All things CoronaVirus

[jhu72]

Evangelical pastor/broadcaster fired for saying nice things about the COVID vaccines.

[jhu72]

Kansas man dies waiting for ICU bed. The article doesn't make the claim but my bet given the length of wait, this is probably also a case of healthcare rationing, his prognoses was probably not good and he was low on the resource list. Nonetheless, our healthcare system is overrun in many parts of the country. Just one example.

Just plain stupid. People playing stupid games, anti-masking, anti-vaxing, anti-healthcare, anti-government, pro-stupidity. Killing yourself is one thing, lots of that going round, killing others, vulnerable people through your stupidity is not a constitutional right, it is not a FREEDOM.

[Farfromgeneva]

Kansas man dies waiting for ICU bed. The article doesn't make the claim but my bet given the length of wait, this is probably also a case of healthcare rationing, his prognoses was probably not good and he was low on the resource list. Nonetheless, our healthcare system is overrun in many parts of the country. Just one example.

Just plain stupid. People playing stupid games, anti-masking, anti-vaxing, anti-healthcare, anti-government, pro-stupidity. Killing yourself is one thing, lots of that going round, killing others, vulnerable people through your stupidity is not a constitutional right, it is not a FREEDOM.

Freedom cannot by definition be absolute in any social construct.

[Typical Lax Dad]

Denmark Is Removing All COVID Restrictions, vax rate over 70%: https://dailycaller.com/2021/08/27/denm ... september/

Excellent. Hope we get there at some point.

Exactly 70% because we all know anything that works in Denmark would work exactly the same in the US. (Intended for all the folks in the world who continually use Scandinavia as models for use even without understanding the first thing about those countries)

Denmark would fall between CT and MA. Let’s see when those States lift restrictions (again).

[Farfromgeneva]

Denmark Is Removing All COVID Restrictions, vax rate over 70%: https://dailycaller.com/2021/08/27/denm ... september/

Excellent. Hope we get there at some point.

Exactly 70% because we all know anything that works in Denmark would work exactly the same in the US. (Intended for all the folks in the world who continually use Scandinavia as models for use even without understanding the first thing about those countries)

Denmark would fall between CT and MA. Let’s see when those States lift restrictions (again).

Probably after CT but before MA based on what I’ve observed culturally?

I’m just tired of everything from healthcare to macroeconomics using those tiny countries as evidence anything can work in the US. It’s worse than when I had a research analyst job in DC for a merchant bank and advisory firm that was ex world bank guys doing stuff in MENA countries (and sub Saharan Africa mainly Africa in general) and I’d have to comp the privatization of Rwanda’s telecom industry to the Hungarian privatization as the closest thing even though they were miles and miles apart from each other. “When folks don’t understand what the word model means...”

[jhu72]

Afghanistan vet dies in Texas waiting for an ICU bed. Wonder why they couldn't find an ICU bed?

[MDlaxfan76]

Fauci said this AM that there are 80 million Americans edible for vaccine who have not been vaccinated (not including under 12 not yet approved); need "vast majority" of those unvaccinated to be vaccinated in order to defeat virus in America. Also said he's "certain" a third shot will be needed for MRNA.

They're still saying 8 months, but sounds like the data are showing 5-6 months would be better...but they haven't finished the process of looking at the data...and thus, they'll miss giving that advice for the early folks (elderly, heath workers etc); seems to me that they should change counsel to make it more clear that elderly or very high risk really should go ahead at 6 months for the third shot.

[Farfromgeneva]

Fauci said this AM that there are 80 million Americans edible for vaccine who have not been vaccinated (not including under 12 not yet approved); need "vast majority" of those unvaccinated to be vaccinated in order to defeat virus in America. Also said he's "certain" a third shot will be needed for MRNA.

They're still saying 8 months, but sounds like the data are showing 5-6 months would be better...but they haven't finished the process of looking at the data...and thus, they'll miss giving that advice for the early folks (elderly, heath workers etc); seems to me that they should change counsel to make it more clear that elderly or very high risk really should go ahead at 6 months for the third shot.

They’re making edible vaccines now? Is it with chocolate, in brownies or how so?

Kidding of course.

