(2021-01-28). Not Knowing What You Stand For: Dr. Birx and Public Health. counterpunch.org 
Pity the public health official tasked with convincing those beyond convincing that a pandemic crisis is worthy of serious consideration. This is further complicated in instances where such officials feel the need to play court jester, appeaser or silent sufferer. When she was made coordinator of the White House coronavirus task force, Deborah Birx was
(2021-01-28). Headlines for January 28, 2021. democracynow.org U.S. Records Another 4,000 COVID-19 Deaths as White House Warns Vaccinations Will Take Months, DHS Warns of Threat from "Violent Extremists" as More Arrests Are Made over Jan. 6 Insurrection, Leader of Proud Boys, Enrique Tarrio, Was a Government Informer , Biden to Reverse "Global Gag Rule," Expand Reproductive Healthcare in U.S., Democrats Reintroduce Bill to Make Washington, D.C., the 51st State, Western Hemisphere COVID-19 Deaths Top 1 Million , 4th Zimbabwean Cabinet Official Dies of COVID-19; WHO Begins Probe into Pandemic Origins in Wuhan, Hungry Lebanese Protesters Clash with Police over Coronavirus Lockd…
(2021-01-28). Dr. Peter Hotez: "Globalized Anti-Science Movement" Threatens Pandemic Response & Public Health. democracynow.org 
The Biden administration has vowed to increase the rate of vaccinations as COVID-19 continues to spread uncontrollably across the entire U.S., with 90,000 people predicted to die in the next four weeks. President Biden announced plans to acquire another 200 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines made by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech and is devising ways to allow retired nurses and doctors to administer vaccines. Dr. Peter Hotez, co-director of the Center for Vaccine Development at Texas Children's Hospital and dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, says the Trump administration'
(2021-01-28). Experts Say We Must End Big Pharma Monopoly on COVID Vaccine Supply and Price. truthout.org 
As rich countries race to roll out their vaccination programs, leaders in the Global South and global health advocates are increasingly decrying vaccine hoarding that has pushed poorer countries to the back of the line during the pandemic. Some rich countries have secured enough COVID-19 vaccines to inoculate their populations several times over, while poorer countries struggle to secure enough doses, almost certainly prolonging the pandemic by months or even years. Public health policy expert…
(2021-01-28). EU orders raid of AstraZeneca vaccine plant in Belgium as row over Covid jabs escalates. rt.com 
Belgian regulators carried out an inspection of AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine production site near Brussels at the behest of the European Commission, amid an ongoing spat over the deployment of the company's Covid-19 vaccine. | During the inspection ordered by the European Union's executive branch, samples and records were taken from the Novasep factory, in the town of Seneffe, outside Brussels, to be analyzed by officials from Belgium's Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAGG). | The inspection marks an escalation in the ongoing row between the bloc and the pharmaceutical company over Covid…
(2021-01-28). After $100K Donation FL Gov. DeSantis Taps Supermarket for Vaccine Distribution. truthout.org 
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is facing criticism after deciding this month that he would revoke COVID-19 vaccine access at health centers in Palm Beach County and instead, funnel the states' vaccine supply through Publix, a regional grocery chain. His decision comes just a few weeks after Publix After the county runs out of its current supply, which he…
(2021-01-28). Share the Technology: Experts Say We Must End Big Pharma Monopoly on COVID Vaccine Supply & Price. democracynow.org 
As rich countries race to roll out their vaccination programs, leaders in the Global South and global health advocates are increasingly decrying vaccine hoarding that has pushed poorer countries to the back of the line during the pandemic. Some rich countries have secured enough COVID-19 vaccines to inoculate their populations several times over, while poorer countries struggle to secure enough doses, almost certainly prolonging the pandemic by months or even years. Public health policy expert Dr. Mohga Kamal-Yanni says an obvious way to address the issue is to share technology so more companies in more countries…
(2021-01-28). France's Covid-19 vaccine woes continue as more regions SUSPEND first doses of Pfizer jab. rt.com 
Two more local public health agencies in France are suspending people's appointments for receiving their first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine made by Pfizer-BioNTech, due to supply shortages. | The eastern Bourgogne-Franche-Comte region and the Île-de-France area surrounding Paris both said on Thursday that they would be axing Covid immunization appointments. | The Parisian ARS health agency said injections of first doses will stop there from February 2 and hospitals won't receive deliveries for the time being, although already-arranged second-dose appointments will still go ahead. | A spokesperson for AR…
(2021-01-28). The Heat: Efforts to speed up COVID-19 vaccinations. america.cgtn.com 
As the number of COVID-19 cases tops 100 million around the world, we will take a look at vaccinations efforts. | What can be done to speed up the process?>
(2021-01-28). The Biden Administration Ramps up COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout. telesurenglish.net In face of growing frustration over vaccine shortages, U.S. President Joe Biden announced Tuesday a roughly 16 percent boost in vaccine deliveries to states over the next three weeks. | RELATED: | The country expects to provide enough doses to vaccinate 300 million people by the end of the summer or early fall. | The Biden administration is working to buy an additional 100 million doses of each of the two approved coronavirus v…
(2021-01-28). Midwest Dispatch: Trump's Legacy of Killing. progressive.org The former President's failure to roll out the COVID-19 vaccine has caused lasting damage.
