Miscellaneous
This is Coronavirus 411, the latest COVID-19 info and new hotspots… Just the facts… for November 17th, 2020. A second experimental vaccine — this one from Moderna — appears to be 94.5% effective, according to preliminary data. It, along with Pfizer’s vaccine, is on track to seek permission within weeks for emergency use in the U.S. Both require two shots, given several weeks apart. Dr. Anthony Fauci is optimistic about vaccines but warns “it’s not going to be a light switch” back to normalcy. He recommends even after the vaccine gets distributed, people still wear masks and keep staying socially distant. This because even if the projected effectiveness rates are true, about 5% to 10% of people immunized could still get the virus.And for now, the virus rages on, with new lockdowns and reimposed restrictions after a week that saw more than a million new cases in the U.S. reported. In Chicago, a sweeping stay-at-home advisory. In Philadelphia, new restrictions expected Monday. If the positive testing rate in New York public schools goes over 3% that system will close. North Dakota has ordered masks in all indoor businesses and any public settings where physical distancing isn't possible. A limited mask mandate in Iowa. In Oklahoma all state workers wear masks and tables in restaurants must be 6 feet apart, and they and bars must close at 11pm. And in California the Governor is shutting down indoor activities for 94% of the state. What if the answer to COVID has always been on our bathroom counter? A study out of Cardiff University said mouthwashes that have at least .07% of an incredient called CDC shows promising signs of combatting the virus. But don’t go stock up on Scope just yet. The study has yet to be peer reviewed and you’d have to use the mouthwash within 30 seconds of being exposed to the virus.The top 10 counties with the highest number of recent cases per capita according to The New York Times: Crowley, CO. Lee, KY. Jones, TX. Foster, ND. Dewey, SD. Stutsman, ND. Gray, TX. Johnson, NE. Walsh, ND. And Calhoun, IA. There are now 4,266,102 active cases in the United States. The current Top 10 states by number of active cases: California, Florida, Illinois, Arizona, Texas, Missouri, Virginia, Maryland, Georgia, then Michigan. The five states with the most daily new cases per capita over 7 days are North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Wyoming, and Minnesota.The reproduction rate is currently highest in Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Alaska. There is one state with a reproduction rate below 1 and that is Mississippi.There’ve been a total 247,175 deaths in the US reported as COVID-related, with a current national fatality rate of 2.25%.The states with the most new deaths reported as COVID-related: Texas 78. Michigan 55. Illinois and Arkansas 42. California 39. Florida 38. New York 36. Colorado 32. South Carolina 31. And Tennessee 30. Globally, there are now 15,525,843 active cases.There are 493,236 new cases around the world in the last 24 hours against a high of 656,099 on November 12. The five countries with the most new cases: the United States 162,149. India 28,555. Italy 27,354. Russia 22,778. And the U.K. 21,363. There have now been 1,326,449 deaths worldwide. Up 34% over 14 days. For the latest updates, subscribe for free to Coronavirus 411 on your podcast app or ask your smart speaker to play the Coronavirus 411 podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.