[youthathletics]

Fauci said this AM that there are 80 million Americans edible for vaccine who have not been vaccinated (not including under 12 not yet approved); need "vast majority" of those unvaccinated to be vaccinated in order to defeat virus in America. Also said he's "certain" a third shot will be needed for MRNA.

They're still saying 8 months, but sounds like the data are showing 5-6 months would be better...but they haven't finished the process of looking at the data...and thus, they'll miss giving that advice for the early folks (elderly, heath workers etc); seems to me that they should change counsel to make it more clear that elderly or very high risk really should go ahead at 6 months for the third shot.

They’re making edible vaccines now? Is it with chocolate, in brownies or how so?

Kidding of course.

I am guessing a third shot, b/c the first 2 did not swing enough voters to the left, as expected. The brain fog is just ever slight enough to still keep my wits about NOT going to the dark side.

[Farfromgeneva]

Fauci said this AM that there are 80 million Americans edible for vaccine who have not been vaccinated (not including under 12 not yet approved); need "vast majority" of those unvaccinated to be vaccinated in order to defeat virus in America. Also said he's "certain" a third shot will be needed for MRNA.

They're still saying 8 months, but sounds like the data are showing 5-6 months would be better...but they haven't finished the process of looking at the data...and thus, they'll miss giving that advice for the early folks (elderly, heath workers etc); seems to me that they should change counsel to make it more clear that elderly or very high risk really should go ahead at 6 months for the third shot.

They’re making edible vaccines now? Is it with chocolate, in brownies or how so?

Kidding of course.

I am guessing a third shot, b/c the first 2 did not swing enough voters to the left, as expected. The brain fog is just ever slight enough to still keep my wits about NOT going to the dark side.

I’m just wondering if the edible is made with Sativa or Indigo.

[MDlaxfan76]

Fauci said this AM that there are 80 million Americans edible for vaccine who have not been vaccinated (not including under 12 not yet approved); need "vast majority" of those unvaccinated to be vaccinated in order to defeat virus in America. Also said he's "certain" a third shot will be needed for MRNA.

They're still saying 8 months, but sounds like the data are showing 5-6 months would be better...but they haven't finished the process of looking at the data...and thus, they'll miss giving that advice for the early folks (elderly, heath workers etc); seems to me that they should change counsel to make it more clear that elderly or very high risk really should go ahead at 6 months for the third shot.

They’re making edible vaccines now? Is it with chocolate, in brownies or how so?

Kidding of course.

I am guessing a third shot, b/c the first 2 did not swing enough voters to the left, as expected. The brain fog is just ever slight enough to still keep my wits about NOT going to the dark side.

Sounds like you'll need the 'edibles'. Or already been doing too much?

[RedFromMI]

Really detailed article on the science of airborne transmission of viruses:

http://science.sciencemag.org/content/3 ... d9149.full

The article has something to say in its discussion on masking:

Universal masking is an effective and economical way to block virus-laden aerosols (67). Model simulations show that masks effectively prevent asymptomatic transmission and reduce the total number of infected individuals as well as mortalities as a result of COVID-19 (176). It is crucial to optimize the allocation of masks (177). Surgical masks have been shown to reduce the release of influenza virus, seasonal human coronaviruses, and rhinovirus in aerosols <5 μm into the air by infected individuals by up to 100% (104, 178), although for some individuals there was no reduction; and masks are more effective for limiting droplets (179). Masks made of combinations of different fabrics and/or multiple layers, when worn properly with no leaks, can block up to 90% of particles between 0.5 and 10 μm (179). Small gaps between the mask material and skin can lead to substantial decreases in the overall filtration efficiency. For aerosols <2.5 μm, filtration efficiency decreases by 50% for a relative leak area of 1% (180). A study compared the viral filtration efficiency of N95, surgical, and fabric masks using a model virus and found that the efficiency of N95 and some surgical masks exceeded 99%; all fabric masks tested were at least 50% efficient (181). The effectiveness of N95, surgical, and cotton masks in blocking SARS-CoV-2–containing aerosols has been investigated using manikins placed face-to-face. N95 respirators demonstrated the highest efficiency in blocking infectious SARS-CoV-2 (182). Almost all masks offer at least some protection, but they are not 100% effective. Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has occurred in health care settings despite medical masks (designed for droplets not aerosols) and eye protection (183–185), which illustrates the need for proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and layering multiple interventions against airborne transmission, especially in high-risk indoor settings.

