Expel Rashida Tlaib From Congress NOW

Just who does this antisemite represent --- the people of Michigan or the Jew-haters in Gaza? Kick her out of Congress, and deport her to the Middle East where she can represent Hamas from there instead of here:

'Squad' member calls Netanyahu a 'genocidal maniac,' sparking backlash from Israeli ambassador to the UN;Rashida Tlaib asks when US will ‘stop funding this madness’ in the Middle East

"Democrat 'Squad' member Rashida Tlaib is now calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a "genocidal maniac," prompting a sharp rebuke from the country’s ambassador to the United Nations. 

"Genocidal maniac Netanyahu is burning Palestinians alive, bombing hospitals, starving people, and killing aid workers," the Michigan representative wrote Monday night in a post on X. 

"When will our country stop funding this madness? When?" she added.

"Israeli ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon responded to her by writing "The only ones who burned children alive were your buddies over at Hamas."

Another Threatening Ultimatum to Israel from the Biden-Harris Collaborators

Life in Israel will improve -- when this administration is thrown out of office!

How disgraceful!  Netanyahu should ignore this threat and have no further useless conversations with Biden and his anti-Israel team of appeasers. If they are so obsessed with "humanitarian aid to Gaza", let Biden provide it himself -- or have Harris deliver it personally -- the week of the election.

----------------------------

Biden-Harris administration threatens to withhold military aid to Israel if conditions in Gaza don’t improve 

"The Biden-Harris administration is giving Israel 30 days to improve humanitarian aid efforts in Gaza or else the US could halt military assistance, according to a letter sent to the Israeli military.

"The letter, penned by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, threatens to pause the delivery of US weapons and aid to Israel unless the Jewish state provides assurance that humanitarian aid is flowing into Gaza unhindered, according to Ynet News reports."

Tripledemic warning from the UK:Ignore At Your Own Risk

What happens with COVID in the United Kingdom usually soon happens in the United States, so I'm taking this seriously and not dropping my guard any time soon:

-----------------------------------------

From SurreyLive, October 15, 2024:

Doctor issues dire 'tripledemic' warning to Brits for this winter

There are fears that the side-by-side outbreaks of these three respiratory illnesses could have major repercussions for the NHS 

"A doctor has warned of a potential 'tripledemic' this winter, which could put major strain on the NHS. With the nights closing in and temperature dropping, there are fears that Covid-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) could hit the nation hard.

"Illnesses often spread rapidly over winter, with many viruses thriving and our immune systems weakened. And with people often spending more time indoors, it means the conditions are ripe for illness.

"That leaves the UK open for a 'tripledemic', leaving doctors concerned for the nation's health this winter. Dr Chun Tang, a GP at Pall Mall, said: “A ‘tripledemic’ refers to side-by-side outbreaks of three respiratory illnesses, typically occurring during the autumn and winter seasons.

“In recent years, it’s been used to describe the simultaneous spread of Covid-19, influenza (flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Each of these viruses can cause severe illness, especially in vulnerable groups like the elderly, young children, and those with weakened immune systems.

“It is of particular concern now because, as these viruses circulate together, they can put pressure on the NHS due to a greater influx of patients."

"A new Covid-19 variant, known as XEC, has been identified this autumn and is contributing to rising case numbers across the UK, leading to growing unease amongst health officials. Hospital admission rates have escalated to 4.55 per 100,000 from 3.72 last week, with a particularly sharp increase in the older demographic – notably those aged 85 and above are experiencing cases up to 52.48 per 100,000.

“RSV, flu, and Covid share many overlapping symptoms like fever, cough, runny nose, and fatigue, which can make it difficult to tell the difference between them," Dr Tang added.

"“Covid-19 may lead to a loss of taste or smell and more frequent breathing difficulties,” highlights Tang. “RSV often causes wheezing and is more likely to affect infants, while the flu tends to hit quickly with sudden fever and body aches. If you’re unsure, testing can confirm which virus is responsible. For infants, seek medical attention if they are struggling to breathe, are dehydrated, or if the child becomes unusually lethargic."

"The start of October saw the NHS start its flu and Covid vaccine roll-out. Older people, care home residents and people with health conditions are all eligible for vaccinations, with jabs set to be given from Thursday.

"The latest roll-out comes after health officials raised concerns about a fall in the uptake of the flu vaccine. It is thought that the illness has caused at least 18,000 deaths in the last two years.

"It’s possible to contract more than one of these viruses together,” warns Tang. “Being infected with multiple respiratory viruses can increase the severity of illness and make it harder for the body to recover, especially for those with weakened immune systems or existing health conditions.

“The people most vulnerable to severe illness from a tripledemic include young children, older adults, and individuals with underlying health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, or weakened immune systems.

“Babies under the age of one, especially those born prematurely, are at higher risk from RSV, while older adults and those with chronic conditions may face more serious complications from the flu and Covid-19.”

