Virus theory vs politics: "unlikely hard answers will be provided this week"

"If Joe Biden’s security staff are up to the mark, a new report on the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic will be placed on the president’s desk this week. His team was given 90 days in May to review the virus’s origins after several US scientists indicated they were no longer certain about the source of Sars-CoV-2.

It will be intriguing to learn how Biden’s team answers the critically important questions that still surround the origins of Sars-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19. Did it emerge because of natural viral spillovers from bats to another animal and then into humans? Or did it leak from the Wuhan Institute of Virology? And, if so, had it been enhanced to make it especially virulent?

These are important questions – to say the least. If we want to prevent another pandemic, it would be very useful to know how this one started. However, given the paucity of new information Biden’s team will have unearthed over the past three months – while the Chinese authorities have continued to provide little extra data – it is unlikely hard answers will be provided this week."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/22/the-wuhan-lab-leak-theory-is-more-about-politics-than-science

Scams will follow new COVID-19 rescue plan

Scams will follow new COVID-19 rescue plan by Jennifer Leach, Associate Director, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC The pandemic is still taking a toll on every kind of well-being we have. The new American Rescue Plan, just signed into law, gets the ball rolling to help out on many people's financial well-being. Payments will soon be coming by direct deposit, checks, or a debit card to people eligible for the payment.  You can learn more about who's eligible, and the timing, at IRS.gov/coronavirus. But let me tell you what will NOT happen, so you can spot and avoid the scammers who are right now crawling out from under their rocks. Read more > https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2021/03/scams-will-follow-new-covid-19-rescue-plan?utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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"without an image of the virus, the scientists could learn only so much"

"Overlooked is a series of obituaries about remarkable people whose deaths, beginning in 1851, went unreported in The Times."

"With no money to pay for college in post-World War II Scotland, 16-year-old June Almeida took an entry-level job in the histology department of a Glasgow hospital, where she learned to examine tissue under a microscope for signs of disease. It was a fortuitous move, for her and for science.

In 1966, nearly two decades later, she used a powerful electron microscope to capture an image of a mysterious pathogen — the first coronavirus known to cause human disease."

Continue reading the article about June Almeida (subscription may be required)

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/08/obituaries/june-almeida-overlooked-coronavirus.html

June Almeida in 1963 at the Ontario Cancer Institute in Toronto. In her day she gained a reputation for “extending the range of the electron microscope to new limits.”Credit...Norman James/Toronto Star, via Getty Images

"Things are tenuous. Now is not the time to relax restrictions."

"Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sounded the alarm Friday over what she described as potentially stalling progress in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, noting that fast-spreading variants of the virus are becoming more prevalent in the United States.

Speaking at a White House briefing on Friday, Walensky said the stall threatens to erase progress the US has made in recent weeks in decreasing cases and hospitalizations, even as the rollout of lifesaving vaccines ramps up.

Walensky said the number of new cases has been increasing in the past three days, compared with the prior week. She also shared new estimates that suggest the more-transmissible U.K. coronavirus variant now makes up about 10 percent of US cases."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/02/26/nation/now-is-not-time-relax-restrictions-cdc-chief-walensky-sounds-alarm-stalling-progress-pandemic/

Coverage from The Hill = https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/540700-cdc-director-warns-decline-in-cases-may-be-stalling-in-concerning-shift

Washington Post: "Three reasons a negative coronavirus test doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not infected"

"Three reasons a negative coronavirus test doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not infected"

 

"Rampant community transmission of the coronavirus and a crippled vaccine rollout have boxed people into a corner: Many are relying on negative test results, inherently limited in usefulness, as a certificate of clearance to see family and friends.

While testing is critical to containing the outbreak, a negative test result is not a free pass to forgo social distancing, mask-wearing and other mitigation measures. Here are a few reminders about what a negative coronavirus test means and doesn’t mean."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/01/13/false-negative-covid-test/

Town of Franklin's COVID-19 Information Portal

https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/coronavirus-information-portal

 

 

New York Times: "How the Oxford-AstraZeneca Vaccine Works"

 

"The University of Oxford partnered with the British-Swedish company AstraZeneca to develop and test a coronavirus vaccine known as ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 or AZD1222. A clinical trial revealed the vaccine was up to 90 percent effective, depending on the initial dosage. Despite some uncertainty over trial results, Britain authorized the vaccine for emergency use in December, and India authorized a version of the vaccine called Covishield on Jan. 3. "

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/health/oxford-astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccine.html

Franklin Public Schools: Superintendent's Message - Jan 4, 2021

January 4, 2021

Dear Franklin Families and Faculty/Staff, 

Happy New Year!
 