(2021-01-28). Mexico To Host Phase 3 of German COVID-19 Vaccine. telesurenglish.net Mexico's Foreign Affairs Minister Marcelo Ebrard on Wednesday announced the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines produced by the German company CureVac to conduct phase three of clinical trials with 8,000 volunteers. | RELATED: | CureVac's clinical trials will observe 36,500 volunteers worldwide, including patients from Argentina, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Panama, and Peru. | Highlighting that the Mexican overnmen…
(2021-01-28). Peruvian health workers' strike enters third week. peoplesdispatch.org 
Since January 13, thousands of healthcare professionals from a dozen health workers' unions have been carrying out an indefinite national strike, demanding a greater budget for the public health sector and better working conditions, among other demands…
(2021-01-28). The crown of creation. indybay.org The real plague is the pandemic spread of shareholder value to institutions of general interest such as hospitals, nursing homes, old-age care and education. The dogma of "private before state" has become deeply ingrained in official thinking; the legitimate profit motive, the urgently sought investor, the search for the profitable market niche is hardly questioned.
(2021-01-28). Biden Plan Could Improve Health, Reduce Racial Disparities With WIC Investment. truthout.org 
President Biden's
(2021-01-28). The Curse of Memory: a Ruralist's Lament. counterpunch.org 
This was the week of Maine's annual Agricultural Trade Show; a week where in pre-plague times those with a "sense of humus" would journey to Augusta. We'd kick tires on manure spreaders, perhaps fondle the cables on logging winches, and attend programs focused on various farm/forest sectors. We'd confer about the latest invasive pest, get
(2021-01-28). 'Palestinian teen's health in danger in Israeli prison'. yenisafak.com Amal Nahla, 17, was taken into custody by Israeli forces on Jan. 21 and has been placed in administrative detention without any charge for six months, with the possibility of the duration being extended, according to Defense for Children International — Palestine.The teenager is suffering "shortness of breath" and a medical checkup showed that he has "chest and respiratory system" issues, the group said in a statement.Nahla has been diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, a long-term neuromuscular and autoimmune disease, it added.The statement also referred to a report by an Israeli hospital, Shaare Zedek Medical…
(2021-01-28). Japan to locally produce AstraZeneca vaccine. yenisafak.com Japan on Thursday confirmed it will locally produce a COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by Britain's pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca .Speaking at a news conference in the capital Tokyo, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said: "Yesterday, we received a report […] from AstraZeneca, informing us that it will aim to manufacture over 90 million doses within Japan."Japan had signed a deal with AstraZeneca to acquire 120 million doses of the vaccine.According to Kyodo news agency, 75% of all AstraZeneca vaccines will be manufactured in Japan.Japanese JCR Pharmaceuticals based in western Hyogo province is ex…
(2021-01-28). 'Pfizer jab effective against UK, S.Africa strains'. yenisafak.com The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is effective against the virus strains detected in the UK and South Africa, the companies said late Wednesday.The US drugmaker and its German partner said in a statement that tests were carried out on 20 people with three coronavirus strains; mutations common to both the UK and South Africa variants, mutations common to the UK variant, and mutations common to the South Africa variant."The sera from individuals vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine neutralized all the SARS-CoV-2 strains tested," the statement said.It stressed that "small differences" detected in…
(2021-01-28). 'Both doses of COVID-19 jab should be from same vendor'. yenisafak.com People should get both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine from the same vendor, a Turkish scientist has said.Taking different types of jabs is not the "right approach", said Dr. Afsin Emre Kayipmaz, a member of Turkey's Coronavirus Scientific Advisory Board.Kayipmaz said the vaccination campaign will accelerate as two batches of the Chinese Sinovac have reached the country. A total of 9.5 million doses of the vaccine are expected boost mass immunization against the virus.The doctor said that vaccination will provide at least six months of protection, adding that the respiratory tract infections are expected to rise ag…
(2021-01-28). US health agency misused funds for years: Watchdog. yenisafak.com Millions of dollars intended for use in responding to public health emergencies like Ebola, Zika, and COVID-19 has been "misappropriated," a federal watchdog said in a report released Wednesday.The report by the Office of Special Counsel accused Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) cautioned of potentially violating the Antideficiency Act by using Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), a department under US Health and Human Services (HHS), for "non- BARDA purposes.""ASPR also potentially augmented other ASPR appropriations with BARDA funds," it said.The 2…
(2021-01-28). EU-UK Vaccine Row: Britain Has Been Lucky to Develop Its Own COVID Jab, Academics Say. sputniknews.com The UK and the EU have crossed swords over coronavirus vaccine supplies as Brussels warned it could restrict exports of the Belgian-made Pfizer jab to Britain, prompting Health Secretary Matt Hancock to accuse the union of "protectionism". British observers have weighed up whether the bloc's restrictions may hurt Britain's inoculation plans.
