Coronavirus Megathread 7: Year of Living Dangerously

Previous thread

Oh for sure. Tomorrow will be a year since they closed Broadway, which is when I think people really began to understand that there was more of a problem than they were willing to admit.

R2 Yes, I was supposed to be in NYC this weekend a year ago for a fun solo trip. Instead I stayed home and watched the eerie webcam of deserted Bryant Park.

I remember last Spring, saying to a friend that I'd be a really unhappy camper if this extended into the summer. Boy, did I get a rude awakening.

My mom died in early March 2020 (kidney failure, so likely not Covid) and hers was the last funeral at the church that allowed people to attend. Luckily, we were able to be with her in the hospital when she died. If she had held on even a few days longer, we might not have been allowed. They were just beginning to lock things down.

Has anybody had the Johnson & Johnson vaccine? Since it's 1 dose, are the side effects similar to the 2nd dose of the others?

R5 Friends of mine (teachers) had the J&J and said they were pretty wiped out the day after.

NBC News: States with Democratic governors had the highest incidence and death rates from Covid-19 in the first months of the coronavirus pandemic, but states with Republican governors surpassed those rates as the crisis dragged on, new study finds.

My sister got the 2nd Moderna dose and she had flu-like symptoms and felt very tired for 3 days. Has no symptoms with the first except a sore arm.

On the news there's been constant reports comparing California vs Florida, both states managing the disease differently with almost the same results. I don't believe Florida's numbers.

Weather was great these past few days, saw so many people out jogging with no masks, lots of young people with no masks too!

Thank you, Sylvia. It's been a tough year and these threads have been a constant source of support and valuable information throughout. Thanks to all the rest of the other posters and contributors, too.

[quote]NBC News: States with Democratic governors had the highest incidence and death rates from Covid-19 in the first months of the coronavirus pandemic, but states with Republican governors surpassed those rates as the crisis dragged on, new study finds.

In other words, the blue states with huge cities and giant travel hubs were understandably blindsided in the early days of a pandemic caused by a virus little was known about while the red states that are filled with a bunch of fucking morons didn't learn a damn thing and happily decided to murder their own populations for shits and giggles.

Like r4, my father died exactly one year ago today of a brain tumor. He was in a nursing home, not able to understand much of anything by the time he died, and we had been unable to communicate with him by phone because he couldn't understand how to use one anymore (the home took adequate care of him but didn't have anyone extra to hang around his room and help him manage it). If he had lived any longer he would have been alone with no way to understand why his children stopped coming to see him the last days of his life.

R13, how sad. Nursing homes suck.

In CA, I'm anticipating a stampede of folks clamoring for vaccination appts. starting next Monday, since all that's needed is self-attestation (vs. proof from MD) of high-risk medical conditions or disabilities. It's tempting since I haven't visited my father residing in senior facility in red state >1 yr, but will continue to hold out for my turn

Now they're reporting someone died here in Norway after getting the AZ vaccine. The person was only in their 30s. You couldn't pay me to take that shitty B-vaccine. Only Pfizer or Moderna for me, thanks.

I made an appointment at Walgreens in California for this coming Monday in anticipation of my qualifying that day due to underlying conditions. I doubt they will kick me out for making the appointment before I qualified since I will qualify the day I go, but just in case, I made it for the last appointment of the day so there's less of a chance that they will be able to give it to someone else and have to give it to me or risk tossing it.

A lay summary of the science behind the J&J vaccine.

Here's to a great fourth of July in the United States! And Norwegian I hope the vaccination pace picks up there very soon. We are looking forward to visiting the Lofoten Islands someday.

I don't think we've heard from the Belgian poster in a while? And Concerned European is in Ireland?

bout 1 in 5 Americans say they lost a relative or close friend to the coronavirus. That includes 30% of Blacks, 29% of Hispanics and 15% of Whites.

Wow, that is telling r19.

White here and not in the 15%.

And partner has been jabbed! Pfizer, even!

R21!!!! Woo-hoo!

[quote] On the news there's been constant reports comparing California vs Florida, both states managing the disease differently with almost the same results. I don't believe Florida's numbers.

One of the reasons California's had such a bad time is it's developed its own local variant that's extra easy to catch and extra harder to fight off. So even with all the lockdowns and restrictions it's still getting around and making people really sick. The Deep South is very lucky this hasn't happened there yet and if it's really lucky it never will, but right now Texas and Florida are in the #2 and #3 positions respectively in terms of states with the highest total recorded infections and #3 and #4 in total deaths. And that's the official stats--we know that Florida officials have been fudging theirs.

