Coronavirus (Covid-19) informational thread

[yaxomoxay]

almost beating the virus.

No such thing as that. Most likely not even after a vaccine. This is an airborne virus, which spreads very easily, and most often than not is asymptomatic. We can certainly limit the damages, but we won't beat it.
Take Italy for example. Almost brought down the #'s to acceptable level. Yesterday they found out this dude that was infected 10 days ago, and traveled on trains for five days. He was in contact with thousands of people. Not tens, not hundreds, but thosands of people. Stuff like that will continuously happen.

 

[Healer Flame]

Yesterday they found out this dude that was infected 10 days ago, and traveled on trains for five days. He was in contact with thousands of people

Public transport and Coronavirus = Disaster ❌❌❌
[automerge]1594398818[/automerge]

 

[decafjava]

No such thing as that. Most likely not even after a vaccine. This is an airborne virus, which spreads very easily, and most often than not is asymptomatic. We can certainly limit the damages, but we won't beat it.
Take Italy for example. Almost brought down the #'s to acceptable level. Yesterday they found out this dude that was infected 10 days ago, and traveled on trains for five days. He was in contact with thousands of people. Not tens, not hundreds, but thosands of people. Stuff like that will continuously happen.

Not sure I agree - not a medical expert but a quick look at the wiki for smallpox (which is totally eradicated) shows it was much deadlier than this one and also quite contagious. Not sure which is more contagious but I know the death toll was very high (30% death rate as well).

 

[yaxomoxay]

Not sure I agree - not a medical expert but a quick look at the wiki for smallpox (which is totally eradicated) shows it was much deadlier than this one and also quite contagious. Not sure which is more contagious but I know the death toll was very high (30% death rate as well).

Isn't smallpox MUCH harder to transmit to other people?

 

[Healer Flame]

Isn't smallpox MUCH harder to transmit to other people?

May be even worse

History’s nine most contagious diseases: Where are they now?

Throughout our history, humans have suffered catastrophic numbers of deaths due to infectious diseases. Here are nine of the deadliest and most widespread epidemics of all time.

chippenhammed.com

 

[decafjava]

May be even worse

History’s nine most contagious diseases: Where are they now?

Throughout our history, humans have suffered catastrophic numbers of deaths due to infectious diseases. Here are nine of the deadliest and most widespread epidemics of all time.

chippenhammed.com

We are sorry, but this page is not available to your current location.

Can you give us a resume?
[automerge]1594459458[/automerge]
Found these links

How contagious is COVID-19 compared to other viral diseases?

How contagious is coronavirus? Measles, Smallpox are transmitted to many more people

Clearly smallpox was worse, however as it only was present in humans it could be eradicated which is not the case for covid especially as bats and pangolins are rather fanatic anti-vaxxers 😉

Seriously, at least this can be contained and will become much less lethal in time.

 

[Doctor Q]

Visual explanation:

 

[I7guy]

Visual explanation:

Somebody went through an awful lot of time and effort to make that point. I wonder how many takes it took?

 

[Gregg2]

1 take, for a pro like that.
Obviously, you remove the white domino first to illustrate stopping the spread. Then you edit that in after they all get knocked down. Yeah, I know. Like I said, obviously...

 

[pshufd]

1 take, for a pro like that.
Obviously, you remove the white domino first to illustrate stopping the spread. Then you edit that in after they all get knocked down. Yeah, I know. Like I said, obviously...

I'm rather stunned that it takes us 12 years to teach up to Algebra and that the understanding isn't all that great when kids get to college.

 

[dannyyankou]

It seems like the little blip in cases increasing in the US the past week was due to the winter storms in Texas. People cancelled appointments and we were basically playing catch-up. They're falling again, no need to panic.

 

[A.Goldberg]

As a clinical pharmacologist who spends a lot of time evaluating medical liturature for medical guidance in a hospital, I've been reading some pretty interesting, higher quality studies on Vitamin D relationships and COVID. There's long been some evidence regarding the correlation of low Vitamin D and respiratory disease, but there seems to be mounting, compelling evidence that those with a sup-optimal/insufficient and deficient Vitamin D levels are at higher risk of COVID-19 and worse severity.

To be clear, that does not mean if your Vitamin D levels are fine, taking more Vitamin D will give you extra protection. But somewhere around 40% of Americans are Vitamin D deficient. This is especially true if you're of Northern European heritage, have darker skin, old age, obesity, low sunlight exposure (especially if in regions closer to the poles -or- if your lifestyle keeps you indoors), etc.

