A version of this story appeared in the September 14 edition of CNN’s Coronavirus: Fact vs. Fiction newsletter. Sign up here to receive the need-to-know headlines every weekday.
Secondary lockdowns are coming into force and restrictions being renewed, as countries struggle to get a handle on new waves of coronavirus cases while attempting to keep their economies afloat.
In a sign that the worst is far from over, the World Health Organization reported the highest single-day increase in global infections since the pandemic began on Sunday.
Israel will bring back a nationwide lockdown – one of the first countries to do so – reimposing many of the same severe restrictions seen earlier this year, as an outbreak widens there. The government, wary of mass gatherings ahead of the high holidays, said the measures will come into force on Friday, the start of the Jewish new year.
Meanwhile, in Britain, a government adviser has warned that failure to contain a surge of cases could put the country “right back in hard lockdown in short order.” In an attempt to contain the virus’ spread, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has reduced the number of people allowed to meet from 30 to six, starting Monday.
As Europe sees a spike in cases, WHO’s director for the continent told Agence France-Presse that the crisis was only going to get tougher, and to expect more deaths in October and November. “It’s a moment where countries don’t want to hear this bad news, and I understand,” Hans Kluge said, adding that we all have to “learn how to live with this pandemic.”
YOU ASKED. WE ANSWERED
Q: Since there are multiple vaccines in trials, what happens if you get a vaccine, but a more effective one comes out later? Can you take more than one Covid-19 vaccine?
A: It’s too early to say for sure with Covid-19 vaccines, said Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health.
“But that’s certainly plausible,” Collins said. “Look at where we are with shingles right now, where we had a vaccine that was pretty good, and then there was one that was a lot better, and everybody took both.”
Send your questions here. Are you a health care worker fighting Covid-19? Message us on WhatsApp about the challenges you’re facing: +1 347-322-0415.
WHAT’S IMPORTANT TODAY
Trump ignores science at indoor rally
US President Donald Trump offered a glaring example of his refusal to put medical science before politics with a large indoor rally Sunday night that made a mockery of social distancing, while the pandemic he mismanaged has now claimed more than 194,000 American lives, Stephen Collinson writes.
The event in Nevada – his second rally in the state in as many days – not only risked the health of those present, thousands of whom were packed inside a manufacturing facility in defiance of the state’s ban on gatherings of 50 or more people. It also has the potential to turn into a super spreader event that could seed Covid-19 outbreaks in the wider community.
Wildfires could spike Covid-19 cases, medics warn
As wildfires spread rapidly across the western United States, several medical professionals are warning that unhealthy air quality from smoke and ash can make people more susceptible to Covid-19 and worsen existing infections.
“Multiple studies have shown a correlation between higher levels of pollution in the air and greater spread and severity of Covid-19 cases,” said Dr. Brad Spellberg, chief medical officer of the Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center. “Some studies have also shown that exposure of lung tissue to pollution may increase susceptibility to viral infections.”
One vaccine trial weighs diversifying, another resumes
American pharmaceutical company Pfizer has proposed expanding Phase 3 clinical trials of its coronavirus vaccine to include 44,000 participants (up from 30,000) and more diverse patient populations, including people as young as 16. The proposal would allow it to collect more comprehensive data on the safety and efficacy of its vaccine candidate – one of eight in late-stage, large clinical trials around the world.
Phase 3 trials for another vaccine candidate, developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford, were halted last week after an unexplained illness in one of the volunteers. Oxford said Saturday that the trials will resume, but only in the United Kingdom. The company is working with health authorities to determine whether it can move ahead with trials elsewhere.
Tourists are leaving Italy. Now catastrophe looms
For an all too brief moment, Italy’s summer offered a glimmer of hope. After emerging from one of the world’s harshest coronavirus lockdowns, the country dusted itself down in time to welcome visitors.
But as temperatures drop, so to too do hopes of a full recovery for Italy’s decimated 2020 tourism season. Winter is coming, and with it is what’s expected to be a full-blown economic catastrophe.
ON OUR RADAR
- Louis Vuitton is releasing a face shield with golden studs. Who says PPE can’t be stylish?
- New York Fashion Week returns, but not as you know it. The traditional runway format is being traded for socially distant and digital shows.
- Covid-19 has invaded nearly every aspect of our lives, so it should come as no surprise that it’s infiltrated our bedrooms, too – for better or worse.
- This year has given us yet another trick and one less treat. There will be no Peeps (the holiday-themed marshmallow treats) for Halloween or Christmas this year.
TOP TIPS
For many people, wearing a face covering daily – especially in the summertime – may have a frustrating side effect: Maskne.
“I have patients calling in despair saying ‘What is going on? I’ve never had a breakout before and now my face looks like a teenager’s!’” said dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe, clinical assistant professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center.
From skin care ingredients to incorporate into your routine, to washing your face masks, we spoke with dermatologists and frontline workers about how to cope with breakouts.
TODAY’S PODCAST
“If we know a vaccine is 70 or 80 or 90% effective, it would be unethical to hold it back.” – Moncef Slaoui, Chief Advisor of Operation Warp Speed
The President is pushing for a Covid-19 vaccine before the election, but is that realistic or safe? CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks with Moncef Slaoui, Chief Advisor of Operation Warp Speed, the US government’s Covid-19 vaccine program. Listen Now.
