FYI, as of yesterday, there is a covid testing site open in Concord, MA on Bedford Ave. Extension, the number is 200 Bedford Ave. It is being offered by Emerson Hospital in Concord, MA.
Covid-19 self test kits are available at CVS. They are manufactured by Abbot. I think they are $23.99 and they
are supposed to be very good.
I didn’t know this. Thanks.
Thank you also, rainshine
The number of new Covid cases in our state is becoming
very worrisome. 457 new cases yesterday and I am sure
testing is less than it should be. The delta variant is really
getting established and beginning to run rampant.
It is also very alarming that the number of fully vaccinated persons coming down with covid continues to rise and is far above the “It is rare” level. As Joshua stated yesterday, it is becoming quite common.
Any and all of our plans to go out and see people have been
CANCELLED indefinitely.
I’m trying to be optimistic here. It isn’t easy. Is it possible that what we see is a July 4 surge and this settles down in a week-ish?
Ahh, reality check here. It is the Summer Vacation season.
The July 4th surge will continue to at least Labor Day. Sorry, just
being real here.
I, for one, do NOT express any optimism whatsoever.
Optimism is my middle name. I doubt that surprises anyone. But I’m afraid you are right
The waste water testing has helped identify curves and spikes. It’s always being tested which we can’t say about actual humans. As you can see a slight curve has begun again.
Thank you, Dr. Indeed, waste water analysis can give an indication of the future trend. I recall reading about this last year and writing a piece on it last summer.
Thanks Doc.
My son regularly checks this site. It has been a really fine indicator of the extant of the virus.
Thank your Dr. I did not have this site
Great to see Hadi’s comment on the C-19 side of the blog. His perspective is an important one to consider. I don’t agree with it. But that doesn’t discount it.
For better or worse, governments – whether Democrat, Republican, or Independent – pry into our lives all the time. The interventions many Republicans condone are qualitatively different, no doubt. Ban critical race theory in schools, for example. Ban non-patriotic education. Ban abortions. Ban the use of marijuana. For a long time, ban same-sex marriage. Etc … Democrats are less into banning (though some are heavily invested in cancel culture) and more into a sometimes heavy-handed, paternalistic view of government, especially when it comes to public goods, which sometimes places limits on people’s freedom of choice.
One such good is public health. There was a time, however, not too long ago, that Democrats and Republicans shared a similar vision of public health. For 80 years prior to 1980, Democrats and Republicans came together to establish entities such as the Food and Drug Administration, and reinforce its regulatory authority over time. They also both staunchly supported the NIH, CDC, clean water efforts, immunizations (also vaccination requirements), and the GOP, though begrudgingly at first, supported public sector programs such as Medicare. Something went awry around 1980, and it has haunted our nation ever since. The life expectancy numbers don’t lie. The U.S. was more or less on par with peer nations at that time. It has since veered in almost the opposite direction, compared to all other peer nations.
Some of this relates to public health neglect. As I mentioned in a previous post, I lived in the Netherlands in the 1980s and early 1990s, a period during which HIV/AIDS became a household name. The contrast in approach to the disease by public health officials and politicians could not have been more different – between the U.S. and the Netherlands. And the results showed. The U.S. did horribly in terms of HIV prevention. The Netherlands did well; spent a tremendous amount on public health education, campaigns in high schools, interventions in the sex worker industry. The Netherlands suffered far fewer deaths from AIDS per capita.
Covid-19 is different in many ways, but also similar in others. Hadi is correct to point out that democracies don’t do well in terms of mitigation because it’s often not tolerated by the population. Yet, the vast majority of wealthy, industrialized (peer) democracies have done better than the U.S. in terms of death rate. There are multiple reasons for this. But one is better public health efforts at mitigating (from testing to NPI). From Canada to Ireland to France to Japan, public health efforts at mitigating have been stronger than the U.S. This week the U.S. will overtake the U.K. in terms of Covid-19 death rate and only be behind two other wealthy, industrialized peer nations: Belgium and Italy. Being number 3 on this ranking is disgraceful for a country that spends as much (wastes as much) money on healthcare.
I agree that we need to hear differing views. I absolutely agree with Hadi that we as a democracy do not do well when told what should be done for the greater good.