Vitamin D levels are not standardized, nor is there an optimal dose known for immune health. Levels are largely based on their relationship to bone health. The Endocrine Society however considers VitD insufficiency as having a serum 25(OH)D level of 21-29 ng/mL and deficiency as < 20 ng/mL.

The course of action on VitD deficient patients is usually to Rx 50,000 IU (1250mcg) of Vitamin D2 (Ergocalciferol - RX only) or D3 Cholecalciferol (OTC) once weekly for 6 weeks, followed by 1,500-2,000 units/day (37.5-50 mcg) maintenance. This may be increased however for specific patient populations (obese, malabsorption issues, etc).

This is of course is something not to be done unless you have a known deficiency (lab confirmed) and under the guidance of a doctor. There are populations where these typical VitD supplements are not ideal (i.e. kidney or hepatic disease). Overdosing on VitD can also cause problems as it increases Vitamin C absorption, which can cause a host of side effects that range from mild to possibly severe.

This may be an increasingly moot point considering vaccinations are here, but something to consider with your provider if you have ever been told you had a deficiency in the past or have had family members with this problem.

 

[pshufd]

As a clinical pharmacologist who spends a lot of time evaluating medical liturature for medical guidance in a hospital, I've been reading some pretty interesting, higher quality studies on Vitamin D relationships and COVID. There's long been some evidence regarding the correlation of low Vitamin D and respiratory disease, but there seems to be mounting, compelling evidence that those with a sup-optimal/insufficient and deficient Vitamin D levels are at higher risk of COVID-19 and worse severity.

To be clear, that does not mean if your Vitamin D levels are fine, taking more Vitamin D will give you extra protection. But somewhere around 40% of Americans are Vitamin D deficient. This is especially true if you're of Northern European heritage, have darker skin, old age, obesity, low sunlight exposure (especially if in regions closer to the poles -or- if your lifestyle keeps you indoors), etc.

Vitamin D levels are not standardized, nor is there an optimal dose known for immune health. Levels are largely based on their relationship to bone health. The Endocrine Society however considers VitD insufficiency as having a serum 25(OH)D level of 21-29 ng/mL and deficiency as < 20 ng/mL.

The course of action on VitD deficient patients is usually to Rx 50,000 IU (1250mcg) of Vitamin D2 (Ergocalciferol - RX only) or D3 Cholecalciferol (OTC) once weekly for 6 weeks, followed by 1,500-2,000 units/day (37.5-50 mcg) maintenance. This may be increased however for specific patient populations (obese, malabsorption issues, etc).

This is of course is something not to be done unless you have a known deficiency (lab confirmed) and under the guidance of a doctor. There are populations where these typical VitD supplements are not ideal (i.e. kidney or hepatic disease). Overdosing on VitD can also cause problems as it increases Vitamin C absorption, which can cause a host of side effects that range from mild to possibly severe.

This may be an increasingly moot point considering vaccinations are here, but something to consider with your provider if you have ever been told you had a deficiency in the past or have had family members with this problem.

Vitamin D deficiencies are linked with other health problems too.

Some people also have difficulty metabolizing it. My sister had some test indicating that she has difficulty absorbing it and I suspect that I have the same problem. I take 5000 IU daily (Trader Joes). It was a topic of discussion with my oncologist several years ago. I went on the OTC 5K and he said we could do prescription if levels didn't improve.

 

[iOS Geek]

I'm conflicted. I just heard that the CDC has stated that vaccinated people can socialize together without masks. I am a person that fits into that group. Being that I am someone who's wearing masks for 12 hours a day for work...the CDC saying people like me no longer HAVE to wear one in certain situations...is a Halle-freaking-lujah moment! While I'll still have to wear them in most situations (and do not have an issue doing so), it's just a relief to hear that there is now SOMETHING where it's no longer REQUIRED.

