Really?! I didn't know that - interesting!
Lockdown diaries - COVID-19 matters!
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Really?! I didn't know that - interesting!
No generators mean no vaccines, and 5 other things we learnt about govt’s vaccine plans
https://www.businessinsider.co.za/what-we-learnt-from-the-sa-governments-vaccine-webinar-2021-1
28 Jan. 2021
You'll need internet access, a cellphone number, and an ID book to get on the list for vaccinations
The healthcare workers who are due to receive top priority, workers vaccinated via their employers, and uninsured people will all have to register via government's Electronic Vaccine Data System (EVDS) to get an appointment.
The EVDS uses an online "self enrolment" portal. Those who qualify for a shot are sent an SMS with a time and place, and must show a unique code to the vaccinator. They must also show ID at the vaccination site.
There is no mention yet of an alternative way to book a vaccine, for those without internet access or ID documents.
After the second dose of the vaccine (the majority of vaccines are expected to be two-dose versions), an "electronic vaccination certificate" is due to be available via the same EVDS online platform.
Private doctors and nurses will be paid between R50 and R60 per vaccination on behalf of the state
Private providers who handle vaccinations as contractors to the state are due to be paid between R50 and R60 per vaccination, including VAT, said health department advisor Aquina Thulare.
The state will prefer to administer its own shots at public facilities, she said, but as with other medical services, it intends to outsource some of the work to private providers. High up on the list will be pharmacies that can guarantee their cold chains, while GPs in private practise are expected to do injections, especially in far-flung parts of the country.
Though the cost of administering shots has apparently been set, there are still negotiations on whether private pharmacies will be paid an administration fee when they dispense Covid-19 vaccines.
Whether medical aids pay double or triple for vaccines has not yet been determined
Thulare confirmed discussion, and agreement in principal, that the single exit price (SEP) set by government for vaccines will be much higher than the actual cost, to direct money from medical schemes to the state to pay for vaccines.
The extra doses medical aids effectively pay for may be at at ratio of 1:1, or 2:1, but the exact figures will depend on which vaccines are use, and "only when we have the exact types of vaccines that we can give an exact figure of what it is".
Mining companies say they can vaccinate 1.5 million people a month – if they have vaccines
"We’ve actually worked out that the industry can administer about 60,000 to 80,000 vaccines a day, so within two months we could vaccinate between 2.5 million to 3 million people," the head of health for the Minerals Council, Thuthula Balfour, told the webinar.
That would amount to about five extra people vaccinated per mineworker, or around 7.5% of the total targeted population to achieve herd immunity.
There's just one impediment: access to the vaccine.
Isolated communities with poorly-managed healthcare facilities may be last in the queue
Technocrats are putting a heavy emphasis on not wasting precious vaccine doses, and have optimised planning to avoid that.
Which could leave some rural communities at the end of the queue.
Asked about the risk loadshedding poses to temperature-sensitive vaccines, health department deputy-director Anban Pillay said vaccines "won't be stocked where there are no generators".
That will include many rural clinics, and even hospitals that do not have functioning backup power.
Distribution will use a hub-and-spoke model, with central hubs that can guarantee security, and continuous electricity, Pillay said.
The auditor-general is already involved in attempts to prevent corruption in the process
His department had already put before the office of the auditor-general "all the approaches that we're taking to make sure that at the end of it they can give us a sense of checks and balances they are going to suggest as we deal with the risks associated with this process," said health minister Zweli Mkhize about efforts to prevent dodgy dealings in the massive vaccine rollout.
"We want to make sure there is no corruption... at the end of this programme we must all remember how well the vaccination programme was executed, but not so much be distracted by how much corruption happened at that time."
https://www.businessinsider.co.za/what-we-learnt-from-the-sa-governments-vaccine-webinar-2021-1
28 Jan. 2021
You'll need internet access, a cellphone number, and an ID book to get on the list for vaccinations
The healthcare workers who are due to receive top priority, workers vaccinated via their employers, and uninsured people will all have to register via government's Electronic Vaccine Data System (EVDS) to get an appointment.
