In the news this week: Children encouraged to trick-or-treat this year. Musicians tour to some states, skip others, both vaccinated and masked. More booster shots approved in such byzantine narratives some will mask up until it makes sense. Variant AY.4.2. arrives in the US to test our mettle.
Contents:
Testing
Tracing
Isolating
🆕 Livelihoods
**FACES**
Infodemic
Beyond the Scope & Serotonin Chaser
Testing 🧪
Oct. 19 There's A COVID Testing Scam In My L.A. School And No One Is Listening To Me (Yahoo! Sports) - “I’ve frequently shown altered test results over the past several weeks to see if I’d ever get stopped. It’s never happened and, as far as I know, no one else has ever been stopped either. Am I happy about this? Hell no!”
Oct. 15 Behind the scenes of wastewater testing to detect COVID-19 on campus of UNC Charlotte (WDBJ 7 CBS) - “Field technicians collect wastewater samples from 37 sites across campus three days a week." “As a student himself, [UNC Charlotte senior Isaiah] Young sees the value in only having to test people in the residence hall where that positive sample came from.”
Oct. 15 France ends free Covid testing for all (France24) -
Tracing ✔️
Oct. 15 Honolulu Zoo’s only male lion dies of coronavirus (Honolulu Star Advertiser) -
Oct. 14 COVID-19 was the No. 1 killer of Americans age 35 to 54 last month, and No. 2 overall (The Week) - “COVID-19 was the No. 1 leading cause of death in the U.S. in January, at the peak of last winter's brutal coronavirus surge, but then vaccines became widely available and it dropped to No. 7 by July, the Kaiser Family Foundation says in a new analysis of COVID-19 fatalities. Then the Delta variant hit and found ample unvaccinated Americans to kick COVID-19 back up to the No. 2 killer in August and September, the leading cause of death for Americans age 35 to 54, and even the sixth or seventh leading cause of death for children.”
Oct. 13 Zoo in New Orleans Vaccinating Apes Against COVID-19 (US News) -
Oct. 15 Atlanta school district to hire epidemiologist among 26 new COVID positions (Atlanta Journal-Constitution) -
Oct. 8 Mutant of delta variant blamed for Nevada man’s rapid reinfection (Las Vegas Review-Journal) -
Oct. 14 COVID case records broken, case investigation and contact tracing processes changed (Missoulian) - "While this surge appears to be plateauing in other parts of the nation, health officials warn that Montana may not see that happen. It remains one of the few states in the nation with less than 50% of its population fully vaccinated."
Oct. 15 Virginia's COVID cases have declined for a month straight — again. But numbers are twice as high as last year. (Richmond Times-Dispatch) -
Oct. 14 Data shows more children are getting sick and dying from Covid While young children made up a very small portion of Covid deaths, September had the most new cases and deaths for kids. (NBC News) -
Oct. 21 Putin orders Russians to stop work for a week amid record Covid daily deaths (CNBC) -
Oct. 20 COVID-19: New, infectious strain of Delta variant detected in the US (New York Post) - "AY.4.2 is being closely monitored in the UK after British health officials revealed that the new variant — reported to be 10 to 15 percent more transmissible that Delta — had been linked to a growing number of COVID-19 infections there."
Isolating
Oct. 20 In-n-Out livid after city closes San Francisco restaurant over COVID vaccine rules (Sacramento Bee) - “It is unreasonable, invasive, and unsafe to force our restaurant associates to segregate customers into those who may be served and those who may not, whether based on the documentation they carry, or any other reason, “ the chain’s chief legal officer Arnie Wensinger said.
Livelihoods
Oct. 13 Performing artists in Seattle appreciative of strict COVID-19 vaccination rules | Ann Wilson of '70s rock band Heart will perform at the Neptune Theatre for final leg of a 2021 tour. (K5 NBC) - "Many performing arts venues in Seattle have implemented a COVID-19 vaccination requirement ahead of King County's October deadline for people ages 12 and up to show proof at certain indoor and outdoor establishments and events. The stringent rules have performing artists saying it is valuable in keeping the music going." Proof of negative COVID test is also accepted as a passport.
