a return to normal after COVID-19?

Harry Rutter, Richard Horton, Theresa M Marteau (2020-07-18). [Comment] The Lancet—Chatham House Commission on improving population health post COVID-19. thelancet.com The health of populations across the planet is in a perilous state during the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than 550‚Äà000 deaths worldwide as of July 10, 2020.1 The disease burden is falling mainly on the most disadvantaged groups worldwide and there are major impacts on health systems across high, middle, and low-income countries. In parallel with these direct health impacts, the economic effects of lockdowns are leading to an unprecedented global recession which will have ramifications well into the future.

Esther Choo (2020-07-18). [Perspectives] Seven things organisations should be doing to combat racism. thelancet.com In the USA, the racial disparities in COVID-19 health outcomes collided with national conversations about racism sparked by the police killing of George Floyd. These events stimulated many organisations, including health-care institutions, to scramble to vocalise their stances on racial equity. The coming years will show if these statements translate into fundamental, lasting change. There are seven actions I hope to see from health-care organisations committed to addressing structural racism and building equitable environments.

Federico Bilotta, Francesco Pugliese (2020-07-18). [Comment] The evolving clinical use of dexmedetomidine. thelancet.com In patients having cardiac and non-cardiac surgery, new-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation and postoperative delirium have been associated with several adverse long-term outcomes, including increased cardiovascular, renal, and cerebral complications, worsened postoperative cognitive function, increased mortality, longer length of stay in hospital, and increased medical costs.1—3 Identifying effective therapies and modifiable factors that might reduce the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation and postoperative delirium is paramount.

Sebastian Bourn, Nick Dodds (2020-07-18). [Correspondence] Tranexamic acid for traumatic brain injury. thelancet.com We read about the CRASH-3 study1 with interest. The CRASH-3 collab ≠orators are to be congratulated for their endeavour and their integrated analysis. However, we ask, who exactly benefits from this treatment?

Raija Silvennoinen, Caroline A Heckman (2020-07-18). [Comment] A candid view of CANDOR. thelancet.com Investigations into new myeloma therapies have included combinations of up to four drugs containing a proteasome inhibitor, immunomodulating agent, monoclonal antibody, and dexamethasone.1,2 However, increasing efficacy requires careful balance with toxicity. In The Lancet, Meletios Dimopoulos and colleagues3 report the initial results of the randomised, phase 3 CANDOR study, investigating a three-drug combination excluding an immunomodulator; carfilzomib, daratumumab, and dexamethasone (KdD) was compared with carfilzomib and dexamethasone (Kd) for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who had rec…

Ann Danaiya Usher (2020-07-18). [World Report] New funds proposed to prevent pandemics. thelancet.com A new fund to prevent future pandemics has been proposed by the US Senate, and another by the World Bank. But some global health leaders have criticised the plans. Ann Danaiya Usher reports.

Alparslan Turan, Andra Duncan, Steve Leung, Nika Karimi, Jonathan Fang, Guangmei Mao, Jennifer Hargrave, Marc Gillinov, Carlos Trombetta, Sabry Ayad, Manal Hassan, Andrew Feider, Kimberly Howard-Quijano, Kurt Ruetzler, Daniel I Sessler, DECADE Study Group (2020-07-18). [Articles] Dexmedetomidine for reduction of atrial fibrillation and delirium after cardiac surgery (DECADE): a randomised placebo-controlled trial. thelancet.com Dexmedetomidine infusion, initiated at anaesthetic induction and continued for 24 h, did not decrease postoperative atrial arrhythmias or delirium in patients recovering from cardiac surgery. Dexmedetomidine should not be infused to reduce atrial fibrillation or delirium in patients having cardiac surgery.

Ian Roberts, Haleema Shakur-Still (2020-07-18). [Correspondence] Tranexamic acid for traumatic brain injury — Authors' reply. thelancet.com We thank the many correspondents for their comments about the CRASH-3 trial.1…

Meletios Dimopoulos, Hang Quach, Maria-Victoria Mateos, Ola Landgren, Xavier Leleu, David Siegel, Katja Weisel, Hui Yang, Zandra Klippel, Anita Zahlten-Kumeli, Saad Z Usmani (2020-07-18). [Articles] Carfilzomib, dexamethasone, and daratumumab versus carfilzomib and dexamethasone for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (CANDOR): results from a randomised, multicentre, open-label, phase 3 study. thelancet.com KdD significantly prolonged progression-free survival versus Kd in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma and was associated with a favourable benefit—risk profile.

