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For a small slice of San Francisco’s homeless population that struggles with severe alcohol addiction, nurses offer treatment not in a pill, but in a shot of vodka or a glass of beer.
It may sound counterintuitive, experts say, but it helps keep people off the streets and out of emergency rooms, jails — or the morgue. San Francisco set up a “managed alcohol program” four years ago as a way to care for vulnerable homeless people who drank excessive amounts of alcohol and were among the city’s highest users of emergency services. Since its creation, the program, which started out with 10 beds, has served 55 clients, according to officials from the Department of Public Health. The now 20-bed program, which costs about $5 million per year, operates out of a former hotel in the heart of the Tenderloin. Nurses dispense regimented doses of vodka and beer to participants at certain times of day based on care plans. Such programs don’t focus on sobriety, experts say, but rather on improving participants’ overall health while decreasing hospital stays and calls to police. But the city’s efforts came under scrutiny this week, after the chair of the board of a local non-profit that pushes abstinence shared posts on social media accusing the city of wasting millions of taxpayer dollars on a program that gives booze to homeless people struggling with alcohol addiction. Adam Nathan, the CEO of an AI company and chair of the Salvation Army San Francisco’s advisory board, said on X that “providing free drugs to drug addicts doesn’t solve their problems. It just stretches them out. Where’s the recovery in all of this?” The social media skirmish was the latest flare-up in an increasingly tense debate about San Francisco’s use of harm reduction, which focuses on cutting negative health effects of alcohol and drug use rather than requiring people to stop using. As homelessness and overdose deaths have continued to plague the city, critics have excoriated San Francisco’s attempts at harm reduction, saying they only enable addiction and despair. Abstinence groups such as the Salvation Army have ridiculed the city for spending public funds on initiatives that provide drug users with overdose-reversing drugs, clean needles and foil for methamphetamine and fentanyl consumption. Even Mayor London Breed in February said that harm reduction was “not reducing the harm” but “making things far worse.” That stance puts her at odds with her own public health department, which staunchly stands by harm reduction as an integral part of the agency’s system of care. Breed recently tried to open abstinence-only housing for formerly homeless people near Chinatown but scrapped the proposal amid neighbourhood backlash. “Are we just going to manage people’s addictions with our taxpayer dollars in perpetuity forever? It seems like that’s basically what we’re saying,” said Tom Wolf, who is in recovery for heroin addiction. “I think we should be spending that money on detox and recovery.” But Shannon Smith-Bernardin, a professor at the UCSF School of Nursing who helped create the managed alcohol programs in San Francisco and Alameda County, explained that the goal is to stabilize participants’ alcohol use “so they’re not binge drinking or stopping drinking and having seizures and then … start figuring out what’s next.” The program also offers participants medications and therapy to reduce alcohol cravings. The Blog Tags Widget will appear here on the published site.
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Cancer ‘is our new Covid’5/6/2024 American drug manufacturer Pfizer has its sights set on the cancer treatment market now that the Covid-19 pandemic is over and global demand for its vaccines and Covid-19 drugs is falling, CEO Albert Bourla told Fox Business on May 1.
The company expects to score big on “blockbuster” cancer drugs, Bourla said, as the pharma giant seeks to reverse its post-Covid business decline. The pandemic brought record revenue to the company. In 2022 alone, Pfizer’s total sales amounted to $157 billion, with its Covid vaccine accounting for $37.8 billion and its antiviral treatment pill, Paxlovid, bringing in another $18.9 billion. In 2023, sales were down by more than half and accounted for $71 billion. The company’s shares have also fallen by 42% since the end of 2022, amid the rapid decline in demand for its Covid-related products. This forced it to launch a major cost-cutting campaign, including hundreds of layoffs at its UK, US, and Irish facilities. In his interview with Fox Business, Bourla praised the measures as a “very good cost containment” campaign, crediting it for the “very good results” his company showed in early 2024. Pfizer is also on the verge of striking gold again with its new strategy, he said. “Oncology, it is our new Covid,” the Pfizer CEO said. “We did what we did with Covid. We are very proud to have saved the world but it is behind us now. We want to do [it] once more and I think oncology is our best chance to do it.” In late 2023, the US drug manufacturer completed a $43 billion acquisition of Seagen (formerly, Seattle Genetics, Inc.) – a biotechnology company specializing in monoclonal antibody-based drugs, also known as antibody-drug conjugates, or ADCs. They are designed to kill tumor cells while leaving healthy tissues relatively unaffected. Seagen was previously known for its flagship product Adcetris, which is used to treat lymphoma and Hodgkin's lymphoma. According to drugs.com, the medicine costs around $11.910 for a 50-mg dose. Another drug in the company’s portfolio that demonstrated “phenomenal performance” in Pfizer’s hands was Padcev, according to Bourla. Padcev is used to treat bladder cancer, and its sales “had a growth of 164%” since the US pharma giant got its hands on the drug, he said. The average price for Padcev is $4,446 per 30-mg dose, according to drugs.com. “That demonstrates how well we’ve invested the money,” Bourla said, commenting on Padcev’s performance. He also promised blockbuster drugs in the future that “will have a significant impact on cancer patients.” Pfizer announced its shift toward cancer treatment in late 2023. “Nothing scares people all over the world more than cancer, because it affects everyone,” Bourla said at the time. “I hope we will be successful in our mission. I am optimistic that in the next 10 years, we will see significant advancement,” he added. In January 2024, the company said it plans to have at least eight blockbuster cancer treatment drugs by 2030 and double the number of patients treated with its innovative medicines, up from 2.3 million in 2023. The Blog Tags Widget will appear here on the published site.