Joshua, how right you are re both parties once joining for the greater good. The difference now may not be that both do not believe as they did but that the Republican Party has morphed into something unrecognizable as a true Republican
Either way our founders made their thoughts clear in the preamble to the constitution…..promote general welfare.
I also have a solution that at least makes sense to me for schools. In a bit. Curbside pickup first.
The life expectancy in the U.S. has lowered by 1.5 years and for Blacks and Latinos by 3 years. The highest since WW II.
The life expectancy reduction is directly due to Covid-19 deaths.
There was a lie expectancy reduction. In 1918 also. I don’t know when, how or if the time was regained. Joshua?
Can’t make this stuff up. Communications is not the WH or CDC strong suit. You would think that the person taping this would have redone it, or edited out the background sound (coughing). https://twitter.com/ddiamond/status/1418229191435243520
In my comment above re: covid testing site in Concord it is Baker St., not Bedford Ave.
Here is my idea of a school solution
Hadi and others have good points. Teaching both remote and in person can be difficult for teachers; and frankly they have already stepped up without complaint because of their unwavering dedication to their kids. In my area, in some cases, remote kids simply attended the same class at the same time as In person. Some remote classes were taught by teachers who chose not to be in person for health reasons. Other schools had mixed teaching practices and teachers were pulled in many directions.
As EVERYONE knows, I strongly disagree that in-school learning is best or safe for all. It is undoubtedly best and safest for some. However, remote learning is just as undoubtedly best and safest for others. Why the solution should fit just one group is blatantly unfair.
There is a solution …
Currently and pre covid…..If a town did not offer what a student needs, it paid for that student to attend a school that does meet those needs, including transportation to that school (examples: Norfolk County Agricultural HS, Learning School for the Deaf, Framingham). This is a well accepted practice and has been in place for decades.
If a school can’t offer full remote or doesn’t have enough teachers who wish to remain remote, then it covers the cost of home schooling solutions of the parents choice.
Like your school solution. May be feasible in some towns. Not sure if it is where budgets are very tight. Worth discussing.
I’ve talked to a few who believe it is completely doable. I have a few others to speak to. There was a lot of covid funding. I listen to a bunch of SC meetings which include discussions on how appropriate dollars remaining.
The guidance from experts re school as is fuzzy as the guidance re vaccines. In-school is perfectly fine……well, unless you are in a community where there are many cases or your child is immune compromised.
When it comes to play dates, make sure they are small groups, outside whenever possible and parents should distance. But yep…..tens of kids in a classroom or gym or playground is fine. I’ll repeat…..I have a relative who works with special needs kids in schools and also works with rehab in hospitals. She has said repeatedly that she feels far safer from covid in the hospital setting
House of Commons often sounds like a frat house, yet it maintains discipline in ways our House and Senate most definitely do not (including our hearings). Calling the Prime Minister or anyone else a “liar” in regard to Covid-19 data (or anything else, for that matter) is simply not permitted under House rules in the UK. If this applied here in the U.S. House members would be tossed out on a daily basis. The UK rule applies to hearings as well. So, the remarks of both Fauci AND Paul would not have stood in the UK. They both would have been asked to withdraw their incendiary language. https://twitter.com/PoliticsForAlI/status/1418223634632437761
Very Interesting, Joshua. Also I was remiss in not thanking you for your comment above.
I missed Faucis and Paul’s comments or am I misreading.
I find this fascinating. Would the individuals challenge have stood had she worded it differently or are you not allowed to even politely imply someone was less than truthful.
Drop in vaccine efficacy continues. Israeli data reports efficacy against severe disease down to 88%-91%, and efficacy against contracting the disease is now down to below 60%. Is the CDC paying attention? Doubt it. https://twitter.com/segal_eran/status/1418260295550742528/photo/2
Fauci and Ryan got into a rather disgraceful shouting (well, hurling insults) match the other day. I understand Fauci’s frustration. But, I do wish he would have kept his cool. Callin Paul a “liar” was not only unbecoming of Fauci to do, it really wasn’t true in the context of what Paul was saying. Paul wasn’t lying so much as acting like an idiot who’s out to get Fauci. Rand Paul is something else. A peculiar specimen to say the least. I kind of like his father, but find Rand a rather despicable human being.
