The agency’s head, Dr. Stephen Hahn, told the Financial Times that it is up to the vaccine developer to request authorization or approval. “If they do it before the end of Phase Three, we may find it appropriate. We may find it inappropriate, we will make a determination,” Hahn told the newspaper.
At the moment, what is needed to get a vaccine on the market is FDA approval. However, several prominent doctors and experts are calling for the creation of an independent commission to review data from coronavirus vaccine trials before a vaccine is allowed on the market.
Doctors cite the public’s distrust of vaccines and criticism of government agencies during the pandemic. They say that while they trust the scientific and ethical rigor of the US, they believe that many Americans will be skeptical of the findings of an FDA committee, especially since some of its members work for drug companies and government agencies, according to the list currently on the FDA. website. Adding a layer of independent review can reassure Americans that the vaccine is safe and effective.
Americans’ willingness to get an injection can be further affected by the fact that people will likely need two doses, rather than just one. There are also possible logistical problems. America’s poor track record of distribution of protective equipment and test kits shows that medical supply chains are far from efficient. Manufacturing and distributing twice the number of vaccines, vials and syringes will be a difficult task.
YOU ASKED. WE RESPOND
Q: If a pregnant woman contracts Covid-19, will her baby get infected? Can Babies Get Coronavirus Through Breastfeeding?
A: About 2% to 5% of babies born to mothers with Covid-19 tested positive for the coronavirus in the first four days of life, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
But infected mothers are unlikely to transmit the coronavirus to their newborns when proper precautions are taken. A study published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health found no cases of viral transmission among 120 babies born to 116 mothers with coronavirus, even when the two shared a room and the mothers were breastfeeding.
But the babies stayed 6 feet away from their mothers, except during breastfeeding. Moms also wore surgical masks when handling their newborns and followed proper hand and breast washing procedures.
Submit your questions here. Are you a healthcare worker fighting Covid-19? Send us a message on WhatsApp about the challenges you face: +1 347-322-0415.
WHAT IS IMPORTANT TODAY
India becomes the third most deadly COVID-19 country in the world
India reported 971 deaths from Covid-19 yesterday, bringing the total to 64,469 and surpassing Mexico as the third country with the highest number of deaths from Covid-19 globally, according to the latest data published by the health ministries of the countries and Johns Hopkins University.
The country of 1.3 billion recorded 78,512 new Covid-19 infections yesterday, the fifth consecutive day of more than 75,000 new daily cases. Despite the high numbers, the union’s territory, which includes Delhi, is preparing to resume metro services, serving approximately 1.5 million people a day.
More than 25 million people have been infected worldwide. The United States leads the grim tally, with its case count rapidly approaching 6 million. Brazil and India have reported more than 3.5 million cases. Russia appears to become the fourth country to reach 1 million cases by the end of this week.
With borders closed, Americans are trapped in their own healthcare system
Pandemic travel restrictions have made Americans prisoners of their country. Even within North America, Mexico and Canada have closed thousands of border miles to all but essential travel, complicating vacation, work and school plans. For cash-strapped Americans, it has also cut off access to medicines and health care services that they cannot afford at home, at a time when money is more limited than ever.
Stephanie Boland’s 9-year-old son was diagnosed with diabetes in December. The trip to Canada to get their insulin prescription filled took them a half day by car from where they live in Brainerd, Minnesota, but it was worth it: the purchase was a simple, non-prescription affair. A package of injection pens, which would last for several months, costs less than a hundred dollars, he says, compared to a list price of $ 530 at home.
As their son’s illness began to rewrite the routines of daily life, the Bolands planned to cross back to Canada to resupply. Then came the pandemic. Caitlin Hu reports on the shrinking options for Americans who cannot afford to be sick in America.
Is the Five-Minute, $ 5 Coronavirus Test Good?
The FDA granted emergency use authorization to another antigen test last week, bringing the total to four. Compared to the most commonly used type of coronavirus test, molecular diagnostic tests, also called PCR tests, these antigen tests do not need complicated chemicals, viral transport media, or RNA extraction kits. They do not require highly specialized technicians or laboratories, and can therefore provide a result in minutes, rather than hours or days. They are also much, much cheaper.