The EVDS uses an online "self enrolment" portal. Those who qualify for a shot are sent an SMS with a time and place, and must show a unique code to the vaccinator. They must also show ID at the vaccination site.
There is no mention yet of an alternative way to book a vaccine, for those without internet access or ID documents.
After the second dose of the vaccine (the majority of vaccines are expected to be two-dose versions), an "electronic vaccination certificate" is due to be available via the same EVDS online platform.
Private doctors and nurses will be paid between R50 and R60 per vaccination on behalf of the state
Private providers who handle vaccinations as contractors to the state are due to be paid between R50 and R60 per vaccination, including VAT, said health department advisor Aquina Thulare.
The state will prefer to administer its own shots at public facilities, she said, but as with other medical services, it intends to outsource some of the work to private providers. High up on the list will be pharmacies that can guarantee their cold chains, while GPs in private practise are expected to do injections, especially in far-flung parts of the country.
Though the cost of administering shots has apparently been set, there are still negotiations on whether private pharmacies will be paid an administration fee when they dispense Covid-19 vaccines.
Whether medical aids pay double or triple for vaccines has not yet been determined
Thulare confirmed discussion, and agreement in principal, that the single exit price (SEP) set by government for vaccines will be much higher than the actual cost, to direct money from medical schemes to the state to pay for vaccines.
The extra doses medical aids effectively pay for may be at at ratio of 1:1, or 2:1, but the exact figures will depend on which vaccines are use, and "only when we have the exact types of vaccines that we can give an exact figure of what it is".
Mining companies say they can vaccinate 1.5 million people a month – if they have vaccines
"We’ve actually worked out that the industry can administer about 60,000 to 80,000 vaccines a day, so within two months we could vaccinate between 2.5 million to 3 million people," the head of health for the Minerals Council, Thuthula Balfour, told the webinar.
That would amount to about five extra people vaccinated per mineworker, or around 7.5% of the total targeted population to achieve herd immunity.
There's just one impediment: access to the vaccine.
Isolated communities with poorly-managed healthcare facilities may be last in the queue
Technocrats are putting a heavy emphasis on not wasting precious vaccine doses, and have optimised planning to avoid that.
Which could leave some rural communities at the end of the queue.
Asked about the risk loadshedding poses to temperature-sensitive vaccines, health department deputy-director Anban Pillay said vaccines "won't be stocked where there are no generators".
That will include many rural clinics, and even hospitals that do not have functioning backup power.
Distribution will use a hub-and-spoke model, with central hubs that can guarantee security, and continuous electricity, Pillay said.
The auditor-general is already involved in attempts to prevent corruption in the process
His department had already put before the office of the auditor-general "all the approaches that we're taking to make sure that at the end of it they can give us a sense of checks and balances they are going to suggest as we deal with the risks associated with this process," said health minister Zweli Mkhize about efforts to prevent dodgy dealings in the massive vaccine rollout.
"We want to make sure there is no corruption... at the end of this programme we must all remember how well the vaccination programme was executed, but not so much be distracted by how much corruption happened at that time."
Dealers are ‘standing by’ with R35 ivermectin tablets, as SA’s animal supplies dry up
https://www.businessinsider.co.za/i...ay-as-regulators-okay-very-limited-use-2021-1
27 Jan. 2021
"Guidelines for "compassionate" use of the drug ivermectin will be released this week, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Saphra) announced on Wednesday – but it will still not be available over the counter.
In a highly-anticipated move, the regulator said it would soften its approach to the drug, which is not registered for human use in South Africa. But it did not okay it for general sale, as advocates and potential distributers had hoped.
Under compassionate-use rules, medical practitioners will have to apply on a case-by-case basis to give ivermectin to patients under their care. That is expected to be for symptomatic treatment of Covid-19, rather than as a prophylaxis against the disease, which is reportedly how some South Africans are using it - against medical advice.
Ivermectin is widely sold as an anti-parasitic for animals, under brands such as Ivomec and Ivotan in South Africa. Under normal circumstances, a 50ml container of Ivotan 1% sells for around R150, while half a litre of Ivomec Super goes for around R1,800.