"Indigenous Peoples Day"? No Thanks - It's Columbus Day!

Enough with the ridiculous political correctness and disregard for history.

I can still remember a part of the poem we learned as schoolchildren:

"In fourteen hundred ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.
He had three ships and left from Spain; He sailed through sunshine, wind and rain."

Besides,  Columbus probably Spanish and Jewish, study says.

"Famed explorer Christopher Columbus was likely Spanish and Jewish, according to a new genetic study conducted by Spanish scientists that aimed to shed light on a centuries-old mystery.

"Scientists believe the explorer, whose expedition across the Atlantic in 1492 changed the course of world history, was probably born in western Europe, possibly in the city of Valencia.

"They think he concealed his Jewish identity, or converted to Catholicism, to escape religious persecution.

"The study of DNA contradicts the traditional theory, which many historians had questioned, that the explorer was an Italian from Genoa.

"His arrival there was the beginning of a period of European contact with the Americas, which would lead to conquest and settlement - and the deaths of many millions of indigenous people to diseases and war.

"Countries have argued for years over the explorer's origin, with many claiming him as one of their own.

"There have been an estimated 25 conflicting theories of his birthplace, including Poland, Great Britain, Greece, Portugal, Hungary and Scandinavia.

"These new findings are based on more than two decades of research.

"The study began in 2003, when José Antonio Lorente, professor of forensic medicine at Granada University, and the historian Marcial Castro, exhumed what were believed to be the remains of Columbus from Seville Cathedral.

"Columbus died in the Spanish city of Valladolid in 1506 but wished to be buried on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. His remains were taken there in 1542 but centuries later were transferred to Cuba before being finally laid to rest in Seville.

"The researchers also took DNA samples from the tomb, and from the bones of Columbus' son, Hernando, and brother, Diego.

"Since then scientists have compared that genetic information with that of historical figures and the explorer's relatives in order to try and solve the mystery.

"The previously widely accepted theory was that Columbus was born in Genoa in 1451, to a family of wool weavers.

"But they now believe he lived in Spain - likely in Valencia - and was Jewish. They think he hid his background to avoid persecution.

"Around 300,000 practising Jews lived in Spain, before they along with Muslims were ordered to either convert to Catholicism or leave the country in 1492, the year Columbus landed in the Americas.

"Announcing the study's results on the television documentary Columbus DNA: His True Origin, Professor Lorente said they were "almost absolutely reliable".

"The programme - which aired on Spain's national broadcaster RTVE on Saturday night - coincided with Spain's National Day.

"The day celebrates the explorer's arrival in the Americas."

COVID news & more for 10/13/24

Here's the latest edition of Dr Ruth Ann Crystal's fact-filled newsletter, COVID news & more, for October 13, 2024:

"Here in the United States, wastewater levels of SARS-CoV-2 are finally LOW on a national level. In fact, according to JP Weiland, we are at a level lower than we saw in Fall 2023 and 2022. COVID transmission has decreased significantly in many places. There are approximately 310,000 new infections per day and only 1 in every 108 people is currently infected which is significantly better than the almost 1 million daily infections that we saw during the summer wave.

From: https://x.com/JPWeiland/status/1844872825246535941

"Montana and Oregon still have VERY HIGH levels of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in their wastewater, followed by HIGH levels (Level 8) in Arizona, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Vermont, Washington and Wyoming and HIGH levels (Level 7) in Arkansas, Delaware, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Oklahoma and West Virginia. 

"In the United Kingdom, COVID hospitalizations have increased significantly in England, where they are also starting to see rises in Influenza and RSV. 

Variants

"KP.3.1.1 represents 57% of current COVID cases. The new recombinant variant XEC has been doubling over the last three weeks from 2.3% to 5.3% to 10.7% in the United States. XEC is able to escape our immunity better than KP.3.1.1, but it appears that the new fall vaccines should protect us against severe disease. XEC is expected to peak around the end of November, but it is not expected to cause a very large impact on winter surge numbers according to JP Weiland.

Vaccines

"In the United States, the fall mRNA vaccines are based on the KP.2 variant of SARS-CoV-2. However, many places in Europe will offer mRNA COVID vaccines against the JN.1 variant this winter. A new study from Germany shows that the JN.1 mRNA COVID vaccines provide neutralization against KP.3.1.1 and XEC and should protect against hospitalization and severe COVID disease with the current SARS-2 variants. The JN.1 Novavax vaccine was also approved by the European Union for people age 12 and older.

"In a randomized trial, adults in Japan with 3 prior mRNA vaccinations against SARS-CoV-2 were given either a new self-amplifying mRNA vaccine called ARCT-154 or the Pfizer mRNA vaccine. ARCT-154 produced a stronger and longer-lasting immune response compared to the standard Pfizer mRNA vaccine with protection lasting at least 12 months. This suggests that using self-amplifying mRNA vaccines for annual boosters may provide better protection, as long new variants do not change significantly over the year.