Oct. 1 ANN WILSON Says She Required Vaccinations For All Members Of Her Solo Band (Blabbermouth.net) - "We had to lay down this thing for our whole tour group," she continued. "Every last crew person, every band person, had to be vaccinated. Some of them just kind of stomped their feet and went, 'Well, that's against my… you know, I'm a free spirit. I don't have to.' And we went, 'Well, you do if you want to be on this tour.' So they all did. But we're still careful. Everyone has to mask up when they're not in their dressing room. So far we haven't had any positive tests and we've been out on three legs now. You've just gotta play it super-careful."
**FACES**
Byron Webb, 57, registered nurse. Byron S. Webb (Rosenau Funeral Home) - He leaves behind a wife and four children. Before working in healthcare, he was a commercial deep sea diver and trucker. He worked three jobs to support his family. (Aug. 18)
Dr. Ray Dominick, age 59. Friends, family, patients remember Leesburg's Dr. Ray Dominick, who died amid COVID fight (Daily Commercial, a Gannett-owned newspaper serving Leesburg, FL) - "He was a character, friends say, and a genius. He was also a talented musician. Songs played at his celebration of life were recordings of him playing the guitar and singing." "It is unclear if Dominick was vaccinated against the virus." (Sep. 14)
Roland Asebedo, age 56, fire chief. Funeral arrangements set for Denton County leader who died from complications with COVID-19 | With more than 30 years in emergency services, Chief Asebedo saved countless lives in his dedication to serving others, officials said. (WFAA ABC 8 Dallas) - Roland Asebedo is survived by his mother, wife, son, daughter, brother, sister, “and a number of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.” (Sep. 16)
John Garcia, age 51, registered nurse. Beloved longtime nurse and community coach dies from COVID-19, inspires others to get vaccinated (Rome News-Tribune) - "He’d put off getting vaccinated COVID-19 and tested positive on Sept. 15. His death came as a shock; he’d been getting play by plays through texts of his children’s football games even on Saturday." (Sep. 28)
Dr. Lind Chinnery, age 65. Dr. Lind Chinnery Medical Doctor (C. C. Carter Funeral Home, Inc.) - Born in the Virgin Islands, Dr. Chinnery "loved music” was a saxophonist and singer in a group called “Undecided”. Accepted from high school into prestigious Princeton, he attended Virginia State University and later, Georgetown. Dr. Chinnery leaves behind his wife Debra Chinnery, EdD, a nurse practitioner who helped co-found his proprietary Hampton Roads Healthcare Solutions, a nonprofit organization that focused on health disparities in the African American community. He also leaves behind five children Dwain, Denisha, Ahmad, Akrin, and Kourtney. (Oct. 2)
Kelley William Frye age 53, firefighter. Md. firefighter-EMT dies of COVID-19 Cumberland Fire Department Firefighter-EMT Kelly Frye died after a month-long battle with the virus (FireRescue1) - He loved being involved with Muscular Dystrophy Association fundraisers, usually bringing the biggest tallies. He was diagnosed with COVID Aug. 29 and died Sep. 29. (Oct. 5)
Michael Pickering, age 45, firefighter and EMT. Chicago firefighter-EMT dies of COVID-19 – the department’s 4th virus victimFirefighter-EMT Michael Pickering had been with the department since 2003Oct 10, 2021 (FireRescue1) - The 45-year-old father of a son and two teen daughters is the fourth member of Chicago FD to die of COVID. (Oct. 10)
William Sekora, age 63, paramedic. Covid death of veteran Jeannette EMS paramedic declared to be in 'line of duty' (TribLive of Western Pennsylvania) - "William J. 'Bill' Sekora was the answer man — the person first responder veterans and newcomers alike usually went to with their questions." Sekora, who city authorities said contracted the virus “in the line of duty” is survived by his son and his sister. (Oct. 13)
Infodemic
"An infodemic is too much information including false or misleading information in digital and physical environments during a disease outbreak." - W.H.O.
