[lesmore49]

Thing I'm struck by is insofar as Covid, vaccination, do we need to, do we not need to take measures, how long do the vaccines last (6 months I heard today), do we need the booster within 3 weeks (Pfizer)...etc. or not. For all our science, specialists, the fact that covid is relatively new....there doesn't seem to be a lot of definite, 'for sure' knowledge about the ramifications, herd immunity, etc.

Nothing seems sure in life, and well being a septuagenarian, one lesson I've learned in this life of ours, on this planet of ours....is there is nothing guaranteed in life.

In my everyday life, I do proceed cautiously, use a mask, carry hand sanitizer, don't go to crowded venues, mostly stay in, with exceptions of daily walks in uncrowded areas. I'm retired, live in an uncrowded suburb, have the means to order groceries, etc. online and have all this delivered to my door....so have the luxury of maintaining a cloistered life, but my observation is that many do not not. Many are out there working, shopping in stores, while trying to keep appropriate distance, etc.

Looking at numbers, Covid seems to mostly affect those who are older, the probability seems to be that they live in seniors' homes and not that well, mostly from other conditions. The way many countries in the G7 deal with Covid, is lets be safe rather than sorry, and I don't have any issue with that, except is there a light in the covid tunnel, a light where we will eventually live, a 'normal' life, a life without masks, social distances, etc.

So, I remain,

One confused fellow.

[Just1MoreDave]

Thing I'm struck by is insofar as Covid, vaccination, do we need to, do we not need to take measures, how long do the vaccines last (6 months I heard today), do we need the booster within 3 weeks (Pfizer)...etc. or not. For all our science, specialists, the fact that covid is relatively new....there doesn't seem to be a lot of definite, 'for sure' knowledge about the ramifications, herd immunity, etc.

Nothing seems sure in life, and well being a septuagenarian, one lesson I've learned in this life of ours, on this planet of ours....is there is nothing guaranteed in life.

In my everyday life, I do proceed cautiously, use a mask, carry hand sanitizer, don't go to crowded venues, mostly stay in, with exceptions of daily walks in uncrowded areas. I'm retired, live in an uncrowded suburb, have the means to order groceries, etc. online and have all this delivered to my door....so have the luxury of maintaining a cloistered life, but my observation is that many do not not. Many are out there working, shopping in stores, while trying to keep appropriate distance, etc.

Looking at numbers, Covid seems to mostly affect those who are older, the probability seems to be that they live in seniors' homes and not that well, mostly from other conditions. The way many countries in the G7 deal with Covid, is lets be safe rather than sorry, and I don't have any issue with that, except is there a light in the covid tunnel, a light where we will eventually live, a 'normal' life, a life without masks, social distances, etc.

So, I remain,

One confused fellow.

Pfizer made a deal with Israel for early access to vaccines in exchange for studies of its effectiveness. So there is some preliminary data on Pfizer, but I think most or all of it is not yet peer-reviewed published studies. Just a couple of days ago Pfizer was talking about data from an Israeli HMO that showed vaccinating even one family member seemed to keep other family members well. Other data shows Pfizer is effective against the more contagious B.1.1.7 variant, works well in kids, etc. Pfizer also said they have enough data to apply for full certification, not just the Emergency Use Authorization.

Preliminary data can be convincing but still meaningless. So no one in charge really wants to change the rules at this point, with less than 20% vaccinated (US), less than half that with Pfizer*, and still some uncertainty. There's still the possibility of two other virus variations which will prolong the uncertainty. Probably every month we'll have more information and more vaccinated people.

I'm going to assume that the vaccine has lowered my risk. I don't mind wearing a mask in public because I could be wrong.

*the assumption is Moderna is about the same, because the technology is about the same.

[ChrisPlatt]

My doctor did blood work about a month before I got my first vaccination.
My COVID antibodies are still quite high - from my bout over 12 months ago.
Or maybe due to ongoing exposure (at work) ?

Chris

[Ex Finn.]

Got stabbed with Moderna yesterday, booster next month.
Our Hollywood, MD. fire house vaccination site was well organized, kudos to the people working there.

[Wheatfield]

Thing I'm struck by is insofar as Covid, vaccination, do we need to, do we not need to take measures, how long do the vaccines last (6 months I heard today), do we need the booster within 3 weeks (Pfizer)...etc. or not. For all our science, specialists, the fact that covid is relatively new....there doesn't seem to be a lot of definite, 'for sure' knowledge about the ramifications, herd immunity, etc.

