This really happened: U.S. President threatens to forcibly kiss (and infect) his supporters

   

The NPC Healthbiz Weekly has launched. It's your weekly briefing on topics pertinent to healthcare marketers and executives published in cooperation with Peak Pharma Solutions. From Chronicle Companies, organizers of the 14th National Pharmaceutical Congress, which begins Oct. 21. More info at pharmacongress.info

⇒ Issue #122 (In numerology, 122 stands for positive change and transformation.)
⇒ Confirmed Covid cases in Canada as of 10/14: 189,489*
⇒ Confirmed Covid fatalities in Canada as of 10/14: 9,707*
⇒ Worldwide Covid cases as of 10/14: 38,180,468*
⇒ Worldwide Covid fatalities as of 10/14: 1,086,996*

October 14, 2020—Welcome back, Curveflatteners. I hope your (Canadian) Thanksgiving weekend was relaxing, despite the unprecedented ways the holiday was held: be it Zoom, outdoors, or in person but significantly smaller than usual. At the keyboard today is Jeremy Visser, Chronicle editorial assistant and Tofurkey fanatic. 

As was probably the talk at the Thanksgiving dinner table this weekend, restrictions in Ottawa, Toronto and Peel Region were brought back to Stage II for at least 28 days. So, if the list of things you were thoughtful for this holiday involved restaurant dining, gyms, casinos, or performing arts and racing venues, I recommend you recount your blessings.

However, Covid-influenced family gatherings were far from the weirdest moment of the last week. For how could that be the case when Donald J. Trump remains, in his phrase, "your favorite president?"

Appearing more orange than ever, the 45th U.S. President parsed the difference between a "therapeutic" and a "cure" and said he wanted everyone to receive the same treatment as him. Whether this will bankrupt the U.S.A., or start President Trump's foray into socialism, we'll have to wait and see.

President Trump is already back on the campaign trail, as he spent Monday (01-12-20) at a rally in Florida, boasting about his immunity and threatening to kiss every member of the maskless mass of mouth-breathers. A new Trump campaign ad has also surfaced with a quote from Dr. Anthony Fauci (see DCF passim) praising Trump's handling of the pandemic although with an obvious cut in the middle of the quote. Surprising no one, Dr. Fauci has stated the quote was taken (and cut) out of context. I think that's how the textbook define... fake news.

The NPC Podcast is back for another season. The organizers of the National Pharmaceutical Congress are proud to release our new weekly podcast series, hosted by Peter Brenders. Peter's guest this week is Kevin Leshuk. Listen here now, or download the episode and play it at your convenience. The NPC Podcast is presented in cooperation with Impres Pharma

COVID CHRONICLE 10/14/2020

• A study by the WHO Rapid Evidence Appraisal for Covid-19 Therapies (REACT) Working Group performed a meta-analysis on the administration of systemic corticosteroids and found that they were associated with lower 28-day all-cause mortality when compared to usual care or placebo. The article was published in JAMA Network. 

• A recent study published in the BMJ suggests that school closures were successful in reducing peak demand for ICU beds, but prolonged the pandemic, and resulted in more death long term in some cases due to Covid-19 related mortality being linked to older age groups.

• Research done at the University of Alberta suggests that autopsy, airway suctioning and cardiopulmonary resuscitation are among the highest risk medical procedures for healthcare providers in terms of contracting Covid-19. The research was detailed in a press release ahead of publcation in BMJ Open Respiratory Research. 

WHAT CHRONICLE IS WORKING ON TODAY

I'm currently screen-deep in working on the upcoming 14th annual National Pharmaceutical Congress (NPC). Beginning Oct 21, 2020, this year's NPC will be completely virtual. You can learn more here.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE WATCHING... 

From Up on Poppy Hill. I'm getting to the tail end of my Ghibli marathon and excited to watch Goro Miyazaki's second film, which after being thrown to the wolves by Hayao Miyazaki in his directorial debut, it's a refreshing change to see a film that they worked on together.


TONIGHT WE ARE READING... 

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones. I decided to delve into another novel that served as source material for a Ghibli film. Witches, wizards and war, I have high hopes.


HOW WAS YOUR WEEKEND?

Please make use of the comments section at the Daily CurveFlattener, to let us know what you're up to today. Or feel free to check in via LinkedIn, email, or your choice of connector. By all means, pass this newsletter along to your colleagues.

Stay in touch, stay safe and enjoy your day. Your Favorite Editorial Director, Allan Ryan, will follow tomorrow with more news updates.