November 17, 2020 -- Covid-19 has killed more people today than on any other day since its first recorded victim succumbed to the deadly virus back in January. Ending the lives of 10,502 human hosts, the virus killed every 8th second and the daily numbers of its victims will keep climbing until a safe and effective vaccine is largely administered everywhere on earth. Until then you need to talk to your political representatives and make sure the message to their constituents is unequivocal about the need for social distancing, wearing a mask, and respecting the advice of medical experts. Until we have the vaccine in our veins, that is the only practical defense we have for ourselves, our families, our communities. Today's total global number of newly confirmed cases was lower than the daily average of 585,000 cases calculated over the last 7 days. You may have read that a second vaccine has published initial reports on its latest phase of testing, announcing encouraging numbers that boast 94.5% efficacy. Peer review competent government drug administration doctors are in the process of evaluating the vaccine's reports. Then come the distribution logistics, which could take 6 months to a year before all people can be vaccinated. Don't let up and know that there is light at the end of the proverbial tunnel.

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An international group of scientists has written a response to a push for a "herd immunity" approach to managing the pandemic, which would involve letting the virus spread.

The WHO last week denounced the herd approach—a term used for vaccines—as "scientifically and ethically problematic," because it could greatly boost deaths and expose more people to a virus that may have long-term health consequences. However, a document, known as the Great Barrington declaration, with a list of supporters of the approach was reportedly embraced by the White House.

The Infectious Diseases Society of America has denounced the document, and pushback gained more steam today with the publication in The Lancet of the John Snow Memorandum, which includes scientific references and has now been signed by more than 2,000 scientists, researchers, and health professionals.

38 states reported at least 1,000 new COVID-19 infections in the last 24 hours. Today’s national report was slightly lower than the daily average over the last 7 days, but today’s deadly toll was the highest it has been since mid-August. Covid-19 killed 1,615 Americans today. Wisconsin saw its highest death toll yet and Nebraska broke its 24-hour count of new infections. As you can see on the map above, the entire nation is in the grip of the deadly virus. 

COVID-19 in the USA

11/17/2020 COVID-19 UPDATE: Reporting 44 cases from the public and 3 from Valley State Prison (total 47 cases) bringing the total number of reported cases to 5,561. 

Of the 5,561:

Today, the seven local counties together reported 827 new infections and 6 new coronavirus deaths. In the combined 7 counties, COVID-19 has infected 117,258 people and has killed 1,535 residents of our region since it claimed its first central valley victim, in Madera, on March 26, 2020. Our friends and neighbors are needlessly dying, many families are suffering. Science and the courage to follow its logic will solve this pandemic, any other discourse is inadequate.

COVID-19 in Madera + 6 local counties (+% is the positivity rate)

COVID-19 in the 7 counties together