The United Nations (UN) Is An Intergovernmental Organization That Aims To Maintain International Peace And Security. Website:- * https://www.un.org -&- * https://www.un.org/en/coronavirus The World Health Organization (WHO) Is A Specialised Agency Of The United Nations Concerned With World Health. Website:- * https://www.who.int -&- * https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Is The Leading National Public Health Institute Of The United States. Website:- * https://www.cdc.gov -&- * https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) To Enhance And Protect The Health And Well-Being Of All Americans. Website:- * https://www.hhs.gov -&- * https://www.nih.gov -&- * https://www.coronavirus.gov The Washington Department Of Health (DOH) Protects And Improves The Health Of People In Washington State. Website:- * https://www.doh.wa.gov -&- * https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/Coronavirus The Washington State Coronavirus Response (WCR) Official Site Maintained By The State Joint Information Center. Website:- * https://www.coronavirus.wa.gov The Chelan-Douglas County Health District ( The Wenatchee, Washington USA Area ). Website:- * https://cdhd.wa.gov | * https://cdhd.wa.gov/covid-19 ~ Centers for Disease Control & Prevention ( CDC ) Information: * Long COVID Or Post-COVID Conditions. ~ U.S. Department of Health & Human Services ( HHS ) Information: * Guidance On Long COVID As A Disability Under The ADA, Section 504, And Section 1557. ~ The Solve ME/CFS & Long Covid Initiative.:- * Solve Long Covid. ~~~ A Index To Get To News Topics Faster On This Page: Or Just Surf On Down The Page: * Found In The News:- SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 Virus Variant B.1.1.529 Omicron A Concern. * Found In The News:- Inslee Amends Washington State Ready Proclamation. * Found In The News:- Concrete Barriers Installed To Stop Kids Using Suburban BMX Park. * Found In The News:- Tokyo 2021 Olympics COVID-19 Reportings. * Found In The News:- Australias Hawkesbury Hornets BMX Club Says COVID Positive Person Attended. * Found In The News:- Washington State Ready For Reopening, But Some COVID-19 Precautions Remain. * Found In The News:- Washington State Inslee Statement On Reopening Numbers, Staying The Course. * Found In The News:- Washington Statewide Reopening June 30 And Short-Term Statewide Move To Phase 3. * Found In The News:- USADA FAQs On COVID-19 Vaccines Protocols Athletes Vaccines And Anti-Doping. * Found In The News:- Pfizer Says Its Vaccine Will Last Up To 6 Months After 2nd Dose. * Found In The News:- Cases Of COVID-19 Vaccine Breakthrough Confirmed In Washington State. * Found In The News:- WHO Wuhan China Report And Finding Of Coronavirus Point Of Origin. * Found In The News:- Inslee Announces Washington State Wide Move To Phase 3 Of Recovery Plan. * Found In The News:- COVID-19 Vaccination Wildly Uneven And Unfair: Infections Drop 16% Worldwide. * Found In The News:- They Were Not Easy Moments Mariana Pajon Reveals That She Had Covid-19. * Found In The News:- Doctors Say Some Wealthy And Well-Connected People Are Trying To Cut Vaccine Line. * Found In The News:- Washington State Governor Announces Healthy Washington–Roadmap To Recovery. * Found In The News:- CDC Should Warn People The Side Effects From Covid Vaccine Shots Wont Be A Walk In The Park. * Found In The News:- In 2020, AP Photographers Captured A World In Distress. * Found In The News:- Polish Coach Who Led US To Unprecedented Olympic Cycling Success Dies From COVID-19. * Found In The News:- Washington State Governor Inslee Announces Statewide Restrictions For Four-Weeks. * Found In The News:- Ensuring Medicines Work Safely For Everyone During COVID-19 Pandemic. * Found In The News:- Washington State Inslee Announces Updates To Safe Start Reopening Plan. * Thoughts From Gene`s BMX - The ABA-USA BMX Fall Classic Nationals. * Found In The News:- UN News + COVID-19 Vaccine Must Be Affordable And Available To All. * Found In The News:- Washington State Department Of Health Statement On Vaccines. * Found In The News:- UN News: Young People Not Invincible In COVID-19 Pandemic. * Found In The News:- We Will Not Be Going Back To Normal As The Pandemic Has Changed Our Lives. * Found In The News:- Wenatchee Walmart Store Closed As 21 Employees Test Positive For COVID-19. * Found In The News:- Washington State Rollbacks To Some Activities To Slow COVID-19 Exposure. * Found In The News:- Director-General Dr Tedros Reiterated The Importance Of Contact Tracing. * Found In The News:- Countries Engaged In COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility. * Found In The News:- Federal Judge Dismisses Challenge To Governors Emergency Declaration. * Found In The News:- COVID-19 Tests Are Supposed To Be Free But People Have Got Billed. * Thoughts From Gene`s BMX. * Found In The News:- Timeline Of WHOs Response To COVID-19. * Found In The News:- Inslee Announces Washington State Wide Mask Mandate. * Found In The News:- IOC Joins Forces With WHO And The United Nations To Fight COVID-19. * Found In The News:- Work Cannot And Should Not Look The Same After This Crisis. * Found In The News:- YouTube News Videos: CBS Evening News. * Found In The News:- New Report Shows Increasing COVID-19 Activity In Washington State. * Found In The News:- UN Global Solidarity Needed To Find Affordable, Accessible COVID-19 Vaccine. * Found In The News:- UN Appeals For Restraint, Social Cohesion As Protests Across The US Continue. * Found In The News:- Increasing In Eastern Washington, Decreasing In Western Washington. * Found In The News:- Bicycle Sales Boom During Coronavirus Pandemic. * Found In The News:- WHO Warns Majority Of World Still At Risk & Trump Taking Hydroxychloroquine. * Found In The News:- Mental Health Services Are An Essential Responses To COVID-19. * Found In The News:- WHO Statement: Tobacco Use And COVID-19. * Found In The News:- Trump Tells Reporter To Ask China. * Found In The News:- USA BMX Resumes Racing And Practice In Several States. * Found In The News:- WHO Director-Generals Opening Remarks On COVID-19. * Found In The News:- Phased Re-Opening Of Washington State USA. * Found In The News:- Salisbury Skatepark In Use Despite Lockdown Rules. * Thoughts From Gene`s BMX. * Found In The News:- America Go`s To Hell In A Suicidal Hand Basket. * Found In The News:- Animals Pet Cats + Sewage-Wastewater. * Found In The News:- Strategy From Poverty + Relaxing Lockdowns. * Found In The New:- YouTube News Videos: CBS Evening News + AP. * Thoughts From Gene`s BMX. * Tour De Quarantine + 2020 BMX Olympics Tokyo, Japan. * News Quote + Movies That Somewhat Follows The Same Story Line. * News Of 2020 Seattle Bike Show Cut Short. * Found In The New:- Kiro 7 Seattle Wa YouTube News Videos + News Of Start. * Coronavirus - COVID-19 -- Point Of Origin. ~~~ Coronavirus Info & News YouTube Videos ~~~ * Gene`s BMX:- YouTube Videos Playlist 01:- March 05th, 2021 -Back To- January 21st, 2020. = 5,000 YT Videos. The YouTube Coronavirus Info & News Videos In The Playlists Are Listed From New To Old And Are From: ~~ Via YouTube Video News Sources:- * ABC News. | * Associated Press. | * CBS News. | * CBS Evening News. * CBS Los Angeles. | * CBS This Morning. | * CNBC Television. | * Face The Nation. | * Good Morning America. * KING 5 Seattle. | * KIRO 7 News Seattle. | * KREM 2 News Spokane.... | * MSNBC. | * NBC News. | * Reuters. * Sky News. | * The White House | * TODAY | * Washington State Dept Of Health | * World Health Organization. * United Nations. | * 60 Minutes. | * 60 Minutes Australia. - And A Few More Other YouTube Sources In The Mix. _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 10-07-2024:- * WHO.int:- Types Of Data Requested To Inform December 2024 COVID-19 Vaccine Antigen. The WHO Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition (TAG-CO-VAC) continues to closely monitor the genetic and antigenic evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants, immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination, and the performance of COVID-19 vaccines against circulating variants. Based on these evaluations, WHO advises vaccine manufacturers and regulatory authorities on the implications for future updates to COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition. The next decision-making meeting of the TAG-CO-VAC is scheduled for mid-December 2024. 08-09-2024: * The Associated Press (AP):- Olympians With Covid Are Competing In Paris. Like Noah Lyles, Olympians with COVID are competing in Paris. Restrictions are a thing of the past. Many hoped the Paris Olympics would be the post-COVID Games. Instead they seem to be the who cares about COVID Games. Noah Lyles won a bronze with the virus in front of tens of thousands of spectators, and dozens of other athletes at the Games have tested positive. But organizers have only issued health recommendations, and no restrictions, allowing athletes to compete if they wish and are able to. 08-09-2024:- * YouTube NBC News Video:- Covid Cases Rising In The U.S. Amid A Summer Spike. Quoted:- At Least 40 Olympic Athletics Have Tested Positive For COVID-19 In Paris Since The Games Began Two Weeks Ago. ----- Covid cases are on the rise in the U.S. as the World Health Organization issued a warning about a summer spike in 84 other countries. NBC News medical fellow Dr. Akshay Syal why the rise in cases could be occurring and how it compares to past summers. 08-08-2024:- * Olympics .com News:- Slowed By Covid, Noah Lyles Settles For Bronze Medal In 200m. Then the news began to trickle out: Lyles had tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday (6 August), but decided that he still wanted to race the 200m. - Lyles said he woke up Tuesday feeling really horrible, and that a Covid test confirmed what he and team doctors feared. So they isolated the athletics sprint star, Lyles explaining all the precautions had been taken and a constant flow of liquids. -- Also See: NBC News:- * YouTube Video:- Noah Lyles Wins Bronze In 200 Meters, Then Reveals He Has Covid. 07-25-2024:- * WHO.int:- WHO Teams Up With IOC And France To Support Healthy Paris Olympics. The World Health Organization is taking part in the Paris Olympics in multiple fields, supporting the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and France to help make the world’s leading sport spectacle, which officially starts this Friday, healthy and safe for spectators and athletes alike. Just as athletes and fans around the world have been preparing for the Paris Olympics, WHO has been working with the IOC and the Government of France to make sure these Games are healthy and safe for everyone involved. 07-24-2024: * The Associated Press (AP):- Australias Womens Water Polo Team Tested Positive COVID-19. Five players on Australias womens water polo team for the Paris Olympics have tested positive for COVID-19. Anna Meares, the chef de mission for the Australian team in Paris, said the COVID cases have been confined to the water polo team. She said the affected players are clear to practice when they feel well enough to train. We treat COVID no differently to any other respiratory illness. 06-27-2024:- * CDC.gov:- CDC Recommends Updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 And Flu Vaccines For Fall/Winter. Today, CDC recommended the updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines and the updated 2024-2025 flu vaccines to protect against severe COVID-19 and flu this fall and winter. It is safe to receive COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the same visit. Data continue to show the importance of vaccination to protect against severe outcomes of COVID-19 and flu, including hospitalization and death. Gene`s BMX News: -- 01/01/2024 This isnt the end of the Coronavirus-Covid-19. Not even close. Weve lost lots of people since the start of it. We still dont know how it started. We have bought ourselves some time with a vaccine. Its given us a chance. Protect yourself from COVID-19. Get vaccinated. People who are not vaccinated are at greater risk of illness. After Coronavirus-Covid-19, Im very concerned about the way things are going. The world had a chance to change and it has not and did not change much. The old ways was a death trip. And people just did not learn much from that. And now we go right back to tinkering with the powers of in the world, trying to recreate the world that damn near choked the human race to death. - What is wrong with this picture? The More You Know:-- In Washington State:-- * RCW 70.54.050 Exposing Contagious Disease—Penalty. Every person who shall willfully expose himself or herself to another, or any animal affected with any contagious or infectious disease, in any public place or thoroughfare, except upon his or her or its necessary removal in a manner not dangerous to the public health; and every person so affected who shall expose any other person thereto without his or her knowledge, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. [ 2012 c 117 § 382; 1909 c 249 § 287; RRS § 2539.] _________________________________________________________________ 12-21-2023:- * NCW Life News:- Health Districts After-Action Report Points Up Failings In COVID-19 Response. Wenatchee, Washington USA:-- A report on the Chelan-Douglas Health Districts response to the COVID-19 pandemic finds that low staffing and high turnover hampered the agency as the virus began to take hold in the Wenatchee Valley. The two-county board of health received the finished report Monday, authored by the nonprofit healthcare assessment group VillageReach. The report also highlights successes in the health district response, many of them achieved despite upheaval and lack of resources. More than 15,000 Washingtonians have died from COVID-19 since March 2020. You can find a copy of the after-action report on the health district website. * https://cdhd.wa.gov = ( * COVID-19 Response After Action Report.PDF ) 12-19-2023:- * WHO.int:- COVID-19 Vaccinations Shift To Regular Immunization As COVAX Draws To A Close. COVAX will close 31 December 2023 having delivered nearly 2 billion doses of vaccines to 146 economies, and averted an estimated 2.7 million deaths in AMC lower-income participating economies. COVAXs end-to -end efforts helped lower-income economies achieve two-dose coverage of 57%, compared to the global average of 67%. Low- and lower middle-income economies will continue to receive COVID-19 vaccines delivery support from Gavi, Vaccine Alliance in 2024, 2025, with 83 million doses so far requested for 2024 from 58 economies. 12-13-2023:- * WHO.int:- Statement On The Antigen Composition Of COVID-19 Vaccines. SARS-CoV-2 continues to circulate and evolve with important genetic and antigenic evolution of the spike protein. Monovalent XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccines across different platforms elicit broadly cross -reactive neutralizing antibody responses against circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants. Given the current SARS-CoV-2 evolution and the breadth in immune responses demonstrated by monovalent XBB.1.5 vaccines against circulating variants, the TAG-CO-VAC advises retaining the current COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition, i.e. a monovalent XBB.1.5 as the COVID-19 vaccine antigen. 11-10-2023:- * WHO.int:- WHO Updates Guidelines On Treatments For COVID-19. WHO has updated its guidelines for COVID-19 therapeutics, with revised recommendations for patients with non-severe COVID-19. This is the 13th update to these guidelines. -- Updated risk rates for hospital admission in patients with non-severe COVID-19. -- Review of COVID-19 treatments for people with non-severe COVID-19. 10-27-2023:- * CDC.gov:- Early Detection And Surveillance Of SARS-CoV-2 Variant BA.2.86 Worldwide. Early detection of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants is critical to assessing risk, providing clear and timely communication messages, and coordinating public health action. The SARS-CoV-2 variant BA.2.86 was first reported in August 2023. CDC used a multicomponent surveillance approach to track its global spread. It has been reported in 32 countries as of October 23, 2023. 09-12-2023:- * CDC.gov:- CDC Recommends Updated COVID-19 Vaccine For Fall/Winter Virus Season. CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against the potentially serious outcomes of COVID-19 illness this fall and winter. Updated COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna will be available later this week. Vaccination remains the best protection against COVID-19-related hospitalization and death. Vaccination also reduces your chance of suffering the effects of Long COVID, which can develop during or following acute infection and last for an extended duration.? If you have not received a COVID-19 vaccine in the past 2 months, get an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect yourself this fall and winter. 09-08-2023:- * CDC.gov:- Update On SARS CoV-2 Variant BA.2.86. CDC is tracking a new SARS-CoV-2 variant called BA.2.86 and working to better understand its potential impact on public health. This update follows CDCs initial risk assessment summary on August 23rd, 2023. The updated COVID-19 vaccine will be available in mid-September. CDC continues to track BA.2.86 variant. 09-06-2023:- * WHO.int:- WHO Director-Generals Opening Remarks At The Media Briefing. We continue to see concerning trends for COVID-19 ahead of the winter season in the northern hemisphere. The BA.2.86 variant has been detected in small numbers in 11 countries. WHO is monitoring this variant closely to assess its transmissibility and potential impact. The variant of interest EG.5 is on the rise. 08-30-2023:- * CDC.gov:- Update On SARS CoV-2 Variant BA.2.86. CDC is tracking a new SARS-CoV-2 variant called BA.2.86 and working to better understand its potential impact on public health. This update follows CDCs initial risk assessment summary on August 23rd, 2023. The updated COVID-19 vaccine will be available in mid-September. CDC continues to track BA.2.86 variant. 08-25-2023:- * WHO.int:- WHO Director-Generals Opening Remarks At The Media Briefing. Quote:- COVID remains a global health threat. - Although data available to WHO continues to decline, we have seen increasing reports of hospitalizations, ICU admissions and deaths in some countries. We continue to call on all countries to strengthen surveillance, sequencing and reporting so we can assess the risk of new variants such as EG.5 and BA.2.86. And we continue to call on all countries to implement the standing recommendations to save lives and prevent the burden of long COVID. 08-23-2023:- * CDC.gov:- Risk Assessment Summary For SARS CoV-2 Sublineage BA.2.86. CDC has detected a new SARS-CoV-2 variant labeled BA.2.86. CDC is continually monitoring for new variants and studying their potential impact on public health. All viruses, including the virus that causes COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2), change over time. These viruses with changes are called variants. These changes can affect how contagious a virus is, how well it responds to treatment, and how severely it affects people. Last week, a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 called BA.2.86 was detected in samples from people in Denmark and Israel. At least two cases have been identified in the United States. This variant is notable because it has multiple genetic differences from previous versions of SARS-CoV-2. 08-20-2023:- * YouTube News Video:- Face The Nation:- Dr. Scott Gottlieb Concerned About New COVID Variant. Dr. Scott Gottlieb tells Face the Nation that hes pretty concerned about the new COVID variant BA 2.86. While it doesnt appear to be more dangerous than other strains, it could be more transmissible, he said. 08-18-2023:- * WHO.int:- WHO Director-Generals Opening Remarks At G20 Health Ministers Meeting. Quote:- Although COVID-19 is no longer a global health emergency, it remains a global health threat. Just yesterday, WHO classified a new variant with a large number of mutations, BA.2.86, as a variant under monitoring, highlighting once again the need for all countries to maintain surveillance. 07-13-2023:- * CDC.gov:- CDC To Launch Bridge Access Program In Fall 2023 To Provide Free COVID-19 Vaccines. To help ensure that millions of uninsured and underinsured American adults continue to have access to no-cost COVID-19 vaccinations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is launching the Bridge Access Program for COVID-19 Vaccines this fall. - Efforts related to the Bridge Access Program launch are ongoing, and additional details will be shared in the coming weeks and months. Visit * cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/bridge 05-18-2023:- * WHO.int:- Statement On The Antigen Composition Of COVID-19 Vaccines. The WHO Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition (TAG-CO-VAC) continues to meet regularly to assess the implications of SARS-CoV-2 evolution for COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition and advise WHO on whether changes are needed to the antigen composition of future COVID-19 vaccines. 05-05-2023:- * UN.org:- WHO Chief Declares End To COVID-19 As A Global Health Emergency. The head of the UN World Health Organization (WHO) has declared with great hope an end to COVID-19 as a public health emergency, stressing that it does not mean the disease is no longer a global threat. For over 12 months, the pandemic has been on a downward trend, he said, with immunity increasing due to the highly effective vaccines developed in record time to fight the disease, and infections. Death rates have decreased and the pressure on once overwhelmed health systems, has eased. This trend has allowed most countries to return to life as we knew it before COVID-19, Tedros added. 05-05-2023:- * WHO.int:- Statement On Fifteenth Meeting International Health Regulations Regarding Coronavirus Pandemic. The WHO Director-General has the pleasure of transmitting the Report of the fifteenth meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) Emergency Committee regarding the coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) pandemic, on Thursday 4 May 2023, from 12:00 to 17:00 CET. During the deliberative session, the Committee members highlighted the decreasing trend in COVID-19 deaths, the decline in COVID-19 related hospitalizations and intensive care unit admissions, and the high levels of population immunity to SARS-CoV-2. The Committees position has been evolving over the last several months. While acknowledging the remaining uncertainties posted by potential evolution of SARS-CoV-2, they advised that it is time to transition to long-term management of the COVID-19 pandemic. 05-02-2023:- * WHO.int:- New Survey Results Show Health Systems Starting To Recover From Pandemic. After three years of the COVID-19 pandemic, health systems in countries have started showing the first major signs of health system recovery, according to the WHO interim report on the Fourth round of the global pulse survey on continuity of essential health services during the COVID-19 pandemic: November 2022–January 2023. By early 2023, countries reported experiencing reduced disruptions in the delivery of routine health services, but highlighted the need to invest in recovery and stronger resilience for the future. 04-26-2023:- * UN.org:- Tedros: WHO Launches New Pandemic Prevention Plan As COVID Deaths Fall 95 Per Cent. The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday launched a new initiative to help strengthen countries ability to plan for, and deal with, another deadly pandemic like COVID-19, as latest figures show a huge fall in COVID deaths this year. - Hundreds of millions will need care. - Virus is here to stay. 04-26-2023:- * WHO.int:- WHO Launches New Initiative To Improve Pandemic Preparedness. To help countries better prepare for future pandemics, WHO launched a new initiative today that provides guidance on integrated planning for responding to any respiratory pathogen such as influenza or coronaviruses. The new Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats Initiative, or PRET, incorporates the latest tools and approaches for shared learning and collective action established during the COVID-19 pandemic and other recent public health emergencies. 04-19-2023:- * WHO.int:- Global Compendium Of Knowledge On COVID-19. The Global Compendium of Country Knowledge on COVID-19 vaccination is now available on TechNet21. The Compendium stores over 140 documents and has recorded over 300 visits to the most popular ones. The Compendium is maintained and expanded to reflect the most relevant experiences and learnings from COVID-19 vaccination. 04-18-2023:- * NCW Life News.com:- Health Board Rescinds Chelan-Douglas Pandemic Emergency Effective May 11. East Wenatchee, Washington USA -- The Chelan-Douglas Board of Health voted Monday to end the COVID-19 state of emergency thats governed public health practice in the Wenatchee Valley since the start of the pandemic three years ago. The rescinding becomes official May 11, the same day the federally declared COVID-19 emergency comes to to an end. That means the heavy mobilization and spending on health education, vaccines, and other programs that flooded local health agencies will also dry up. 04-14-2023:- * WHO.int:- Report Of Meeting Of WHO Technical Advisory Group COVID-19 Vaccine Composition. The evidence reviewed by the TAG-CO-VAC to assess the performance of updated COVID-19 vaccines that incorporated descendent lineages of Omicron included: (1) published observational epidemiological studies of estimates of absolute and relative vaccine effectiveness of BA.1- or BA.4/5-containing bivalent mRNA vaccines used as a booster dose against symptomatic and severe disease; (2) laboratory- based data on the magnitude and breadth of cross-reactive immune responses against previous and circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants induced by BA.1- or BA.4/5- containing mRNA vaccines, as compared to index virus-based vaccines, used as a booster dose; and (3) laboratory-based studies and observational data on immune memory responses to evaluate the impact of repeated antigen exposure on vaccine-induced immunity and protection. 04-11-2023:- * WHO.int:- Improving Access To Novel COVID-19 Treatments. Launch of Member States briefing on how to navigate interfaces between public health and intellectual property. The World Health Organization together with Unitaid and with the support of Medicines Law & Policy, have today published a briefing document to support country access to affordable COVID-19 treatments. 