Oct. 17 For 105 days, COVID’s death toll in Florida counties went missing The state and federal government could have shared the death toll in each county with the public, but didn’t. (Tampa Bay Times) -
Oct. 18 The Golden Age of Junk Science Is Killing Us Misinformation is being spewed, weaponized, and consumed at a deadly rate. Fortunately, there's a way out. Here's how to make sense of what you're seeing. (Men's Health) - “Misinformation and men are an especially bad combo, and it’s hurting our health. Research from the University of Delaware tells us that men are more likely to believe Covid conspiracy theories and other research suggests they may be less concerned about the harmful effects of misinformation. Men are also less likely to get the Covid vaccine.”
Oct. 18 Miami school says vaccinated students must stay home for 30 days to protect others, citing discredited info (Washington Post) - The wealthy school district made news last April when it said teachers who get the vaccine were unwelcome on campus, citing debunked misinformation then too, the Post said.
=>Endemicity Watch
Oct. 20 How Will Blue America Live With Covid? (New York Times) - Ross Douthat attempts to politicize endemicity.
Serotonin Chaser
1518 Curious Contagions (Lapham's Quarterly) - "Of the many instances of dancing mania that appeared in Europe, the longest took place in 1518 in Strasbourg, where one Frau Troffea became patient zero in a nearly two-month-long dancing spree that afflicted more than four hundred people."
Beyond the Scope
Oct. 21 Column: At vaccine deadline, L.A. city officials go soft on resisters. Can someone please get tough? (Los Angeles Times) - “‘Absolutely,’ said a former high-ranking Los Angeles Fire Department official when I asked if he thought L.A. city officials had rolled over, offering up a soft rebuke to city employees who have defied a COVID-19 vaccine mandate.” “‘This is about the police and firefighter unions,’ said the retired LAFD official, who added that during his long career, he saw politicians buckle under the threat of alienating either union.”
Oct. 20 Apple will require unvaccinated office workers to get tested daily (Los Angeles Times) - "The new requirement will also apply to employees who decline to report their vaccination status to Apple, the company told employees this week. Vaccinated staff members will be required to take rapid tests once a week. Apple retail store employees, meanwhile, will have slightly different rules. Unvaccinated workers will be asked to test twice a week instead of each day they come to work. Vaccinated workers will also need to take a rapid test each week."
Oct. 19 COVID: Slow Turnout For Booster Shots Has South Bay Health Officials Concerned (CBS KPIX 5 SF Bay Area) - "Devin Fehely health officials are concerned that could spur breakthrough infections." In Santa Clara County, approximately 67,000 of 1.4 million fully vaccinated people have gotten boosters. Booster eligibility criteria includes: those age 65 and up; anyone with underlying medical conditions; and those with significant risk of exposure to the virus.”
Sep. 13 Seattle's uptick in 'visible homelessness' fueled by COVID pandemic, report finds (FOX 13 Seattle) -
Oct. 14 Merck’s COVID-19 pill and the ‘unknown risk’ of DNA mutation In a University of North Carolina study, the drug induced low levels of mutations in hamster cells, leading some experts to suggest the drug be limited to patients at high risk. (The Philadelphia Inquirer) -
Oct. 15 Texas House wants to use federal COVID relief funds to send out $525 checks — but only to homeowners (Texas Tribune) -
Oct. 20 Inverness is Scotland’s new adultery capital with an 'explosion' of affairs after the end of the coronavirus lockdown, according to a new map (The Inverness Courier) - “A new map of adultery hotspots has shown Inverness to be the cheating capital of Scotland. It shows 4537 people – 6.7 per cent of the city's population – were having extra-marital affairs. The map has been compiled by dating site, IllicitEncounters.com, which claims it represents a 13 per cent rise on last year’s figure of 4015 affairs.“
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