Update: Prime Minister Boris Johnson was moved on Monday evening to intensive care where a ventilator is available. The Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is now in charge of the British government at his request. In early March Johnson visited a hospital were COVID-19 patients were treated. He boasted that he shook hands with everybody and would continue to do so. Johnson attempted to take a Trumpian attitude to the disease spread, and was criticized for his initial slow response to the outbreak in the UK. COVID-19 deaths in the US now exceed ten thousand and are still climbing. New York Mayor Cuomo has doubled the fine for violating social distancing rules to $1000. He told the press, “This is an enemy that we have underestimated from Day 1, and we have paid the price dearly.” Wisconsin finally postponed its primary set for Tuesday until June 9th. The edict has been challenged in the Wisconsin Supreme Court by the Repugnant controlled legislature. The court also has a conservative majority.
{5/4/2020}The SERS CoV-2 virus is proving its surprising resilience. It has made another species jump to tigers housed at the Bronx Zoo. "Nadia", a four year old Malaysian [photo], her sister "Azul", two other Amur tigers, and three African lions are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19; they were probably infected by an asymptomatic keeper. Nadia and the others are under the care of veterinarians; they are reported to be doing well, interacting with their custodians, and are expected to make a full recovery. The Wildlife Conservation Society, which manages the zoo, says it is unknown how the virus will affect Panthera, since each species' response to a novel respiratory infection is different. The USDA said Nadia first began experiencing symptoms such as persistent cough on March 27th. The infection is the first confirmed transmission to another species in the United States. Pets may be at risk of infection; the agency advises people experiencing COVID-19 symptoms to restrict their interaction with pets out of an abundance of caution. The CDC does not have evidence that animals can spread the virus to humans at this time. The Bronx Zoo, along with the New York Aquarium and four other city zoos are closed to the public, but staff are at work caring for their wards.In other plague news: Boris Johnson, the British prime minister who has been self-isolated for the past ten days with a COVID-19 infection, was admitted to hospital Sunday. A spokesperson said the admission was on the advice of his doctor for tests. However, there have been persistent rumors that his condition has not improved since contracting the infection. Item: New Orleans' death rate is twice New York City's. Question of the moment: Does Don Douche, or any of his family, own stock in a company that manufactures or distributes hydroxycloroquinine?
Its trade name is: Plaquenil. The anti-malarial drug was developed in the 40's as a less toxic alternative to cloroquinine, and will undergo a trial in New York to determine its safety and effectiveness against COVID-19. Health officials have repeated warnings that the drug has serious side effects and should not be self-administered despite Don Douche unqualified, reckless advice, "What do you have to loose? take it". Three people in Nigeria overdosed on the drug last month. Quinine drugs can cause heart rhythm problems, severely low blood pressure, and eye, muscle or nerve damage. There have been some unverified reports that the drug confers relief to patients with COVID-19. Item: COVID-19 deaths in US, 8,500.