Endemic Report
The Sick Times:
The summer wave has peaked across most of the US. It is still increasing over northern states. Some, primarily blue states, have rolled out standing orders that don't require prescriptions for almost all state residents wanting COVID vaccine shots. The Florida AG is targeting the claims of COVID vaccine producers.
Other COVID news items:
- "COVID-19 Drops Out of World’s Top 10 Causes of Death for First Time Since Pandemic Began"
- "COVID-19 immunity shows cross-reactivity against related bat coronaviruses"
- "Older adults hospitalized for COVID at increased risk for stroke, data show"
- "VYD2311 Shows Superior Safety vs mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine"
- "Factors associated with persistent post-COVID-19 condition and functional limitation four years after SARS-CoV-2 infection"
- "COVID may worsen existing health problems long-term, study suggests"
- "Monoclonal antibody for COVID meets safety endpoints in phase 3 trial"
- "Antiviral drug did not improve Long COVID symptoms"
- "WHO says suspected hantavirus cluster 'is not the start of a COVID pandemic"
- "Healthcare workers battle persistent long COVID: study"
- "New Survey: Most US Adults Support Vaccines, but Many Remain Unclear About Respiratory Vaccine Recommendations"
- "Global life expectancy bounces back to near pre-pandemic levels, WHO says"
- "Alcohol Consumption Declining in U.S. But Still Higher Than Pre-COVID Levels"
- "MRI links long COVID fatigue to reduced cerebral blood flow"
- "Fourth COVID-19 Vaccine Dose Cuts Long COVID Risk by Nearly a Third in Immune Population"
- "Covid vaccine maker BioNTech to close three sites in Germany"
- "Influenza, COVID-19 may fuel Parkinson’s processes, finds CCMB"
- "7 Key Symptoms of the COVID-19 SW.2 Variant You Should Watch For This October
1. Body aches
If you're feeling sore, even though you haven't hit the gym in a bit, beware!
2. Congestion
Your nose and sinuses may feel stuffy if you catch COVID-19 in October 2026.
3. Dry cough
The typical COVID dry cough that produces very little relief is another hallmark this month.
4. Fatigue
While you may or may not get that "bone tired" feeling from March 2026 variants, you will likely feel really sluggish if you get infected with COVID-19 this October.
5. Fever
Fever and chills that make it hard for you to feel comfortable will be common in October 2026 COVID infections from pretty much all common strains.
6. Runny nose
While some may get congested and stuffy noses, others may experience runny noses with SW.2 variants and those adjacent to it. Others who really hit the jackpot may get both. Awesome.
7. Sore throat
Thankfully, that "razor blade sore throat" seems to still be a thing of the past, but you'll likely still have some throat discomfort with October 2026 COVID strains
- COVID relief fraud/other crimes:
- "Beverly Hills man convicted of COVID-19 relief loan fraud sentenced"
- "Columbus man guilty of COVID-19 email conspiracy, fraud of over $1.1 million"
- "Farmington Hills man pleads guilty in COVID-19 loan fraud scheme"
- "Roanoke woman indicted in COVID-19 fraud scheme"
- Legal/political issues
- "FDA withdraws publication of COVID, shingles vaccine research findings"
- "LANL operator Triad faces $2.8M fine for COVID-19 vaccine requirements"
- "Moderna loses US government license defense in Northwestern patent case"
- "Pfizer, BioNTech and Moderna Must Face Bayer Patent Lawsuits Over COVID-19 Vaccines"
- "Signal Diagnostics agrees to pay $20.5M to settle COVID-19 testing overpayment claims"
- "Former unvaccinated COVID patient says she was denied food for 12 days while hospitalized"
- "EEOC, Lab Company Ink $2.8 Million Covid Vaccine Bias Settlement"
- "Ex-trauma surgeon said urgent care physicians refused to see unvaccinated COVID patients"
- "Brandon 'AK Guy' Herrera said he wished COVID targeted more 'fat people'"
Other Notes
The blog nearly averaged an unlikely 8K page reads. We'll probably break 400 posts this month, which I first achieved sustainably in 2016. A welcome minor surge in X/Twitter followers.
I have an annoying habit of occasionally deactivating my Lidl coupons without realizing it. They had a freebie coupon for butter cookies, which I wouldn't normally buy as a low-carber. So when the register tape didn't show a discount on the cookies I purchased, I double-checked my digital coupons. It stood unactivated. I remember activating it; somehow I must have fat-fingered the activation. It must have happened when I reviewed the coupon.
We are already heading into year-end holidays. AMC is running through its catalog of horror flicks before Halloween, and Great American Family will get the jump on Hallmark, starting their Christmas programming this coming weekend.