03-28-2023:- * WHO.int:- SAGE Updates COVID-19 Vaccination Guidance. Following its 20-23 March meeting, WHOs Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) revised the roadmap for prioritizing the use of COVID-19 vaccines, to reflect the impact of Omicron and high population -level immunity due to infection and vaccination. The roadmap continues SAGEs prioritization of protecting populations at the greatest risk of death and severe disease from SARS-CoV-2 infection and its focus on maintaining resilient health systems. 03-22-2023:- * WHO.int:- COVID-19 Pandemic Significantly Impacted Access To Medicines For Diseases. WHO published a new report Access to NCD medicines: emergent issues during the COVID-19 pandemic and key structural factors, today, to highlight the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to noncommunicable disease (NCD) medicines, and the policies and strategies implemented by countries to anticipate and mitigate stresses across NCD medicine supply chains. Lets not forget: COVID-19 may be out of sight, but access to NCD medicines is still out of reach for many. 03-18-2023:- * WHO.int:- SAGO Statement On Newly Released SARS-CoV-2 Data From China CDC On GISAID. On 12 March 2023, WHO was made aware of new SARS-CoV-2 sequences and metagenomics data associated with samples collected in the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, Wuhan, China, from January 2020, that became available on GISAID for a short period of time. According to the preprint, raccoon dogs were not amongst the animals tested. Historical photographic evidence was provided that shows raccoon dogs and other animals were sold at these specific stalls in the past. Although this does not provide conclusive evidence as to the intermediate host or origins of the virus. Also See:- * Coronavirus - COVID-19 -- Point Of Origin. On This webpage. 03-16-2023:- * WHO.int:- Statement On Definitions And Tracking System For SARS-CoV-2 Variants Of Concern. WHO has updated its tracking system and working definitions for variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, to better correspond to the current global variant landscape, to independently evaluate Omicron sub lineages in circulation, and classify new variants more clearly when required. SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple variants of concern (VOCs) and variants of interest (VOIs) have been designated by WHO based on their assessed potential for expansion and replacement of prior variants, for causing new waves with increased circulation, and for the need for adjustments to public health actions. 02-24-2023:- * KPQ News.com:- COVID-19 Rates For Chelan-Douglas County Region. Wenatchee, Washington USA -- CDHD Health Administrator Luke Davies said COVID-19 positive case rates have started to plateau, but that could be because of underreporting due to more people using at-home tests. Were getting anecdotal evidence that people are testing positive, but theyre not necessarily reporting to us, so our numbers arent really reflecting the actual level of COVID in the community, Davies said. Hospitalizations within the region have decreased compared to previous case rate surges in recent years, along with vaccination rates and the number of residents receiving their booster shot. 02-20-2023:- * WHO.int:- Updated Good Practice Statement On The Use Of Variant-Containing COVID-19 Vaccines. This Good Practice Statement summarizes current evidence on variant-containing vaccines and provides guidance on their use in the context of the continued availability of ancestral virus-only (monovalent) COVID-19 vaccines. This Good practice statement has been developed on the basis of advice issued by the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization at its meeting on 5 October 2022, and was updated on 20 February 2023 based on additional evidence and advice by SAGE. 01-30-2023:- * UN.org:- Tedros: COVID-19 Remains An International Health Threat. The head of the UN health agency, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said on Monday that COVID-19 is still a global health threat and that now is not the time to declare the pandemic over. There is little doubt that this virus will remain a permanently established pathogen in humans and animals for the foreseeable future, the Committee said. It is three years to the week since COVID-19 was declared a public health emergency of international concern. The novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was first reported in Wuhan, China, on 31 Dec 2019. 01-30-2023:- * WHO.int:- Statement On 14th Meeting of Committees Regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic. The WHO Director-General has the pleasure of transmitting the Report of the fourteenth meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) Emergency Committee regarding the coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) pandemic, held on Friday 27 January 2023, from 14:00 to 17:00 CET. The WHO Director-General concurs with the advice offered by the Committee regarding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 01-26-2023:- * KPQ News.com:- CDHD Monitors New Omicron Sub-Variant While Expecting Uptick In COVID-19 Cases. Wenatchee, Washington USA -- The Chelan-Douglas Health District (CDHD) is carefully observing a new strain of the COVID-19 Omicron sub-variant as they monitor COVID-19 infection rates in our region. A new COVID-19 variant known as XBB.1.5, makes up about half of all cases in the U.S. This new variant can be transmitted much faster and is more resistant to a vaccine. -- Masks continue to be a key tool against COVID-19. 01-14-2023:- * WHO.int:- WHO Welcomes Data On COVID-19 In China, Meeting With Minister. Chinese officials provided information to WHO and in a press conference on a range of topics, including outpatient clinics, hospitalizations, patients requiring emergency treatment and critical care, and hospital deaths related to COVID-19 infection. While the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention has earlier reported that Omicron sublineages BA.5.2 and BF.7 are currently circulating, WHO continues to ask that further sequences be shared with open access databases such as GISAID for deeper phylogenetic analyses, and for continued collaboration with technical groups working on virus evolution, clinical care, and beyond. 01-13-2023:- * WHO.int:- WHO Updates COVID-19 Guidelines On Masks, Treatments And Patient Care. WHO has updated its guidelines on mask wearing in community settings, COVID-19 treatments, and clinical management. This is part of a continuous process of reviewing such materials, working with guideline development groups composed of independent, international experts who consider the latest available evidence and the changing epidemiology. -- Masks continue to be a key tool against COVID-19. 01-10-2023:- * UN.org:- COVID In Europe: Chinas Surge Not A Concern Says WHO, As XBB.1.5 Virus Spreads. The ongoing COVID-19 surge in China is not expected to significantly impact the European region, UN health experts said on Tuesday. The new XBB.1.5 recombinant virus, derived from the Omicron variant, that has already been spreading rapidly across the United States. The new strain is being picked up in small, but growing numbers. 01-04-2023:- * WHO.int:- TAG-VE Statement On The Meeting Of 3 January On The COVID-19 Situation In China. The Technical Advisory Group on Virus Evolution (TAG-VE) meets regularly to review the latest scientific evidence on circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants and advises WHO on whether a change in public health strategies is warranted. The TAG-VE met on 3 January 2023 to discuss the COVID-19 situation in mainland China. The China CDC analysis showed a predominance of Omicron lineages BA.5.2 and BF.7 among locally-acquired infections. BA.5.2 and BF.7 together accounted for 97.5% of all local infections as per genomic sequencing. A few other known Omicron sublineages were also detected albeit in low percentages. These variants are known and have been circulating in other countries, and at the present time no new variant has been reported by China. 01-04-2023:- * UN.org:- WHO Continues To Urge China To Share More Data Amid COVID-19 Surge. The World Health Organization (WHO) is concerned about the COVID-19 surge in China, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday, in his first virtual briefing for the year. We continue to ask China for more rapid, regular, reliable data on hospitalizations and deaths, as well as more comprehensive, real-time viral sequencing, he said, speaking from Geneva. - Quote:- The Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 is on the rise in the United States and Europe and has been identified in nearly 30 countries. XBB.1.5 was initially detected in October 2022. It is the most transmissible subvariant yet, according to Dr. Maria Van Kherkove, the WHO Technical Lead for COVID-19. 01-03-2023:- * UN.org:- COVID-19: China Infection Surge On Agenda At WHO Coronavirus Meeting. As COVID-19 infections surge in China, coronavirus experts gathered at the UN health agency on Tuesday, to discuss next steps. In Geneva, a spokesperson for the WHO confirmed during a scheduled press briefing that Chinese scientists had been invited to participate in a meeting of Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19. 12-30-2022:- * WHO.int:- WHO Meets With Chinese Officials On Current COVID-19 Situation. A high-level meeting took place on 30 December between WHO and China about the current surge in COVID-19 cases, to seek further information on the situation, and to offer WHOs expertise and further support. High-level officials from Chinas National Health Commission and the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration briefed WHO on Chinas evolving strategy and actions in the areas of epidemiology, monitoring of variants, vaccination, clinical care, communication and R&D. 12-28-2022:- * CDC.gov:- COVID-19 Test Requirement From Air Passengers Entering United States From China. CDC is announcing today that it will implement a requirement for a negative COVID-19 test or documentation of recovery for air passengers boarding flights to the United States originating from the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) and the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau. CDC is announcing this step to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the United States during the surge in COVID-19 cases in the PRC given the lack of adequate and transparent epidemiological and viral genomic sequence data being reported from the PRC. 10-28-2022:- * Governor.wa.gov:- Washington States COVID Emergency Order Ends Next Week. The COVID-19 pandemic remains, but its no longer an emergency thanks to vaccinations, medical treatments, and the innumerable efforts of countless Washingtonians since the state had the nations first documented case in January 2020. As the governor announced last month, Monday will be the last day of the governors COVID emergency declaration. The virus still poses a threat to public health and continues to evolve. The secretary of the Department of Healths masking order will continue to cover healthcare and long-term care facilities, as well as some correctional facilities in communities where community levels are high. 10-28-2022:- * WHO.int:- Six Month Plan As World Transitions To Long-Term COVID-19 Control. The Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator today launches its plan for the next six months, setting out how, as a partnership of global health agencies working alongside government, civil society and other partners, it will support countries as the world transitions to long-term COVID-19 control. Recognizing the evolving nature of the COVID-19 virus and pandemic the plan outlines changes to ACT-As set-up and ways of working, to ensure countries continue to have access to COVID-19 tools in the longer term, while maintaining the coalitions readiness to help address future disease surges. 10-27-2022:- * WHO.int:- TAG-VE Statement On Omicron Sublineages BQ.1 And XBB. As part of its ongoing work to track variants, WHOs Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution met on the 24 October 2022 to discuss the latest evidence on the Omicron variant of concern, and how its evolution is currently unfolding, in light of high levels of population immunity in many settings and country differences in the immune landscape. In particular, the public health implications of the rise of some Omicron variants, specifically XBB and its sublineages (indicated as XBB*), as well as BQ.1 and its sublineages (indicated as BQ.1*), were discussed. The two sublineages remain part of Omicron, which continues to be a variant of concern. 10-18-2022:- * WHO.int:- Statement On The Thirteenth IHREC Meeting Regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic. The WHO Director-General has the pleasure of transmitting the Report of the thirteenth meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) Emergency Committee regarding the coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) pandemic, on Thursday, 13 October 2022, from 12:00 to 16:00 CEST. The WHO Director-General concurs with the advice offered by the Committee regarding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and determines that the event continues to constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The WHO Director-General considered the advice provided by the Committee regarding the proposed Temporary Recommendations. The set of Temporary Recommendations issued by the WHO Director-General is presented at the end of this statement. The WHO Director-General expresses his sincere gratitude to the Chair, and Members of the Committee, as well as to the Committees Advisors. ( More ) 10-11-2022:- * Coronavirus.wa.gov:- Flu And COVID-19 Vaccines Offer Best Defense For Families And Communities. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is urging the public to get an influenza (flu) vaccine in addition to a COVID-19 booster this fall to keep themselves and others safe and out of the hospital. In recent years flu activity was low due to the preventive benefits of social distancing, masking, and other COVID-19 precautions. Now that guidance and recommendations have relaxed, people are more active, mobile, and have returned to traditional gatherings. At the tail of the last flu season, Washington experienced an unusual late spring wave of flu. With the start of fall, many adults have returned to in -person work and most children are back in school. These conditions could lead to an increase in flu or COVID-19 cases this fall or winter. Its recommend the flu and COVID-19 vaccines for everyone age 6 months and older. 09-23-2022:- * UN.org:- Build Momentum To Finish The Job And End COVID-19 Pandemic, Guterres Urges. Senior UN officials, including Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, took part in a High-Level event at UN Headquarters in New York on Friday, noting the encouraging progress that has been made towards ending the COVID-19 pandemic, while acknowledging that work still needs to be done to ensure the most vulnerable protected. 09-15-2022:- * WHO.int:- WHO Responds To The Lancet COVID-19 Commission. WHO welcomes the overarching recommendations of The Lancet COVID-19 Commissions report on Lessons for the future from the COVID-19 pandemic, which align with our commitment to stronger global, regional and national pandemic preparedness, prevention, readiness and response. At the same time, there are several key omissions and misinterpretations in the report, not least regarding the public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) and the speed and scope of WHOs actions. - The pandemic is not over, though the end is in sight. 09-14-2022:- * UN.org:- The End Of The COVID-19 Pandemic Is In Sight: WHO. As the number of weekly reported deaths from COVID-19 plunged to its lowest since March 2020, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday that the end of the pandemic is now in sight. We have never been in a better position to end the pandemic, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told journalists during his regular weekly press conference. The UN health agencys Director-General explained however, that the world is not there yet. 09-08-2022:- * Governor.wa.gov:- Inslee Announces End To Remaining COVID-19 Emergency Orders By October 31. Gov. Jay Inslee today announced the upcoming rescission of all remaining COVID-19 emergency proclamations and state of emergency by Oct. 31. Nearly three-quarters of the governors 85 COVID-19 emergency orders have already been lifted, and an additional 13 health care related orders will end Oct. 27. The remaining 10 orders to be lifted on Oct. 31, including the underlying state of emergency. Ending this order does not mean we take it less seriously or will lose focus on how this virus has changed the way we live. Though the Washington states emergency orders are ending, public health leaders continue to emphasize the importance of vaccines and masks. ( More ) 07-23-2022:- * UN.org:- Monkeypox Declared A Global Health Emergency By The World Health Organization. Monkeypox is an outbreak that has spread around the world rapidly, through new modes of transmission about which we understand too little, and which meets the criteria of an emergency under International Health Regulations. The current risk of Monkeypox is moderate globally and in all regions, except in the European region where the risk is high. There is also a clear risk of further international spread, although the risk of interference with international traffic remains low for the moment. The outbreak can be stopped. 07-22-2022:- * UN.org:- WHO Updates COVID-19 Strategy In Bid To Vaccinate All Health Workers, Most At Risk. Although the COVID-19 vaccination rollout is the biggest and fastest in history, many people most at risk are still not protected against the disease, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday, announcing an updated inoculation strategy. The plan prioritizes vaccinating 100 per cent of healthcare workers and vulnerable groups, including older persons and those with underlying conditions, in line with efforts to vaccinate 70 per cent of the global population. 07-12-2022:- * UN.org:- As Virus Spreads Freely COVID-19 Nowhere Near Over: Tedros. Rising COVID-19 cases are not only putting further pressure on already stretched health systems and workers but also triggering an increasing trend of deaths, World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told journalists at the regular weekly press briefing on Tuesday. Tedros outlined interlinked challenges presented now by the virus, beginning with sub-variants of Omicron, like BA.4 and BA.5, which continue to drive waves of cases, hospitalizations and deaths globally. 07-08-2022:- * Chelan-Douglas Health District:- Increase In COVID-19 Cases. Wenatchee, Washington USA Chelan-Douglas Health District (CDHD) is announcing an increase in COVID-19 cases and highly encourages general COVID-19 precautions be taken during current surge. - As expected, summer activities including the Fourth of July holiday, have contributed to the already-steady increase of COVID-19 cases throughout Chelan and Douglas counties. Our current 14 day rate is 428 cases per 100,000 individuals, which is a low estimate of transmission due to at home tests and reduced COVID-19 surveillance during the summer. We are currently seeing an increase in COVID-19 related hospitalizations in Washington State among vulnerable populations and are monitoring hospitalizations locally. - Wear a mask in public when possible. Maintain your distance around others in public. ( More ) 07-08-2022:- * NCW Life News:- Health District Says COVID-19 Cases Surging In Chelan, Douglas Counties. 07-07-2022:- * KPQ News:- CDC Advising Masks Inside For Chelan, Douglas, Grant Counties. 06-29-2022:- * UN.org:- COVID-19: BA.4 And BA.5 Variants Spur 20 Per Cent Rise In Cases. COVID-19 cases are on the rise in some 110 countries, driven by the BA.4 and BA.5 variants, said the UN health agency chief on Wednesday, amounting to a 20 per cent spike overall, and a rise in the number of deaths across three of the six world regions monitored by the World Health Organization. 06-14-2022:- * UN.org:- WHO To Determine If Monkeypox Should Be Declared Emergency International Concern And Rights Expert Warns Of COVID Vaccine Apartheid. Quote:- The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Tuesday that the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee has been convened due to the spread of the Monkeypox virus to 32 non-endemic countries. So far this year, more than 1,600 confirmed cases and almost 1,500 suspected cases of Monkeypox have been reported to WHO, across 39 countries including seven countries where monkeypox has been detected for years, and 32 newly-affected nations. Continued decline in COVID-19 cases: Regarding the current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, Tedros said that both reported cases and deaths have decreased by more than 90 per cent, from the highs reached earlier this year. This is a very welcome trend. Still, more than 3 million cases were reported to WHO last week and because many countries have reduced surveillance and testing, we know this number is under-reported, he added. In that period, 8,737 deaths were reported. Tedros called this an unacceptable level when they are effective tools to prevent, detect and treat this disease. 05-05-2022:- * WHO.int:- 14.9 Million Excess Deaths Associated With The COVID-19 Pandemic In 2020 And 2021. New estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) show that the full death toll associated directly or indirectly with the COVID-19 pandemic (described as excess mortality) between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2021 was approximately 14.9 million (range 13.3 million to 16.6 million). These sobering data not only point to the impact of the pandemic but also to the need for all countries to invest in more resilient health systems that can sustain essential health services during crises, including stronger health information systems. 03-30-2022:- * Coronavirus.wa.gov:- Second COVID-19 Booster Dose Recommended For Certain Individuals. Washington State:- People age 50 and older and certain immunocompromised individuals can now get a second booster dose of an mRNA (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) COVID-19 vaccine at least four months after receiving their initial booster dose. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) updated its booster dose recommendations following guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup. DOHs updated booster dose recommendations are as follows: ( More ) 03-30-2022:- * UN.org:- A Third Of The World Remains Totally Unvaccinated Against COVID: Tedros. A third of the worlds population has yet to receive a single dose of COVID-19 vaccine, including a shocking 83 per cent of all Africans, said the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday. This is not acceptable to me, and it should not be acceptable to anyone, said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. If the worlds rich are enjoying the benefits of high vaccine coverage, why shouldnt the worlds poor? Are some lives worth more than others? 03-17-2022:- * Coronavirus.wa.gov:- Moving Forward Into The Next Phase Of Washington State COVID-19 Response. As Washingtons COVID-19 response continues to evolve, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is laying out its long-term * ForWArd Plan.PDF to keep people safe and healthy as we move to the next phase of the pandemic and co-exist with COVID-19 for the foreseeable future. To date, more than 13 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered across Washington, leading to one of the highest state vaccination rates in the country and helping the state maintain one of the lowest COVID-19 death rates among states. 03-16-2022:- * UN.org:- Misinformation That Omicron Is The Last COVID-19 Variant Fuelling Uptick Worldwide: WHO. A combination of factors, including misinformation that the pandemic is over, the lifting of mask mandates, ending physical distancing - and a more transmissible Omicron BA.2 variant - are causing an increase of COVID-19 cases globally, the WHO World Health Organization warned on Wednesday. Each country is facing a different situation with different challenges, but the pandemic is not over, - The virus has not settled down, The virus will likely continue to echo around the world. 03-15-2022:- * Pfizer.com:- Pfizer and BioNTech Submits In Additional Booster Dose Of Their COVID-19 Vaccine. Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) and BioNTech SE (Nasdaq: BNTX) today announced the companies have submitted an application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of an additional booster dose adults 65 years of age and older who have received an initial booster of of authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccines. 03-11-2022:- * Governor.wa.gov:- Inslee Issues Update To Proclamation To Rescind Statewide Face Covering Policy. Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee updated Proclamation 20-25 (Washington Ready) to rescind the face covering requirement in most places. The face covering requirement will remain in place in healthcare settings, long-term care facilities, and correctional facilities and jails. In addition, Proclamation 20-25 is also updated to protect the right of all persons to continue wearing a face covering in any setting, except that individuals may be required to remove their face coverings briefly for identification purposes or in order to comply with state or federal law. Due to the continuing COVID-19 threat, it is critical to continue protecting and supporting those individuals who are immunocompromised or medically vulnerable, or who remain concerned for their own health or the health of their family or community. Inslee encourages people to be kind and compassionate to individuals, students and businesses that choose to continue wearing face masks. This emergency order is effective March 12, 2022. Proclamation 20-25.19 02-22-2022:- * WHO.int:- Statement On Omicron Sublineage BA.2. As part of its on-going work to track variants, WHOs Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution (TAG-VE) met yesterday to discuss the latest evidence on the Omicron variant of concern, including its sublineages BA.1 and BA.2. Based on available data of transmission, severity, reinfection, diagnostics, therapeutics and impacts of vaccines, the group reinforced that the BA.2 sublineage should continue to be considered a variant of concern and that it should remain classified as Omicron. The group emphasized that BA.2 should continue to be monitored as a distinct sublineage of Omicron by public health authorities. The Omicron variant of concern is currently the dominant variant circulating globally. 