(2020-04-14). COVID-19 in Brazil: Favela Residents and Indigenous Communities Among Those Most at Risk. counterpunch.org 
As of noon on April 8th the total number of Covid-19 positive cases reported by Brazil's health ministry exceeded 14,000 and the number of deaths exceeded 700. This is, by far, the highest number of reported cases in Latin America (though Ecuador has a greater number of reported cases and deaths on a per capita
(2020-04-14). Shortage of protective gear persists — medics. thecanary.co 
Protective gowns and eyewear are still in short supply despite national efforts to get personal protective equipment (PPE) to the frontline, medics have suggested.Doctors' Association UK (DAUKP) said that, although there has been improvements in PPE provision, there are still areas where there are low stock levels.Doctors, nurses and healthcare staff are worried about their own safety, that of patients and their own families, DAUK said.The campaign group has set up a tracker app to assess frontline shortages.The NHSppe App has received input from more than 1,500 medics from 250 hospitals and GP practices across t…
(2020-04-14). Over 100k infections in, France becomes 4th country to surpass 15,000 coronavirus deaths. rt.com 
The death toll from Covid-19 has reached 15,729 in France, making it the fourth country after the US, Italy and Spain to cross the unsettling threshold. The number of confirmed cases of the disease also went beyond 100,000. | There were 762 new deaths in the past 24 hours, Jerome Salomon, the head of the public health authority, said. The figure indicated a slight increase in the rate of fatalities, which remained stable for the few previous days. | The number of the infected in the country has also risen by almost 5,500 since Monday, reaching 103,573 people. | Despite the somber figures, the French health chi…
(2020-04-14). Germany's drop in Covid-19 cases may only be due to lack of testing at Easter, public health chief warns, amid lockdown debate. rt.com 
Germany's top health official has cautioned that a recent slowdown in new coronavirus infections is likely the result of a temporary decrease in testing. The warning comes as Berlin considers lifting containment measures. | Daily tallies of new coronavirus cases have begun to gradually decline, but the recent figures may be the result of less testing over the Easter holiday, Lothar Wieler, the head of the Robert Koch health institute, noted. | "We can therefore not yet conclusively assess whether the number of cases is actually falling," the public health chief argued, adding that Germans should not think that…
(2020-04-14). Covid-19 vaccine could take '12 months or longer,' WHO warns as almost 2mn people infected with deadly virus. rt.com 
An effective vaccine against the novel coronavirus is unlikely to be available until the spring of 2021, World Health Organization (WHO) spokesperson, Dr. Margaret Harris, has warned. | Dr. Harris told a briefing in Geneva that "We really shouldn't be expecting to see the vaccine at least for 12 months or longer." | Vaccinations take a long time to become available due to stringent regulations surrounding clinical trials. While there has been speculation about the effectiveness of some existing medications — such as the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine — these have not been proven to be effective ag…
(2020-04-14). Polish govt prepares to begin lifting some restrictions from April 19. rt.com 
Poland will gradually lift lockdown measures imposed to contain the novel coronavirus from April 19, starting with restrictions on convenience stores, the government said on Tuesday. It is also preparing to hold presidential elections by post on May 10. | "From the 19th we will slowly start unfreezing the economy," Health Minister Lukasz Szumowski told Polish radio station RMF FM. Poland's government spokesman Piotr Muller told public radio that restrictions on shops are likely to be lifted first. The government in Warsaw will decide on the lifting of further curbs on Wednesday or Thursday, Muller added. | As…
(2020-04-14). U.S. company buys ventilator suppliers and then cancels shipments to Cuba. peoplesworld.org 
HAVANA (Granma)—While Cuban medical collaboration is extended around the world to help contain the COVID-19 pandemic, the blockade imposed by the United States on that country has just denied its public health system access to two regular suppliers of ventilators, key to the care of the most serious cases of the disease. Manufacturers IMTMedical AG …
(2020-04-14). Combatting COVID-19 through solidarity. mronline.org 
Despite a deep economic recession, a profound political crisis and international sanctions that have ravaged its health sector, the South American nation of Venezuela is demonstrating that prioritising lives is possible in the battle against COVID-19.