Nicolien J Schepers, Nora D L Hallensleben, Marc G Besselink, Marie-Paule G F Anten, Thomas L Bollen, David W da Costa, Foke van Delft, Sven M van Dijk, Hendrik M van Dullemen, Marcel G W Dijkgraaf, Casper H J van Eijck, G Willemien Erkelens, Nicole S Erler, Paul Fockens, Erwin J M van Geenen, Janneke van Grinsven, Robbert A Hollemans, Jeanin E van Hooft, Rene W M van der Hulst, Jeroen M Jansen, Frank J G M Kubben, Sjoerd D Kuiken, Robert J F Laheij, Rutger Quispel, Rogier J J de Ridder, Marno C M Rijk, Tessa E H Rà∂mkens, Carola H M Ruigrok, Erik J Schoon, Matthijs P Schwartz, Xavier J N M Smeets, B W Marcel Spanier, Adriaan C I T L Tan, Willem J Thijs, Robin Timmer, Niels G Venneman, Robert C Verdonk, Frank P Vleggaar, Wim van de Vrie, Ben J Witteman, Hjalmar C van Santvoort, Olaf J Bakker, Marco J Bruno, Dutch Pancreatitis Study Group (2020-07-18). [Articles] Urgent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with sphincterotomy versus conservative treatment in predicted severe acute gallstone pancreatitis (APEC): a multicentre randomised controlled trial. thelancet.com In patients with predicted severe gallstone pancreatitis but without cholangitis, urgent ERCP with sphincterotomy did not reduce the composite endpoint of major complications or mortality, compared with conservative treatment. Our findings support a conservative strategy in patients with predicted severe acute gallstone pancreatitis with an ERCP indicated only in patients with cholangitis or persistent cholestasis.

Geoff Watts (2020-07-18). [Obituary] Bertram S Brown. thelancet.com Influential leader in US mental health. He was born in Brooklyn, NY, USA, on Jan 28, 1931, and died of cardiovascular disease in Bala Cynwyd, PA, USA, on May 14, 2020, aged 89 years.

Yoshiko Iwai, Zahra H Khan, Sayantani DasGupta (2020-07-18). [Perspectives] Abolition medicine. thelancet.com Who do you serve, who do you protect? Doctors and nurses are not soldiers. Antibiotics are not bombs, hospitals are not the front lines, hard-working medical trainees are not "gunners", and neither disease nor patients are "the enemy". Militarised language valorises aggression and violence in medical training and the clinical encounter while obfuscating the loyalties of health workers who serve and protect individuals and communities in need.

Talha Burki (2020-07-18). [World Report] Cumberlege Review slams health care in England. thelancet.com The Review describes a culture of denial, institutional resistance to responding to safety concerns, and an absence of accountability. Talha Burki reports.

Jeremy Loffredo (2020-07-18). Why the Bill Gates Global Health Empire Promises More Empire and Less Public Health. Gates Foundation Owns the WHO! globalresearch.ca Behind a veil of corporate media PR, the Gates Foundation has served as a vehicle for Western capital while exploiting the Global South as a human laboratory. The coronavirus pandemic is likely to intensify this disturbing agenda. | *** | President Donald …

Vijay Prashad (2020-07-18). COVID-19: Rot exposed by pandemic augurs a future of fear. mronline.org Vijay Prashad raises deep questions about the exhaustion of the global capitalist system in a time of great human suffering.

WSWS (2020-07-18). Brazil surpasses two million coronavirus cases as reopening drive continues. wsws.org "We cannot continue suffocating the economy," President Jair Bolsonaro said, as Brazil suffered the highest single day death toll in the world.

WSWS (2020-07-18). Australian medical experts call for workplace and school shutdowns as Victoria's COVID-19 surge escalates. wsws.org Despite the highest spike in Australian coronavirus infections since the pandemic began, the Victorian Labor government has implemented a "lockdown" that leaves schools and most workplaces open.

