Zorral Posted September 15, 2022 Author Share Posted September 15, 2022 The New Covid Boosters Are Amazing News https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/15/opinion/covid-booster-shot.html Quote .... Vaccines (and boosters) have already been shown to greatly reduce rates of long Covid among the infected, but obviously, if infection is avoided completely, that would directly sidestep the risk of long Covid. Shane Crotty, an immunologist, also noted that these boosters will probably further reduce the chances of more severe disease complications, which include long Covid, and says “the higher your level of immunity, the less viral replication you’re going to have, the less viral damage, the less likelihood of long Covid.” And these new boosters can be expected to do even more, going forward — including better protection against future variants, by better training both antibodies and memory cells, which are different parts of the immune system. As Bhattacharya told me, being exposed to different versions of the virus (as will happen with these updated boosters) further deepens and broadens the kind of antibodies that get generated, including ones that can work against future variants. Marion Pepper, an immunologist, told me a new variant vaccine can also “create new, more diverse memory cells that will help protect from Omicron variants and new variants that we have yet to encounter.” Unfortunately we may face another problem we witnessed throughout the pandemic: public health officials or prominent media doctors casting doubt on the boosters by focusing on their imperfections rather than their immense benefits and worrying about public reaction — like concerns about “vaccine fatigue.” When I hear that phrase, I wonder how it would have sounded in the spring of 2020 when we had field hospitals in Central Park, bodies were stacked in trailers as funeral homes ran out of space and hospitals ran out of body bags. .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Anti-Targ Posted September 16, 2022 Share Posted September 16, 2022 Is anyone surprised people put up a mental block on the worst periods of the pandemic? Who wants to remember funeral homes running out of space and a shortage of body bags? But regardless of the selectivity of people's memories the pandemic is now very much an individual choice situation. Wear a mask, get vaccinated, or don't. But accept the consequences of your choices. Because this disease can still maim and kill. Good to now the immunology is indicating significant benefits of the bivalent omicron booster over the older versions. I don't really understand vaccine fatigue. Billions(?) of people get a 'flu jab every year. There doesn't seem to be any fatigue happening there. Is COVID vaccine fatigue a result of the success of mis-information spreading through the population that COVID is not as bad as 'flu? Also, a piece on masks esp on planes https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/474739/how-risky-is-flying-without-a-face-mask Quote The right mask But are you still protected by your mask on a plane if no one else around you is wearing one? The experts say yes - depending on the mask. "A good mask can reduce your exposure to virus particles in the air ... whether other people around you are wearing a mask or not," Marr said. Based on studies of masks in other settings, wearing a respirator - like an N95 or a KN95 - was associated with a much lower chance of testing positive for Covid-19. ...reaching for the surgical masks provided by the airlines may not be of much benefit. ...surgical masks were mainly designed to stop the wearer from emitting virus-laden particles, and were generally around 60 percent effective at preventing transmission. To mask, or not to mask? Mullins said the decision to wear a mask would depend on your personal risk profile. Wearing a mask, he said, was an easy thing to do to help ensure you stay safe - and he would personally be continuing to do so on all public transit, including flights. "Just because it's not mandated doesn't mean you shouldn't do it. It's still a great idea to mask up when you're flying." As a curious aside, I got two anti-mask leaflets in my mailbox last week, bascially saying the exact opposite of the above. And claiming people are suffering from hypoxic illnesses as a result of mask mandates. I will say that I cannot do moderate exertion with a mask on, but I have never been in a situation that requires both moderate exertion and mandatory mask wearing. The most exercise I did while masked was walk around the supermarket, and while I am pretty unfit that did not amount to moderate exertion. But perhaps a very small segment of the population would be affected even with mild exertion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zorral Posted September 16, 2022 Author Share Posted September 16, 2022 2 hours ago, The Anti-Targ said: this disease