02-17-2022:- * Governor.wa.gov:- COVID-19 Trends Give Leaders Confidence To Look Towards Next Phase. Washington State:- With dropping hospitalization rates, improving vaccination rates, and broad access to masks and tests, Gov. Jay Inslee today announced the state can soon move into a less restrictive phase of the COVID-19 response. The lifting of statewide measures does not prohibit local governments from the ability to enact measures in response to COVID-19 activity in their communities. The virus has changed significantly over the past two years, and so has our ability to fight it. While caution is still needed, we are entering a new phase of the pandemic, Inslee said at todays press conference. Inslee and leaders from the state Department of Health said the combination of dropping COVID-19 hospitalization rates and efficacy of vaccines in preventing severe illness and hospitalization are important indicators that statewide requirements can begin to loosen. Vaccination remains our most essential protection against severe illness and death from COVID-19. Its also crucial to prevent our hospitals from being overwhelmed again, Inslee said. now is the time to get the shot. ( Read The Rest On The Governors Medium Page. ). 02-15-2022:- * UN.org:- Concern Over Low Vaccination Rates As Omicron Floods Eastern Europe, Central Asia. The World Health Organizations (WHO) top official in Europe on Tuesday called on governments and health authorities to closely examine why there is low demand and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines, as an Omicron tidal wave slams countries in the east of the region. 01-24-2022:- * UN.org:- No Free Ride For COVID Its Here For The Foreseeable Future: Tedros. The world must accept that COVID-19 is with us for the foreseeable future, even if it is possible to end the acute phase of the pandemic this year, UN health agency chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said. 01-18-2022:- * UN.org:- COVID-19 WHO Expresses Hope Worst Of Omicron Wave Is Over. Omicron continues to sweep the world, but cases seem to have peaked in some countries, which gives the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) hope that the worst of this latest wave of COVID-19 is over. Omicron may be less severe, but for the WHO chief the narrative that it is mild disease is misleading, hurts the overall response and costs more lives. 01-18-2022:- * ATG.wa.gov:- Consumer Alert Watch Out For Price Gouging On COVID-19 At-Home Test Kits. Washington State Attorney General:- In the past week, Washingtonians filed complaints with the Attorney Generals Office regarding price gouging on at-home test kits. For example, one Washingtonian recently complained to the Attorney Generals Office about seeing a Facebook ad for test kits that were on sale for only $49, down from $69 a box, even though they retail for $14.99 at places like Wal-Mart or Safeway. 01-14-2022:- * WHO.int:- WHO Recommends Two New Drugs To Treat COVID-19. WHO has recommended two new drugs for COVID-19, providing yet more options for treating the disease. The extent to which these medicines will save lives depends on how widely available and affordable they will be. 01-13-2022:- * Governor.wa.gov:- Inslee Provides Support To Hospitals To Fight Omicron Variant. Washington State:- With COVID-19 cases rising due to the transmissibility of the Omicron variant, hospitals are seeing a dramatic increase in COVID hospitalizations. The health care staffing shortages have led hospitals to be at or over their capacity to treat patients. Gov. Jay Inslee announced today that the state will be taking a number of actions to help alleviate the staffing crisis in hospitals. 01-13-2022:- * Coronavirus.wa.gov:- Increase In Breakthrough Cases Related To Current COVID-19 Surge. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is seeing an increase in the number of vaccine breakthrough cases related to the recent increase in overall cases statewide. Even with the increase in breakthrough infections, data continue to show that vaccination is highly protective against hospitalization and death from COVID-19. 01-12-2022:- * UN.org:- Omicron Fuels Record Weekly COVID-19 Cases But Deaths Stable. Fuelled by Omicron, more than 15 million new cases of COVID-19 were reported around the world last week, by far the most cases reported in a single seven day period, the World Health Organization (WHO) informed on Wednesday. Despite the number of cases, the weekly reported deaths have remained stable since October. 01-06-2022:- * Coronavirus.wa.gov:- New Report Tracks Risk Of COVID-19 Reinfection In Washington State. Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has published a new, weekly report that provides an insight into COVID-19 reinfections. This report includes information on hospitalizations and deaths, demographics, trends over time, and vaccination status of people with a reinfection where DOH has information about both infection events. Reinfection means a person was infected once with the virus that causes COVID-19, recovered, and then later became infected again. A person with a reinfection could be fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated, or unvaccinated. 01-04-2022:- * UN.org:- 70 Per Cent Vaccination Target Must Be Met To Ward Off Omicron: WHO. As the Omicron variant of COVID-19 continues to surge across the world, the UN health agency on Tuesday said that it was crucial that more is done to help all countries receive lifesaving coronavirus jabs as quickly as possible. 12-29-2021:- * Coronavirus.wa.gov:- COVID-19 Cases Spike Significantly In The Past Week. The state of Washington is seeing a spike in COVID-19 cases, and transmission is expected to rise in the coming weeks. While it is still too early to tell how much of the increase is due to Omicron, epidemiologists with the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) agree that Omicron prevalence is increasing and is most likely the dominant strain. 12-20-2021:- * UN.org:- Consistent Evidence Of Omicrons Spread Vs Delta: WHOs Tedros. There is now consistent evidence that the Omicron variant is outpacing Delta, as COVID-19 continues to account for around 50,000 deaths worldwide every week, said the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday. He said delaying or cancelling events, was the responsible thing to do: An event cancelled is better than a life cancelled. Its better to cancel now and celebrate later, than to celebrate now and grieve later. 12-06-2021:- * Coronavirus.wa.gov:- COVID-19 Boosters Essential For Protection As Omicron Variant Spreads. Vaccines remain the best public health tool available to protect people from COVID-19, slow transmission, and preserve our healthcare system. The emergence of the omicron variant in Washington further emphasizes the importance of vaccination and booster doses for everyone who is eligible. Boosters ensure long-lasting protection against waning immunity. All adults should make an appointment to get their booster dose as soon as they are eligible. 12-04-2021:- * Coronavirus.wa.gov:- Omicron COVID-19 Variant Discovered In Counties Across Washington State. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH), in partnership with the UW Medicine Virology Laboratory, has confirmed a total of three cases of omicron variant in Thurston County, Pierce County, and King County. The patients range in age from 20 to 39, two men, one woman. Confirmation came in midday Saturday, and patients are still being informed. Details about their conditions are unknown to DOH. Samples were collected between Nov. 29 and Dec. 1. 12-03-2021:- * UN.org:- Omicron Dont Panic But Prepare For Likely Spread Says WHO. As scientists continue to investigate the Omicron COVID-19 variant, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) Friday urged countries not to panic but to prepare for its likely spread. -- Heralding South Africas and Botswanas decision to report the appearance of the Omicron coronavirus mutation last month, the UN health agency repeated that it will take another two weeks before more is known about how transmissible and how dangerous it actually is. 12-01-2021:- * CDC.gov:- First Confirmed Case Of Omicron Variant Detected In The United States. The California and San Francisco Departments of Public Health have confirmed that a recent case of COVID-19 among an individual in California was caused by the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529). The individual was a traveler who returned from South Africa on November 22, 2021. The individual had mild symptoms that are improving, is self-quarantining and has been since testing positive. All close contacts have been contacted and have tested negative. 11-29-2021:- * Governor.wa.gov:- Inslee, Constantine, Durkan Statement On Omicron Variant. Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee, King County Executive Dow Constantine and Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan released a statement on the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus. The discovery of the Omicron variant does not change our approach to fighting the pandemic. We are continuing to urge everyone to get vaccinated, get boosted, wear a mask and be safe. Public health officials say it will take a couple weeks to better understand this variant. 11-29-2021:- * UN.org:- Omicron COVID Variant Underlines Need For Global Pandemic Treaty. The emergence of the threatening new Omicron variant shows how important it is for the world to end the current cycle of panic and neglect over the COVID-19 pandemic, said the head of World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday. 11-28-2021:- * UN.org:- Still Not Clear Whether Omicron COVID Variant Is More Transmissible Or More Severe Than Delta. The experts of the UN health agency said researchers in South Africa and around the world are currently conducting studies to better understand the aspects of Omicron, but as of right now, it is not clear whether it is more transmissible compared to other variants, including Delta. 11-28-2021:- * WHO.int:- Update On Omicron B.1.1.529 A Variant Of COVID-19. Current knowledge about Omicron, - Transmissibility, - Severity of disease, - Effectiveness of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, Effectiveness of vaccines, - Effectiveness of current tests, - Effectiveness of current treatments, - Studies underway, Recommended actions for countries, - Recommended actions for people. 11-26-2021:- * UN.org:- WHO Labels New COVID Strain Omicron, Designates It A Variant Of Concern. The latest COVID-19 variant identified in South Africa has been given the Greek name Omicron, and labeled as a variant of concern by UN health agency experts due to its large number of mutations and possible faster rate of infection. 11-26-2021:- * WHO.int:- Classification Of Omicron (B.1.1.529): SARS-CoV-2 Variant Of Concern. The B.1.1.529 variant was first reported to WHO from South Africa on 24 November 2021. The epidemiological situation in South Africa has been characterized by three distinct peaks in reported cases, the latest of which was predominantly the Delta variant. In recent weeks, infections have increased steeply, coinciding with the detection of B.1.1.529 variant. The first known confirmed B.1.1.529 infection was from a specimen collected on 9 November 2021. 11-26-2021:- * WHO YouTube Video:- Classification Of Omicron (B.1.1.529): SARS-CoV-2 Variant Of Concern. The Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution met today to review what is known about the COVID19 variant B.1.1.529. They advised WHO that it should be designated a Variant of Concern. WHO has named it Omicron, in line with naming protocols. 11-26-2021:- * WHO YouTube Video:- Update On COVID-19 Virus Variant B.1.1.529. WHO COVID-19 Technical Lead Dr Maria Van Kerkhove gives an update on COVID19 virus variant B.1.1.529 during the * Ask WHO session on 25 November 2021. --- Also See:- Africa Centres for Disease Control and Preventions Statement regarding the new SARS-COV-2 virus variant B.1.1.529. ( * Details new B.1.1.529 variant ). _________________________________________________________________ 11-20-2021:- * Coronavirus.wa.gov:- COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses Now Available For All Adults 18 And Older. Booster doses of all three COVID-19 vaccine types are now available for everyone 18 and older. The expansion comes following recommendations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions Advisory Committee on Immunizations Practices, and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup. 11-15-2021:- * Governor.wa.gov:- Update To Proclamation Requiring Vaccination Verification For Large Events. Gov. Jay Inslee issued a technical update to the large events vaccination verification Proclamation 21-16. The update adds a QR code made available by the Department of Health to the list of acceptable forms of proof of full vaccination against COVID-19. No other changes were made. This proclamation goes into effect at 12:01 am on November 15, 2021. Read the full proclamation here. 10-29-2021:- * Coronavirus.wa.gov:- New Insight Into COVID-19 Outbreaks At Washington State Schools. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has released the latest report on COVID-19 outbreaks in K-12 schools across the state, which covers the start of the 2021/2022 school year. The report includes data on both public and private schools that experienced a COVID-19 outbreak between August 1, 2021 and September 30, 2021. 10-21-2021:- * Coronavirus.wa.gov:- High Levels Of Hospital Occupancy Likely To Continue Through Fall 2021. The latest COVID-19 modeling and surveillance situation report from the Washington State Department of Health shows case counts, hospital admissions and hospital occupancy have declined, yet these levels remain high. Hospitals across the state are operating at full capacity, and projections suggest high levels of occupancy are likely to continue through the fall months. - Get vaccinated against both COVID-19 and seasonal flu. - Wear face coverings in indoor or crowded spaces. Wearing masks reduces the spread of COVID-19 and helps reduce the likelihood of a surge. 10-18-2021:- * Governor.wa.gov:- Inslee Issues Proclamation Requiring Vaccination Verification For Large Events. Gov. Jay Inslee issued a large event vaccine verification emergency order, Proclamation 21-16. A large event is a ticketed or preregistered assembly of 10,000 or more individuals at an outdoor venue or 1,000 or more individuals at an indoor venue. The proclamation prohibits large event organizers from allowing anyone 12 years and older from attending the event unless the individual either shows proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or shows proof of having received a negative COVID-19 test conducted within 72 hours of the event. The order also prohibits individuals who are 12 years and older from attending a large event unless they show proof of full vaccination status or a negative test within 72 hours. This emergency order was announced by the governor last week. The order is effective on November 15, 2021. Read the full proclamation here. 10-04-2021:- * Coronavirus.wa.gov:- New Research Confirms Hospitalization Risk Higher With Four COVID-19 Variants. People in Washington state infected with Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta variants have a higher risk of hospitalization compared to those infected with non-variant versions of SARS-CoV-2, according to new research from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), in collaboration with Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Institute for Disease Modeling at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and UW Medicine Virology Lab. The variants Gamma and Beta have the highest estimated risk for hospitalization. 09-23-2021:- * Coronavirus.wa.gov:- COVID-19 Transmission Increasing Future Hospital Admissions And Occupancy Uncertain. Current surge of patients overwhelming our hospitals says state’s top epidemiologist:- The latest COVID-19 modeling and surveillance situation report from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) shows the majority of counties now have case rates above 500 per 100,000. Washington is likely to see continued high levels of cases and hospital admissions, with increasing deaths. 09-22-2021:- * Coronavirus.wa.gov:- Request For Federal Resources To Support Hospital Surge Efforts In Washington. Like most health care systems nationwide, Washington hospitals and health care workers are under tremendous strain as a result of staffing shortages and increasing numbers of COVID-19 patients. In alignment with Governor Inslee, Secretary of Health Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH, submitted to Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra a request for medical staff and other resources to support hospitals and long-term care facilities statewide. 09-20-2021:- * Governor.wa.gov:- Inslee Letter To Zients Requests Federal Medical Staffing Resources. Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee sent a letter today to Jeff Zients, federal COVID-19 response coordinator, requesting federal staffing resources, including clinical and non-clinical staff, to support the Washington health care system in response to rising COVID-19 hospitalizations. 09-13-2021:- * Governor.wa.gov:- Inslee Amends Washington State Ready Proclamation. Gov. Jay Inslee today amended the Washington Ready emergency order ( Proclamation 20-25) to require facial coverings for large outdoor events with 500 or more individuals, regardless of vaccination status. The update was initially announced at a press conference last week, and is effective immediately. The update also aligns the proclamation with the Washington State Secretary of Health Facial Coverings Order 20-03.5. - proclamation here. _________________________________________________________________ 09-13-2021:- * Melbourne, Australia:- Melbournes Lockdown Hits Peak Stupid. = Photos and Comments. I live in the Melbourne suburb of Ashburton near the apex of Glen Iris and East Malvern. Last week, concrete barriers were erected at the local BMX/skate park in Glen Iris to stop children riding in the name of public safety. Basketball hoops have also been removed from several public parks, also in the name of public safety. 09-10-2021:- * Melbourne, Australia:- Concrete Barriers Installed, To Stop Kids Using Suburban BMX Park. Concrete barriers have been erected at a Glen Iris BMX Park this afternoon to stop kids from using it. Mel contacted 3AW Drive from the scene on Friday, a little concerned by what she had seen. Police were speaking to about a dozen kids who had been at the park riding their bikes and scooters. Workers with a crane had been called in and were in the process of installing the barriers. While exercise is permitted, skate parks remain closed under Melbournes strict COVID-19 restrictions. _________________________________________________________________ Tokyo 2021 Olympics COVID-19 Reportings: 12-31-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Tokyo 2020 Did Not Result In Increased COVID-19 Cases In Japan, IOC Claims Study. 12-30-2021:- * IOC News:- New Data Shows No COVID-19 Spread Between Tokyo 2020 Participants And Local Population. 09-29-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Tokyo 2020 Confirms Hospitalisations Due To COVID Five Times More. 09-12-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Tokyo 2020 Cardboard Beds To Be Made Available For COVID-19 Patients In Osaka. 09-05-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Tokyo 2020s Long Journey Ends With Emotional Paralympic Closing Ceremony. 09-03-2021:- * Inside The Games:- First Tokyo 2020 Athlete Treated In Hospital For COVID-19 Since Start Of Games. 09-03-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Tokyo 2020 Urges Public To Stay Away From Marathon Over COVID Concerns. 09-03-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Japanese Prime Minister Suga To Resign Following Handling Of COVID-19 Pandemic. 08-30-2021:- * Inside The Games:- 2 School Teachers Test Positive For COVID-19 After Attending Paralympics. 08-29-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Paralympic Village Hit By Two More Coronavirus Cases At Tokyo 2020. 08-25-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Tokyo 2020 Seeking Expert Advice Over Increase COVID-19 Cases At Village. 08-24-2021:- * Inside The Games:- First Athlete Tests Positive For COVID-19 Inside Paralympic Village. 08-24-2021:- * Inside The Games:- New Zealand To Miss Paralympic Opening Ceremony Due To COVID-19 Fears. 08-23-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Three Coronavirus Cases Found Inside Paralympic Village At Tokyo 2020. 08-22-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Number Of COVID-19 Cases Linked To Paralympics Rises Sharply 2 More Test Positive. 08-22-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Parsons Convinced Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Can Held Safely Despite Rising COVID-19. 08-21-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Two Athletes Test Positive As Tokyo 2020 Considers Imposing More Restrictions. 08-20-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Recent COVID-19 Spike Affects 95 Per Cent Of Paralympic Exchange Programmes. 08-19-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Tokyo 2020 Confirms Positive COVID-19 Case In Athletes Village Before Paralympics. 08-18-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Coach Of Vietnamese Swimming Team Dies In Quarantine After Returning From Tokyo. 08-16-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Spectators Barred From Paralympic Venues As Japan Experiences COVID-19 Wave. 08-13-2021:- * Inside The Games:- IPC Insists Paralympics Can Take Place Safely As Japan 20,000 COVID-19 Cases. 08-12-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Australian Olympic Committee Criticises South Australia Quarantine Laws. 08-11-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Tokyo 2020-Related COVID-19 Cases Top 500 As Japanese Capital Reports 4,000. 08-09-2021:- * Inside The Games:- German Modern Pentathlon Official Tests Positive For COVID-19 On Final Day. 08-08-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Tokyo 2020 Provided World With Faith In The Future IOC President Bach Claims. 08-08-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Flame Extinguished As Delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics Comes To A Close. 08-07-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Australian Hockey Players Warned After Breaking Tokyo 2020 COVID-19 Rules. 08-06-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Moldovan NOC President Urged To Resign After Official Breaks COVID-19 Rules. 08-05-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Number Of COVID-19 Cases In Greek Artistic Swimming Team Rises To 6 At Tokyo. 08-04-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Greek Artistic Swimming Team Ruled Out Of Tokyo 2020 Due To COVID-19 Cases. 08-03-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Moldovan COVID-19 Liaison Officer Caught Breaking Tokyo 2020 Coronavirus Rules. 08-02-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Australian Athletes Begin Mandatory Two-Week Quarantine After Return From Tokyo. 08-02-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Alistair Brownlee Conducting COVID-Secure Campaign For IOC Athletes Commission. 08-01-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Multiple Athletes May Face Punishment Over Drinking Alcohol At Olympic Village. 08-01-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Italian Rower Awarded Olympic Bronze Medal After Missing Final Due To COVID-19. 07-31-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Two Georgian Judoka Ordered To Leave Tokyo 2020 For Breaking COVID-19 Rules. 07-31-2021:- * Inside The Games:- German Athlete Body Slams IOC Over Prison-Like Conditions At Tokyo 2020. 07-30-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Tokyo Reports Record COVID-19 Cases For Third Straight Day. 07-30-2021:- * Inside The Games:- 3 Members Of Trinidad And Tobago Team Quarantine After Testing Positive COVID-19. 07-29-2021:- * Inside The Games:- World Pole Vault Champion Out Of Tokyo 2020 After Testing Positive For COVID-19. 07-28-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Tokyo Reports Highest Daily Number Of COVID-19 Cases As Olympics Continue. 07-27-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Refugee Olympic Team Chiefs Tokyo 2020 Participation In Doubt Due To COVID-19. 07-26-2021:- * Inside The Games:- IOC Issue Another Appeal For Olympic Participants To Follow COVID-19 Rules At Tokyo. 07-25-2021:- * Inside The Games:- IOC Urge Athletes To Follow COVID-19 Masks And Distancing Rules At Tokyo 2020. 07-24-2021:- * Inside The Games:- IOC Sends Warning Of COVID-19 Rule Breaches Maskless Marchers At Opening Ceremony. 07-24-2021:- * Inside The Games:- COVID-19 Expert Accuses Tokyo 2020 Of Failing To Minimise Risks At Olympics. 07-24-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Mixed Reaction As World Reacts To Tokyo 2020 Opening Ceremony. 07-23-2021:- * Inside The Games:- IOC Clarifies Quarantine Rules For Athletes Who Test Positive For COVID-19 At Tokyo 2020. 07-23-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Tokyo 2020 Stepping Up Surveillance On Attendees As Record High COVID-19 Rates. 07-22-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Another Czech Volleyball Player At Tokyo 2020 Tests Positive For COVID-19. 07-22-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Guinea Withdraw From Tokyo 2020 Olympics Over Resurgence Of COVID-19 Variants. 07-21-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Three Athletes Ruled Out Of Tokyo 2020 After Testing Positive For COVID-19. 07-21-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Tokyo 2020 Can Ignite Determination To End COVID-19 Pandemic WHO Chief Claims. 07-20-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Czech Beach Volleyball Coach Tests Positive For COVID-19 In Olympic Village. 07-19-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Number Of COVID-19 Cases At Tokyo 2020 So Far As Expected Says Doctor Advising IOC. 07-19-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Czech Beach Volleyball Player And US Gymnast Test Positive For COVID-19 In Tokyo. 