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the third of eleven children born to Ethel and Robert F. Kennedy, is a figure whose life and legacy are deeply intertwined with both his family's storied history and his own political ambitions. From his upbringing in one of America's most prominent political families to his own career as an environmental activist and attorney, Kennedy Jr. has left an indelible mark on the landscape of American politics and public service.
Early Life and Family Ties Born on January 17, 1954, Robert Francis Kennedy Jr. was raised in a household steeped in the traditions of public service and social justice. His father, Robert F. Kennedy, served as Attorney General during the administration of his brother, President John F. Kennedy, and later as a U.S. Senator from New York before his assassination in 1968. His mother, Ethel Kennedy, has been a steadfast advocate for human rights and social causes throughout her life. Growing up in such a politically active and influential family undoubtedly shaped young Robert's worldview and instilled in him a sense of duty to carry on the Kennedy legacy. He witnessed first-hand the impact that his father and uncles had on American politics and society, and he was inspired to follow in their footsteps. Education and Career Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attended Harvard University, where he earned a degree in American history and literature. He later obtained a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. Following in his father's footsteps, Kennedy Jr. embarked on a career in law and public service. Throughout his career, Kennedy Jr. has been a vocal advocate for environmental causes, particularly in the realm of water quality and conservation. He co-founded the Waterkeeper Alliance, an organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the world's waterways, and has served as its president since 2000. Additionally, Kennedy Jr. has worked as a senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council and has been involved in numerous environmental lawsuits and advocacy campaigns. Political Ambitions and Challenges Despite his family's long history of political leadership, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has faced challenges in his own political ambitions. While he has been rumoured to have considered running for political office on several occasions, including for the U.S. Senate seat in New York, he has ultimately decided against it. Kennedy Jr. has been open about his struggles with addiction and personal demons, which have undoubtedly influenced his decision to refrain from seeking elected office. Nonetheless, his passion for public service and his commitment to making a difference in the world remain unwavering. The 70-year-old Kennedy had an eventful life. After the traumatic murders of his uncle and father, he became addicted to heroin. After 14 years he kicked the habit, worked at the Public Prosecution Service and made a name for himself as an environmental activist. He also heads the Children's Health Defence organization, which is known for disinformation about vaccines. RFK Jr. regularly repeats the myth that vaccines cause autism. During the corona pandemic, Kennedy became a prominent exponent of conspiracy theories. According to him, Covid-19 was developed in a lab as a bioweapon and mainly affects certain ethnic groups. RFK Jr. was temporarily banned from Instagram. Kennedy regularly has to backtrack from incorrect statements. For example, he wrongly said that the stormers of the Capitol were unarmed. In the 2024 Presidential Elections Kennedy junior will compete as an independent candidate against Joe Biden and Donald Trump in the American presidential elections. Although he has no chance of winning the presidency, he may determine who does win: Biden or Trump. In a neck-and-neck race, he can spoil the game for one of them by stealing crucial votes. The self-confident Kennedy smells opportunities now that the two top presidential candidates are historically unpopular: "If there is a time when a third candidate has a good chance, it is now" Legacy and Impact Regardless of whether he holds elected office, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has already left a lasting legacy on American politics and society. Through his advocacy work in the environmental movement and his continued commitment to social justice causes, he has demonstrated the enduring influence of the Kennedy family's commitment to public service. As the torchbearer of a political dynasty that has captivated the American imagination for generations, Kennedy Jr. embodies the ideals of courage, compassion, and integrity that have defined his family's legacy. Whether he chooses to pursue elected office or continue his work as an advocate and activist, his contributions to the betterment of society will undoubtedly endure for generations to come. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s life and career have been shaped by his family's legacy of public service and his own commitment to making a difference in the world. From his upbringing in one of America's most prominent political families to his career as an environmental activist and attorney, Kennedy Jr. has left an indelible mark on the landscape of American politics and public service. While he may have faced challenges in his own political ambitions, his legacy as a champion of social justice and environmental causes will endure for generations to come. The Blog Tags Widget will appear here on the published site.
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Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has for the first time admitted that its Covid-19 vaccine could cause a rare side effect that could lead to blood clots and death, according to court documents.
