I’m Nick and this is your daily COVID-19 update. All data from JHU CCSE. If you find this newsletter useful or uplifting, please share it.
Europe
125,041 confirmed cases ( + 19,843 from yesterday)
6,405 recovered
6,027 deceased
Top affected countries
Each day I will share something that gives me hope. Something that inspires me in these challenging times. Sometimes that will be good news on COVID-19 (there is, and will be, good news!), resources to keep us busy during quarantine, or simply something I think might bring a spark of light to your day.
This is my way of saying: “Yes, the world’s on fire - but look, there’s also this”.
Testing - Fast & Furious
One of the things needed to face the COVID-19 outbreak is insight into the numbers, into who has it and who doesn’t. Overall, the availability of tests has been low in the west (both in Europe and in the USA), and the wait for results has often been long (especially compared to Asia, where we often get results in 3h or less). But it looks like that might soon change! Myriad initiatives to ramp up both the availability and the speed of testing are currently underway. Below, you’ll find two promising examples of such efforts.
In the United States, 2020 Genesystems Inc. has gotten the green light from the FDA to start producing their Rapid Antibody Test Kit, which identifies people who have developed an immune response to COVID-19. Such tests are essential in the management of the outbreak, since they allow one to call upon those who have gained immunity to meaningfully contribute where they are needed the most - whether that is in rebuilding economic activity, supporting the vulnerable or helping first-line responders.
The first shipment of 15,000 test kits is expected to be delivered to medical professionals on or about the first of April. See this press release, or this website for more information.
In the UK, Nottingham University has donated 16 machines capable of carrying out up to 20,000 COVID-19 tests per day! But that’s not all! In addition, 600 students from the School of Medicine have volunteered to support hospitals and support NHS staff wherever they can. A generous, and some might even say brave, offer indeed! Read more on the University of Nottingham website.
A story of hairy feet
Yesterday I pointed you to freely available Operas, which were admittedly a bit Wagner heavy, so today I’ve decided to include something a little bit less high-brow for the geeks amongst us!
Who doesn’t know the following quote
'I wish it need not have happened in my time,' said Frodo.
'So do I,' said Gandalf, 'and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.'
For those amongst us for whom that quote brings back fond memories and could use a little escape into a virtual world, you’ll be happy to learn that the infamous Lord Of The Rings Online is completely freely accessible until the 30th of April.
Tread carefully though, and venture into virtual Middle Earth at your own peril - many an unweary hobbit has lost many, many productive years there.
More information on the website :
That’s it for today! Wash your hands and please be kind 🥰
Nick
Great writing! Keep on going!