COVID, Oral Health and Social Determinants of Health

"In Indiana, 209 people who were COVID positive answered a survey about oral health months after their COVID infection. Self-reported gum disease was associated with lower socioeconomic status, more severe COVID infection, as well as ongoing problems with taste and smell. The study suggests that poor oral health may increase the risk of severe COVID outcomes, especially for lower-income groups.

Pediatrics

"A study from Weill Cornell shows that children with Long COVID have 152% higher odds of being seen in the emergency department. Long COVID kids were most often seen for chest pain, fluid imbalances, and generalized pain. The authors emphasize "the importance of improved guidance [for emergency department staff] for managing Long COVID symptoms in children." 

Antiviral treatments

"Nanobodies are made by camels. A group from Beijing, China made a trivalent nanobody called B11-E8-F3 which is composed of three nanobodies joined in a trivalent form that neutralizes SARS-1 and 14 different SARS-CoV-2 variants. Animal studies show therapeutic promise.

Testing

"This week, the FDA approved the first over-the-counter (OTC) rapid-antigen COVID-19/Flu & and B combination test (Healgen Rapid Check COVID-19/Flu A&B Antigen Test) outside of emergency use. Before now, other over-the-counter combination COVID and Flu A and B tests have been available under emergency use authorization only. It is important to remember that people often get symptoms with COVID several days before they test positive on home rapid antigen tests. So, it is important to mask and retest after 48 hours x 2 to be sure that they do not have a COVID infection. One negative COVID test does not mean that you do not have COVID if you have symptoms and repeat tests are necessary to rule out a COVID infection.

Long COVID (LC)

This week’s Long COVID research summary: 

"This has been a chock-full week of Long COVID news. We are learning that COVID can cause inflammation in the brainstem- which is a vital center for many bodily functions. Three years after COVID infection, people are at 2 to 4x increased risk for heart attack, strokes and other major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Other viruses like the flu do not cause such long term damage. Something in the blood of people with Long COVID and ME/CFS  is toxic, causing muscle damage and degradation of mitochondria. Amyloid the in microclots from people with Long COVID makes them impossible to break down. Three genes have been found to be associated with Long COVID. Twenty-one percent of people who have had a COVID infection are later found to have prolonged COVID antigens in the blood (viral persistence), and in people with Long COVID, this number is double.

COVID and the Brainstem

"The brainstem is responsible for many of the body’s most vital functions including breathing, consciousness, blood pressure, heart rate, and sleep. People hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 infection often have prolonged fatigue, breathlessness, and chest pain. A group from the UK looked at the brainstem of people who had been hospitalized for COVID using a very high resolution MRI (7T). At an average of 6.5 months after hospitalization, researchers found microstructural abnormalities in the medulla, pons and midbrain regions in the brainstem that were associated with neuroinflammation. Specifically, there was increased susceptibility in the inferior medullary reticular formation and the raphe pallidus and obscurus. Prolonged respiratory symptoms after severe COVID may be related to brainstem inflammatory injury. “Damage to the brainstem could also be responsible for symptoms of long Covid, such as breathlessness and fatigue.”

"According to dysautonomia expert neurologist Dr. Blitshteyn, neuroinflammation in the dorsal medulla of the brainstem may be a cause for POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). 

From: https://x.com/dysclinic/status/1843697641940824512

Referenced: 3/2021 Journal of Neurology: Is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) a central nervous system disorder? https://buff.ly/3Y5Y2RD

Increased risk of heart attack, strokes, blood clots three years after COVID infection

"You may have heard of someone with a heart attack in their 30s or 40s. Surprisingly, it could be due to a COVID infection that they had a few years ago. New data from the UK Biobank shows that up to three years after a COVID infection people have a 2-fold increased risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), including heart attack, stroke and all-cause mortality. People hospitalized for severe COVID had even higher risks (3.9-fold increased risk) for MACE. Being hospitalized with COVID increased people’s risk of MACE (including heart attack and stroke) at least as much or more than if they had pre-existing cardiovascular disease or diabetes. Any COVID infection is a risk factor for the heart and for stroke for at least three years.  

"The study also showed that people with non-O blood types (i.e. blood type A, B, or AB) had an elevated risk of blood clots up to three years after acute COVID infection compared to those with type O blood. COVID infection, along with severity of COVID infection and genetic factors such as blood type, affect long-term cardiovascular risks.

"This new study is consistent with work from Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly who published in 2023 that COVID infection led to increased risks of heart attack, stroke and blood clots up to two years after infection. 

"SARS-CoV-2 is unique in that it can increase risk (2x to 4x increased risk) for heart attack, stroke and blood clots for at least three years after infection. And, risks do not appear to diminish over time. We do not see this with the flu. We do not see this with other common respiratory infections. Why would that be?

