Would you like a dash of E. coli with that?

An E. coli outbreak associated with Wendy's restaurants has now sickened 97 people in 6 states.

Wendy’s restaurants have been associated with an E. coli outbreak now reported in six states, with 97 people infected, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in an update Thursday.

Of the 67 people for whom local public health officials have a detailed food history, 81% reported eating at a Wendy’s restaurant in the week before their illness started, the CDC said.

No deaths have been reported, but according to the CDC, 43 people have been hospitalized and 10 developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can cause kidney failure.

“The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses,” the update said. “In addition, some people recover without medical care and are not tested for E. coli.”

So far, no specific food has been confirmed as the source of the outbreak, according to the CDC. In late August, however, Wendy’s removed the romaine lettuce that was being used in sandwiches in its restaurants in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania, according to the CDC....

Mushrooms recalled in Florida, 14 other states after salmonella found in packs for sale.

A state department of health found salmonella in some packs of Three Golden Coins Dried Mushrooms, which is why packs of two varieties have been recalled from Florida, New York, New Jersey, the Carolinas and several other states....

Listeria in a Miami company’s smoked salmon causes a recall in New York, 9 other states.

One lot of St. James Smokehouse brand’s Scotch Reserve Scottish Smoked Salmon (Product of Scotland) in 4-ounce packs has been recalled after listeria was found in the finished product...

After COVID-19, these are the five virus families that could cause the next pandemic, according to the experts.

The CSIRO has delivered a comprehensive report on how we should prepare for future pandemics.

The report identifies six key science and technology areas such as faster development of vaccines and onshore vaccine manufacturing to ensure supply, new antivirals and ways of using the medicines we already have, better ways of diagnosing cases early, genome analysis, and data sharing.

It also recommends we learn more about viruses and their hosts across the five most concerning virus families. These causes of disease could fuel the next pandemic....

Scientists Discovered an Antibody That Can Take Out All COVID-19 Variants.

COVID-19 vaccines have been effective at keeping people from getting severely ill and dying from the virus, but they’ve required different boosters to try to keep on top of all of the coronavirus variants that have popped up. Now, researchers have discovered an antibody that neutralizes all known COVID-19 variants.

The antibody, called SP1-77, is the result of a collaborative effort from researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital and Duke University. Results from mouse studies they’ve conducted were recently published in the journal Science Immunology, and they look promising.

But what does it mean, exactly, to have an antibody that can neutralize all variants of COVID-19, and what kind of impact will this have on vaccines in the future? Here’s what you need to know....

Thanks for that one!

Is this a knock-out blow against all of Coronavirus-SARS2?

Further details:


One for All?
wrote:

New antibody neutralizes all known SARS-CoV-2 variants in lab tests...

What made SP1-77 so good at neutralizing the virus? ...

... “SP1-77 binds the spike protein at a site that so far has not been mutated in any variant, and it neutralizes these variants by a novel mechanism,” noted Kirchhausen. “These properties may contribute to its broad and potent activity.”...

... If the findings are eventually replicated in humans, the antibodies could lead to better COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.

The researchers have applied for patents on both the antibodies and the mouse model used to produce them. They hope to see their work developed commercially.

“It was a pleasure to work with this dedicated collaborative team whose diverse expertise allowed SP1-77 to be brought to light,”...

Progress In The Search For Broadly Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibodies III
wrote:

... SP1-77 Antibody Target

A closer examination of the SP1-77 antibody via cryo-electron microscopy reveals an alternate solution to neutralization aside from inhibiting ACE2 binding. SP1-77 targets sites on the opposite side of the receptor-binding domain from the ACE2 binding site...

... If the antibody is blocking either S2’ cleavage or S1 dissociation, it is inertly preventing the virus from fusing with the host cell, preventing that virus from replicating within the host cell and moving on to another...

