Official Thread: Coronavirus "COVID-19"

[acroig]

The point has been not to overwhelm the medical care facilities. We have hospitals at capacity mostly due to unvaccinated people. That means that other medical care cannot be given because beds are full of covid patients.



Vid courtesy of andino.

[SD-[Inc]]

Whatever happened to the notion that mRNA vaccines can easily be adjusted to deal with variants? I haven't heard news about vaccine version 2 at all?

[12Bass]

FWIW, there seems to have been armies of straw men created in response to the pandemic, and so many bad faith arguments by antivaxxers/antimaskers that I can't count them all. From my perspective, pandemics are novel, so procedures and expectations require constant reevaluation; I never expected it to be "one and done!". When people make snarky remarks about how the vaccines obviously don't work because we now require boosters, I don't take them or their words seriously, because I know they don't come from a place of intellectual honesty or understanding.

[dodger]

Whatever happened to the notion that mRNA vaccines can easily be adjusted to deal with variants? I haven't heard news about vaccine version 2 at all?

I could only find a company link which one needs to take with a huge grain of salt but I've heard it reported before elsewhere:

https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizer-and-biontech-provide-update-omicron-variant

First batches of the Omicron-based vaccine can be produced and are planned to be ready for deliveries within 100 days, pending regulatory approval.

I think there's no more reporting done because the booster seems to be effective enough that there's no rush or need for a version 2. Things may change and I'm hoping they are continuing research in case Omicron isn't as mild as people thought. I'd like to see them do it as practice to using this tech for flu shots.

[Drunken Janitor]

... oh FFS. Mild covid is not ok. It allows for a far great chance of variants and this taking longer to end. Plus COVID long is no joke. You might not die, but suffering for who knows how long is it ok... Losing the plot people.

Also absolutely no reason further variants can't be far more deadly... Wow... Just ****ing wow.

We need to keep developing new and better vaccines. It's not like the first Smallpox vaccine was perfect. Even once they developed the modern and portable Smallpox vaccine, it took 15-20 years to eradicate it. We'll never get rid of Covid. Previous infection might be as good as current vaccines (the data is still out and incomplete), but Omicron doesn't care about your recovery or your double dose if we're just talking about infection. I think we'll find that both prevent serious illness about the same, however there is a huge thing to consider about that statement. I would rather get vaccinated multiple times and then get infected because at least my immune system would have an instruction manual about what to do and what not to. It will notice the intruder sooner.

That said, I return to the need for updated and/or new vaccines. Just throwing antibodies from the original strain at new variants does work, but not as efficiently. It will take more time to have a good grasp on deeper immune response from vaccination, but it seems that at this point, vaccination is doing well at preventing hospitalization. I just wonder for how long without an update.

[Nunz]

The point has been not to overwhelm the medical care facilities. We have hospitals at capacity mostly due to unvaccinated people. That means that other medical care cannot be given because beds are full of covid patients.



Vid courtesy of andino.

I'm not sure why you're quoting me since, like I said, the vaccines, masks, and mandates were only going to change how many people died - I'm assuming you quoted me on accident. This really has nothing to do, at all, with what I said.

My point is that vaccines, masks or mandates were never going to make COVID go away completely.. Ever. That entire notion was ****ing stupid and only the most naive of individuals thought that was possible. The only way that worked is if you had the vaccine ready in the first 30 days of it becoming widespread.. it took about a year.

[pax]

Whatever happened to the notion that mRNA vaccines can easily be adjusted to deal with variants? I haven't heard news about vaccine version 2 at all?

Seen some reports on that and might take till next summer before they are in full production. Its why we need the 3 shots in what we have now. We mandated shots in some key workplaces here and under a month we hit virtually 100% of eligible vaccinated (save those with medical reasons). If they can mandate every workplace the vaccine regime will be over soon.

[acroig]

I'm not sure why you're quoting me since, like I said, the vaccines, masks, and mandates were only going to change how many people died - I'm assuming you quoted me on accident. This really has nothing to do, at all, with what I said.

My point is that vaccines, masks or mandates were never going to make COVID go away completely.. Ever. That entire notion was ****ing stupid and only the most naive of individuals thought that was possible. The only way that worked is if you had the vaccine ready in the first 30 days of it becoming widespread.. it took about a year.

That's what happens when I'm replying on my phone in the crapper. ,)

Post edited.

[koralis]

Whatever happened to the notion that mRNA vaccines can easily be adjusted to deal with variants? I haven't heard news about vaccine version 2 at all?

Easily yes, but still has to go through a modicum of testing before they can get approval to roll it out and no doubt have to tweak the manufacturing process.

If Omicron was completely ignoring current boosters, the FDA might roll the dice, but at this point it doesn't look like shirking testing is worth the risk.

