August 11, 2020

Russia becomes the first country to approve a COVID-19 vaccine, with Vladimir Putin claiming it has undergone proper testing and announcing his own daughter has received it. Anthony Fauci quickly tells ABC News he has “serious doubts” about the vaccine’s safety and efficacy, a reaction echoed across Western governments. The skepticism, while not unwarranted given the truncated trial process, also reflects the competitive pressure Russia’s announcement places on the American and European vaccine efforts.

New Zealand reports four new cases from an unknown source after 102 days without community transmission, prompting Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to impose a three-day lockdown. A Duke University mask study finds bandanas and neck gaiters are least effective among 14 face coverings tested, while a Stanford study claims teen vapers are up to seven times more likely to contract COVID-19—a finding that doesn’t control for the social behavior patterns of teenagers who vape. Facebook announces it has removed 7 million posts for coronavirus misinformation since the start of the pandemic.

Fauci says he has serious doubts Russia's COVID-19 vaccine is safe, effective

The nation's top infectious disease expert said he doubts the efficacy of Russia's COVID-19 vaccine.

ABC

Russia registers virus vaccine, Putin’s daughter given it

Speaking at a government meeting Tuesday, Putin said that the vaccine has undergone proper testing and is safe.

Politico

COVID-19 state mask mandates can't be avoided using HIPAA or constitutional 'exemptions'

And it is neither morally nor legally defensible to knowingly skirt mask requirements.

NBC

Study: The most and least effective face masks to use during the pandemic

Researchers at Duke University tested 14 different common face masks to see which could filter the most air particles. While surgical masks and multi-layer homemade cotton masks showed promising results, bandanas and neck gaiters were not as effective. Here's what that means for you.

CNBC

University Of Maryland Delays In-Person Classes Until At Least September 14

The semester will still begin August 31, but classes will be held online for the first two weeks at least due to the ongoing pandemic. On-campus students are asked to stay inside as much as possible.

DCist

Life lessons from a 102-year-old who survived Covid, the Spanish flu and two types of cancer

Gerri Schappals, 102, has survived so much: She was born the year of the Spanish flu pandemic and caught it as a baby; in the '80s and '90s she survived breast then colon cancer; and in May, she contracted Covid-19 and fully recovered.

CNBC

Authoritarian Weaknesses and the Pandemic

Carnegie Endowment

Undocumented in the Pandemic

With The Marshall Project and the Pulitzer Center, a look at one immigrant mother's struggle to keep her children safe and housed.

PBS

Moderna says uncertain about coronavirus vaccine patent exclusivity

Reuters

India's Modi urges ramped up testing and tracing to beat coronavirus

Reuters

I’m a COVID-19 long-hauler and an epidemiologist – here’s how it feels when symptoms last for months

The Conversation

Teen vapers up to 7 times more likely to get COVID-19 than non-e-cig users, says new Stanford study

“Being a 21-year-old, I should not be spending six days in the hospital for lung complications,” said one young vaper who survived coronavirus.

NBC

Facebook says it has taken down 7 million posts for spreading coronavirus misinformation

Washington Post

A negative COVID-19 test does not mean recovery

Pandemic policy must include defining and measuring what we mean by mild infection.

Nature

Trump expected to give update on U.S. COVID-19 vaccine development -White House

Reuters

Mexico's new warning labels on junk food meet supersized opposition from U.S., EU

Reuters

Lost art: Measuring COVID-19’s devastating impact on America’s creative economy

This study estimates the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on the creative economy, which is comprised of industries such as film, advertising, and fashion as well as creative occupations such as musicians, artists, performers, and designers.

Brookings

America’s uniquely bad Covid-19 epidemic, explained in 18 maps and charts

The US’s coronavirus epidemic is among the worst. Here’s what you need to know.

Vox

Argentina death toll from coronavirus tops 5,000 as new cases spike

Reuters

COVID-19 threatens plans to eliminate and control infectious diseases, PAHO Director says

Countries must balance COVID-19 response with maintaining essential services to manage and prevent infectious diseases. Washington, D.C., Aug. 11, 2020 (PAHO)— The pandemic of COVID-19, which has killed over 390,000 people in the Americas, is threatening regional plans to eliminate and control infectious diseases including tuberculosis, HIV, hepatitis and others, PAHO Director Carissa F. Etienne said today.

PAHO

New Zealand On Alert After 4 Cases Of COVID-19 Emerge From Unknown Source

The cases came after 102 days with no community spread. The four are members of the same family. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced a three-day period of high restrictions due to the new cluster.

NPR

UPDATE 1-Russia becomes first country to approve a COVID-19 vaccine, says Putin

Reuters

August 11, 2020

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