GENEVA (Reuters) – Preliminary evidence indicates that COVID-19 vaccines may be less effective against infection and transmission linked to the Omicron coronavirus variant, which also carries a higher risk of reinfection, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday. The WHO, in its weekly epidemiological update, said that more data was needed to better understand the extent to which Omicron may evade immunity derived from either vaccines or previous infection. “As a result of this, the overall risk related to the new variant of concern Omicron remains very high,” it said, echoing comments made by WHO officials at an online briefing on Tuesday. For the first time since the dominant Delta variant was classified as a variant of concern in April, the percentage of Delta sequences registered on the GISAID global science database has declined this week compared with other variants of concern, it said. This needs to be interpreted with caution as countries may perform targeted sequencing for Omicron and therefore upload fewer sequences on all other variants, including Delta, it said. The Delta variant is still dominant, however, accounting for 99.2% of the almost 880,000 sequences uploaded to GISAID with specimens collected in the last 60 days. But the trend is declining in the proportion of Alpha, Beta and Gamuma, and with the emergence of Omicron variant. Out of the total, some 3,755 – or 0.4% – were Omicron and the other three variants of concern together numbered 401, less than 0.1% each. NN: Its a unknown. We just do not know what we are facing. So the way i play the game is take the maximum precautions. And as we learn more i can adjust the measures we are taking.
UK virus cases grow at fastest pace in 11 months
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© Provided by Daily Mail MailOnline logo Fears that Britain could be plunged into a de facto January lockdown were raised today because so many Britons will be catching Omicron and forced off work. Boris Johnson’s spokesperson said it was ‘valid’ to assume the UK could face a million daily cases of the super-mutant strain by next month, the equivalent of one in every 66 Britons catching the disease each day. Chief medical officer Chris Whitty is said to have warned Cabinet that such astronomical infection rates will spark staff shortages in pubs, restaurants and shops during a stark update on the Covid situation this afternoon. There are now concerns of a repeat of the ‘Pingdemic’ that shut down swathes of the economy over summer, only on a much wider scale because of how infectious the new strain is compared to Delta. It came as the Department of Health reported 59,610 overall coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, up more than 30 per cent in a week and the highest number since the peak of the second wave on January 9. Daily deaths — which are a lagging indicator — were down 17 per cent in a week with 150 victims today, while latest hospital data shows there were 793 last Friday, up 11 per cent. Public health officials estimate the true number of daily Omicron infections is around 200,000 and that the mutant virus is doubling every two days, with the central testing scheme struggling to keep pace with the variant. Dr Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at the UKHSA, said vaccine passports, working from home and other curbs to tackle Omicron will be needed for ‘the next four to eight weeks’ to prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed. Health chiefs are already calling for tighter restrictions in London — where Omicron is already dominant — and Scotland today tightened its curbs, limiting social mixing to three households in the run up to Christmas. Yet the first major real-world study in South Africa today found that Omicron is causing a third fewer hospital admissions than Delta and that just two doses of Pfizer provides 70 per cent protection against severe illness. The Omicron Covid variant spreading at a ferocious pace in the UK has become dominant in London barely two weeks after it was first detected, health chiefs revealed today. Professor Kevin Fenton, the capital’s director of public health, said data suggested the super-strain was already behind at least one in every two new infections in the city, up from 44 per cent just yesterday. As the country’s major transport hub, London quickly became England’s Omicron epicentre after South Africa first raised the alarm on November 24. It is thought to have been seeded in the capital by travellers flying into the UK. The capital’s Covid infection rate has spiralled to its highest level since January when stringent curbs were in place, rising 55 per cent in a fortnight from 347 to 537 cases per 100,000 people. Omicron becomes DOMINANT in London: Capital’s hospital admissions have risen 50% since variant first emerged The Omicron Covid variant spreading at a ferocious pace in the UK has become dominant in London barely two weeks after it was first detected, health chiefs revealed today. Professor Kevin Fenton, the capital’s director of public health, said data suggested the super-strain was already behind at least one in every two new infections in the city, up from 44 per cent just yesterday. As the country’s major transport hub, London quickly became England’s Omicron epicentre after South Africa first raised the alarm on November 24. It is thought to have been seeded in the capital by travellers flying into the UK. The capital’s Covid infection rate has spiralled to its highest level since January