'Remdesivir Shows Modest Benefits in Coronavirus Trial' diff viewer (6/7)

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Remdesivir Shows Modest Benefits in Coronavirus Trial	Remdesivir Shows Modest Benefits in Coronavirus Trial
2020-04-29 23:38:15 UTC	2020-06-04 12:18:40 UTC (about 1 month later)
Modest results from a federal trial of an experimental drug helped send the stock market soaring on Wednesday, another sign of the desperation for a viable treatment against the coronavirus.	Modest results from a federal trial of an experimental drug helped send the stock market soaring on Wednesday, another sign of the desperation for a viable treatment against the coronavirus.
Just before markets opened, Gilead, maker of the antiviral drug remdesivir, announced that it was “aware of positive data” about the drug’s performance in a federal trial, sending futures upward. Trading in the company’s shares was briefly halted.	Just before markets opened, Gilead, maker of the antiviral drug remdesivir, announced that it was “aware of positive data” about the drug’s performance in a federal trial, sending futures upward. Trading in the company’s shares was briefly halted.
Later, in a briefing at the White House, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said the trial had shown that treatment with the drug could modestly speed recovery in patients infected with the coronavirus.	Later, in a briefing at the White House, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said the trial had shown that treatment with the drug could modestly speed recovery in patients infected with the coronavirus.
The improvement in recovery times “doesn’t seem like a knockout 100 percent,” Dr. Fauci conceded, but “it is a very important proof of concept, because what it has proven is that a drug can block this virus.”	The improvement in recovery times “doesn’t seem like a knockout 100 percent,” Dr. Fauci conceded, but “it is a very important proof of concept, because what it has proven is that a drug can block this virus.”
Sitting at Dr. Fauci’s side, President Trump said, “Certainly it’s positive, it’s a very positive event.” In past weeks, he has repeatedly hailed remdesivir as a potential “game changer,” despite spotty evidence.	Sitting at Dr. Fauci’s side, President Trump said, “Certainly it’s positive, it’s a very positive event.” In past weeks, he has repeatedly hailed remdesivir as a potential “game changer,” despite spotty evidence.
Business leaders, scientists and politicians alike are scrambling to find ways to fight an insidious epidemic and to reopen a devastated economy. The virus has claimed at least 60,000 lives in the United States, and more than 200,000 worldwide. There have been precious few reasons for optimism, and the markets seized on the news.	Business leaders, scientists and politicians alike are scrambling to find ways to fight an insidious epidemic and to reopen a devastated economy. The virus has claimed at least 60,000 lives in the United States, and more than 200,000 worldwide. There have been precious few reasons for optimism, and the markets seized on the news.
The trial sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases enrolled 1,063 patients who were given remdesivir or a placebo. The time to recovery averaged 11 days among those who got the drug, compared with 15 days for those who got the placebo.	The trial sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases enrolled 1,063 patients who were given remdesivir or a placebo. The time to recovery averaged 11 days among those who got the drug, compared with 15 days for those who got the placebo.
There were fewer deaths in the remdesivir group, but the result did not reach statistical significance, Dr. Fauci said. Deaths were not a primary measure in the trial.	There were fewer deaths in the remdesivir group, but the result did not reach statistical significance, Dr. Fauci said. Deaths were not a primary measure in the trial.
Dr. Fauci cautioned that the results of the study still needed to be properly peer-reviewed, but he was optimistic that remdesivir would become “the standard of care” for patients with Covid-19.	Dr. Fauci cautioned that the results of the study still needed to be properly peer-reviewed, but he was optimistic that remdesivir would become “the standard of care” for patients with Covid-19.
Some scientists were unsettled by the way in which the findings were reported. The disclosure of trial results in a political setting, before peer review or publication, is very unusual, said Dr. Steven Nissen, a cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic who has conducted dozens of clinical trials.	Some scientists were unsettled by the way in which the findings were reported. The disclosure of trial results in a political setting, before peer review or publication, is very unusual, said Dr. Steven Nissen, a cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic who has conducted dozens of clinical trials.
“Where are the data?” he asked. Scientists will need to see figures on harms associated with the drug in order to assess its benefits, he added.	“Where are the data?” he asked. Scientists will need to see figures on harms associated with the drug in order to assess its benefits, he added.