Astra Zeneca is looking to be the Edsel of vaccines. Those fucking Brits.

I still remember the email from my company that said we'd be working remote from March 16 - March 27, 2020. We posted a sign on our office door that was up for about 6 months until the District Admin convinced management that she needed to be in the office. I would see it every other Saturday when I would go to the office to pick up whatever I needed and water my plant.

I'd also bought tickets to The Lion King in early February, not knowing how serious COVID-19 would turn out be. I still have a $400 credit (StubHub wasn't giving refunds). Not sure when I'll be able to use it; maybe a few Yankee games. I know from now on to only buy tickets from the theaters themselves. They gave refunds.

Monoclonal antibody treatments show "really dramatic" results to fight Covid-19, Fauci says

From CNN's Jen Christensen

While monoclonal antibodies are a “very fluid area of research,” many of these Covid-19 treatments show “really dramatic” results that help fight the disease, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said Friday at the White House Covid-19 Response Team briefing.

Fauci referenced a number of recent studies that showed how much help these treatments offer Covid-19 patients early in the course of their disease. They are some of the only treatments authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat non-hospitalized Covid-19 patients, and they are still underutilized.

“The reason why I point this out is that, recently, there has been a considerable amount of information regarding some of the monoclonal antibodies that are used in the prevention and treatment of Covid-19,” Fauci said.

Fauci pointed to recent studies that showed bamlanivimab and etesevimab, in combination, showed a 70% reduction in hospitalization and death in Covid-19 patients, according to a non-published study presented in at a conference this week.

Another study, conducted by Vir Biotechnology and GlaxoSmithKline, showed patients who got that monoclonal therapy treatment had an 83% reduction in hospitalization or death. That treatment is still in clinical trials and has not yet been authorized.

Eli Lilly’s monoclonal therapy, which has been authorized by the FDA, showed an 80% reduction in moderate or severe disease at eight weeks in nursing home patients.

Regeneron’s antibody cocktail was 100% protective against symptomatic infection in the household setting, compared to placebo, and patients had a much lower viral load.

Fauci added that the treatments work for now. There is some concern that the variants may make the treatments less effective, but the companies continue to work on several updated cocktail approaches that scientists believe will work against the variants.

India's vaccine approved for regular emergency use after Phase 3 trials show 81% efficacy

From CNN's Esha Mitra and Manveena Suri in New Delhi

India’s locally developed vaccine, Covaxin, has been given the same emergency use licensure as the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, the country's Health Ministry announced Thursday.

Covaxin has been part of the nation's vaccine rollout since January 16. However, it was rolled out under "clinical trial mode," which meant that patients had to sign informed consent forms and required subsequent monitoring.

More than 1.9 million doses of Covaxin have already been administered.

Now, Phase 3 trials have shown an efficacy rate of 81%, and the vaccine has been granted approval under the “regular” emergency use authorization.

"This has taken the authorization for Covaxin to the next level, the same level at which another great vaccine Covishield has been operating,” said V K Paul of Niti Ayog, an Indian government-led think tank.

Rising cases: The approval comes as India battles a spike in infections. On Friday, the country recorded 23,139 new cases -- the highest 24-hour increase for the second day in a row since Christmas Day.

That raises the country's total to 11,308,846 cases and 158,306 related deaths, according to the Indian Ministry of Health.

The western state of Maharashtra accounts for nearly 60% of new cases, marking a "worrisome" trend, said Dr. Balram Bhargava, Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research.

The surge is “related to the reduced number of testing, tracking and tracing as well as Covid-inappropriate behaviors and large gatherings," said Bhargava at a press briefing on Thursday.

With all the racist white trash Repugnant states opening everything back up it will only be a matter of time until a variant of the virus develops that none of the vaccines will work on cause "Merica!

A long but interesting read about some of the post-acute sequelae.

My clinic had Moderna available to existing patients, so I received my first shot Tuesday. My arm was sore that day. I have been sleeping like a cat since then. Usually if I lay my head down for a nap, I'm out for 60-90 minutes, but now it's more like 6 hours. I'm retired, FWIW.

Europe not looking good:

You know what I find disturbing about the graph at R31's link? In the previous spikes, the US was about two to three months behind Europe.

A year ago today is when they closed all schools here and shit got real. And now today I got my first Covid shot.

A friend who got Covid-19 but wasn't hospitalized said that a prescription of monoclonal antibodies helped him recover.