(2020-04-14). Czech govt to gradually reopen stores & services by June 8, but 'masks remain obligatory'. rt.com 
The Czech government has approved a plan to gradually reopen stores and restaurants between April 20 and June 8. Its official presentation on Tuesday signaled the restart of an economy in standstill due to the coronavirus outbreak. | Under the plan, small stores would reopen on April 20, with larger ones to follow on May 11, while restaurants and shopping malls should resume business on June 8. | Czechs will continue to be required to wear masks for the time being, Health Minister Adam Vojtech said. His deputy, Roman Prymula, added that now "a person with the virus infects less than one person on average" and…
(2020-04-14). Beijing greenlights two coronavirus vaccines for clinical trials — health officials. rt.com 
China has approved clinical trials for two coronavirus vaccines, Xinhua reported on Tuesday, citing the country's Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism, potentially paving a path to a cure for the lethal pathogen gripping the globe. Tests have already begun for both compounds. | Developed by the China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm) and the Beijing-based Sinovac Research and Development Co Ltd, both potential cures are "inactivated," meaning they consist of virus particles with no ability to produce disease, in contrast to "live" vaccines. | First appearing in the Chinese city of Wuhan late last yea…
(2020-04-14). G7 agrees on need to aid emerging economies amid anti-virus efforts — Tokyo. rt.com 
The finance leaders of the Group of Seven states agreed on Tuesday on the need to provide financial and technical assistance to emerging economies battling with the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, according to Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso. | G7 finance leaders discussed the need for a coordinated response to deal with the damage the health crisis is inflicting on the global economy, Aso said after attending the teleconference. | "There's no doubt the global economy will come under pressure from the coronavirus pandemic," Reuters quoted the minister as saying.
(2020-04-14). Trump threatens consequences for Beijing as Senate launches China-centered probe into Covid-19 origins. rt.com 
China will have to answer for allegedly misleading the world about coronavirus, President Donald Trump has signaled. His thinly-veiled threat comes as the US Senate begins an investigation into the causes of the health crisis. | The US president took a swipe at China — as well as CBS reporter Paula Reid — after the journalist asked him why there had been no "consequences" for Beijing's "misinformation" during the pandemic. | "I wouldn't tell you. China will find out. Why would I tell you?" Trump fired back. "How do you know there are no consequences? You're going to find out." | His warning coincided…
(2020-04-14). Taiwan reports no new coronavirus cases for 1st time in month. rt.com 
Taiwan on Tuesday reported no new cases of the coronavirus for the first time in more than a month. Health experts have noted Taiwan's efforts, including introducing —as early as December 31— checks on passengers arriving from China's Wuhan city, where the first cases were reported late last year. | The island has reported 393 cases to date, and six deaths, Reuters said. A total of 338 were 'imported cases,' where people were suspected of getting infected overseas. "Of course, we hope it has passed," Health Minister Chen Shih-chung told reporters. "But we still need to be on our guard." | The last ti…
(2020-04-14). Resistance growing to covid-capitalism. mronline.org 
Covid-19 has laid bare a fundamental truth: that capitalist healthcare is a contradiction in terms, since capital—like the killer virus—cares for nothing but reproducing itself.