Nicole Hassoun (2020-07-18). Putting ethics before profits. zcomm.org Ending the pandemic will take global access to COVID-19 treatment and vaccines…

WSWS (2020-07-18). US hits record 74,987 new daily COVID-19 cases. wsws.org The number of daily new cases in the United States has tripled from a month ago amid a massive resurgence of the pandemic.

WSWS (2020-07-18). Australia: Hundreds of health workers in Victoria contract COVID-19. wsws.org A national survey of 500 healthcare workers found that half were experiencing PPE shortages and some were having to source their own supplies.

news.un (2020-07-18). FROM THE FIELD: Frontline resilience in Somalia. news.un.org One hundred thousand households in Somaliland in northwest Somalia have better access to water, protecting them not just from the ravages of climate change but also against the spread of COVID-19, thanks to a project supported by the UN Development Programme.

George Wuerthner (2020-07-18). Periodic "devastation" necessary for forest health. zcomm.org The bottom line is that our forest health is dependent on episodic events that cause significant mortality. This is not only natural but required for "healthy forest ecosystems."

Kit Knightly (2020-07-18). The "Russian Vaccine Hack" Is a 3-for-1 Deal on Propaganda. globalresearch.ca The Guardian, and all the other predictable voices, are currently reporting that Russian At this stage they offer no substantiation, but it does serve as good …

Mehr News Agency (2020-07-18). Iranian researchers produce antivirus hospital clothing. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jul. 18 (MNA) — Iranian researchers in a knowledge-based company designed and produced isolated antivirus hospital clothing, applicable in the fight against the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, in particular.

WSWS Repost (2020-07-18). SEP candidates respond to California state officials in ballot access lawsuit. indybay.org Joseph Kishore and Norissa Santa Cruz respond to California officials who would have Socialist Equality Party (SEP) signature gatherers run a deadly COVID-19 "minefield" to gain them ballot access in November. In federal court they argued that putting the signature gatherers and the public at risk during the pandemic is unconstitutional and unacceptable.

RT (2020-07-18). As violent protests grip Portland for weeks, Dems call for an investigation of 'horrific' tactics by federal law enforcement. rt.com With Portland plagued by weeks of violent protests, including attacks on police, Oregon's leaders are demanding an investigation into federal officers who they branded an "occupying" force assaulting "peaceful protesters." | Four Democratic lawmakers from the state — US Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, as well as US House members Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici — called for the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to probe the "violent actions of federal forces in Portland" on Friday. | Like Mayor Ted Wheeler, who said on Tuesday that his biggest wo…

_____ (2020-07-18). 'Putin Hacked Our Coronavirus Vaccine' Is the Dumbest Story Yet. strategic-culture.org Caitlin JOHNSTONE | Today mainstream media is reporting what is arguably the single dumbest Russiavape story of all time, against some very stiff competition. | "Russian hackers are targeting health care organizations in the West in an attempt to steal coronavirus vaccine research, the U.S. and Britain said," "Hackers backed by the Russian state are trying to steal COVID-19 vaccine and treatment research from academic and pharmaceutical institutions around the world, Britain's National Cyber…

By Lynda Carson (2020-07-18). Housing wage for 2 bedroom unit is $43.06 for Oakland-Fremont area. indybay.org COVID-19 Guidance for Multifamily Residential Buildings:…

Alameda Health System SEIU & others (2020-07-18). Monday 7/20: Alameda County Strike for Black Health and Vitality. indybay.org ALAMEDA COUNTY: | Highland Hospital, 1411 E 31st St, Oakland, CA 94602 | Fairmont Hospital, 15400 Foothill Blvd, San Leandro, CA 94578…

_____ (2020-07-18). Bolivians Take To The Streets Against The Añez Government. popularresistance.org Bolivia's Workers Central (COB) Tuesday called for tens of thousands of people to hold a mass protest in several cities against the coup-born regime led by Jeanine Añez. | "The Bolivian people, the Indigenous groups, and educational organizations raised their voice of protest today," the COB Secretary-General Juan Carlos Huarachi said in La Paz. | One of the demonstrators' main calls is the definitive confirmation of the general elections for September 6. | "We ask for a democratically elected government that resolves the country's economic and health crisis caused by COVID-19," Huarachi added, adding that citize…

