Post #7762 J

Endemic Report

Latest CDC stats (deaths not updated)

The Sick Times:

Well, we definitely see a slight uptick, with infections spreading beyond the Southeast, including TX, PA, and CA, although aggregate stats are barely off multi-year lows. Probably the biggest news story was Friday's deadline for taxpayers penalized during the pandemic disaster relief period to file for refunds.

COVID news items include:

• "Long-term ocular symptoms following COVID-19 linked to immune dysregulation, dysautonomia and peripheral neuropathy"
• "JN.1 and KP.2 COVID-19 Vaccines Yield Similar Antibody Responses"
• "New study: COVID-19 vaccines cut hospitalizations by more than 50%"
• "Symptom-Based Rehabilitation Program Improves Quality of Life in Post–COVID-19 Condition"
• "Same-Day COVID-19 and Flu Vaccination Does Not Raise Adverse Event Risk, Large VA Study Finds"
• "COVID‑19 Cicada Variant Spreads"
• "Maternal Immunization Boosts Infant Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake"
• "SARS-CoV-2 Infection May Increase Short-Term Risk for Type 1 Diabetes"
• "COVID-related healthcare costs drop sharply 3 months after acute infection, study suggests"
• "Expert: Most COVID-19 cases now mild despite QC spike"
• "Diabetes worsens long Covid complications"
• "Paxlovid safe for children age 6 and up, new data reveal"
• "US life expectancy on the rise thanks to sharp drop in overdoses, COVID-19 deaths"
• "Prenatal SARS-CoV-2 Exposure Does Not Affect Early Childhood Neurodevelopment"
• "Cognitive Rehabilitation May Help Treat Long Covid, Study Says"
• "Metformin Fails to Reduce Long COVID Risk in Low-Risk Adults"
• "Researchers develop diagnostic model to detect COVID-related eye problems"
• "Vaxart Reports Topline 12-Month Safety Data From the 400-Participant Sentinel Safety Cohort of the Phase 2b Clinical Trial of Its Oral Pill COVID-19 Vaccine"
• "Study links mild COVID-19 to severe long-term eye damage"
• "Mexico expects to have its Covid-19 vaccine ready before the end of the year"
• "Moderna (MRNA) Settles Vaccine Patent Case With $950 Million Upfront Payment"
• COVID relief fraud/other crimes:
• "Former state senator, casino owner accused of misusing COVID-19 relief funds pleads guilty"
• "Concord Casino Owner Admits Misusing $255K In COVID-19 Relief, Pleads Guilty To Federal Theft Count"

• Political/legal issues:
• "RFK Jr. plans to create list of injuries caused by Covid-19 vaccines"
• "Cal/OSHA Wins Bid for $185,000 Covid-19 Fines Against Restaurant"
• "Ramaswamy’s misleading COVID attack ads on Acton omit his own pandemic advocacy"
• "Judge to weigh competing requests in COVID bar shutdown lawsuit"
• "FBI Workers Denied Class Status in Vaccine Mandate Challenge"
• "47% Suspect COVID-19 Vaccine Was Deadly for Some"

Other Notes

The blog continues to see elevated pageviews, perhaps a new normal. I published my first July essay (on recent SCOTUS decisions), and I expect to soon write a rant on Trump's meddling during the World Cup. . On Twitter/X, followers are a few off, and oddly, I noticed that I got the most impressions on my comment of Trump comparing himself to Taylor Swift on TikTok. 

I've finally lost 3 pounds below my low while I was in rehab following a medical issue last year. It isn't that hard to lose weight on hospital food with dietary restrictions and strict portion control. But on your own, and dealing with a lower metabolism as you age, weight loss can be challenging, but I'm back to my weight range in the 90's when I had and used a gym membership in the Chicago suburbs. I'm still well over the range while I served as a Navy ensign, my biggest target.