can still maim and kill. Over 450 per day, every day, here in the USA. But then, this is the nation where it is now normalized that schools and school children, teachers, are targets for the armed fascist cadres of the crazy. Home of the free, land of the brave, yippee ai yay yay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilbur Posted September 16, 2022 Share Posted September 16, 2022 17 hours ago, The Anti-Targ said: Is anyone surprised people put up a mental block on the worst periods of the pandemic? Who wants to remember funeral homes running out of space and a shortage of body bags? But regardless of the selectivity of people's memories the pandemic is now very much an individual choice situation. Wear a mask, get vaccinated, or don't. But accept the consequences of your choices. Because this disease can still maim and kill. Good to now the immunology is indicating significant benefits of the bivalent omicron booster over the older versions. I don't really understand vaccine fatigue. Billions(?) of people get a 'flu jab every year. There doesn't seem to be any fatigue happening there. Is COVID vaccine fatigue a result of the success of mis-information spreading through the population that COVID is not as bad as 'flu? Also, a piece on masks esp on planes https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/474739/how-risky-is-flying-without-a-face-mask As a curious aside, I got two anti-mask leaflets in my mailbox last week, bascially saying the exact opposite of the above. And claiming people are suffering from hypoxic illnesses as a result of mask mandates. I will say that I cannot do moderate exertion with a mask on, but I have never been in a situation that requires both moderate exertion and mandatory mask wearing. The most exercise I did while masked was walk around the supermarket, and while I am pretty unfit that did not amount to moderate exertion. But perhaps a very small segment of the population would be affected even with mild exertion. Some, if not all, of the anti-mask talk is the purest of horse$hit. I spent a career criss-crossing the globe on aircraft, and I wore some sort of a painter's mask (eg N95 thingy) on almost every long-haul flight. I wasn't worried about germs, but rather low humidity. As soon as we were in the air, I would recline and go to sleep, and ten or so hours later, wake up with weird marks on my face, but at least my throat wasn't raw from dragging in the dry air the entire flight. Wearing a mask was a straight benefit, and I certainly didn't get hypoxic illnesses. But that was just sleeping, you say? Well, during the height of the pandemic, the entire AIA, every school in Arizona, played an entire season of basketball with the players, coaches, officials and fans all wearing masks. Kids and refs sprinted up and down the court wearing the sports version of the KN95 all season long. No ill effects. Is wearing a mask fun? No. Should I wear one more often? Yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darzin Posted September 17, 2022 Share Posted September 17, 2022 Well I almost completed my seven day hotel quarantine on my way back to China, but on the last day I tested positive. So now I've been moved to hospital quarantine and will remain here until I test negative when I get to do my hotel quarantine again! so that's my next two weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalbear Posted September 19, 2022 Share Posted September 19, 2022 Damnit, Biden, stop being so lame and off-the-cuff on this. The pandemic is not 'over' unless you are okay with 1k death rates in the holiday season and a 5% long covid disability rate. We have a good booster - encourage using it! We have good masks! We actually have testing now! What the actual fuck man. https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/09/biden-calls-pandemic-over-despite-pathetic-booster-rates-and-new-variants/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derfel Cadarn Posted September 20, 2022 Share Posted September 20, 2022 Tested positive this morning. Think my 4 year okd has it, tho she and wife atill test negative. tixkly throat and some lethargy at moment, bit of a cough Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zorral Posted September 20, 2022 Author Share Posted September 20, 2022 56 minutes ago, Derfel Cadarn said: Tested positive this morning. Come on, you. Get with the program. Covid is OVER -- if it ever existed, that is. On the non-sarcastic side, sorry to hear this, and hope the others in your household don't get it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
