Visit Counter

Friday, March 20, 2020

Our virtuous leaders




U.S. Senators Sold Stock After Coronavirus Briefings in January












------------------------------



Four U.S. senators sold stock after receiving sensitive briefings in late January about the emerging threat of the coronavirus, sparking concerns that they put safeguarding their private finances before their duty to protect public health.

Senator Richard Burr, a Republican from North Carolina, and Kelly Loeffler, a Republican from Georgia, both completed their sales at a time when the Trump administration and GOP leaders were downplaying the potential damage the virus might cause in the U.S. and before drastic stock-market plunges set off by the pandemic.

Burr is chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, which receives frequent briefings about threats facing the country, and has experience responding to public-health crises. Loeffler – who was appointed to her seat in December after Senator Johnny Isakson announced that he was resigning because of health problems – is married to the chairman of the New York Stock Exchange, Jeffrey Sprecher.

Two other members of the Intelligence Committee, Senator Dianne Feinstein, a Democrat from California, and Senator James Inhofe, an Oklahoma Republican, also sold stock after the briefings, according to financial records.

Loeffler did not make any sales from Jan. 6 until Jan. 24 -- the day the health committee she sits on held a briefing that included presentations from top level U.S. public-health officials including Dr. Anthony Fauci.

She and her husband began selling 27 stocks on Jan. 24, according to her financial disclosure form, including investments in Auto Zone and Ross Stores, worth millions of dollars. Loeffler’s stock sales were first reported by the Daily Beast.

Loeffler responded on Twitter by calling criticism of her stock sales “a ridiculous and baseless attack.” The tweet said “I do not make investment decisions for my portfolio. Investment decisions are made by multiple third-party advisors without my or my husband’s knowledge or involvement.”

Burr sold 33 stocks on Feb. 13, according to his financial disclosure form, with a total value between $628,000 and $1.7 million. His stock sales were first reported by ProPublica. Three of the assets he sold were in hotel companies, which have seen their value plummet as the coronavirus threat has drastically curtailed travel.

His office said that his sales were unrelated to any information he received by virtue of his position as intelligence committee chairman.

“Senator Burr filed a financial disclosure form for personal transactions made several weeks before the U.S. and financial markets showed signs of volatility due to the growing coronavirus outbreak,” a Burr spokesperson said in a statement. “As the situation continues to evolve daily, he has been deeply concerned by the steep and sudden toll this pandemic is taking on our economy.”

With the virus now spreading, its death toll rising and the global economy reeling, news of the stock sales brought angry calls for Burr to resign.

“As Intel chairman,” Burr “got private briefings about coronavirus weeks ago,” Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York tweeted. “Burr knew how bad it would be. He told the truth to his wealthy donors while assuring the public that we were fine.”

“THEN he sold off $1.6 million in stock before the fall. He needs to resign,” she added. According to NPR, Burr told a private group in late February that the virus could present a greater economic danger than had been publicly discussed.

Fox News host Tucker Carlson also called for Burr’s resignation.

Feinstein made transactions on Jan. 31 and Feb. 18, selling between $1.5 million and $6 million worth of shares in Allogene Therapeutics, a biotech company. Inhofe sold $400,000 worth of stock on Jan. 27, including PayPal and the real estate company Brookfield Asset Management.


Wonder what we don't know?





Share/Bookmark

Thursday, March 19, 2020

Breaking News













Share/Bookmark

China's leading medical advisor denies coronavirus originates in Wuhan



 Bet Xi Jinping got a hold of him, 'say this or die'. 



Everybody knows he's lying. The premise CoronaVirus escaped from a bioweapons lab in Wuhan sounds like something right up their alley. We heard about the 'Wuhan virus' for weeks before it appeared in any other country.

 Remember when Iran swore up and down they didn't shoot down the Ukrainian airliner? This is no different.