"We know that the SARS-CoV-2 virus, or parts of the virus, can remain in the body in the bone marrow, in the gut, and even in the plaque of arteries that feed the heart. We call this viral persistence. In addition, we have learned that the COVID virus causes inflammation in the special cells, called endothelial cells, that line blood vessels throughout the body. SARS-CoV-2 has also been shown to cause unusual microclots in Long COVID that cannot be broken down by the body like normal clots can. COVID is not only a respiratory infection- it is a vascular disease that can affect the entire body for at least three years after infection.

Fibrinaloid Microclots

"About 20 different proteins in the body have the potential to misfold into beta-sheet clumps called amyloid that are difficult to break down once they are deposited in tissues. What diseases are affected by abnormal amyloid proteins? The amyloid protein Tau is found in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease. The amyloid form of α-synuclein is found to make abnormal clumps called Lewy bodies in the brains of people with Parkinson’s disease. IAPP amyloid deposits are found in people with Type II diabetes. Now we know that COVID infection can lead to abnormal amyloid protein clumps within blood clots making them resistant to being broken down and allowing them to clog small arteries and veins.

"A new paper from Drs Kell and Pretorius shows that microclots found in people with Long COVID are very unusual in that they do not contain typical clotting proteins like α-2-macroglobulin, fibronectin, and transthyretin. Instead, these atypical "fibrinaloid" microclots contain adiponectin, periostin, and von Willebrand factor proteins that tend to misfold to form amyloid structures in βeta-sheets. For this reason, these fibrinaloid microclots are resistant to proteolysis. 

Figure 18

Figure from: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/25/19/10809

Long COVID, ME/CFS and Skeletal Muscle

"Rob Wust’s lab has previously shown that exercise can actually cause muscle necrosis and amyloid clumps to be deposited in the skeletal muscles of people with Long COVID. This is thought to be a part of what may be causing post-exertional malaise (PEM) that follows 1 to 2 days after exercise in people with Long COVID. PEM is a hallmark symptom of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). About 50% or more of people with Long COVID have ME/CFS.

"A new eye-opening and somewhat terrifying report shows that adding the serum from people with ME/CFS or Long COVID to normal skeletal muscle tissue in a test tube leads to increased mitochondrial stress and a shift to glycolysis in the muscle cells within 48 hours. By 96 hours, exposure to ME/CFS or Long COVID serum significantly impairs the skeletal muscle tissue's ability to contract and causes the muscle cell mitochondria to disintegrate. Mitochondria are usually the “powerhouses of the cell” that make the energy needed for cells to function normally. More studies are needed to discover what substance exactly is in the blood of people with Long COVID and/or with ME/CFS that poisons the mitochondria of muscle cells.

"People with ME/CFS and those with Long COVID have often been gaslighted by medical professionals telling them that their symptoms of exhaustion and post-exertional malaise are just in their head. My own family member who has Long COVID and ME/CFS has had this experience. PEM and exhaustion from Long COVID and ME/CFS are very real as seen by these latest studies.

Genetic Risk for Long COVID

"In a really interesting new large study, researchers from 23andMe used Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) across different ethnic groups and found 3 genes that are linked to Long COVID. The three loci HLA-DQA1–HLA-DQB, ABO, and BPTF–KPAN2–C17orf58 are associated with immune and thrombo-inflammatory mechanisms in the body. They summarized, “Our top finding links the HLA region, in particular the HLA-DRB1*11:04 variant, to developing Long COVID.” 

Viral persistence: SARS-CoV-2 Antigens in the Blood

"A new RECOVER consortium study looked at SARS-CoV-2 antigens in the blood of 706 people up to 14 months after a COVID infection to see if there was a relationship with persistent virus in the blood and Long COVID. SARS-CoV-2 antigens, of which the majority were the spike protein, were found in 21% of samples overall. SARS-CoV-2 antigen found in the blood was significantly associated with a higher risk of all Long COVID symptoms, although cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal, and neurologic symptoms were seen most commonly. While 21% of blood samples overall were found to be SARS-2 antigen positive, people with Long COVID were twice as likely (43%) to have persistent viral antigens in their blood and having persistent virus in the blood correlated with Long COVID symptoms.

Other Long COVID and ME/CFS news

"The CIBS Center will be sponsoring a free webinar Thursday October 17th on applying for SSDI or SSI Disability for people with Long COVID and other post-infectious diseases.

"The Bateman Horne Center put out a new video featuring an endearing character called Mito explaining post-exertional malaise and ME/CFS entitled “Life with a Low Battery: Living with ME/CFS”. Tom Kindlon posted an infographic from the Chronic’s Chronicles showing what it is like to have a chronic illness like ME/CFS and Long COVID.

H5N1

"Six new human cases of H5 Avian Flu were confirmed in California dairy workers since October 3rd, bringing the total to 20 human cases of avian influenza A(H5) virus infection in the United States since April 2024. “Ten of these cases were associated with exposure to H5N1 bird flu-infected poultry and nine were associated with exposure to sick or infected dairy cows… All six California cases are reported to have experienced mild symptoms, including eye redness or discharge (conjunctivitis), and none were hospitalized.”