(2020-04-14). Southeast Asian leaders hold video conference summit, vow to cooperate in Covid-19 fight. rt.com 
Leaders of Southeast Asian states agreed at their first video conference summit on Tuesday to fight together against the "gravest public health crisis" in 100 years. Coronavirus cases in countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) over the past month have soared to more than 20,000 from fewer than 840. | The death toll has grown to 866 from 14, Reuters said. Due to limited testing in some countries, medical professionals suspect the real numbers may be much higher. "It's critical for us and ASEAN to mount a united response because of how connected and interdependent our countries are," Sing…
(2020-04-14). Covid-19 isolation could lead to DIVORCE EPIDEMIC, according to Russian expert. rt.com 
It's only April, but 2020 is certain to be remembered for more than just the fact that its first two digits match its second pair of digits. It has been one of those years in which, to paraphrase Vladimir Lenin, "decades happen."
(2020-04-14). Survivor tells of friendship with British soldier after Bergen-Belsen liberation. thecanary.co 
A Holocaust survivor has paid tribute to the "remarkable" British soldier who came to liberate the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp 75 years ago.Mady Gerrard, 90, has a picture of Lieutenant John Randall — with whom she became friends decades later — on display at her home in Cardiff today.Lt Randall and his driver, Cpl Brown, were the first men to enter the camp after stumbling upon it during a reconnaissance mission.They found more than 50,000 prisoners suffering from disease, starvation, neglect and torture, as well as the bodies of thousands of those who had already died. | Gerrard was 14 when she w…
(2020-04-14). Europe's 'mixed picture': Optimism fading in UK as lockdown may be extended, while some European nations ease restrictions. rt.com 
The UK Foreign Secretary has said the restrictions to slow the spread of Covid-19 in Britain will remain in place until at least May 7, as other European nations re-open small businesses and non-essential stores. | Dominic Raab, who is deputizing for Boris Johnson while the latter continues his recovery, said on Monday that the UK still has a "long way to go" in its battle against the disease. | Read more | | Chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Valance also warned that the…
(2020-04-14). Tunisian political activists condemn US sanctions on Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 14 (MNA) — Tunisian activists deplored the arbitrary sanctions imposed by the United States on the Islamic Republic of Iran, despite international condemnation and calls to stop the unjust blockade, especially under the escalating risks of the Corona epidemic around the world.
(2020-04-14). Phase 2 Chikungunya Virus—Like Particle Vaccine: A Randomized Clinical Trial. jamanetwork.com This clinical trial tested whether the chikungunya virus—like particle vaccince was safe for participants living in chikungunya endemic areas.
(2020-04-14). Preemptive Therapy vs Antiviral Prophylaxis and CMV in Seronegative Liver Transplant Recipients With Seropositive Donors. jamanetwork.com This randomized trial compares preemptive therapy vs antiviral prophylaxis with valganciclovir in cytomegalovirus (CMV)-seronegative liver transplant recipients with seropositive donors for the prevention of CMV disease.
(2020-04-14). How One of Big Pharma's Most Corrupt Companies Plans to Corner the COVID-19 Cure Market. mintpressnews.com One of the most politically-connected yet scandal ridden vaccine companies in the united states, with troubling ties to the 2001 anthrax attacks and opioid crisis, is set to profit handsomely from the current coronavirus crisis.
(2020-04-14). China to Launch Clinical Trials for Two COVID-19 Vaccines. telesurenglish.net China's health authorities approved human clinical trials of two experimental vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes the COVID-19 disease. | RELATED: | These are two "inactivated" vaccines consisting of microorganisms that have been killed through physical or chemical processes. | One of them was developed by the Wuhan Institute of Virology and Sinopharm. Their vaccine will be tested on 1,396 voluntee…
(2020-04-14). US COVID-19 Response Was Set to Fail Even Before Trump. indybay.org Primitive labor system far behind those of other countries has national health impact…
(2020-04-14). Democrats join with Trump in bipartisan push for rapid return to work. wsws.org The ruling class in the United States is preparing to reopen the economy despite a complete lack of a public health infrastructure to address the deadly risk of a second surge.
(2020-04-14). Boris Johnson's praise for the National Health Service: Hypocrisy without limit. wsws.org It will not be long before Johnson's words of praise for the NHS will be nothing but a bitter memory, cited by angry doctors and nurses as the Tories resume their efforts to destroy it.