But those are widely sold out at co-operatives and animal supply wholesales after what some described as an incredible rush on their stock from people who did not appear to be farmers.
Various groups and individuals have promoted animal-use ivermectin, diluted with water and taken orally, as an anti-viral. Some have, against all medical and scientific advice, presented it as an alternative to Covid-19 vaccines – despite the fact that vaccines have been rigorously tested, while there is as of yet no large-scale data on the efficacy and safety for ivermectin use for the coronavirus.
But ivermectin is in general use for humans in some other countries, for the treatment of scabies, onchocerciasis, and other conditions caused by parasites. And several South African groups have prepared for the mass import of such drugs, marketed under the names Iverheal, Vermact, and Ivel, in anticipation of what they hoped would be an "unbanning" by regulators.
Off-label use against the coronavirus should be safe, these groups speculate, because ivermectin has been found safe when used against parasites.
One group told Business Insider South Africa it was "standing by" to sell 12mg ivermectin tablets at R350 for a sleeve of 10, with free collection at various sites across the country..."
https://www.businessinsider.co.za/i...ay-as-regulators-okay-very-limited-use-2021-1
27 Jan. 2021
"Guidelines for "compassionate" use of the drug ivermectin will be released this week, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Saphra) announced on Wednesday – but it will still not be available over the counter.
In a highly-anticipated move, the regulator said it would soften its approach to the drug, which is not registered for human use in South Africa. But it did not okay it for general sale, as advocates and potential distributers had hoped.
Under compassionate-use rules, medical practitioners will have to apply on a case-by-case basis to give ivermectin to patients under their care. That is expected to be for symptomatic treatment of Covid-19, rather than as a prophylaxis against the disease, which is reportedly how some South Africans are using it - against medical advice.
Ivermectin is widely sold as an anti-parasitic for animals, under brands such as Ivomec and Ivotan in South Africa. Under normal circumstances, a 50ml container of Ivotan 1% sells for around R150, while half a litre of Ivomec Super goes for around R1,800.
But those are widely sold out at co-operatives and animal supply wholesales after what some described as an incredible rush on their stock from people who did not appear to be farmers.
Various groups and individuals have promoted animal-use ivermectin, diluted with water and taken orally, as an anti-viral. Some have, against all medical and scientific advice, presented it as an alternative to Covid-19 vaccines – despite the fact that vaccines have been rigorously tested, while there is as of yet no large-scale data on the efficacy and safety for ivermectin use for the coronavirus.
But ivermectin is in general use for humans in some other countries, for the treatment of scabies, onchocerciasis, and other conditions caused by parasites. And several South African groups have prepared for the mass import of such drugs, marketed under the names Iverheal, Vermact, and Ivel, in anticipation of what they hoped would be an "unbanning" by regulators.
Off-label use against the coronavirus should be safe, these groups speculate, because ivermectin has been found safe when used against parasites.
One group told Business Insider South Africa it was "standing by" to sell 12mg ivermectin tablets at R350 for a sleeve of 10, with free collection at various sites across the country..."
Thanks for this. Worth a second watch.
Seems to me you're into .."that side of things" ... if i can put it that way.
So, I'll see your doco and raise you:
Atomic Soldiers.
This is only around 20 minutes but for some reason hit the hardest.
The Vietnam War. Ken Burns 10 parter.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1877514/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
This is a long one, each episode is over an hour and a half. Very interesting though, pay attention.
The next ones all go together:
Money Masters. A bit "out there" but an interesting story. Makes you think.
Money for Nothing. Watch this after the above. You'll start thinking more
(think this might be on Netflix)https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2752724/?ref_=fn_al_tt_4
then, while we are on the 2008 crash, The Big Short. (you might have seen this, it's a movie but watch it again after the above)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1596363/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
Hope you haven't seen most of these and makes lock-down a bit bearable.
You follow Noam Chomsky at all?
Interesting this.
What prompted you to post this? Water is very interesting to me these days.
Ah, back when I were just a nipper.