"This week, the USDA confirmed 3 more H5N1 infected dairy herds in California, bringing the state’s total to 99 herds. As Helen Branswell states, “That's 9% of the state's total herds, confirmed as infected over a period of only 6 weeks. Cumulative national total: 299 herds in 14 states.” 

"In a zoo in Vietnam, the H5N1 bird flu virus killed 47 tigers, 3 lions and a panther. 

Other news:

"A Marburg virus outbreak in two Rwandan hospitals has infected 61 people and killed 14. An experimental Sabin vaccine has been given to people exposed and there is no evidence of community transmission. “The United States recently upgraded its travel advisory for Rwanda, recommending against nonessential travel, and announced that health screening for inbound travelers from Rwanda will begin on October 14.” 

"The Earth will have a new temporary ‘mini moon’. "The mini moon is actually an asteroid about the size of a school bus at 33 feet (10 meters). When it whizzes by Earth on Sunday, it will be temporarily trapped by our planet’s gravity and orbit the globe — but only for about two months." 

"Blind fans can now use a handheld device from Field of Vision to allow them to “see” what is going on in a sports match via haptic feedback that they can feel with their hands."

Have a great week,

Ruth Ann Crystal MD

A COVID Refresher Course

By Caroline C. Boyle at USA Today 10/12/24:

How long does COVID last? Here’s when experts say you'll start to feel better.

"How the body responds to COVID-19 will vary from one person to the next, and the same goes for the recovery period from the virus. 

"How long it’ll take to recover from COVID-19 is always going to be “patient dependent,” says Dr. Christopher P. Culler, MD, a primary care pediatrician with Nemours Children’s Health, Florida. While most people start to feel better after a week of having the virus, others may continue to experience symptoms months after the initial infection. 

"In conversation with experts, here’s a refresher on the common COVID-19 symptoms to look out for, when you should expect the virus to clear up, and when to see a doctor.

What is the timeline for COVID symptoms?

"People infected with COVID-19 may experience a diverse range of symptoms that vary from mild to severe, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

"The COVID-19 XEC variant is the next evolution of COVID-19, says Culler. Currently, no unique symptoms have been linked to the XEC variant, he says.

"COVID-19 symptoms appear within two to 14 days after the beginning of infection, per the CDC. At the onset of symptoms, people infected with COVID-19 will begin to experience a general feeling of malaise, followed by fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough and headaches, Culler says. These are part of a “common basket of symptoms” that are also typical to other upper respiratory infections, such as flu or RSV, he says. 

"COVID-19 symptoms will typically peak around three to five days, although this will depend on the patient, Culler adds. 

"According to the CDC, common symptoms of COVID-19 include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• New loss of taste or smell
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Am I still contagious after 7 days of COVID-19?

"COVID-19 is not any different to other viruses in the sense that “you can continue to shed [the] virus long after your symptoms have resolved,” Culler says. Could someone still be contagious with COVID-19 after seven days? “The answer is probably yes,” he says. 

"You are most contagious with COVID-19 when you are in the midst of peak infection (days three to five), when the virus is being excreted, Dr. Francesca Torriani, MD, an infectious disease specialist with UC San Diego Health. 

"How long you will remain contagious after being infected with COVID-19 is likely to be influenced by your vaccination status, says Torriani. The updated vaccines, which target circulating variants, substantially decrease the severity of the disease if infected, studies show. 

"In general, most people are not as infectious with COVID-19 seven to 10 days after infection, Torriani says. However, individuals who are older or have compromised immune systems may shed the virus for longer. For this reason, it is recommended that immunocompromised individuals isolate for a longer time, she says. 

How long does COVID-19 last?

"Depending on whether you’ve experienced a mild or severe case of COVID-19, recovery times will vary. 

"When it comes to mild cases of COVID-19, “in general, we would say that it's for about two weeks,” says Torriani. You will likely begin to feel better five to seven days after the onset of symptoms, she notes. 

"For some, COVID-19 symptoms may persist weeks to months after the initial infection. In 2022, 6.9% of US adults reported to have experienced long COVID, according to a CDC survey. Symptoms linked to long COVID include: extreme tiredness, shortness of breath, dizziness, heart palpitations, muscle aches and “brain fog,” per the NHS.

When to see a doctor for COVID-19

"If you are running a high fever, experiencing shortness of breath, cough, or any other COVID-19 symptoms that are not improving, do not hesitate to reach out to your primary care provider, Torriani says.

"For certain populations, including immunocompromised individuals and the elderly, there are treatments that can decrease your chances of experiencing severe disease or requiring hospitalization, Torriani says. If you belong to these demographics, reach out to your primary care provider, who can assess if these treatments are right for you, she recommends."  

Interfering With Israel, Every Single Time.

