speak easy
speak easy's JournalDelta Variant of Covid-19 Surges Across Unvaccinated Africa
Source: WSJ
JOHANNESBURG—The more-transmissible Delta variant of the coronavirus is surging across Africa, the continent with the least vaccines and weakest healthcare systems, feeding fears among epidemiologists and political leaders of a public-health disaster that could echo the tragedy that unfolded in India in the spring.
The speed of the takeover of the variant, which was first identified in India and is forcing governments around the globe to tighten restrictions on social and economic activities, has shocked health experts in Africa, a continent that—in part thanks to its younger population—has recorded fewer Covid-19 deaths than other regions. Some are warning that previous infection from another strain of the virus may not protect against Delta, leaving swaths of the population that were believed to be immune once again vulnerable.
In South Africa, families have been driving ailing relatives across state lines to try to secure one of the country’s few remaining intensive-care beds. On a recent June night, every one of the 30 Covid-19 patients in the intensive-care unit of Uganda’s largest hospital died as the oxygen supplies ran out. In Zambia’s capital, Lusaka, doctors say the mortuaries have run out of space.
“We are in the grip of a devastating wave that by all indications seems like it will be worse than those that preceded it,” South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said Sunday in a televised address in which he imposed new lockdown measures. “The rapid spread is extremely serious,” he said.
Read more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/delta-variant-of-covid-19-surges-across-unvaccinated-africa-11624896315
Only 1.1% of people living in Africa are fully vaccinated.
Half of Texas Republicans say they won't get COVID-19 vaccine, new poll finds
Nearly half of Texas Republican voters say they do not plan to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, according to new polling released Thursday by Quinnipiac University.
All told, pollsters found, about one-third of Texas adults said they do not plan to get vaccinated, whereas about 70 percent said they have already received or are planning to get inoculated.
Pollsters found “sharp differences” in views on vaccines among political parties, with about 30 percent of independents saying they’ll forego vaccines and 13 percent of Democrats saying the same.
Texas counties that are more rural and were likely to have voted for former President Donald Trump have generally lagged more urban counties, such as Harris County, when it comes to vaccine rates.
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/health/article/Half-of-Texas-Republicans-say-they-won-t-get-16272085.php
The COVID Delta variant hits Israel. As many as half of the new cases are people who are vaccinated.
Israel says the Delta variant is infecting vaccinated people, representing as many as 50% of new cases. But they're less severe.As many as half of new COVID-19 cases in Israel are vaccinated people*, a health official suggested.
The Delta variant, not as easily beaten by vaccines as other variants, is driving Israel's surge.
Although Infections among vaccinated people have alarmed Israelis, the infections appear to be milder than they are in unvaccinated people.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/israel-says-delta-variant-infecting-110300111.html
Israel to Reinstate Indoor Mask Mandate Next Week as COVID Delta Variant Spreads
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-covid-delta-variant-two-month-record-1.9935923
*EDIT: As at June 23, 59.55% of Israelis are fully vaccinated, 4.19% are partially vaccinated.
https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations?country=ISR
'America Ends' : TLP goes full metal jacket against the GOP.
Classic Republican scare ad against ... Republicans.
The B.1.1.7 (UK) Covid variant is becoming extinct in England
The Delta variant (B.1.617.2), originally from India, has wiped the floor with it. Expect the same thing to happen in the U.S.
The Delta variant, also known as B.1.617.2, combined with relaxations in coronavirus restrictions, is believed to be behind the sharp rise in Covid cases in the UK in the past weeks – a development that led Boris Johnson to delay the planned 21 June date for full lifting of Covid restrictions in England.
According to Public Health England data based on whole-genome sequencing and a more rapid approach known as genotyping, 99% of Covid cases in the UK involve the Delta variant.
Cases of Covid Delta variant in UK rise over 75,000 – PHE data
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/18/cases-of-covid-delta-variant-in-uk-rise-over-75000-phe-data
UK - The Covid Delta variant is taking off. Highest No. of new cases since February.
(vaccines reported to be effective IF you have had both jabs)
UK reports 9,055 new cases – highest daily total since February
The UK has reported its highest daily total of new coronavirus infections since February, adding to signs that a new, more infectious variant of the disease first found in India is spreading.
The government reported a further 9,055 cases today, the highest since 25 February, and up by almost a fifth compared to a day earlier.
This week, the UK delayed plans to lift most remaining Covid-19 restrictions by a month, saying the extra time would be used to speed up Britain’s vaccination programme - already one of the world’s furthest advanced.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/jun/16/coronavirus-live-news-new-york-hits-70-vaccination-target-japan-considering-10000-fans-at-olympics
The Delta variant accounts for more than 90% of new Covid cases in UK
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/11/delta-variant-is-linked-to-90-of-covid-cases-in-uk
Delta, now a 'variant of concern,' accounts for 10 percent of new U.S. cases, CDC says
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/newly-deemed-variant-concern-delta-accounts-10-percent-u-s-n1270915
Two doses of vaccine highly effective against Delta variant, U.K. officials say
Experts say it's absolutely vital to get the second dose of a two-dose series vaccine.
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/two-doses-vaccine-highly-effective-against-delta-variant-u-k-n1270776
The Lincoln Project baits trump: 'How to get back to the White House'.
Another audience of one ad for the former guy's viewing pleasure.
The Lincoln Project wishes trump a Happy Birthday.
Ukraine has NOT been admitted to NATO and Zelenskiy is complaining.
Zelenskiy to Biden: give us clear 'yes' or 'no' on Ukraine NATO pathhttps://www.reuters.com/world/zelenskiy-asks-us-clarity-nato-membership-plan-ukraine-2021-06-14/
...
"If we are talking about NATO and the MAP, I would really like to get (from Biden) specifics - yes or no," Zelenskiy said, referring to the Membership Action Plan given to candidate countries, a status which Ukraine has long sought. "We must get clear dates and the likelihood of this for Ukraine."
He was speaking on the same day as NATO members met for a one-day summit in Brussels. Ukraine has expressed disappointment in not being invited to the meeting.
Zelenskiy has urged NATO members to accelerate Ukraine's entry into the alliance after a standoff with Russia this year that saw Russia mass additional troops and military equipment near Ukraine's borders.
...
Biden and Zelenskiy spoke by phone last week. Zelenskiy was granted a long-sought invitation to visit the White House next month, though he said he regretted not being able to meet Biden in person before Biden met Putin this week
Today, Lorde released new music as hippy as anything that has been released
and it is not being ridiculed. (amazing)
Lorde’s new song ‘Solar Power’ is a gorgeous, sun-kissed rebirth
https://www.nme.com/reviews/track/lorde-new-song-solar-power-review-2966226
Come on and let the bliss begin
Blink three times when you feel it kicking in
There must be something in the air down in New Zealand ... Oh yeah ... an enlightened, progressive government.
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