[RedFromMI]

Opinion
Guest Essay

The Hard Covid-19 Questions We’re Not Asking
Aug. 30, 2021

By Joseph G. Allen and Helen Jenkins

Dr. Allen is director of the Healthy Buildings program at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and has studied how Covid-19 spreads in indoor spaces. Dr. Jenkins is an associate professor at Boston University School of Public Health and an infectious disease epidemiologist.

While the availability of vaccines refocused the U.S. response to the pandemic, many policy questions remain. Should vaccinated people get boosters? Does everyone need to wear a mask? Are unvaccinated children safe in schools?

We think much of the confusion and disagreement among scientists and nonexperts alike comes down to undefined and sometimes conflicting goals in responding to the pandemic. What are we actually trying to achieve in the United States?

If the goal is getting to zero infections and staying at that level before dropping restrictions, one set of policies apply. If the goal is to make this virus like the seasonal flu, a different set of policies follow.

Let’s use masking of children in schools as an example.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention pegged its masking recommendation for vaccinated adults to local transmission rates. If high, all people should mask indoors. If low, no need. But, it did not set similar metrics for children and masks in schools when it recommended universal masking. In failing to do so, it avoided not just the obvious tough question — When can kids stop masking in school? — but also an even tougher, fundamental one: What is the purpose of Covid-19 precautions now?

One often discussed timeline for ending masking in schools is the date that a vaccine is approved for children under 12. That seems reasonable, but it raises yet another question: What happens if vaccines for children younger than 12 are approved at the end of the year but only 35 percent of this age group get vaccinated? That is exactly what we see now for 12- to 15-year-olds, who have had access to vaccines for months.

If it’s conceivable — and even likely — that in March most children will still be unvaccinated, does this mean masks should come off then anyway? Or would masks be recommended indefinitely?

To answer those questions, it must first be considered that there are several possible aims of any policy addressing whether children should wear masks in schools. Those goals could include the protection of immune-compromised people; reaching zero infections, zero deaths or even reducing transmission of other respiratory pathogens — and achieving these aims might require indefinite mask mandates. But if any of these are part of a school’s rationale, its leaders need to say it clearly and have an open discussion about the pros and the cons.

Any organization setting a mask mandate at this point in the pandemic in the United States must pair that mandate with an “off ramp” plan. Sleepwalking into indefinite masking is not in anyone’s interests and can increase distrust after an already very difficult year.

What if the stated goal is simply, “Kids need to be in school, period.” Considering the devastating costs of having children out of school last year, including dramatic and quantifiable learning loss in math and reading, this is a very reasonable and defensible goal. How might that then drive policy? Setting that goal would mean deploying more tools to keep children in school, like using rapid antigen tests and allowing kids who test negative to go to in-person class rather than mass quarantining hundreds or thousands of children who had close contact to people with the virus, as is happening now. Or, we accept that there will be more cases in children, recognizing that disease severity for a vast majority of kids is low.

Another hard question that is most likely also causing confusion and disagreement is how we define “severe” disease in children. Children can get Covid, but their death and hospitalization rates are much lower than for adults. The inflammatory syndrome MIS-C is rare. Long Covid has gained wide attention, but recent studies have shown that rates are low among children and not dissimilar to effects caused by other viral illnesses.

We’re not being cavalier by raising these points. Consider that in Britain the government doesn’t require masks for children in schools, and it’s not clear it will advise kids to get vaccinated, either. Britain has experts like we do, and they are looking at the same scientific data we are, they most assuredly care about children’s health the same way we do, and, yet, they have come to a different policy decision. Schools were prioritized over other activities and the risks of transmission without masks were considered acceptable.

This reveals the crux of the problem in the United States. It’s not just the C.D.C., but everyone — including us public health experts — who is not always connecting our advice or policy recommendations to clear goals. The conflict is not about masks or boosters, it’s about the often unstated objective and how a mask mandate or a “boosters for all” approach may or may not get us there.

