23rd Jun 2021 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=373 lockdown_exit

Almost 900 Secret Service employees were infected with COVID

The Associated Press Roughly 900 U.S. Secret Service employees tested positive for the coronavirus according to government records obtained by a government watchdog group. Secret Service records show that 881 people on the agency payroll were diagnosed with COVID19 between March 1 2020 and March 9 2021 according to documents obtained by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. More than 11 of Secret Service employees were infected. Secret Service spokesperson Justine Whelan said COVID testing of employees was proactive with more than 25000 tests being administered. https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-government-and-politics-22208672ed5c0bb126c00e0f6e91a7d1 22nd Jun 2021

Philippines president Duterte: ‘You choose, Covid vaccine or I will have you jailed’

The Guardian President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to jail people who refuse to be vaccinated against the coronavirus as the Philippines battles one of Asias worst outbreaks with a cumulative total of more than 1.3 million cases and 23000 deaths. You choose vaccine or I will have you jailed Duterte said in a televised address on Monday following reports of low turnouts at several vaccination sites in the capital Manila. Dutertes remarks contradict those of his health officials who have said that while people are being urged to receive the Covid19 vaccine it was voluntary. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/22/philippines-president-duterte-you-choose-covid-vaccine-or-i-will-have-you-jailed 22nd Jun 2021

Trump wanted to send COVID-infected Americans to Guantanamo: Book

AlJazeera Former President Donald Trump considered sending US citizens infected with the coronavirus to Guantanamo Bay according to a new book. Dont we have an island that we own Trump asked staff in the Situation Room in February 2020 the Washington Post reported. What about Guantanamo Guantanamo Bay is a detention camp on Cuba the US uses to house those accused of serious crimes including enemy combatants from foreign wars and those allegedly behind the September 11 attacks. We import goods the book claims Trump who later contracted COVID19 said to his staff. We are not going to import a virus. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/6/21/trump-wanted-to-send-covid-infected-americans-to-guantanamo-book 21st Jun 2021

In Pakistan, Saying ‘No’ to Covid-19 Vaccine Carries Consequences

The Wall Street Journal Many countries offer incentives to entice people to be vaccinated against Covid19. Pakistan is taking a more punitive approach. Authorities in this country of 220 million threaten those refusing to accept the shot with punishments from cutting off their cellphone connections to withholding their salaries. The penalties contrast with the prizes being dangled elsewhere in the world. A town in the Philippines is offering people who agree to be vaccinated the chance to win a cow. Some U.S. states are holding lotteries with cash prizes while Hong Kong is giving away a multimilliondollar apartment. https://www.wsj.com/articles/saying-no-to-covid-19-vaccine-in-pakistan-carries-consequences-11624359601 22nd Jun 2021

Moderna's president talks COVID-19 and vaccine technology

The Associated Press Soon after a new coronavirus began spreading around the world littleknown vaccine developer Moderna began working with the U.S. National Institutes of Health to create a vaccine using a new technology. That vaccine is now one of the pillars of the U.S. COVID19 response with 130 million doses administered just six months after regulators authorized it for use. Moderna is now testing its vaccine in younger people as well as potential boosters that may be needed in the future along with vaccines and treatments for other diseases all using similar technology based on genetic code called messenger RNA. The Associated Press spoke with company president Dr. Stephen Hoge who oversees Modernas research. https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-vaccine-coronavirus-pandemic-health-business-711d843ed9981cbd3f0db97bacb3a2fa 22nd Jun 2021