Staff (2020-07-18). Trump Blocks CDC Experts From Testifying to Education Panel on School Reopenings. truthout.org The Democratic chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee

yenisafak (2020-07-18). UK pauses daily coronavirus death toll update over data concerns. yenisafak.com Britain said on Saturday it was pausing its daily update of the death toll from the coronavirus after the government ordered a review into the calculation of the data over concerns the toll might have been exaggerated.Academics have said the way that Public Health England (PHE), the government agency responsible for managing infectious disease outbreaks, calculates the figures in England means they may be distorted compared to other parts of the United Kingdom."Currently the daily deaths measure counts all people who have tested positive for coronavirus and since died, with no cut-off between time of testing and…

yenisafak (2020-07-18). UK coronavirus antibody test found to be a success. yenisafak.com Following successful trials, the British government is set to start distributing millions of free coronavirus antibody tests, local media reported on Saturday.The finger-prick tests can tell within 20 minutes if a person has been exposed to the virus and were found to be 98.6% accurate during human trials that took place in June.The test was developed under a partnership between Oxford University and leading diagnostics firms of the UK.Sir John Bell, professor of medicine at Oxford University and head of the government's antibody testing program, was quoted by The Telegraph as saying: "This rapid test appears to…

Christopher A. Martin, David R. Jenkins, Jatinder S. Minhas, Laura J. Gray, Julian Tang, Caroline Williams, Shirley Sze, Daniel Pan, William Jones, Raman Verma, Scott Knapp, Rupert Major, Melanie Davies, Nigel Brunskill, Martin Wiselka, Chris Brightling, Kamlesh Khunti, Pranab Haldar, Manish Pareek, Leicester COVID-19 consortium (2020-07-17). [Original Research] Socio-demographic heterogeneity in the prevalence of COVID-19 during lockdown is associated with ethnicity and household size: Results from an observational cohort study. thelancet.com In individuals presenting with suspected COVID-19, those from ethnic minority communities and larger households had an increased likelihood of SARS-CoV-2 PCR positivity. Pandemic control measures may have more rapid impact on slowing viral transmission amongst those of White ethnicity compared to ethnic minority groups, Research is urgently required to understand the mechanisms underlying these disparities and whether public health interventions have differential effects on individuals from ethnic minority groups.

Nicola De Rossi, Cristina Scarpazza, Chiara Filippini, Cinzia Cordioli, Sarah Rasia, Chiara Rosa Mancinelli, Damiano Rizzoni, Giuseppe Romanelli, Stefania Cossi, Nereo Vettoretto, Sergio Bove, Silvano Manfredini, Eva Andrea Beindorf, Carlo Mosca, Vittorio Scipione, Gigliola Flamminio, Elena Albini Albini, Paola Giansiracusa, Ruggero Capra, Montichiari COVID-19 Study Group (2020-07-17). Early use of low dose tocilizumab in patients with COVID-19: A retrospective cohort study with a complete follow-up. thelancet.com Early treatment with tocilizumab could be helpful to prevent excessive hyper-inflammation and death in COVID-19 related pneumonia. Low dose administration of tocilizumab is not associated with adverse events.

Alan Macleod (2020-07-17). Aid Groups Call for Worldwide COVID-19 Bailout Amid Fears of Mass Hunger. mintpressnews.com "As many as 12,000 people could die every day from COVID-linked hunger, which is more than those dying daily from the virus itself," warns Oxfam America President Abby Maxman.

Andrea Germanos, staff writer (2020-07-17). Denouncing Seema Verma's "Textbook Definition of Corruption," Jayapal Calls for Medicare Chief's Ouster. commondreams.org www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…

Staff (2020-07-17). "This Is Trump's War": U.S.-Backed Saudi Bombing in Yemen Continues as Coronavirus Spreads. democracynow.org As the coronavirus spreads in Yemen, where the population already devastated by the world's worst humanitarian crisis faces growing hunger and aid shortages, the Saudi-led, U.S.-backed coalition continues to drop bombs in the country. We speak to Yemeni scholar Shireen Al-Adeimi, who calls the ongoing crisis "Trump's war." "We're seeing death rates that are just astronomical," Al-Adeimi says. "The war continues, the bombing continues, the blockade is still enforced."