when stringent curbs were in place, rising 55 per cent in a fortnight from 347 to 537 cases per 100,000 people. And hospitalisations in the city have risen by 50 per cent over the same period, from 90 to 140 admissions a day on average. Deaths remain flat but it can take up to a month for fatalities to start rising due to the time it takes to fall seriously ill. Nationally, Omicron is behind one in every five cases but is expected to outstrip Delta before the New Year. For comparison, it took Delta almost two months to take over from the Alpha variant. Omicron is also spreading very quickly in Scotland and South Northamptonshire, data shows. A spokesman for London’s mayor suggested today they would back controversial local lockdown restrictions in the capital, saying it was better to ‘act now’ rather than wait for the virus to spiral out of control. But Tory representatives called on ministers to rely on ‘strong vaccine protection’ and ramp up the booster drive, rather than curb people’s daily lives. And hospitalisations in the city have risen by 50 per cent over the same period, from 90 to 140 admissions a day on average. Deaths remain flat but it can take up to a month for fatalities to start rising due to the time it takes to fall seriously ill. Nationally, Omicron is behind one in every five cases but is expected to outstrip Delta before the New Year. For comparison, it took Delta almost two months to take over from the Alpha variant. Omicron is also spreading very quickly in Scotland and South Northamptonshire, data shows. A spokesman for London’s mayor suggested today they would back controversial local lockdown restrictions in the capital, saying it was better to ‘act now’ rather than wait for the virus to spiral out of control.NN: Their is one good part about all this…. At least i can stop barking…. The barbarians are at the gate. And what i have been begging you to do since August……. Get the third shot is now settled business. As far as the virus out of control? Well the bad news it could have been avoided in August.Now i its already out of control
Fed to stop taper in March, raise rates in June – survey
After 20 months of the most aggressive easing policies ever put in the place by the Federal Reserve — designed to combat the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic — market participants now forecast a gradual reversal of central bank policy that will bring both a faster taper and quicker rate hikes over the next several years. The CNBC Fed Survey finds that respondents expect the Fed to double the pace of the taper to $30 billion at its December meeting, which would roughly end the $120 billion in monthly asset purchases by March. The 31 respondents, including economists, strategists and money managers, then see the Fed embarking on a series of rate hikes, with about three forecast in each of the next two years. The funds rate is expected to climb to 1.50% by the end of 2023 from its range near zero today. The first rate rise is now forecast in June, a sharp recalculation from the September survey when the first rate move wasn’t expected until the end of 2022. The Fed will hike until it hits its terminal rate of 2.3% by May 2024. But asked if the Fed will have to hike above its neutral rate to combat inflation by slowing the economy, 45% said yes, and 48% said no. “The economy has jumped far ahead of Fed policy rates,” said Steven Blitz, chief U.S. economist at TS Lombard. “The only hope is to raise rates and hope inflation drops enough to bring everything into line.” The good news is that inflation is seen peaking in February 2022 and subsiding next year. The bad news: lower inflation next year means it will still be near 4% and closer to 3% in 2023, still above the Fed’s 2% target. Meanwhile, 41% of respondents think the worker shortage will prove permanent, up from 24% in November; and 31% see the inflation problem as permanent, up 3 points, compared with 59% who continue to say it’s temporary, down 5 points. “If the pandemic continues to recede – each new wave of the virus is less disruptive to the health care system and the economy than the previous wave – the economy should be near full employment and inflation will be comfortably low by this time next year,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics. Lost in the concern about inflation are some generally upbeat economic forecasts. Growth is seen near 4% next year and remaining above trend in 2023 at 2.9%. The unemployment rate is forecast to approach 3.8% in 2022 and continue to drop in 2023. The recession probability is a modest 19%. But stock market gains are expected to be a small 1.5% next year compared with current levels, but gain 6% by year-end 2023. The 10-year yield by then is forecast to work its way up to 2.5%. “We have a strong message coming from the bond market that it believes inflation pressures are indeed transitory,” wrote Jim Paulsen, chief investment strategist of The Leuthold Group. But John Lonski, president of Thru the Cycle, says, “Treasury bond yields are too low given consensus outlooks for inflation and economic growth in 2022.” NN: The horror is the FED jerked of to long. They were in interstitial denial. Now they got a inflationary fire storm going.And still they are in denial. The only way to dose the flames is to significantly raise interest rates. And beat the bubble and inflation out of the economy with a serious deflation also known as a recession. and this they will do and the bubble markets in stocks, bond sand real estate will be devastated.
