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ABC NEWS COVID-19 Updates

Virologists debunk conspiracy theory that COVID-19 was man-made

Jul 6, 2020 11:53pm

iStock/da-kuk(NEW YORK) -- The theory about COVID-19 being developed in a Chinese lab has been debunked by virologists, with officials taking aim at a recent allegation made by researchers from Britain and Norway.
The British/Norway team at St. George's, University of London is one of many labs in the race to develop a vaccine for COVID-19. The team recently wrote a report claiming that the RNA sequence in the coronavirus appeared to be artificial or man-made, so their vaccine would take that into account.
The paper also claimed that vaccines would fail to treat COVID-19 because the virus contained man-made components.
Vincent Racaniello, Ph.D., professor of virology at Columbia University, has since called the research paper "nonsense" and that "The manuscript is replete with incorrect science."
The virology professor told ABC News, "It is absolutely 100% impossible that SARS-CoV-2 was made in a laboratory. The elements in the virus, SARS-CoV-2, all came from bat SARS-like CoVs that circulate in nature."
There's overwhelming consensus that COVID-19 occurred naturally, in nature, and was not the product of mankind. Despite the constant debunking, several politicians have latched onto the theory that COVID-19 was developed in a Chinese laboratory.
Robert Garry, Ph.D., virologist at Tulane University, said "No scientist or group of scientists created this virus in a laboratory. That would require insight into [viral] pathogenesis and protein engineering that does not exist."
Garry added that the components found in COVID-19 were discovered in other genetic material sampled from animals.
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
'Days of Our Lives' star Judi Evans almost had her legs amputated due to COVID-19

Jul 6, 2020 11:53pm

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic(NEW YORK) -- It’s been a rough month for Days of Our Lives star Judi Evans, who contracted COVID-19 while in the hospital recovering from a serious horseback riding accident.
Howie Tiger Simon, a rep for the 55-year-old actress gave an update on her condition in a Facebook post on Monday, reporting she experienced “mild” coronavirus symptoms -- like fever, body aches and a cough -- but ”nearly had both legs amputated on two different occasions,” due to “COVID blood clots.
“On top of everything," Simon continues, “when she went into surgery on one of her legs, they forgot to numb the leg and cut into her leg while she was fully conscience with no numbing of the area!”
Evans is in “good spirits and back to Judi ‘humor’ despite all these spiraling turn of events,” adds Simon. “She has said she appreciates all the prayers for her and they’ve helped her mentally, physically and spiritually!…She just wants to continue to test negative on COVID19 before she can go home and get the rest she so needs!!!”
The actress, who plays Adrienne Kiriakis on Days of Our Lives suffered a broken collarbone, several broken ribs, two chipped vertebra and a collapsed lung from blunt force trauma in the horseback riding accident that occurred on May 16, according to Access.
Evans’ character died in a car accident back in January. However, Wally Kurth — who plays her onscreen husband Justin Kirakis — assured fans that Evans would be returning to the show, but didn’t reveal how.
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
AMC theater chain lays out plan for reopening

Jul 6, 2020 11:53pm

iStock/Nattakorn ManeeratThe AMC theater chain laid out an ambitious plan on Tuesday to have almost all of its theaters open sometime in July.
The plan includes partnering with companies like Clorox to create theatre environments as safe and clean as possible, educating theatergoers on how to keep safe, and looking into high tech sanitation techniques, including the use of electrostatic sprayers, HEPA vacuums and wherever possible upgraded MERV 13 air ventilation filters.
AMC reported a staggering $2.2 billion loss in the first quarter on Tuesday as a result of the global theatrical shutdown caused by COVID-19.
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Distillery accidentally sells gin bottles containing hand sanitizer

Jul 6, 2020 11:53pm

Jeremy Poland/iStock(MELBOURNE) -- It seems workers at a gin distillery in Australia might have been hitting the sauce themselves after it was discovered that they accidentally shipped gin bottles filled with hand sanitizer instead of alcohol.
The the Apollo Bay Distillery outside Melbourne posted a product safety recall on its Facebook page Monday, warning people that the bottles, which contain 1.45 percent glycerol and 0.125 percent hydrogen peroxide, isn’t lethal if consumed, but it can cause nausea, headaches, dizziness, vomiting and diarrhea.
Like many alcohol distilleries around the world, Apollo Bay had previously converted part of its facility into hand sanitizer production to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
Australia has done relatively well managing the pandemic, reporting just 7,276 cases and 102 deaths to date, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Dream players stand against Loeffler's criticism

Saturday, Jul 11, 2020 7:03pm

Atlanta Dream players issued a message on Twitter that stands firm against the criticism of the Black Lives Matter movement made by owner Sen. Kelly Loeffler, who had earlier reiterated her remarks.
Sankey: Concern about football 'high to very high'

Saturday, Jul 11, 2020 7:03pm

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said Saturday his concern for the football season is "high to very high" and acknowledged, "We are running out of time to correct and get things right."
Sources: Patriots settle with AB, Hernandez

Saturday, Jul 11, 2020 7:03pm

The Patriots have settled compensation grievances with Antonio Brown and Aaron Hernandez over the past week, which creates notable salary-cap space for the team, league sources told ESPN.
Yanks closer Chapman tests positive for virus

Saturday, Jul 11, 2020 7:03pm

Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman, who had 37 saves and a 2.21 ERA last season, has tested positive for the coronavirus. Manager Aaron Boone said Zack Britton would take over the role if Chapman isn't ready for the start of the season.

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