The New York Times “State of the virus” updated Dec. 3:

On Dec. 8, 2021 in the U.S., the seven-day daily average number of new case is 27 percent, with a total of 49,356,263 total cases. The seven-day daily average number of new hospitalizations was 69.749; the 14-day change in hospitalization was an increase of 19 percent. The seven-day daily average number of new deaths was 1,298, the 14-day change in new deaths was an increase of 13 percent, and the U.S. death total has reached 790.082. Seventy percent of the U.S. population over the age of 12 is fully vaccinated, 82 percent have had one jab, 99 percent of the population who are over 65 have had at least one jab. Today we link you to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) Covid 19 Dashboard–Vaccine Monitoring Section, which we find to be the place to go for all data Covid.

This week's issue offers The New York Times summary comparative data from Dec. 8, 2021 for Canada, U.K., France, Italy, Spain, and Germany. Please go to The New York Times' International Covid Map page for country data. 

Omicron is the lead in the papers you read, news you watch and the podcasts you listen to; we turn to a StatNews report, "A first, small study suggests Omicron is a larger threat to Covid-19 immunity than other variants," and then turn to The New York Times "Covid live updates: Pfizer says its booster offers significant protection against Omicron."  StatNews offers the overview and The Times the up to the minute updates.

A last minute addition is the must read is "Amid push to vaccinate children, other challenges deluge pediatricians." The New York Times reports that “at one clinic serving low-income children, treatment for health problems that have gone unchecked during the pandemic is more in demand than coronavirus shots.”

For a how-did-this-all-start-investigation, we turn to a New Yorker review of “In the same breath”; a documentary about the coronavirus pandemic, directed by Nanfu Wang. The documentary is "a work of both scathing political analysis and personal passion, and the story of its making is inseparable from its investigative revelations,” and then watch the documentary.

And from StatNews, "Growing use of home Covid-19 tests leaves health agencies in the dark about unreported cases."

Complex issues impacting long term care are covered most capably by the team at Skilled Nursing News; today we link you to Amy Stulick’s reporting on CMS Suspends Vaccine Mandate, Appeals Court Injunctions.

Our first explainer podcast is Coronavirus Daily : Omicron–loud bark but little bite. "Doctors and scientists are learning more about the omicron variant. It seems to be more contagious but not as severe. Pandemic-related supply chain problems are now leading to a cream cheese shortage on the East Coast much to the dismay of bagel fans."

For our second and one of our favorite explainers, we turn to the Ezra Klein Show, which details growing problem with America's system's of care. "Every 8 Seconds, an American turns 65. How do we care for everyone? Every day in the United States, more than 10,000 babies are born and 10,000 people turn 65. But America doesn’t have anything close to a comprehensive family policy. That means no guaranteed paid family leave, no universal child care or preschool and a patchwork system of elder and disability care that leaves millions without support. American families are drowning as a result."

From our office in Culver City where holiday lights are hung and early preparations for the next round of holidays are being made, this is Revitalize for December 9, 2021:

Amid push to vaccinate children, other challenges deluge pediatricians. At one clinic serving low-income children, treatment for health problems that have gone unchecked during the pandemic is more in demand than coronavirus shots.

This documentary about the coronavirus pandemic, directed by Nanfu Wang, is a work of both scathing political analysis and personal passion, and the story of its making is inseparable from its investigative revelations. Wang, who was born and raised in China, has been living in the United States for nine years. 

Omicron–loud bark but little bite. Doctors and scientists are learning more about the omicron variant. It seems to be more contagious but not as severe. Pandemic-related supply chain problems are now leading to a cream cheese shortage on the East Coast much to the dismay of bagel fans.

LA Office: 310-841-2549