The flip side, I have some concerns about this announcement. I've said for quite a while that there was going to come a day where exceptions to mandatory mask wearing were going to begin being made. That day seems to have arrived. With that, you are going to see less people wearing them in certain situations. And again, with that...I have a concern about some possible animosities and confrontations. People are already generally nasty towards people who don't wear masks. But now that certain groups are being told they are no longer mandatory in certain situations (right now, vaccinated people being around other vaccinated people), is the animosity going to continue or even get worse? For example, if my coworkers and I are in a public place without our masks (outdoors of course, since masks are still required indoors regardless), are we going to get absolutely railed on by people telling us to wear a mask even though guidelines state we are allowed to do what we're doing? Out in public, you aren't going to know who's vaccinated and who's not. For that reason, I think now might be the time for the "you're not wearing a mask because you don't care about other people" attitude...to begin to fade, because that is now no longer the "only" reason people aren't wearing them. There is a new reason entering the fold, and that reason is because we are "allowed to".

With this statement from the CDC now in place, we will probably be seeing less and less masks in public as time goes on. Something that I believe will be progressing VERY slowly at first, but moving nonetheless.

 

[pshufd]

I'm conflicted. I just heard that the CDC has stated that vaccinated people can socialize together without masks. I am a person that fits into that group. Being that I am someone who's wearing masks for 12 hours a day for work...the CDC saying people like me no longer HAVE to wear one in certain situations...is a Halle-freaking-lujah moment! While I'll still have to wear them in most situations (and do not have an issue doing so), it's just a relief to hear that there is now SOMETHING where it's no longer REQUIRED.

The flip side, I have some concerns about this announcement. I've said for quite a while that there was going to come a day where exceptions to mandatory mask wearing were going to begin being made. That day seems to have arrived. With that, you are going to see less people wearing them in certain situations. And again, with that...I have a concern about some possible animosities and confrontations. People are already generally nasty towards people who don't wear masks. But now that certain groups are being told they are no longer mandatory in certain situations (right now, vaccinated people being around other vaccinated people), is the animosity going to continue or even get worse? For example, if my coworkers and I are in a public place without our masks (outdoors of course, since masks are still required indoors regardless), are we going to get absolutely railed on by people telling us to wear a mask even though guidelines state we are allowed to do what we're doing? Out in public, you aren't going to know who's vaccinated and who's not. For that reason, I think now might be the time for the "you're not wearing a mask because you don't care about other people" attitude...to begin to fade, because that is now no longer the "only" reason people aren't wearing them. There is a new reason entering the fold, and that reason is because we are "allowed to".

With this statement from the CDC now in place, we will probably be seeing less and less masks in public as time goes on. Something that I believe will be progressing VERY slowly at first, but moving nonetheless.

I have those in the household who won't be able to get vaccinations for a while. I have to take care of my mother who is waiting on vaccinations. So I will maintain precautions until everyone in my circles is vaccinated which could be the end of summer.

 

[Doctor Q]

I just heard that the CDC has stated that vaccinated people can socialize together without masks.

Where is that announcement? The CDC's COVID-19 Vaccination FAQ still says

Do I need to wear a mask and avoid close contact with others if I have gotten 2 doses of the vaccine?​

​

Yes. To protect yourself and others, follow these recommendations:​

• Wear a mask over your nose and mouth
• Stay at least 6 feet away from others
• Avoid crowds
• Avoid poorly ventilated spaces
• Wash your hands often

It’s important for everyone to continue using all the tools available to help stop this pandemic as we learn more about how COVID-19 vaccines work in real-world conditions. Experts are also looking at how many people get vaccinated and how the virus is spreading in communities. We also don’t yet know whether getting a COVID-19 vaccine will prevent you from spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 to other people, even if you don’t get sick yourself. CDC will continue to update this page as we learn more.​

 

[iOS Geek]

I have those in the household who won't be able to get vaccinations for a while. I have to take care of my mother who is waiting on vaccinations. So I will maintain precautions until everyone in my circles is vaccinated which could be the end of summer.

Yep, got a somewhat similar situation in my family. I've had both doses as a healthcare worker. My wife, as a teacher, is getting her second dose this Friday. That will make me, her, my grandparents, and her grandparents. But not our daughters, none of our parents, siblings, etc. As for people we generally hang around with, some are vaccinated while most are not, so most of our interactions will still be "masked up".

