Larissa
Larissa's JournalCovid cases at Everest base camp raise fears of serious outbreak
I could be the crazy one, but climbing Mt. Everest -- with a Covid-19 outbreak at base camp -- is a terrible idea. SAR-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) can trigger a respiratory tract infection.
BBC: Covid cases at Everest base camp raise fears of serious outbreak
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-56984320
Mountaineers and authorities at Everest base camp in Nepal have told the BBC they are seeing rising numbers of climbers with Covid-19 symptoms and rising numbers of positive tests, raising fears of a serious outbreak.
Base camp officials said they had received reports of 17 confirmed cases from hospitals in the capital Kathmandu, where a number of climbers have been sent from the base camp and higher camps to be treated.
The Guardian: Third Covid Wave Sweeps Across the EU
Countries in the EU are reinstating total lockdowns. The rate of new infections in some EU countries are staggering.
New variants blamed as Italy, France, Germany and Poland see infection rates surge
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/14/thid-covid-wave-sweeps-across-eu-and-forces-new-restrictions
A third wave of the Covid pandemic is now advancing swiftly across much of Europe. As a result, many nations – bogged down by sluggish vaccination campaigns – are witnessing sharp rises in infection rates and numbers of cases.
The infection rate in the EU is now at its highest level since the beginning of February, with the spread of new variants of the Covid-19 virus being blamed for much of the recent increase.
Several countries are now set to impose strict new lockdown measures in the next few days – in contrast to the UK, which is beginning to emerge slowly from its current bout of shop and school closures and sports bans.
In Italy, authorities recorded more than 27,000 new cases and 380 deaths on Friday. “More than a year after the start of the health emergency, we are unfortunately facing a new wave of infections,” said prime minister Mario Draghi. “The memory of what happened last spring is vivid, and we will do everything to prevent it from happening again.”
From Monday most of Italy will be placed under lockdown and people will only be allowed to leave their homes for essential errands. Most shops will be closed, along with bars and restaurants.
In France, authorities have reported a similar grim situation, with health minister Olivier Véran describing the situation in the greater Paris region as tense and worrying. “Every 12 minutes night and day, a Parisian is admitted to an intensive care bed,” he revealed.
President Macron has imposed curfews and other social restrictions in several regions, and many doctors are now pressing him to introduce a national lockdown as a matter of urgency.
In Germany, 12,674 new Covid infections were reported on Saturday, a rise of 3,117 from the previous week, as the head of the country’s infectious disease agency acknowledged that the country was now in the grip of a third wave of Covid-19.
Similarly in Poland, 17,260 new daily coronavirus cases were reported on Wednesday, the highest daily figure since November. New pandemic restrictions are likely to be announced this week, government officials have indicated. Poland already has imposed tight restrictions on social gatherings, most schools are closed, and restaurants can only serve meals for delivery.
In addition, both Hungary and the Czech Republic have reported high infection rates and deaths from Covid and health officials have warned figures are likely to get worse in coming weeks.
New York: Protesters Demand Trump Arrest
Donald Trump got a not so welcome homecoming to NYC on his first trip there since leaving the Oval Office. Protesters stood in front of a balloon caricature and held ‘Indict Trump’ signs outside Trump Tower.
https://hollywoodlife.com/2021/03/08/donald-trump-new-york-return-protest-photo/
Trump Greeted by Lone Supporter and Angry Protesters in return to New York
https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-greeted-lone-supporter-angry-protesters-he-returns-new-york-1574618
All the Coronavirus in the World could fit inside a Coke Can
Not too long ago I posted/referenced an article about a scientist who captured images of SARS-CoV-2 under an electron microscope. The article stated that the virus is 10,000 times smaller than the circumference of one human hair. (This scientist states that's it's 1,000 times smaller -- but who's measuring?) It seemed incredible to me, even knowing that viruses cannot be seen with the human eye. Now an English mathematician did the work and has concluded that all of the Coronavirus in the world can fit inside of a soda can! Perhaps his work may inspire some folks to wear a mask already.
https://theconversation.com/all-the-coronavirus-in-the-world-could-fit-inside-a-coke-can-with-plenty-of-room-to-spare-154226
Trump Extends Post Presidency S.S. Protection to 13 Family Members
But the question is, will they let the agents use the toilets?
https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-extends-post-presidency-secret-service-protection-to-13-family-members
Even though his presidency is over, Donald Trump hasn’t stopped granting special favors to his family. According to The Washington Post, Trump extended temporary Secret Service protection to 13 members of his family, including his sons Donald Jr. and Eric, his daughters Tiffany and Ivanka, and their respective spouses and children. They will receive around-the-clock, taxpayer-funded protection for the next six months.
The Former Presidents Act of 1958 grants Trump—as well as former First Lady Melania Trump—lifetime Secret Service protection. His 14-year-old son Barron will be protected until he turns 16. Former Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Obama only extended their Secret Service protection to their college-aged children, according to the Post.
Link from WaPo (pay wall): https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-extended-secret-service-protection-for-13-members-of-his-family-as-he-left-office/2021/01/20/31ef3e9e-5b3c-11eb-b8bd-ee36b1cd18bf_story.html
Jaw-Dropping New CDC Figures Suggest True U.S. Coronavirus Death Toll Approaching Half a Million
Source: Mediaite
As the United States goes into the New Year breaking single-day records for coronavirus deaths, data from the Centers for Disease Control suggests the true cumulative U.S. death toll is approaching half a million.
Last week saw two new record daily totals of conformed Covid deaths of over 3,700, and as of Friday, the official U.S. death toll was 347,870. That’s according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 Dashboard, which is generally regarded as the official source for confirmed coronavirus figures. But according to the latest available figures from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the true current death toll is likely much greater — and could surpass half a million in a matter of weeks.
CDC tracks the number of deaths reported in excess of the average number of expected deaths based on prior years, and the latest figures show that since the pandemic began, 431,792 more people than expected have died.
The news comes as vaccinations lag far behind what is necessary to end the pandemic — and portends months more of escalating national tragedy. The University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation projects an additional 200,000 U.S. coronavirus deaths by April.
Read more: https://www.mediaite.com/news/jaw-dropping-new-cdc-figures-suggest-true-u-s-coronavirus-death-toll-approaching-half-a-million/
Profile Information
Member since: Wed Mar 20, 2019, 12:14 PMNumber of posts: 790
