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| Franklin Public Schools, MA: Budget Sub Committee - Mar 3 |
In my reporting for Franklin Matters, I like to use the line "to follow the money" and in so doing I focus on the Finance Committee, Town Council and School Committee. So this article on the profit approach of the vaccine makers caught my eye.
"Compare and contrast. AstraZeneca is currently producing COVID vaccines for no profit and still manages to get beaten up by opportunists in Brussels. Over in the US, Moderna is hailed as a national saviour while shouting from the rooftops about how its commercial prospects have been transformed by its own COVID vaccine.Moderna’s full-year statement on Thursday was extraordinary. The company expects to generate revenues of $18.4bn (£13.1bn) year from deals it has signed to supply its vaccine, which is priced at $30–$36 a shot, so is definitely intended to produce a chunky profit margin. That revenue forecast is enormous. For comparison, AstraZeneca’s entire established portfolio – for cancer, cardiovascular, respiratory treatments and more – generated sales of $26.6bn last year.The backstories to the vaccines are very different, of course. Moderna was a loss-making biotechnology firm that has poured billions into developing messenger RNA technology (also used in the BioNtech/Pfizer product) and a successful return on that investment was never guaranteed. AstraZeneca has merely accelerated original research done at Oxford University – and a condition of the partnership was “at cost” pricing for all the deals to date."
"Public health authorities want people to keep wearing masks and social distancing, even after they receive a vaccine. This might seem counterintuitive – after all, if someone gets a vaccine, aren’t they protected from the coronavirus?The answer is complicated: the vast majority of people who are vaccinated will be protected from Covid-19, the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, vaccinated people may still be able to transmit the virus, even though they do not display any symptoms.“We know now the vaccines can protect, but what we haven’t had enough time to really understand is – does it protect from spreading?” said Avery August, professor of immunology at Cornell University.That is because the the SARS-CoV-2 virus may still colonize the respiratory tract, even as systemic immune cells protect the overall body from the disease it causes – Covid-19."
Although fewer people have been able to grab a beer at the pub during this pandemic, the global desire for beer prevails. For example, sales of the Corona beer actually shot up in the past year, despite—or perhaps because of—associations with the coronavirus.This World Beer Index from Expensivity (https://www.expensivity.com/beer-around-the-world/ )compares the average price of a bottle of beer in 58 countries in a detailed map. Additionally, we show which countries spend the most on beer per capita, and just how much beer people really drink.
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| School Committee Legislative Forum - March 2 |
We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
How can you help?
Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.
I hope you enjoy!
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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
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| FM #474 - Finance Committee Mtg - 02/24/21 (audio) |
Hello Everyone!
Mars landing Feb. 18, 2021!
Staying Connected
Link to the Senior Center - https://www.franklinma.gov/fsc
Link to the Senior Center Calendar https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/day
Link to Franklin Matters - https://www.franklinmatters.org/ and www.franklin.news
Link to the Town's webpage - https://www.franklinma.gov/
Link to Mass.Gov COVID - https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-updates-and-information
COMING IN MARCH!!
Introduction to Palette Knife Painting Classes Put down the brush and pick up a palette knife! For 4, 1 1/2 hour sessions, we will focus on the techniques of using only a palette knife to paint oil paintings. Palette knife painting offers a unique look--thick texture, pure colors, and expressive style. No turpentine or other solvents needed. 4 week class on Tuesdays at 2pm (March 9, 16, 23, 30) Ann Gorbett is an award winning artist who paints exclusively with a palette knife. The thick, painterly, yet highly detailed strokes of color are trademarks of her style. This will be held via zoom and space is limited. You must register to attend. Email adoggett@franklinma.gov or call the franklin senior center to register. Art kits with all supplies will be available for pick up to registered participants. A fee of $20 total for all 4 classes is being charged to defray the cost of materials. If you cannot afford this please ask about our available scholarship. Space is limited so sign up today!
Tips
How to declutter your home. 12 decluttering tips
https://www.becomingminimalist.com/creative-ways-to-declutter/
Do you know all the pressure points in your hands? You can release stress, stimulate circulation and even improve self esteem!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnuR-MPeG8s
4 exercises to test how fast your brain is
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiDFjSQ8Vqw
Music
15 of the most rare and interesting musical instruments
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0i_8t6JwoWM
The Revenge: Timo Boll vs. KUKA robot
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv6op2HHIuM
Life is a Dream - Grandmaster JinBodhi Healing Series Singing Bowls
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ey8gBk9xwCg
Just for Fun
St. Paul's Church on Nantucket and the incredible Tiffany windows
Final St Paul's (mediazilla.com)
The evolution of dance- from the 1950's through 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-rSdt0aFuw
NASA Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover Mission - real time tracker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9zFaCNXTCY
Humor
Art Linkletter - Kids say the darndest things
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UgLpRvX7Qk
Carol Burnett Show bloopers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b5C6Xp3pwA&t=73s
Jeanne Robertson - Sizzle Reel (slightly off color jokes from a clean humorist)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJZxmwzrg4A
Kindness Matters
10 random acts of kindness caught on camera
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vahi77oOsK4&t=15s
Upcoming Events email adoggett@franklinma.gov to attend unless noted otherwise.
*Monday at 1pm - Tele-Bingo call in bingo game! Call the Senior Center to register to play.
*Monday at 11am - Page Turners Book Club via zoom call the senior center to register
*Tuesday at 5pm - Quarantini Time a virtual, social, cocktail hour. Via zoom
*Tuesday at 1pm - Audio book Group- email mgunderson@franklinma.gov
*Wednesday At 1pm - Fireside chat with the Staff of the Senior Center - hear about upcoming events at the Senior Center, new menu items, ask questions and provide your input. Via zoom
*Wednesday At 1pm - Writers Group - email shersteve@gmail.com to join
*Thursday at 10am - Discussion Group - email mattrovendro@yahoo.com to attend
*Thursday at 1pm - Tele Bingo call the Senior Center to play 508-520-4945
*Friday at 11am - Sunshine Zoom - for members with memory loss - 1 hour of socialization,
games and activities.
*Friday at 1pm - Tele-Bingo call the Senior Center to register to play. Call in game.
Attached you will find: Donna's Fun Filled Activity Pages!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oP6MHfm803hmVsUlj1POxYLtG1dfU7Fx/view?usp=sharing
Love, virtual hugs and good health to you all! Stay safe and keep the human connection alive!
Ariel
Please feel free to share this email with anyone you think might enjoy it. If you want me to add someone to the email blast list just send me a message with their email in it.
REMEMBER:
When searching for information about the Coronavirus, COVID-19 please use caution! Unfortunately there are many false sites that contain viruses and malware that can threaten your computer. Many look like real sites. Your best bet is to go directly to the CDC, WHO or your local government page (links below).
https://www.franklinma.gov/home/urgent-alerts/coronavirus-information-portal-updates-here
