TOP THREE
Merck’s Antiviral Pill Reduces Hospitalization: "A possible game-changer for treatment."
"An investigational antiviral pill reduced the chances that patients newly diagnosed with Covid-19 would be hospitalized by about 50%, a finding that could give doctors a desperately needed new way to treat the sick."
"If approved, molnupiravir could have a dramatic impact on efforts to fight the pandemic. Merck and Ridgeback said they would seek an emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration “as soon as possible” and would submit it to regulatory agencies worldwide."
"Molnupiravir was "'named after Thor’s hammer [Mjollnir],'" Merck research chief."
California to Require Vaccine For All Students: Gov. Newsom announced that all California students (all private and public K-12) will be required to get vaccinated against Covid-19 as soon as January 2022.
"The requirement still leaves open the possibility for families to opt out. Because the mandate comes from the governor, and not the Legislature, it allows exemptions for medical, religious or personal reasons."
“(We) believe that vaccines are essential to ensuring that our students, school workers and communities are safe. We know that in-person instruction is best for our students, and that vaccines are the most important safeguard to prevent serious illness from COVID-19 infection,” said Jeff Freitas, president of the California Federation of Teachers."
"The mandate would take effect for grades seven through 12, starting with the school term following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s full approval of the vaccine for children ages 12 and older, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced. Students in kindergarten through sixth grade would be phased in after the vaccine has been approved for their age group."
"Any student who refuses to take the vaccine would be required to complete an independent study course at home."
Teachers Are Finding Pandemic Tech Has Changed Their Jobs Forever: Via Washington Post
"During the pandemic, some teachers have created YouTube videos that students can watch when they need help with a lesson. They’re using Google Forms to give students a quick and easy way to submit assignments. Others are using Whiteboard. Fi, which gives students individual digital whiteboards, game website Math Playground for math competitions, and online learning tool Quizlet to make custom sets of virtual flash cards."
"Teachers also are learning how best to use the capabilities within video software Google Meet, WebEx and Zoom — which they use to host classes — to make lessons more interactive. For example, small virtual breakout groups help keep students engaged. Reactions and chat functions get more students involved without the pressure of having to speak in front of an entire class."
"The biggest challenge is we need more staff,” said Kimberly Solomon, a second-grade teacher at Baltimore Public Schools’ virtual learning program, which has an enrollment of 200 second-graders alone. “It appears to be what parents want."
FEDERAL
ED: Via Politico: Cardona fears effort to reimagine public education is slipping away
Reconciliation:
“President Biden, meeting with House Democrats on Capitol Hill on Friday, indicated they must further delay a final vote on a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill and scale back his $3.5 trillion social spending package to around $2 trillion range if either is to pass,” Axios reports.
President Biden told the House Democratic caucus that the bipartisan infrastructure package “ain’t going to happen until we reach an agreement on the next piece of legislation,” Punchbowl News reports.
COVID-19 RESEARCH
FDA: Announced three upcoming advisory committee meetings:
Oct 14: Moderna booster
Oct 15: J&J booster + NIH mix & match data
Oct 26: Pfizer vaccine for kids 5-11
Data Holes Could Complicate Moderna and J&J Booster Shot Process: Via Axios
"The U.S. has relied heavily on other countries' data when it comes to making booster decisions, particularly Israel."
"Israel provided real-world data on the effect of booster shots... But this data was only for the Pfizer vaccine.
"If we had the U.S. national data, the whole country, or even just all health care workers, we would have this nailed. But we have such poor data aggregation in this country," said Eric Topol, executive vice president of Scripps Research."
"We don't have an Israel for Moderna or J&J, and that’s really unfortunate," Topol added
Moderna Booster Shot: FDA evaluates potential for half dose
Vaccine Mandates Are Working: Says the NYT
"As California’s requirement that all health care workers be vaccinated against the coronavirus took effect on Thursday, major health systems reported that the mandate had helped boost their vaccination rates to 90 percent or higher. In New York, another mandate that began this week compelled thousands of hospital and nursing home workers to get shots. And at several major corporations, executives reported surges in vaccination rates after adding their own requirements.”
New COVID Cases Fall by 25%: Via Axios
STATE
Maine: 15% of schools have had coronavirus outbreaks since fall reopening.
Massachusetts: Test to Stay in Massachusetts saved 6,677 in-person days of school in one week with only 0.22% of kids positive.
INTERNATIONAL
Canada: Parents fear online learning changes could force thousands of students to find new schools.
"Among the changes, students would be required to attend an online learning school within their district — unless they enrol in a school that has been designated to teach students from across the province."
"Almost 76,000 students attend the 69 online learning schools in B.C. Of those students, around 14,000 attend online schools outside of their districts, meaning they might no longer be able to attend the school of their family's choosing."
UK: Children lead rise in England's COVID-19 prevalence
RESOURCES
Computer Science: Arkansas Governor Hutchinson introduces NGA Chair’s Initiative on computer science education.
September Assessment Update: Using Data to Support Students During COVID-19 Recovery: Via DQC
The Great Rebundling of K-12 Schooling: More from Manno.
Schools Need to Undo the Damage of Pods: Argues Calder Katyal in the Atlantic.
Next Generation: Education with Sal Khan and Marley Dias
Have a Great Weekend: Hope you have as much fun as this dog playing with his dolphin best friend.
Tonight's update is a bit later than usual due to me getting lost in a debate with my friend Massie about the pay-fors that are under consideration with the reconciliation bill. She doesn't believe the CBO score.