In terms of House members in the U.S. the extremes in both parties have a knack for calling the President (Biden or Trump, depending on their political leaning) a “liar” or worse. Not constructive criticism, just name-calling and rhetoric I could do without seeing Representatives use. They could not get away with this in the UK. Decorum is important, if only to temper the flame-throwers. Frankly, in the tweet I sent I didn’t think the Labour MP was flame-throwing. But rules are rules. You can’t call the PM a liar in the House of Commons, especially when he’s not there to defend himself. Johnson is self-isolating after his health minister contracted Covid.
Thank you. I didn’t see the Fauci exchange. I don’t like name calling or disrespect. It diminishes the argument. That said, if frustrated, I can say something I later regret. I wonder if Fauci is just sick of having his hands tied. He sure doesn’t strike me as a disrespectful sort.
Im still not quite clear. Can the PM be called out to clarify a comment respectfully or is criticizing the PM for any reason or in any manner forbidden in the House of Commons.
You may criticize the PM. This happens all the time. But it must occur in a respectful manner, and it must be fact or evidence-based. So, name-calling or simply calling him or her a liar is out of bounds. I think this particularly applies when the PM is not there to answer the original question. He or she is usually present, but wasn’t today.
Thinking it through I do think that calling the PM a “liar” for saying that the link between Covid-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths was “broken” does go too far. The PM would be correct to say the link has been weakened. By saying it’s broken he is exaggerating the claim (and many people make this claim, including Gottlieb), but that really doesn’t amount to a lie.
Thank you, Joshua. That’s what I was wondering. As adults wouldn’t it be amazing if we could take a stance that showed respect. Biden does that perhaps with rare exception. Obama snd both Bushes did. But even if the PM were wrong, I admire the fact that the House of Commons didn’t lower its standard.
This is the first time in probably months that the Covid-19 blog greatly outpaced the WHW blog for comments. Currently 28-19!
C-19 for 7-23 is ready.
Comments are closed.
Your no-hype southeastern New England weather blog!
FYI, as of yesterday, there is a covid testing site open in Concord, MA on Bedford Ave. Extension, the number is 200 Bedford Ave. It is being offered by Emerson Hospital in Concord, MA.
Covid-19 self test kits are available at CVS. They are manufactured by Abbot. I think they are $23.99 and they
are supposed to be very good.
I didn’t know this. Thanks.
Thank you also, rainshine
The number of new Covid cases in our state is becoming
very worrisome. 457 new cases yesterday and I am sure
testing is less than it should be. The delta variant is really
getting established and beginning to run rampant.
It is also very alarming that the number of fully vaccinated persons coming down with covid continues to rise and is far above the “It is rare” level. As Joshua stated yesterday, it is becoming quite common.
Any and all of our plans to go out and see people have been
CANCELLED indefinitely.
I’m trying to be optimistic here. It isn’t easy. Is it possible that what we see is a July 4 surge and this settles down in a week-ish?
Ahh, reality check here. It is the Summer Vacation season.
The July 4th surge will continue to at least Labor Day. Sorry, just
being real here.
I, for one, do NOT express any optimism whatsoever.
Optimism is my middle name. I doubt that surprises anyone. But I’m afraid you are right
If you’ve not done so already – bookmark this page: https://www.mwra.com/biobot/biobotdata.htm
The waste water testing has helped identify curves and spikes. It’s always being tested which we can’t say about actual humans. As you can see a slight curve has begun again.
Thank you, Dr. Indeed, waste water analysis can give an indication of the future trend. I recall reading about this last year and writing a piece on it last summer.
Thanks Doc.
My son regularly checks this site. It has been a really fine indicator of the extant of the virus.
Thank your Dr. I did not have this site
Great to see Hadi’s comment on the C-19 side of the blog. His perspective is an important one to consider. I don’t agree with it. But that doesn’t discount it.
For better or worse, governments – whether Democrat, Republican, or Independent – pry into our lives all the time. The interventions many Republicans condone are qualitatively different, no doubt. Ban critical race theory in schools, for example. Ban non-patriotic education. Ban abortions. Ban the use of marijuana. For a long time, ban same-sex marriage. Etc … Democrats are less into banning (though some are heavily invested in cancel culture) and more into a sometimes heavy-handed, paternalistic view of government, especially when it comes to public goods, which sometimes places limits on people’s freedom of choice.
