Neil Kao, M.D.

Compiled by Neil Kao, M.D.
Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic has smashed into our world like a series of tsunamis. There is suffering, frustration, and overall about 2% chance of death worldwide. There are a lot of facts and stories out there. In fact there is too much information! After surfing the internet daily, since the pandemic started, this reading list includes articles from a variety of usually reputable and not hardcore journal articles. The articles include some commentary and human conversation with different experts. I am starting in the late fall of 2020, because as a medical historian, we can understand our present better if we understand our past. Each week, this reading list will move forward in time until we get caught up to the present.

Reading List…(date format: yymmdd; title; weblink; commentary)

200921 Spread by international flights https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2020/09/studies-trace-covid-19-spread-international-flights
201029 Dexamethasone in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: addressing uncertainties https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(20)30503-8/fulltext
201210 Expert panel recommended FDA authorize first COVID vaccine https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/an-influential-expert-panel-just-gave-its-blessing-to-pfizers-2-dose-coronavirus-shot-teeing-up-the-fda-to-imminently-authorize-the-us-first-covid-19-vaccine/articleshow/79671733.cms
201211 The reasons 4 experts voted ‘no’ on authorizing the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for Americans over 16 years old https://www.businessinsider.com/why-experts-voted-no-to-pfizers-covid-19-vaccine-2020-12?op=1
201211 Toothpaste and mouthwash inactivate 99.9% of the virus causing COVID-19 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41415-020-2476-8 [Colgate]
201211 Sanofi-GSK vaccine delayed by months due to mistake https://www.wsj.com/articles/broader-vaccine-plan-in-west-dealt-setback-by-sanofi-gsk-delay-11607696740?page=1
201211 US buy 100 million more doses of Moderna vaccine https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2020/12/11/trump-administration-purchases-additional-100-million-doses-covid-19-investigational-vaccine-moderna.html
201217 Fauci this 1 mistake puts you higher risk: gatherings https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/dr-fauci-warns-one-mistake-112430580.html
201218 Moderna approved https://www.businessinsider.com/moderna-coronavirus-vaccine-wins-us-fda-emergency-use-authorization-2020-12?op=1
201218 Extra 6th dose discovered in vials, but it’s not that simple getting it out! https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/one-thing-covid-vaccine-thats-111202197.html
201218 Moderna vaccines logistics rollout https://www.wsj.com/articles/logistics-set-for-moderna-covid-19-vaccines-rollout-11608289201
201219 General apologizes for miscommunications over vaccine shipments, made <> certified https://news.yahoo.com/general-sorry-miscommunication-over-vaccine-171851777-135352756.html
201222 Employers can require COVID vaccination with caveats https://www.pcma.org/covid-19-vaccinations-employer-mandates/
201223 Post-infection antibodies protective for months https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/943154
201227 Most popular mask may be least effective https://bestlifeonline.com/most-effective-mask/ see the list, yikes surgical mask not good!
201230 First case of British COVID variant in US https://theprint.in/world/us-confirms-first-case-of-new-covid-variant-discovered-in-uk/576184/
201231 Moderna is giving its entire workforce — and their families — the COVID shot. Pfizer is making its workers wait their turn https://www.businessinsider.com.au/moderna-includes-board-members-executives-as-initial-vaccine-recipients-2020-12

210101 UK recommendations allow mix and match vaccines and longer interval between shots https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/jan/03/analysis-is-it-wise-for-england-to-mix-and-match-covid-vaccines
210105 LA County spreading COVID, note race differences https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-01-05/la-county-residents-warned-covid-19-everywhere
210106 FL MD dies after getting vaccine https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2021/01/06/death-florida-doctor-following-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-under-investigation-gregory-michael/6574414002/

This is a public service by Neil Kao, M.D., a family allergist in the Greenville-Spartanburg, SC area. Thank you, everybody, for reading. If you liked this article, then please consider hitting the Like button. More articles to come.

5/9/21