New Zealand on edge after virus-infected Australian visits

Associated Press After enjoying nearly four months without any community transmission of the coronavirus New Zealanders were on edge Wednesday after health authorities said an infectious traveler from Australia had visited over the weekend. New Zealand has taken a zerotolerance approach to the virus and continues to pursue an elimination strategy. The countrys response has been among the most effective in the world and the nation of 5 million people has recorded just 26 coronavirus deaths. But its vaccination campaign has been far slower than in most developed countries with just 11 of the population having gotten their first dose. So although there were no immediate cases confirmed as a result of the travelers visit from Sydney to New Zealands capital Wellington authorities were asking people at more than a dozen locations to selfisolate for two weeks and get tested. https://apnews.com/article/new-zealand-australia-lifestyle-travel-coronavirus-pandemic-aeacc7186bb1e25dc90538460a7330ff 22nd Jun 2021

Israel Recommends Vaccinating 12 to 15-year-olds Amid Indian COVID Strain Fears

Haaretz Israels Health Ministry recommended on Sunday that the country vaccinate 12 to 15yearolds following the outbreaks of the Delta variant of coronavirus in the country. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett convened a meeting with key ministries on Sunday in light of a resurgent rate of infection in Israel and decided to bar people from travelling to highrisk countries and to enforce quarantine on arrival. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-to-bar-travel-to-high-risk-countries-amid-indian-coronavirus-strain-outbreak-1.9924226 21st Jun 2021

Italy to lift mandatory masks outdoors as pandemic slows

AlJazeera People in Italy will no longer have to wear masks outdoors from June 28 the government has said as COVID19 cases and hospitalisations decline in one of Europes worsthit countries by the pandemic. Mandatory masks were imposed in October last year when the country was entering a second wave of infections and authorities were struggling to curb a surging national caseload. Prime Minister Mario Draghis government has been steadily lifting restrictions since April allowing restaurants bars cinemas and gyms to reopen and permitting freedom of movement around the country. The wearing of masks was one of the last rules to remain in place. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/6/22/italy-to-lift-mandatory-masks-outdoors-as-pandemic-slows 22nd Jun 2021

Ministers to use Covid-19 passports to keep Premier League fans at stadiums if winter restrictions imposed

iNews Ministers are drawing up plans to use Covid19 passports to keep football fans in stadiums if fresh restrictions are imposed this winter. The Government has cooled on plans to use Covid Status Certificates to open up society amid fears it would be discriminatory and would put undue pressure on the testing system. But Government sources have told i the passports could be revived as a backup to keep pubs theatres and mass events going if coronavirus cases begin to soar once again in the autumn and winter. https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/ministers-covid-19-passports-keep-premier-league-fans-stadiums-winter-restrictions-1064773 22nd Jun 2021

Turkey's Erdogan says easing COVID-19 restrictions further as of July

Reuters Turkey will further relax restrictions imposed to curb the spread of COVID19 from next month President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday after the number of daily coronavirus cases in the country fell to around 5000. Lockdowns that had been imposed on Sundays and curfews from 1900 GMT on weekdays would be lifted from July 1 Erdogan said after a government cabinet meeting. Public transportation restrictions will also be lifted and public institutions will return to normal working hours Erdogan said. https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-turkey-idUSI7N2MN004 22nd Jun 2021

Pandemic Response Sparked 'Widespread' Wealth Inequality Rise

Bloomberg Efforts to curb the coronavirus pandemic have spurred wealth inequality across nations the latest finding that coronavirus has impoverished many of the worlds poorest while bolstering the fortunes of the well off. The wealth share of the richest 1 in nations including the U.S. China and India rose last year primarily due to governments slashing interest rates following the Covid19 outbreak according to Credit Suisse Group AGs 2021 Global Wealth Report released Tuesday. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-06-22/pandemic-response-sparked-widespread-wealth-inequality-rise 22nd Jun 2021

A QUARTER of American adults under 40 do not plan to get a COVID-19 shot due lack of trust in vaccines and fears of potential side effects

Daily Mail A new CDC report finds that 24.9 of Americans under 40 do not plan on getting vaccinated. Over 56 report they do not trust the vaccine while 56 also report they fear side effects of vaccine. Other reasons included thinking they do not need a COVID19 shot or that the virus is not a big threat to them. President Joe Biden has set a target of hitting 70 of the population vaccinated by July 4 which is unlikely https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-9709599/Nearly-25-American-adults-40-not-plan-COVID-19-vaccine.html 22nd Jun 2021