 

[iOS Geek]

Where is that announcement? The CDC's COVID-19 Vaccination FAQ still says

Do I need to wear a mask and avoid close contact with others if I have gotten 2 doses of the vaccine?​

​

Yes. To protect yourself and others, follow these recommendations:​

• Wear a mask over your nose and mouth
• Stay at least 6 feet away from others
• Avoid crowds
• Avoid poorly ventilated spaces
• Wash your hands often

It’s important for everyone to continue using all the tools available to help stop this pandemic as we learn more about how COVID-19 vaccines work in real-world conditions. Experts are also looking at how many people get vaccinated and how the virus is spreading in communities. We also don’t yet know whether getting a COVID-19 vaccine will prevent you from spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 to other people, even if you don’t get sick yourself. CDC will continue to update this page as we learn more.​

Correct that that is still what's written. I got my info from a Verge article in Apple News. I'll post the link below. The article mentions that this was to be announced last week, but was delayed while details were being finalized.

People who are vaccinated can socialize together without masks, CDC says — The Verge

The agency announced guidelines for how vaccinated people can adjust their behavior

apple.news

 

[iOS Geek]

Looks like the CDC just updated the page.

fully-vaccinated.html

 

[Doctor Q]

Thanks. The CDC page named When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated, updated today, says:

What’s Changed

If you’ve been fully vaccinated:

• You can gather indoors with fully vaccinated people without wearing a mask.
• You can gather indoors with unvaccinated people from one other household (for example, visiting with relatives who all live together) without masks, unless any of those people or anyone they live with has an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
• If you’ve been around someone who has COVID-19, you do not need to stay away from others or get tested unless you have symptoms. However, if you live in a group setting (like a correctional or detention facility or group home) and are around someone who has COVID-19, you should still stay away from others for 14 days and get tested, even if you don’t have symptoms.

 

[iOS Geek]

Thanks. The CDC page named When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated, updated today, says:

What’s Changed

If you’ve been fully vaccinated:

• You can gather indoors with fully vaccinated people without wearing a mask.
• You can gather indoors with unvaccinated people from one other household (for example, visiting with relatives who all live together) without masks, unless any of those people or anyone they live with has an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
• If you’ve been around someone who has COVID-19, you do not need to stay away from others or get tested unless you have symptoms. However, if you live in a group setting (like a correctional or detention facility or group home) and are around someone who has COVID-19, you should still stay away from others for 14 days and get tested, even if you don’t have symptoms.

No problem! I will say of those three points...the third one is the one I like most. Working in a hospital, it's a sure-fire guarantee that I'm crossing paths with someone who has it. That third point makes that reality much less of a PITA! It's good peace of mind, honestly!

 

[decafjava]

Good info here, got the first dose this afternoon, midly sore amr that's it. Still taking precautions but this is a step forward!

 

[dk001]

Has anyone heard any new info on molnupiravir?
Seeing some news articles that it is showing some serious promise …

Ridgeback Biotherapeutics and Merck Announce Preliminary Findings from a Phase 2a Trial of Investigational COVID-19 Therapeutic Molnupiravir - Merck.com

The findings reported on a secondary objective to reduce time to negativity of infectious SARS-CoV-2 virus isolation from nasopharyngeal swabs from participants with symptomatic COVID-19 Primary and other secondary findings to be presented at an upcoming medical meeting Merck (NYSE: MRK), known...

www.merck.com

Merck has better luck with 2nd COVID-19 drug attempt as it sees a positive in early molnupiravir data

Merck has had a torrid time with COVID-19 vaccines and a major setback with its OncoImmune-partnered pandemic med, but now, finally, it’s seeing some good news on that R&D fro | Merck has had a torrid time with COVID-19 vaccines and a major setback with its OncoImmune-partnered pandemic med, but...

www.fiercebiotech.com

 

[Healer Flame]

Only now we can appreciate pre covid life.

 

[Healer Flame]

All i can is i feel sorry for the Bat, its creepy and ugly so an ordinary person will just believe the B.S

I

The Chinese have been eating bats and rats for thousands & thousands years. so why did the Corona virus suddenly spread to humans and became contiguous in 2020?

👇 👇

The Sudden Rise of the Coronavirus Lab-Leak Theory

Scientists and political commentators are no longer dismissing the possibility that COVID-19 emerged from a Chinese laboratory. What changed?

www.newyorker.com

U.S. agencies examine reports of early COVID-19 infections in Wuhan lab

U.S. intelligence agencies are examining reports that researchers at a Chinese virology laboratory were seriously ill in 2019 a month before the first cases of COVID-19 were reported, according to U.S. government sources who cautioned that there is still no proof the disease originated at the lab.

www.reuters.com

I said last year there is no any link between bats and coronavirus. In May 2021 WHO and many other world organisations/Governments are calling for investigation for any possibilities of lab leak of the virus.