China Corona Virus Outbreak

[uls]

See if this can help. from our U.S. Ambassador..

Let’s not cry over spilled milk’
BABE’S EYE VIEW FROM WASHINGTON D.C. - Ambassador B. Romualdez (The Philippine Star) - December 20, 2020 - 12:00am

With recent controversies surrounding the Pfizer vaccine, I think it’s time for us to move on and “not cry over spilled milk.” We will still have access to the Pfizer vaccine – considered the gold standard – next year, with a few months’ delay. In hindsight, maybe I should share the blame. I should have called Secretary Duque directly to inform him about the urgency of the matter at hand. Pinggoy Duque used to work with my late brother, Dr. Quasi Romualdez, at the Department of Health.

The other night, we coordinated another phone call between Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Boy Locsin and US State Secretary Mike Pompeo and included in the talking points the supply of vaccines for our country. Secretary Locsin and Secretary Pompeo like each other and enjoy their conversations, which only proves that diplomacy is indeed all about good personal relationships. Secretary Pompeo promised to assist us in making sure we get our supply of vaccines at the soonest possible time.

Pfizer’s vaccines will be available around June next year since the first batch has already been committed to other countries, but our friends in Washington have assured us that there are three or four more vaccine candidates that are going to be approved soon. Among them is the vaccine being developed by biotechnology company Moderna, which has received the green light from a panel of experts from the US Food and Drug Administration to obtain an emergency use authorization (EUA), with the rollout possibly starting in the next few days. Like the vaccine from Pfizer, Moderna’s candidate vaccine is also based on a technology that makes use of genetic material known as messenger RNA or mRNA.

We are hopeful that the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) will consider the promising vaccine candidates from Moderna and Arcturus Therapeutics for inclusion in our country’s pool of COVID-19 vaccines. Both companies could potentially supply the Philippines anywhere from four to 25 million doses starting in the second half of next year or even earlier. Arcturus is a biotech firm based in California, and its candidate vaccine also uses mRNA technology like Pfizer and Moderna. Based on the experiments, the vaccine has shown very promising results with just a single dose.

Definitely, more supplies from other US vaccine developers will be made available globally next year. FedEx, which is a primary logistics partner of these developers, will most likely be transporting the vaccines to Asian countries through Clark Airport where it has a big hub – so it really makes sense for us to order these vaccines since Clark will become a major distribution point to the Asian market.

The global race to produce safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines in record time continues, with close to a hundred candidates undergoing clinical trials in various stages, 18 of them having reached the final stages of testing.

No doubt the World Health Organization is going to play a major role in making sure that many countries will be able to receive vaccine supplies. COVAX, or the COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Plan co-led by the WHO, Gavi (The Vaccine Alliance) and CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations) have been working hard in order for poorer economies to have access to safe and effective vaccines. COVAX recently announced that deals are already in place for nearly two billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines that will be made available for the 92 countries that are eligible under the Gavi COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC), a financial mechanism that would enable the poorest countries to gain access to the COVID-19 vaccines. Plans are now also underway for the rollout to begin in the first quarter of 2021 depending on the regulatory approvals and the readiness of a country for delivery.

It will take time, however, to immunize the whole world, or to at least have 60 percent of the global population vaccinated in order to achieve herd immunity or herd protection. Herd immunity is achieved when most of the population is rendered immune to an infectious disease, mitigating the further spread of the disease and thereby providing indirect protection to those who are not immune.

Another good news on the horizon is the issuance of an emergency use authorization by the US FDA for the first ever, over-the-counter at-home diagnostic test for COVID-19. We are recommending this home tester developed by Australian digital diagnostics company Ellume which can be purchased at drug stores without need for a prescription. Most of all, the test results can be obtained fast with no need to send samples to a laboratory because a smartphone app can deliver the results in just 20 minutes.

The Ellume COVID-19 Home Test is an antigen test that works by using a “mid-turbinate” nasal swab to detect fragments of the coronavirus proteins. The swab is then placed in a Bluetooth-connected analyzer that transmits the results to the software app installed in the user’s smartphone.