(2020-04-14). The Illegal United States and Allied Invasion of Iraq & Syria Reaches Crisis Point. globalresearch.ca The onset of the coronavirus has had a number of consequences in the health and livelihoods of millions of people. There has however, been another consequence that is little remarked upon, and that is the almost total disappearance from the …
(2020-04-14). IMF Approves Debt Relief for 25 Countries Due to COVID-19. telesurenglish.net To help address the impact of the COVID-19 crisis, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved immediate debt service relief for 25 countries on Monday. | RELATED: | The decision will allow "a greater share of scarce financial resources to be channeled to the health sector in these times of pandemic," IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said in a statement. | It is expected that the immediate debt service relief will…
(2020-04-14). UK NHS workers speak to the WSWS: "Is it worth clapping the NHS without ensuring the safety of frontline workers?" wsws.org Several NHS workers have contacted the WSWS following the attacks by Conservative Health Minister Matt Hancock, who accused NHS staff of wasting personal protective equipment resources.
(2020-04-14). China Predicts New Wave of COVID-19 by the End of 2020. telesurenglish.net By the end of 2020, a new COVID-19 outbreak could hit the world, according to predictions by a Chinese health specialist. | RELATED: | "Contrary to what many think, the COVID-19 pandemic will not be over in a couple of months," Dr. Zhang Wenhong, who is leading the fight against the coronavirus in Shanghai city, in China, said recently. | The disease "could re-emerge in the late autumn. A new outbreak is very likely," the…
(2020-04-14). No, Italy Is Not the Case Against Medicare for All. thenation.com No, Italy Is Not the Case Against Medicare for All…
(2020-04-14). A Perspective on the Pacifica Bylaws Referendum. indybay.org Pacifica still need a functional Board that can ensure the financial health of the Foundation.
(2020-04-14). Stop The Murder! Workers, Covid-19, The Attack On Labor, Our Unions & The Fightback. indybay.org WorkWeek hosts a national panel on transit, health and shipping and they talk about the failure of the agencies and companies to protect their health and safety. They also discuss the failure of their union officials in many cases to fight management to educate and protect their members from the virus and pandemic…
(2020-04-14). As COVID-19 pandemic surges across India, business presses for quick return to work. wsws.org Due to the criminal negligence of the Modi government and the Indian elite, the country's workers and toilers face a combined health and socio-economic catastrophe.
(2020-04-14). Health Ministry confirms 1,574 new COVID-19 infections. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 14 (MNA) — Iranian Health Ministry announced that during the past 24 hours, 1,574 COVID-19 cases have been detected across the country.
(2020-04-14). Reporting Your Neighbors for Violating Stay-At-Home Orders. indybay.org David Cole, national legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) stated: "All kinds of constitutional liberties are being constrained right now. They are restricted because there's a reason to restrict them. In a time like this, you have to defer substantially to public health experts." But does this mean that we should be ratting-out our neighbors for violating COVID-19 stay-at-home orders?>
(2020-04-14). Connecting Community: Protecting Mental Health & Well Being hosted by Women's March. indybay.org Online…
(2020-04-14). California's COVID-19 Cases Higher Than Reported: Official. telesurenglish.net There might be up to 25,000 cases of COVID-19 in Northern California's San Mateo County (SMC), far more than the three-digit cases that are officially confirmed, the county's health officer said in a statement on Monday. | RELATED: | Scott Morrow said that the data currently shared on the county's website is simply very limited as many characteristics of the coronavirus are unknown and the testing remains very constrain…
(2020-04-14). COVID-Meals Supports Restaurants, Healthcare Workers in Santa Cruz County. indybay.org COVID-Meals was created to provide an easy way for anyone to help support our local restaurants while saying thank you to local healthcare workers.