Alcohol ban: Restaurant Association stages protest, Vinpro goes to court
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/al...sociation-stages-protest-vinpro-goes-to-court
28 Jan. 2021
"Members of the Restaurant Association of South Africa (RASA) are currently camped outside the Union Buildings in Pretoria in protest against the ongoing alcohol ban that is having a detrimental impact on several industries.
Wendy Alberts, the CEO of RASA, indicated the protest would continue until President Ramaphosa agrees to meet.
“This will be my office until the president talks to me and the rest of our constituency and stakeholders,” said Alberts on Wednesday, January 28 – her third day of protest outside the entrance to government, according to TimesLIVE.
RASA, which is supported by about 11 000 restaurants, is calling for the adjusted lockdown level 3 lockdown curfew and ban on liquor trade to be lifted. The Association intended to deliver a memorandum to Ramaphosa on Monday [January 25]. The memo calls for an inter-ministerial meeting as there has been very little communication from government since the ban was imposed on December 28, says Alberts.
Alberts believes the losses sustained by the industry over the festive period means that many in the industry will not survive another week.
“We have research that shows our industry cannot survive for another week and that is why we are sitting here as a last resort to get government to hear us,” said Alberts.
“If we do not get the curfew lifted, 12% of restaurants will close within a day, 38% will close within one week, 48% will close within a month and only 6% will be able to survive past the month,” she added.
Meanwhile, role players in the wine industry are preparing to go to court to have the alcohol ban overturned.
“Faced with the devastating impact that the third ban has had on the wine industry, Vinpro was left with no choice but to approach the Cape High Court, ” said Vinpro Managing Director, Rico Basson in a statement on Wednesday.
The matter will be heard in court on February 5. Vinpro, which represents 2500 South African wine producers, cellars and industry stakeholders, feels that government has not been transparent enough about its justification of the ban.
“Nor did they give any explanation or clarity on the timeline for a review of this ban. This makes planning and contingency plans impossible,” said Vinpro.
Meanwhile, role players in the wine industry are preparing to go to court to have the alcohol ban overturned.
“Faced with the devastating impact that the third ban has had on the wine industry, Vinpro was left with no choice but to approach the Cape High Court, ” said Vinpro Managing Director, Rico Basson in a statement on Wednesday.
The matter will be heard in court on February 5. Vinpro, which represents 2500 South African wine producers, cellars and industry stakeholders, feels that government has not been transparent enough about its justification of the ban.
“Nor did they give any explanation or clarity on the timeline for a review of this ban. This makes planning and contingency plans impossible,” said Vinpro.
“The company believes that the provincial government should be empowered to handle the retail sale of liquor for the rest of the pandemic, as they “are better equipped to manage the delicate balance between lives and livelihoods.”
“Urgent interim relief will be sought which would afford the Premier of the Western Cape the power to adopt deviations to enable off- and on-consumption of liquor in the province. Ultimately similar relief would be sought in respect of other provinces,” said Vinpro.
On Tuesday, January 19, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said the alcohol ban could cost the Western Cape economy R2-billion if it is allowed to continue for a full month.
He declared that he would write to government about relaxing several lockdown restrictions in the province, including the alcohol ban and curfew.
The Western Cape Department of Agriculture said the province’s winemakers are stuck with 289-million litres of surplus wine they could not sell because of the government-imposed restrictions, according to News24.
This is a dilemma as the current harvest is due to start this week and producers have no space to store it, which threatens the sustainability of the wine industry, according to Vinpro.
The industry now has to decide whether it will dump its excess products, which would be an environmental risk, or convert them into other alcohol-based products such as hand sanitiser at a loss, according to Dirk Troskie, the director of business planning and strategy at the Department.
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/al...sociation-stages-protest-vinpro-goes-to-court
28 Jan. 2021
"Members of the Restaurant Association of South Africa (RASA) are currently camped outside the Union Buildings in Pretoria in protest against the ongoing alcohol ban that is having a detrimental impact on several industries.
Wendy Alberts, the CEO of RASA, indicated the protest would continue until President Ramaphosa agrees to meet.
“This will be my office until the president talks to me and the rest of our constituency and stakeholders,” said Alberts on Wednesday, January 28 – her third day of protest outside the entrance to government, according to TimesLIVE.