Staff (2020-07-17). Headlines for July 17, 2020. democracynow.org United States Hits Daily Record of 75,600 Coronavirus Cases as Death Rate Rises, Colorado & Arkansas Mandate Masks as Georgia's Governor Sues to Overturn Atlanta Mask Ordinance, Detroit Protesters Block School Buses in Bid to Halt In-Person Summer Classes, "Science Should Not Stand in the Way" of School Reopenings, Says Trump's Spokesperson, India and Brazil Pass Grim Coronavirus Milestones, Colombia's Hospitals Near Capacity as Paramilitaries Enforce Coronavirus Lockdowns with Violence, Thousands Still Planning to Attend Scaled-Back Republican National Convention in Florida, Trump Administration Wins Reprieve in…

Staff (2020-07-17). Sonia Shah: "It's Time to Tell a New Story About Coronavirus — Our Lives Depend on It" democracynow.org The United States hit an all-time high of 75,600 new COVID cases Thursday — the largest number recorded in a single day since the pandemic began. Top U.S. infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci says the spike in cases resulted from states rushing to reopen their economies. We speak with investigative journalist Sonia Shah about the government's failed response, the false idea that the virus is a "foreign incursion," and "vaccine nationalism." In her latest piece for The Nation magazine, she argues, "It's Time to Tell a New Story About Coronavirus — Our Lives Depend on It."

Staff (2020-07-17). Philadelphia Delays Unhoused Encampment Eviction as CDC Says "Let Them Remain" & Stop COVID Spread. democracynow.org As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says unhoused people living in encampments should be allowed to remain where they are to help stop the spread of COVID-19, we go to Philadelphia, where the mayor has postponed the eviction of an encampment planned for this morning. "The Philadelphia Housing Authority has about 5,000 vacant properties," notes Sterling Johnson, an organizer with Black and Brown Workers Cooperative, who joins us from the camp. "We want to use them to create a community land trust. What they want to do is auction them off to private developers." The move comes as many cities have cont…

F. William Engdahl (2020-07-17). Now Comes the Davos Global Economy "Great Reset". What Happens After the Covid-19 Pandemic? globalresearch.ca First published by GR on June 10, 2020 | For those wondering what will come after the Covid19 pandemic has successfully all but shut down the entire world economy, spreading the worst depression since the 1930s, the leaders of the premier …

Ajit Singh (2020-07-17). With US support, Taiwan planted deception about warning the World Health Organization of Covid. thegrayzone.com Taiwan's claim that it provided early warning to the WHO about Covid and "human-to human-transmission" has been exploited by the…

Lee Camp (2020-07-17). The Life-Saving Covid-19 Drugs You've Never Heard Of (and Why). counterpunch.org The American profit-based healthcare system impacts us in more ways than just our gargantuan bill at the excretion end of an emergency room visit. Right now, our lovable idiotic inhumane healthcare system is acting as a hurdle to the manufacture and procurement of the right drugs to treat Covid-19. One of the drugs currently trumpeted

Martha Grevatt (2020-07-17). Deep organizing key to historic Flint Sit-Down Strike. workers.org These slightly edited remarks were given at a July 9 Workers World Party webinar on "Introduction to Revolutionary Deep Organizing." There is a medical definition for "inoculation": a set of methods of inducing immunity against various infectious diseases. The capitalists inoculate people against unionization. So what does it mean for . . . |

Mumia Abu-Jamal (2020-07-17). Mumia Abu-Jamal: 'A rogue nation?'— a commentary. workers.org This slightly edited commentary from July 8 by political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal is available at prisonradio.org/media/audio/mumia. Several days ago, the European Union announced that Americans were not welcome to visit any of the 28 member countries of the EU. Why? Because of the explosive expansion of the coronavirus among U.S. . . . |

Mark Gruenberg (2020-07-17). To labor cheers, Virginia OKs emergency anti-coronavirus safety standard. peoplesworld.org RICHMOND, Va.—To cheers from Virginia workers and unions, the state Department of Labor and Industry went where GOP President Donald Trump's Occupational Safety and Health Administration won't: Imposing a statewide emergency standard ordering firms to immediately craft and put in place plans to protect their workers against the coronavirus pandemic. And if the firms don't …