We know that this is a concerning time as COVID-positive cases climb both in Franklin and in Massachusetts. We appreciate the cooperation of families and faculty/staff for reporting positive cases to us and for adhering to and communicating quarantine requirements for those who are deemed close contacts.

Later today, we will send the district’s standard letter regarding positive COVID-19 cases in our school community. Please note that we have not issued a letter since December 22, 2020 and are catching up with the general communication. Over winter break, we conducted contact tracing, in collaboration with the local department of public health nurses, and any close contacts have been identified and communicated with directly. We spent today, a remote learning day, completing follow up and assessing staff and student attendance for the coming days.

We will return to our hybrid schedule tomorrow, Tuesday, January 5, 2021.
Please know that staff attendance is something that we are continuing to monitor due to positive COVID cases, quarantine requirements for themself or family members, and routine absences that occur in any given year. We continue to struggle, at times, to provide enough substitute coverage. As in the weeks prior to Winter Break, there may continue to be times where a school needs to move to remote learning as a result of not enough supervision. We will do our best to communicate this to you the night before the following school day, if possible.

Reminder of Updated Health Metrics from DPH and DESE Guidance on Instructional Models
The Department of Public Health updated the COVID health metrics for communities in November. The new designations took the size of each community into account. Additionally, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education updated their guidance on how to interpret these health metrics and apply instructional models accordingly. This information was shared in a letter to families and faculty/staff in November. The transition plan among instructional models communicated at the beginning of the school year was based on the older guidance that is no longer current. We are following the November guidance.
DESE: https://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/on-desktop/interpreting-dph-metrics.html

At this time, Franklin has been designated as a “red” community for three weeks. Given the DESE guidance, however, a red designation for multiple weeks no longer suggests a shift toward fully remote learning. According to DESE, “Fully remote instructional models should be implemented only as a last resort in classrooms, schools, or districts when there is suspected in-school transmission or a significant municipal outbreak, in accordance with DESE's Guidance on
 
Responding to COVID-19 Scenarios. Classrooms and schools should reopen after appropriate mitigation strategies have been implemented, as determined in consultation with the local board of health, DPH, and DESE.”

We are continuing to monitor health metrics very closely. Based on the information we have from our contact tracing efforts, we have not had evidence of in-school transmission. We will continue to be vigilant in our review of cases as well as the implementation of health and safety practices including mask-wearing, physical distancing, and hand hygiene.

We ask for your continued cooperation in support of these practices as well as continued communication.

Communication of Travel: A Reminder
This is a reminder of the District’s travel expectations and Governor Baker’s Executive Order requiring those who travel out of state to quarantine or receive a negative COVID-19 test no more than 72 hours prior to their return to Massachusetts. It is recommended that you test 4-5 days after your return, due to the incubation period of the virus. As noted in the COVID-Handbooks for Families/Students, FPS requires travelers of all ages (including those 10 and under) to test or quarantine when returning to Massachusetts from a non-lower risk state in order to return to school in-person. If you are not testing, the quarantine time frame is now 10 days.

If your family had traveled over break, please return documentation of negative COVID testing for your child or children to the school nurses’ offices upon returning to school. The PCR tests are the “gold standard” for accuracy. Rapid tests should be followed up by PCR testing, according to the Massachusetts travel order.

It is so important to remain vigilant with our health and safety practices. We appreciate your cooperation. 

Sincerely,

Sara Ahern 

Superintendent of Schools 

The PDF for this message can also be found on the Schools Reopening page (along with other notifications sent since Dec 23 but finally posted today (Jan 4, 2021)

• Communications:  https://sites.google.com/franklinps.net/returntoschoolplan/communication?authuser=0
• PDF version:   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/english_-_january_4_reopening_update_to_families_faculty_staff.pdf

Franklin Public Schools: Superintendent's Message - Jan 4, 2021

Town of Franklin, MA: Diner Code of Conduct

"Do you have plans to go out to eat at one of our great restaurants?  (or anywhere for that matter!) 

Please read the Diner Code of Conduct and #DoYourPart to keep yourself, other diners, and the employees safe! 

#DoYouPartFranklin #BeKind #BeRespectful" https://t.co/NbwhgWYY2X

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1343931581430427648?s=03

Town of Franklin, MA: Diner Code of Conduct 

COVID-19 vaccine discussion on wfpr.fm - Monday, Dec 28

Given the recent vaccine news from both Pfizer and Moderna, with more trial successes likely to follow, I think it would be good to put this issue front and center.

Dr. Natalia Linos could address epidemiology and immunization stats (and societal/personal consequences of not being vaccinated?).