Eating Disorders Surged Among Adolescents in Pandemic

The Wall Street Journal Experts across the country who treat eating disorders in adolescents and young adults say they are seeing unprecedented demand for treatment that arose during the pandemic. Inpatient units have doubled or tripled capacity wait lists for residential programs and outpatient services are months long and the patients coming in are sicker than ever. Experts say they have seen the biggest increase during the past year in anorexia nervosa an eating disorder where people deprive themselves of food. Other disorders being seen include bulimia nervosa where people binge on food and then try to get rid of it with laxatives or vomiting and bingeeating disorder where people consume excessive amounts of food in a short period. https://www.wsj.com/articles/eating-disorders-surged-among-adolescents-in-pandemic-11624302000 22nd Jun 2021

Study finds ‘substantial’ antibody-level difference between BioNTech, Sinovac jab takers

South China Morning Post Amount of antibodies does not directly reflect individuals level of protection but researcher notes increasing evidence that higher levels generally correspond with greater immunity against infection. Objective of study was to estimate incidence of natural infections over time and level of population immunity due to infections and vaccinations https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3137955/coronavirus-those-biontech-jabs-have-stronger 19th Jun 2021

Euro 2020: WHO concerned about easing COVID restrictions

Aljazeera.com The World Health Organization has said it was concerned about the easing of COVID19 restrictions by nations hosting Euro 2020 matches noting that some were already seeing rising cases. WHO is concerned about easing of restrictions in some of the host countries Robb Butler an executive director at WHOs Regional Office for Europe said in an emailed statement to the AFP news agency. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/6/22/euro-2020-covid-who-concern 22nd Jun 2021

Persistent pulmonary disease after acute covid-19

The BMJ Lingering pathology contributes to a wider picture of poor health after hospital discharge It has been over a year since the first patients were discharged from UK hospitals following treatment for covid19. Hospital admission was largely dictated by the requirement for supplementary oxygen and additional respiratory support.1 Acute imaging commonly showed multifocal airspace opacification and venous thromboembolism was recorded in around a quarter of adults admitted to critical care.2 This led to concern about the long term respiratory consequences of covid19 particularly interstitial lung disease and pulmonary vascular disease.3 Fifteen months later our understanding of the complications after hospital treatment for covid19 is improving. A UK study of 47780 discharged patients reported all cause mortality of 12 and readmissions in one third after 140 days of followup.4 Interestingly although respiratory disease was diagnosed in 29.6 after discharge rates of extrapulmonary complications including diabetes adverse cardiovascular events and liver and kidney dysfunction were also increased compared with those in population matched controls indicating that the effect of covid19 extends far beyond the lungs. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1565 22nd Jun 2021

Do we have to learn to live with Covid-19?

The Guardian A new wave of Covid19 cases is threatening to disrupt another summer in the UK as the government extends restrictions for England into July amid concern about the rate of spread of the Delta variant. The Guardians health editor Sarah Boseley tells Anushka Asthana that this time around we are in a very different position with most adults now having had two vaccine jabs. However there is still a prospect of a sharp rise in Covid cases and with it more hospital admissions and deaths. Boris Johnson has said cases of the Delta variant are rising at about 30 a week. https://www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2021/jun/22/do-we-have-to-learn-to-live-with-covid-19-podcast 22nd Jun 2021

Don't Count on Needing a Covid Booster Shot, WHO Scientist Says

Bloomberg As some governments and pharmaceutical officials prepare for Covid booster shots targeting moreinfectious virus variants health authorities say its too early to tell if they will be required. We do not have the information thats necessary to make the recommendation on whether or not a booster will be needed Soumya Swaminathan the World Health Organizations chief scientist said in a Zoom interview Friday. The science is still evolving. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-06-19/don-t-count-on-needing-a-covid-booster-shot-who-scientist-says 19th Jun 2021

