A coronavirus-focused linkfest is still a weekly feature here at Abnormal Returns. Please stay safe, get a booster shotat a vaccination site near you. You can read last week’s edition here.
Quote of the Day
"The coronavirus has also so far been serving up new variants at an absolutely staggering clip—far faster than virologists expected it to at the pandemic’s start—and scientists are unsure whether that churn will stop."
(Katherine J. Wu)
Vaccines
- Moderna ($MRNA) will begin testing a COVID-19 vaccine that targets both the original coronavirus strain and the omicron varian. (biopharmadive.com)
- Some good news is that we may not need additional boosters. (nytimes.com)
- How U.S. companies are managing vaccine mandates/requirements. (nytimes.com)
- The way forward is a pan-coronavirus vaccine. (theatlantic.com)
Data
- Omicron will kill more Americans than Delta. (nytimes.com)
- There are likely millions more global Covid-19 deaths than official estimates. (nature.com)
- Life insurers are seeing a boost in non-Covid related deaths. (wsj.com)
- Why the CDC isn't publishing all its data. (nytimes.com)
- BA.2 is taking share around the globe. (wsj.com)
Treatment
- Pfizer's ($PFE) Paxlovid is now widely available in the U.S. (bloomberg.com)
- Pharmacies say they are losing money filling Paxlovid prescriptions. (wsj.com)
- Why doctors are reluctant to prescribe molnupiravir. (npr.org)
Care
- U.S. hospitals are going to have to prepare for future Covid waves, a la influenza. (statnews.com)
- Vaccine mandates did not lead to a mass staffing exodus from hospitals. (politico.com)
- Long term care facilities were understaffed even before Covid. (npr.org)
Research
- Covid infections are leading to some weird cardiovascular effects. (washingtonpost.com)
- Why children fend off Covid better than adults. (wsj.com)
- A breath test could lead to faster diagnoses. (fastcompany.com)
Masking
- The CDC has issued new mask guidance based upon risk levels. (statnews.com)
- In practical terms, mask mandates are pretty much gone at this point. (washingtonpost.com)
- Apple ($AAPL) is dropping mask mandates. (protocol.com)
- We would do better focusing on building ventilation that performative masking. (theatlantic.com)
Global
- Israel saw a break between Omicron infections and fatalities. (thedailybeast.com)
- Living with Covid does not mean ignoring it. (bloomberg.com)
- Vaccine hesitancy in Hong Kong. (nytimes.com)