Andrew Chuma 😎doctorchuma.com
“Eat well, Move more, Love more & Stress less” Dean Ornish MD
“Do the best you can, until you know better. Then when you know better, do better” Maya Angelou

Begin forwarded message:

From: STAT | Morning Rounds <newsletter@statnews.com>
Date: July 2, 2021 at 6:07:02 AM EDT
To: achuma@me.com
Subject: J&J Covid shot protects against Delta variant, COVAX urges equal recognition of Covid vaccines, & mental health impact of Hurricane Irma
Reply-To: STAT | Morning Rounds <newsletter@statnews.com>



J&J Covid shot protects against Delta variant, COVAX urges equal recognition of Covid vaccines, & mental health impact of Hurricane Irma J&J said its shot protects against the Delta variant, and that the the response has persisted for the eight months it has been evaluated for. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Sponsored by There will be no newsletter on Monday, July 5 in observance of the July 4 holiday in the U.S. We’ll be back on Tuesday, July 6. Johnson & Johnson says its Covid vaccine protects against Delta variant In another sign of just how powerful Covid-19 vaccines are, Johnson & Johnson said Thursday night its shot protects against the worrisome Delta variant, and that the durability of the immune response generated by the vaccine has persisted for the eight months researchers have been evaluating it so far. Though data are limited, they should assuage concerns that people who received the J&J shot might need a booster to guard against the Delta variant. Other studies have shown that the mRNA vaccines approved for use in the U.S. also stand up well to Delta, though notably both doses are required for the shots to maintain their rough levels of protection. The biggest worry about Delta — which is an issue for the many countries with thus far limited access to vaccines and for unvaccinated people in the U.S. — is that it is the most transmissible form of the coronavirus seen thus far, and is likely to tear through those who haven’t yet gotten their Covid vaccine shot. COVAX urges Western countries to recognize equally WHO-approved Covid vaccines As countries slowly allow international travelers once again, the WHO and other organizations in the international facility called COVAX are urging Western nations to recognize equally COVAX-approved vaccines, even those developed elsewhere in the world. Most Western authorities have not licensed the Covid vaccines developed by China, for instance, even though these vaccines have been WHO-approved for emergency use. Other reports have also suggested that Western countries are not accepting those who have gotten Covaxin, the vaccine developed in India, although it is not yet WHO-approved. “Any measure that only allows people protected by a subset of WHO-approved vaccines to benefit from the re-opening of travel into and with that region would effectively create a two-tier system, further widening the global vaccine divide and exacerbating the inequities we have already seen in the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines,” the agencies said in a statement. Florida Keys residents report worse mental health following Hurricane Irma It’s hard to deny the health effects of climate change, which is making storms more intense and frequent. A new CDC report finds that 2017’s Hurricane Irma — a category 4 storm — may have worsened the mental health of those living in the Florida Keys, where the storm made landfall. Using survey responses from nearly 240 households as a sample, researchers extrapolated that in the 20 months since the storm, roughly 1 in 6 Florida Keys households reported a need for a mental health provider, nearly 40% of which did not receive such a service. Roughly 7% of the population was at suicide risk following the hurricane, while 17% reported worsening anxiety and depression in the aftermath of the storm. Another 1 in 10 said their depression worsened after Hurricane Irma. Sponsor content by ACCESS ACCELERATED Accelerating Health: A new podcast tackling NCDs during Covid-19 The Accelerating Health podcast explores the highs and lows that come with building and supporting global health systems to better detect, prevent, and treat non-communicable diseases. From mental health to disease stigmas to cancer, join global leaders and those living with NCDs as this seven-part series covers the projects, policies, and investments that are making an impact. Listen to the podcast here. Inside STAT: Scientists devise a battery-free pacemaker that can be absorbed by the body (ADOBE) Scientists behind new research describe a battery-free pacemaker, one that can be broken down by the patient’s body when its work is done. The device was tested in rats, mice, and in human heart tissue in a dish, and worked well in all these settings. By disintegrating into the body, these devices offer a distinct advantage over currently available temporary pacemakers, which are often hooked up to wires outside the body and therefore risk infection and other complications. And although this new version may not necessarily improve the life span of a patient, the improvements could mean a better quality of life. STAT’s Kevin Lin has more here. Researchers raise concerns about using genetic risk scores to pick ‘healthier’ embryos Writing in a new report, scientists have questioned the strength and promise of risk assessment tools being offered by companies to help parents select embryos for IVF. The authors say that polygenic risk scores, which are the probability that an individual will develop a trait or condition based on the combination of genetic variants, may not be as powerful at predicting health outcomes — such as the likelihood of life-threatening diseases — for embryos. Among their concerns is that risk scores are based on genetic research done on a limited population of individuals and can’t be used widely. The authors are also worried about the unintended effects of selecting for certain traits over others and the message that could send to society about what’s desirable and what isn’t. “The science is at a premature stage, and we’ve got a lot more thinking and talking and gathering of evidence to do,” one expert tells STAT’s Claudia López Lloreda. Medical groups urge caution for Fourth of July celebrations As many towns at high risk of wildfires warn against lighting fireworks altogether over the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, medical groups are also urging caution with celebrations. “[I]t is best to leave fireworks to the professionals,” Mark Rosenberg, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians, said in a statement that also included safety tips such as keeping a fire extinguisher and large supply of water handy. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommended viewing any public fireworks displays at a distance from crowds, especially since many children can’t yet get vaccinated against Covid-19. The AAP also cited figures from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which found that nearly 16,000 people were treated in hospital emergency departments for fireworks injuries in 2020, roughly a third of whom were aged 19 and under. Covid-19 in the U.S. New cases yesterday (two-week average): 11,363 New deaths yesterday (two-week average): 276 Correction: An item yesterday on differences in hospital and pharmacy prices for common drugs misstated the magnitude of the price difference for generic Zoloft. The average cash price for one tablet in a Las Vegas hospital was 115 times the cost in a hospital in West Virginia. What to read around the web today Inside the ‘land grab’ for virtual-first care: how an unprecedented flurry of deals is shaping the new digital health landscape. STAT+ Rebuilding in COVID’s awful wake: One small step at a time. Associated Press The 3 simple rules that underscore the danger of Delta. The Atlantic How fringe stem cell treatments won allies on the far right. Wired U.S. cancer drug prices were higher at launch than in three European countries — and just kept climbing. STAT+ Thanks for reading, and a safe Fourth of July weekend to those celebrating. I’ll be back on Tuesday, Have a news tip or comment? Email Me UPCOMING EVENTS View All STAT Summit 2021 STAT Breakthrough Science Summit July 13 & 14 Video Chat The next battles in the war against HIV July 29 Friday, July 2, 2021 1 Exchange Pl, Suite 201, Boston, MA 02109 ©2021, All Rights Reserved. I no longer wish to receive STAT emails Update Email Preferences | Contact Us | View In Browser