The FDA said that the Ellume tests correctly identified 96 percent of positive samples and 100 percent of negative samples. The test uses groundbreaking core technology that combines ultra-sensitive optics, electronics and proprietary software to deliver rapid and accurate results. We will still need testing even with the availability of vaccines. This home testing kit is fast, affordable and easy to use, and will help us manage the spread of COVID-19.

While we continue to practice all safety protocols, we should all try to enjoy the Christmas holidays even during these difficult times, taking comfort in the fact that soon the lifesaving vaccines will be coming to our shores.


?Let?s not cry over spilled milk? | Philstar.com

that didn't answer my question how the 2 guys (Romualdez and Locsin) were able to convince Pfizer to allocate 10 millions doses for PH in January 2021 WITHOUT cash advance

diba yan ang storya?

pumalpak lang dahil someone dropped the ball

so Pfizer was almost gonna send us 10 million doses

why? di naman charity ang Pfizer

bakit ang bait nila? awa? dahil 3rd world tayo? nag makaawa ung dalawa?

ano ang pinangako nila 2 sa Pfizer?

what did Pfizer ask from PH?

baka naman meron hinihingi ang Pfizer na mahirap ibigay kaya na-drop ang bola

meron ba makasagot?

[uls]

di naman ako tanga gets ko ung theory niyo na di natuloy ang Pfizer dahil gusto ng gobyerno bakuna ng china

pero that's the drop-the-ball part

ang gusto ko malaman ano nangyari before ung drop-the-ball

ung sinasabi may dadating na sana 10 million Pfizer doses sa Enero kung hindi lang may nag drop ng bola

paano nakombinse ni Romualdez and Locsin ang Pfizer na bigyan tayo ng ganyan allocation na walang bayad

ang galing naman

Talo pa ang Art-of-the-Deal ni Trump

baka kwentong barbero lang yan

[Flipo]

di naman ako tanga gets ko ung theory niyo na di natuloy ang Pfizer dahil gusto ng gobyerno bakuna ng china

pero that's the drop-the-ball part

ang gusto ko malaman ano nangyari before ung drop-the-ball

ung sinasabi may dadating na sana 10 million Pfizer doses sa Enero kung hindi lang may nag drop ng bola

paano nakombinse ni Romualdez and Locsin ang Pfizer na bigyan tayo ng ganyan allocation na walang bayad

ang galing naman

Talo pa ang Art-of-the-Deal ni Trump

baka kwentong barbero lang yan

Eto ang pagkaka-intindi ko bro base sa balita at mga columnists reactions.

Wala akong nabalitaang libreng makukuha ng Pinas yung Pfizer 10 million doses, ang alam ko ay kinausap ni Locsin at Romualdez si Pompeo para ipakiusap sa Pfizer na ma-allocate sa Pinas yung 10 million doses at ipinasa nga nila kay Duque para ma-certify at magbayad ng reservation fee.

[Monseratto]

The new strain is spreading...

A new strain of coronavirus identified in parts of England which is thought to be highly transmissible has been confirmed in a handful of other countries.

Known as VUI-202012/01, the mutation forced the UK government to impose strict new rules over the Christmas period.

While it is most prominent in the southeast and east of England – the areas now in lockdown-style tier 4 – the virus has been found in all parts of the UK, aside from Northern Ireland.

This particular mutant strain is also found in Denmark, the Netherlands, and Australia.

Emmanuel Macron, the French president, has raised concerns that it is “entirely possible” the strain of virus may already be spreading in France.

This new virus is not thought to be more deadly, nor is it currently considered to be resistant to the vaccine. However, current data shows it is 70 per cent more transmissible, which it is thought is linked to the recent increase in positive covid rates across the UK.

Covid: Mutant strain found in Denmark, Netherlands and Australia | The Independent

[Monseratto]

[uls]

Eto ang pagkaka-intindi ko bro base sa balita at mga columnists reactions.

Wala akong nabalitaang libreng makukuha ng Pinas yung Pfizer 10 million doses, ang alam ko ay kinausap ni Locsin at Romualdez si Pompeo para ipakiusap sa Pfizer na ma-allocate sa Pinas yung 10 million doses at ipinasa nga nila kay Duque para ma-certify at magbayad ng reservation fee.