(2021-01-28). Dozen LatAm countries lean on Pfizer, AstraZeneca for vaccine rollout. laprensalatina.com Madrid, Jan 28 (efe-epa).- The Covid-19 vaccines co-developed by two multinational pharmaceutical corporations — New York-based Pfizer and British-Swedish AstraZeneca — are the products of choice for at least 11 countries in Latin America. A large group of countries, however, are waiting to receive vaccines through the Covax mechanism, a World Health Organization (WHO)-led effort …
(2021-01-28). UN Secretary General Receives First COVID-19 Vaccine Shot. sputniknews.com To date, the World Health Organization (WHO) has approved vaccines produced by BioNTech and Pfizer. According to research results, the effectiveness of the vaccine reaches 95 percent, and in the case of those over 65 – over 94 percent.
(2021-01-28). Extending the time between Covid jabs: pragmatic or a gamble? laprensalatina.com By Guillermo Ximenes London, Jan 28 (efe-epa).- The decision in the United Kingdom to extend the period between Covid-19 vaccine doses has divided expert opinion as some see it as a pragmatic move to confront the emergency situation while others worry it could be too much of a gamble. Sir Chris Whitty, the chief medical …
(2021-01-28). South Africa Covid-19 variant found in US after two adults in South Carolina test positive. rt.com 
A new Covid-19 variant first discovered in South Africa has now been detected in the US, after two cases were reported in the state of South Carolina, health officials announced on Thursday. | The two cases of the B.1.351 variant do not appear to be connected to each other, and neither person is known to have traveled recently, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control said in a statement. | Both people are adults — one is from the Lowcountry area and one is from the Pee Dee region, the DHEC said, without giving further details. | The variant was discovered in samples from South Ca…
(2021-01-28). Sturgeon Accused of 'Petty Politics' for Taking EU Side as COVID Vaccine War Hots Up. sputniknews.com The European Union's vaccine trade war with the UK continued to escalate on Thursday, with a surprise swoop ordered at AstraZeneca's facility in Belgium coming to light and European Council President Charles Michel vowing tougher measures to force the UK to hand over supplies of the jabs.
(2021-01-28). As the Olympics and Euro 2020 hang in the balance, should elite athletes be fast-tracked for the Covid-19 vaccine? rt.com 
Considerable question marks remain as to the possibility of holding two of this summer's largest sporting events amid the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, but should athletes be allowed jump the vaccine queue to ensure they go ahead? | The rollout of the various vaccines to combat Covid-19, including Russia's Sputnik V jab, have promised a glimmer of light amid the global Coronavirus chaos which has affected practically every person on the planet in one way or another. | However, the rollout of the various vaccines has brought with it another debate: to whom should they be available, and where should the early applica…
(2021-01-28). Modi highlights India's key role as Covid vaccine producer in Davos speech. laprensalatina.com New Delhi, Jan 28 (efe-epa).- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday underlined India's support to other countries in fighting the coronavirus pandemic by sending vaccines and medical assistance during a virtual speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos. "By sending Covid vaccines to various countries and setting up infrastructure related to vaccination, India …
(2021-01-28). S Korean health workers first to receive COVID-19 jabs in February. laprensalatina.com Seoul, Jan 28 (efe-epa).- South Korea intends to begin its COVID-19 vaccination campaign in February, first inoculating frontline workers, followed by hundreds of thousands of elderly and dependent people, according to a plan presented Thursday. The arrival in the country of the first vaccine shipments manufactured by AstraZeneca is scheduled for the end of February …
(2021-01-28). Funeral of prominent footballer Mehrdad Minavand. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 28 (MNA) — A funeral procession was held on Thursday for the prominent Iranian soccer player Mehrdad Minavand who died at the age of 45 after briefly being hospitalized for contracting Covid-19 disease.