We use schools as the example here, but much of the same applies to broader societal questions over mass gatherings, live entertainment and returning to offices. There are questions around how vaccinated people should live their lives if the vaccines reduce the likelihood of spread but don’t absolutely and completely prevent breakthrough infections and transmission, which was never going to be the case.

If the goal is zero spread, which we think is not realistic, then the country would need to keep many of the most restrictive measures in place — an approach that has serious public health consequences of its own. If the goal is to minimize severe disease, some states with high vaccination rates might already be there. Low-vaccination states would still have work to do before loosening restrictions. Treating the country as a whole just doesn’t make sense right now because of the widespread differences in vaccination rates.

The emergence of the Delta variant has, understandably, caused many Americans to step back and use caution. But the same questions will be there when we emerge from this Delta surge, whether in a few weeks or next spring. We shouldn’t let ourselves off the hook with “easy” decisions today. At some point, the country needs to have an honest conversation with itself about what our goals really are.

[jhu72]

Really detailed article on the science of airborne transmission of viruses:

http://science.sciencemag.org/content/3 ... d9149.full

The article has something to say in its discussion on masking:

Universal masking is an effective and economical way to block virus-laden aerosols (67). Model simulations show that masks effectively prevent asymptomatic transmission and reduce the total number of infected individuals as well as mortalities as a result of COVID-19 (176). It is crucial to optimize the allocation of masks (177). Surgical masks have been shown to reduce the release of influenza virus, seasonal human coronaviruses, and rhinovirus in aerosols <5 μm into the air by infected individuals by up to 100% (104, 178), although for some individuals there was no reduction; and masks are more effective for limiting droplets (179). Masks made of combinations of different fabrics and/or multiple layers, when worn properly with no leaks, can block up to 90% of particles between 0.5 and 10 μm (179). Small gaps between the mask material and skin can lead to substantial decreases in the overall filtration efficiency. For aerosols <2.5 μm, filtration efficiency decreases by 50% for a relative leak area of 1% (180). A study compared the viral filtration efficiency of N95, surgical, and fabric masks using a model virus and found that the efficiency of N95 and some surgical masks exceeded 99%; all fabric masks tested were at least 50% efficient (181). The effectiveness of N95, surgical, and cotton masks in blocking SARS-CoV-2–containing aerosols has been investigated using manikins placed face-to-face. N95 respirators demonstrated the highest efficiency in blocking infectious SARS-CoV-2 (182). Almost all masks offer at least some protection, but they are not 100% effective. Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has occurred in health care settings despite medical masks (designed for droplets not aerosols) and eye protection (183–185), which illustrates the need for proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and layering multiple interventions against airborne transmission, especially in high-risk indoor settings.

... thanks. Great article.

[ardilla secreta]

Fauci said this AM that there are 80 million Americans edible for vaccine who have not been vaccinated (not including under 12 not yet approved); need "vast majority" of those unvaccinated to be vaccinated in order to defeat virus in America. Also said he's "certain" a third shot will be needed for MRNA.

They're still saying 8 months, but sounds like the data are showing 5-6 months would be better...but they haven't finished the process of looking at the data...and thus, they'll miss giving that advice for the early folks (elderly, heath workers etc); seems to me that they should change counsel to make it more clear that elderly or very high risk really should go ahead at 6 months for the third shot.

They’re making edible vaccines now? Is it with chocolate, in brownies or how so?

Kidding of course.

The edible should taste like Busch Light and a Slim Jim. Then America would be rid of the virus

[youthathletics]

Fauci said this AM that there are 80 million Americans edible for vaccine who have not been vaccinated (not including under 12 not yet approved); need "vast majority" of those unvaccinated to be vaccinated in order to defeat virus in America. Also said he's "certain" a third shot will be needed for MRNA.

They're still saying 8 months, but sounds like the data are showing 5-6 months would be better...but they haven't finished the process of looking at the data...and thus, they'll miss giving that advice for the early folks (elderly, heath workers etc); seems to me that they should change counsel to make it more clear that elderly or very high risk really should go ahead at 6 months for the third shot.

