With two months of provisions packed into the house in preparation to "shelter at home" from the rapidly approaching COVID-19 storm , I wrote some thoughts from my perspective as a biologist for friends, family and neighbors whose questions were pouring in. Click the button for the pdf.
Two very busy weeks later the COVID-19 storm is upon us with fury. Most of the US is locked down and reeling. Medical resources in New York City and New Orleans are overwhelmed. Already incomprehensible levels of illness and death are around us, but are still accelerating toward a peak that is still about a week away. In hopes of being of help, here are further observations and thoughts. Click the button for the pdf.
Important modeling and policy recommendations re: the economic impacts on US supply and demand chain disruptions from COVID-19.
The impacts of quarantine may be more damaging to poor countries than COVID-19 is. Effective social distancing prevents herd immunity so COVID-19 resurgence could be a problem into 2020. Need for massive testing. COVID-19 side-effect impacts.
Gottlieb lays out his view for gradual re-introduction of limited social activity, testing and the challenges of scaling up, prospects for near-term medical therapeutics, the need for extended social distancing among vulnerable people, the 80% economy and more.
In human lung cell cultures and in animal testing, an RNA polymerase inhibitor, EIDD-2801 showd impressive ability to block replication in the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Unlike Remdesivir which must be given IV, this inhibitor can be administered orally which makes it far more practical to deploy. With potential as a prophylactic AND a treatment human clinical trials should start this spring.
The best modeling for the expected impact. Scroll down from the US menu to select individual states
Info on symptoms, prevention, cases and everything; from the national Center for Disease Control (CDC)
A very useful interactive map, updated daily, of new cases in each country. crucial for monitoring how different countries are making progress in rate and number of infections.
Info on cases, testing, and many more topics of use to people in Maine
Interactive map of US cities indexed to level of exposure to COVID-19