COVID-19: Period changes after coronavirus vaccine 'could be coincidental', gynaecologists say

Sky News Changes to womens periods after the coronavirus vaccine are likely to be coincidental gynaecologists have said. It comes after data suggested more than 4000 women reported changes in their menstrual cycle after getting a COVID jab. But experts from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists RCOG say that most women experience changes in their cycles so the fact this is happening after the vaccine could be by chance. https://news.sky.com/story/changes-to-periods-after-covid-vaccine-could-be-coincidental-gynaecologists-say-12338043 22nd Jun 2021

Indian Delta variant could create two Americas, experts warn

Daily Mail Expert warns that differences in vaccine coverage could create two Americas. Delta variant first identified in India is rising in prevalence across the US. Highly vaccinated areas could be protected while others may suffer. CDC director warns Delta will be dominant in the US in one or two months. President Biden urges Americans to get vaccinated in race against variant. Older adults and Democrats are most enthusiastic about the vaccine. But younger adults and Republicans are more likely to express skepticism https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9705077/Indian-Delta-variant-create-two-Americas-experts-warn.html 21st Jun 2021

Delta COVID-19 variant greatest threat to U.S. pandemic response -Fauci

Reuters India The Delta variant of the novel coronavirus that was first found in India is the greatest threat to the United States effort to eradicate COVID19 in its borders said U.S. infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci during a Tuesday press call. The transmissibility is unquestionably greater in the Delta variant than the original variant of COVID19 Fauci said adding that it is associated with an increased disease severity. https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indian-covid-19-variant-greatest-threat-us-pandemic-response-fauci-2021-06-22/ 22nd Jun 2021

New Covid study hints at long-term loss of brain tissue, Dr. Scott Gottlieb warns

CNBC A new U.K. study examined brain imaging before and after a coronavirus infection and looked specifically at the potential effect on the nervous system. In short the study suggests that there could be some longterm loss of brain tissue from Covid and that would have some longterm consequences Gottlieb said. Gottlieb explained to CNBCs The News with Shepard Smith that the destruction of brain tissue could explain why Covid patients lost their sense of smell. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/17/new-covid-study-hints-at-long-term-loss-of-brain-tissue-dr-scott-gottlieb-warns.html 17th Jun 2021

There may be trouble ahead as dangerous Covid-19 variant appears to cause hospitalization spike in a Missouri city

CNN The Delta coronavirus variant which is highly transmissible and possibly more dangerous than current predominant variants now makes up more than 20 of all samples sequenced in the United States after the percentage doubled in a recent twoweek period Dr. Anthony Fauci said. The country seems to be following a pattern seen in the United Kingdom both with a variant first seen there the B.1.1.7 Alpha and now with the Delta variant said the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. As was the case with B.1.1.7 we seem to be following the pattern with the Delta variant with a doubling time of about two weeks Fauci said Tuesday at a White House Covid19 Task Force briefing. https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/22/health/us-coronavirus-tuesday/index.html 22nd Jun 2021

Israel Sees Highest COVID Daily Infections in Two Months as Delta Variant Spreads

Haaretz The highest daily coronavirus infection rate in two months was registered in Israel on Monday with 125 people testing positive after local outbreaks of the delta variant had been reported across the country. The directorgeneral of the Health Ministry Chezy Levy told Israeli television that about 70 per cent of the new infections were with the Delta variant. He also noted that half of those infected were children and that a third of those infected had been vaccinated. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-sees-highest-covid-daily-infections-in-two-months-as-delta-variant-spreads-1.9928700 22nd Jun 2021