--------------------------------



Epidemiologist Dr Zhong Nanshan rebuked the widely held belief yesterday

‘It is irresponsible to conclude lightly before [the matter] is clarified,’ he said

His statement came as cases are falling rapidly in China but soaring globally

A Beijing’s spokesperson suggested the virus was brought to Wuhan by the US
Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?

Beijing’s top coronavirus expert has denied that the bug originated in Wuhan and slammed such claim as ‘irresponsible’.



‘The epidemic of the novel coronavirus pneumonia indeed took place in China, in Wuhan… but it does not mean its source is in Wuhan,’ said Dr Zhong Nanshan, the leader of a team of experts appointed by China to tackle the health crisis.

With cases falling rapidly in China and soaring abroad, Beijing is now rejecting the widely held assessment that the city of Wuhan is the birthplace of the outbreak.


Epidemiologist Zhong Nanshan, 83, said at a press conference yesterday that no evidence suggested the virus originated in Wuhan. ‘The epidemic of the novel coronavirus pneumonia indeed took place in China, in Wuhan… but it does not mean its source is in Wuhan,’ he said

Bullshit


Chinese officials today reported no new cases in Wuhan, as well as its surrounding Hubei Province, for the first time after the epidemic emerged in late December. A worker is pictured disinfecting a hospital in Wuhan, the former epicentre of the global health crisis, on Thursday

Chinese officials today reported no new cases in Wuhan, as well as its surrounding Hubei Province, for the first time after the epidemic emerged in late December. 

Dr Zhong, 83, said at a press conference yesterday that no evidence suggested the virus originated in Wuhan, a provincial capital city of more than 11 million people.

‘It is a scientific problem. I think it is irresponsible to conclude lightly before [the matter] is clarified,’ the epidemiologist said at the 46th Coronavirus Prevention Media Conference hosted by the government of Guangzhou in southern China.

This is the second time Dr Zhong has rebuked the widely held belief.

He made similar claims on February 27 after the number of daily cases in the country started to drop.

A Beijing spokesperson said last week that the coronavirus might have been brought to Wuhan by the US military in a tweet.

However in January, as the epidemic spread fast in China, the country’s experts stated the source of the virus was wild animals sold at a seafood market in Wuhan.


Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian (pictured) said in a tweet that the U.S. lacked transparency and accused American military members of bringing the coronavirus to Wuhan



China’s health ministry today announced the coronavirus epicentre of Wuhan and its surrounding Hubei province had no new cases of the deadly contagion which has ripped across the globe.

The ministry said Thursday that results over the past 24 hours showed 34 new cases, all detected in people arriving from abroad.

In the central province of Hubei, there were eight new deaths, with the provincial capital Wuhan accounting for six of the fatalities.

Of the 34 imported infections, Beijing accounted for 21 cases, a daily record for the city.

It brings the total number of confirmed cases in mainland China so far to 80,928, including 3,245 deaths.


A police officer stands guard outside of Huanan Seafood Wholesale market in Wuhan. Chinese experts have previously claimed that the source of the virus is wild animals sold at the market

China has only just begun loosening draconian travel restrictions within the country, but has stepped-up 14-day quarantine regulations on those arriving in Beijing, Shanghai and elsewhere from overseas, amid expectations of a new influx of students and others returning home.

More than 70,000 people have been released from the hospital and 7,263 remain in treatment.

Wuhan is expected to see new coronavirus infections dry up by mid-to-late March and its lockdown may be lifted once there are no new cases for 14 days, the state-backed China Daily reported.

However, strict disease control and prevention measures will still be needed to prevent a possible rebound, China Daily reported on Thursday, citing epidemiologist Li Lanjuan.
China admitted the coronavirus originated in Wuhan in January 


A woman walks in front of the closed Huanan wholesale seafood market on January 12

The push to question the origin of the disease contradicts China’s own initial assessment about the source of the virus, which has now killed nearly 5,000 people worldwide.