RASA, which is supported by about 11 000 restaurants, is calling for the adjusted lockdown level 3 lockdown curfew and ban on liquor trade to be lifted. The Association intended to deliver a memorandum to Ramaphosa on Monday [January 25]. The memo calls for an inter-ministerial meeting as there has been very little communication from government since the ban was imposed on December 28, says Alberts.
Alberts believes the losses sustained by the industry over the festive period means that many in the industry will not survive another week.
“We have research that shows our industry cannot survive for another week and that is why we are sitting here as a last resort to get government to hear us,” said Alberts.
“If we do not get the curfew lifted, 12% of restaurants will close within a day, 38% will close within one week, 48% will close within a month and only 6% will be able to survive past the month,” she added.
Meanwhile, role players in the wine industry are preparing to go to court to have the alcohol ban overturned.
“Faced with the devastating impact that the third ban has had on the wine industry, Vinpro was left with no choice but to approach the Cape High Court, ” said Vinpro Managing Director, Rico Basson in a statement on Wednesday.
The matter will be heard in court on February 5. Vinpro, which represents 2500 South African wine producers, cellars and industry stakeholders, feels that government has not been transparent enough about its justification of the ban.
“Nor did they give any explanation or clarity on the timeline for a review of this ban. This makes planning and contingency plans impossible,” said Vinpro.
Meanwhile, role players in the wine industry are preparing to go to court to have the alcohol ban overturned.
“Faced with the devastating impact that the third ban has had on the wine industry, Vinpro was left with no choice but to approach the Cape High Court, ” said Vinpro Managing Director, Rico Basson in a statement on Wednesday.
The matter will be heard in court on February 5. Vinpro, which represents 2500 South African wine producers, cellars and industry stakeholders, feels that government has not been transparent enough about its justification of the ban.
“Nor did they give any explanation or clarity on the timeline for a review of this ban. This makes planning and contingency plans impossible,” said Vinpro.
“The company believes that the provincial government should be empowered to handle the retail sale of liquor for the rest of the pandemic, as they “are better equipped to manage the delicate balance between lives and livelihoods.”
“Urgent interim relief will be sought which would afford the Premier of the Western Cape the power to adopt deviations to enable off- and on-consumption of liquor in the province. Ultimately similar relief would be sought in respect of other provinces,” said Vinpro.
On Tuesday, January 19, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said the alcohol ban could cost the Western Cape economy R2-billion if it is allowed to continue for a full month.
He declared that he would write to government about relaxing several lockdown restrictions in the province, including the alcohol ban and curfew.
The Western Cape Department of Agriculture said the province’s winemakers are stuck with 289-million litres of surplus wine they could not sell because of the government-imposed restrictions, according to News24.
This is a dilemma as the current harvest is due to start this week and producers have no space to store it, which threatens the sustainability of the wine industry, according to Vinpro.
The industry now has to decide whether it will dump its excess products, which would be an environmental risk, or convert them into other alcohol-based products such as hand sanitiser at a loss, according to Dirk Troskie, the director of business planning and strategy at the Department.
Another restaurant closed down here in Yzerfontein. They took it over 3 years ago and just managed to keep their heads above water with the previous lockdown, by doing deliveries. This time they said it's the end. They simply can't go on. So, so sad.
Thanks for this. Worth a second watch.
Seems to me you're into .."that side of things" ... if i can put it that way.
So, I'll see your doco and raise you:
Atomic Soldiers.
This is only around 20 minutes but for some reason hit the hardest.
The Vietnam War. Ken Burns 10 parter.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1877514/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
This is a long one, each episode is over an hour and a half. Very interesting though, pay attention.
The next ones all go together:
Money Masters. A bit "out there" but an interesting story. Makes you think.
Money for Nothing. Watch this after the above. You'll start thinking more
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2752724/?ref_=fn_al_tt_4
then, while we are on the 2008 crash, The Big Short. (you might have seen this, it's a movie but watch it again after the above)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1596363/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
Hope you haven't seen most of these and makes lock-down a bit bearable.