Here we go yet again. It's the same old routine. Every time Israel makes headway in eradicating the terrorists determined to wipe Israel off the map,  the Biden-Harris administration tries to stop it.

SecDef Lloyd Austin Tells Israel to ‘Pivot’ to ‘Diplomatic Pathway’ in Lebanon

"U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told his Israeli counterpart, Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, that Israel needed to 'pivot' to a 'diplomatic pathway' in Lebanon, despite stunning Israeli advances against Hezbollah."

-----

This scenario has happened time and time again, and always when Israel is making strides against her enemies. Lloyd Austin must be reading from the same old script, and that's enough already. Notice that there is never a call for the terrorists to "pivot" to not murdering Jews?

Sorry: no pivoting, no diplomacy, no pauses. and no ceasefires. There is no negotiating with terrorists who want to kill you, period.  And neither "pivoting" not "diplomatic pathways" won't stop Hamas, Hezbollah, Al Qaeda, Iran, and every other enemy from their goal to destroy Israel and the Jewish people.

Israel, Alone

From the Gatestone Institute:

Betraying the Free World? by Majid Rafizadeh, October 12, 2024

• The only country in the Middle East consistently pressured to make concessions "to avoid escalation" was the victim of October 7, Israel.

• The rapacity of Iran's regime, which apparently feels free to launch attacks on U.S. troops at will -- especially after enjoying massive amounts of US generosity -- is breathtaking.

• The Biden-Harris administration also infused the regime with "closer to $60 billion" -- which most likely funded its militias; its terrorist proxy organizations, such as Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis; its expansionist agenda as far away as Venezuela, and its oppressive domestic policies, to which, for decade, the U.S. has turned a blind eye. When widespread protests take place in Iran, citizens bravely rise up against the regime, only to be brutally crushed -- without so much as a glance from the U.S.

• Iran, taking its cue from the Biden-Harris administration's road-siding of Israel, proceeded, not surprisingly, to escalate its campaign against it. If there are no serious consequences, why stop?

• Israel now finds itself fighting for its survival on multiple fronts. Thanks to the seeming lack of support from the Biden administration, Israel alone must fend off Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, the UN, much of Europe, the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court, professionally whipped-up Western university campuses and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

• The dangerous reality that unfolds when a once-reliable ally is abandoned, is that enemies can become increasingly aggressive so long as no one stops them.

• The message being sent is that allies will be left to fend for themselves, and enemies of freedom and democracy can go ahead and demolish them with impunity.

• The Free World, once a beacon of security, is left vulnerable, isolated and under siege.

"An ally, a true friend, is someone upon whom you can depend in times of crisis, especially when under attack. Throughout history, alliances have been formed on the basis of mutual support and protection. Yet, one could strongly argue that no administration in the history of the United States has left its allies in such a vulnerable position as the Biden-Harris administration.

"Iran, no longer content to merely act through its proxies, has taken direct and aggressive action against America's long-term ally, Israel, by attacking not only Israel but, through its proxies and militias, U.S. troops in the region more than 160 times just since October 2023 -- whenever it deems fit. Iran-backed Hamas terrorists murdered 43 Americans in their October 7, 2023 invasion of Israel.

"The rapacity of Iran's regime, which apparently feels free to launch attacks on U.S. troops at will -- especially after enjoying massive amounts of US generosity -- is breathtaking.

"This turn of events can be traced back to the very beginning of the Biden-Harris administration. The moment this administration took office, it made decisions that signaled weakness and appeasement, particularly toward the Taliban in Afghanistan, China and Iran. The Biden-Harris administration immediately removed Iran's proxy in Yemen, the Houthis, from the U.S. terrorist list, never fully to restore it there. The Houthis demonstrated their gratitude by attacking Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi.

"The Biden-Harris administration also failed fully to enforce sanctions against Iran, instead allowing the regime to sell oil at the new high prices caused by President Joe Biden's crippling of U.S. oil exploration his first days in office. The Biden-Harris administration also infused the regime with "closer to $60 billion" -- which most likely funded its militias; its terrorist proxy organizations, such as Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis; its expansionist agenda as far away as Venezuela, and its oppressive domestic policies, to which, for decade, the U.S. has turned a blind eye. When widespread protests take place in Iran, citizens bravely rise up against the regime, only to be brutally crushed -- without so much as a glance from the U.S.

"The Islamist regime of Iran not surprisingly interpreted the lack of any international response as a green light to pursue its regional ambitions without fear of U.S. retaliation. The tragic consequences of this became clear on October 7, 2023, when Hamas, a group openly supported by Qatar and Iran, launched an unprovoked, savage invasion of Israel, murdering 1,200 people, and kidnapping 241 more, including U.S. citizens.

"Hamas committed many atrocities — acts which Human Rights Watch has labeled as crimes against humanity. Despite these brazen violations, the Biden-Harris administration's response was always disturbingly muted, offering little more than token condemnations. The only country in the Middle East consistently pressured to make concessions "to avoid escalation" was the victim of October 7, Israel.