Gao Fu, head of China’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said in January ‘we now know the source of the virus is wild animals sold at the seafood market’ in Wuhan.

Chinese authorities themselves saw Wuhan and the rest of Hubei province as a threat as they placed the region of 56 million people under strict quarantine to contain the epidemic.

But Beijing began sowing doubts in late February, when Zhong Nanshan, a respected expert affiliated with the National Health Commission, told reporters ‘the epidemic first appeared in China, but didn’t necessarily originate in China’.

Scientists, however, have long suspected that the virus jumped from an animal at the Wuhan market to a human before spreading globally.

The World Health Organization has said that while the exact path the virus took between its animal source and humans is still unclear, COVID-19 was ‘unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019’.

Christl Donnelly, a professor of statistical epidemiology at Imperial College London, said genetic analysis of coronavirus samples collected from around the world showed a common ancestor in China.

‘This is not in any way blaming a particular country,’ she told AFP.


Share/Bookmark

CoronaVirus vs Car Accidents



CoronaVirus currently at 152.


Annual United States Road Crash Statistics

Over 37,000 people die in road crashes each year  (about 101 a day)

An additional 2.35 million are injured or disabled

Over 1,600 children under 15 years of age die each year

Nearly 8,000 people are killed in crashes involving drivers ages 16-20

Road crashes cost the U.S. $230.6 billion per year, or an average of $820 per person

Road crashes are the single greatest annual cause of death of healthy U.S. citizens traveling abroad




Instead of 152 dead you would think it was 152,000...







Share/Bookmark

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

America Is On Lockdown




This is what happened during the 2017-2018 flu season.


Surprised to see this many people died. Don't recall hearing a word about it! Certainly don't remember all the bars closing, restaurants, and killing each other over a roll of toilet paper. Read the article below and tell me how that compares with the 2017-2018 flu season. At this rate can't see 80,000 people dying. I can promise you this though. More people will die an economic death than a physical one.

--------------------------


Here's what we know about the 100 people who've died in the US from coronavirus

(CNN) — Dozens of people from their 50s to their 90s have died in the United States after contracting the novel coronavirus and the death toll continues rising. 

At least 112 people have died since the first US case of the coronavirus was reported in January and the virus has spread to all states, the District of Columbia and some territories. 

While the majority were treated at hospitals, a woman in Washington died at home. 

A couple in Indiana infected with the virus could not be together when one of them died. As they were hospitalized, they used iPads to see each other and a nurse stayed with one of them before dying, according to Dr. Ram Yeleti, chief physician executive with Community Health Network.

It's unclear whether any deaths include foreign-born individuals, and authorities have not disclosed all of their ages.


Here's what we have learned about those who have died because of the coronavirus, according to a CNN tally of data from state heath officials.


Most of them were 60 years and older 


Health officials have said that older adults were twice as likely to have serious illness from the novel coronavirus and the fatal cases in the US appear to reflect that.

The majority of people who have died were in their 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. The youngest were in their early or mid-50s.


Many lived in nursing homes or other facilities



The deadliest cluster so far has been linked to a nursing home in Kirkland, Washington. More than 20 people who lived there and someone who visited the facility have died.

People who lived in other long-term care facilities in Washington, Florida and Kansas contracted the virus and died.


Many had other health problems



Diabetes, emphysema and heart problems were among the pre-existing conditions that some people suffered before they were diagnosed with coronavirus. 


Only a few traveled abroad



Authorities are still trying to determine how many contracted the virus but have said some of those who died recently traveled overseas.

In California, one person went to Thailand and another one was on a cruise to Mexico. Two people in Florida had traveled outside the country.


Death toll state by state



CALIFORNIA: 14

- A patient in Placer County who had underlying health conditions was the first coronavirus-related death in the state. 

The person, described as elderly, was likely exposed while traveling February 11-21 on a Princess cruise ship that was going from San Francisco to Mexico, according to Placer County Public Health. The patient had been in isolation at Kaiser Permanente Roseville Medical Center. 

