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Health agency officials outside of Russia are skeptical of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement that scientists have successfully created a vaccine that provides immunity to the coronavirus, including National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci, who has expressed doubts about the country’s testing methods.

Putin made the announcement that the country registered a vaccine Tuesday morning on August 11, saying, “We should be grateful to those who have taken this first step, which is very important for our country and the whole world,” the Wall Street Journal reported. The vaccine is named “Sputnik V,” after the satellite Russia launched to beat the U.S. in the space race.

Russia, according to the Johns Hopkins University dashboard, has the fourth-most cases (895,691), but it has reported a fairly low number of deaths (15,103) compared to other countries with high case rates.

Russia’s Vaccine Was Allegedly Granted Approval After Less Than Two Months Of Human Testing

Russia names new COVID-19 vaccine ‘Sputnik V’ in reference to Cold War space race https://t.co/mIgQRCZjzi pic.twitter.com/Nnd7LnwUwX

— Reuters (@Reuters) August 11, 2020

Russia developed the vaccine at Russia’s Gamaleya Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology using adenoviruses, according to the Washington Post.

Adenoviruses are common viruses that cause cold and flu-like symptoms and tend to more severely affect those with weak immune systems as well as preexisting respiratory and cardiac diseases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In vaccine development, they are being used to trigger an infection reaction, which will cause the body to create coronavirus spike proteins which can then “train our bodies to detect and terminate any real SARS-CoV-2 infections before the virus wreaks havoc,” Chemical and Engineering News reported.

This is a similar approach that many other countries’ vaccine developers have taken, including U.S.-based researchers. However, many of those drugs are still waiting to finish going through all three CDC recommended testing phases before registering their vaccines for wide use.

Reuters reported that Russia developed the vaccine after less than two months of testing on humans.

Amid questions of whether the vaccine was developed according to proper protocols, National Institute of …read more

Source:: Heavy.com

Perhaps the greatest quarterback to ever play in the NFL will wear a new uniform for the first time in history this season. Tom Brady’s Buccaneers tenure has put a spotlight on the franchise like few times before.

Follow the Heavy on Buccaneers Facebook page for the latest breaking news, rumors, and content!

President Trump Offers Take on Brady’s New Team

It’s no secret that Brady is a supporter of President Donald Trump and it appears that No. 45 is a supporter of Brady’s new team. Trump recently spoke about Brady’s departure from New England while giving praise to the Buccaneers organization.

“I think (Brady) had plenty of teams to go to, and he picked one with — from what I understand — a good offensive line and very good receivers. He looked at that closely. I think he probably had other choices where they had players,’ Trump told Clay Travis of Fox Sports (h/t NESN).

Heading into free agency, the Buccaneers weren’t on many people’s radar as a destination for Brady. However, in the 24 hours leading up to his decision, oddsmakers had Tampa Bay as the favorite.

“I think (Brady’s) biggest thing is, he wants to win,” Trump said. “And from what I know, and I know the ownership of the team, they’ll do whatever they have to because they’re fantastic people.”

It’s worth noting that the Glazer Family, which owns the Buccaneers, have long been supporters of Trump both vocally and financially.

High Expectations for Brady in 2020

Some analysts believe that Brady will set records with the Bucs, including NFL Network’s Maurice Jones-Drew, who believes Brady will tie Peyton Manning’s passing touchdown record (55). Trump didn’t get into specifics with his predictions, though he added that Brady will go what he has always done.

“I think he’s gonna surprise a lot of people, I think he’s gonna do great,” Trump said.

Brady arguably has as greatest of a collection of options he’s ever played with (Yes, Randy Moss was the greatest WR Brady has ever played with but those teams with Moss weren’t as stacked as this year’s Bucs).

Tampa Bay could run two tight ends in the way the Patriots did with Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez back in 2011. The team could do so without putting too much on any one tight end’s plate. Expect a rotation between, O.J. Howard, Rob Gronkowski, …read more

Source:: Heavy.com

The Chicago Bears have added some depth at the safety position. The team signed former Rams safety Marqui Christian Tuesday afternoon, per ESPN’s Turron Davenport.

