Lockdowns create vision problems for kids

An analysis of eye test data from nearly 2,000 Hong Kong school-age children revealed that the rate of nearsightedness that developed during the pandemic more than doubled what was found in a pre-pandemic study of children the same age, according to the report in the British Journal of Ophthalmology. …

The researchers also found “significant changes” in the children’s lifestyles during Covid restrictions; outdoor time decreased by 68 percent, and screen time increased 2.8-fold.

An unexpected side effect of the pandemic — nearsightedness in kids
Hong Kong researchers analyzed eye test data from nearly 2,000 children, ages 6 to 8.

Seniors wasting away under pandemic curbs

More than a third of the 2,074 U.S. adults aged 50 to 80 who took part in the online survey in January reported a decline in physical activity in the first 10 months of the pandemic, and 27% said their physical conditioning — flexibility, muscle strength and endurance — had worsened.

Seniors at risk for more falls due to less physical activity during pandemic
Older Americans already face a higher risk of falls, but the decline in physical activity during the pandemic may have made matters worse, a new survey suggests.

Does new delta plus variant mean life imprisonment?

South Korea’s Disease Control and Prevention Agency said Tuesday that it had recorded at least two cases of the new coronavirus delta-plus variant, which some experts believe to be more transmissible than the original delta variant that was first detected in India and has since thwarted plans for returning to life before the pandemic.

But what do we know about “delta plus,” yet another new variant causing alarm among governments and health officials? First identified in Europe in March, the variant is also known as B. 1.617.2.1 or AY.1.

It has been detected in several countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States and India.

Here’s what we know about the delta-plus variant
South Korea has detected its first two cases of a virus variant known as “delta plus.” Health officials are on alert.

North Korea Is Willing to Talk, but First It Wants Fuel, Suits and Liquor

SEOUL—North Korea has a few demands to restart nuclear talks with the U.S., according to South Korea’s spy agency. Kim Jong Un’s regime wants sanctions restrictions relaxed to allow exporting minerals and importing more refined fuel.

Also on the must-have list: fine suits and premium liquor.

North Korea Is Willing to Talk, but First It Wants Fuel, Suits and Liquor
North Korea wants sanctions restrictions relaxed to allow exporting minerals and importing more refined fuel, South Korea’s spy agency said, before it would consider restarting nuclear talks with the U.S.

How unbiased is CNN?

The attorney general’s report on New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo includes communications from his brother, Chris.

New details on Chris Cuomo’s advising Gov. Andrew Cuomo on harassment scandal
The attorney general’s report on New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo includes communications from his brother, Chris.

Infected but not feeling it

Some of the cases were asymptomatic, most involved mild to moderate symptoms and only two required hospitalization, officials said. The infections were determined to be Delta-related because most samples in San Francisco were tested for the variant, which is now dominant in the city.

More than 200 staff members at 2 San Francisco hospitals have tested positive, most in breakthrough Delta infections.
Vaccinations warded off severe Covid for most of the workers, who tested positive this month; two required hospitalization.
Continue reading “Infected but not feeling it”

The “law of necessity”

In a late-night public address on Wednesday, Mr. Duterte argued that the coronavirus emergency trumped laws guaranteeing freedom of movement, calling his order “the law of necessity.”

“If they don’t want to be vaccinated, they should not be allowed to go out of their homes,” Mr. Duterte said. “They may say there is no law, but should I wait for a law knowing that many will die?”

Duterte says vaccine refusers in the Philippines should be detained at home.
It was not clear whether President Rodrigo Duterte intended to try to enforce such a rule, which legal experts said would be unconstitutional.

Barbara Boxer assaulted, robbed in California

“The assailant pushed her in the back, stole her cell phone and jumped in a waiting car,” the tweet said. “She is thankful that she was not seriously injured.”

Former US Sen. Barbara Boxer assaulted, robbed in California
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Former U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer was assaulted and robbed Monday in Oakland, California, her son said. The assault happened in the Jack London Square neighborhood, according to a tweet on Boxer’s verified Twitter account.

The vaccine has failed relative to inflated political promises

“The NYT has decided it’s acceptable to discuss the topic of C19 vaccine failure. Even Dr. Fauci agrees.”

Fauci says US headed in `wrong direction’ on coronavirus
WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — The United States is in an “unnecessary predicament” of soaring COVID-19 cases fueled by unvaccinated Americans and the virulent delta variant, the nation’s top infectious diseases expert said Sunday.
Continue reading “The vaccine has failed relative to inflated political promises”

Progressive arrests all rival candidates

MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) — Nicaraguan police placed under house arrest a seventh presidential contender on Saturday, meaning that almost all of those who could have challenged President Daniel Ortega in the Nov. 7 elections have now been detained.

Nicaragua arrests 7th presidential contender in Nov. 7 vote
MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) — Nicaraguan police placed under house arrest a seventh presidential contender on Saturday, meaning that almost all of those who could have challenged President Daniel Ortega in the Nov.
Continue reading “Progressive arrests all rival candidates”