US producer prices up 0.8% in November
Washington, DC, December 14, 2021-The Producer Price Index for final demand increased 0.8% in November, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Final demand prices moved up 0.6% in each of the three prior months.
On an unadjusted basis, the final demand index rose 9.6% for the 12 months ended in November, the largest advance since 12-month data were first calculated in November 2010.
In November, the index for final demand services rose 0.7% and prices for final demand goods increased 1.2%.The index for final demand less foods, energy, and trade services moved up 0.7% in November, the largest rise since climbing 0.8% in July. For the 12 months ended in November, prices for final demand less foods, energy, and trade services increased 6.9%, the largest advance since 12-month data were first calculated in August 2014.
British PM Johnson faces rebellion in parliament over COVID measures
LONDON (Reuters) – British Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces a large rebellion among his Conservative lawmakers on Tuesday in a parliamentary vote over new restrictions to try to curb the spread of the new Omicron coronavirus variant.The measures, including ordering people to work from home, to wear masks in public places and use COVID-19 passes to enter some venues, are expected to be approved by parliament but with Johnson relying on the opposition Labour Party for votes. It’s yet another blow to a prime minister already under pressure over reported parties in his Downing Street office last year when such gatherings were banned, a pricey refurbishment of his apartment and the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. Many of his lawmakers say the restrictions are draconian, with several questioning the introduction of vaccination certification, dubbed COVID passports, to enter some venues, such as night clubs. Others are using the votes as an opportunity to vent their anger at Johnson, believing the man who helped the Conservatives win a large majority at a 2019 election is squandering the party’s successes by self-inflicted missteps and gaffes. But despite the grumblings of discontent, Conservative Party insiders say there is not enough of a groundswell against Johnson to dislodge him now, with no potential challenger commanding enough support to replace him. “Boris on a bad day is better than any of the other wannabes on a good day,” said one veteran Conservative. Lawmakers are due to start consecutive votes on the measures in turn from 1830 GMT. The government says the measures are necessary to stem the spread of Omicron, which accounts for more than 40% of infections in London and is expected to become the dominant strain in the British capital. One person has died after contracting the variant and 10 people have been hospitalised with Omicron across England. Ministers are moving to try to win over the Conservative rebels, saying that people who have not been double-jabbed can instead offer proof of a negative lateral flow test to gain access to indoor venues of more than 500 people. But several are not convinced. “It is quite wrong that people should be expected to produce what is essentially a health ID card before they can access services that should be available to all,” said Conservative lawmaker and former minister, David Jones. “People should certainly be encouraged to have the vaccine … but ultimately people have to take responsibility for their own health,” he told Reuters. NN: Reality is we just do not know how severe the new Omicron mutation is. And that is what fuels the debate. Proactive or reactive.It is conclusive the covid infections spread through the travel and leisure industry. And the flying incubation tubes are mas spreader events. But the trillion dollar industry wants the world to become reactive. If they were smart they would realize 2 weeks of a travel stop would put out the fire. In their greed they guarantee themselves months of escalating travel restrictions……
Pound weakens as Britain braces for Omicron ‘tidal wave’