You follow Noam Chomsky at all?
Thanks yes I have seen a doco by Noam Chomsky called Manufacturing Consent. Excellent!
The Ken Burns series on the Vietnam War was also excellent. I will watch the others you mentioned. Much appreciated.
The Noam Chomsky doco follows below:
Another doco that recently became quite controversial and an eye opener was this one by Michael Moore called "Planet of the Humans". It shed some light on the renewable energy industry and the main players behind it. Highly recommended.. Talk about throwing a spanner in the works!
Lately I've been following the Corbett report, China uncensored and China in focus channels on YouTube to keep an eye on what's happening that side of the pond and how it affects us all globally with what's happening in China being such a major player on the world stage..
Anybody that likes history might enjoy this very informative series. Very good
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXKLYIH9Cw8v9DD3gv8UwrGTuoHNgSnsb
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The next ones all go together:
Money Masters. A bit "out there" but an interesting story. Makes you think.
Money for Nothing. Watch this after the above. You'll start thinking more
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2752724/?ref_=fn_al_tt_4
then, while we are on the 2008 crash, The Big Short. (you might have seen this, it's a movie but watch it again after the above)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1596363/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
You can follow it in real time:
History. Now we're talking
Seen this? Interesting to watch, and look at where we are today.
I tend to refrain from talking china on the forums. Not worth the 50 cents *wink *nudge
Let me know when you watch Big Short. Adam McKay is one of my favourite story tellers.
Pay attention to the Jenga blocks and 2 blurred faces.
I haven't seen Tucker in a while, will check out.
Watching Saagar talk about it last night
I was chatting to someone about GME last night and as I was explaining to someone what a "pump and dump" was and not even 20 minutes later... I mean the timing was just beautiful...
400 to 200 within an hour.
Hilarious to watch all this.
I'm not so sure retail traders can move a market like that. Not one bit.
BUT WE NEED REGULATION.... c'mon
*Benny Hill Theme plays on
EDIT: RE: Tucker.
Aaaaand just like the McRib, Janet Yellen is BACK!!!
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Dear "information warriors", the reinforcements are here:
"The information warriors fighting 'robot zombie army' of coronavirus sceptics"
"Sometimes, Stuart Ritchie feels like he’s being pursued by an army of smiley faces. The lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London, is not delusional: instead, and somewhat to his surprise, he is on the frontline of a coronavirus information war."
Full story:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...ing-robot-zombie-army-of-coronavirus-sceptics
And to top it off, China has rolled out (or in) the Reward Program:
"China starts conducting anal swab test to detect Covid-19, cites better results"
"In order to make sure that no potential carrier of the novel coronavirus goes amiss, China has started collecting samples for Covid-19 test from the anus.
The news comes a month ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays when tens of millions of people usually travel across states to celebrate the festival with their families, Aljazeera reported."
Full story:
https://www.thehindubusinessline.co...d-19-cites-better-results/article33681842.ece
#gently
"The information warriors fighting 'robot zombie army' of coronavirus sceptics"
"Sometimes, Stuart Ritchie feels like he’s being pursued by an army of smiley faces. The lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London, is not delusional: instead, and somewhat to his surprise, he is on the frontline of a coronavirus information war."
Full story:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...ing-robot-zombie-army-of-coronavirus-sceptics
And to top it off, China has rolled out (or in) the Reward Program:
"China starts conducting anal swab test to detect Covid-19, cites better results"
"In order to make sure that no potential carrier of the novel coronavirus goes amiss, China has started collecting samples for Covid-19 test from the anus.
The news comes a month ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays when tens of millions of people usually travel across states to celebrate the festival with their families, Aljazeera reported."
Full story:
https://www.thehindubusinessline.co...d-19-cites-better-results/article33681842.ece
#gently
That is going to be a kxk jobDear "information warriors", the reinforcements are here:
"The information warriors fighting 'robot zombie army' of coronavirus sceptics"
"Sometimes, Stuart Ritchie feels like he’s being pursued by an army of smiley faces. The lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London, is not delusional: instead, and somewhat to his surprise, he is on the frontline of a coronavirus information war."