Dr. Jeff and Dr. Walker-Jones could also address government's role in organizing the effort and also encouraging/guiding or mandating compliance, masking, vaccination, etc. The ongoing debate is that 'personal rights-v-public good' element that is quite literally 'Trumped Up' by the President's followers.

Government sets guidelines, shared standards, regulations for the public good. We drive on the right side of the road - not wherever we want. We take tests to demonstrate competence and safety. We all benefit in a reasoned and reasonable common good. This is an important discussion.

The panel is  Dr Michael Walker-Jones, Jeff Roy, Peter Fasciano, Dr Natalia Linos, Dr Greg Chiklis and Frank Falvey.

The panel discussion will be broadcast Monday, Dec 28 at 11 AM, 2 PM, and 8 PM.

COVID-19 vaccine discussion on wfpr.fm - Monday, Dec 28

"More than half of Massachusetts’ communities are at high risk for COVID-19"

The Boston Globe has the following:

The state releases a map on a weekly basis that uses coronavirus case counts to show which Massachusetts communities are at high, moderate, and low risk for COVID-19 infection. The state’s latest report lists a total of 188 Massachusetts communities now considered high risk for the spread of COVID-19.

The statewide average daily rate of infection per 100,000 residents was at 63.2, slight down from 65.1 last week, and Boston’s average daily rate was at 59.1, slightly down from 61.9 last week.

Governor Charlie Baker introduced the map on Aug. 11 and it initially outlined each town’s average daily increase in cases per 100,000 people over the most recent two-week period. In November, Baker announced the state had changed its metrics for determining the level of risk for COVID-19 transmission in communities.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/12/18/nation/see-which-massachusetts-communities-are-high-risk-covid-19/

From CommonWealth Magazine:

"THE STATE’S weekly COVID-19 report suggests Massachusetts has hit a plateau, as the number of communities considered high-risk for the virus held steady and cases declined slightly. Deaths, however, continued to rise.

After weeks of steady and sometimes dramatic increases, the number of high-risk, or red, communities in Massachusetts rose to 158, an increase of just one compared to last week’s report. On a percentage basis, the number of red communities in the state held steady at 53 percent."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health/mass-hits-a-covid-19-plateau/

 

 

 

Do your part, Franklin (video)

Let's all do our part to stay healthy this holiday season! #DoYourPartFranklin

 

video link https://youtu.be/OiDWi1qEHYk

 

"Travel bans are an overly simplistic solution"

Dr. Angela Rasmussen (@angie_rasmussen) tweeted at 10:50 AM on Wed, Dec 23, 2020:

"Travel bans are an overly simplistic solution to new variants with potentially new properties & reflect a superficial understanding of viral mutation. They are also a missed opportunity to educate people with more nuance. My latest for the @guardian."

https://twitter.com/angie_rasmussen/status/1341773116549132300

 

"We can probably expect to see other variants that may be more effective at spreading, causing disease or circumventing our immune responses. We must be prepared to respond in an informed and thoughtful way, rather than reactively. Unfortunately, because Sars-CoV-2 is spreading so widely, the virus has many opportunities to develop mutations that give it a competitive advantage. The only way to stop the virus from mutating is to take away its ability to replicate, which means drastically reducing community transmission.

Mutations do not automatically make a virus a more exceptional pathogen. The advantages conferred by positively selected viral mutations are good for the virus, but aren’t necessarily always bad for the human host. Many mutations can make the virus better at infecting cells, replicating, or transmitting to new hosts, but will have no effect on the severity or type of disease that they cause. In the case of B.1.1.7, there is fortunately no indication that the 23 mutations distinguishing the variant result in more severe Covid-19"

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/23/travel-bans-effective-new-covid-variant

Tweet from Dr. Erin Bromage Ph.D.: "More on the UK variant"

Dr. Erin Bromage Ph.D. (@ErinBromage) tweeted at 8:36 AM on Mon, Dec 21, 2020:  More on the UK variant

Bottom line: "There is a concern for 3 of these mutations that could enhance the transmission. Be aware but don't panic."

 

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/ErinBromage/status/1341014769587941376?s=03

More on the UK variant https://t.co/PWYlE6lLZ6

— Dr. Erin Bromage Ph.D. (@ErinBromage) December 21, 2020

COVID-19 hits US with "a new 9/11 day after day"

When 9/11 occurred the US lost the lives of just over 3,000 people. COVID-19 has seen four days with as many US deaths in a single day, and yet the outrage and the rally to address the loss is not here. 