... In addition to being an effective antibody on its own, due to its distinct residue targets, SP1-77 could be easily paired with one or two other antibodies to create a highly potent antibody cocktail for the treatment and prevention of Covid-19. Such cocktails should be immediately investigated...

Translating all that exciting science-speak:

This new SP1-77 antibody bungs up the working of the Coronavirus spike protein on a part that so far has not mutated for the multifarious multiple versions of covid that have thus far rapidly evolved. Hence, this new antibody looks promising to be a cure to ALL of the variants of covid.

Better still... It looks to target part of the virus that is much less likely to change... Good for long term protection!!!


Hopefully it can get through the required medical trials ready for next year?

Stay safe folks!
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

The painfully bad and the hopefully good:


One in eight on hospital waiting list as backlog grows
wrote:

The backlog in hospital treatment continues to grow with nearly one in eight people now waiting for operations or other types of care in England.

The newly-released NHS England data shows there were 6.84 million people on the waiting list at the end of July.

It is a record number - before the pandemic there were 4.2 million waiting for treatment...

New malaria vaccine is world-changing, say scientists
wrote:

A malaria vaccine with "world-changing" potential has been developed by scientists at the University of Oxford.

The team expect it to be rolled out next year after trials showed up to 80% protection against the deadly disease.

Crucially, say the scientists, their vaccine is cheap and they already have a deal to manufacture more than 100 million doses a year.

The charity Malaria No More said recent progress meant children dying from malaria could end "in our lifetimes"...

There is no surprise for the dire state of hospital waiting lists whilst our health service continues to be drowned in continued crisis. Worse still, the crisis is worsening as staff shortages worsen as staff leave due to being made ill or due to otherwise burning out in the face of impossible workloads...

Why is this not more in the press?

Why is this continuing for so unbelievably long??...


Stay healthy!
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

What a beautifully bright idea:


Self-sterilising plastic kills viruses like Covid
wrote:

Scientists have developed a virus-killing plastic that could make it harder for bugs, including Covid, to spread in hospitals and care homes.

The team at Queen's University Belfast say their plastic film is cheap and could be fashioned into protective gear such as aprons.

It works by reacting with light to release chemicals that break the virus...

... thin sheets of plastic that contained nanoparticles of titanium dioxide. These react with ultraviolet light - even the tiny amount released from a fluorescent bulb - to release molecules called reactive oxygen species. These are just itching to get involved in any chemical reaction. They react with the virus's genetic material, the proteins it uses to invade our body and the fatty sphere that holds it all together. The end result is a dead and useless virus...

The real beauty of that is in the use of small amounts of titanium dioxide which is very well understood and is already widely used as a pigment to give a bright white look/finish. Natural reactions powered by UV light do the rest of the goodness. Excellent.


For the next step...

Whatever happened to the human-safe EUV lamps that work well to clear the air and surfaces of viruses and bacteria?

Especially, why are such lamps not installed as standard in aircraft and commercial aircon systems?...


Stay healthy folks!
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

Especially, why are such lamps not installed as standard in aircraft and commercial aircon systems?...

For both $$$, for aircraft mass and power consumption.

Especially, why are such lamps not installed as standard in aircraft and commercial aircon systems?...

For both $$$, for aircraft mass and power consumption.

Agreed greedy greed...

Sharing everyone's recycled air minimally filtered, low humidity, low pressure, low oxygen...

The airlines do not pay for making their passengers ill...


Fly safe?!
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

Another healthy example of how vaccines work... But only when those vaccines are taken up by the population...


New York declares state of emergency over polio
wrote:

The governor of New York has declared a state of emergency over polio as evidence emerges that the virus is spreading across the state.

... New York City and four adjacent counties have tested positive for a poliovirus that can cause paralysis [and permanent disability, and death]...

... Polio was largely eradicated from the US by vaccinations that began in 1955. By 1979, the US was declared polio-free.

But according to New York officials, vaccination rates are too low in parts of the state. Friday's emergency declaration is aimed at boosting flagging immunisation rates.