The company is fighting a class action lawsuit alleging that its inoculation, which was developed in collaboration with the University of Oxford, can result in death and serious injury. The legal battle was initiated by Jamie Scott, a father of two, who suffered a blood clot that left him with brain damage after he was inoculated in April 2021 in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. He is seeking compensation over claims that the AstraZeneca vaccine is “defective” and less safe than expected, an allegation the company denies. In May 2023, AstraZeneca also insisted that “we do not accept that TTS [Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome] is caused by the vaccine at a generic level,” as quoted by The Daily Telegraph. TTS is a rare condition, in which a person has blood clots, which could reduce the blood flow, combined with a low platelet count, which could prompt difficulties in stopping the bleeding. TTS symptoms include severe headaches and abdominal pain. Despite previous denials, AstraZeneca said in court documents, which were submitted to the UK High Court in February but received media attention only recently, that “it is admitted that the AZ vaccine can, in very rare cases, cause TTS. The causal mechanism is not known.” “Further, TTS can also occur in the absence of the AZ vaccine (or any vaccine),” the company added, as quoted by the Telegraph. At the same time, AstraZeneca insists the available data shows the drug has “an acceptable safety profile,” and that “regulators around the world consistently state that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks of extremely rare potential side effects.” Dozens of Western countries suspended the use of AstraZeneca’s vaccine in the spring of 2021 over fears it may have caused some patients to develop blood clots. At the time, the head of the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) vaccines strategy, Marco Cavaleri, said that there was an evident link between AZ vaccine intake and blood clots in the brain, but maintained that the benefits still outweighed the risks. According to World Health Organization data, the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine has an efficacy of 72%. As of April 2021, over 17 million people had received the jab in the EU and the UK, with just under 40 cases of thrombosis, according to the company. The Blog Tags Widget will appear here on the published site.
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Two years ago, the Shanghai International Circuit hosted a COVID-19 hospital, but this weekend it will stage Formula One once more as the sport returns to China for the first time since the pandemic.
Adding to the excitement of fans, they will see Shanghai native Zhou Guanyu drive at his home track in Formula One for the first time. "I'm extremely excited, in these 5,000 years of (Chinese) history there has only been one Zhou Guanyu," said fan Wang Xiaotian. Shanghai last witnessed an F1 race in 2019, before COVID-19 and China's travel restrictions put a halt to almost all major international sports in the country. Tickets for the action-packed Formula One weekend — which begins with Friday morning practice, sees a sprint race on Saturday and ends with the grand prix on Sunday — sold out within minutes of going on sale in January. Ma Qinghua, the first Chinese to drive an F1 car when he took part in a 2012 practice session, said the sport's return will have a "very good impact," especially on younger fans who did not have the chance to see their heroes in the flesh during the pandemic. "This group of people are very much anticipating the chance to witness a race personally," said Ma, a pioneer of China's motorsport industry. It was almost exactly two years ago, at the height of the city's lockdown, that the Shanghai circuit became the site of a makeshift 13,000-bed COVID-19 hospital. That was just a few weeks after Zhou had his first grand prix drive in Bahrain, finishing 10th to score a point, but the pandemic delayed 24-year-old Zhou's home F1 debut until this week. Even though he is unlikely to challenge for the podium, Zhou is desperate to put on a Shanghai show. "I can't wait to give it my all, share the passion with our entire team track-side and at home, and start a new chapter of Chinese motorsport together with the crowd," Zhou said Monday. "It's an opportunity to inspire and pave the path for future generations being interested in the sport. "My country loves racing and has been waiting for this moment for years." His excitement is echoed by fans in the city. "As China's first F1 driver, we are extremely proud of him," Hu Yanqin, 29, said at a recent fan event screening the Japanese Grand Prix — complete with large banners bearing Zhou's photo. Underlining the hype surrounding Zhou, who is in his third F1 season, fans greeted him at the airport when he arrived last week and a documentary about the racer, "The First One," will hit Chinese cinemas this weekend to coincide with the race. China is relatively new to motor racing, with cars a rare sight even in major cities as recently as the 1980s. Shanghai staged the country's first F1 grand prix in 2004 and, prior to the pandemic, the sport's decision-makers had talked about the possibility of a second grand prix each year in China. Ma, who was the first Chinese driver to take part in a Formula One practice session at the 2012 Italian Grand Prix, has witnessed the growth in motorsport first hand. "It is a lot more popular now," said Ma, adding that, when he started, "I didn't even know where I could do a test or that there was such a thing as a racing license." Ma's F1 adventure did not go any further with the now-disbanded HRT team because of contract issues, he said, but he drove in other classes such as Formula E and the World Touring Car Championship. Now 36, he runs a go-kart venue in Shanghai where aspiring speed demons zoom down a looping two-story track tucked into the basement of a mall. During Formula One's five-year absence, China continued to put resources into motor sport. In 2022 the island province of Hainan poured 5 billion yuan ($691 million) into an electric vehicle racing circuit, and Formula E is returning to China next month, with Shanghai hosting for the first time. The Blog Tags Widget will appear here on the published site.
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