Covid-19 Pandemic
 Here’s the latest news from the global pandemic. China vaccine frontrunner says shots are safe amid Astra setback Europe is trying to beat Covid flareups with patchwork of strategies Trump unable to escape virus fallout as his own words haunt him Getting a clear picture on vaccines The breakneck race for a coronavirus vaccine is getting a lot messier. Frontrunner AstraZeneca had to pause one of the most closely watched vaccine trials after a patient developed what U.S. National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins described to a Senate committee on Wednesday as a “spinal cord issue.” While AstraZeneca Chief Executive Officer Pascal Soriot told a private group of investors the precise diagnosis of the adverse event remains unclear, it could represent a serious setback for efforts to get a Covid-19 vaccine to the world quickly: If AstraZeneca’s review finds the adverse event is related to the shot, all the doses it has already manufactured will be thrown away, Collins said.  Pascal Soriot Photographer: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg The episode comes amid increasing concern that the vaccine development and approval process has become politicized. With the U.S. presidential election nearing, President Donald Trump has suggested an inoculation could be available to some as early as next month. In response, nine of the companies developing coronavirus vaccines put out a joint statement this week saying they would be guided by the science—not politics. One has gone a step further. Kenneth Frazier, Merck’s chief executive officer, advocated that companies release all data they ultimately use to apply for authorization or approval. That data must be made widely available, Frazier said during a conference, so the broader scientific community “can actually pore through that data and assure the public that it has been looked at objectively.” More transparency about what’s happening within AstraZeneca’s trials, as well as other coronavirus vaccine studies, is sorely needed. “This is a health and security issue for the American people. The pharma companies have a different agenda, they are focused on their shareholders,” said Peter Hotez, a vaccine expert at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, in the wake of the AstraZeneca CEO’s private session with investors. “Right now, Operation Warp Speed is proceeding in a manner that reinforces public mistrust of Covid-19 vaccines.” A breakdown in trust could be especially worrisome at a time when many Americans are already hesitant to take coronavirus inoculations, including religious groups and people of color with long-standing historical grievances over how the shots have been researched. The more reasons people are given to turn away from a shot, the more likely it becomes that the virus will continue to stalk the globe.—Robert Langreth and Riley Griffin Latest podcast How to Build Public Trust in a Vaccine A claim two weeks ago by President Trump—that the “deep state” was slowing approval of a Covid-19 vaccine—has set off an effort by government officials and private industry to ensure the White House doesn’t interfere with the process. Drew Armstrong reports on how to reassure the public a vaccine will be safe. Hear the episode here.  What you should read Pandemic Masks Slavery Risk in Supply Chains Companies, investors can’t visit factories in many countries due to virus. Manhattan Apartment Vacancies Reach Record Units are getting harder to fill after New Yorkers fled the lockdown. How to Attend a Wedding (or Not) During Covid Being an informed guest is crucial to reduce risk and keep everyone happy. Emissions Heading Back to Pre-Pandemic Levels Rise follows a short blip when virus brought industries and travel to a halt. Astra Still Aims for Covid Vaccine by End of Year Still, CEO Pascal Soriot said he can’t evaluate the length of the trial pause. Know someone else who would like this newsletter? Have them sign up here. Have any questions, concerns, or news tips on Covid-19 news? Get in touch or help us cover the story. Like this newsletter? Subscribe for unlimited access to trusted, data-based journalism in 120 countries around the world and gain expert analysis from exclusive daily newsletters, The Bloomberg Open and The Bloomberg Close. Follow Us Get the newsletter You received this message because you are subscribed to Bloomberg’s Coronavirus Daily newsletter. Unsubscribe | Bloomberg.com | Contact Us Bloomberg L.P. 731 Lexington, New York, NY, 10022 |
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