(2020-04-14). Legionnaires Disease Death Linked to Home Water Contamination. jamanetwork.com An immunocompromised Wisconsin man in his 70s died from an infection with a strain of Legionella bacteria traced to water supplies in his home, according to a CDC report.
(2020-04-14). US-Acquired Chagas Disease Case Found After Blood Donation. jamanetwork.com A Missouri woman whose Chagas disease was diagnosed through screening when she donated blood is likely the state's first autochthonous case, according to a CDC report.
(2020-04-14). Turkey's COVID-19 prison amnesty excludes political prisoners, journalists. wsws.org Turkey has one of the world's fastest-spreading coronavirus epidemics, with over 52,000 cases and 1,100 deaths since the first case was diagnosed on March 10.
(2020-04-14). The Prevailing Pandemic of Influenza. jamanetwork.com During the past two weeks, August 28 to September 11, there has begun a severe and rapidly spreading epidemic of influenza in the First Naval District. More than 2,000 cases have been reported in these two weeks, and there are indications of a rapid spread of the infection. This is undoubtedly the same disease which, first heard of in Spain last spring, and hence called Spanish influenza, has in recent months spread over nearly all of Europe, including Germany, Italy, France, England and Ireland, attacking from 30 to 40 per cent. of the people. The outstanding feature of this epidemic is its high degree of commun…
(2020-04-14). Suicides Among Opioid Overdose Deaths. jamanetwork.com To the Editor Dr Olfson and colleagues examined trends in the rates of opioid-related mortality, stratified by intentionality. Concerns about whether a significant proportion of opioid overdose suicides have been misclassified, and therefore that the suicide component of the opioid epidemic is underestimated, cannot be answered with death certificate data.
(2020-04-14). Sweden's flawed coronavirus battle plan hits the poor & elderly, resulting in worst death count among Nordic countries. mronline.org In only three days, the total fatalities in Sweden due to the current epidemic rose from 477 to 881. While the problem started roughly about the same time in all the Scandinavian countries, Sweden's stats are among the worst.
(2020-04-14). Cuba Is Developing a Vaccine to Activate the Immune System. telesurenglish.net Cuba applies a clinical trial for a vaccine aimed at activating the innate immune system to combat COVID-19. This experimental vaccine has been developed with Cuban technology and scientists amid the U.S. blockade against the Island. | RELATED: | The drug called CIGB 2020 is undergoing clinical trials at Havana's Luis Diaz Soto hospital with volunteer patients suspected of being carriers of the disease, the director of re…
(2020-04-14). A New Vaccine for Chikungunya Virus. jamanetwork.com Arboviruses (arthropod-borne) are a group of viruses that encompass hundreds of members and span multiple viral families making it one of the most genetically diverse, widespread, and dangerous groups of viruses on earth. Arboviruses are transmitted to humans by a variety of geographically widespread arthropod vectors (most commonly, mosquitoes and ticks) so that these viruses can change location with human hosts or arthropod vectors, with potential for rapid spread wherever these vectors are present. Past outbreaks of West Nile virus and recent outbreaks of eastern equine encephalitis virus, Zika virus, and chik…
(2020-04-14). Universal Flu Vaccine Candidate Advances. jamanetwork.com A broad-spectrum influenza vaccine candidate is poised for larger phase 3 trials after demonstrating immunogenicity and safety in a recent phase 2b study. The findings could bring a long-awaited universal influenza vaccine one step closer to reality.
(2020-04-14). Guilt and Impunity: Gaza and COVID-19. counterpunch.org Plague has entered the Holy Land. During the week of Easter and Passover there is an uncanny conjuncture of dire threat and insouciance. Easter in the West is a cheery time of pastel eggs, chocolate, and death denial, of not grappling with Jesus' last cry to God-the-Father: "Why hast thou forsaken me?" Nor is there
(2020-04-14). Amazing Grace and Courage Amid the Plague. thenation.com Amazing Grace and Courage Amid the Plague…