- An "older adult" woman who was hospitalized for a respiratory illness died March 9 in Santa Clara County.

- A woman in her 60s died in Santa Clara County. The woman was hospitalized for several weeks and is believed to have contracted the virus through community transmission, the county's health department said.

- A resident of Sacramento County who had underlying health conditions and was in an assisted living facility, the county public health department said. A county official told CNN the resident was in their 90s.

- A woman in her 60s who was visiting friends died in Los Angeles County. She had a history of extensive travel, including a long layover in South Korea, according to Barbara Ferrer, director of public health for Los Angeles County.

- A person was reported dead in San Mateo County on March 15.

- A Sacramento County resident who was older than 70 and suffered from underlying health conditions.

- A person in Santa Clara County.

- A person in Santa Clara County.

- A person in Riverside County.

- A person in Riverside County.

- A person in Riverside County.

- A man in his 60s died in San Benito County on March 16. He had traveled to Thailand and had an underlying health condition.

- A man in his 50s who was hospitalized died on March 17.

COLORADO: 2

- A woman in her 80s who lived in El Paso County.

FLORIDA: 6

- A patient died in Santa Rosa County following an international trip.

- A person in their 70s who tested presumptive positive in Lee County following an international trip.

- Three people who lived at assisted living facilities died in Fort Lauderdale. The deaths happened at separate facilities and each of them had different levels of symptoms.

- A 77-year-old man linked to an assisted living facility in Broward County died. He had "significant" underlying medical problems, health officials said.

GEORGIA: 1

- A 67-year-old man who was hospitalized at WellStar Kennestone Hospital in Marietta since he tested positive for coronavirus on March 7. 

ILLINOIS: 1

- A woman in her 60s with an underlying condition who lived in Chicago. She had contact with an infected person. 

INDIANA: 2

- A person over the age of 60 died. The patient's significant other was also infected and they could only see each other through a video call. 

- A person in their 60s died in Marion County.

KANSAS: 1

- A man in his 70s who lived in a long-term care facility in Wyandotte County died. 

KENTUCKY: 1

- A patient in Bourbon County died.

LOUISIANA: 4

- A 58-year-old who lived in Orleans Parish died. The patient, who had an underlying medical condition, was hospitalized at Touro Infirmary Hospital and Medical Center.

- A 53-year-old who lived in Orleans Parish died. The patient was hospitalized at Touro Infirmary Hospital and Medical Center.

- A woman in her 80s who lived at Lambeth House nursing home died.

- A person who lived in Orleans Parish died.

NEVADA: 1

- A man in his 60s who lived in Clark County died. He had been hospitalized and suffered an underlying medical condition. 

NEW JERSEY: 3

- A 69-year-old man from Bergen County who was treated at Hackensack University Medical Center died March 10. He had a history of diabetes, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, gastrointestinal bleeding and emphysema, said Judith Persichilli, the state's health commissioner.

The man, who traveled regularly to New York City, had a heart attack a day before he died and was revived. He died after having a second heart attack. 

- A woman in her 50s died after being hospitalized at Centra State Medical Center.

- A man in his 90s died after being hospitalized at Hackensack University Medical Center.

NEW YORK: 15

- An 82-year-old woman with emphysema died in a New York City hospital.

- A 79-year-old woman had been suffering from heart failure and lung disease before contracting the virus. She died in a New York City hospital.

- A 78-year-old man with multiple pre-existing conditions died in a New York City hospital.

- A 56-year-old man with diabetes died in a New York City hospital. 

- A 53-year-old woman with diabetes and heart disease died in a New York City hospital.

- A patient died in a New York City hospital.

- A patient died in a New York City hospital.

- A 64-year-old person died in Rockland County on March 12. The patient had other "significant" health problems.

- A man in his 80s who had been in isolation at St. Catherine's Hospital in Suffolk County died.

