Dr. Zeynep Tufekci in the New York Times questions whether the pandemic was caused by scientific research “Where did the Coronavirus Come From? What we Already Know is Troubling?” She cites historical lab leaks of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), small pox and hoof and mouth disease. From what I’ve been reading, the source of this coronavirus is pointing to the Wuhan Institute of Virology and a strain isolated from a cave in 2012. The scientific community will probably never find out because of the lack of transparency. Dr. Tufekci goes on to say that this is a global problem and research on bats and viruses around the world needs to be looked at more closely.
The Delta variant of the coronavirus is causing spikes in cases around the world, including this week, Uzbekistan. “Delta Variant Triggers New Phase in the Pandemic” from the June 25 issue of Science gives some a good overview of its impact. I feel reassured that two-dose AstraZeneca people are protected against hospitalization with the Delta variant. Public health officials in Uzbekistan implemented stricter controls of movement in the city due to an increase in cases. International travel is not impacted but I expect to see more use of masks. The government is also trying to increase vaccination rates by offering vaccines to people 50 and over and university professors.
TIS Director's Blog 
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