[12Bass]

First Omicron Science

Omicron infects and multiplies 70 times faster than the Delta in human bronchus, which may explain why Omicron may transmit faster. Omicron infection in the lung is significantly lower than the original SARS-CoV-2, which may be an indicator of lower disease severity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84XMFVcLScw

[yt]84XMFVcLScw[/yt]

[Lazy8s]

The Delta variant began driving a surge here in MA after Thanksgiving that’s causing massive issues right now. Short on ICU beds and staffing, non essential procedures down to 50% per emergency order, and my family and I have spent the past 4 days fighting to get a cancer patient treatment.

https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/mass-hospitals-told-to-cut-non-essential-procedures-in-half-amid-covid-surge-what-we-know/2588011/

I was told by staff that the vast majority of cases are not vaccinated, and the scene in ER was just something you would hope you wouldn’t see. Crazy and exhausting for staff and families.

Not enough beds, not enough doctors, not enough nurses….

[pax]

CDC is predicting over a million cases by xmas. There wont be enough health care for anyone at that rate. You have a month maybe 2 to get a mandate going and get everyone at least one damn shot.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/forecasting/forecasts-cases.html

Story of 2 jurisdictions:

Maine 1.37m pop 1000-2000 cases a day last few days. Right next door in NB 780k pop 100-170 cases a day. Not that big a diff in pop for such a big diff in cases.

[Greasy]

I'm boosted, but will probably get Omicron anyway since the kids can't get boosters. Hopefully we all just get mild cases that feel like a cold. For those that aren't vaccinated. Best of luck to you.

[MangaSpawn64]

CDC is predicting over a million cases by xmas. There wont be enough health care for anyone at that rate. You have a month maybe 2 to get a mandate going and get everyone at least one damn shot.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/forecasting/forecasts-cases.html

Story of 2 jurisdictions:

Maine 1.37m pop 1000-2000 cases a day last few days. Right next door in NB 780k pop 100-170 cases a day. Not that big a diff in pop for such a big diff in cases.

We're getting ~3500 cases every day for the past few days My father is not at ease to celebrate Christmas with the kids, we'll just swap gifts in their parking lot.

Not sure about my step-parents, maybe just dinner. Everyone is double-vaxxed, my gf and parents are getting their booster shots very soon.

I'm kinda scared, I work in elementary schools all day long

[pax]

We're getting ~3500 cases every day for the past few days My father is not at ease to celebrate Christmas with the kids, we'll just swap gifts in their parking lot.

Not sure about my step-parents, maybe just dinner. Everyone is double-vaxxed, my gf and parents are getting their booster shots very soon.

I'm kinda scared, I work in elementary schools all day long

Yea were zooming another xmas here as well with some of the family. I swear if this thing is still up in the air again this time next year because of vaccine hesitancy Ill be throwing a conniption at the local M of P.

Being vaxxed I wouldnt worry too much about omicron, its a bit more about the kids and unvaxxed:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/montreal-2-month-old-baby-dies-covid-19-1.6290816

2-month-old baby dies of COVID-19 at Montreal's Sainte-Justine Hospital

They didnt say it was omicron and its a rare occurrence for infants to die of it but its been said omicron targets the younger a bit more.

[ugly]

Whatever happened to the notion that mRNA vaccines can easily be adjusted to deal with variants? I haven't heard news about vaccine version 2 at all?

It's just not really necessary.

The vaccine will give you initial antibodies. This will help prevent infection. The antibodies are what you will hear often when people talk about the vaccines 'waning'.

But the vaccines also develop long-term immunity. The long-term immunity will not prevent all infection, but it will prevent severe illness and death. Even after the antibodies wane (or contract), the long-term immunity remains. This takes a few days to respond, which is why people get infected and have mild symptoms.

From what I understand, antibodies are specific. But long-term immunity develops a broad, robust response.

So that is why you're seeing a lot of breakthrough cases. Omicron might evade the antibodies. But it is also likely why we're seeing a lot of mild cases. The broad long-term response of the vaccines prevent severe disease.

So, modifying the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines for Omicron or Delta wouldn't do a whole lot. You'd likely just have better protection against all infection for about 6 months from your shot. But you'd have to keep doing it over and over.

Since the original vaccines already protect against severe disease, changing it for Omicron wouldn't really change much in terms of long-term immunity.

The theory behind the booster at approximately six months is that it helps build a more robust, broader long-term immunity against more variants.

[acroig]

Not enough beds, not enough doctors, not enough nurses….

Not enough vaccinated people to prevent this.

[Lazy8s]

Not enough vaccinated people to prevent this.

Ya no doubt.

[acroig]

Ya no doubt.

How's mom doing?

[Lazy8s]

How's mom doing?

Weak, but we dragged her out of that Petri dish yesterday. She’s in good spirits though and much improved from last week. Thanks for asking my friend.

[acroig]

Weak, but we dragged her out of that Petri dish yesterday. She’s in good spirits though and much improved from last week. Thanks for asking my friend.

Awesome news, thanks.

[UFO]

Why? The hospital and staff are completely over run with Covid patients, most are severe. The nurse hinted and then apologized for hinting, that she believed most were not vaccinated. The ER there is massive, and it was packed with people….