One such good is public health. There was a time, however, not too long ago, that Democrats and Republicans shared a similar vision of public health. For 80 years prior to 1980, Democrats and Republicans came together to establish entities such as the Food and Drug Administration, and reinforce its regulatory authority over time. They also both staunchly supported the NIH, CDC, clean water efforts, immunizations (also vaccination requirements), and the GOP, though begrudgingly at first, supported public sector programs such as Medicare. Something went awry around 1980, and it has haunted our nation ever since. The life expectancy numbers don’t lie. The U.S. was more or less on par with peer nations at that time. It has since veered in almost the opposite direction, compared to all other peer nations.
Some of this relates to public health neglect. As I mentioned in a previous post, I lived in the Netherlands in the 1980s and early 1990s, a period during which HIV/AIDS became a household name. The contrast in approach to the disease by public health officials and politicians could not have been more different – between the U.S. and the Netherlands. And the results showed. The U.S. did horribly in terms of HIV prevention. The Netherlands did well; spent a tremendous amount on public health education, campaigns in high schools, interventions in the sex worker industry. The Netherlands suffered far fewer deaths from AIDS per capita.
Covid-19 is different in many ways, but also similar in others. Hadi is correct to point out that democracies don’t do well in terms of mitigation because it’s often not tolerated by the population. Yet, the vast majority of wealthy, industrialized (peer) democracies have done better than the U.S. in terms of death rate. There are multiple reasons for this. But one is better public health efforts at mitigating (from testing to NPI). From Canada to Ireland to France to Japan, public health efforts at mitigating have been stronger than the U.S. This week the U.S. will overtake the U.K. in terms of Covid-19 death rate and only be behind two other wealthy, industrialized peer nations: Belgium and Italy. Being number 3 on this ranking is disgraceful for a country that spends as much (wastes as much) money on healthcare.
I agree that we need to hear differing views. I absolutely agree with Hadi that we as a democracy do not do well when told what should be done for the greater good.
Joshua, how right you are re both parties once joining for the greater good. The difference now may not be that both do not believe as they did but that the Republican Party has morphed into something unrecognizable as a true Republican
Either way our founders made their thoughts clear in the preamble to the constitution…..promote general welfare.
I also have a solution that at least makes sense to me for schools. In a bit. Curbside pickup first.
The life expectancy in the U.S. has lowered by 1.5 years and for Blacks and Latinos by 3 years. The highest since WW II.
The life expectancy reduction is directly due to Covid-19 deaths.
There was a lie expectancy reduction. In 1918 also. I don’t know when, how or if the time was regained. Joshua?
Can’t make this stuff up. Communications is not the WH or CDC strong suit. You would think that the person taping this would have redone it, or edited out the background sound (coughing). https://twitter.com/ddiamond/status/1418229191435243520
In my comment above re: covid testing site in Concord it is Baker St., not Bedford Ave.
Here is my idea of a school solution
Hadi and others have good points. Teaching both remote and in person can be difficult for teachers; and frankly they have already stepped up without complaint because of their unwavering dedication to their kids. In my area, in some cases, remote kids simply attended the same class at the same time as In person. Some remote classes were taught by teachers who chose not to be in person for health reasons. Other schools had mixed teaching practices and teachers were pulled in many directions.
As EVERYONE knows, I strongly disagree that in-school learning is best or safe for all. It is undoubtedly best and safest for some. However, remote learning is just as undoubtedly best and safest for others. Why the solution should fit just one group is blatantly unfair.
There is a solution …
Currently and pre covid…..If a town did not offer what a student needs, it paid for that student to attend a school that does meet those needs, including transportation to that school (examples: Norfolk County Agricultural HS, Learning School for the Deaf, Framingham). This is a well accepted practice and has been in place for decades.
If a school can’t offer full remote or doesn’t have enough teachers who wish to remain remote, then it covers the cost of home schooling solutions of the parents choice.
Like your school solution. May be feasible in some towns. Not sure if it is where budgets are very tight. Worth discussing.