Covid-19 vaccine might be ready early next year: envoy | Philippine News Agency

Romualdez:

"Actually wala silang hinihingi na downpayment o maski na ano. Ang kailangan lang siyempre 'yong kontrata na we're prepared to purchase, parang purchase order lang na pipirmahan natin that the government is prepared to purchase (Actually they're not asking for a downpayment. They need the contract that we're prepared to purchase, it's like a purchase order)," he clarified.

Locsin defends Pfizer as Duque invokes prudence in vaccine procurement | ABS-CBN News

In a tweet, Locsin said Pfizer having a "free and harmless" clause was not unusual for any vaccine developer, hence should not be cited as a reason for the delay in the negotiation.

"Anyone says the delay was caused by Pfizer requiring that it be held free and harmless for any harm caused by its vaccine. All vaccine makers demand the same free and harmless clause. I mean f*cking all. Also Pfizer never demanded down payment. Come up with better b.s. Next," the cabinet official said.

wala hiningi ang Pfizer

pirma lang

ang galing ng negotiators natin

art of the deal

[uls]

The new strain is spreading...




Covid: Mutant strain found in Denmark, Netherlands and Australia | The Independent

more countries could already have the new variant but don't know it yet

there's a global database where scientists upload genetic sequences of SARSCOV2 from their countries to track changes in the virus

not all countries sequence viruses and upload it

[Monseratto]

Singapore approves Pfizer'''s Covid vaccine

Bilis dumating...

First shipment of COVID-19 vaccines arrives in Singapore - CNA

Singapore is one of the first few countries to approve and get COVID-19 vaccines. Others that have approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are Britain, the United States, Canada, Switzerland, Bahrain and Qatar. Britain, the US and Canada are already carrying out vaccination exercises.

[uls]

Singapore approves Pfizer'''s Covid vaccine

Bilis dumating...

First shipment of COVID-19 vaccines arrives in Singapore - CNA

rich country, small country, small population

bagay sa kanila ung mRNA vaccine

plane lands, everything's ready

The shipment was transported on flight SQ7979 via a Singapore Airlines (SIA) 747-400 freighter, which departed on Sunday from Brussels and landed at Singapore Changi Airport at 7.36pm on Monday.

The vaccines were received by Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung and were transported to SATS’ cold-chain facility for storage and ground transportation.

[baludoy]

ocasio - cortez excited for her inoculation, tries to egg on her countrymen to take part in their vaccination program

AOC Marvelously Explains What COVID Vaccine Does, Gets Shot Herself

[Athrunzala]

The new strain is spreading...




Covid: Mutant strain found in Denmark, Netherlands and Australia | The Independent

You cannot stop the New World Order from controlling the world, they have a vast network controlling the governments and the media. They will lock down you in your house. We are living in the Apocalypse!

[uls]

ayaw kasi aminin agad bakit pumalpak ung Pfizer deal

nakakahiya kasi ang tunay na dahilan -- dahil 3rd world ang Pinas walang kakayahan mag handle sa high tech vaccine ni Pfizer

PH not yet ready to handle Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses by January – Romualdez

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 21) – Philippine Ambassador to the United States Babe Romualdez said the Philippines is not yet ready for the logistical challenges of handling millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses by January 2021.

Romualdez said the country's unpreparedness in the storage of vaccine doses is the silver lining to the botched deal with the American pharmaceutical giant Pfizer.

Foreign Affairs Sec. Teodoro Locsin Jr. has alleged that Health Sec. Francisco Duque III "dropped the ball" in securing 10 million Pfizer vaccine doses that would have been delivered to the country by January next year. Locsin said he and Romualdez led the vaccine procurement negotiations with Pfizer.

"Even if we were able to close the deal, it would probably be very difficult for all of us to bring all of them," Romualdez told CNN Philippines' Rico Hizon on Monday.

