Endemic Report
The summer surge, although the shallowest in the post-pandemic era, is still increasing in all states except DC and one state (IA). In fact, we have seen short-term school closures in Texas and Louisiana. By far, the biggest news over the past week is the FDA/CDC approval of the XFG variant 2026/2027 vaccine shot for the major vaccine producers- Moderna, Pfizer, and Novavax. The vaccine is already authorized for senior Americans and other high-risk/immunocompromised individuals.
COVID news items include:
- "The Lasting Effects of COVID-19 on Kids"
- "mRNA COVID vaccine linked to lower risk of myocarditis in teens, young adults"
- "IVAC Researchers Inform Global Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccines"
- "Mayo Clinic recommends the 2026-27 COVID-19 vaccine for these groups: All individuals 6 months and older. All pregnant individuals."
- "Doctors see COVID-19 spike with new symptoms. Here’s what they’re seeing: “We’re still seeing people with fevers, cough [and] upper respiratory-type symptoms, but a lot of people are coming in with gastrointestinal symptoms - nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sometimes to the point of mild dehydration,” said Dr. James Black"
- "Part of Dolly Parton's legacy: How she helped fund a COVID-19 vaccine"
- "COVID-19 Alters Sleep Breathing Patterns"
- "Researchers tested dozens of clues for long COVID. One finding stood out"
- "Study finds that cognitive decline after omicron infection is largely reversible"
- COVID relief fraud/other crimes:
- "Massachusetts Rep. Francisco Paulino indicted on wire fraud, money laundering charges for alleged misuse of COVID-19 funds, officials say"
- "Former Loretto Hospital CFO indicted again, accused in COVID-19 testing fraud scheme"
- Political/legal issues:
- "Hungary files a criminal complaint over $965M COVID-19 ventilator deal, citing possible fraud"
- "NC appeals court re-examines enforcement of Covid-era ‘social distancing’ orders"
- "The Ohio Supreme Court again rejects a $900M COVID checks case, but an attorney says it’s not over yet"
- "Doctor linked to RFK Jr. wins immunity from lawsuit over Connecticut man’s COVID treatment death"
- "Records dispute key claim in Ramaswamy ad targeting Acton"
Other Notes
The blog returned to an unlikely 1K+ pageview pace. No recovery of weeks-long follower losses on X/Twitter, but I got my first 1K+ tweet in several weeks, a critical tweet on Trump's decision not to visit ground zero in NYC on the silver anniversary of 9/ll because he demanded to give a speech.
Good to see college football finally back on TV again, although most teams, including my alma mater, I think, kick off next week.
