On this day in 1969, the Eagle landed on the moon, something we could not do now but hope to do again. I remember watching it on the television in our basement, feeling a bit wistful that they couldn't wait a couple of hours and do it on the 21st otherwise known as My Mom's birthday. I at least managed to defend my dissertation and earn my PhD on My Mom's 50th birthday. But back to the coronavirus.
The CDC has approved Novavax for primary use but not for boosters. This gives people who don't want one of the new-fangled mRNA vaccines an option. The morning email update from CNN included a description of how the Novavax vaccine is made. I found it both fascinating and hilarious.
Novavax scientists identified the gene for the spike protein and created a modified version of that gene, which they cloned into a baculovirus that infects insects. They then infected moth cells -- specifically, cells from the fall armyworm -- prompting them to produce the coronavirus spike protein. These virus-like nanoparticles were harvested to make the vaccine.
I have to ask, though I do not know whom to ask, whether spring armyworms are different from the fall armyworms mentioned here.
The BA.5 story continues. New cases in the US number, officially, around 120,000 daily. Given home testing and fewer official tests being done, that 120,000 could actually be a million or more. Cases in Europe have tripled over the past six weeks. There were nearly three million new cases last week alone, about half of all cases worldwide. Hospital admissions have doubled. ICU admissions are relatively low, but deaths among older people are rising. Almost 3,000 people in Europe are dying from covid each week. WHO says that the current wave could be followed by something worse and is urging countries to reintroduce mitigation measures now if not sooner.
In Guangzhou, China community workers broke into homes to look for people who tested positive for covid, picking locks to enter 84 apartments. The head of the neighborhood apologized to residents individually and promised compensation. The pandemic has enabled the Communist Party to deepen its reach into citizens' private lives, track and limit movement, and confine people to homes or businesses.
The CDC has ended its covid mitigation program for cruise ships in US waters. Travelers must now contact cruise lines directly for information on their covid measures such as testing or isolation. Carnival will continue requiring guests to be vaccinated or apply for an exemption, and guests older than two must test negative prior to sailing. Royal Caribbean will require guests ages 12 and older to be vaccinated. Guests are strongly urged, but not required, to have received boosters. American Cruise Lines will not require vaccination but will require guests to declare their vaccination status.
The chairman of the House committee looking into the January 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection has tested positive. He urged the committee to continue its work without him. He was fully vaccinated and boosted, again pointing out that no one is immune.
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