“The PCR molecular tests actually test the genetic material of the virus and the antigen test is testing one of the viral proteins, thus a part of the virus,” said Dr. Jonathan Quick, managing director of response, preparedness and pandemic prevention at the Rockefeller Foundation. Low? They are not as sensitive and therefore less reliable than traditional PCR tests. Quick said that the PCR test will always have a role as a high-precision diagnostic test, but the antigen test will be used as a screening test for asymptomatic people.
Europe’s fight against Covid-19 goes from hospitals to the streets
In the last week, several European countries registered record rates of infection. Since the spring, countries like France, Germany, Italy and Spain had not seen such a large increase in the number of new cases. Even nations like Greece and Croatia, largely spared from the first wave, have seen rapid increases in August.
With authorities determined to prevent a second wave of lockdowns, legislation has been introduced to try to stop the spread of the virus. Nightclubs have been closed in Italy and Greece, curfews have been introduced in Spain, Italy and Greece, and masks have been made mandatory in an increasing number of public outdoor spaces in most countries in the world. EU: a gradual tightening of regulations that will now have to be in force. The fight against Covid-19 has become a matter of public order, Melissa Bell reports.
A growing pushback from Europeans is putting greater pressure on police resources. Berlin police were forced to stop a protest against the regulations on Saturday, citing the breach of social distancing guidelines by 20,000 people. In London, a large crowd of protesters gathered in Trafalgar Square to demonstrate against the UK government’s coronavirus measures, with videos and photos from the event indicating the turnout was in the thousands.
Once again, there is one rule for the elites and another for everyone else.
EU Commissioner Phil Hogan, who resigned from office last week for breaking Ireland’s coronavirus restrictions by attending a golf political society event with 80 other people, was just the latest member of the political elites. in being caught breaking the rules. On the other side of the world, New Zealand’s Health Minister David Clark was forced to resign last month after taking missteps, such as breaking the country’s stay-at-home order to bring his family to the Beach. And in the United States, social distancing appears to have been largely ignored at the events of the Republican National Convention last week.
Such examples have a lasting impact on the public’s willingness to abide by the restrictions, writes Laura Smith-Spark. Susan Michie, a professor of health psychology at University College London and a member of a behavioral advisory group to the UK government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, said data shows that trust and compliance with lockdown rules declined significantly in the UK after Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s boss. The advisor, Dominic Cummings, drove across England with his wife and son during the lockdown, while his wife was ill with suspected coronavirus. “Trust is very difficult to rebuild, easy to lose, difficult to build,” Michie said.
ON OUR RADAR
- An unidentified US Open player will not compete in the event that begins today after testing positive for the coronavirus, the United States Tennis Association said Sunday.
- US colleges and universities are fighting to contain the Covid-19 outbreaks and enforce policies aimed at preventing its spread: 36 US states have reported a total of 8,700 cases in colleges and universities.
- Temporary restrictions on alcohol consumption are back in fashion around the world thanks to the coronavirus.
- The Colorado Girl Scout troop uses cookie money to make PPE for elementary school during the pandemic.
- Businesses that aim to make the home a little cozier, or a little more functional, are benefiting from Americans having nothing better to do and few other places to go.
- Lionel Messi did not show up for a coronavirus test at Barcelona’s training ground on Sunday, club sources confirmed to CNN, casting further doubt on his future as the La Liga powerhouse.
- Unable to open its concert hall, the New York Philharmonic takes its music to the streets.
- A professional cake decorator helped a couple make their dream wedding cake after Covid-19 forced them to cancel their plans.
- The real winner of the MTV Video Music Awards? Lady Gaga masks.
TIPS
Earth-friendly activities that are good for your body and potential pandemics
What is the perfect hobby for a pandemic? As people around the world have adapted their lives to Covid-19, activities as varied as baking bread and playing games have been on the rise.
But while carbohydrates and screen time can bring a satisfying rush of endorphins, Covid’s ideal hobby should offer more sustained thrills.
Here is a comprehensive list of activities good for your body, mind, and the planet.
TODAY’S PODCAST
“When you walked down those floors in April, total silence, everyone in a vent or ICU … and you walk down the hall and you know that a good percentage of these people probably won’t make it. That was our reality.” Michael Dowling, CEO of Northwell Health
Northwell Health in New York has treated more Covid-19 patients than any other hospital system in the country. CNN’s chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks with Northwell CEO Michael Dowling about the important lessons his team learned during the crisis. His new book is called “Leading Through a Pandemic”. Listen now.
