COVID-19
Oxygen carriers get police cover after lootings
As an acute oxygen shortage hits the fight to save lives as Covid cases continue to rise across the country, incidents and allegations of oxygens tankers and cylinders being looted pour in – from Haryana government accusing Delhi of “looting” to patients seizing cylinders in Madhya Pradesh. Many states, including Maharashtra, have begun providing police protection to vehicles carrying cylinders and gas tankers.
Only 2-4 infections per 10k found in those vaccinated with two doses: ICMR
In a strong validation of the utility of vaccines in combating Covid 19, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Wednesday said only 2-4 per 10,000 “breakthrough” infections were noted in people who were vaccinated against the disease. ICMR director Balram Bhargava underlined the importance of vaccination and said the data on infections in those who were fully vaccinated indicated that a very small percentage of people contracted the disease.
Grim record: Over 3.16 lakh new Covid-19 cases in India, highest ever for any country
The massive second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic barrelled past another grim milestone as India reported nearly 3.16 lakh fresh cases on Wednesday, the highest single-day count recorded in any country so far. Deaths from the virus climbed to another high of 2,102 in the past 24 hours.
Airlines cut global traffic forecast on recovery setbacks
Air traffic will recover more slowly than previously expected from the Covid-19 pandemic, as vaccination delays and government "risk aversion" slows the reopening of routes, global airlines body IATA said on Wednesday.
Oil prices drop as Covid surge in India dents demand outlook
Oil prices fell for a second day on Wednesday, heading for their biggest daily drop in more than two weeks and weighed down by concerns that surging Covid-19 cases in India will drive down fuel demand in the world's third-biggest oil importer.
White House offers new tax credit to help spur vaccinations
The White House is trying to overcome diminishing demand for Covid-19 shots by offering businesses a tax incentive to give employees paid leave to get vaccinated. The move comes as the United States is set to meet President Joe Biden's goal of administering 200 million coronavirus doses in his first 100 days in office.
Opinion: Now the CDC wants to shut down 'hygiene theater'
Remember when we all thought we had to wash our vegetables to remove possible contamination from the novel coronavirus? A year ago, this was a hot topic of discussion; when asked by friends (and I frequently was asked by friends) how to both eat and live safely, I referred them to this well-done video that shows the best clean-your-box-of-pasta approach.
Sen. Rand Paul: If Biden wants more Americans vaccinated, he should 'burn his mask' on national TV
If President Biden wants to motivate more Americans to get vaccinated against the coronavirus, he should "go on national TV, take his mask off and burn it," Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., told "The Story" Wednesday.
FDA inspection found problems at factory making Johnson & Johnson vaccine
The Baltimore factory contracted to make Johnson & Johnson's Covid-19 vaccine was dirty, didn't follow proper manufacturing procedures and had poorly trained staff, resulting in contamination of material that was going to be put in the shots, US regulators said Wednesday.