"The silence of the Biden-Harris administration, and its insistence on toothless "diplomacy," not only emboldened Iran but also encouraged it to activate its other proxies in the region against Israel. The Houthis, Hezbollah and Iraqi Shiite militia groups all ramped up their attacks on Israel, operating with the clear understanding that the U.S. would not intervene in any meaningful way. Israel, now under siege on multiple fronts, was left to fend for itself, with only wobbly and conditional support from its most powerful ally. Again, the Biden-Harris administration's cold shoulder to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu upon his visit to Washington in July, can only have been perceived by Iran as yet another green light to continue its aggression. Currently, the Red Sea is blocked, forcing vessels around the continent of Africa.

"The Biden-Harris administration then went a step further and began publicly criticizing Israel's defensive actions by laying down conditions, red lines and withholding weapons. As Israel fought to protect its citizens from terrorist attacks, the administration's failure to provide necessary military or diplomatic support showed that not only would the U.S. not come to Israel's aid, but it would also question Israel's right to defend itself from terrorist groups and others backed by Iran.

"Iran, taking its cue from the Biden-Harris administration's road-siding of Israel, proceeded, not surprisingly, to escalate its campaign against it. If there are no serious consequences, why stop? Emboldened by the absence of any significant pushback, Iran accelerated its long-held objective of wiping Israel off the map. On April 13, in an unprecedented move, Iran directly launched hundreds of its own missiles and attack drones at Israel -- a clear departure from previous engagements, where Iran operated through its proxy forces.

"More disconcerting was the Biden-Harris administration's lack of response to these direct attacks. The regime in Tehran had not only launched an assault on Israel, but it had also committed an act of war against a key U.S. ally. Instead of rallying to Israel's defense, the administration took the incomprehensible step of demanding that Israel show restraint. The message was that the U.S. would not intervene, and that Israel was expected to hold back.

"This, also not surprisingly, emboldened Iran to launch yet another direct attack on October 1, 2024— this time launching 180 ballistic missiles into Israel. If the Biden-Harris administration continues on its current path, these attacks are certain to escalate.

"Israel now finds itself fighting for its survival on multiple fronts. Thanks to the seeming lack of support from the Biden administration, Israel alone must fend off Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, the UN, much of Europe, the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court, professionally whipped-up Western university campuses and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

"The dangerous reality that unfolds when a once-reliable ally is abandoned, is that enemies can become increasingly aggressive so long as no one stops them.

"The surge in attacks against Israel and the U.S. and the growing number of terrorist groups targeting them are direct consequences of weak and indecisive American leadership.

"The message being sent is that allies will be left to fend for themselves, and enemies of freedom and democracy can go ahead and demolish them with impunity.

"The Free World, once a beacon of security, is left vulnerable, isolated and under siege."

Dr. Majid Rafizadeh is a business strategist and advisor, Harvard-educated scholar, political scientist, board member of Harvard International Review, and president of the International American Council on the Middle East. He has authored several books on Islam and US Foreign Policy. He can be reached at Dr.Rafizadeh@Post.Harvard.Edu

Practically Useless COVID Tests

I had the exact same reaction as these gentlemen did. The original expiration date was December 2023. The extended expiration date is 2 months from now.  No wonder they sent these out for free.  I personally never buy anything with such a short expiration date. I think this just shows the lack of concern our government has for COVID in general.

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 Free COVID tests from the government are arriving almost expired

"Joe Short had heard there was a good chance the free COVID tests he ordered from the federal government's COVIDtests.gov website would arrive with a past due expiration date. After all, the FDA says many COVID tests work beyond the date printed on the box.

"But what Short didn't expect was that the new, extended expiration date for his free tests would still be just around the corner from when they arrived at his home in early October.

"To Short -- and other viewers who've reached out -- it begs the question of why the government is offering up the free tests at all when they come with such a short shelf life.

"They're good until December 30th of this year," he said. "Why would they be sending them out with such a short period of usefulness?"

"Short's tests had a printed expiration date of December 30, 2023, but the FDA extended their shelf life by one year to this December 30. That's too short to Short, who says it feels like the federal government is unloading its trash.

"Are they cleaning out the attic or something and giving us all the stuff they got up there because it just doesn't make sense," he said. The tests are "going to expire in the heart of flu season, COVID season, pretty much when they're most needed."

"The same thing happened to Lanny Kutakoff whose government-issued free tests are from the same manufacturer as Short's but are from a slightly different batch.

"It feels like I went through the process the correct way, and I wasted my time," Kutakoff said. "I think they've got a backlog of old tests that they're sending out."

"The FDA website says the extended expiration date for Kutakoff's tests is December 28, 2024. When he called to see if he could get new tests, he says he was told that he had reached his limit, and he was not eligible for new ones.

"I thought it was ludicrous. I thought it was absurd," he said.

