(2020-10-15). How the Christian Right Won the Culture Wars. counterpunch.org 
The likely appointment of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court may mark the end of this round of the culture wars. For half-a-century, the U.S. has been a battleground over "moral" and sexual values. Key issues like abortion, health care (i.e., the ADA), gay rights and the meaning of "family" have been contested. With Barrett's appointment,
(2020-10-15). Health workers across Delhi strike against unpaid wages. peoplesdispatch.org Protests have been breaking out in various hospitals in New Delhi, India. Health workers of various hospitals across the city are going on indefinite strikes because of unpaid salaries.
(2020-10-15). Social protection coverage in Asia and the Pacific 'riddled with gaps'. news.un.org More than half the population of the vast Asia and Pacific region lack any social protection coverage, leaving populations vulnerable to ill-health, poverty, inequality and social exclusion, a new UN report has found.
(2020-10-15). Clinical characteristics and outcomes among hospitalized adults with severe COVID-19 admitted to a tertiary medical center and receiving antiviral, antimalarials, glucocorticoids, or immunomodulation with tocilizumab or cyclosporine: A retrospective observational study (COQUIMA cohort). thelancet.com In a real-clinical setting, inhibition of the calcineurin inflammatory pathway, NF-κΒ, could reduce the hyperinflammatory phase in COVID-19. Our findings might entail relevant implications for the therapy of this disease and could boost the design of new clinical trials among subjects affected by severe COVID-19.
(2020-10-15). CEO of NHS Trust — "Second covid wave will be '10 times harder' to deal with. truepublica.org.uk A report in the Health Service Journal paints a dire picture of the coming reality of the second Covid wave. Whilst politicians continue their poor decision making, inevitable U-turns then fight out the blame game — the national health service faces the destructive forces of not one battle — but three. The second wave of …
(2020-10-14). 55 Million People Face Famine as COVID-Ravaged Economies Fail To Meet Funding Goals. mintpressnews.com Nations the world over have scrambled to take emergency action in the wake of COVID-19, as businesses have been disrupted, supply lines cut and economies stunted, leaving foreign aid programs underfunded and millions without food.
(2020-10-14). Can Trump Delay Election or Reject Peaceful Transition of Power? Amy Coney Barrett Refuses to Say. democracynow.org 
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett faced 11 hours of questioning in the Senate Tuesday but refused to provide clarity about her views on the Affordable Care Act, Roe v. Wade, voting rights and even if President Trump could delay the election. Republicans are racing to confirm the 48-year-old federal judge before Election Day, which would give conservatives a commanding 6-3 majority on the high court. We air highlights from the marathon session.
(2020-10-14). Thousands displaced by fighting in southern Afghanistan. news.un.org Thousands of people have been displaced and critical health services interrupted, after fighting erupted last weekend between security forces and Taliban fighters in the southern Afghan province of Helmand, the UN humanitarian office has reported.
(2020-10-14). Is returning to the classroom worth the risk? therealnews.com 
Baltimore City Schools say they can safely return the most-at risk students to the classroom, but some argue reopening too soon could exacerbate chronic racial health disparities.
(2020-10-14). This is what the sixth mass extinction looks like. And here's why you should care. therealnews.com 
Unhealthy ecosystems jeopardize our ability to meet our most basic needs: Water, food, medicine, clean air. There is no one on the planet this doesn't impact. And loss of biodiversity hurts the poorest the most.