Full story:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...ing-robot-zombie-army-of-coronavirus-sceptics
And to top it off, China has rolled out (or in) the Reward Program:
"China starts conducting anal swab test to detect Covid-19, cites better results"
"In order to make sure that no potential carrier of the novel coronavirus goes amiss, China has started collecting samples for Covid-19 test from the anus.
The news comes a month ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays when tens of millions of people usually travel across states to celebrate the festival with their families, Aljazeera reported."
Full story:
https://www.thehindubusinessline.co...d-19-cites-better-results/article33681842.ece
#gently
All I can say is.... "nought bru!"
Eskom to hike electricity prices in April
https://mybroadband.co.za/news/ener...ty-prices-in-april.html?utm_source=newsletter
''The National Energy Regulator of South Africa has made three decisions that are envisaged to increase the average price of electricity from 1 April 2021,” said Eskom general manager for regulation Hasha Tlhotlhalemaje.
https://mybroadband.co.za/news/ener...ty-prices-in-april.html?utm_source=newsletter
''The National Energy Regulator of South Africa has made three decisions that are envisaged to increase the average price of electricity from 1 April 2021,” said Eskom general manager for regulation Hasha Tlhotlhalemaje.
What Ramaphosa is not telling you about the COVID-19 vaccine
''On face value, Ramaphosa’s attack against countries which ordered more vaccines than what they need seems fair and even noble.
There is, however, far more to the vaccine acquisition process than what Ramaphosa or the People’s Vaccine Alliance are willing to say.''
https://mybroadband.co.za/news/tren...e-covid-19-vaccine.html?utm_source=newsletter
''On face value, Ramaphosa’s attack against countries which ordered more vaccines than what they need seems fair and even noble.
There is, however, far more to the vaccine acquisition process than what Ramaphosa or the People’s Vaccine Alliance are willing to say.''
https://mybroadband.co.za/news/tren...e-covid-19-vaccine.html?utm_source=newsletter
Dear "information warriors", the reinforcements are here:
"The information warriors fighting 'robot zombie army' of coronavirus sceptics"
"Sometimes, Stuart Ritchie feels like he’s being pursued by an army of smiley faces. The lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London, is not delusional: instead, and somewhat to his surprise, he is on the frontline of a coronavirus information war."
Full story:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...ing-robot-zombie-army-of-coronavirus-sceptics
And to top it off, China has rolled out (or in) the Reward Program:
"China starts conducting anal swab test to detect Covid-19, cites better results"
"In order to make sure that no potential carrier of the novel coronavirus goes amiss, China has started collecting samples for Covid-19 test from the anus.
The news comes a month ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays when tens of millions of people usually travel across states to celebrate the festival with their families, Aljazeera reported."
Full story:
https://www.thehindubusinessline.co...d-19-cites-better-results/article33681842.ece
#gently
That's a bummer.
It's going to be a very interesting development...
Solar power hurting Eskom
''In its presentation to Nersa, Eskom cited the problems caused by South Africans who are generating their own electricity using solar power at home.
South Africans who use solar power systems generate most of their electricity during the day, which Eskom argues forces it to ramp up at a faster rate to meet evening demand.
This has a significant negative effect on the power system, Eskom said.
Eskom has also reiterated that its current tariffs do not reflect the costs required to run the national grid and supply customers with power.
The power utility previously made this case in 2019, and it has repeated its argument this week, stating that its current tariff structure has caused South Africans to falsely believe solar generation is much cheaper.''
https://mybroadband.co.za/news/ener...re-for-electricity.html?utm_source=newsletter
Solar power hurting Eskom
''In its presentation to Nersa, Eskom cited the problems caused by South Africans who are generating their own electricity using solar power at home.
South Africans who use solar power systems generate most of their electricity during the day, which Eskom argues forces it to ramp up at a faster rate to meet evening demand.
This has a significant negative effect on the power system, Eskom said.
Eskom has also reiterated that its current tariffs do not reflect the costs required to run the national grid and supply customers with power.