From the Washington Post:

"As the number of coronavirus cases ticked upward in mid-November — worse than the frightening days of spring and ahead of an expected surge after families congregated for Thanksgiving — four doctors on President Trump’s task force decided to stage an intervention.

After their warnings had gone largely unheeded for months in the dormant West Wing, Deborah Birx, Anthony S. Fauci, Stephen Hahn and Robert Redfield together sounded new alarms, cautioning of a dark winter to come without dramatic action to slow community spread.

White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, among the many Trump aides who were infected with the virus this fall, was taken aback, according to three senior administration officials with knowledge of the discussions. He told the doctors he did not believe their troubling data assessment. And he accused them of outlining problems without prescribing solutions."

....

"The story of how America arrived at this final season of devastation, with the reported death toll some days surpassing 3,000 people — a new 9/11 day after day — is based on interviews over the past month with 48 senior administration officials, government health professionals, outside presidential advisers and other people briefed on the inner workings of the federal response."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/politics/trump-covid-pandemic-dark-winter/?itid=hp-top-table-main

Charts from the US COVID tracker

https://www.us-covid-tracker.com/?field=newDeaths&per100k=0&time=all

daily total COVID-19 deaths in US year to date 2020 (as of 12/18/20)

daily COVID-19 deaths in US last 14 days (as of 12/18/20)

Franklin moves to COVID-19 "red" status

From CommonWealth Magazine 

"MORE THAN HALF of the state’s 351 cities and towns are now considered high risk for COVID-19, as the situation continues to deteriorate across Massachusetts.

The state’s weekly report indicates 187 communities, up from 158 last week, are high-risk because they have more than 10 cases per 100,000 people over the last two weeks and a positive test rate (positive tests divided by total tests) of 4 or 5 percent depending on the size of the municipality.

Those thresholds, revised in early November to make it harder to be designated high-risk, are being overwhelmed. Of the 187 high-risk communities, 17 have more than 100 cases per 100,000 people – 10 times the state’s threshold."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health/53-of-mass-communities-now-high-risk-for-covid-19/

 

The MA.gov DPH  report

https://www.mass.gov/doc/weekly-covid-19-public-health-report-december-17-2020/download

 

This is a warning status. If we are in 'red' for three weeks, then the restrictions according to our level would roll back a step.

Franklin Public Schools: Re-opening update Dec 11, 2020

December 11, 2020

Dear Franklin Families and Faculty/Staff, 

We hope you are doing well.

We are monitoring student and staff attendance very carefully at this time. We are experiencing a rise in COVID cases, increased quarantine requirements of close contacts, combined with other routine matters necessitating staff absences, and limited substitute coverage within our schools. We are striving creatively to provide classroom coverage at all of our school buildings in order to keep schools open for students. We also fear that all our creativity in the world and an “all hands on deck” approach may someday not be enough to feel we can appropriately and safely supervise students in school.

We may need to temporarily place one or more schools into remote learning (one day or a few days) if we are unable to supervise in-person learning safely. We do not always have a lot of advanced notice. We will aim, wherever possible, to notify the school community if a school is going to be remote for a day the evening before the following school day. Notification will go out through our Regroup emergency notification system by email, text, and cell phone and will be communicated through social media channels.

If someone you know is interested in serving as a substitute teacher in Franklin Public Schools, please contact our Human Resources office at 508-553-4840.

Have a wonderful weekend. 

Sincerely,
Franklin Public Schools 

 

Shared from the Franklin Public Schools page

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/english-december_11_reopening_update_to_families.pdf

 

The COVID-19 dashboard is updated weekly

https://www.canva.com/design/DAEPRVkkW0s/Ind7MzRCMkuOSlOGn-9hag/view?website#1

 

Franklin Public Schools: Re-opening update Dec 11, 2020

 

CommonWealth Magazine: SJC upholds Baker's COVID-19 authority; MA moves into high-risk COVID category

From CommonWealth Magazine we share two articles of interest for Franklin: 

 

SJC upholds Baker’s sweeping COVID-19 authority

"THE SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT strongly affirmed that Gov. Charlie Baker’s March 10 declaration of a COVID-19 emergency and his long list of subsequent orders shutting down and opening up parts of the state economy were a proper exercise of his authority under the 1950 Civil Defense Act.

The unanimous decision, written by Justice Elspeth Cypher, examined and dismissed various legal arguments suggesting Baker had exceeded his authority, but there was an undercurrent throughout the opinion of respect for the governor’s actions.

“The emergency orders as a whole were informed by public health recommendations and serve the state interest of stopping the spread of COVID-19, which is a legitimate state interest,” the court wrote.

