[Rondec]

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.

I think the data is becoming clearer over time.

How long do vaccines last? As you say, this isn't totally clear. Based on antibody levels we would say at least two year, maybe longer. The issue really isn't the antibody levels though, it is variants. So, something like the UK strain (B.1.1.7) or Brazil strain (P.1) are not dealt with as easily by antibodies to the original strain and could require a tweaked vaccine. Vaccine protocols are probably not a huge deal -- that is it probably isn't really that important if you put 3 or 4 weeks or 12 weeks between doses of the vaccine. If you are seeing big spikes in cases, it probably makes sense to get as many people a first dose and space out the second dose a bit.

The places in the United States that are seeing growing numbers are places where the B.1.1.7 has arrived. Those would be Michigan and Florida, followed by other states.

As others have mentioned, the data out of Israel looks wonderful. They are down to 400-ish new cases a day and only 8 deaths a day. This in a country that is similar in size to Michigan (Michigan is averaging 7000 new cases a day and 45 deaths a day) -- the big difference being that Israel has been able to vaccinate a high percentage of their populace.

[reeftool]

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 -.-

Hey, at least you got notified. I have had a few co workers come down with covid and none of us were told and didn't find out until they came back to work. We assumed they were on vacation.

[ChrisPlatt]

In two more weeks I will be invincible.

I know your remark was in jest, however the availability of vaccines has led too many to let down their guard, contributing to the current surge.
Even fully vaccinated individuals are advised to continue to follow recommendations regarding masks, distancing, hand washing etc.

Chris

---------- Post added 04-13-21 at 06:54 PM ----------

Hey, at least you got notified. I have had a few co workers come down with covid and none of us were told and didn't find out until they came back to work. We assumed they were on vacation.

Same where I work. Coworkers only found out through social media posts by those who were out.
Management's excuse for not informing those potentially exposed was confidentiality concerns.

Chris

[timb64]

Chris

---------- Post added 04-13-21 at 06:54 PM ----------




Same where I work. Coworkers only found out through social media posts by those who were out.
Management's excuse for not informing those potentially exposed was confidentiality concerns.

Chris

And there’s me thinking The US was home of the corporate negligence claim!?

[Raffwal]

Vaccinations are slowly progressing in Finland as well. OK, I know we're doing fine in global context, but not compared to US or UK. We're today at like 25% of adults vaccinated at least once. It was only this week that my partner (who is an anesthetist doing aerosol producing procedures such as intubation but usually not treating covid patients) got her first jab of Pfizer. I personally have still not got even the first one since I'm "bubbling under" in all aspects. Not quite old enough, not quite sick enough and not important enough at the hospital. But if the expected vaccine shipments arrive, I assume I'll get the first one in May or June. Still too late to save the summer. Over here - like in the UK - the second jab has been postponed to 12 weeks.

[aslyfox]

I know your remark was in jest, however the availability of vaccines has led too many to let down their guard, contributing to the current surge.
Even fully vaccinated individuals are advised to continue to follow recommendations regarding masks, distancing, hand washing etc. . . .

that is smart advice -

since the current vaccines do not have a long history

how long the " protection " given by the current vaccines is a " work in progress "

how effective the current vaccines are against current variants and future variants are not 100 % proven

[Riggomatic]

Just got my second shot of the Moderna. I'll see how I feel in the morning, but so far so good.

[tokyoscape]

in Japan and its slowwww slow vaccine role out makes me feel like I might not be able to get it this year.
Less than 1% of its population is vaccinated and the Olympic is coming in a few weeks. From what I read, it looks like the government won't require the athletes and people around them to be vaccinated before enter the country, but odd enough, they seem to be very worry after let people in so they will restrict their movement during and after the game. They must have a good reason to do this which I don’t know. It makes more sense to ask people to be vaccinated before enter the country and do not restrict people movement while there are already in the country so people can travel and help domestic travel related business. The infection number is still a lot lower than in many places but without a timely manner vaccination program it will always be a big worry and the domestic tourist industry going to get hit again this year.

[ZombieArmy]

Got my second Pfizer shot about 14 hours ago, still feeling fine.

[aslyfox]

my second Pfizer shot was Tuesday Morning

no issues

[MarkJerling]

Our country's vaccination program for the general population has just been released. Everyone over 65 from May and everyone else over 16 from July. All free, of course.
Great to finally have some indicative dates. It seems it will be the Pfizer vaccine for the whole country.

[Rondec]

This article contains an interesting chart that has some of the more common variants being seen and the reduction of efficacy vaccines against them. Where Do COVID Vaccines Stand Against the Variants? I think you have to establish a free log in to see it.

Some of the newer strains definitely are going to breakthrough the current vaccines. P.1 from Brazil is concerning. The newest South African strain is concerning as well. Some of the vaccines have lower effectiveness at baseline. Add in variants where their antibodies produced are less effective and you can see poorer coverage. Seems like Pfizer's is the best at this point.

(Many of the vaccines will continue to prevent serious illness even though they may not completely prevent infection).

[aslyfox]

the hard facts are that with the ability of the virus to mutate plus the inability to vaccinate a large percentage of the world - due to cost, infrastructure and those who choose not to be vaccinated, this will be a problem for a long, long, time

the best we can hope for is improved vaccines, better treatment available to as many as possible and slower spread

by the way, I am not a scientist or medical professional, nor have I ever played one on stage or screen large or small

and I did not sleep at a Holiday Express last night

[Lowell Goudge]

Warning, this is a rant

If we look at the issue in total.

Variants occur because of uncontained spread and numerous regeneration cycles of the virus. Uncontrolled spread is largely the fault of the population not following proper protocols. Ok I understand not everyone has a financial choice, many workers simply cannot work from home, etc....

But the result could have been different if people did in the past, properly followed public health recommendations about social distancing, and masks, there would be less variants.

Going forward, the more people we vaccinate, the slower the disease spreads and the less chance of variants.

So the bottom line is variants are the result of anti Vaxers and anti maskers. Period.

Now the reason that the drug companies don’t know how effective over time the vaccine will last is they can only report what they can measure, To date, they have 6 months data, so that is all they can say. That should not be a reason not to get vaccinated, or to spread doubt on the vaccines.

[aslyfox]

I respectfully disagree to some extent

there are folks who have not been given the choice of receiving the vaccines or declining the vaccines

true enough that is dependent on where those folks live

and true enough there are folks who have decided, for what ever reasons, to refuse the vaccines

and decline to protect themselves, their loved ones and the rest of us by ignoring things that can help out on the spread of the virus

variants, as I understand the process, occur naturally,

what happens after a variant or mutated virus occurs is affected by protection protocals and how effective current vaccines are against the variant/mutated virus