The ambassador also denied the botched deal with Pfizer had something to do with President Rodrigo Duterte's preference for China-made COVID-19 vaccines, as part of the country's plan to inoculate around 60 million Filipinos.

may drop the ball drop the ball pa

yun pala transport and storage problem

the concern i brought up months ago

[dr. d]

ayaw kasi aminin agad bakit pumalpak ung Pfizer deal

nakakahiya kasi ang tunay na dahilan -- dahil 3rd world ang Pinas walang kakayahan mag handle sa high tech vaccine ni Pfizer

PH not yet ready to handle Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses by January – Romualdez




may drop the ball drop the ball pa

yun pala transport and storage problem

the concern i brought up months ago

ang gulo nila magsalita.
first they say they got us the deal.
then they say we do not have the capability to do our logistic end of the deal.
so i am now wondering,
"who really dropped the ball?"
"was there a ball to drop in the first place?"

[_Cathy_]

Buti pa Tita ko may vaccine na. Ang galing talaga sa US Pero my other Titas ayaw pa magpa vaccine kasi hindi pa alam side effect.



I've been out everyday since the first week of December. I felt safer kasi in the place I go EVERYONE wears a mask. Bawal talaga visitors there but thankfully they gave me consideration. I'm doing fine pa naman kaya nagkalakas na ko loob to go places where they strictly implement wearing mask like the grocery. I am also not as OC na about disinfecting

[boybi]

Buti pa Tita ko may vaccine na. Ang galing talaga sa US Pero my other Titas ayaw pa magpa vaccine kasi hindi pa alam side effect.



I've been out everyday since the first week of December. I felt safer kasi in the place I go EVERYONE wears a mask. Bawal talaga visitors there but thankfully they gave me consideration. I'm doing fine pa naman kaya nagkalakas na ko loob to go places where they strictly implement wearing mask like the grocery. I am also not as OC na about disinfecting

Good for you. Mahirap din masyadong maging OA sa pag iwas sa virus, it will severely affect your way of living.

[ninjababez]

Buti pa Tita ko may vaccine na. Ang galing talaga sa US Pero my other Titas ayaw pa magpa vaccine kasi hindi pa alam side effect.



I've been out everyday since the first week of December. I felt safer kasi in the place I go EVERYONE wears a mask. Bawal talaga visitors there but thankfully they gave me consideration. I'm doing fine pa naman kaya nagkalakas na ko loob to go places where they strictly implement wearing mask like the grocery. I am also not as OC na about disinfecting

na imagine ko tuwing lalabas ka cathy ...

[_Cathy_]

Good for you. Mahirap din masyadong maging OA sa pag iwas sa virus, it will severely affect your way of living.

The mind is so powerful talaga. I was so paranoid I got fever because I thought I caught covid when I went out for the first time after 8 mos LOL! Tapos first few weeks of December daily nasa labas ako, though one place lang pinuntahan ko and I never take off my mask kaya no drinking and eating til I get home and everyone was wearing masks din. Yung kamay ko nagbalat na nga from too much alcohol and washing. I don't soap fruits and veggies anymore, banlaw na lang.

Normal na normal na pala sa labas except people are wearing masks. I still change my clothes sa garage and go straight to the bathroom so if I can help it, I still won't go out.

na imagine ko tuwing lalabas ka cathy ...

Nah. Cautious pa rin ako though not like before na bawat galaw alcohol

I am thinking if EVERYONE 100% followed wearing masks, siguro hindi lalala ng ganito situation.(but that also means no eating and drinking in public)

[111prez]

*_Cathy_ - Do keep us posted on the developments on your aunt's vaccination.

I would be interested in this

[Monseratto]

Philippines may sign deal with AstraZeneca for 30M doses of COVID vaccine next week | Philstar.com

“Maybe this coming week, either December 28 or 29, we’re just waiting for the Ministry of Health Regulatory [Authority] of the UK and we can sign the contract,” Galvez said in Filipino.

Of the 30 million doses of the vaccine which requires two shots to be 70% effective on average, Galvez said 20 million doses would go to the national government, while 10 million would be given to local governments and the private sector.

If it pushes through, this would be the Philippines’ second supply deal for a coronavirus vaccine, following its first agreement also with AstraZeneca for 2.6 million doses of its vaccine, which was made possible through the donations of some 30 private companies.

[Monseratto]