07-18-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Tokyo 2020 Issue Another Warning To COVID-19 Rule-Breakers As Cases Rise. 07-18-2021:- * Inside The Games:- South African Footballers In Olympic Village Test Positive For COVID-19. 07-18-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Australian Athletics Team Locked Down After Staff Member Tests Inconclusive. 07-17-2021:- * Inside The Games:- IOC Member Ryu Tests Positive For COVID-19 On Arrival In Japan. 07-17-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Tokyo 2020 Confirm First COVID-19 Case In Olympic Village. 07-16-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Nigerian Olympic Official Hospitalised After Positive COVID-19 Test In Tokyo. 07-15-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Public Barred From Tokyo Waterfront City During Olympics As COVID-19 Cases High. 07-15-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Olympic Athlete Tests Positive For COVID-19 On Arrival For Tokyo 2020. 07-14-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Refugee Olympic Team Delays Arrival In Tokyo After Official Tests Positive For COVID-19. 07-12-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Tokyo Enters State Of Emergency With Restrictions Covering Olympic Period. 07-10-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Lithuanian Athlete Set To Compete At Tokyo 2020 Tests Negative After Inconclusive Result. 07-08-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Fans Barred From All Olympic Events In Tokyo As COVID-19 Fears Grow. 07-08-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Tokyo To Be Under State Of Emergency For Duration Of Olympics. 07-04-2021:- * Inside The Games:- Serbian Rower Tests Positive For COVID-19 On Arrival For Tokyo 2020. 07-03-2021:- * Inside The Games:- No COVID-19 Cases Among 500 Games Participants Who Arrived In Tokyo. 07-03-2021:- * Inside The Games:- World Health Organization Urges Caution Ahead Of Olympics Due To COVID-19 Threat. 06-15-2021:- * IOC News:- Third Version Of Tokyo 2020 Playbooks Published. 06-15-2021:- * The International Olympic Committee IOC:- Tokyo 2020 Playbooks Version 3. 04-09-2021:- * USADA.org:- FAQs On COVID-19 Vaccines And Testing Safety Protocols - Athletes Vaccines And Anti-Doping. * 2020 BMX Olympics Information Tokyo, Japan. Postponed The 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games Till Some Time In 2021 In The Context Of The Coronovirus. - And On March 30th, 2020 The Olympic Organizers Announce New Dates For Tokyo July 23rd To August 08th, 2021. On July 17th, 2020 Olympic Organizers Set New Dates For BMX July 29th, 2021 To August 01st, 2021. ( More ) _________________________________________________________________ 07-12-2021:- * 7 News Australia:- Hawkesbury Hornets BMX Club Says COVID Positive Person Attended McGraths Hill Track. Sydney, Australia -- A public BMX track more than 50km from Sydney has self-identified as a COVID exposure site. The Hawkesbury Hornets BMX Club says an infectious person attended the track in McGraths Hill on multiple days last week during school holidays. Hawkesbury Hornets BMX Club has been contacted by NSW Health to advise that a member of the public with COVID-19 attended our Track last week, the club said on Facebook. If you or anyone you know were at the Track on Wednesday 7th, Thursday 8th and Friday 9th July, you are now considered a close contact and must get tested and self isolate immediately. The club added in the Facebook comments that it could not give an accurate time the person attended as they came and went throughout the course of the three days. Please note that our track is a public track and Hawkesbury Hornets BMX Club did not hold any events or training during this lockdown period, it said. _________________________________________________________________ 08-19-2021:- * Coronavirus.wa.gov:- COVID-19 Transmission And Hospitalizations At A New All-Time High. The latest COVID-19 modeling and surveillance situation report from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) shows current COVID-19 cases and hospital admissions at their highest levels to-date. These upward trends are likely to continue in the coming month due to the delta variant. With hospital staff and capacities strained statewide, both masking and vaccination are now crucial to control and manage disease transmission. 08-18-2021:- * Governor.wa.gov:- Inslee Announces Educator Vaccination Requirement And Statewide Indoor Mask Mandate. Gov. Jay Inslee today announced a vaccination requirement for employees working in K-12, most childcare and early learning, and higher education, as well as an expansion of the statewide mask mandate to all individuals, regardless of vaccination status. The governor was joined for the announcement by Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal and Secretary of Health Dr. Umair A. Shah. - Read the rest of the story on the governors Medium page. 08-13-2021:- * Coronavirus.wa.gov:- Delta Variant Drives Dramatic Spike In Cases, Further Exhausting Hospital Capacity. COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are accelerating across the state of Washington, demonstrating the delta variants potential to unravel our hard-fought progress toward recovery. Unvaccinated people are being hit hardest, and public health officials continue to urge everyone who has not gotten fully vaccinated to do so immediately. 08-03-2021:- * Coronavirus.wa.gov:- Delta Variant Drives Sharp Increase In COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is concerned about a rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations being seen across the state due to the spread of the delta variant. Over the past four days, an average of 1,500 new cases have been reported each day. Hospital occupancy is at the highest levels seen to date in 2021 due to increased COVID-19 transmission, patient demand, and hospital staffing challenges. 07-27-2021:- * Coronavirus.wa.gov:- COVID-19 Cases Are Increasing Across The Washington State. Vaccination rates not increasing fast enough to control the virus:- The latest COVID-19 modeling and surveillance situation report from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) shows a new surge: cases are increasing in the state as the Delta variant becomes more widespread. As cases stemming from the Delta variant rise, anyone who has signs or symptoms of COVID-19 should get tested, regardless of vaccination status or prior infection. ------------------------------------ 06-30-2021:- * Coronavirus.wa.gov:- Washington Ready For Reopening, But Some COVID-19 Precautions Remain. Olympia, Washington USA -- As Washington state reopens for business and recreation today, the Department of Health (DOH) is encouraging people to keep doing their part to stop the spread of COVID-19. Reopening does not mean the pandemic is over or that the risk of COVID-19 is gone. The Secretary of Healths mask order remains in place. If you are unvaccinated: * Continue wearing masks when indoors in public places. * Keep washing your hands and watching your distance. * Enable WA Notify for completely private exposure notifications and get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms. As businesses begin to resume normal operations, these precautions will be needed more than ever to help protect people who are not vaccinated, including children who are not yet eligible. People who are vaccinated can return to their regular lives for the most part, with a few exceptions like limits on large-scale events and mask requirements in some high-risk settings. Most sectors can operate as they did in January 2020, as long as they follow workplace safety requirements from the Department of Labor & Industries. However, counties and businesses can have more protective requirements and DOH urges people to respect the rules of the room theyre in. While the state has made tremendous progress on vaccination, more than 35% of people 12 and older in the state have not gotten their first dose. DOH is continuing to see outbreaks in areas and settings where vaccination rates are lower. If you have been waiting to get vaccinated, now is the time. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself, your loved ones and everyone around you. If you are already vaccinated, you can help by encouraging people you know to get their vaccine. Also See: 06-29-2021:- * Washington State Governor.wa.gov:- Inslee Statement On Upcoming Economic Reopening. _________________________________________________________________ 06-15-2021:- * Washington State Governor.wa.gov:- Inslee Statement On Reopening Numbers, Staying The Course. Story:- Gov. Jay Inslee released a statement today on numbers used to determine when Washington state will fully reopen. Many people, myself included, are eager for our state to fully reopen. I have said repeatedly we are going to do this on June 30 or when we hit 70% of people 16 and up initiating vaccinations – whichever happens first. We use age 16 and up as that population was eligible when we made the announcement. I am hopeful Washingtonians will get vaccinated for their own health and that of their loved ones, and to help move our state closer to a full reopening. For those who would advocate changing our strategy, we are on the two-yard line. We are not going to change the game plan now. We are going to see this through. I said this last week, but it bears repeating: We need to compare apples to apples. Many on social media have chosen to compare data that dont belong together, giving Washingtonians incomplete or misinformed data on our progress. Our state uses data for people age 16 and up; the federal government uses data for ages 18 and up. We use the most recent Census data from 2020; the federal government uses older data. Additionally, the Department of Defense and Veterans Administration federal vaccination programs do not share person-level data with the Department of Health, and the state can only rely on data it has access to and can verify. Washington state has been calculating data the same way throughout this process. This provides the most complete, accurate and transparent data on vaccination rates. I encourage all Washingtonians to get vaccinated. Not only is it the right thing to do, but the Shot of a Lifetime vaccine lottery is ongoing and those who initiate vaccination are automatically entered. Detail on Washington State Department of Health and CDC data: State calculation on WA progress to 70% vaccination (as of June 15): * Rate 16+: 67.2% * Numerator: 4,129,165 (3,975,976 IIS and 153,189 DoD and VA) * Denominator: 6,144,281 (16+ 2020 OFM estimates) How the CDC is calculating statewide progress: * Rate 18+: 71.7% * Numerator: 4,267,169 * Denominator: 5,951,832 (2019 census estimate) Also See:- June 17th, 2021:- * Washington Moves Closer To Reopening Goal As 67.8% Of People 16+ Initiate Vaccination. _________________________________________________________________ 05-13-2021:- * Washington State Governor.wa.gov:- Statewide Reopening June 30 And Short-Term Statewide Move To Phase 3. Gov. Jay Inslee today announced that the state is moving toward a statewide June 30 reopening date and that all counties in Washington will move to Phase 3 of the Healthy WA: Roadmap to Recovery reopening plan effective May 18 until June 30. The announcement comes after the governor paused phase movement for two weeks to review an emerging flattening trend in statewide COVID-19 data. As of today, the plateau observed in COVID-19 activity has become a decline. What we know now gives us the confidence to close this chapter in this pandemic and begin another, Inslee said at a press conference Thursday. This next part of our fight to save lives in Washington will focus on increasing vaccination rates and continuing to monitor variants of concern as we move toward reopening our state. The full reopening could happen earlier than June 30 if 70% or more of Washingtonians over the age of 16 initiate vaccination. Washington has administered over six million doses of vaccine, and 56 percent of Washingtonians have initiated vaccination. Inslee also announced that Washington will fully adopt masking guidance issued by the CDC earlier today. He stressed that this guidance is for fully vaccinated people — meaning people who are two weeks removed from their second shot of Pfizer or Moderna, or the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Read the rest of the story on the governors Medium page. _________________________________________________________________ 04-09-2021:- * USADA.org:- FAQs On COVID-19 Vaccines And Testing Safety Protocols - Athletes Vaccines And Anti-Doping. With testing in full force, the Tokyo Games fast approaching, and COVID-19 still a concern, here are answers for athletes to common questions about anti-doping rules, vaccines, and COVID-19 protocols. -- VACCINES and ANTI-DOPING:- Are any of the COVID-19 vaccines prohibited in or out-of-competition? The three vaccines approved in the U.S. are not prohibited. They do not contain any prohibited substances and are permitted for use at any time under anti-doping rules. What side effects could the vaccine have on my performance? There is no indication that COVID-19 vaccines have a substantial impact on an athletes performance. -- ANTI-DOPING TESTING:- Will USADA continue to implement COVID-19 safety measures during sample collection despite city and state restrictions being lifted? Yes, USADA will continue to follow its established COVID-19 Safety Protocols regardless of reduced city and state restrictions in order to best protect the wellbeing of athletes and collection personnel. We are also encouraging all USADA staff – including DCOs and all sample collection personnel – to receive one of the three U.S. approved vaccines. ( More ) _________________________________________________________________ 04-01-2021:- * Pfizer.com:- Pfizer And BioNTech Confirm High Efficacy And No Serious Safety Concerns Through Up To Six Months. Quote:- Pfizer and BioNTech Confirm High Efficacy and No Serious Safety Concerns Through Up to Six Months Following Second Dose in Updated Topline Analysis of Landmark COVID-19 Vaccine Study. ---- Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) and BioNTech SE (Nasdaq: BNTX) announced updated topline results from analysis of 927 confirmed symptomatic cases of COVID-19 observed in their pivotal Phase 3 study through March 13, 2021, showing the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, BNT162b2, was 91.3% effective against COVID-19, measured seven days through up to six months after the second dose. The vaccine was 100% effective against severe disease as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and 95.3% effective against severe COVID-19 as defined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Safety data from the Phase 3 study has also been collected from more than 12,000 vaccinated participants who have a follow-up time of at least six months after the second dose, demonstrating a favorable safety and tolerability profile. These data confirm the favorable efficacy and safety profile of our vaccine and position us to submit a Biologics License Application to the U.S. FDA, said Albert Bourla, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Pfizer. The high vaccine efficacy observed through up to six months following a second dose and against the variant prevalent in South Africa provides further confidence ( More. ) 04-01-2021:- * YouTube Video:- Today News:- Pfizer Says Its Vaccine Will Last Up To 6 Months After 2nd Dose. Quote:- Pfizer says that its vaccine continues to be effective against COVID-19 up to six months after the second dose is administered. The CEO of Pfizer said a booster shot will likely be needed within 12 months of being fully vaccinated. 04-15-2021:- * YouTube Video:- CBS Evening News:- 3rd COVID Shot Likely Needed Within 12 Months. 04-15-2021:- * YouTube Video:- NBC News:- Pfizer CEO Says Covid Booster Shot Likely Needed Within 12 Months. 04-15-2021:- * YouTube Video:- CNBC News:- Health Experts Say People May Need Vaccine Booster Shots. 04-16-2021:- * YouTube Video:- GMA News:- Pfizer CEO Says COVID-19 Booster Shot Will Likely Be Necessary. 04-16-2021:- * YouTube Video:- Reuters:- U.S. Preparing For COVID-19 Booster Shot Within A Year. _________________________________________________________________ 03-31-2021:- * Coronavirus.wa.gov:- Cases Of COVID-19 Vaccine Breakthrough Confirmed In Washington State. Quote:- The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is investigating reports of people in the state who tested positive for COVID-19 more than two weeks after being fully vaccinated. Scientists call these vaccine breakthrough cases, which are expected with any vaccine. Large-scale clinical studies found that COVID-19 vaccines reduced the risk of getting COVID-19 in vaccinated people by up to 95% compared to people that did not receive the vaccine. However, the vaccines are not 100% effective in preventing infection. This means a small percentage of fully vaccinated people can be expected to still get COVID-19. These are identified as break through cases. Out of one million fully vaccinated individuals in Washington state, epidemiologists report evidence of 102 breakthrough cases since February 1, 2021, which represents .01 percent of vaccinated people in Washington. Breakthrough cases have been identified in 18 counties. The majority of those in Washington state with confirmed vaccine breakthrough experienced only mild symptoms, if any. However, since February 1, eight people with vaccine breakthrough have been hospitalized. DOH is investigating two potential vaccine breakthrough cases where the patients died. Both patients were more than 80 years old and suffered underlying health issues. Further investigation will help to identify patterns among people who have COVID-19 after vaccination, such as if a virus variant may have caused the infection. It is important to remember that every vaccine on the market right now prevents severe disease and death in most cases, said Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH, Secretary of Health. People should still get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible, and encourage friends, loved ones, and co-workers to do the same. DOH confirms a breakthrough case with a positive PCR test or Antigen test in a person more than two weeks after he or she has received their final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Additional investigations help determine clinical and outbreak information. Finding evidence of vaccine breakthrough cases reminds us that, even if you have been vaccinated, you still need to wear a mask, practice socially distancing, and wash your hands to prevent spreading COVID-19 to others who have not been vaccinated, said Shah. The Department of Health will provide a regular report regarding vaccine breakthrough in Washington state beginning in late April. _________________________________________________________________ ~ Page Topic:- See All The News Via Page Link: ( * Coronavirus - COVID-19 -- Point Of Origin.) 03-30-2021:- WHO.int:- * WHO Calls For Further Studies, Data On Origin Of SARS-CoV-2 Virus, Reiterates That All Hypotheses Remain Open. --- In remarks to Member States today, Dr Tedros, who received the full report on the weekend, thanked the team for their tireless work. He said it advances our understanding in important ways, while raising questions that will need to be addressed by further studies, as noted in the report. As far as WHO is concerned, all hypotheses remain on the table. This report is a very important beginning, but it is not the end. We have not yet found the source of the virus, and we must continue to follow the science and leave no stone unturned as we do, said Dr Tedros. Finding the origin of a virus takes time and we owe it to the world to find the source so we can collectively take steps to reduce the risk of this happening again. No single research trip can provide all the answers. 03-30-2021:- UN.org News:- * COVID-19 Origins Report Inconclusive: We must Leave No Stone Unturned - WHO Chief. The report from a team of international scientists assembled by the World Health Organization (WHO) to examine how COVID-19 first spread to humans was published on Tuesday, and was described by the UN health agencys chief as a welcome start, but far from conclusive. This report is a very important beginning, but it is not the end, said WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. We have not yet found the source of the virus, and we must continue to follow the science and leave no stone unturned as we do. _________________________________________________________________ 03-11-2021:- * Washington State Governor.wa.gov:- Inslee Announces Washington State Wide Move To Phase 3 Of Recovery Plan. Gov. Jay Inslee today announced that Healthy Washington: Roadmap to Recovery will be transitioning from a regional approach to a county-by-county evaluation process. The governor also announced a new third phase of the Roadmap, a return for in-person spectators for professional and high school sports. Effective March 22, 2021 the entire Washington state will enter Phase 3. Sports guidance will change in Phase 3 to allow in-person spectators at events for the first time in a year. Spectators will be allowed to attend outdoor venues with permanent seating with capacity capped at 25%. The change affects both professional and high school sports, as well as motorsports, rodeos, and other outdoor spectator events. Social distancing and facial covering are still required. Additionally, the governor announced that starting Wednesday, March 17, everyone in Phase 1B, Tier 2 will be eligible for their COVID vaccine. This includes workers in agriculture, food processing, grocery stores, public transit, firefighters and law enforcement, among others. Phase 1B, Tier 2 also includes people over the age of 16 who are pregnant or have a disability that puts them at high-risk. Read the rest of the story on the governors Medium page. _________________________________________________________________ 03-05-2021:- * UN.org:- WHO Calls For Urgent Action To Ramp Up Production Of COVID-19 Vaccines For All. Urgent action is needed to increase production of COVID-19 vaccines that will be distributed through the global initiative making these medicines accessible by all countries, the UNs top health official said on Friday. 02-23-2021:- * Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire England UK:- Youths Ignore Closure Of Skate Park In Lockdown. Teenagers have been using Henley skate park in breach of the coronavirus restrictions. The facility at Makins recreation ground in Greys Road is out of bounds during lockdown and the town council has put up signs saying it should not be used. But groups of children have been meeting up with their skateboards and BMX bicycles and sitting on benches. This is not the first time that the closure order has been ignored. In May, during the first national lockdown, the council fenced off the skate park after reports of people using it. However, this had little effect as users just moved the temporary barriers, even in view of council staff. 02-18-2021:- * El Centro, California USA:- El Centro Warns of Skatepark Closures If Masks Not Worn. Like many who were in attendance on Feb. 15, were not wearing face masks despite a mandate by the city of El Centro that facial coverings must be worn at all times. City officials have already closed the park once in response to riders and skaters ignoring the mandate, and they are warning additional closures are imminent. 02-17-2021:- * UN.org:- COVID-19 Vaccination Wildly Uneven And Unfair: UN Secretary-General. International partners working to achieve equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines appealed on Wednesday for the UN Security Council to ensure people caught in conflict have access to these lifesaving treatments. Addressing the virtual meeting, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the goal of providing vaccines to all as the biggest moral test before the global community, underlining that everyone, everywhere must be included. 02-17-2021:- * UN.org:- COVID Infections Drop 16% Worldwide In One Week: WHO. In its latest update on the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that although the number of global infections have fallen by 16 per cent in a week – 500,000 fewer cases – regions, including Europe, are still in the grip of the virus whose variants are spreading. The number of coronavirus deaths also declined in all regions by 10 per cent over the same period, with 81,000 fatalities reported in the last week, the UN health agency said in its weekly epidemiological update on Tuesday. _________________________________________________________________ 01-29-2021:- * Austin, Texas USA Explica:- They Were Not Easy Moments Mariana Pajon Reveals That She Had Covid-19. BMX Racer Mariana Pajon confirmed, this Friday, January 29th, through a video published by several Colombian media, that she was also infected with covid-19 at some unspecified time. Although she is now recovered and training in the United States, the Antioquia athlete did not hesitate to offer some details of her experience with the disease. _________________________________________________________________ 01-29-2021:- * UN.org:- WHO Urges Effective And Fair Use Of COVID Vaccines. With COVID-19 vaccines currently in scarce supply, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday pressed governments to prioritize inoculation of health workers and older persons, and to share excess doses with other nations. 01-22-2021:- * UN.org:- Healthier World Means Safer America Tedros Stresses, As Vaccine Deal For 40 Million Doses. The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday announced the signing of an advance purchase agreement securing up to 40 million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccine, under the UN-led COVAX equitable vaccine supply programme. The WHO Director-General welcomed President Bidens commitment to not just remain in the family, but to work constructively with WHO, its Member States, and the multilateral system, to end the pandemic, and address the many health challenges we face globally. The return of the US team under the leadership of Dr. Anthony Fauci to this week WHO Executive Board. American public health professionals who work at WHO and in other global health agencies gain valuable experience and lessons. 