(2020-10-14). The Heat: China's response to COVID-19. america.cgtn.com 
China has made extraordinary progress in battling COVID-19 since the first major outbreak in Wuhan earlier this year. While the disease is largely contained in China, the country is now responding to a minor outbreak in the city of Qingdao in east China's Shandong Province. …
(2020-10-14). Idaho university threatens expulsion for students who DELIBERATELY contract coronavirus to sell plasma with antibodies. rt.com 
Idaho's Brigham Young University has urged students to refrain from purposely infecting themselves with the coronavirus in hopes of cashing in on payments for plasma donations, threatening expulsion for those caught doing so. | "BYU-Idaho is deeply troubled by accounts of individuals who have intentionally exposed themselves for others to Covid-19, with the hope of getting the disease and being paid for plasma that contains Covid-19 antibodies," the school said in a recent The university condemns this behavior and is active…
(2020-10-14). O is good to go? Blood type plays key role in vulnerability to Covid-19, new research claims. rt.com 
A person's blood type could play a key role in their vulnerability to Covid-19, with type O people less likely to catch the bug while types A and AB are most at risk, freshly released research has found. | Two independent studies published on Wednesday found that blood type O is something of a security blanket when it comes to coronavirus. Those with this blood type were found to be less likely to catch the disease and also had a reduced risk of suffering severe complications if they do get sick. | However, people with types A and AB were not so lucky, as scientists found that they were more likely to suffer m…
(2020-10-14). Public health state of emergency declared in France over Covid, as Macron confirms city curfews. rt.com 
France's government has declared a public health state of emergency over the growing number of Covid-19 cases as the country sees a second-wave surge of the virus. A curfew will also be imposed on several cities, including Paris. | In a statement on Wednesday, the government said that the coronavirus epidemic needed to be strictly counteracted, due to its growing scale putting the health of the population at risk. | The statement did not list any specific measures the government intends to implement, but the mere adoption of the state of emergency gives a broad range of statutory powers to the executive. | In…
(2020-10-14). Netherlands legalizes child euthanasia despite opposition from Christian parties. rt.com 
The Dutch government will allow doctors to euthanize terminally ill children as young as one year old, making the Netherlands the second country in the world to permit the practice. | Health Minister Hugo de Jonge announced the change in a letter to Parliament on Tuesday, calling the decision necessary to help "a small group of terminally ill children who are suffering hopelessly and unbearably." | The decision does not amend any laws, but exempts doctors from prosecution for ending a child's life in certain conditions and with parental consent. Children between the ages of one and 12 will now be eligible for…
(2020-10-14). Poverty, racism, and inequality merge with COVID-19 to create 'syndemic'. peoplesworld.org 
The writer is a retired pediatric physician. It didn't seem to fit. The website of the Colombian Communist Party on Oct. 5 published a medical doctor's reflections on re-characterizing a disease. Félix León Martínez, MD, quoted extensively from an editorial appearing in the famous British medical journal Lancet. He and Lancet editor Richard Horton, MD, …
(2020-10-14). Facebook Bans Ads Questioning Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines. globalresearch.ca Mark Zuckerberg has clearly had enough of being hauled in front of Congress and hectored by a gang of senior citizens and listening to the head of the ACLU slam his company as a vessel for violent hate speech. Because …
(2020-10-14). Open Letter from Medical Doctors and Health Professionals to All Belgian Authorities and All Belgian Media. globalresearch.ca We, Belgian doctors and health professionals, wish to express our serious concern about the evolution of the situation in the recent months surrounding the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. We call on politicians to be independently and critically informed in …
(2020-10-14). Barrett Will Destroy the ACA. progressive.org Ruling against the ACA would end the health care of millions of Americans.
(2020-10-14). COVID-19 Vaccine Partnership with AstraZeneca: A Threat to Public Health. globalresearch.ca A Reuters This is despite the vaccine not only not having passed clinical trials or having …
(2020-10-14). Whistleblowers: Colorado meatpacking plant used threats and lies to keep potentially infected workers on the job. wsws.org Two former health screeners at the JBS beef processing facility in Greeley, Colorado after a coronavirus outbreak have blown the whistle on flagrant violations of basic safety measures by management.
(2020-10-14). Face Masks Pose Serious Risks to the Healthy. globalresearch.ca First published by GR on May 26, 2020 | "By wearing a mask, the exhaled viruses will not be able to escape and will concentrate in the nasal passages, enter the olfactory nerves and travel into the brain." — Russell Blaylock, …
(2020-10-14). Progress against tuberculosis 'at risk': WHO. news.un.org Urgent action and funding are needed to sustain progress in the global fight against tuberculosis (TB), the UN World Health Organization (WHO) has said, warning that global targets for prevention and treatment "will likely be missed".
(2020-10-14). Healthcare Workers Endorse Brown, Hill and Kumar for Santa Cruz City Council. indybay.org The National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW) has endorsed Sandy Brown, Kelsey Hill, and Kayla Kumar for Santa Cruz City Council in the November 2020 election. Additionally, NUHW has endorsed John Leopold for Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, District 1.
(2020-10-14). Green Infrastructure Bringing Nature Education, Stormwater Management to Church and School. indybay.org San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) and Greenprint Partners recently announced the approval of two green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) grants for Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and St. Thomas More School. The $2.69 investment will manage 2.2 million gallons of stormwater annually. Nature-based GSI will enhance the local community by delivering environmental, health, and economic benefits while also contributing to SFPUC's goal of managing one billion gallons of stormwater by 2050.
(2020-10-14). Farewell ceremony for Resistance martyrs in Mazandaran. en.mehrnews.com MAZANDARAN, Oct. 15 (MNA) — People held a farewell ceremony for the martyrs of Holy Shrine Defenders in Mazandaran, the northern Province of Iran through observing health protocols in place.
(2020-10-14). Iran COVID-19 update: 279 deaths, 4,830 cases in 24 hours. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 14 (MNA) — The Iranian Health Ministry has confirmed 4,830 COVID-19 infections and 279 deaths due to the disease in the past 24 hours.