I’ve talked to a few who believe it is completely doable. I have a few others to speak to. There was a lot of covid funding. I listen to a bunch of SC meetings which include discussions on how appropriate dollars remaining.
The guidance from experts re school as is fuzzy as the guidance re vaccines. In-school is perfectly fine……well, unless you are in a community where there are many cases or your child is immune compromised.
When it comes to play dates, make sure they are small groups, outside whenever possible and parents should distance. But yep…..tens of kids in a classroom or gym or playground is fine. I’ll repeat…..I have a relative who works with special needs kids in schools and also works with rehab in hospitals. She has said repeatedly that she feels far safer from covid in the hospital setting
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/what-top-pediatricians-want-you-know-about-delta-variant-children-n1274536
Thanks for this!
House of Commons often sounds like a frat house, yet it maintains discipline in ways our House and Senate most definitely do not (including our hearings). Calling the Prime Minister or anyone else a “liar” in regard to Covid-19 data (or anything else, for that matter) is simply not permitted under House rules in the UK. If this applied here in the U.S. House members would be tossed out on a daily basis. The UK rule applies to hearings as well. So, the remarks of both Fauci AND Paul would not have stood in the UK. They both would have been asked to withdraw their incendiary language. https://twitter.com/PoliticsForAlI/status/1418223634632437761
Very Interesting, Joshua. Also I was remiss in not thanking you for your comment above.
I missed Faucis and Paul’s comments or am I misreading.
I find this fascinating. Would the individuals challenge have stood had she worded it differently or are you not allowed to even politely imply someone was less than truthful.
Drop in vaccine efficacy continues. Israeli data reports efficacy against severe disease down to 88%-91%, and efficacy against contracting the disease is now down to below 60%. Is the CDC paying attention? Doubt it. https://twitter.com/segal_eran/status/1418260295550742528/photo/2
Fauci and Ryan got into a rather disgraceful shouting (well, hurling insults) match the other day. I understand Fauci’s frustration. But, I do wish he would have kept his cool. Callin Paul a “liar” was not only unbecoming of Fauci to do, it really wasn’t true in the context of what Paul was saying. Paul wasn’t lying so much as acting like an idiot who’s out to get Fauci. Rand Paul is something else. A peculiar specimen to say the least. I kind of like his father, but find Rand a rather despicable human being.
In terms of House members in the U.S. the extremes in both parties have a knack for calling the President (Biden or Trump, depending on their political leaning) a “liar” or worse. Not constructive criticism, just name-calling and rhetoric I could do without seeing Representatives use. They could not get away with this in the UK. Decorum is important, if only to temper the flame-throwers. Frankly, in the tweet I sent I didn’t think the Labour MP was flame-throwing. But rules are rules. You can’t call the PM a liar in the House of Commons, especially when he’s not there to defend himself. Johnson is self-isolating after his health minister contracted Covid.
Thank you. I didn’t see the Fauci exchange. I don’t like name calling or disrespect. It diminishes the argument. That said, if frustrated, I can say something I later regret. I wonder if Fauci is just sick of having his hands tied. He sure doesn’t strike me as a disrespectful sort.
Im still not quite clear. Can the PM be called out to clarify a comment respectfully or is criticizing the PM for any reason or in any manner forbidden in the House of Commons.
You may criticize the PM. This happens all the time. But it must occur in a respectful manner, and it must be fact or evidence-based. So, name-calling or simply calling him or her a liar is out of bounds. I think this particularly applies when the PM is not there to answer the original question. He or she is usually present, but wasn’t today.
Thinking it through I do think that calling the PM a “liar” for saying that the link between Covid-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths was “broken” does go too far. The PM would be correct to say the link has been weakened. By saying it’s broken he is exaggerating the claim (and many people make this claim, including Gottlieb), but that really doesn’t amount to a lie.
Thank you, Joshua. That’s what I was wondering. As adults wouldn’t it be amazing if we could take a stance that showed respect. Biden does that perhaps with rare exception. Obama snd both Bushes did. But even if the PM were wrong, I admire the fact that the House of Commons didn’t lower its standard.
This is the first time in probably months that the Covid-19 blog greatly outpaced the WHW blog for comments. Currently 28-19!
C-19 for 7-23 is ready.