Well, it’s happening already.

No sooner than concern for the Delta variant starts to escalate, we are now concerned about a newer variant of the Delta, dubbed Delta Plus (B.1.617.2.1 or AY.1).

Although information is not completely clear yet, this new Delta Plus variant is exhibiting several worrying traits compared with its predecessor. Some traits include an even greater potential for transmissibility, more aggressive binding to ACE-2 receptors in the lungs and a lower immune response on the part of the host.

Although only 200 cases have been identified so far (as of Wednesday 6/30), they have been distributed in 11 countries with the US having the most at 83 (in at least 8 different states), followed by India with ~48 and Britain with just over 40.

Only one death has been reported so far from this newer variant, in India. But we are just starting to learn about this variant, as more and more sequencing is occurring.

The Delta variant is now in all 50 states, being identified mostly in unvaccinated people but also in those who have been ill previously with Covid and/or were vaccinated. 

The bottom line, it is still crucial to GET VACCINATED. It will prevent some protection against all these variants but more importantly, it will minimize more viral replication and lower the rate of mutations.

Even now, guidelines are starting to tighten up once again, mostly abroad but even here at home. If you go anywhere this July 4th weekend, practice caution in large crowds and indoor facilities. If someone tells you it is OK to remove your mask, use your best judgment, do not feel pressured and do what is safest.

Although the order of importance is changing, all the same recommendations still exist!

VACCINATE. The only people who have any reason not to get vaccinated are those with a medically confirmed allergic reaction to one of the vaccine components, and if you do, choose one of the other vaccines. THAT’S IT. Everyone else should get vaccinated. It’s selfish and irresponsible not to do it!

VENTILATE. This is an INDOOR disease. Being outdoors and having good airflow indoors dissipates the virus.

MASK UP. It works. It protects everyone.

DISTANCE in crowded spaces, especially if indoors.

WASH YOUR HANDS but don’t be paranoid about it.

GET HEALTHY! The healthier you are, the better the chances of getting there, not only this infection, but any other easier and faster with fewer potential complications.

Please remember once again that this is a PANdemic. Everyone on the planet is affected. Look beyond your 2 foot radius. Think about everyone’s healthy and well-being.

Have a great July 4th.

Once again thank you to all our military and all other service people. Buy them a coffee. Buy them a round. At least thank them.

Stay safe and be well.

AC