(2020-10-14). Russian Health Ministry Registers Another Two Drugs for COVID-19 Treatment. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Two Remdesivir drugs against the coronavirus infection were registered in Russia, according to the Russian Ministry of Health.
(2020-10-14). Issued 'When No One Was Looking,' Critics Warn New Trump Guidance on Eviction Moratorium a Blow to Renter Protections and Public Health. commondreams.org "Public health evidence is clear: Eviction increases Covid-19 deaths and spread." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
(2020-10-14). Public Health Experts Raise Alarm as Trump White House Embraces 'Fringe' Declaration Pushing Herd Immunity. commondreams.org Public health experts raised alarm over reports that the White House has embraced a declaration calling for a "herd immunity" approach to managing the coronavirus pandemic, put forward by scientists whose views have been denounced as "fringe" by National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
(2020-10-14). 'Totally Under Control': New, Secretly-Filmed Documentary Details Trump's Colossal Covid-19 Failures. commondreams.org Several public health experts who have spent this year watching as President Donald Trump has ignored, refuted, and openly mocked their guidance on the coronavirus pandemic are among those interviewed in a new documentary titled "Totally Under Control." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
(2020-10-14). Young Women Are Voting for Universal Health Care This Election. thenation.com Young Women Are Voting for Universal Health Care This Election…
(2020-10-13). Headlines for October 13, 2020. democracynow.org Dems Warn of Threat to ACA, Roe v. Wade, as Hearing Begins for Trump SCOTUS Nominee Amy Coney Barrett, Trump Returns to Campaigning as COVID Status Remains Unclear, COVID-19 Cases Soaring in Europe, Russia, as India Becomes Second Country to Hit 7 Million Cases, Johnson & Johnson Halts Vaccine Trials; More Evidence of Reinfection Revealed, GA Early Voters Face Long Lines; CA Officials Warn GOP over Illegal Drop Sites, Pascua Yaqui Tribe Sues in Arizona over Voter Suppression Efforts, WH Moves Forward with Taiwan Weapons Sales as U.S. Officials Tell Taiwan to Ramp Up Defense, Bangladeshi Government Approves Death…
(2020-10-13). "Let the People Decide!" Protests at Amy Coney Barrett Hearing Decry GOP Power Grab, Attack on ACA. democracynow.org 
Hundreds protested outside the Senate Monday against the confirmation hearing for President Trump's Supreme Court nominee, Judge Amy Coney Barrett. At least 21 were arrested after staging a sit-in to oppose the Senate pushing through Barrett's nomination in the middle of the presidential election. Senate Democrats warn the federal judge's record suggests she would overturn the Affordable Care Act and threaten reproductive rights if she takes the seat left vacant by the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. "Trump and the Republicans are trying to execute a power grab," says Ana María Archila, co-executive director of…
(2020-10-13). Senate Dems raise threat to health care as Barrett hearings open. peoplesworld.org 
WASHINGTON—-The latest Republican dog-and-pony show, officially called Senate committee hearings on Amy Coney Barrett's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court, opened Oct. 12 with the panel's Democrats stating should she join the other justices, health care for at least 130 million people would be changed for the worse or killed. That threat to the 10-year-old …
(2020-10-13). Viral capitalism: Racist, sexist bosses kill jobs. workers.org 
Another 1.3 million people filed for unemployment benefits during the week of Sept. 28, adding to the ranks of the 12 million workers still jobless due to the pandemic. They and their families have lost health insurance, not provided by this ruthless capitalist government. Evictions and homelessness are on the . . . |
(2020-10-13). Waiting for a Vaccine: Killing for Inequality. counterpunch.org 
I have been harping on the fact that it is very likely China will be mass producing and distributing a vaccine at least a month, and quite possibly several months, before the United States. This should make people very angry. Even a month's delay is likely to mean tens of thousands of avoidable deaths and
(2020-10-13). Johnson & Johnson pauses coronavirus vaccine study, citing 'unexplained illness' in volunteer. rt.com 
Johnson & Johnson has temporarily halted its coronavirus vaccine trial after a trial participant contracted an "unexplained illness," the company said, though offered few additional details about the setback. | The pharma firm's 60,000-patient vaccine study was paused due to an adverse reaction in a volunteer, J&J "We must respect this par…
(2020-10-13). Anti-vaxx ads BANNED on Facebook as social media platform pledges to promote vaccines. rt.com 
Facebook will encourage users to get the flu jab and ban ads that "discourage people from getting a vaccine." The ban is the latest effort by the firm to restrict fringe content, after banning Holocaust denial and QAnon posts. | The social media giant announced its new policy in a
(2020-10-13). 'Current approach to Covid-19 is leading to pain, suffering & death': Tory MP resigns from UK govt over coronavirus lockdowns. rt.com 