01-15-2021:- * UN.org:- 2 Million COVID-19 Deaths: Our World Can Only Get Ahead Of This Virus One Way - Together. Our world has reached a heart-wrenching milestone: the COVID-19 pandemic has now claimed two million lives. Yet today we are seeing a vaccine vacuum. Vaccines are reaching high income countries quickly, while the worlds poorest have none at all. Science is succeeding — but solidarity is failing. COVID-19 cannot be beaten one country at a time. Our world can only get ahead of this virus one way — together. Global solidarity will save lives, protect people and help defeat this virus. 01-15-2021:- * YouTube Video:- Doctors Say Some Wealthy And Well-Connected People Are Trying To Cut Vaccine Line. CBS This Morning:- As many Americans wait desperately for their chance to get the COVID vaccine, there are accusations that some wealthy and well-connected people are trying to cut the line. In Florida, officials are investigating reports that a luxury assisted living facility offered and vaccinated its board members and wealthy donors, out of turn. Manuel Bojorquez has the details on how and why this may be happening. _________________________________________________________________ 01-05-2021:- * Washington State Governor.wa.gov:- Inslee Announces Healthy Washington–Roadmap To Recovery. Gov. Jay Inslee today announced Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery, a COVID-19 phased recovery plan. Beginning on January 11, 2021, the state will follow a regional recovery approach with every region beginning in Phase 1. No one was untouched by the effects of the pandemic in 2020; many have and continue to suffer through no fault of their own, Inslee said during a press conference Tuesday. We arent out of this yet, but we are close to turning the corner on COVID-19 and this third wave of infection. Washington has avoided overwhelming the states health care systems throughout this pandemic so far through rigorous safety measures, such as physical distancing and masking, as well as social and economic restrictions. This new recovery system aims to safely ease some restrictions while also maintaining crucial hospital capacity, ensuring care for Washingtonians that need it and paving the way for economic recovery. Read the rest of the story on the governors Medium Page. 01-05-2021: * YouTube Video:- King 5:- Streamed Live:- Gov. Inslee Unveils Healthy Washington COVID-19 Reopening Plan. 01-05-2021: * YouTube Video:- King 5:- Mixed Reaction To Inslees Healthy Washington Reopening Plan. V01. 01-05-2021: * YouTube Video:- King 5:- Mixed Reaction To Inslees Healthy Washington Reopening Plan. V02. _________________________________________________________________ 01-07-2021:- * Chicago Tribune:- A Healthy Doctor Died Two Weeks After Getting A COVID-19 Vaccine. Two weeks after getting a first dose of a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, a 56-year-old doctor in South Florida died this week, possibly the nation’s first death linked to the vaccine. Health officials from Florida and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating what role, if any, the vaccine played in the death of Dr. Gregory Michael, a Miami-Beach obstetrician who, his family says, was in otherwise good health. 12-19-2020:- * Fox 32 Chicago:- Chicago-Area Hospital Halts COVID Vaccinations After 4 Workers Have Adverse Reactions. Libertyville, Illinois USA -- A north suburban hospital is temporarily pausing coronavirus vaccinations after four workers reported feeling adverse reactions. Since Thursday, four team members at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville experienced reactions shortly after receiving the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination. Their symptoms included tingling and elevated heartrates, the hospital said in a statement. The hospitals statement saying vaccinations will resume on Sunday, Dec. 20th. 12-17-2020:- * CBS News:- 2 Alaska Health Care Workers Have Allergic Reactions After Taking Pfizers COVID-19 Vaccine. One health care worker in Alaska experienced a serious allergic reaction and was hospitalized after taking Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine, state officials said Wednesday. The worker, who is middle-aged and had no previous history of allergies, had stabilized with treatment but was being kept in a Juneau hospital to be monitored for another day. ( More ) 11-23-2020:- * CNBC:- CDC Should Warn People The Side Effects From Covid Vaccine Shots Wont Be A Walk In The Park. Key Points:- * The CDC must be transparent about the side effects people may experience after getting their first shot of a coronavirus vaccine, doctors urged during a meeting Monday with CDC advisors. * Dr. Sandra Fryhofer said that both Pfizers and Modernas Covid-19 vaccines require two doses and she worries whether her patients will come back for a second dose because of potentially unpleasant side effects after the first shot. * Both companies acknowledged that their vaccines could induce side effects that are similar to symptoms associated with mild Covid-19, such as muscle pain, chills and headache. Public health officials and drugmakers need to warn people that coronavirus vaccine shots may have some rough side effects so they know what to expect and arent scared away from getting the second dose, doctors urged during a meeting Monday with CDC advisors. The recommendations come as states prepare to distribute the potentially life-saving vaccinations as early as next month. Dr. Sandra Fryhofer of the American Medical Association said both Pfizers and Modernas Covid-19 vaccines require two doses at varying intervals. ( More ) _________________________________________________________________ 12-01-2020:- * The Associated Press(AP):- In 2020, AP Photographers Captured A World In Distress. Some Nice Photo Shots To Check Out That Shows The World As We Know It To Day In 2020 Due To COVID-19. This is the world that Associated Press photographers captured in 2020, a world beset by every sort of catastrophe natural and unnatural disaster, violent and non-violent conflict. And, in every corner of that world, the coronavirus. _________________________________________________________________ 11-21-2020:- * Inside The Games:- Polish Coach Who Led US To Unprecedented Olympic Cycling Success Dies From COVID-19. Edward Borysewicz, the controversial Polish cycling coach who masterminded the success of the United States team at the 1984 Olympic Games, has passed away at the age of 81. The Polish media reported that Eddie B as he was widely known in the US died from complications related to COVID-19 in a hospital in Drezdenko on Tuesday November 17th. _________________________________________________________________ 12-30-2020:- * Washington State Governor.wa.gov:- Inslee Announces One-Week Extension Of Statewide Restrictions. 12-08-2020:- * Washington State Governor.wa.gov:- Inslee Announces New Economic Supports And Extension Of Restrictions. Inslee also announced a three-week extension of the states current restrictions which will now be in place until January 4, 2021. 11-15-2020:- * Washington State Governor.wa.gov:- Inslee Announces Statewide Restrictions For Four-Weeks. Gov. Jay Inslee today announced a four-week statewide set of restrictions in response to the recent rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus in Washington and across the country. The restrictions come as Washington sees consistent increasing daily case counts, with over 2,000 cases a day over the weekend and average cases in the state doubling over the past two weeks. This spike puts us in a more dangerous a position as we were in March, Inslee said during a press conference Sunday. And it means, unfortunately, the time has come to reinstate restrictions on activities statewide to preserve the publics well-being, and to save lives. These were very difficult decisions that have very real consequences to peoples livelihoods. I recognize that and dont take those impacts lightly, but we must act now and act quickly to slow the spread of this disease. The restrictions are statewide and will take effect Monday, November 16 at 11:59 PM and will remain in effect until Monday, December 14. The modified restrictions of restaurants, however, will take effect Wednesday, November 18 at 12:01 AM. To help mitigate financial impacts on businesses and their employees, the state will commit $50 million in aid. Businesses can also apply for Paycheck Protection Plan forgivable loans from the Small Business Administration, or from their local bank. If workers are kept in their jobs, the loans arent required to be paid back. Read the rest on the governors ( Medium Page. ) Gov. Inslee Announces New Statewide Coronavirus Restrictions. Streamed Live Via YouTube: King 5. And Krem 2. The new restrictions on indoor gatherings, restaurants, retailers and more to help curb the rapid spread of COVID-19 in Washington State. _________________________________________________________________ 11-02-2020:- * Who.int:- Ensuring Medicines Work Safely For Everyone During COVID-19 Pandemic. International drug safety monitoring is particularly important during global epidemics such as the current COVID-19 pandemic, and even more so when there are no proven vaccines or medicines for the disease. As new COVID-19 vaccines and treatments become available, health-care professionals and patients will need to be actively engaged in monitoring the effects of these novel products and reporting any potential adverse reaction. _________________________________________________________________ 10-06-2020:- * Washington State Governor.wa.gov:- Inslee Announces Updates To Safe Start Reopening Plan. Gov. Jay Inslee today announced several updates to * Washington Safe Start Reopening Plan.PDF. The changes seek to align guidance and adjustments to regulations of several industries. The updated guidance is effective immediately. Quote:- * Outdoor recreation (running/bicycling/etc.) These * Guidelines.PDF will provide protocols for Phases 2 and 3 for races, bicycle tours and rides, runs, cross country skiing races, biathlons, canoe and kayak races, marathons, cross country running competitions, triathlons, and multi- sport competitions with more than 12 participants. Read the * Memo Here.PDF - Read the * Full Guidance Here.PDF _________________________________________________________________ Thoughts From Gene`s BMX -- 10/05/2020 This Past Weekend October 02nd-04th, 2020 I Watched Some Of The ABA-USA BMX Fall Classic Nationals In Grand Junction, Colorado USA On-Line Via YouTube Live Video Feeds:- 01,- 02, - 03, -- Some Way Cool BMX Racing Was Seen. Also A Good Big Hand Full Of People Where Seen Not Wearing Masks & Not Social Distancing. A Few People Where Also Seen Wearing Masks & Social Distancing At This BMX Event But Not To Many Where. The Sport Of BMX Has Been Belssed With A Little Luck In 2020 On A Few Past Events But Luck Only Gos So Fare. From The ABA-USA BMX: Important Safety Measures: USA BMX Remains Committed To Providing A Safe, Quality And Fun Environment For BMX Racing At Both The Local And National Level. USA BMX Will Be Implementing A Number Of Precautionary Safety Measures Based On The Recommendations Of The WHO, CDC, State, County And Local Authorities. For More Information See: * https://www.usabmx.com/site/file_downloads/183 = .PDF File. As Reminder To Everyone In The BMXing World, Anyone Can Have COVID-19 And Not Know They Are Contagious. Its Easily Spread To Close Contacts, Friends, Family And Loved Ones Before A Person Knows They Are Unintentionally Spreading The Virus. Please Do Your Part To Prevent The Spread Of COVID-19, Continue To Mask-Up, Social Distance And Avoid Group Gatherings. Take Care Of Each Other And Hope This Gets Over Soon. -- Geneb. Gene`s BMX. _________________________________________________________________ 10-05-2020:- * USA Cycling:- Two Members Of Team USA Test Positive For COVID. Finchamp and Wheymeyer tested positive at the Nove Mesto UCI Mountain Bike World Cup. USA Cycling has been notified by the UCI that two people planning to travel from the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup event in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic to join the USA Cycling delegation at the UCI World Championships in Leogang, Austria tested positive for COVID-19 during testing at the UCI World Cup event over the weekend. The rider and staff member have both started quarantine at this time. 10-05-2020:- * UCI News:- UCI Statement On Coronavirus Testing At The 2020 Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike WC. _________________________________________________________________ Thoughts From Gene`s BMX -- 10/02/2020 * Photo:- Wenatchee, Washington USA: Looking At A Screen Rip Of The Chelan-Douglas Health District COVID-19 Web-Page Confirmed Cases On Friday, October 02nd, 2020 At 07:58 a.m. - Also Live Link: * https://cdhd.wa.gov/covid-19 -- An Observation Note, The Total Number Of Cases Just Does Not Add Up Right. I Am Not Nit-Picking But Accuracy Should Be A Must When Dealing With COVID-19 Stats. Just My Thoughts, Geneb. Gene`s BMX. _________________________________________________________________ 09-30-2020:- * UN News:- Guterres Urges More Countries To Step Up And Fund Global COVID-19 Vaccine Effort. The UN Secretary-General on Wednesday called for all nations to provide further urgently needed funds the equivalent of the total spent on cigarettes worldwide every two weeks – on behalf of global COVID-19 vaccine efforts to ensure that everyone, everywhere, gets protection from the virus. 09-29-2020:- * UN News:- UN Secretary-General: Millionth Death From COVID-19 An Agonizing Milestone. With over one million lives now lost to COVID-19 globally, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has said that while the agonizing milestone is a mind-numbing figure, the world must never lose sight of each and every individual life. We can overcome this challenge, he urged, underlining the need to learn from the mistakes. 09-23-2020:- * UN News:- Countries Urged To Act Against COVID-19 Infodemic. The UN and partners have urged countries to take urgent action to address what they have described as the infodemic that has surfaced in tandem with the COVID-19 pandemic, both in the real world and online. The pandemic is the first in history in which technology and social media are being used to both inform people and keep them connected, but also to undermine global response to the crisis and jeopardize measures to contain the disease, they explained. -- Also See: * Who.int:- Managing The COVID-19 Infodemic. 09-22-2020:- * UN News:- At General Assembly, Warns COVID Is Dress Rehearsal For Challenges Ahead. In his centerpiece address to the historic and unprecedented 75th session of the UN General Assembly, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday appealed for global solidarity to overcome the COVID-19, and again call for a global ceasefire during the pandemic, by the end of the year. 09-21-2020:- * UN News:- Global Solution To COVID-19 In Sight We Sink Or We Swim Together - WHO Chief. COVID-19 is an unprecedented global crisis that demands an unprecedented global response, the chief of the UN health agency said on Monday, unveiling a plan to have two billion doses of coronavirus vaccine available by the end of 2021. Roughly 64 per cent of the global population lives in a nation that has either committed to, or is eligible to join, the coronavirus Vaccines Global Access Facility, or COVAX, which enables participating Governments to spread the risk and costs of vaccine development and provide their populations with early access to vaccines. Working together through the COVAX Facility is not charity, its in every countrys best interest. We sink or we swim together, said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organization (WHO). 09-16-2020:- * UN News:- UN Chief COVID-19 Vaccine Must Be Affordable And Available To All. The outbreak remains out of control, Secretary-General António Guterres declared in his press conference ahead of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) High Level Week, noting that soon one million lives will be lost to the virus. The virus respects no borders, a vaccine must be seen as a global public good, affordable and available to all, but it requires a quantum leap in funding. _________________________________________________________________ 09-02-2020:- * WSCR News:- Washington State Department Of Health Statement On Vaccines. Statement from the Department of Health:- The Washington State Department of Health is closely monitoring progress toward development of a vaccine for COVID-19. We are engaged in vaccine planning efforts and we will be ready to distribute a safe and effective vaccine as soon as the time comes. However, all vaccine candidates are still in clinical trials to determine their safety and efficacy. DOHs position is that any COVID-19 vaccine should complete Phase 3 trials before being distributed, unless an independent board of scientists reviewing the data finds otherwise based on data from those trials. At this crucial juncture, it is incumbent upon the federal government to critically evaluate these new vaccines for their safety and efficacy in an unbiased way. In the meantime, DOH will continue working with federal and local partners to build the infrastructure needed for distribution. When a vaccine is ready, we will be prepared to deploy it in a manner ensure that is equitable, safe and timely for the people of Washington. _________________________________________________________________ 08-31-2020:- * UN News:- Kickstarting Economies Without COVID-19 Plan, A Recipe For Disaster: Tedros. Eight months into the COVID-19 pandemic, countries want to get their economies going again, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday, advising on the measures that governments, communities and individuals should take, to do so safely. If countries are serious about opening, they must be serious about suppressing transmission and saving lives, said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, briefing reporters from Geneva. Opening up without having control, is a recipe for disaster. 08-24-2020:- * UN News:- WHO Presses For Greater Investment In Global COVID-19 Vaccine Facility. Investing in a mechanism that will guarantee all countries have fair and timely access to a COVID-19 vaccine is the only way out of the global pandemic, the head of the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said on Monday. So far, 172 countries are engaging with the COVAX Global Vaccines Facility, which aims to deliver two billion doses by the end of next year. The COVAX Facility is the vaccine arm of an initiative to speed up the development of COVID-19 treatments and make them accessible to people worldwide, known as the ACT-Accelerator. Also See: * WHO News:- 172 Countries And Multiple Candidate Vaccines Engaged In COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility. 08-06-2020:- * UN News:- Global Cooperation Is Our Only Choice Against COVID-19, Says WHO Chief. With more than 18.5 million cases of COVID-19 reported worldwide as of Thursday, and 700,000 deaths, the UNs top health official again appealed to countries to unite in the fight against the disease. For all our differences, we are one human race sharing the same planet and our security is interdependent - no country will be safe, until were all safe. 08-01-2020:- * UN News:- No End In Sight To COVID Crisis And Its Impact Will Last For Decades To Come. Expressing appreciation for WHO and partners COVID-19 pandemic response efforts, the emergency committee convened by the UN health agencys chief, made it clear that there is not yet an end in sight to the public health crisis that has so far infected more than 17 million and killed over 650,000 people. COVID19, once-in-a-century health crisis. 07-30-2020:- * UN News:- Young People Not Invincible In COVID-19 Pandemic: WHO Chief. Although older people are among those at highest risk of COVID-19, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has reminded younger generations that they are not invincible when it comes to the disease. Evidence suggests that the spike in cases in some countries is partly due to younger people letting down their guard. So, Protect yourself and others. 07-28-2020:- * UN News:- COVID-19 Is Not Just Seasonal, Cautions WHO, As First Wave Continues. The COVID-19 virus is likely not impacted by the changing seasons like other respiratory diseases, the UN health agency said on Tuesday, before urging much greater respect for physical distancing measures to stop it spreading. 07-27-2020:- * UN News:- We Must All Accept Hard Choices If Were To Beat COVID-19, Urges WHO. Governments everywhere should adopt a much more focused approach to stopping coronavirus transmission if they want to avoid having to impose sweeping lockdowns once again. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to accelerate. _________________________________________________________________ 07-23-2020:- * Who.int:- We Will Not Be Going Back To Normal As The Pandemic Has Changed Our Lives. Dr Tedros, in his media briefing, reminded people not to let their guard down we will not be going back to the old normal. The pandemic has already changed the way we live our lives. Part of adjusting to the new normal is finding ways to live our lives safely. It can be done, but how to do it will depend on you. - Its all about making good choices. Everyone should treat there choices and decisions about where they go, what they do and who they meet up with as a life-and-death choice and decision – because they are. It may not be your life, but your choices and decisions could be the difference between life and death for someone you love, or for a complete stranger. Dont expect someone else to keep you safe. We all have a part to play in protecting ourselves and one another. Everyone is at risk with COVID-19. _________________________________________________________________ 07-23-2020:- * CDHD:- COVID-19 Cluster Identified At Walmart. = .PDF File. Wenatchee, Washington USA On Wednesday, July 22nd, 2020 nursing staff at Chelan-Douglas Health Distict(CDHD) reported a cluster of 21 positive COVID-19 cases associated with Walmart employees in Wenatchee, Washington. One (1) of the employees is from Grant County and 20 are Chelan or Douglas County residents. A CDHD nurse contacted Walmart management to provide instruction and guidance for all positive-tested employees and anyone who may have been exposed. -- CDHD Website:- * https://cdhd.wa.gov | * https://cdhd.wa.gov/covid-19 07-29-2020:- * Wenatchee World News:- At Least Two Chelan Walmart Employees Test Positive For COVID-19. + Archived. 07-28-2020:- * NCW Life News YouTube Video:- 2 More Emerged, 23 Walmart Employees Test Positive For COVID-19. 07-24-2020:- * NCW Life News:- 11th Wenatchee Valley Death Attributed To COVID-19 Pandemic. 07-24-2020:- * NCW Life News:- Health District: Walmart Failed To Report Staff COVID-19 Cases. 07-23-2020:- * KPQ News:- Wenatchee Store Closed As 21 Walmart Employees Test Positive For COVID-19. 07-23-2020:- * Ifiber One News:- Coronavirus Outbreak At Wenatchee Walmart Forces Shutdown Of Store Until Saturday. 07-23-2020:- * Wenatchee World News:- Wenatchee Walmart To Close Until Saturday 21 COVID-19 Cases Reported. + Archived. 07-23-2020:- * NCW Life News:- Wenatchee Walmart Temporarily Shuts Doors Due To Staff COVID-19 Outbreak. 07-21-2020:- * NCW Life News:- Wenatchee Walmart Staff Report On-The-Job COVID-19 Infections. _________________________________________________________________ 07-23-2020:- * Governor.wa.gov:- Inslee Announces Rollbacks To Some Activities To Slow COVID-19 Exposure. Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee and Secretary of Health John Wiesman today announced changes to Safe Start, Washingtons phased approach to reopening. The changes target activities that data have shown provide a higher risk of COVID-19 exposure. It has been four months since the governor announced the states Stay Home, Stay Healthy order. Since then, cases in Washington have risen from 2,000 to almost 50,000, and deaths have increased from 110 to nearly 1,500. -- To combat the rising numbers, the governor and secretary are changing guidance and regulations around restaurants, bars, and fitness centers, as well as weddings and funerals. The changes will also affect family entertainment centers, movie theaters and card rooms. -- We do not take these steps lightly. We know every prohibition is a challenge for individuals and business owners, Inslee said during a press conference Thursday. But we know that if we fail to act, we expose people and businesses to even greater risk down the line. Read the rest of the story on the governors Medium Page. _________________________________________________________________ 07-20-2020:- * Who.int:- Director-General Dr Tedros Reiterated The Importance Of Contact Tracing. In his regular media briefing, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros reiterated the importance of contact tracing in all communities affected by COVID-19, stating that No country can get control of its epidemic if it doesnt know where the virus is. Contact tracing is essential for every country, in every situation. It can prevent individual cases from becoming clusters, and clusters turning into community transmission. This is all the more critical as countries are opening up. -- Also See: * CDC Contact Tracing Resources + * Wikipedia Contact Tracing. _________________________________________________________________ 07-15-2020:- * Who.int:- More Than 150 Countries Engaged In COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility. Countries have submitted expressions of interest to protect their populations and those of other nations through joining the COVAX Facility, a mechanism designed to guarantee rapid, fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines worldwide. The goal of COVAX is by the end of 2021 to deliver two billion doses of effective vaccines that have passed regulatory approval and/or WHO prequalification. These vaccines will be delivered equally to all participating countries, proportional to their populations ensuring fair access regardless of income level. It is the fastest way to end this COVID-19 pandemic. _________________________________________________________________ 07-15-2020:- * Governor.wa.gov:- Federal Judge Dismisses Challenge To Governors Emergency Declaration. A lawsuit challenging the legality of Gov. Jay Inslees emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic was thrown out in the federal Eastern District Court of Washington on Tuesday. In dismissing the complaint, Judge Thomas Rice wrote that the governors emergency power granted by the Legislature clearly encompasses an outbreak of a pandemic disease. The judge also ruled the Department of Labor & Industries lawfully exercised its authority in developing rules that enforce the governors emergency proclamations. Judge Rices order also states, in part:- Even if Plaintiff has identified a constitutionally protect interest upon which the emergency proclamation infringes, the infringement is justified by the ongoing public health emergency caused by COVID-19...That Plaintiff and a representative of the local health district believe that Plaintiff can operate its business in a way that minimizes the spread of COVID-19 does not establish that the Governors emergency proclamation is unreasonable, overly broad, or unequally applied...It is not the Courts role to second-guess the reasoned public health decisions of other branches of government. Slidewaters, a water park in Chelan County that has remained open in violation of state law, filed suit against Gov. Jay Inslee and the Department of Labor & Industries on June 8. The judge previously rejected the water parks motion for a temporary restraining order against state enforcement of the emergency proclamations. Judge Rice remanded the states counter claims against the water park to Chelan County Superior Court, where the state is seeking a declaratory judgment that Slidewaters conduct violates the governors proclamation and an order enjoining them from operating. The state is also seeking to recoup costs and attorney fees. I would like to thank the Attorney Generals Office for all of their work on this case, Inslee said. This unequivocal ruling on the merits was made possible by their efforts. Read the judges full order here. _________________________________________________________________ 07-10-2020:- * CBS News:- COVID-19 Tests Are Supposed To Be Free But These People Got Bills For Thousands Of Dollars. While Congress passed a law to ensure no one would avoid getting tested for the coronavirus because of the cost, experts say loopholes and mix-ups have left some people with big bills to pay. People returning to their jobs also could wind up having to pay for COVID-19 tests, they warned. People should know, first and foremost, that if they get a COVID test, they should not pay for that test and they should not pay for the visit. If they do get a bill for even the test with the visit, they need to call their insurer and contest the bill. _________________________________________________________________ Thoughts From Gene`s BMX -- 07/02/2020 With a new big surge in the coronavirus cases that has prompt the US states to reimpose restrictions and high concerns for the travel industry and lots of cycling, BMX events being forced to announce the cancellation of multiple events, the year 2020 and maybe 2021 is not looking so good for the BMX sport world wide. With luck a few BMX events in 2020 have been belssed but the luck only gos so fare. Is all I can say is to stay safe, where a mask, and take care of each other and hope this gets over soon. -- Geneb. Gene`s BMX. _________________________________________________________________ 06-29-2020:- * Who.int:- Timeline Of WHOs Response To COVID-19. WHO has released a timeline of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic listing some milestones and events since the start of the outbreak 6 months ago. Today we document a somber landmark: 10 million cases and nearly 500000 deaths of COVID-19 have now been reported globally. This comes amidst recent record numbers of new cases, with several countries reporting their highest number of new cases in a 24-hour period. As some countries start to reopen their societies and economies, WHO strongly encourages individuals, communities, and nations to take measures to reduce transmission, extend testing and contact tracing, and provide optimal care for every case. WHO has published advice for the publicand an extensive range of guidance documents, and is working across the globe to support countriesin the response to the pandemic. _________________________________________________________________ 07-02-2020:- * Governor.wa.gov:- Inslee Extends Face Covering Requirement For Businesses Statewide. Gov. Jay Inslee and Sec. of Health John Wiesman today announced a statewide requirement for businesses to require face coverings of all employees and customers. Under this proclamation, businesses may not serve any customer, services or goods, if they do not comply with the state-wide face covering order. The extension comes in response to growing case counts in counties across the state, and after last weeks proclamation mandating the same requirement of businesses in Yakima County. Were doing this because of a spike in cases of COVID-19 all over the state, Inslee said. The better we can protect ourselves from the virus, the better we can avoid repeating some of the painful measures we had to take in the spring to shutdown the economy. Read the rest of the story on the governors Medium page. ~~~~~~~~~~~ 06-26-2020:- * WSCR:- Mask Requirement Begins Today In Washington State USA. Starting Friday, June 26th, 2020 all people in Washington state are required to wear a face covering when you are in any indoor or outdoor public area. This can be a cloth face mask, several layers of fabric tied behind the head, bandana, or scarf. It needs to cover your mouth and nose. Children under 2 years old should not wear a face covering. People who are unable to wear a face covering because of medical conditions are not required to. You can take off your mask to eat, drink, or communicate with someone who is deaf or hard of hearing. We hope most people will wear a face covering to protect the health of their friends and loved ones. Not following the order may result in a misdemeanor charge. This could be a fine of up to $100 and/or up to 90 days in county jail. Gov. Jay Inslee and Secretary of Health John Wiesman announced a statewide mandatory face covering order that takes effect: Friday, June 26th, 2020. * Washington State Governor’s Order Mandating Face Coverings.pdf = .PDF File. * Washington State Secretary’s Order Mandating Face Coverings.pdf = .PDF File. Members of the public are required by law to comply with this order, and violators may be subject to criminal penalties pursuant to: RCW 43.06.220(5), and RCW 43.70.130(7), and RCW 70.05.120(4), and WAC 246-100-070(3). ~~~~~~~~~~~ 06-23-2020:- * Governor.wa.gov:- Inslee Announces Washington State Wide Mask Mandate. Gov. Jay Inslee and Secretary of Health John Wiesman today announced a statewide mandatory face covering order that will take effect Friday, June 26th, 2020. After subsequent reports of cases increasing in additional counties, the governor and Wiesman extended the face covering requirement today to include the entire state of Washington. Until a vaccine or cure is developed, this is going to be one of our best defenses. --- Starting Friday, every Washingtonian must wear a facial covering when in a public space, as mandated by the public health order signed by Wiesman. This includes both indoor and outdoor public spaces. Read the full story on: The Governors Medium Page. ~~~~~~~~~~~ 06-25-2020: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- New Mask Mandate Goes Into Effect Friday. 06-23-2020: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Statewide Face Covering Order To Go Into Effect Friday. 06-23-2020: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Gov. Inslee Announces Face Coverings Will Be Mandatory Statewide. 06-26-2020: * YouTube Video Krem 2 Spokane:- Your Questions To Washingtons Face Mask Rules Answered. 06-23-2020: * YouTube Video Krem 2 Spokane:- A Small Price To Pay Spokane Leaders React To Face Covering Rules. 06-23-2020: * YouTube Video Krem 2 Spokane:- Washington State To Require Face Masks In Public. _________________________________________________________________ 06-23-2020:- * Who.int:- IOC Joins Forces With WHO And The United Nations To Fight COVID-19. On Olympic Day, 23 June 2020, the International Olympic Committee and WHO together with the United Nations launch a partnership to encourage individuals and communities around the world to be #HEALTHYTogether. The three partners and Olympic athletes will spotlight global collaboration needed to stay healthy, reduce the spread and impact of COVID-19. Also See: * IOC News:- The IOC, The WHO And The United Nations Join Forces To Fight The COVID-19 Pandemic. 06-25-2020:- * IOC News:- The IOC Joins Global UN Dialogue, Reiterates Role Of Sport In Post-COVID World. The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, and the Vice-Chair of the IOC Athletes Commission, Danka Bartekova, today joined the second edition of #UN75, a series of discussions organised by the United Nations (UN). _________________________________________________________________ 06-18-2020:- * UN News:- The World Of Work Cannot And Should Not Look The Same After This Crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic has turned the world of work upside down. Every worker, every business and every corner of the globe has been affected. Hundreds of millions of jobs have been lost. Those toiling in the informal economy often without rights at work and social protection — are projected to have suffered a 60 percent decline in earnings in the first month of the crisis alone. There is a lot of talk about the need for a new normal after this crisis. _________________________________________________________________ ~~~~ Here Are Some YouTube News Video Clips Via CBS Evening News, New York, NY USA June 2020. 06-30-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Some Coronavirus Survivors Face Long Road To Recovery. 06-30-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Southern Hospitals Inundated By Surge Of COVID-19 Cases. 06-29-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- World Health Organization Warns Pandemic Is Speeding Up. 06-29-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Texas Scrambles To Expand ICU Capacity As Virus Soars. 06-28-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Brazil Ties U.S. With Largest Daily Number Of COVID-19 Cases. 06-28-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- California Orders Bars Closed In 7 Counties As Coronavirus Spread. 06-28-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Dozen Of States Pausing Reopening Phases Amid Surge In Coronavirus. 06-27-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- West Coast Faces Spike In Coronavirus Cases. 06-27-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Texas Continues To Hit Record Highs In Coronavirus Infections. 06-27-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Trump Administration Touts Success In COVID-19 Response. 06-26-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Coronavirus Cases Surge As Pressure Mounts On Healthcare Workers. 06-25-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Coronavirus Cases Rise In The South, Prompting Mandatory Face Covering. 06-25-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Some Trump Staffers In Quarantine After Tulsa Trip. 06-25-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Synthetic Coronavirus Vaccine In Development In The UK. 06-24-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Oxford Scientists Test Possible Coronavirus Vaccine In South Africa. 06-24-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Trump Continues To Dismiss Coronavirus Threat As Cases Surge. 06-23-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Fauci Calls Next Weeks Critical In Combating Coronavirus Cases. 06-23-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Trump Dismisses Virus Concerns After Several Test Positive. 06-22-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- More Trump Campaign Members Test Positive For Coronavirus. 06-22-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Florida Coronavirus Cases Soar As Governor Refuses To Alter Reopening. 06-21-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Coronavirus Death Toll Nears 120,000 As States Report More Infections. 06-21-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Trump Holds Rally Despite Surge Of Coronavirus Infections. 06-21-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Trump Speaking In Jest About Coronavirus Testing Slow Down. 06-20-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Americans Divided On Wearing Masks As It Becomes Political. 06-18-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- 1.5 Million Filed For Unemployment As Coronavirus Rises. 06-17-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Reopened States Seeing Rises In Coronavirus Cases. 06-16-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Experts Suggest Improving Ventilation May Reduce Coronavirus Spread. 06-16-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Beijing District In Wartime Mode Amid New Coronavirus Outbreak. 06-14-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Coronavirus Cases Surge In More Than 20 States. 06-14-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Black-Owned Business Struggle During Coronavirus Pandemic. 06-13-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Coronavirus Cases Continue To Rise Nationwide Daily. 06-12-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Coronavirus Cases Rise In 19 States. 06-11-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Thousands Volunteer To Be Exposed To Coronavirus For Research. 06-11-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Arizona Hospitals Overwhelmed As Coronavirus Cases Rise. 06-10-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Coronavirus Cases And Hospitalizations Rise Weeks After Memorial Day. 06-07-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- COVID-19 Vaccine Could Start Human Trials As Early As August. 06-05-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Unemployed African Americans Feel The Impact Of Coronavirus. _________________________________________________________________ 06-13-2020:- * WSCRC:- New Report Shows Increasing COVID-19 Activity In Washington State USA. The situation in eastern Washington is of greatest concern, particularly in Benton, Franklin, Spokane and Yakima counties. The report estimates cases and deaths in these counties will soon increase substantially if COVID-19 continues to spread at current levels. By population, these counties are in a comparable position to King County at its peak in March. They may require similar efforts to expand hospital capacity and testing, protect the people at highest risk and increase physical distancing. While case counts had been trending flat in western Washington, small increases are now being observed. State and local officials will continue to monitor the region carefully to determine whether the slight increase in COVID-19 transmission shown in the report continues to grow. Report findings include possible transmission increases over Memorial Day weekend, but would not include increases that may have occurred following recent protests. Every single person in our state can and must do their part to help by following public health recommendations. _________________________________________________________________ 06-04-2020:- * UN News:- Global Solidarity Needed To Find Affordable, Accessible COVID-19 Vaccine. In the race to end the coronavirus pandemic, the UN chief reminded a virtual medical conference on Thursday that a vaccine, by itself, is not enough. - The Secretary-General appealed for three main commitments, beginning with finding safe ways to continue delivering vaccinations, even as COVID-19 spreads. When the COVID-19 vaccine does become available, that it reaches everyone. A COVID-19 vaccine must be a global public good a peoples vaccine. _________________________________________________________________ 06-01-2020:- * UN News:- The UN Appeals For Restraint, Social Cohesion As Protests Across The US Continue. Responding to on-going protests that have spawned violence on all sides across dozens of US cities, the UN Spokesperson on Monday reiterated the Secretary-Generals appeal for grievances to be heard in peaceful ways, met with restraint by police and security forces. Although only days ago the COVID-19 pandemic had led to weeks of largely empty streets across the country, march routes in many cities have seen demonstrators ignoring physical-distancing, marching shoulder to shoulder, despite the risk of further transmission. Physical distancing remains a very important aspect to control and suppress transmission. This is not over yet and we need to ensure that any locations that are considering these mass gathering events, have systems in place to prevent and detect and respond to any such cases. 06-04-2020: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Doctors Weigh In On How To Stay Safe While Protesting During Pandemic. 06-03-2020: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Using Tear Gas On Protesters Could Cause Second Wave Of COVID-19. 06-03-2020: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Packed Protests Raise Concerns Over Increase Of Coronavirus Infections. 06-02-2020: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Officials Raise Concerns Over Spread Of Coronavirus During Protests. 06-02-2020: * YouTube Video Inside Edition News:- Could George Floyd Protests Cause Virus To Spread Faster. 06-02-2020: * YouTube Video CNBC Television News:- Concerns Arise Over Protesters And Exposure To The Coronavirus. 05-31-2020: * YouTube Video NBC News:- Protests Leave Little Space For Social Distancing As Coronavirus Rages On. 05-31-2020: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Protests Continue As Coronavirus Continues To Spread In Several States. _________________________________________________________________ 05-27-2020:- * WSCR News:- COVID-19 Transmission Increasing In Eastern Washington, Decreasing In Western Washington. Camp Murray, Washington USA The report estimates the effective reproductive number the measure of how many new infections a single COVID-19 case produce for different parts of the state. A reproductive number below one means the number of new cases are declining. The report is based on data from May 3-12. Findings are specific to that time period and include: * The reproductive number varied in different parts of the state. The report estimates the average reproductive number was below one in western Washington and above one in eastern Washington. * Excluding Yakima County, the estimated reproductive number for eastern Washington was fractionally above one. * The majority of cases were reported in King and Yakima counties. * New case counts were trending downwards in King County and were steadily increasing in Yakima County. * Yakima, Douglas, and Chelan counties had the highest number of cases relative to their population. _________________________________________________________________ 05-23-2020:- * UN News:- UN Eyes Bicycles As Driver Of Post-COVID-19 Green Recovery. Can bicycles be a solution to the challenges of the post-COVID-19 recovery European member countries of the United Nations recently created a taskforce to take this question further and discuss ways to make post COVID-19 mobility more environmentally sound, healthy and sustainable. 05-20-2020:- * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Bike Shops See Surge In Sales. 05-20-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Bike Riding Surges During The Coronavirus Pandemic. 05-08-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Los Angeles News:- Bike Sales Boom During Coronavirus Pandemic. 00-00-2020:- * YouTube Videos Search:- Bike Sales Boom During Coronavirus Pandemic. Sun Chronicle News:- * Bicycle Sales In Attleboro Area Take Off As People Seek Diversion, Exercise During Pandemic. Attleboro, Massachusetts USA - 05-20-2020 The coronavirus pandemic has fueled a sharp increase in bicycle sales locally and beyond as families seek a new way to fight boredom and get some much-needed exercise. They need to get out and do something, Bob Sirois, owner of Sirois Bicycle Shop in North Attleboro, said. Sales of new bicycles since the pandemic hit in March have been phenomenal, he added. Sirois is selling 15 bicycles a day, which is much more than usual. A few weekends ago, he said he sold 45. By the end of April, many distributors had sold out of low-end consumer bikes. The country is now facing a severe bicycle shortage as global supply chains in China and elsewhere in Asia, disrupted by the pandemic, scramble to meet the surge in demand. Bicycles are the new toilet paper shortage, Sirois said, adding that he has an ample supply. People are buying all kinds of bikes — BMX ones for kids, mountain bikes, 10-speeds, and hybrids, retailers said. _________________________________________________________________ 05-18-2020:- * UN News:- Renews Call For COVID-19 Solidarity As WHO Warns Majority Of World Still At Risk. A massive and combined effort by all countries is needed to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday, as UN health agency head, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, insisted that the majority of the worlds population remains susceptible to this virus. Many countries have ignored the recommendations of the World Health Organization, the UN chief said. As a result, the virus has spread across the world and is now moving into the Global world, where its impact may be even more devastating, and we are risking further spikes and waves. To date, the WHO has reported more than 4.5 million cases of COVID-19 infection and more than 300,000 lives lost. 05-18-2020:- * YouTube Video: The White House:- President Trump Roundtable With Restaurant and Industry Leaders. = In-Full. Quote:- President Trump says hes taking the controversial drug hydroxychloroquine — an anti-malaria drug that hes repeatedly promoted in treating coronavirus. However, last month the FDA warned about the risks of taking the drug and said it had not been shown to be effective against COVID-19. And: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Trump. 05-19-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Trump Defends Taking Hydroxychloroquine. _________________________________________________________________ 05-13-2020:- * UN News:- Mental Health Services Are An Essential Part Of All Government Responses To COVID-19. Mental health is at the core of our humanity. Mental health problems, including depression and anxiety, are some of the greatest causes of misery in our world. The COVID-19 pandemic is now hitting families and communities with additional mental stress. Those most at risk are frontline healthcare workers, older people, adolescents and young people, those with pre-existing mental health conditions and those caught up in conflict and crisis. _________________________________________________________________ 05-11-2020:- * WHO Statement: Tobacco Use And COVID-19. WHO has issued a Statement on Tobacco use and COVID-19. Tobacco smoking is a known risk factor for many respiratory infections and increases the severity of respiratory diseases. A review of studies by public health experts convened by WHO found that smokers are more likely to develop severe disease with COVID-19, compared to non- smokers. WHO urges researchers, scientists and the media to be cautious about amplifying unproven claims that tobacco or nicotine could reduce the risk of COVID-19. _________________________________________________________________ ~~ Gene`s BMX Notes:- America Does Not Have Much Of A Leadership. He Says: - Ask China, Hes More Of A Coward Than A Leader With A Response Like That. He Needs A Psychotherapist. Weijia Jiang, - Keep Your Chin Up, Smile:- ) And Keep On With All The Nice News Work You Do. 05-11-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS News:- Trump Tells CBS News Reporter To Ask China About Deaths. CBS News White House correspondent Weijia Jiang on Monday asked President Trump why he is making it global competition if everyday Americans still losing their lives and still seeing more cases. Mr. Trump responded, Maybe thats a question you should ask China. When Jiang tried to press him on why he said that to her, he tried to call on someone else and then ended the briefing. 05-11-2020:- * YouTube Video MSNBC News:- Dont Ask Me Ask China Trump Abruptly Ends Briefing. President Trump abruptly ended a White House briefing on coronavirus response when a reporter asked him about his hostility toward China and the spread of COVID-19. 05-11-2020:- * YouTube Video CNN News:- Trump Abruptly Ends Briefing After Confrontation With Reporter. President Trump told CBS reporter Weijia Jiang to ask China in response to her question at a White House press conference and refused to answer questions from CNNs Kaitlan Collins. 05-11-2020:- * YouTube Video: The White House:- President Trump And Administration Officials Press Briefing. = In-Full. _________________________________________________________________ 05-08-2020:- * Coeur d Alene, Idaho USA:- Using Precautions, Cherry Hill BMX Track To Open Saturday. Delayed a bit by the coronavirus pandemic, Cherry Hill BMX has announced it will start its BMX racing series on Saturday at its Cherry Hill Park track with precautions. The Cherry Hill racing series usually starts in April, but was unable to due to Idaho Gov. Brad Littles stay-home guidelines. Some of those guidelines have since been relaxed, On Saturday, registration will be from 10 a.m. to noon at the track, with racing to follow. Also, no out-of-state riders are allowed at this time. 05-07-2020:- * Bicycle Retailer and Industry News:- USA BMX Resumes Racing And Practice In Several States. Fifteen USA BMX tracks in six states held soft reopenings for practice and races last week under state and city social distancing guidelines established during the COVID-19 pandemic. This weekend, about 10 additional tracks will open for racing and/or practice, said Craig Barrette, USA BMXs creative director, who noted all schedules are subject to change. USA BMX sanctions 320 North American tracks. 05-07-2020:- * ABA-USA BMX:- USA BMX Getting Back On Track. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, BMX local tracks were forced to close over the past two months, giving USA BMX members no place to practice or race. - USA BMX Guiding More Than 300 Sanctioned Tracks Nationwide to Safely Return to Racing with Ready to Race Guidelines, Marketing, and Educational Resources Safety Guidelines, Member ship Renewals, Discounts and a Growing Number of Bikes Sold Helping Riders to Get Back on Track. _________________________________________________________________ 05-06-2020:- * WHO.int:- WHO Director-Generals Opening Remarks At The Media Briefing On COVID-19. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, referring to the fact that crises can exacerbate existing inequalities, reiterated that We cannot end the pandemic until we address the inequalities that are fueling it. He also highlighted six criteria that WHO recommends countries should take into account when considering the easing of lock down restrictions. IE:- The risk of returning to lockdown remains very real if countries do not manage the transition extremely carefully, and in a phased approach. Together, we will defeat COVID-19. _________________________________________________________________ 05-04-2020:- * Washington State Governors Office:- Inslee Signs New COVID-19 Order For Phased Re-Opening. Inslee signs new COVID-19 order for phased re-opening of Washingtons economy: Safe Start is a data-driven plan that includes regional variances based on population and low COVID-19 counts. While Stay Home, Stay Healthy is being extended to the end of May, the governor announced his Safe Start plan which amends some components of the original order and allow for a start to re-open the state. CC: * www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-signs _________________________________________________________________ 05-04-2020:- * Salisbury, England UK:- Coronavirus: Salisbury Skatepark In Use Despite Lockdown Rules. Salisbury skatepark was seen bustling on Saturday despite the governments lockdown rules still firmly in place. In pictures sent to the Journal by readers, the park in Churchill Gardens can be seen being used by locals, all of which are breaking the laws put in place to stop the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus. Many of those pictured were also seen to not be abiding by the widely enforced two-metre distancing rule. Note:- This Is The First News Report Seen World Wide, Of Any BMXers Going Against The Spread Of Coronavirus. _________________________________________________________________ Thoughts From Gene`s BMX -- 05/02/2020 To All The People World Wide ( America ) That Are Protesters, Demonstrators Or What Ever You Call Your Selfs. The Coronavirus Social Distancing, Stay At Home, Business Closed, Places Closed Orders Is NOT About Peoples Legal Rights, Civil Rights Or Government Politicians Control. -- The Coronavirus Is About The Worlds Survival. If The Human Race Is Going To Survive The Coronavirus, People Need To Set Aside All There Petty Differences And Work Together On This. -- Say Home!!, -- People Going Out And Protesting The Coronavirus Does Not Help Anything. It Just Amplifies A Second Wave Of The Coronavirus. ----- Stay Home And Live! -Or- Go Out And Die!, = It Is Your Choice. -- Geneb. Gene`s BMX _________________________________________________________________ America Go`s To Hell In A Suicidal Hand Basket! As President Trump Suggesting Injection Of Disinfectant Into A Person Infected With Coronavirus: ~~ Gene`s BMX Notes:- America Does Not Have Much Of A Leadership With Its Leader Suggesting A Injection Of Disinfectant As A Solution For The Coronavirus. It Is Like A Mass Murder-Suicide If People Was To Do This. Americas Leader Is Out Of His Mind By Even Suggesting Such A Thing Like This In A Time Of The Coronavirus. Has Anyone Ever Herd Of The Cult Leader: * Jim Jones - He Directs A Mass Murder-Suicide By Having People Drink Cyanide-Laced Grape Flavor Cool-Aid. - This Is Not Much Different Than What We Are All Hearing Today. 04-27-2020:- * YouTube Video: MSNBC News:- The President Walks Back Disinfectant Suggestion. After strong reactions from the medical community, the president walked back remarks he made last week, an injection of disinfectant into a person infected with the coronavirus. Morning Joe, The panel discusses. 04-24-2020:- * YouTube Video The Associated Press AP:- Trump Disinfectant Comments Were Sarcastic. President Donald Trump insisted Friday that he was being sarcastic when he raised the possibility of disinfectants being injected into people to combat COVID-19. 04-24-2020:- * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Trump Says Comments On Injecting Disinfectants Was Sarcasm. After suggesting the possibility of injecting disinfectants like bleach as a cure to the coronavirus, President Trump on Friday claimed he was being sarcastic. 04-24-2020:- * YouTube Video: CBS This Morning:- Trump Suggests Injecting Disinfectant To Fight Coronavirus. President Trump suggested Americans could possibly inject disinfectant into their bodies to help fight the coronavirus, while also floating the idea of getting bright light, such as UV rays, into the body after hearing it is bad for the virus. 04-24-2020:- * YouTube Video: MSNBC News:- Trump Suggests Disinfectant To Kill Virus Inside The Body. The president suggested the possibility of an injection of disinfectant into a person infected with the coronavirus as a deterrent to the virus during his daily briefing Thursday. Morning Joe, The panel discusses Trumps remarks. 04-23-2020:- * YouTube Video: MSNBC News:- Trump Suggests Injecting Disinfectant Into The Body To Treat Coronavirus. President Trump responded to a presentation by Bill Bryan from the Department of Homeland security on how to fight COVID-19 by suggesting that injecting the body with disinfectant could serve as treatment. In Bryans presentation, he explained isopropyl alcohol can kill the virus in 30 seconds. 04-23-2020:- * YouTube Video: The White House:- Members Of The Coronavirus Task Force Hold A Press Briefing. = In-Full. _________________________________________________________________ 04-22-2020:- * CDC.gov News:- Confirmation Of COVID-19 In Two Pet Cats In New York. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the United States Department of Agricultures (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) today announced the first confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) infection in two pet cats. These are the first pets in the United States to test positive for SARS- -CoV-2. The cats live in two separate areas of New York state, NY USA. - Also See CDC.gov: * If You Have Animals. ~~ Gene`s BMX Notes:- This CDC Report:- Two Pet Cats In New York - May Be Something To Keep In Mind As The WHO Quotes:- The virus which causes COVID-19 most probably has its ecological reservoir in bats, and transmission of the virus to humans has likely occurred through an intermediate animal host – a domestic animal, a wild animal or a domesticated wild animal which has not yet been identified. - See: ( COVID-19 Point Of Origin ) On-Down On This Page. 04-22-2020:- * Kiro 7 News Seattle Wa:- Coronavirus Is Showing Up In The Sewage-Wastewater. Scientists have begun testing sewage in Tacoma and Pierce County and finding evidence of the coronavirus in wastewater. Detecting the virus in sewage sludge is not a threat to employees at Tacomas sewage treatment facility. But finding the coronavirus in sewage could be a valuable tool. By tracking it in waste water scientists could be able to determine whether or not it is present in the local population even before an outbreak. _________________________________________________________________ 04-17-2020:- * UN News:- USA Must Improve COVID-19 Strategy To Keep Tens Of Millions From Falling Into Poverty. The United States must take urgent additional steps to prevent tens of millions of middle-class Americans hit by the COVID-19 pandemic from being plunged into poverty, according to an independent UN human rights expert. The low income and poor people face far higher risks from the coronavirus due to chronic neglect and discrimination, and a muddled, corporate-driven, federal response that has failed them, said Philip Alston, the UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights. -- He painted a picture of record layoffs, a weak safety net, and a Government focusing primarily on businesses and the well-off, saying that significant portions of the country soon face destitution unless Congress takes far-reaching action. 04-15-2020:- * UN News:- Relaxing Lockdowns Without Boosting Care Could Lead To New COVID Spike: WHO. As some European countries begin to relax lockdown measures following weeks of confinement introduced to halt the spread of the new coronavirus, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of a potential second wave of COVID-19 infections. In an update to its strategic advice to Governments, issued overnight on Tuesday, the UN health agency maintained that without additional measures including greater support for health systems, the premature lifting of physical distancing measures is likely to lead to an uncontrolled resurgence in COVID-19 transmission and an amplified second wave of cases. On Tuesday, WHO repeated its recommendation that all countries should pursue more aggressive tactics against the disease. Since the new coronavirus emerged in central China in December, latest data from the WHO indicates more than 1.8 million cases and over 117,000 confirmed deaths, with 213 countries, areas or territories reporting infections. Gene`s BMX Notes: - The UN-WHO Knows There Stuff When It Comes To COVID-19. They Specialize In The Worlds Health. American Politicians Do Not Specialize In World Health. They Are Not Scientist, Physicians, Doctors Like The WHO Is. Come On People, Please, This Is Not Just The USA, This Is A Fight For The Worlds Survival, Work Together! So We Do Not Have A Second Wave Of This COVID-19. -- Stay Home And Live! -Or- Go Out And Die!, = It Is Your Choice. -- Geneb. Gene`s BMX _________________________________________________________________ ~~~~ Here Are 42 YouTube News Video Clips Via CBS Evening News, New York, NY USA May 2020. 05-31-2020:- 42: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Protests Continue As Coronavirus Continues To Spread. 05-30-2020:- 41: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Reopening Process Continues Throughout The U.S.. 05-27-2020:- 40: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- U.S. Coronavirus Death Toll Surpasses 100,000. 05-27-2020:- 39: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Trump Mocks Those Wearing Face Masks. 05-26-2020:- 38: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- All 50 States Slowly Begin To Reopen Despite Death Toll. 05-25-2020:- 37: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Americans Celebrate Memorial Day Amid Coronavirus. 05-24-2020:- 36: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- U.S. COVID-19 Death Toll Nears 100,000. 05-23-2020:- 35: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Americans Hesitant To Travel On Memorial Day Weekend. 05-23-2020:- 34: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Americans Head Outdoors For Memorial Day Weekend. 05-22-2020:- 33: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- States Brace For Memorial Day Crowds As Deaths Top 95,000. 05-21-2020:- 32: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Cases Of Rare Disease In Children Linked To COVID-19 Spikes. 05-21-2020:- 31: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- COVID-19 Hot Spots Erupt Amid Warning Of 2nd Wave. 05-20-2020:- 30: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Bike Riding Surges During The Coronavirus Pandemic. 05-19-2020:- 29: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- U.S. Confirms More Than 1.5 Million Cases Of Coronavirus. 05-19-2020:- 28: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Trump Defends Taking Hydroxychloroquine. 05-18-2020:- 27: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Trump Says Hes Taking Hydroxychloroquine Despite Warning. 05-17-2020:- 26: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Cases Of COVID-19 Rise As Some States Race To Reopen. 05-17-2020:- 25: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Trump Lashes Out At Obama Over Criticism Of COVID-19. 05-15-2020:- 24: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Accuracy Of Touted Coronavirus Test Kits Questioned. 05-14-2020:- 23: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Reopen Tensions Grow As U.S. Death Toll Tops 85,000. 05-13-2020:- 22: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- States Loosen Restrictions As Cases Continue To Rise. 05-13-2020:- 21: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Concern Grows Over Super-Spreaders Infecting People. 05-12-2020:- 20: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Reopening U.S. Too Soon Could Worsen Outbreak. 05-11-2020:- 19: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Over 130 Kids Hospitalized With Coronavirus Related. 05-11-2020:- 18: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- White House Directs Staff To Wear Face Masks. 05-11-2020:- 17: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Frustrations Rise Over Coronavirus Restrictions. 05-09-2020:- 16: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Meat Prices Expected To Surge As Coronavirus Rips. 05-09-2020:- 15: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Multiple White House Staff Test Positive For Coronavirus. 05-09-2020:- 14: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- States Begin Reopening As Coronavirus Cases Climb. 05-08-2020:- 13: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- 2 Kids Die From Illness Linked To COVID-19 In NY. 05-08-2020:- 12: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Pence Press Secretary Tests Positive For Coronavirus. 05-07-2020:- 11: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Valet To Trump Tests Positive For Coronavirus. 05-06-2020:- 10: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Shortage Of Medical Supplies Delays Vaccine. 05-06-2020:- 09: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- More Kids Hospitalized In NYC With Conditions. 05-06-2020:- 08: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Trumps Urges Governors To Reopen States. 05-05-2020:- 07: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Meat Shortages As Virus Forces Plants To Close. 05-05-2020:- 06: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Kids Hospitalized With Illness Tied To COVID-19. 05-04-2020:- 05: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- U.S. Daily Death Toll Could Nearly Double By June. 05-03-2020:- 04: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Thousands Line Up As Food Banks Struggle To Keep Up. 05-03-2020:- 03: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Americans Push To Reopen States As Death Toll Rises. 05-03-2020:- 02: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- White House Officials Blame China For Coronavirus. 05-02-2020:- 01: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- UN Warns Of Severe Food Shortage Due To Coronavirus. ~~~~ Here Are 25 YouTube News Video Clips Via CBS Evening News, New York, NY USA April 2020. 04-30-2020:- 25: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- 35 States Will Have Eased Restrictions By Friday. 04-30-2020:- 24: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- 30 Million Unemployment Claims Filed In 6 Weeks. 04-29-2020:- 23: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Doctors Find Unexpected Symptom In Children With COVID-19. 04-29-2020:- 22: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Trump Orders Meat Plants Remain Open Despite Concerns. 04-28-2020:- 21: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- U.S. Surpasses 1 Million Coronavirus Cases. 04-28-2020:- 20: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Restaurants Prepare To Reopen With Virus Guidelines. 04-28-2020:- 19: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Fears Over Meat Shortages As Virus Impacts Food Supply. 04-27-2020:- 18: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Farmers Forced To Euthanize Livestock In Food Industry. 04-27-2020:- 17: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- WHO Says No Evidence Of Immunity After Infection. 04-26-2020:- 16: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Study Says Coronavirus Detected On Air Pollution. 04-26-2020:- 15: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Trump Scales Back Briefings Following His Comments. 04-23-2020:- 14: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- 70% Believe Slowing Bug More Important Than Reopening. 04-23-2020:- 13: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Trump Facing Backlash Over Response Experts Clashes. 04-23-2020:- 12: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Doctors Finding Patients With Unexpected Blood Clots. 04-22-2020:- 11: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Most States Should Not Open Until End Of May. 04-20-2020:- 10: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Governors Plead With Trump More Coronavirus Test Kits. 04-19-2020:- 09: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Most Americans Concerned States Will Reopen Too Soon. 04-18-2020:- 08: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Seattle Emerging As Role Model For Handling Coronavirus. 04-18-2020:- 07: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Trump And Senate Clash Over Response To Coronavirus. 04-17-2020:- 06: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Debates Over Stay-At-Home Orders Across The U.S.. 04-17-2020:- 05: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Trump Tweets Support For Protestors Against Stay-Home Orders. 04-16-2020:- 04: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Trump Unveils New Coronavirus Guidelines To Reopen America. 04-15-2020:- 03: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Trump Suggests Reopening U.S. Economy Despite Guidelines. 04-14-2020:- 02: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Trump Clashes With Governors Over Lifting Restrictions. 04-13-2020:- 01: * YouTube Video CBS Evening News:- Trump Battles With Governors Over Reopening Economy. ~~~~ Here Are 10 YouTube News Video Clips Via The Associated Press (AP), New York, NY USA April 2020. 04-17-2020:- 10: * YouTube Video AP:- Trump Defends Protesters Says Orders Too Tough. 04-17-2020:- 09: * YouTube Video AP:- Trump Shifts Blame To States Under New Virus Plan. 04-16-2020:- 08: * YouTube Video AP:- Trump Gives States 3-Phase Plan To Reopen Economy. 04-15-2020:- 07: * YouTube Video AP:- WHO Chief Regrets US Decision To Halt Funding. 04-14-2020:- 06: * YouTube Video AP:- Trump Halts US Payments To WHO. 04-14-2020:- 05: * YouTube Video AP:- Trump Backtracks On Authority To Reopen Economy. 04-13-2020:- 04: * YouTube Video AP:- Trump Claims Total Authority To Reopen Economy. 04-13-2020:- 03: * YouTube Video AP:- Trump: No Rift With Fauci Over Virus Response. 04-13-2020:- 02: * YouTube Video AP:- Trump: Nobody Acknowledges Virus Fight Success. 04-13-2020:- 01: * YouTube Video AP:- WHO: Trump Supportive Dont Lift Lockdowns Yet. _________________________________________________________________ Thoughts From Gene`s BMX -- 04/08/2020 And Hear Is A Diagnosed Count. People That Are Sick And A Dead People Count. In That Count You Do Not See Many Dead People With Names Unless They Are Poplar. You Also See Officials Butting Heads With Each Other Over Who Is Right And Who Is Wrong. Not Enough Of This And Not Enough Of That. - So Fare, This Is The Worlds Biggest Shit Show That Ever Was And Is. In A Fight For The Worlds Survival, The Officials Need To Set Aside All There Petty Differences And Work Together As One At All Costs, No Matter What. If The Human Race Is Going To Survive This. So Fare It Is Seen As Not Happing. - A Lot Of Scard People Out There And A Lot Of Questions As The World Sits Stalled. Work Together And Get It Done! - Thats Just My Thoughts So Fare. --- Stay Safe Everone, Gene`s BMX. _________________________________________________________________ 03-31-2020: * USA Cycling:- The Tour De Quarantine Is The Saving Grace We Didnt Know We Needed. Cycling announcer, Brad Sohner, brings comedic relief during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The cycling community is finally united and can agree on one thing. The Tour de Quarantine is keeping us sane. -- These short bits of humor are hilarious and are sparking joy all over the internet. -- If you havent seen them, you are missing out. Check Out All The Tour de Quarantine Videos: * www.youtube.com/user/BradSohner = ( Videos ) ( Playlist ). _________________________________________________________________ * 2020 BMX Olympics Information Tokyo, Japan. Postponed The 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games Till Some Time In 2021 In The Context Of The Coronovirus. - Also The 2020 UCI BMX Supercross World Cups:- Manchester, Papendal, Rock Hill & BMX World Championships In Houston, Have Also Been Postponed In The Context Of The Coronovirus. On March 30th, 2020 The Olympic Organizers Announce New Dates For The Games July 23rd To August 08th, 2021. - See All The News: ( More ) Reminder, The 2020 ABA-USA BMX Great Northwest Nationals In Redmond, Oregon USA Also Postponed. _________________________________________________________________ News Quote From Gene`s BMX -- 03/18/2020 is hardly anything in life that is not changing, some changes we like, while others create fear and anxiety. Everywhere in the world right now there is a feeling of insecurity. What will happen to us all tomorrow, or what will happen to the BMX sport, are questions we keep frequently asking. One thing, however, is clear. It is no more possible to live in the ways we all have been living so far. It seems that now the entire ways of life will have to be changed. Life will have to be redesigned. The life of the individual, the social structure, and governance-all will have to be replanned. A new change, which looks very much like to be scarry today. But, the world and life as we all know of it, has now changed. --- Stay Safe Everone, Gene`s BMX. * Disturbed - Down With The Sickness. | * Disturbed - The Sound Of Silence. | * David Bowie - Heroes. * Imagine Dragons - Radioactive. | * John Farnham - Youre The Voice. | * Crowded House - Dont Dream Its Over. * Train - Calling All Angels. | * Live - Lightning Crashes. | * Collective Soul - The World I Know. * M83 - Wait. | * Skeeter Davis - The End Of The World. | * R.E.M. - Its The End Of The World. 1994 - IMDB entry - The Stand: TV Mini-Series. -- ( YouTube Trailer ) + ( Watch On YouTube ) Storyline:- When a deadly virus escapes from a government research facility, few prove to be immune to its effects. With symptoms similar to the flu, those who come into contact with it quickly die. The deadly plague kills most of the worlds population, the remaining survivors split into two groups one led by a benevolent elder and the other by a maleficent being to face each other in a final battle. 2007 - IMDB entry - Pandemic: TV Series. -- ( YouTube Trailer ) + ( Watch On YouTube: Part 01. | Part 02. ) Storyline:- The bird flu virus spreads through Los Angeles as a doctor from the CDC races to find a vaccine. A rapid progress of a lethal airborne virus that kills within days. As the fast-moving epidemic grows, the worldwide medical community races to find a cure and control the panic that spreads faster than the virus itself. At the same time, ordinary people struggle to survive in a society coming apart. 2013 - IMDB entry - World War Z. -- ( YouTube Trailer ) Storyline:- Life for former United Nations investigator Gerry Lane and his family seems content. Suddenly, the world is plagued by a mysterious infection turning whole human populations into rampaging mindless zombies. After barely escaping the chaos, Lane is persuaded to go on a mission to investigate this disease. What follows is a perilous trek around the world where Lane must brave horrific dangers and long odds to find answers. 2010 - IMDB entry - The Crazies. -- ( YouTube Trailer ) Storyline:- After a strange and insecure plane crash, an unusual toxic virus enters a quaint farming town. As a toxin begins to turn the residents of Ogden Marsh, Iowa into violent psychopaths, sheriff David Dutton tries to make sense of the situation while he, his wife, and two other unaffected townspeople band together in a fight for survival. 1998 - IMDB entry - The Patriot. -- ( YouTube Trailer ) + ( Watch On YouTube ) Storyline:- Doctor Wesley McClaren is an immunologist in Ennis, Montana, and he has turned down an offer to join his friend Richard Bach, who lives in Atlanta, Georgia, and is the head of a unit called the Biological Response Team. The respected doctors must race against time to find a cure for a lethal virus thats unleashed. _________________________________________________________________ * Seattle Golf and Bike Show At The CenturyLink Events Center Cut Short. Ive been in business 34 years, Ive never had anything like this, he added. He runs the annual Seattle Golf and Bike Show in the CenturyLink Events Center. He says theres a noticeably smaller crowd here this year. With concerns over the virus, Tourtillotte said over 30 vendors backed out at the last minute. Normally during the two-day show, over 10,000 people test out the new clubs and see the high-flying BMX bikes. This year, Tourtillotte expects that to be cut in half because of coronavirus. Also Via: * https://www.seattlebikeshow.com Due to a number of exhibitors that have chosen not to attend this year’s bike show due to concerns related to COVID-19, the 2020 Seattle Bike Show will offer free admission to attendees, and be reduced to Saturday only, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. ( Here Is A More Detailed Statement.) _________________________________________________________________ ~~~~ Here Are 18 YouTube News Video Clips Via Kiro 7 News, Seattle, Washington USA May 2020. 05-29-2020:- 18: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Announces Safe Start County-by-County Phased Reopening. 05-28-2020:- 17: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Half Of New Covid-19 Cases Are Under 40, Children. 05-21-2020:- 16: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Coronavirus Emergency KIRO7 News Special. 05-20-2020:- 15: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Bike Shops See Surge In Sales. 05-20-2020:- 14: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Government, Private Partnering To Expand COVID-19 Testing. 05-15-2020:- 13: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Some Reopening Costs Passed On To Patients, Clients. 05-15-2020:- 12: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Health Experts Say Virus Spreading Weeks Before Detected. 05-13-2020:- 11: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Arlington Program Feeds Kids During COVID-19 Shutdown. 