Nothing seems sure in life, and well being a septuagenarian, one lesson I've learned in this life of ours, on this planet of ours....is there is nothing guaranteed in life.

In my everyday life, I do proceed cautiously, use a mask, carry hand sanitizer, don't go to crowded venues, mostly stay in, with exceptions of daily walks in uncrowded areas. I'm retired, live in an uncrowded suburb, have the means to order groceries, etc. online and have all this delivered to my door....so have the luxury of maintaining a cloistered life, but my observation is that many do not not. Many are out there working, shopping in stores, while trying to keep appropriate distance, etc.

Looking at numbers, Covid seems to mostly affect those who are older, the probability seems to be that they live in seniors' homes and not that well, mostly from other conditions. The way many countries in the G7 deal with Covid, is lets be safe rather than sorry, and I don't have any issue with that, except is there a light in the covid tunnel, a light where we will eventually live, a 'normal' life, a life without masks, social distances, etc.

So, I remain,

One confused fellow.

Our ICUs are starting to fill up with people under the age of forty. Apparently one of the mutant strains is both more infectious and hits younger people a lot harder. I have a feeling the vaccine makers are going to be playing whack-a-mole with covid variants for a long, long time.

[lesmore49]

Our ICUs are starting to fill up with people under the age of forty. Apparently one of the mutant strains is both more infectious and hit's younger people a lot harder. I have a feeling the vaccine makers are going to be playing whack-a-mole with covid variants for a long, long time.

That is a sobering thought. Just after I read your post, I read this article.

https://winnipegsun.com/news/news-news/manitoba-records-first-covid-19-death...ant-of-concern

[RoxnDox]

Yes, the variants are going to be a royal PITA for a while... In part, because I’m sure it will encourage the anti vaxxers to whine about “See, I told you it doesn’t do any good” and that sort of nonsense.

[Wheatfield]

Yes, the variants are going to be a royal PITA for a while... In part, because I’m sure it will encourage the anti vaxxers to whine about “See, I told you it doesn’t do any good” and that sort of nonsense.

Yes well, the anti vaxxers are now the problem. I lost an old friend to covid a couple of days ago. I'm past eye rolling these idiots.

[lesmore49]

Got stabbed with Moderna yesterday, booster next month.
Our Hollywood, MD. fire house vaccination site was well organized, kudos to the people working there.

So far within my family who live here....my MIL has had two vaccinations, I've had one...a total of three. Everything was extremely well organized, efficient, quick, almost military (Canadian) like precision, consistently very good.

However the local media...radio, press, TV seems to invariably complain that it is crowded, disorganized, just short of chaos. Having been involved in three visits now, spread over a 6 week period, I would say their 'take' is inaccurate to be charitable, and verging on fear mongering, as word is, some people who have vaccination appointments, who believe our local media have been canceling their appointments, or just not showing up .

Unfortunately this puts them and others at possible risk.

[Just1MoreDave]

Yes, the problems get more attention than the successes. I made my appointment. The next day, the newspaper article quoted a guy complaining about the same system I used, same vaccine location. "I'm in IT and it was nearly impossible to figure out!" Maybe I should get one of those IT jobs. The vaccine location I went to is a big drive-thru event, so they're set up for thousands. Every week they've had one hitch which is widely reported, even national news one day. Considering how complicated the US system is, it's working really well.

[gaweidert]

Where I live my doctor's office called me, made the appointment, I went got the shot and follow up three weeks later and that was that. They even took care of my wife's appointments. In two more weeks I will be invincible. Probably have a meteorite fall on my head at that point. Already survived a lightning strike so that is next on the list.

[MarkJerling]

The only way to protect the people who for various medical reasons cannot receive the vaccine, is for the rest of us to be vaccinated to ensure herd immunity. An anti-vaxer and someone who can't receive the vaccine for medical reasons is not the same thing.

[Serkevan]

Slightly off topic, but I'm in home quarantine this week - one coworker has tested positive. Considering I haven't been in direct contact, I'm more miffed about having to delay some experiments than about staying home... But it's what it is. Already informed my flatmates, leaving the room only with mask a couple times a day to make food/go to the bathroom, yadda yadda.
I'll take an antigen test tomorrow since it will be 5 days after my last contact with a contact.
Vaccination can't come soon enough -.-

[Sandy Hancock]

This thread has merit if it stays on track. A recent derailment has been patched up, but a repeat will see the line closed.

[aslyfox]

well

You Tube

You Tube

[ actually my appointment for my second Pfizer vaccine is at 08:45 local today but close enough ]