Conservative MP and ministerial aide Chris Green has resigned from Boris Johnson's government, claiming that the PM's "extreme" lockdown measures are causing "pain, suffering and death." | Green, an MP for the Greater Manchester town of Bolton and parliamentary private secretary for education, sent his resignation letter to Johnson on Tuesday evening, a day after the PM announced a new, three-tiered system of local lockdowns throughout England. | The Bolton lockdown has clearly not worked, and I believe that the cure is worse than the disease, so I have stepped down from my role as Parliamentary Private Secret…
(2020-10-13). Head of Russia's national health watchdog says shutting down economy to prevent spread of Covid-19 is pointless & makes no sense. rt.com 
The top official at Russia's state health watchdog believes that there is no point in suspending the economy to fight coronavirus. Anna Popova's comments came after the Kremlin said a second lockdown isn't even being considered. | Speaking at a coronavirus event at well-known university RANEPA, on Tuesday, Rospotrebnadzor boss Anna Popova explained that Russia has quite a low rate of Covid-19 per capita, and therefore there is no sense in taking drastic measures. Currently, there are few restrictions in the world's largest country with bars, restaurants, and shops open as usual. | "Despite the fact that we see…
(2020-10-13). Dutch PM closes pubs, restaurants and cafes as coronavirus cases rise. rt.com 
Bars, restaurants and cafes in the Netherlands will close their doors as the Dutch government tries to control the spread of Covid-19. Unlike many of its European neighbors, the Netherlands has thus far avoided harsh lockdowns. | Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced the "partial lockdown" on Tuesday evening, after health officials in the Netherlands reported a record 7,393 new cases of Covid-19 that day. A total of 43,903 new infections were recorded in the preceding week, along with 150 deaths. | The new measures, which come into effect on Wednesday, will see all bars, restaurants and cafes close, and the sale…
(2020-10-13). Protests at Amy Coney Barrett Hearing Rail Against GOP Power Grab. truthout.org Image Credit: Twitter: @CPDAction | Hundreds protested outside the Senate Monday against the confirmation hearing for President Trump's Supreme Court nominee, Judge Amy Coney Barrett. At least 21 were arrested after staging a sit-in to oppose the Senate pushing through Barrett's nomination in the middle of the presidential election. Senate Democrats warn the federal judge's record suggests she would overturn the Affordable Care Act and threaten reproductive rights if she takes the seat left vacant by the l…
(2020-10-13). Belgian Health Experts Demand Full Investigation into WHO for Faking COVID-19 Pandemic. globalresearch.ca A coalition of doctors and other health professionals in Belgium has issued an
(2020-10-13). Palliative Care and Health Care Use and Patient-Centered Outcomes in Adults With Noncancer Illness. jamanetwork.com This meta-analysis estimates the association between palliative care and health care use, disease-generic and disease-specific measures of quality of life, and symptom burden among adults with noncancer illness.
(2020-10-13). Combining Rapid PCR and Antibody Tests Improved COVID-19 Diagnosis. jamanetwork.com Nose and throat swab polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing can miss up to 50% of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases, in part because the virus may have already cleared the upper respiratory tract. But by then, patients may have developed antibodies against the virus. An approach that combines rapid PCR and antibody testing could help physicians quickly diagnose more cases, a recent small study of hospitalized patients with suspected COVID-19 suggested.
(2020-10-13). Video: Is There a Second Wave? The Lockdown, Ireland, Statement of WHO COVID-19 Expert. globalresearch.ca In this Spectator report, the representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) states the need to combat the virus while restoring economic activity. | The Irish government dismissed the recommendations of the medical experts who are calling for restoring the lockdown. …
(2020-10-13). Trump vs Biden on Health Care. jamanetwork.com There was always an expectation that health care would be one of the biggest issues in this year's presidential campaign, as was the case in the 2018 mid-term elections.
(2020-10-13). Association Between Change in Geography and Change in Likelihood of Uncontrolled CVD Risk Factors in US Veterans. jamanetwork.com This cohort study uses Veterans Health Administration data to estimate the change in prevalence of chronic cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among veterans whose residential zip code changed vs remained the same between 2008 and 2018 to better understand the contribution of geography vs individual patient characteristics to poor risk factor control.
(2020-10-13). Johnson & Johnson Covid vaccine trial paused due to mystery illness. nationofchange.org "This is completely expected, and it's just a reminder how ridiculous it is to try and meet a political timeline of having a vaccine before Nov. 3."