Facebook
Twitter
The presidential 2020 election result is still up in the air. So, let me give you some good news on the virus.
Our body’s immune response to viral infection is extremely complex. It involves the production of both antibodies and cells — particularly T-cells — to fight the virus.
Studies have shown that antibody levels often decline quickly after Covid-19 patients have recovered. They may even disappear after several months.
But T-cells may be a different story, at least according to a non-peer-reviewed study in the UK.
This study was the first in the world to show robust cellular immunity remained at six months after infection in individuals. These people had experienced either mild/moderate or asymptomatic Covid-19.
Researchers took blood samples from 100 UK healthcare workers. These people were infected early in the Covid-19 pandemic.
All of the blood samples had T-cells that targeted a range of proteins in Sars-Cov-2, including the key “spike protein.” This is what the virus uses to enter human cells. And the spike protein is the target of most Covid-19 vaccines.
The size of the cellular response did vary markedly between individuals. On average, it was 50% higher in people who had experienced symptoms than in those who were asymptomatic.
The finding will have to be duplicated in larger trials. But if proven, it will greatly increase the chance that vaccines will be effective against the virus.
The Big News
U.S. Virus Surge Increases
What’s most frightening about the latest U.S. virus surge is how quickly cases are rising. Last Monday, the U.S. had less than 75,000 cases. At the beginning of October, the country averaged 43,000 a day. Now we are near 100,000 cases a day. The trend is upward in 41 states. For some perspective, only 15 countries have recorded more than 500,000 cases in total. We will do that in a week.
U.S. Hospitalizations Data Kept Secret
Apparently, U.S. hospitals’ ICU units are quickly nearing capacity. That information is sent by hospitals nationwide to the Department of Health and Human Services. But instead of sharing that information with the public and the medical community, the HHS quashes it. Only a few dozen staffers at the agency see it. And only one member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, Adm. Brett Giroir, receives the documents directly.
Concerts May Be Safe
A German analysis of an indoor concert staged by scientists suggests that the impact of such events on coronavirus spread is “low to very low.” This holds true as long as concert organizers ensure adequate ventilation, strict hygiene protocols and limited capacity.
JPMorgan Playing Politics?
A top JPMorgan Chase strategist accused his colleagues of political bias. In an internal discussion with 250 employees, Marko Kolanovic – the bank’s global head of macro quantitative and derivatives strategy – dropped a bomb. He said this: “Wait so our commodities guys base their forecast based on our guys’ forecast, which based forecasts based on our economist forecast, who bases his forecast on party preference.” Everyone fell silent after his remarks.
China Loves Beamers
Management at Germany luxury automaker BMW is smiling. The company’s profits surged on huge demand in China. The carmaker said its third-quarter earnings rose nearly 10%, thanks largely to a 31% jump in sales in China. This helped offset a slump in sales here in the U.S.
The Coronavirus Numbers
Here are the numbers from Wednesday at 8 a.m. ET from Johns Hopkins University:
- 47,521,750 Infected Worldwide
- 1,215,756 Deaths
- 9,385,324 Infected in the U.S.
- 232,635 Deaths in the U.S.
Biotech Boom 2020: Claim Your Pre-IPO Shares
New biotech stocks are soaring! IPO investors are pulling in 166% . . . 237% . . . and even 440% profits in a few weeks. That’s why it’s critical that you jump into the next biotech stock BEFORE it goes public. Go here for urgent pre-IPO instructions.
What’s Next
The outcome of the presidential 2020 election is still uncertain as I write this.
It all comes down to six states – Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
All of these states are still counting ballots. My state – Pennsylvania – is the state with the most antiquated way of counting ballots. So, it will be the last to report. Maybe not until Friday.
Markets will remain on a knife’s edge until a winner is declared in the 2020 election.
Expect volatility. Neither President Trump nor former Vice President Biden know the true vote totals in those key swing states.
One thing does look clear: It appears Republicans will retain control of the Senate in the 2020 election.
That means – no matter who is president – that any economic stimulus package will be smaller than what Wall Street has factored in.
That will favor growth stocks – like tech – over stocks dependent on the strength of the economy.
Meanwhile, this urgent briefing reveals little-known details on the biggest IPO of 2020. Click here ASAP for urgent details.
Yours in Health & Wealth,
Tony Daltorio