The Bears had a visit with Christain this past weekend, and it seems Chicago liked what they saw. Christian spent his first four seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, where he played in 55 total games, starting one. In that time, he tallied 83 tackles, three pass breakups and one tackle for loss.

Per source, DB Marqui Christian signed w/ the #Bears. Christian could challenge to start at safety. Very versatile player that saw time at nickel and safety for the Rams. Christian is also a standout special teams player.

— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 11, 2020

Turran suggested Christian would be competing against Deon Bush and Tashaun Gipson for the starting safety position opposite All-Pro Eddie Jackson. He will very likely have a significant role on special teams, as well.

Follow the Heavy on Bears Facebook page, where you can keep up and weigh in on all the latest Bears-related breaking news, rumors, content and more!

Christian is Suspended Weeks 1-2 for Undisclosed Reasons

Christian, a free agent after the 2019 season, agreed to a one-year deal with the New York Jets that later fell through. Neither the Jets nor Christian got into specifics about why the deal fell through, but he and the Bears managed to find common ground.

One thing the team will have to plan around is the two-game suspension Christian is set to serve at the start of the 2020 NFL season — for reasons that also remain unknown. After the suspension is served, the Bears will likely utilized him as a role-player in certain defensive packages, while also primarily using him on special teams.

In both 2018 and 2019, Christian played 34 percent of the Rams’ defensive snaps, and 77.5 percent of the team’s snaps on special teams. He should probably see a similar pattern in Chicago.

READ NEXT: Bears’ Eddie Jackson Reveals Who His Favorite is In QB Competition

…read more

Source:: Heavy.com

Bayern Munich president, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has taken aim at Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen ahead of Friday’s Champions League quarter-final between the two sides.

The game will see Germany’s top two goalkeepers come up against each other. Bayern’s Manuel Neuer is currently first choice for the German national team, while Barcelona’s Ter Stegen is the 34-year-old’s back-up at international level.

Ter Stegen may not have managed to replace Neuer in Germany manager Joachim Low’s thinking yet but is still widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in Europe due to his excellence performances for the Catalan giants.

However, Rummenigge has made it clear what he thinks of both goalkeepers ahead of the crucial match in Lisbon which will decide which team makes it through to the last four of Europe’s top competition.

“The national team is lucky to have two goalkeepers like this available. Both are, without any doubt, top. Manuel is world-class whilst ter Stegen is on the road to becoming world-class.”

Ter Stegen has the best save percentage in this season’s Champions League, according to Opta. The Barcelona goalkeeper is top on 81.5 percent, ahead of Ajax stopper André Onana on 80 percent. Neuer is down in 11th place with a save percentage of 73.9 percent.

Follow the Heavy on Barcelona Facebook page for the latest breaking news, rumors and content!

Ter Stegen Has Form Against Bayern

Barcelona’s goalkeeper is well-known for his brilliant shot-stopping and has been particularly excellent in the Champions League this season.

12 – Marc-Andre ter Stegen has saved 12 of the 13 shots on target he has faced in Champions League this season (92.3%). Colossus. pic.twitter.com/pnnZBHksl2

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 23, 2019

Yet Ter Stegen is also known for his ability with the ball at his feet. He picked up two assists in La Liga in 2019-20 which is pretty unheard of for a goalkeeper.

1 – @FCBarcelona‘s Barcelona Marc-André ter Stegen is the only goalkeeper to assist two goals in the top five European leagues this season. Quarterback. pic.twitter.com/YtSAMmEbmB

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) December 7, 2019

Barcelona’s No.1 also has form when it comes to playing Bayern. He made one of the most memorable saves of his career against the Bundesliga giants when the two sides faced off in the Champions League in 2015.

ON THIS …read more

Source:: Heavy.com