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Rather Fight Than Switch?
I wonder how many baby boomers remember those TV cigarette commercials featuring an actor holding a smoke, sporting a black eye and saying “I’d rather fight than switch.” I guess they ran those ads from the 1960s to 1981. I think of those commercials when I read the news. There are a couple of Iowa…
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COVID Conspiracy Theories
A few days ago, I read the news story about COVID-19 antivaxx vigilantes interfering with the medical care of patients hospitalized with COVID-19. The writer interviewed Dr. Wes Ely, MD, MPH. He’s an intensive care unit (ICU) specialist at Vanderbilt University. I first corresponded with Dr. Ely by email about 10 years ago when I…
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Jab Who?
I just read a news item saying that the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, Iowa is administering COVID-19 vaccine to the animals there. I wondered how that would go, especially with large animals. I figured the zoo staff would be using dart guns. Talk about vaccine hesitance. Then I saw a YouTube showing animals…
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Proof of Simulated Reality—Or Cool Camera Trick?
I watch the History Channel TV show “The Proof is Out There” hosted by Tony Harris. Early this year (I think January), an episode featured a snapshot showing a woman who’s mirror reflection didn’t match her facial expression. It was striking. The question was whether this proved we live in a simulated reality (think of…
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CDC Statement on COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters
The CDC published a media statement this morning that outlines the amended Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations for COVID-19 vaccine boosters. Late last night, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky restored the recommendation that ACIP voted down yesterday: “People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational…
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ACIP Meeting on COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters: Day Two
It must have been after 8:00 PM last night that the FDA posted the COVID-19 Booster EUA authorization. The ACIP took that ball and ran with it all day long. Today was the second day of the ACIP meeting and the committee covered a lot of ground and ran over the schedule by more than…
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ACIP Meeting on COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters: Day One
This was the first day of the Advisory Council on Immunization Practices (ACIP) on COVID-19 vaccine boosters. I was struck by how organized it was. I was also struck by the statement by one presenter that they’re still waiting for a final decision from the FDA on the issue. I thought they made that last…
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CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Meeting This Week on COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters
The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will meet this week, Sept 22 and Sept 23 to discuss COVID-19 vaccine boosters. The agenda is posted although slides are not and the topic headings do not so far indicate a clear plan to vote on any specific booster recommendations. Recall on the August 30, 2021…
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More COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Sausages This Week?
I saw a nice summary by Stat News of last Friday’s FDA Advisory Committee meeting on Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine booster. They indicate the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) are meeting this coming Wednesday and Thursday to fine-tune the FDA recommendations, which was a messy affair. I have been checking the ACIP web site frequently…
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Watching Sausages, Laws, and FDA Advisory Committee Decisions Being Made
Sena and I watched the FDA Advisory Committee live streamed meeting yesterday on whether or not Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine booster should be given full licensure. You know, there’s a much-discussed question about who actually made the following quote: “Laws are like sausages; better not to see them being made.”—often attributed to Otto Von Bismarck although…
Go Retire Psychiatrist 