05-07-2020:- 10: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Indian Health Sent Body Bags Instead Of COVID-19 Supplies. 05-07-2020:- 09: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Researchers Hope Llamas Hold Key Against Coronavirus. 05-06-2020:- 08: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Officials: Social Media Post For Coronavirus Play Date. 05-05-2020:- 07: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- COVID-19 Parties Held In Walla Walla To Spread Virus. 05-03-2020:- 06: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- A Barbershop Reopens In Defiance Of Governors Order. 05-02-2020:- 05: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Yakima Farmer Faces Issues Getting Meat To Customers. 05-02-2020:- 04: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- A Break Down Of Inslees Reopening Plan. 05-01-2020:- 03: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Many Businesses Restaurants To Reopen Later. 05-01-2020:- 02: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Demonstrators Protest Stay-At-Home Order In Olympia. 05-01-2020:- 01: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Inslee Extends Stay-At-Home Order Through May 31. ~~~~ Here Are 22 YouTube News Video Clips Via Kiro 7 News, Seattle, Washington USA April 2020. 04-30-2020:- 22: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- WA To Receive Half A Million Swabs To Conduct Testing. 04-29-2020:- 21: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Stay-At-Home Order Extended. 04-29-2020:- 20: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Inslee Says Stay-At-Home Will Remain Past May 4. 04-29-2020:- 19: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Man Has Coronavirus, Charged With Spitting On Deputies. 04-23-2020:- 18: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Statewide Testing Contact Tracing Needed To Reopen Economy. 04-18-2020:- 17: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- How Soon Social Distancing Could Ease After UW Research. 04-18-2020:- 16: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Latest UW COVID-19 Model Released. 04-17-2020:- 15: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Inslee Weighs Next Move In Regards To Reopening Economy. 04-16-2020:- 14: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Inslees Priorities For Opening WA Similar To The Presidents. 04-15-2020:- 13: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- To Reopen Economy, Inslee Says Dialing Back In Slow Phases. 04-15-2020:- 12: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Gov. Inslee Addresses What It Will Take To Ease Restrictions. 04-13-2020:- 11: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Wa Shared Vision With Oregon, California For Reopening. 04-09-2020:- 10: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Officials Expect New Surge Of Unemployment Claims. 04-08-2020:- 09: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Couple In Their 70s Recovers From COVID. 04-07-2020:- 08: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Urgent Call For More Kits To Test For Coronavirus. 04-06-2020:- 07: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Washington Schools Closed Though Rest Of Year. 04-06-2020:- 06: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Wa Sending Back Ventilators From National Stockpile. 04-03-2020:- 05: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- National Guard Helps Keep Food Bank Running In Wa. 04-03-2020:- 04: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Inslee Slashes State Budget Over Coronavirus Concerns. 04-02-2020:- 03: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Hard Reasons Given For Stay-At-Home Order. 04-02-2020:- 02: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Inslee Explains Why Hes Extending Stay-At-Home Order. 04-01-2020:- 01: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- President Using Data From Washington Researchers. ~~~~ Here Are 25 YouTube News Video Clips Via Kiro 7 News, Seattle, Washington USA March 2020. 03-30-2020:- 25: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Three-Tiered System To Enforce Stay At Home Policy. 03-27-2020:- 24: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- President Trump, Gov. Inslee At Odds Over Coronravirus. 03-23-2020:- 23: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Gov Announces Mandatory Statewide Stay-At-Home Order. 03-23-2020:- 22: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Washington State National Guard Activated To Help. 03-18-2020:- 21: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- U.S. Canada Border Closed To Nonessential Travel. 03-18-2020:- 20: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Living Through The Coronavirus Emergency. 03-16-2020:- 19: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Impacts Of Statewide Shutdown Already Felt. 03-16-2020:- 18: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Virus Causes Statewide Closure Of Restaurants, Bars. 03-16-2020:- 17: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Governor To Ban Gatherings Of People Statewide. 03-13-2020:- 16: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- School Closure Order To All K-12 Schools Statewide. 03-11-2020:- 15: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Washington Governor Banned Large Events To Coronavirus. 03-10-2020:- 14: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Businesses Hit Hard By Coronavirus Temporarily Closing. 03-07-2020:- 13: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Coronavirus Death Toll Rises In Washington State. 03-06-2020:- 12: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Coronavirus Cancels Events, Changes Worship. 03-06-2020:- 11: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Trump Takes Issue With Inslee. 03-05-2020:- 10: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Snohomish County Declares State Of Emergency. 03-05-2020:- 09: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Another Spike In Coronavirus Cases In Washington. 03-04-2020:- 08: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- UW Opens Lab For Coronavirus Testing. 03-04-2020:- 07: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Health Officials Suggest Working From Home. 03-04-2020:- 06: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Feds Sending Team For Coronavirus Outbreak. 03-03-2020:- 05: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Several Buildings Shut Down Due To Coronavirus. 03-02-2020:- 04: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Number Of WA Coronavirus Deaths Continues To Rise 02. 03-02-2020:- 03: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Number Of WA Coronavirus Deaths Continues To Rise 01. 03-02-2020:- 02: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Team Coverage On Coronavirus Emergency In Washington. 03-01-2020:- 01: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Team Coverage On Coronavirus In Western Washington. ~~~~ Here Are 10 YouTube News Video Clips Via Kiro 7 News, Seattle, Washington USA February 2020. 02-29-2020:- 10: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- KIRO 7 News Presents: Coronavirus Emergency. 02-29-2020:- 09: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Conversation On The Coronavirus. 02-28-2020:- 08: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Two New Cases Of Coronavirus Confirmed In Washington. 02-28-2020:- 07: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Hospitals Prepare For Coronavirus Outbreak. 02-27-2020:- 06: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Coronovirus Outbreak Leads To Demand For Masks, Gloves. 02-19-2020:- 05: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Olympia Woman Tests Positive For Coronavirus. 02-11-2020:- 04: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Officials Say Chance Of Coronavirus Outbreak Increasing. 02-07-2020:- 03: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Travelers Exposed To Coronavirus Will Be Quarantined. 02-04-2020:- 02: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Fears Of Coronavirus Impacting Businesses In Washington. 02-02-2020:- 01: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Travel Restrictions Now In Effect Due To Coronavirus. ~~~~ Here Are 10 YouTube News Video Clips Via Kiro 7 News, Seattle, Washington USA January 2020. 01-31-2020:- 10: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Seven Things You Need To Know About Coronavirus. 01-30-2020:- 09: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Coronavirus Declared A Global Public Health Emergency. 01-29-2020:- 08: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- State Prepares To Combat Coronavirus Amid Cases. 01-29-2020:- 07: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Washington Activates Emergency Operations Center. 01-29-2020:- 06: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- One Person Tested For Coronavirus At Harborview. 01-27-2020:- 05: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- 3 Students From UW Screened For Coronavirus. 01-23-2020:- 04: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- UW Researchers Studying How Coronavirus Works Ready To. 01-22-2020:- 03: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- More Than A Dozen Came In Contact With Local Man Infected. 01-21-2020:- 02: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- First U.S. Case Of A Deadly Virus Confirmed In Washington. 01-21-2020:- 01: * YouTube Video Kiro 7 Seattle:- Wuhan Coronavirus Surfaces In Washington state. _________________________________________________________________ 01-24-2020:- * Auburn Examiner:- Washington Coronavirus Investigation Continues. Since announcing the first case of 2019 novel coronavirus in Washington, several local and state agencies continue to work on a multi-faceted public health response. While the risk to the public remains low, epidemiologists at the county, state and federal levels are hard at work on a contact investigation to identify, notify, and monitor those who came into close contact with the patient who tested positive for 2019 n-CoV. The current number of close contacts stands at 50. This is the number of close contacts being actively monitored in Washington state. There are steps people can take to reduce their risk of getting any viral respiratory infections. These include: * Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. * Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands. * Avoid close contact with people who are sick. * Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw tissue in trash and wash your hands. * Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces. It is also important for people to stay at home away from others if they are sick. 01-21-2020:- * Auburn Examiner:- Washington State Location Of First US Case Of Coronavirus. The Washington Department of Public Health and CDC have confirmed a resident of Snohomish County, Washington State USA has been diagnosed with the Coronavirus. The male individual returned home from China on Wednesday, January 15th 2020 through SeaTac airport. Public health officials confirm the man began to feel ill on January 16th. He was seen by medical professionals on January 19th. Clinic staff advised him to remain home as to not get anyone else sick. The CDC in Atlanta confirmed today, via submitted samples, the man has Coronavirus. The patient is now being observed at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett. He is working closely with public health officials to identify anyone he may have come in contact with. The patient, a man in his 30s, is the first person known to be infected with 2019-nCoV in the United States. The outbreak in Wuhan, China was originally linked to a large seafood and animal market, suggesting a possible zoonotic origin to the outbreak. Human to human spread has been confirmed. How easily or sustainably this virus is spreading remains unknown. -- CC: Washington State Department of Health PR 1. Also see: Washington State Department of Health PR 2: Update Contact Investigation Continues. _________________________________________________________________ Gene`s BMX Notes-Quotes:- I Think That We Will Be Abble To Fight This Outbreak, Find A Substitute Vaccine And Then Find A Permanent Vaccine For This Coronavirus As Soon As We All Understand Where It Comes From. Here Is What Is And Has Been Found So Fare: BusinessInsider.com:- * Both The New Coronavirus And Sars Outbreaks Likely Started In Chinese Wet Markets. Quote:- The novel coronavirus and the Sars outbreak of 2003 have two things in common: Both are from the coronavirus family, and both have been associated with animals commonly sold in wet markets. In the case of Sars and the new coronavirus disease, called COVID-19, bats were the original hosts. The bats then infected other animals, which transmitted the disease to humans. BusinessInsider.com:- * The Genetic Code Of The Wuhan Coronavirus Suggests A Potential Way To Neutralize The Virus. Quote:- Many coronaviruses are zoonotic diseases, meaning they can spread to people from animals. In the case of Sars and the new coronavirus (officially named 2019-nCoV), bats were the original hosts. They then infected other animals via their poop or saliva, and the unwitting intermediaries transmitted the virus to humans. The only way to be sure about where the virus came from, is to take DNA samples from animals sold at the Huanan wet market and from bats in the area. A Back-Up To BusinessInsider.com Via WHO.int:- * Reducing Animal-Human Transmission Of Emerging Pathogens. As soon as the first cases of COVID-19 were reported in late December 2019, investigations were conducted to understand the epidemiology of COVID-19 and the original source of the outbreak. A large proportion of the initial cases in late December 2019 and early January 2020 had a direct link to the Huanan Wholesale Seafood Market in Wuhan City, where seafood, wild, and farmed animal species were sold. Many of the initial patients were either stall owners, market employees, or regular visitors to this market. --- Environmental samples taken from this market in December 2019 tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, further suggesting tha the market in Wuhan City was the source of this outbreak or played a role in the initial amplification of the out break. The market was closed on 1 January 2020 and was cleaned and disinfected. The virus could have been introduced into the human population from an animal source in the market or an infected human could have introduced the virus to the market and the virus may have then been amplified in the market environment. --- The virus which causes COVID-19 most probably has its ecological reservoir in bats, and transmission of the virus to humans has likely occurred through an intermediate animal host – a domestic animal, a wild animal or a domesticated wild animal which has not yet been identified. While the zoonotic source of the virus is currently unknown. A number of investigations in the area believed to be the source of the outbreak in China are currently underway or planned. These include investigations of human cases with symptom onset in and around Wuhan in late 2019, environmental sampling from markets and farms in areas where the first human cases were identified, and detailed records on the source and type of wildlife species and farmed animals sold in these markets. Until the source of this virus is identified and controlled, there is a risk of reintroduction of the virus into the human population and the risk of new outbreaks like the ones we are currently experiencing. WHO continues to collaborate with experts, Member States, and other partners to identify gaps and research for the COVID-19. 04-23-2020:- WHO.int:- * Situation Report 94 - Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) = .PDF File. Or Via: ( Page 02 .JPG ) * All available evidence for COVID-19 suggests that SARS-CoV-2 has a zoonotic source. Many researchers have been able to look at the genomic features of SARS-CoV-2 and have found that evidence does not support that SARS-CoV-2 is a laboratory construct. A constructed virus would show a mix of known elements within genomic sequences – this is not the case. - please see SUBJECT IN FOCUS: Origin of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2(SARS-CoV-2), virus causing COVID-19. 07-07-2020:- WHO.int:- * WHO Experts To Travel To China WHO experts will travel to China to work together with their Chinese counterparts to prepare scientific plans for identifying the zoonotic source of the SARS-COV-2 virus. The experts will develop the scope and TOR for a WHO-led international mission. Identifying the origin of emerging viral disease has proven complex in past epidemics in different countries. A well planned series of scientific researches will advance the understanding of animal reservoirs and the route of transmission to humans. The process is an evolving endeavor which may lead to further international scientific research and collaboration globally. 11-06-2020:- WHO.int:- * How WHO Is Working To Track Down The Animal Reservoir Of The SARS-CoV-2 Virus. The introduction of a new virus to the human population is one of the greatest mysteries an epidemiologist can hope to unravel. Some of the most common and deadliest human diseases are caused by bacteria or viruses of animal origin. In recent decades this trend has only increased, with an estimated 70 per cent of emerging and re-emerging pathogens coming from animals. 12-17-2020:- Reuters YouTube Video:- * China Welcomes WHO To Investigate COVID-19. WHO says that China has welcomed an international mission to investigate the origins of COVID-19. The team is expected to travel to the country in early January. * COVID-19 Investigators Trip To China: 01-14-2021:- The Associated Press(AP) YouTube Video:- * WHO Team Lands In Wuhan In Hunt For Virus Origins. A global team of researchers arrived Thursday in the central Chinese city where the coronavirus pandemic was first detected to conduct a politically sensitive investigation into its origins, amid uncertainty about whether Beijing might try to prevent embarrassing discoveries. Also see: * The Associated Press(AP) Explainer: What Is WHO Team In Wuhan Looking For. Also YouTube Video:- * WHOs Science In 5 On COVID-19 - Origins Of The SARS CoV-2 Virus. ------------------------------------------- 03-30-2021:- UN.org News:- * COVID-19 Origins Report Inconclusive: We must Leave No Stone Unturned - WHO Chief. The report from a team of international scientists assembled by the World Health Organization (WHO) to examine how COVID-19 first spread to humans was published on Tuesday, and was described by the UN health agencys chief as a welcome start, but far from conclusive. This report is a very important beginning, but it is not the end, said WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. We have not yet found the source of the virus, and we must continue to follow the science and leave no stone unturned as we do. 03-30-2021:- WHO.int:- * WHO Origins Of The SARS-CoV-2 Virus Reports. Origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. WHO-convened Global Study of the Origins of SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19: Animal-human interface and food safety. - WHO-convened global study of the origins: WHO calls for further studies, data on origin of SARS-CoV-2 virus, reiterates that all hypotheses remain open. - WHO Director-Generals remarks at the Member State Briefing on the report of the international team studying the origins of SARS-CoV-2. 03-30-2021:- WHO.int:- * WHO Calls For Further Studies, Data On Origin Of SARS-CoV-2 Virus, Reiterates That All Hypotheses Remain Open. --- In remarks to Member States today, Dr Tedros, who received the full report on the weekend, thanked the team for their tireless work. He said it advances our understanding in important ways, while raising questions that will need to be addressed by further studies, as noted in the report. As far as WHO is concerned, all hypotheses remain on the table. This report is a very important beginning, but it is not the end. We have not yet found the source of the virus, and we must continue to follow the science and leave no stone unturned as we do, said Dr Tedros. Finding the origin of a virus takes time and we owe it to the world to find the source so we can collectively take steps to reduce the risk of this happening again. No single research trip can provide all the answers. ~~~ YouTube News Videos:- WHO Investigates Coronavirus Origin In Wuhan, China: 03-30-2021:- * WHO:- YouTube Video:- Press Briefing By The International Team Studying Origins Of COVID19 Virus. 05-24-2021:- * CBS Evening News:- YouTube Video:- Questions Linger Over Origin Of COVID-19. 04-08-2021:- * ABC News:- YouTube Video:- The Source Of COVID-19: What We Know. 04-02-2021:- * CBS News:- YouTube Video:- Key Questions Unanswered In WHO Report On COVID-19 Origins. 03-31-2021:- * 60 Minutes:- YouTube Video:- WHO-Led Inquiry Ends With More Questions On Coronavirus Origin. 03-30-2021:- * CBS News:- YouTube Video:- U.S. Criticizes WHO Report On Origins Of COVID-19 Over Delays. 03-30-2021:- * NBC News:- YouTube Video:- Growing Criticism Over Joint WHO-China Report On Covid Origin. 03-30-2021:- * Reuters:- YouTube Video:- Data Withheld From Team Probing COVID In Wuhan, WHO Says. 03-30-2021:- * Reuters:- YouTube Video:- WHO Report Does Not Detail Origin Of The Virus, White House Says. 03-30-2021:- * Sky News:- YouTube Video:- WHO Lab Leak COVID Origin Unlikely. 03-30-2021:- * MSNBC:- YouTube Video:- WHO Report On Virus Origins Says Lab Leak Is Unlikely. 03-29-2021:- * Associated Press:- YouTube Video:- WHO Report Says Animals Likely Source Of COVID. 03-29-2021:- * CBS News:- YouTube Video:- World Health Organization Report Looks Into Origin Of Coronavirus. 03-29-2021:- * CNBC:- YouTube Video:- WHO No Firm Conclusion On Covid Origins. 03-28-2021:- * 60 Minutes:- YouTube Video:- WHO-Led COVID-19 Origin Search Frustrations. 03-27-2021:- * Today:- YouTube Video:- Former CDC Director Robert Redfield On Renewed Questions Over COVID-19 Origin. 03-16-2021:- * MSNBC News:- YouTube Video:- WHO Report On Covid-19 Origins Expected Within Weeks. 02-17-2021:- * CNBC News:- YouTube Video:- U.S. Officials Are Still Trying To Figure Out Origins Of Covid-19. 02-16-2021:- * NBC News:- YouTube Video:- U.S. Officials Still Not Ruling Out Lab Accident As Covid Origin Officials Say. 02-15-2021:- * NBC News:- YouTube Video:- China Scrutinizes U.S. After Facing Criticisms For WHO Investigation Covid Origins. 02-13-2021:- * Reuters:- YouTube Video:- China Refused To Provide WHO With Raw Data On Early COVID Cases. 02-12-2021:- * United Nations:- YouTube Video:- Findings Of The WHO Mission In Wuhan, China Press Conference. 02-09-2021:- * CNBC:- YouTube Video:- WHO Continues To Investigate The Origins Of Covid-19. 02-09-2021:- * Sky News:- YouTube Video:- Extremely Unlikely Coronavirus Came From Wuhan Lab. 02-09-2021:- * Today:- YouTube Video:- WHO Officials Reveal Initial Findings Of Probe Into Origins Of Coronavirus. 02-09-2021:- * Reuters:- YouTube Video:- COVID May Have Taken Convoluted Path To Wuhan. 02-09-2021:- * WHO:- YouTube Video:- Live From Wuhan Media Briefing On COVID-19 Origin Mission. 02-08-2021:- * 60 Minutes Australia:- YouTube Video:- Investigating Origins Of Coronavirus In Wuhan. 02-05-2021:- * Reuters:- YouTube Video:- WHO Gives A Update After Its Team Visits A Virus Lab In Wuhan. 02-03-2021:- * CNBC:- YouTube Video:- WHO Investigators Search Wuhan For Clues Of Coronavirus Origin. 02-02-2021:- * Frountline PBS:- YouTube Video:- Chinas COVID Secrets Full Documentary. 02-01-2021:- * NBC News:- YouTube Video:- Health Experts Visit Wuhan To Investigate Covid Origins. 01-30-2021:- * CBS Evening News:- YouTube Video:- WHO Investigators Continue Search Coronavirus Origins In Wuhan. 01-30-2021:- * Reuters:- YouTube Video:- WHO Team In Wuhan Head For Hospital. 01-29-2021:- * Reuters:- YouTube Video:- WHO Kicks Off Investigation Into COVID-19 Origins. 01-28-2021:- * CBS News:- YouTube Video:- WHO Investigators Begin Looking Into Coronavirus Origin In Wuhan, China. 01-28-2021:- * CBS This Morning:- YouTube Video:- WHO Begins Investigation Into COVID-19. 01-25-2021:- * NBC News:- YouTube Video:- Who Team In Wuhan Discusses Investigation Into Covid Origin. 01-15-2021:- * Reuters:- YouTube Video:- WHO Update As Team Members In China Investigate Virus Origins. 01-14-2021:- * NBC News:- YouTube Video:- WHO Team In Wuhan To Begin Investigating Covid Origins. 01-14-2021:- * CBS News:- YouTube Video:- WHO Team Arrives In Wuhan To Investigate COVID-19s Origins. 01-14-2021:- * Reuters:- YouTube Video:- WHO Investigative Team Finally Arrives In Wuhan. 08-13-2021:- UN.org News:- * UN Health Agency Urges Support For New COVID-19 Origins Studies. The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged all countries to put differences aside in order to speed up efforts to understand where and how the COVID-19 virus started – including the unproven suggestion that it was manufactured in a laboratory. It needed access to all data in order to prevent global health future threats. 10-13-2021:- UN.org News:- * WHO Establishes New Scientific Group To Study COVID Origins, Prevent Future Pandemics. The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday launched an expert group that will examine the origins of new pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The 26 scientists come from several countries, and were selected from over 700 applications following a global call. Further studies in China, and potentially elsewhere, to understand the origins of the new coronavirus. 03-18-2023:- * WHO.int:- SAGO Statement On Newly Released SARS-CoV-2 Data From China CDC On GISAID. On 12 March 2023, WHO was made aware of new SARS-CoV-2 sequences and metagenomics data associated with samples collected in the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, Wuhan, China, from January 2020, that became available on GISAID for a short period of time. According to the preprint, raccoon dogs were not amongst the animals tested. Historical photographic evidence was provided that shows raccoon dogs and other animals were sold at these specific stalls in the past. Although this does not provide conclusive evidence as to the intermediate host or origins of the virus. Other Notes:. Similar To Is:- * Histoplasmosis. | * Nipah Virus (NiV). Via: The WHO: World Health Organization. Similar To Is:- * Histoplasmosis. | * Nipah Virus (NiV). Via: The CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. |
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