(2021-01-28). WHO warns against premature lifting of Covid restrictions in Europe. laprensalatina.com Copenhagen, Jan 28 (efe-epa).- The World Health Organization's Europe office warned on Thursday against the premature lifting of restrictions as transmissions of Covid-19 remain high, coupled with the risks posed by new coronavirus variants. "Let us not forget the lessons we have learned so harshly. Opening and closing, locking down and opening up rapidly is …
(2021-01-28). Argentine province's anti-Covid measures at center of HR controversy. laprensalatina.com By Rodrigo Garcia Buenos Aires, Jan 27 (efe-epa).- The health strategy of the Argentine province of Formosa to obligate people showing any symptoms of Covid-19, and even those without symptoms, to enter detainment centers has sparked heated nationwide controversy with citizens' protests, accusations of human rights violations and warnings from Amnesty International. By far, Formosa, …
(2021-01-28). Portugal restricts foreign travel as Covid continues to surge. laprensalatina.com Lisbon, Jan 28 (efe-epa).- Portugal will tighten the rules on its citizens leaving the country for the next 15 days starting from Sunday. Covid-19 is spreading out of control in the Atlantic nation, where health authorities on Thursday reported 303 deaths and 16,432 new infections, both record numbers in the country of just over 10 …
(2021-01-28). Vietnam detects 1st local Covid-19 cases in almost 2 months. laprensalatina.com Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Jan 28 (efe-epa).- Vietnam has detected two community Covid-19 infections after 55 days without local transmission, the health ministry announced Thursday. It comes just 10 days before the start of the lunar new year holidays, when millions of people travel the country to visit their families. The Ministry of Health …
(2021-01-28). Obamacare is back: Biden signs executive orders on healthcare, reinstates abortion funding. rt.com 
President Joe Biden has signed two executive orders on healthcare. His decrees reopen enrollment for the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, and lift a Trump administration ban on funding for nonprofits that promote abortion. | The first order instructs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to open a special enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act from February 15 to May 15, giving unemployed Americans a chance to sign up for health insurance. The order also instructs federal agencies to review "rules and other policies that limit Americans' access to health care." | "I'm not initiating any ne…
(2021-01-28). Hundreds of thousands of children 'left without mental health help'. thecanary.co 
Mental health services are "nowhere near" to meeting the needs of hundreds of thousands of children struggling through the coronavirus pandemic, the Children's Commissioner has warned.Anne Longfield said there have been some improvements but a lack of ambition from the government is hindering progress.It is the commissioner's fourth annual report on the state of children's mental health services in England.She said the research, which largely covers the year up to March 2020, reveals a system without the "necessary capacity or flexibility" to respond to the coronavirus pandemic.The "cocktail of risks and stresses…
(2021-01-28). 6 killed, scores injured after chemical leak at factory in Georgia. rt.com 
At least six people have been killed and more than 100 treated by medics after a liquid nitrogen leak at a food processing plant in the US state of Georgia, local officials said on Thursday. | The incident occurred at the Prime Pak Foods plant in Gainesville, Hall County, at around 10am local time Thursday. | A spokesperson for the Northeast Georgia Health System said multiple people are receiving emergency treatment, with at least 10 people hospitalized. | Five people reportedly died at the scene, while a sixth succumbed to injuries after being rushed to hospital. | One eyewitness to the aftermath of the inci…
(2021-01-28). Frank Biden touts his relationship to POTUS in Inauguration Day ad for Florida law firm. rt.com 
Joe Biden's brother Frank used the occasion of Inauguration Day to promote his relationship with the new president in an advertisement for the Florida law firm where he works as an adviser. | The ad appeared in the January 20 edition of Daily Business Review, a legal industry publication, and reportedly promoted Berman Law Group's work in leading a class-action lawsuit that accuses southern Florida sugar-cane growers of damaging the health of nearby residents through their controlled crop burns, CNBC News reported on Wednesday. | Frank Biden, who isn't a lawyer, says in the ad: "My brother is a model for how t…
(2021-01-28). Political scientist published by New York Times arrested for acting as secret agent for Iran. rt.com 
A man, who has penned at least one article for the New York Times, has been arrested and accused of violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act, and of getting paid hundreds of thousands to promote pro-Iran policies in the US. | In a federal complaint, prosecutors alleged that political scientist Kaveh Lotfolah Afrasiabi, has collected over $260,000 in payment from the Iranian government and also received health benefits typically reserved for Iranian diplomats deployed to the US. | Assistant Attorney General for national security John C. Demers, accused Afrasiabi of being a "secret employee" of Iran and of…