Bihar Saw Nearly 75,000 Unaccounted Deaths Amid 2nd Covid Wave, Data Shows

NDTV Close to 75000 people died in Bihar of unexplained causes in the first five months of 2021 which coincided with the deadly second Covid wave new data shows. This is almost 10 times the states official pandemic death figure raising the question of whether the state is undercounting its Covid deaths. About 1.3 lakh deaths were reported in Bihar in JanuaryMay 2019. The figure for the same time period in 2021 was almost 2.2 lakh according to data from the states Civil Registration System showing a difference of about 82500. More than half of this 62 per cent increase was reported in May this year. https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bihar-saw-nearly-75-000-unaccounted-deaths-amid-2nd-covid-wave-data-shows-2467778 22nd Jun 2021

Moscow imposes new virus restrictions as cases remain high

The Associated Press The mayor of Moscow announced new pandemic restrictions on Tuesday saying the situation in the capital where the delta variant of the virus is spreading remains very difficult. The countrys state coronavirus task force reported 6555 new COVID19 cases in Moscow on Tuesday and a total 16715 new infections across Russia both tallies twice as high as a month ago. The decisions that were making are difficult unpopular but necessary for saving peoples lives Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said in an online statement adding that more than 14000 people severely ill with COVID19 remain in the citys hospitals. He has attributed the infection spike to the delta variant that first appeared in India. Sobyanin banned all entertainment and sports events at which more than 500 people are present starting Tuesday. https://apnews.com/article/europe-moscow-coronavirus-pandemic-health-government-and-politics-ed54d2cb1dcaf3ac2e683454cf48ab94 22nd Jun 2021

Angela Merkel receives Moderna dose after first AstraZeneca shot

Aljazeera.com German Chancellor Angela Merkel received a Moderna coronavirus vaccine as her second jab after getting the first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine a government spokesman said on Tuesday. The 66yearold took her first dose of AstraZenecas vaccine in April more than two weeks after German authorities recommended the use of the jab only for people aged 60 and above. Millions of doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine have been safely administered in Europe but concerns linger over a rare type of blood clot seen in an extremely small number of recipients meaning that some people in early priority groups due to their age or preexisting health conditions have been holding off on getting it preferring to wait for another vaccine. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/6/22/angela-merkel-moderna-after-first-astrazeneca-vaccine 22nd Jun 2021

Oxford University explores anti-parasitic drug ivermectin as COVID-19 treatment

Reuters The University of Oxford said on Wednesday it was testing antiparasitic drug ivermectin as a possible treatment for COVID19 as part of a British governmentbacked study that aims to aid recoveries in nonhospital settings. Ivermectin resulted in a reduction of virus replication in laboratory studies the university said adding that a small pilot showed giving the drug early could reduce viral load and the duration of symptoms in some patients with mild COVID19 https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/oxford-university-explores-anti-parasitic-drug-ivermectin-covid-19-treatment-2021-06-22/ 22nd Jun 2021

Indian court calls for probe of Renault-Nissan plant's social distancing

Reuters India An Indian court on Tuesday asked the Tamil Nadu state government to inspect a RenaultNissan plant on July 3 to check whether social distancing norms are being followed. The RenaultNissan workers union petitioned the Madras High court last month seeking to halt operations saying that social distancing norms were being flouted and companyprovided health benefits were outweighed by the risk to their lives. https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indian-court-asks-probe-into-renault-nissan-plants-social-distancing-norms-2021-06-22/ 22nd Jun 2021

Abu Dhabi opens up free COVID-19 vaccines to tourists

Reuters Abu Dhabi the capital of the United Arab Emirates is offering tourists free COVID19 vaccinations that were previously restricted to UAE citizens and residency visa holders. There is no indication that the change applies to Dubai the most populous emirate or the other five emirates that make up the UAE. Visitors with visas issued by Abu Dhabi and passport holders eligible for tourist visas when they arrive in the UAE through Abu Dhabi can book free vaccines according to information provided by the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company SEHA which operates the emirates public health infrastructure. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/abu-dhabi-opens-up-free-covid-19-vaccines-tourists-2021-06-22/ 22nd Jun 2021