Cypher, during oral arguments on the case on September 11, reflected the court’s concern about undermining the governor’s legal authority during a time of crisis. “Don’t you have to admit that Gov. Baker has done a pretty darn good job here, especially when you compare him to other states?” she asked."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health/sjc-upholds-bakers-sweeping-covid-19-authority/

 

Mass. moves into high-risk COVID category

"THE STATE AS A WHOLE moved into the high-risk COVID-19 category on Thursday as 158 communities were colored red and case counts continued to mount precipitously in Lawrence.

The state as a whole reported 50 cases per 100,000 people over the last two weeks, its highest level since a new, more lenient metric system was implemented on November 6. The state’s positive test rate (positive tests divided by total tests) also hit a new high of 5.25 percent.

The number of high-risk, or red, communities totaled 158, up from 97 a week ago and 62 three weeks ago. There were 92 yellow, or moderate-risk, communities, and a total of 101 in the low-risk green and gray categories."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health/mass-moves-into-high-risk-covid-category 

 

And from Sharon Machlis, an avid "data geek", comes this rendering of the COVID-19 map as it would have been with the prior set of guidelines.

"If the Mass Dept of Public Health were still creating maps under the original #Covid19 risk color scale, today's would look like this: More info and graphs on Mass data at http://apps.machlis.com/shiny/ma_corona_virus/"

Boston Globe: When can I get a COVID-19 vaccine?

The Boston Globe has the following:

"Governor Charlie Baker on Wednesday laid out Massachusetts’ estimated COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan, with front-line health workers and long-term care residents and staffers first in line and the general public expected to receive the vaccine in April 2021 and after.

The distribution of COVID-19 vaccines is pending the Food and Drug Administration’s emergency use authorization, which is expected in the coming days or weeks. Baker said at a Wednesday press conference that the state expects to receive shipments of COVID-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer and Cambridge-based Moderna.

But if you’re not a health care or long-term care facility worker, or a resident of a long-term care facility, when will you get the vaccine? Here’s what the state is saying, along with answers to some other questions:"

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/12/09/nation/here-is-estimated-covid-19-vaccine-timeline-massachusetts/

Gov Baker's press conference announcing the timeline for distribution of the vaccine https://youtu.be/UFe5N2akvkI

 

You can view the presentation doc at the MA.gov page or here

https://www.mass.gov/doc/ma-covid-19-vaccine-presentation-1292020/download

 

MA COVID-19 Vaccine Presentation from Franklin Matters

 

When can I get the COVID-19 vaccine?

Learn where you will fit into the COVID-19 vaccine distribution timeline

 

Fact vs Fiction from @MassGov

Fact vs Fiction from @MassGov #knowthefacts  

Shared from Twitter:https://t.co/7ysMYrX1TS

 

Fact vs Fiction from @MassGov

Re-opening rolled back statewide to Phase 3, Step 1

From CommonWealth Magazine we share an article of interest for Franklin:

"FOLLOWING SIX DAYS of surging COVID-19 case numbers, Gov. Charlie Baker said on Tuesday that Massachusetts is taking a step backward in its reopening plan.

“We cannot simply wait for the vaccine to get here,” Baker said at a State House press conference. “The rate Massachusetts residents are getting infected and the rate at which they are needing medical care, if all continues to move at this pace, is simply not sustainable over time, and our health care system will be put at risk.”

The governor’s decision means the state as a whole will move on Sunday from Step 2 to Step 1 in Phase 3, a retrenchment that previously had been reserved for communities deemed high risk for COVID-19 three weeks in a row or those that made the decision on their own. Boston and Somerville rank among the latter, while Lawrence, Holyoke, and many other communities fall in the former category."

Continue reading the article online
https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health/baker-takes-the-state-back-a-step/

The Boston Globe has the following:

Governor Charlie Baker on Tuesday announced a series of incremental steps to curb the surge of COVID-19 infections, issuing new restrictions on a range of business activities as part of an effort to “build ourselves a bridge to the vaccine,” but stopping short of more forceful mandates.

The frightening trends in the march of the virus — underscored by the 3,627 new cases and 40 additional deaths that were announced Tuesday — mean the state cannot “simply wait for the vaccine to get here,” Baker said. “We have to do more.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/12/08/metro/baker-moves-all-communities-back-phase-3-step-1/

What closes and what can remain open
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/12/08/nation/governor-baker-announced-statewide-rollback-phase-3-step-1-reopening-heres-what-that-means/

Governor Baker's press conference where the changes were introduced and discussed with a Q&A:  https://youtu.be/PJUGTR7wLrs

Franklin's COVID-19 information page can be found   https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/coronavirus-information-portal

Franklin's COVID-19 information page