Coronavirus positives in Bradenton and Hillsborough Counties (Tampa: institutes, trains)

[wondermint2]

Originally Posted by wondermint2

Dr. Scott Gottlieb, the former head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), criticized a new policy by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) giving only the secretary the authority to sign off on new rules, saying the timing "makes no sense" and risks creating the perception that the agency he helmed is being bullied.

In 'Power Grab,' Health Secretary Asserts Authority Over FDA
https://news.yahoo.com/power-grab-he...152243411.html

In a stunning declaration of authority, Alex Azar, the secretary of Health and Human Services, this past week barred the nation’s health agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration, from signing any new rules regarding the nation’s foods, medicines, medical devices and other products, including vaccines.

It’s unclear if or how the memo would change the vetting and approval process for coronavirus vaccines, three of which are in advanced U.S. clinical trials.

[wondermint2]

Originally Posted by wondermint2

For the week of September 13th through September 19th:

Sarasota County

total positive cases = 272 (39 cases per day on average)
total tests = 9805 (1400.71 tests per day on average)
test positivity rate = 2.78%

I made a very slight typo and the number of new cases for Sarasota County over the past week was actually 273 and not 272. I double checked everything with a fine tooth comb and all of the other numbers are 100% accurate as posted. I know one case out of several hundred isn't a big deal - but I'm a stickler for details.

[wondermint2]

I wonder what effect this will have on Florida (if any)? Less tourists? More tourists? Will the USA "block" travelers from the UK? At the very least I hope visitors from the UK that come to SW Florida are required to quarantine for 14 days.

In A Month, U.K. Could See 50,000 New Coronavirus Cases A Day, Expert Warns
https://www.npr.org/sections/coronav...y-expert-warns

The U.K.'s COVID-19 numbers are rising fast and could reach new 50,000 cases per day by mid-October, the country's top science adviser announced Monday. Sir Patrick Vallance said his warning is based on current trends that show "the epidemic is doubling roughly every seven days."

[wondermint2]

I gotta tell you what's going on with these "weird" removals/additions/removals from the CDC web site is becoming somewhat of a clown show. Plus it's getting harder to tell what was actually intended from CDC scientists and what is the result of "political pressure". I think it's generally well known now that Covid-19 can spread from aerosols. On Friday the CDC made a change to their web site giving more credence to Covid-19 spread via aerosols. Now they're reverting back to downplaying aerosols again - IMO this has the smell of political interference............

CDC abruptly removes guidance about airborne coronavirus transmission, says update 'was posted in error'
https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2020/09/21/h...nce/index.html

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday abruptly reverted to its previous guidance about how coronavirus is transmitted, removing language about airborne transmission it had posted just days earlier.

A draft version of proposed changes to these recommendations was posted in error to the agency's official website.

[wondermint2]

Can a Landlord Require the COVID-19 Vaccine?
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/othe...ne/ar-BB19gVMN

When a COVID-19 vaccine does arrive, will landlords be able to require them of tenants? After all, it would seem like a matter of public safety, which property owners and managers are typically held responsible for as a result of taking money for providing the space.

[wondermint2]

Tens of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts traveled to the Lake of the Ozarks for a bike rally weeks after a similar event in Sturgis was linked to COVID-19 cases in 8 states
https://news.yahoo.com/tens-thousand...153930782.html

The five-day festival started on Wednesday as Missouri continues to see a surge in COVID-19 cases. On Saturday, Missouri reported 1,387 new cases, and, according to the Associated Press, hospitalizations are rising.

Missouri has no statewide mask requirement, and Lake Ozark Mayor Gerry Murawski told the Kansas City Star last week that he had doubts motorcycle rally attendees would wear face coverings.

[wondermint2]

Originally Posted by wondermint2

In 'Power Grab,' Health Secretary Asserts Authority Over FDA

Apparently HHS secretary Alex Azar now has the legal authority to issue an emergency use authorization for a Covid-19 vaccine without the FDA signing off on it. All I can say is that if this happens before the election there's going to be one hell of a fiasco.....

Signs of an 'October vaccine surprise' alarm scientists
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna1240617

President Donald Trump, who seems intent on announcing a Covid-19 vaccine before Election Day, could legally authorize a vaccine over the objections of experts, officials at the Food and Drug Administration and even vaccine manufacturers, who have pledged not to release any vaccine unless it’s proved safe and effective.

In podcasts, public forums, social media and medical journals, a growing number of prominent health leaders say they fear that Trump — who has repeatedly signaled his desire for the swift approval of a vaccine and his displeasure with perceived delays at the FDA — will take matters into his own hands, running roughshod over the usual regulatory process.

[wondermint2]

With coronavirus cases on the rise, Pasco opts to not adjust its mask order
https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/wel...er/ar-BB19gZ80

NEW PORT RICHEY — While Mike Napier of the Department of Health in Pasco County cannot say for sure why the COVID-19 numbers are on the rise, he told the County Commission on Monday that it "wouldn’t be the time to take the foot off the gas'' and end Pasco’s mask mandate.

"I wish I had better news as far as what our cases have been for the last few weeks,'' Napier said. He pointed out that while the number of new cases has varied day to day and had been looking good earlier in the month, the trend lines are now heading up.

[wondermint2]

The coronavirus testing-site previously located near the Mall at the University Town Center is scheduled to reopen on Wednesday at a new location.

State-run testing previously near the Mall at UTC to reopen at new location
https://www.bradenton.com/news/coron...245890150.html

The state-run testing site will reopen at a parking lot at 100 Cattleman Road in Sarasota. It will still have the capacity to conduct up to 1,000 tests per day, according to Florida Division of Emergency Management Communications Director Jason Mahon.

The new location will be less convenient for Manatee County residents who will have to drive farther south into Sarasota to get to the site. But the site was forced to close at its original location because the mall did not renew the site’s lease.

[wondermint2]

Manatee & Sarasota Counties have been in the same boat as our neighbors to the North recently - the steady decline in Covid-19 statistics have leveled off and reached a plateau over the past few weeks.

The COVID-19 recovery is stalling in Tampa Bay. Here’s how we know.
https://www.tampabay.com/news/health...s-how-we-know/

Florida’s recovery from the worst of the coronavirus pandemic is slowing down, and Tampa Bay finds itself at a near complete stop. This pause in what had been a steady descent from the outbreak’s peak could spell trouble, especially for Pinellas, where the disease has already taken an outsized toll on elderly residents.