williamjm Posted September 20, 2022 Share Posted September 20, 2022 7 hours ago, Derfel Cadarn said: Tested positive this morning. Think my 4 year okd has it, tho she and wife atill test negative. tixkly throat and some lethargy at moment, bit of a cough I hope you feel better soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Anti-Targ Posted September 21, 2022 Share Posted September 21, 2022 Interesting new stat from our health dept. 12% of reported cases are now re-infections, 9% had their last infection >90 days prior, 3% reinfected within 90 days. My son might be re-infected (not yet tested positive, may not even be COVID) and if he is he most likely picked it up from a friend who was them-self a re-infection case. I think I know irl 2 or 3 definite re-infection cases. I'm still actively trying to avoid getting infected. I'm sure I have dodged several bullets since Omicron started waving through us in January. My latest cunning plan is to go grocery shopping in the mid-evening when very few people are in the shop, that way I am not surrounded by large numbers of unmasked shoppers of unknown infection status, and I can go through a completely empty self-checkout lane. This along with not taking public transport for my work commute over the winter has limited my exposure. Though driving to work has worsened my carbon footprint, I am working at home 4 out of 5 days so I only feel a little bit bad. I will have to get back on the train at some point, as driving and parking is stupidly expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derfel Cadarn Posted September 21, 2022 Share Posted September 21, 2022 Felong todaymuch like yesterday- a mild cold basically with little bit of lethargy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spockydog Posted September 21, 2022 Share Posted September 21, 2022 Wooooo! Got a text message inviting me for my autumn booster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heartofice Posted September 21, 2022 Share Posted September 21, 2022 3 hours ago, Derfel Cadarn said: Felong todaymuch like yesterday- a mild cold basically with little bit of lethargy How many vaccines have you had? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derfel Cadarn Posted September 21, 2022 Share Posted September 21, 2022 25 minutes ago, Heartofice said: How many vaccines have you had? 4 (x2 AZ, 1 Phizer (sp), 1 moderna). I was on immune-suppressants until covid hit, so I got extra shot and was in shielding group. Its likely I’ll be back on them in the coming weeks, dependingon what my consultant says. Should be due an autumn booster. Also asthmatic and had to take a couple inhaler puffs, but generally its mild and I run Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Week Posted September 21, 2022 Share Posted September 21, 2022 Let's keep up vaccine skepticism. Really working out well for society. Love that for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heartofice Posted September 21, 2022 Share Posted September 21, 2022 11 minutes ago, Week said: Let's keep up vaccine skepticism. Really working out well for society. Love that for us. If you see any, point it out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zorral Posted September 21, 2022 Author Share Posted September 21, 2022 Friend's brother, working from home all this time, had to return to the office this week, promptly got covid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deadlines? What Deadlines? Posted September 22, 2022 Share Posted September 22, 2022 Got my 4th shot yesterday. (1: AZ, 2&3: Moderna, 4: Phizer), They only just opened up 4th doses to everyone over 18 about a week ago. I wasn't able to do a walk-in but I was able to get a same-day appointment. Not surprising considering uptake of 4th shots has fallen off a cliff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zorral Posted September 22, 2022 Author Share Posted September 22, 2022 40 minutes ago, Deadlines? What Deadlines? said: I was able to get a same-day appointment. Was that the bi-valent? Around here it seems at this point (unlike when I got mine a week and a half ago) even getting appointments for that one means waiting -- not really long, as when the first vaccine became available -- but walking in not possible. I guess in this pocket universe people are anxious to get this next generation into their systems as soon as possible. Which is good -- particularly since this is a pocket universe, so means our friends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deadlines? What Deadlines? Posted September 22, 2022 Share Posted September 22, 2022 3 hours ago, Zorral said: Was that the bi-valent? No. The Modern bivalent vaccine is about to be rolled out here so I would have had to wait for that. The Pfizer bivalent vaccine hasn't been approved in Canada yet. ETA: I had to use Wayback machine to find this information, but it looks like we had 1500 Covid deaths in Alberta in the first 8.5 months of 2022; vs. 2300 in 2021. It's a bit of a stretch but with Thanksgiving and Christmas coming and school just starting up, we might come close to matching last years death toll. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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