LONDON (Reuters) -Sterling traded lower on Monday as Britain braced for a “tidal wave” of the Omicron coronavirus variant and investors took the view the Bank of England would keep interest rates on hold to assess its economic impact before tightening monetary policy. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned of an incoming surge in infections and said at least one patient had died in the United Kingdom after contracting the Omicron variant. Before the death was announced, Britain said 10 people had been hospitalized with the Omicron variant in various parts of England. Their ages ranged from 18 to 85 years and most had received two vaccination doses. Health Secretary Sajid Javid also told parliament that the variant was spreading swiftly and would become the dominant variant in the British capital in the next 48 hours. BoE policy makers meet on Thursday to decide whether to tighten monetary policy to keep inflation in check but the resurgent COVID-19 pandemic has prompted traders to price in a status quo rather than a rise in interest rates. “Markets do not expect the Bank of England to move given the economic uncertainties created by omicron”, UBS Global Wealth Management Chief Economist Paul Donovan wrote in a note. The government wants to offer all adults a booster by New Year, an ambitious target because the Christmas holiday is approaching and vaccinating 1 million people per day is around double the current rate of 530,000 per day. The pound fell 0.30% to $1.3231 and was down 0.07%at 85.34 pence against the euro. Pressure on the pound is also due to political risk. Johnson faces a rebellion in his Conservative Party over measures to curb the spread of the Omicron variant and an outcry over alleged parties at his Downing Street office during last year’s lockdowns. “We now believe there is a 40% probability that Johnson is replaced at some point next year”, analysts at Eurasia group estimated.Since the first Omicron cases in the United Kingdom were detected on Nov. 27, scientists have lifted the COVID-19 alert level to four on a five-point scale and Johnson has imposed tougher restrictions. The Omicron variant, reported in more than 60 countries, poses a “very high” global risk, with some evidence that it evades vaccine protection, the World Health Organization says. NN: We are deferentially in uncharted territory. And the natives are not friendly.Now we need to find out if we are facing bow\and arrows or tanks.
Wall Street falls as investors eye Omicron and Fed meeting
Dec 13 (Reuters) – Wall Street fell from record highs on Monday, with shares of Carnival Corp and several airlines tumbling as investors worried about the Omicron coronavirus variant ahead of a Federal Reserve meeting later this week. Travel-related stocks fell, with the fast-spreading variant accounting for around 40% of COVID-19 infections in London and at least one death in the United Kingdom. Carnival Corp, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and Royal Caribbean Cruises all dropped more than 5%, while the S&P 1500 airlines index shed 3.1%. “It’s transportation, restaurants, all the things that if it got bad enough that we started putting new restrictions on people, it would not be good for them,” said Tom Martin, senior portfolio manager at Globalt Investments in Atlanta. “They have all been bid over the past several months by the idea that we were going to get back to business as usual.” Seven of the 11 major S&P 500 sector indexes fell, with only defensive sectors, including consumer staples, utilities and real estate gaining. The CBOE Market Volatility index, a gauge for investor anxiety, was up 1.75 points. In afternoon trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.7% at 35,720.1 points, while the S&P 500 lost 0.63% to 4,682.38.The Nasdaq Composite dropped 1% to 15,474.32. Apple Inc dipped 0.7%, even after J.P. Morgan raised its price target on the iPhone maker to the highest on Wall Street. The company is close to becoming the first in the world to hit $3 trillion in market value. Investors expect an increasingly hawkish tone out of the Federal Reserve’s two-day meeting that wraps up on Wednesday. The U.S. central bank is expected to signal a faster wind-down of asset purchases, which could also usher closer a start to interest rate hikes. “Everyone is focused on the Fed this week and what guidance we get in terms of bond purchases and interest rates. There’s an expectation that there will be an acceleration of tapering, and there’s a little anxiety leading up to that,” said Ryan Jacob, chief portfolio manager at Jacob Internet Fund. A Reuters poll of economists sees the central bank hiking key interest rates from near zero to 0.25%-0.50% in the third quarter of next year, followed by another in the fourth quarter. Positive updates about vaccines and antibody cocktails to combat the new COVID-19 variant, along with a recent reading on inflation that was in line with consensus, pushed the S&P 500 index to a record closing high on Friday. Pfizer Inc rose about 4% after it agreed to acquire Arena Pharmaceuticals in a $6.7 billion all-cash deal. Arena’s shares surged about 80%. Declining issues outnumbered advancing ones on the NYSE by a 2.45-to-1 ratio; on Nasdaq, a 2.55-to-1 ratio favored decliners. The S&P 500 posted 47 new 52-week highs and 4 new lows; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 28 new highs and 286 new lows.
