March 17, 2020

Hundreds of Scientists Scramble to Find a Coronavirus Treatment

In an ambitious international collaboration, researchers have “mapped” proteins in the coronavirus and identified 50 drugs to test against it.


By Carl Zimmer
March 17, 2020, 1:25 p.m. ET

Working at a breakneck pace, a team of hundreds of scientists has identified 50 drugs that may be effective treatments for people infected with the coronavirus.

Many scientists are seeking drugs that attack the virus itself. But the Quantitative Biosciences Institute Coronavirus Research Group, based at the University of California, San Francisco, is testing an unusual new approach.

The researchers are looking for drugs that shield proteins in our own cells that the coronavirus depends on to thrive and reproduce.Many of the candidate drugs are already approved to treat diseases, such as cancer, that would seem to have nothing to do with Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus.

Scientists at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York and at the Pasteur Institute in Paris have already begun to test the drugs against the coronavirus growing in their labs. The far-flung research group is preparing to release its findings at the end of the week.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/17/science/coronavirus-treatment.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage

March 17, 2020

Brief update regarding COVID19 and ibuprofen- no evidence as of yet

Kai Kupferschmidt
@kakape
science journalist. molecular biologist. curious.
Contributing Correspondent at
@sciencemagazine
, reporting on #covid19.
Interested in all things #blue

https://twitter.com/kakape/status/1239893291375775744


Really brief update on the situation regarding #covid19 and ibuprofen, since there are now news circulating that
@WHO
is warning against using ibuprofen. I just got off the phone with them, and to say they are warning against using ibuprofen is at best stretching the truth.

https://twitter.com/kakape/status/1239893492878446594

Official statement is that they are aware of concerns. And: "WHO is gathering further evidence on this issue before making a formal recommendation, but after a rapid review of the literature, is not aware of published clinical or population-based data on this topic."

To be clear: I was told by WHO that this all goes back to the Lancet letter, which as I pointed out earlier suggested a hypothesis but has zero data to back it up. WHO is saying that in a first look they also have not found any evidence.

Let’s wait and see what their formal recommendation will be. They could still end up recommending against using ibuprofen out of an abundance of caution, but doing that with no evidence sets a dangerous precedent in an evolving epidemic.

There may still be data from France or elsewhere that tips the balance. I haven’t seen any data and there has been plenty of time now for people to present it. (Remember: What used to be one hour in our previous life is a whole day in CST - Covid Standard Time.)

For now what is being interpreted as a warning against ibuprofen is just their “holding line” while they evaluate the evidence. Essentially they are saying: We have no evidence of any risk, but if you have not been prescribed ibuprofen, you might as well use an alternative



I'm ignoring all "hypotheses" from Lancet articles from now on.

March 17, 2020

Latest Statement from DeWine

https://twitter.com/AndrewCassNH/status/1239719860369842184


Statement from DeWine and LaRose

March 16, 2020

Andy Slavitt, head of Medicare, Medicaid, ACA under Obama is working on using ships as hospitals

https://twitter.com/ASlavitt/status/1239678365390569477

Hold on— call from Armed Services Committee. Give me a few.

https://twitter.com/ASlavitt/status/1239682387119931399

I’m back. Getting the DoD to bring hospital ships to the major ports is part of the answer. (Hence the call.) But even with hospital beds we need the workforce there. And we need ventilators. 11/


One tech company is undertaking an effort to build 100,000 ventilators in a month.

I’m sure there is a ton more great innovative stuff happening.

March 16, 2020

There's a FB group with 6,000 members dedicated to designing open-source COVID-19 medical supplies

https://twitter.com/eigenjoy/status/1239661424021995520


There's a Facebook group with 6,000 members dedicated to designing open-source COVID-19 medical supplies.

The group is sharing CAD files for ventilators, respirators, and equipment that can be fabricated in emergency conditions.

Absolutely inspiring

https://facebook.com/groups/670932227050506

March 16, 2020

From an ER doc in New York City on shift today:

https://twitter.com/chrislhayes/status/1239638657792987139


From an ER doc in New York City on shift today:

“Today. Is. F’ing. Nuts. It kinda blew up here. And sending home lots of people undoubtedly positive because we don’t test on discharged patients. This has been spreading a long time.”

March 15, 2020

Mass. Governor Baker orders all restaurants and bars closed, takeout only starting Tuesday

https://twitter.com/PinkPolitical/status/1239334117680066561



BREAKING NEWS: Charlie Baker decided to be Governor...
Schools closed til April 7th, no public gatherings larger than 25, Restaurants are take out only.

March 15, 2020

Real time evidence of flattening the curve. Shutdowns work.

https://twitter.com/donmoyn/status/1239239417715396609


Real-time evidence of flattening the curve. Lodi had the first Covid-19 case in Italy, and implemented a shutdown on Feb 23. Bergamo waited until March 8.
Look at the difference.

Incredible research by
@drjenndowd
,
@melindacmills
& co-authors. https://osf.io/fd4rh/?view_only=c2f00dfe3677493faa421fc2ea38e295

March 15, 2020

California is closing all bars, clubs, wineries, breweries, home isolation for those over 65

https://twitter.com/yashar/status/1239297929178824704

1. CA Governor Gavin Newsom update:

- Governor is calling for home isolation of all those 65 years or older and those with chronic conditions.

- Bars, Clubs, wineries, breweries will be closed.

- Restaurants: Reducing occupancy by 50%

(Newsom is my former boss)

March 15, 2020

Illinois is closing all bars and restaurants (delivery and carry out only) starting Monday

https://twitter.com/jaketapper/status/1239287221439672321


CNN: Illinois
@GovPritzker
is ordering all bars and restaurants to close to the public beginning Monday night until March 30th.
State officials are working with restaurant owners and food delivery services to coordinate so restaurants can keep kitchens open for food delivery.