- A man in his 90s who had been isolation at Huntington Hospital died.

OREGON: 2

SOUTH CAROLINA: 1

SOUTH DAKOTA: 1

- A man in his 60s with underlying medical conditions died, according to Kim Malsam-Rysdon, South Dakota's secretary of health.

TEXAS: 1

- A man in his 90s who lived in Matagorda County died. 

VIRGINIA: 2

- A man in his 70s died from respiratory failure. 

- A man in his 70s died in the state's Peninsula region.

WASHINGTON: 54

- A man in his 50s who was hospitalized at the EvergreenHealth Medical Center in Kirkland.

- A man in his 70s died February 29. He was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth and had underlying health conditions.

- A woman in her 80s died March 1. She had been in critical condition at EvergreenHealth.

- A woman in her 90s died March 3. She had been hospitalized at EvergreenHealth.

- A man in his 60s who visited Life Care Center died March 5. 

- A person died in Snohomish County, said Heather Thomas, a spokeswoman with the Snohomish Health District.

- A person in Grant County.

- A woman in her 80s who lived at the Issaquah Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Issaquah died March 8. She had been hospitalized at Swedish Hospital in Issaquah.

- A man in his 80s who lived at Ida Culver House, a retirement community in Seattle, died March 9. He was hospitalized at the University of Washington Medical Center.

- A man in his 80s who was "connected" to Josephine Caring Community, an assisted living facility in Snohomish County.

- A woman in her 90s who lived at the Redmond Care and Rehabilitation Center nursing home died March 10 after being hospitalized at EvergreenHealth.

- A person in Snohomish County.

- A man in his 80s died March 11. He was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth.

- A man in his 70s died March 9. He was hospitalized at Overlake Medical Center in Bellevue.

- A man in his 80s died March 11 at Swedish Hospital in Issaquah.

- A person died in Snohomish County.

- A person died in King County.

- A person died in King County.

- A person died in King County.

- A man in his 80s died March 15. 

- A woman in her 70s died March 15. 

- A man in his 80s died March 11.

- A woman in her 50s died March 8 at Harborview Medical Center.

- A woman in her 70s died March 14 at Northwest Hospital.

- A woman in her 90s died March 12. She lived at Redmond Care and Rehabilitation Center nursing home.

- Two people died in Clark County March 16, health officials from the county's health department said.

Life Care Center nursing home residents:

- A woman in her 70s died March 2. She was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth Medical Center.

- A man in his 70s died March 1 at EvergreenHealth and had underlying health conditions.

- A woman in her 70s died March 1 at EvergreenHealth. She had underlying health conditions.

- A woman in her 80s who was never hospitalized died at her family home February 26.

- A man in his 50s died February 26 after being hospitalized at Harborview Medical Center.

- A woman in her 90s died March 3 after being hospitalized at EvergreenHealth.

- A man in his 70s died March 2 after being hospitalized at EvergreenHealth.

- A woman in her 80s died March 5. She was hospitalized at Harborview Medical Center.

- A woman in her 70s died March 5. She was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth.

- A woman in her 80s died March 6. She was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth.

- A woman in her 80s died March 6. She was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth.

- A man in his 90s died March 5. He was hospitalized at Harborview Medical Center.

- A woman in her 80s died March 4. She was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth.

- A woman in her 90s died March 8. She was hospitalized at Harborview Medical Center.

- A woman in her 70s died March 8. She was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth.

- A woman in her 90s died March 3. 

- A man in his 90s died March 5. He was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth.

- A woman in her 60s died March 9. She was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth.

- A woman in her 90s died March 6. 

- A woman in her 90s died March 6. 

- A woman in her 80s died March 4.

- A woman in her 60s died March 14. She was hospitalized at Franciscan Medical.

- A woman in her 70s died March 12.

CNN's Jamiel Lynch contributed to this report.

Share/Bookmark