There is no cure for polio, but it can be prevented by the vaccine...

Stay healthy folks!
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

One of the biggest issues with these (and other UV lamps) for sterilisation is that they are most effective on surfaces that are perpendicular to the light path, and virtually totally infective against air-borne pathogens.

Also the air in a passenger aircraft is changed about every three minutes, so is NOT recirculated "endlessly".

---

Bob Smith
Member of Seti PIPPS (Pluto is a Planet Protest Society)
Somewhere in the (un)known Universe?

Unfortunately, is this already old news?...


UK Covid infections lowest since last October
wrote:

Covid infections in the UK have fallen to their lowest level since October last year, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) says.

Fewer than a million people had the virus in the last week of August - about one in 70...

... predicted there will be a jump in Covid and flu infections in the run-up to this winter, and anyone who is eligible for an extra vaccine should boost their protection against both illnesses...

Meanwhile, we already have:

Rising COVID rates and the latest ZOE Blood Pressure Study data
wrote:

8 Sept 2022 This week, Tim shares the latest on COVID rates namely that they're rising again according to our Health Study data, and shares some insights from our ongoing Blood Pressure Study...

Stay safe still!
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

Is this the only strategy possible for a public that do not wish to know?...


UK first country to approve dual-strain vaccine
wrote:

The UK has become the first country to approve a dual vaccine which tackles both the original Covid virus and the newer Omicron variant.

Ministers say the vaccine will now form part of the autumn booster campaign...

... Moderna's latest vaccine - called Spikevax - targets both the original strain and the first Omicron variant (BA.1), which emerged last winter. It is known as a bivalent vaccine as it takes aim at two forms of Covid... Tests against more recent Omicron variants (BA.4 and BA.5), which are causing the UK's current wave, also showed higher levels of protection with the updated vaccine...

... Wales' health minister Eluned Morgan said vaccines "have saved countless lives" and urged everyone who was eligible to come forward."... "It is important that everyone who is eligible takes up a booster this autumn, whichever vaccine is on offer."...

... However, most people under 50 will not be boosted in the coming months. The focus remains on preventing those most at risk from becoming seriously ill, rather than stopping the young passing the virus on to older relatives...

UK approves second Covid vaccine targeting Omicron variant
wrote:

Pfizer/BioNTech ‘bivalent’ booster, targeting original and Omicron variants, approved along with Moderna jab...

... winter was typically the time of greatest threat from respiratory infections, Lim encouraged everyone who was eligible to have their booster vaccine this autumn when it was offered, adding: “This is our best defence against becoming severely ill from Covid-19.”

The health secretary, Steve Barclay, said: “Our vaccination programme has already saved countless lives, but it is absolutely vital we are not complacent as winter approaches"...

Yet we still have about 1-in-8 people of those that have been infected going on to suffer debilitating "long covid" suffering fatigue, aches, headaches, "brain fog", and various other maladies...

And our hospitals are still critically deadly full.


Stay healthy folks!
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

Despite this being long long forecast and expected even, is this where the press and our Government are going to claim the lame excuse of somehow suffering a "Perfect Storm"?...


Flu and Covid could make this a hard winter for UK
wrote:

The UK must prepare for a big, early wave of flu...

... Health experts are urging anyone who is eligible for a flu shot to get one.

After two years with almost zero flu circulating - and all the focus on Covid jabs - there is concern that vaccine fatigue may have set in. Covid cases are starting to rise again in the UK too...

... "This winter could be the first time we see the effects of the so called 'twindemic' with both Covid and flu in full circulation, so it is vital that those most susceptible to serious illness from these viruses come forward for vaccines in order to protect themselves and those around them."...

At what point do we do something to help our NHS to help ourselves?

Or is "crisis" and "excess deaths" the new 'normal'?...


Stay healthy folks!
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

What to do with the latest peak?...


Fall COVID surge begins in Europe — and US outlook already looks rough
wrote:

With subvariant soup simmering, OG BA.5 kicks off fall COVID surge...