They’re making edible vaccines now? Is it with chocolate, in brownies or how so?

Kidding of course.

The edible should taste like Busch Light and a Slim Jim. Then America would be rid of the virus

Id prefer ice cold Natural Light and Gardettos.

[Brooklyn]

another vax denier dies of covid:


3rd conservative radio host who condemned vaccines dies of Covid
Source: Politico

A conservative Florida radio host who spoke out against Covid-19 vaccines died after a weekslong fight with the virus, marking the third radio personality to die from coronavirus who publicly rejected vaccines.

The death of Marc Bernier, 65, who was a mainstay on talk radio in Daytona, was announced Saturday night be WNDB, the radio station he was affiliated with for three decades.

“It’s with great sadness that WNDB and Southern Stone Communications announce the passing of Marc Bernier, who informed and entertained listeners on WNDB for over 30 years. We kindly ask that privacy is given to Marc’s family during this time of grief,” WNDB stated on Twitter.

Bernier was known for inviting differing viewpoints on his show, including Democrats, but had publicly railed against vaccines. The Daytona Beach News-Journal reported that Bernier had been hospitalized since Aug. 7.


https://www.politico.com/states/florida ... id-1390555



Stupid is as stupid does. Hate to see it happen and hope that people like him will wise up some day soon.

[lagerhead]

another vax denier dies of covid:


3rd conservative radio host who condemned vaccines dies of Covid
Source: Politico

A conservative Florida radio host who spoke out against Covid-19 vaccines died after a weekslong fight with the virus, marking the third radio personality to die from coronavirus who publicly rejected vaccines.

The death of Marc Bernier, 65, who was a mainstay on talk radio in Daytona, was announced Saturday night be WNDB, the radio station he was affiliated with for three decades.

“It’s with great sadness that WNDB and Southern Stone Communications announce the passing of Marc Bernier, who informed and entertained listeners on WNDB for over 30 years. We kindly ask that privacy is given to Marc’s family during this time of grief,” WNDB stated on Twitter.

Bernier was known for inviting differing viewpoints on his show, including Democrats, but had publicly railed against vaccines. The Daytona Beach News-Journal reported that Bernier had been hospitalized since Aug. 7.


https://www.politico.com/states/florida ... id-1390555



Stupid is as stupid does. Hate to see it happen and hope that people like him will wise up some day soon.

Thanks can you now let us know how many fully vaccinated believers have died. Appreciate your input.

[Brooklyn]

Thanks can you now let us know how many fully vaccinated believers have died. Appreciate your input.

"South Florida right-wing radio host Marc Bernier refused to be vaccinated and called the US government Nazis has died from COVID.''

https://www.politicususa.com/2021/08/29 ... covid.html

Try again.

[MDlaxfan76]

another vax denier dies of covid:


3rd conservative radio host who condemned vaccines dies of Covid
Source: Politico

A conservative Florida radio host who spoke out against Covid-19 vaccines died after a weekslong fight with the virus, marking the third radio personality to die from coronavirus who publicly rejected vaccines.

The death of Marc Bernier, 65, who was a mainstay on talk radio in Daytona, was announced Saturday night be WNDB, the radio station he was affiliated with for three decades.

“It’s with great sadness that WNDB and Southern Stone Communications announce the passing of Marc Bernier, who informed and entertained listeners on WNDB for over 30 years. We kindly ask that privacy is given to Marc’s family during this time of grief,” WNDB stated on Twitter.

Bernier was known for inviting differing viewpoints on his show, including Democrats, but had publicly railed against vaccines. The Daytona Beach News-Journal reported that Bernier had been hospitalized since Aug. 7.


https://www.politico.com/states/florida ... id-1390555



Stupid is as stupid does. Hate to see it happen and hope that people like him will wise up some day soon.

Thanks can you now let us know how many fully vaccinated believers have died. Appreciate your input.

I don't know the specific answer to that question, but it's apparently a very tiny percentage of deaths. Haven't heard of a single, outspoken advocate for vaccines who then contracted Covid-19 and died, having been fully vaccinated...not one...maybe you have?

A whole bunch of outspoken anti-vaccine folks have died already, more are sure to come.