Learning from our COVID mistakes
Vaccine development really is moving along at unprecedented fast pace, but epidemic won't slow without "non-pharmaceutical interventions" like masks and social distancing
While President Trump touts the experimental monoclonal antibody treatment he received as a miracle cure, ethicists and others are wondering what happens if he or others realize that the drug was derived in part from embryonic stem cells. Meantime, in other news:
The New England Journal of Medicine departed from its long-standing tradition of avoiding politics and published a blistering editorial that blames U.S. leaders for “recklessly squandering lives” by not taking even simple steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Pointing to the White House for actual viral contagion in addition to epidemic of misinformation: USA Today traces thousands of potential COVID exposure back to the White House, as staff, supporters and officials proceeded with campaign and other activities - even against health recommendations.
Learning from our mistakes: The journal Science hosted a conversation with several of the nation’s top epidemiologists today that focused on how the USA can improve the COVID-19 response based on mistakes made in the recent months. The good news is that the panel agreed that the speed of vaccine development will make an enormous difference — but not nearly as fast as many people think. One of the major missteps was failing to recognize the role of pre-existing health inequities soon enough to reduce COVID-19’s disproportionate impact on Black, Latino and other minority communities, but communities in Michigan and elsewhere have made important progress on this aspect of the pandemic, says epidemiologist Debra Furr-Holden of Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.
You may be working from home, but don’t count on a tax break for it. The IRS published guidance that says if you are an employee (i.e., you get a W-2 at the end of the year,) you cannot take any tax deductions for having a home office — even if COVID-19 forces you to work from home.
If you want to look at COVID-19 in the USA from a political point of view, this timeline by Mother Jones magazine chronicles the president’s every step and misstep.
That’s it for today. Stay safe, everyone.