Believing is not knowing. Does she have real statistics for that ward?

[Drunken Janitor]

Believing is not knowing. Does she have real statistics for that ward?

From the nurses I talk to, the ones presenting to hospital in serious condition with Covid (often first time they are tested and some have to be convinced to allow the test), they are unvaccinated. In Manitoba, that data is all published anyway. We occasionally have a couple of vaccinated in the ICUs. They are typically very ill in other aspects of their life. The unvaccinated, no so much.

[SD-[Inc]]

Believing is not knowing. Does she have real statistics for that ward?

Here is data from CDC

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/...cid=mm7037a7_w

Although, Omicron is going to wreck all this research ...

[Lazy8s]

Believing is not knowing. Does she have real statistics for that ward?

She works the ER there. I’m pretty sure she has a fairly good handle on what their issues are and the numbers.

[Nunz]

Here we go with ****ing mask mandates again.. so god damn stupid

[acroig]

Believing is not knowing. Does she have real statistics for that ward?

There's plenty out there if you care to look.

[pax]

Here we go with ****ing mask mandates again.. so god damn stupid

They need to do a vaccine mandate like Boston but preferably a workplace vaccine mandate like we did here.

https://www.bostonherald.com/2021/12/20/boston-mayor-michelle-wu-announces-vaccine-mandate-for-restaurants-gyms-sports-venues/

[xCLAVEx]

So I got a routine blood test a week ago and my Dr. informed me he was going to run an antibody test as part of it since I had covid and the vaccines prior. He told me if I have a level lower than 40 that he would recommend a booster shot.

Well I got my results back today and they told me that my antibody level is rated at 120, so my body is fully primed to defend against covid.

[JZL]

Several news outlets are now reporting that 73% of US cases are Omicron. I'm not sure how they would know, but statistical extrapolation may not be that hard with some fairly high degree of confidence.

[Cyko]

Sister tested positive yesterday. Unvaccinated, never wears a mask, goes out to bars/etc all the time.

She was “feeling sick” but still went around my family (uncle, aunts, etc.), all of whom are also unvaccinated. So family Christmas is officially canceled as they all now have to quarantine and isolate.

People are so effing stupid. I’m embarrassed to share DNA with some of these people.

[Nunz]

Sister tested positive yesterday. Unvaccinated, never wears a mask, goes out to bars/etc all the time.

She was “feeling sick” but still went around my family (uncle, aunts, etc.), all of whom are also unvaccinated. So family Christmas is officially canceled as they all now have to quarantine and isolate.

People are so effing stupid. I’m embarrassed to share DNA with some of these people.

Now that's wild

[Java Cool Dude]

So I got a routine blood test a week ago and my Dr. informed me he was going to run an antibody test as part of it since I had covid and the vaccines prior. He told me if I have a level lower than 40 that he would recommend a booster shot.

Well I got my results back today and they told me that my antibody level is rated at 120, so my body is fully primed to defend against covid.

Super immunity; prior infection + COVID vaccines.

[Jay20016]

Now that's wild

Not really wild, it seems to be the case for a lot of people lately.

Have had 5 of my employees go out with it, either their own illness to start, or from a roommate/family member in the last 2 days. Most are seemingly mild (thankfully) but we had 3 of them come to work to inform us of their exposure, and weren't too pleased when I asked if this couldn't have been an email or phone call so as to not ruin the rest of our holidays by their own reluctance to follow basic quarantines... I mean, one of them literally came from a test, with a positive result, and wanted to show us... in person!

Like, come on, we're 19 months into this and we still have to tell you to not put others at risk of exposure when you've got positive test results?

[Nunz]

Hello I have COVID and I'd like you to have it too!

[12Bass]

Was stunned to find out yesterday that an ex of mine isn't vaccinated. She's worked as an EMT and taught first aid, so I just assumed she'd be vaccinated. She said she wants to see more "for and against" studies before getting it, so I sent her a couple of vaccine efficacy studies. On the bright side, she's keeping well away from others and has excellent masks....

Another ex of mine has her first Moderna shot, but hasn't bothered to get the second for unknown reasons. I made a point of getting her and her daughter vaccinated when I was in town during the summer (I moved from the prairies to the coast).

My remaining family is mostly triple-vaccinated. Meanwhile, I'm a bit concerned that I won't be able to get a booster until mid-January at the earliest....

[UberBeavis]

Our neighbor from across the street passed from COVID-19 a few weeks ago. One of his adult kids is currently intubated and not expected to make it.

[Silent-Runner]

Darwin's hard at work, still.....

[Silent-Runner]

Source: Twitter

[acroig]

Sister tested positive yesterday. Unvaccinated, never wears a mask, goes out to bars/etc all the time.

She was “feeling sick” but still went around my family (uncle, aunts, etc.), all of whom are also unvaccinated. So family Christmas is officially canceled as they all now have to quarantine and isolate.

People are so effing stupid. I’m embarrassed to share DNA with some of these people.

Shite!