... As people head indoors amid cooling weather, several European countries are seeing upticks in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. Though the situation in the US remains quiet for now, trends in the US tend to echo those in Europe.

So far, the rise in cases is driven by a familiar foe: the omicron subvariant BA.5, which has maintained a relatively long reign as the globally dominant variant. But a thick soup of omicron subvariants is simmering on the back burner, loaded with sublineages—notably from BA.2. and BA.5...

... Many experts expect the next wave to be coming in the weeks ahead—and the best way to protect from a surge in hospitalizations and death is for people to get boosted. But yet another concerning reality is that booster uptake in the US has been and is abysmal...

... "if vaccination continued at its current pace through the end of March 2023, a potential winter surge in COVID-19 infections could result in a peak of around 16,000 hospitalizations and 1,200 deaths per day by March 2023," the researchers found. But, if the fall COVID-19 booster campaign matched the modest vaccination levels of the 2020-2021 flu season, it would prevent more than 75,000 deaths and more than 745,000 hospitalizations by March 2023...

... likely an underestimate of what could happen.

What does it take to convince people to make the little effort to better look after themselves?...


Stay safe folks!
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

What does it take to convince people to make the little effort to better look after themselves?...

Not living life in depression of constant bad news.

... 5 shocking new studies and data points that nuke the COVID shots...

"Conservative News" Entertainment?... That does look to be somewhat more political than factual...


Meanwhile in the real world, the vaccines have been completely proven. Just as the disabilities and deaths have been proven by the virus that the vaccine protects against.

See for one part of the real world:

Will We See A Cold Weather Wave of COVID This Year?
wrote:

... Chief Medical Advisor to the President, Dr. Anthony Fauci, makes his first in-studio appearance on The Late Show to talk about the latest science around the pandemic and his efforts to convince more Americans to get vaccinated...

Which do you believe?

Random conspiracies, click-bait fake news, and fairy stories that are designed to scare the children?

Or decades of real world medical science?

We have a choice:

"Don't look up"?

Or do something to help?

Stay healthy folks!
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

What does it take to convince people to make the little effort to better look after themselves?...

Not living life in depression of constant bad news.

Which is where we need positive useful news and unpolluted news to let people know that we do have a way out of the covid pandemic.


Stay healthy folks!
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

Ouch!?...

Survey finds more than 40% of Americans misled others about having COVID-19 and use of precautions wrote:

... "When people are dishonest about their COVID-19 status or what precautions they are taking, it can increase the spread of disease in their community." Levy says. "For some people, particularly before we had COVID vaccines, that can mean death."...

...However, the researchers found no association between COVID-19 misrepresentation and political beliefs, political party affiliation, or religion.

"Some individuals may think if they [lie] about their COVID-19 status once or twice, it's not a big deal," Fagerlin says. "But if, as our study suggests, nearly half of us are doing it, that's a significant problem that contributes to prolonging the pandemic."

Among the reasons respondents gave for misrepresentation were:

I didn't think COVID-19 was real, or it was no big deal
It's no one else's business
I didn't feel sick
I was following the advice of a celebrity or other public figure
I couldn't miss work to stay home...

How best to work around that to clean up the pandemic?...

Stay healthy folks!!
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

What does it take to convince people to make the little effort to better look after themselves?...

Not living life in depression of constant bad news.

Which is where we need positive useful news and unpolluted news to let people know that we do have a way out of the covid pandemic.

Covid?! That's a nothing in the scheme of things. We have two certifiable lunatics with big red nuclear missile buttons both threatening to use them if the world doesn't give in to their two year old temper tantrums! We have a court that is willing to allow everyone to concealed carry machine guns. We have a different madman pumping the world full of fentanyl and getting ready to invade and enslave. We have another madman who attempted a coup on Jan 6. To say nothing of homeless, access to contraception, crime, clean water and air, Boeing the list is miles long.