"Both men worry most people won't check the expiration dates on the tests that receive, instead assuming something sent by the government would be good for at least a year when that's not the case.

"If I went into a store and saw these on the shelf, with two months [left], I'd put them back on the shelf," Short said. "I wouldn't buy them."

"Their advice: check the expiration dates of the free tests closely or consider just buying your own.

"In response, the Department of Health and Human Services is encouraging people to not store these free tests but use them ahead of holiday gatherings. They say any test brand that's had its expiration date extended went through testing to ensure it still works."

Read, Ignore, & Keep Coughing

Here's some more negative health news to ignore, from NPR 10/11/24:

"Worst U.S. whooping cough outbreak in a decade has infected thousands"

Whooping cough is spreading nationwide at the highest levels since 2014. There have been more than 16,000 cases this year — more than four times as many compared to the same time last year — and two confirmed deaths. And experts are concerned that the outbreak could worsen in the fall and winter months.

“More children are going back to school now, [which leads to] greater exposure,” said Dr. Eric Chow, the chief of epidemiology and immunization at the Seattle and King County public health agency. “We’re coming up on the kind of winter season when people are spending more time indoors with other people.”

The disease is most dangerous to babies: 1 in 3 who get it require hospitalization.

Whooping cough cases are especially high right now on the West Coast.

King County, where Seattle is, has seen more this year than any year since 2015 — “and the year isn’t even over yet,” Chow said. He said the county is still seeing new cases of whooping cough every week.

Why the big outbreak now?

Experts say there are a number of possible explanations for the size of the current outbreak.

Doctors are testing for whooping cough more, so they’re identifying more cases.

It’s possible that the bacterium that causes the disease has mutated.

Also, people got behind on their vaccines during the pandemic, and they haven’t caught up.

“One of the challenges that we have with [the vaccine that protects against whooping cough] is that it is a five-dose series over the course of the first six years of a child’s life, so it does require regular visits to the primary care,” Chow said.

And, Chow said, not everyone can get to the doctor regularly.

But access isn’t the only problem.

“There still is a lot of vaccine hesitancy and anti-vaxers out there that will not vaccinate their kids,” said Dr. Tina Tan, a pediatric infectious disease physician at Northwestern University and the president-elect of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

For the first couple of weeks, whooping cough looks like a mild cold, but then the coughing fits start.

Babies who get it “are going to be whooping when they cough,” Tan said. “And they may cough, cough, cough, cough, cough, and then look like they're not breathing at all.”

Tan said those pauses in breathing are life-threatening, and a sign that it’s time to go to the hospital.

Whooping cough can also lead to pneumonia and other complications.

But babies can’t get their first dose of the vaccine that protects against whooping cough, also called pertussis, till they’re 2 months old.

“That’s why it’s important for pregnant women to get the pertussis vaccine when they’re pregnant,” Tan said, “so that you can protect your baby for the first two months of life until they’re old enough to be vaccinated themselves.”

Even before the pandemic, only about half of pregnant women got the pertussis vaccine. Now, that number is even lower.

In King County, of the 12 babies who have been seen with whooping cough this year, none of their mothers got the shot during pregnancy.

Vaccine fears, and confidence

Dr. Chow, with Public Health-Seattle & King County, said that’s a missed opportunity.

“Sometimes you require a kind of sit-down conversation with the patient who may be a little bit more hesitant or may have encountered misinformation,” he said, “so it just requires a longer time to build trust and rapport.”

Also, not all obstetrician/gynecologists offer the vaccine in their offices, and some people don’t have the bandwidth to go to a pharmacy for a shot.

At a playground in Seattle’s White Center neighborhood, Kay said she has two kids, ages 12 and 4, and she’s always been hesitant about vaccines.

Kay declined to give her last name because she’s concerned about revealing private medical information.

“With COVID, it even made it even more scary, because everybody started coming out saying, ‘The COVID shot’s not actually good for you,’” Kay said. “So I was like, ‘Maybe the other vaccines are bad too.’ And then I went down the rabbit hole of looking up kids who have supposedly gotten vaccinations and passed away.”

Experts say vaccines are very safe and can prevent diseases that once killed or harmed many babies, children, and adults.

Kay eventually got her 4-year-old daughter the shots required for daycare but nothing else.

“It's hard for me to get childcare, and it's just easier for me to say, ‘OK, just give me whatever she needs, just to get her into school,’” Kay said.

So her daughter did get the required whooping cough vaccines — but not any COVID shots, which are not mandated.

Aaron Sittinghorse was at the same playground with his 3-year-old daughter. He said the pandemic had the opposite effect on his thoughts about vaccines.

“It opened up my eyes to how important they are,” he said, “and so now, I'm a believer in vaccines. It's important, even if it's not for yourself, but for everybody around you.”

Sittinghorse said he saw on the news that there’s a whooping-cough outbreak right now, and it worries him a little — but not too much, because he and his family are up to date on their vaccines.