Israeli study finds Pfizer COVID-19 booster protects against Omicron
JERUSALEM, Dec 11 (Reuters) – Israeli researchers said on Saturday they found that a three-shot course of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine provided significant protection against the new Omicron variant. The findings were similar to those presented by BioNTech and Pfizer earlier in the week, which were an early signal that booster shots could be key to protect against infection from the newly identified variant. The study, carried out by Sheba Medical Center and the Health Ministry’s Central Virology Laboratory, compared the blood of 20 people who had received two vaccine doses 5-6 months earlier to the same number of individuals who had received a booster a month before. “People who received the second dose 5 or 6 months ago do not have any neutralization ability against the Omicron. While they do have some against the Delta (strain),” Gili Regev-Yochay, director of the Infectious Diseases Unit at Sheba, told reporters. “The good news is that with the booster dose it increases about a hundred fold. There is a significant protection of the booster dose. It is lower than the neutralization ability against the Delta, about four times lower,” she said. The Israeli team said they worked with the actual virus while the companies used what is known as a pseudovirus, which was bio-engineered to have the hallmark mutations of Omicron. The Israeli research follows a study from South Africa that found the Omicron variant can partially evade protection from two doses.
Best video on supplements. and your immune system
This is the best video i have seen yet on supplements. It is a long play but well worth it
Dr Michael Cohen discusses the importance of Vitamin D and zinc for the optimisation of the immune system. Vitamin K2 is also used to distribute calcium to the correct tissues. explanation of preventing and minimising infection by enabling the amazing natural immune response. NN: We put a lot of time, money and research into our Supplements. Watch the video and then go to our data sheet. CoronaVit Data Sheet You will see why we line up with the supplements spoken about and dosages. If you would like to purchase click this link: Salavida Products
Israeli study finds Pfizer COVID-19 booster protects against Omicron
JERUSALEM, Dec 11 (Reuters) – Israeli researchers said on Saturday they found that a three-shot course of the Pfizer/BioNTech (PFE.N), (22UAy.DE) COVID-19 vaccine provided significant protection against the new Omicron variant. The findings were similar to those presented by BioNTech and Pfizer earlier in the week, which were an early signal that booster shots could be key to protect against infection from the newly identified variant. The study, carried out by Sheba Medical Center and the Health Ministry’s Central Virology Laboratory, compared the blood of 20 people who had received two vaccine doses 5-6 months earlier to the same number of individuals who had received a booster a month before. “People who received the second dose 5 or 6 months ago do not have any neutralization ability against the Omicron. While they do have some against the Delta (strain),” Gili Regev-Yochay, director of the Infectious Diseases Unit at Sheba, told reporters. “The good news is that with the boosster dose it increases about a hundred fold. There is a significant protection of the booster dose. It is lower than the neutralization ability against the Delta, about four times lower,” she said. The Israeli team said they worked with the actual virus while the companies used what is known as a pseudovirus, which was bio-engineered to have the hallmark mutations of Omicron. The Israeli research follows a study from South Africa that found the Omicron variant can partially evade protection from two doses. NN: It has been conclusive since August, You need to be sure to get your 3rd booster shot NOW! I do not like what i am seeing. People who have had only one shot are getting infected and are dieting.