The power utility previously made this case in 2019, and it has repeated its argument this week, stating that its current tariff structure has caused South Africans to falsely believe solar generation is much cheaper.''
https://mybroadband.co.za/news/ener...re-for-electricity.html?utm_source=newsletter
US reports first cases of the more infectious coronavirus variant from South Africa
https://www.businessinsider.co.za/south-africa-coronavirus-variant-found-in-us-2021-1
28 Jan. 2021
"The US has reported its first cases of a more infectious coronavirus variant first found in South Africa.
South Carolina health officials announced Thursday that they had detected two cases involving the variant, named B.1.351, this week.
Both people infected with the variant are adults, one from the Lowcountry and one from the Pee Dee region of the state, according to a press release from the state department of health and environmental control (DHEC)...
Neither South Carolinian infected with the variant had recently travelled, and there was "no connection between these two cases," state health officials said.
This suggests, in all likelihood, the variant entered the US long before these infections were detected and has been spreading silently for weeks..."
https://www.businessinsider.co.za/south-africa-coronavirus-variant-found-in-us-2021-1
28 Jan. 2021
"The US has reported its first cases of a more infectious coronavirus variant first found in South Africa.
South Carolina health officials announced Thursday that they had detected two cases involving the variant, named B.1.351, this week.
Both people infected with the variant are adults, one from the Lowcountry and one from the Pee Dee region of the state, according to a press release from the state department of health and environmental control (DHEC)...
Neither South Carolinian infected with the variant had recently travelled, and there was "no connection between these two cases," state health officials said.
This suggests, in all likelihood, the variant entered the US long before these infections were detected and has been spreading silently for weeks..."
A 'Covid tongue' that's swollen, bumpy, or patchy may be a sign of virus infection
https://www.businessinsider.co.za/tongue-thats-patchy-swollen-bumpy-may-be-covid-19-symptom-2021-1
28 Jan. 2021
"A swollen or patchy tongue may be a sign of coronavirus infection, according to new research.
Researchers found that one in four coronavirus patients noticed changes to their tongue, including swelling, sores, raised bumps on the surface of the tongue, indentations, and/or discoloured patches. A small percentage of patients also reported a burning sensation in their mouth.
These findings were based on observations from 666 patients with Covid-19 and mild or moderate pneumonia at a field hospital in Spain.
The symptoms were often combined with patients losing their sense of taste, which has emerged as an increasingly common sign of the virus.
It's not yet clear whether these symptoms may be widespread. Since the patients included in the study had moderate cases of infection, researchers aren't sure whether these symptoms, dubbed "Covid tongue," might also affect people with severe coronavirus, or those with milder cases.
While viral infections are known to cause symptoms in the mouth and tongue, there hasn't been much data on this phenomenon in Covid-19 patients. That may be partly because medical experts avoid spending too much time in patients' mouth due to safety concerns about the highly infectious virus.
The new findings were presented in January 26, but first published in September in the British Journal of Dermatology. " ...
https://www.businessinsider.co.za/tongue-thats-patchy-swollen-bumpy-may-be-covid-19-symptom-2021-1
28 Jan. 2021
"A swollen or patchy tongue may be a sign of coronavirus infection, according to new research.
Researchers found that one in four coronavirus patients noticed changes to their tongue, including swelling, sores, raised bumps on the surface of the tongue, indentations, and/or discoloured patches. A small percentage of patients also reported a burning sensation in their mouth.
These findings were based on observations from 666 patients with Covid-19 and mild or moderate pneumonia at a field hospital in Spain.
The symptoms were often combined with patients losing their sense of taste, which has emerged as an increasingly common sign of the virus.
It's not yet clear whether these symptoms may be widespread. Since the patients included in the study had moderate cases of infection, researchers aren't sure whether these symptoms, dubbed "Covid tongue," might also affect people with severe coronavirus, or those with milder cases.
While viral infections are known to cause symptoms in the mouth and tongue, there hasn't been much data on this phenomenon in Covid-19 patients. That may be partly because medical experts avoid spending too much time in patients' mouth due to safety concerns about the highly infectious virus.
The new findings were presented in January 26, but first published in September in the British Journal of Dermatology. " ...
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