(2021-01-28). Turkey sends 20,000 more vaccine doses to N.Cyprus. yenisafak.com Turkey on Thursday delivered another batch of coronavirus vaccine produced by China's Sinovac to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).As many as 20,000 doses of CoronaVac were brought to the TRNC in air ambulance belonging to the Turkish Health Ministry."Turkey has always been by our side, and the supply of vaccines is further proof," TRNC Health Minister Ali Pilli told Anadolu Agency.He appreciated the Turkish leadership for their efforts, adding that thanks to Ankara the vaccination campaign will continue.On Jan. 14, Turkey sent the first shipment of 20,000 doses, soon after which TRNC began the immun…
(2021-01-28). Turkey starts vaccination for people aged 75 and older. yenisafak.com Turkey has begun administering the coronavirus vaccine on people aged 75 and above.Nationwide vaccination started on Jan. 14 after the Chinese Sinovac was granted emergency use approval by Turkey's drug regulatory authority.So far, senior citizens over 90 and 80 years old at care homes or their residences have been vaccinated.Also, vaccination is ongoing for employees at pharmacies and students studying the subject at university level.According to the official figures released by the Health Ministry, Turkey has vaccinated 1.524 million people as of Thursday morning, including frontline health workers.The vaccine…
(2021-01-28). Coronavirus kills 647 health workers in Indonesia. yenisafak.com Adib Khumaidi, a team leader at the Indonesian Medical Association, said in a press release that the number comprises 289 doctors, 221 nurses, 84 midwives, 27 dentists, 15 medical laboratory personnel, and 11 pharmacists.Khumaidi claimed the country's fatality rate for medical personnel is the highest in Asia, and among the top three in the world based on comparison of test statistics and population."From December 2020 to January 2021 we recorded 53 deaths," he said, attributing the high number of fatalities to increased people's activity and mobility recently.The official said the current coronavirus situation i…
(2021-01-28). 'Turkey third country worldwide with vaccines at clinical phase'. yenisafak.com Joining just two other vaccines in the world, vaccines developed in Turkey are now set to enter the clinical study phase, said the nation's president on Thursday."Three innovative [Turkish] vaccine candidates are on the verge of starting phase studies. Work by our professors has the potential to become the third vaccine candidate in the clinical stage in its category in the world," Recep Tayyip Erdogan told an award ceremony for the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) and Turkish Academy of Sciences (TUBA) in the capital Ankara.According to the World Health Organization, Turkey has t…
(2021-01-28). Medical racism is to blame for vaccine scepticism among Communities of Colour. thecanary.co SAGE recently
(2021-01-28). German Vaccine Commission Only Recommends AstraZeneca Jabs for Under-65s. sputniknews.com The committee pointed in its recommendations to a lack of scientific data, which prevents it from advising the use of the British-Swedish flagman coronavirus inoculation in older age groups.
(2021-01-28). Florida Teachers Face Setback In Fight For Safe Schools. popularresistance.org The Broward Teachers Union's fight to secure work-from-home orders for about 1,100 teachers seems to have ended with an arbitrator's decision. | The BTU filed a lawsuit against Broward County Public Schools, demanding those teachers with health concerns be allowed to keep special accommodations which were granted in October. The district said only the most seriously ill teachers, about 600, would be allowed to teach from home as the rest were needed in the classroom. | The arbitrator sided with the district. | "This is a win for our students," said Superintendent Robert Runcie. "We recognize the health concerns o…
(2021-01-28). Vaccines prevented 37 million deaths in LMICs in the last 20 years. imperial.ac.uk Vaccine programmes in low- and middle-income countries have prevented 37 million deaths in the last 20 years alone — 36 million in children under 5.
(2021-01-28). EU: Lack of clarity on AstraZeneca vaccine but constructive talks with firm. laprensalatina.com (Update: changes headline; re-ledes with results of meeting between Kyriakides, AstraZeneca CEO; adds details) Brussels, Jan 27 (efe-epa).- The European Commission on Wednesday lamented the "lack of clarity" from AstraZeneca after "constructive" talks between the company's CEO and the European Union's commissioner for Health and Food Safety on when the EU can expect delivery of …
(2021-01-28). 'End the scourge of neglected tropical diseases': UN health chief. news.un.org The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) vowed on Wednesday to "end the scourge of neglected tropical diseases", which affect more than a billion mainly poor people, and thrive where there is little access to quality health services, clean water, and sanitation.