Good morning, this newsletter update changes the booster shot story to over 50’s, not just over 70’s in UK.
Covid and Kids
Britain is now recommending children aged 12 to 15 yrs old, receive the Covid vaccine. It’s a controversial recommendation given the fact a scientific panel in England has said it doesn’t recommend giving that age group a vaccines because the benefits marginally outweighs risks. And because schools themselves will be the point of vaccination and feel squeezed by the Government on an issue that parents need to decide at home.
UK’s Chief Medical Officer, held a news conference to explain why he would go against the panel, and focused most of his reasoning on education and why “extremely powerful evidence” exists for giving the vaccines, taking into account physical and mental health for kids, and that vaccines reduce education disruption.
“Our assessment is the benefit exceeded the risk to a sufficient degree” we have advised the four nations (England,Scotland,Wales, N Ireland) Chris Witty said, vaccines should be given.
What’s the risk? Heart inflammation is the biggest side effect from the vaccine, with 12-34 cases seen for every one million second doses. So for the moment only one dose is being recommended for this age group.
Already Canada, France, Italy, Israel, Germany and America vaccinate age 12 plus. And Israel has now said 1 in 10 kids who get Covid suffer long term effects.
Covid Boosters
An international panel of experts has argued in The Lancet booster shots are not necessary right now, as the U.S. is about to announce booster shots for everyone as we approach winter.
"Even if boosting were eventually shown to decrease the medium-term risk of serious disease, current vaccine supplies could save more lives if used in previously unvaccinated populations than if used as boosters in vaccinated populations," the scientists wrote.
CORRECTION
The UK is also to announce booster shots today for over 50’s. The booster shot is being recommended based on projections of immunity 9 to 12 months out. So the booster will be offered as one dose 6 months after the second dose.
Tough Parents
Emma Raducanu, the Canadian born - British tennis star who just won the U.S. Open at only 18 years of age, has told network news interviewers she puts her success down to “hard to please parents” who gave her the mental tools to succeed.
There! Finally some vindication for parents who feel tinges of guilt for pushing their kids too hard. It’s always a balance but parents have a tough job walking the line between driving their kids forward and just letting them be. As someone said pressure can ‘burst pipes or make diamonds’.
Afghan Crisis
The UN learned yesterday drought and political upheaval means a humanitarian disaster in Afghanistan is looming.
The World Food Program estimates that 40 percent of crops have been lost during a severe drought. The price of wheat has gone up by 25 percent, and hundreds of thousands of people have been made homeless after being forced to flee fighting. The country’s health care system is teetering on the edge of collapse.
Of course the Taliban is terrific at making war, but can is run a Country? 20 years ago is showed is couldn’t do it and when the war started Afghans were already starving. The UN now predicts a million children could die this winter from lack of food.
Hurricane Nicholas
Texans braced as Hurricane Nicholas strengthened and swept over the state’s Gulf Coast on Monday night, sweeping toward the Houston area with high winds and driving rain.
More than a foot of rain is expected in Houston as the hurricane makes and fall later today.
Iran Nuclear - One Month?
Worst case scenario - The Institute for Science and International Security predicts that Iran could have enough enriched uranium for a nuclear bomb within one month, according to a report published on Monday.
In three months it could produce enough weapons-grade uranium for a second weapon and in five months a third.
This is a regime which has promised to wipe Israel off the map, and is driven by ideology which has the potential to upset not only the middle east but central Asia and reach into Europe. A nuclear armed Iran is such a serious prospect the Biden administration along with Israel will be presented with dramatic and uncomfortable choices.
That’s a wrap on headlines on this Tuesday! Have a good day everyone.
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Dana
https://www.jpost.com/international/iran-could-have-a-nuclear-weapon-in-1-month-report-679418
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/covid-19-vaccine-boosters-not-153321692.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/13/world/asia/afghanistan-united-nations-crisis.html
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/sep/13/emma-raducanu-puts-success-down-to-very-hard-to-please-parents
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-58552769