“This is too important to be handled in such a sloppy fashion,” Dr. Nissen said.	“This is too important to be handled in such a sloppy fashion,” Dr. Nissen said.
Dr. Michele Barry, a global health expert at Stanford University, said she had faith in Dr. Fauci’s assessment. Still, she added, “It is unusual to call a drug the ‘standard of care’ until peer review of data and publication, and before studies have shown benefit in mortality.”	Dr. Michele Barry, a global health expert at Stanford University, said she had faith in Dr. Fauci’s assessment. Still, she added, “It is unusual to call a drug the ‘standard of care’ until peer review of data and publication, and before studies have shown benefit in mortality.”
The Food and Drug Administration is likely at some point to announce an emergency approval for remdesivir, a senior administration official told The New York Times. Another drug touted by the president, hydrochloroquine, also was granted such an approval, but results in patients have been disappointing.	The Food and Drug Administration is likely at some point to announce an emergency approval for remdesivir, a senior administration official told The New York Times. Another drug touted by the president, hydrochloroquine, also was granted such an approval, but results in patients have been disappointing.
In one study of veterans with Covid-19, those receiving hydrochloroquine and an antibiotic died at higher rates than those given ordinary supportive care.	In one study of veterans with Covid-19, those receiving hydrochloroquine and an antibiotic died at higher rates than those given ordinary supportive care.
Mr. Trump also hopes to put in place a crash program to develop a vaccine, an undertaking being seen with skepticism even inside the administration. The accelerated process, known internally as Operation Warp Speed, would aim to produce hundreds of millions of doses by the end of this year.	Mr. Trump also hopes to put in place a crash program to develop a vaccine, an undertaking being seen with skepticism even inside the administration. The accelerated process, known internally as Operation Warp Speed, would aim to produce hundreds of millions of doses by the end of this year.
But medical experts, including Dr. Fauci, have warned that developing a vaccine will require a year to 18 months at the earliest, and that rushing the process could endanger public health.	But medical experts, including Dr. Fauci, have warned that developing a vaccine will require a year to 18 months at the earliest, and that rushing the process could endanger public health.
For now, drug treatment seems a more attainable goal.	For now, drug treatment seems a more attainable goal.
“Remdesivir is not a magic bullet, but it’s as good as we get right now,” said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, and one of the trial’s investigators.	“Remdesivir is not a magic bullet, but it’s as good as we get right now,” said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, and one of the trial’s investigators.
“Patients come to the hospital thinking we have a treatment, and by treatment, they mean a drug,” he added. “We have been impotent in not having any options.”	“Patients come to the hospital thinking we have a treatment, and by treatment, they mean a drug,” he added. “We have been impotent in not having any options.”
Remdesivir has never been approved as a treatment for any disease. It was developed to fight Ebola, but results from a clinical trial in Africa were disappointing.	Remdesivir has never been approved as a treatment for any disease. It was developed to fight Ebola, but results from a clinical trial in Africa were disappointing.
But as the coronavirus pandemic took hold, the drug emerged as one of the more promising potential treatments. It interrupts the production of the virus in lab studies and seems safe in animals.	But as the coronavirus pandemic took hold, the drug emerged as one of the more promising potential treatments. It interrupts the production of the virus in lab studies and seems safe in animals.
Until now, high expectations for remdesivir have been fueled largely by anecdotal reports of Covid-19 patients who took the drug and recovered.	Until now, high expectations for remdesivir have been fueled largely by anecdotal reports of Covid-19 patients who took the drug and recovered.
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Two such reports were published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine, lending credibility to what researchers said were actually uncertain results.	Two such reports were published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine, lending credibility to what researchers said were actually uncertain results.
Without trials comparing the drug to a placebo, it has been impossible to know whether the drug made a difference or patients got better on their own with normal supportive care.	Without trials comparing the drug to a placebo, it has been impossible to know whether the drug made a difference or patients got better on their own with normal supportive care.
	Updated June 2, 2020
	Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
	Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
	States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
	Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
	Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
	If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
	More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
	Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
	The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
	If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
	If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.