Another friend who got Covid-19 (also not hospitalized) said he took Ivermectin and it knocked out the symptoms within 3 days. He bought it over the counter.

Ivermectin is an anti-parasite drug used for horses. The FDA and AARP advise people not to use it, because people have ended up in the hospitable due to overdoses.

Now AZ are saying they can't deliver as earlier promised. They are talking about delays for the EU. J&J are saying the same, there's a problem with export from the US. In addition to export problems they are saying they have an obligation to prioritize Americans. So once again the EU get the short end of the stick. Pfizer and Moderna are not delivering enough doses either. Fuck the EU and their shitty vaccionation deal. Someone needs to get fired.

Here in Norway we literally wake up to bad vaccination news every single day. My 75 year old father has not gotten his first shot yet. The whole EU vaccination deal is a disgrace. I hope they are more prepared for the next pandemic.

[quote]You know what I find disturbing about the graph at [R31]'s link? In the previous spikes, the US was about two to three months behind Europe.

The US is heading that way again, given the spread of variants and states prematurely opening things back up. We have to hope the vaccinations disrupt the pattern.

R36, it is deeply disappointing to see how the EU continues to mismanage vaccine rollout. Here in Sweden, my MIL has also not gotten her first shot. Meanwhile, my parents, who live in AZ are fully vaccinated.

I live just outside of Stockholm and we are being advised residents of the region should be fully vaccinated by the end of May. I’ll believe it when I’m jabbed.

More depressing news from Brazil.

This is deeply disturbing on so many levels.

R31 Ugh. I'm hoping for the best, I really am, but all we need is for one fully-vaccinated US citizen to fly to Europe, pick up and bring home some strange new vaccine-resistant variant, and we're -- maybe not totally fucked, but set back very far. Borders should be closed until everyone reaches 50% vaccination. Use airports as mass vax centers.

3 health workers with bloodclot in Norway after the AZ vaccine.

R38 Here in Norway they're saying that everyone in the risk groups should be vaccinated come May. As you say, I'll believe it when I see it.

R32, people in Europe probably have the UK variant, which is much more contagious, or some European variant, that’s much worse than we have. If the vaccine protects people from the variants, we may be okay. But if people in Europe keep getting it and it spreads, we could see another mutation that’s even worse, and who knows if the vaccine will work for that. It’s important to us that Europeans get the vaccine too.

Biden bought some extra doses, I wouldn’t be surprised if some of it winds up in other North American countries or Europe.

This is like stamping out a large roach infestation. If it’s too big, the roaches just get immune to pesticide and bounce back.

Young people admitted to hospital in Norway with bloodclot after getting the AZ-vaccine. They are very sick. It's serious. Just watched the press conference.

The coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford has now been suspended in a number of countries across Europe and Asia, following reports of blood clots in some vaccinated people.

Many other nations, however, have defended their use of the shot and said they will continue their respective inoculation campaigns.

Thailand on Friday became the first Asian country to halt the use of the jab over safety concerns, shortly after Denmark announced a two-week pause to its nationwide rollout after reports of blood clots and one death.

In a setback to Europe’s ailing vaccination campaign, seven other countries have also suspended the use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca shot: Norway, Iceland, Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia.

Austria and Italy, meanwhile, have said that they will stop using certain batches of the vaccine as a precautionary measure.

Europe’s drug regulator, the European Medicines Agency, stressed on Thursday that there was no indication the shot was causing blood clots, adding it believes the vaccine’s benefits “continue to outweigh its risks.”

The Guardian: Coronavirus infections in Germany could again reach peaks seen around Christmas by mid-April, public health officials have said. “An extrapolation of the trends shows that case numbers can be expected above the Christmas level from week 14 onwards."

Reuters article about the blood clots.

Meanwhile new record of cases yesterday with more than 900. This is not good news considering the vaccination has stalled.

Well, you see, R48, the problem is that you keep testing. If you stopped testing, everything would get better overnight.

yes, that is a shit vaccine! and yet AZ said no evidence of blood clots! this is why people don't trust vaccines.

I'm gonna take the pfizer one when it's my turn. I've asked many people which ones they took and nobody has had a bad reaction to pfizer...that I know of.

Italy going back to lockdown.

[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

Probably because they realized how fucking stupid they are, R52. "You mean, all I had to do was wear a mask?"

After one year and 500,000 deaths, the same number of Republicans STILL think the threat of COVID is "exaggerated."

Respondents to a new Yahoo! News/YouGov poll were asked “Do you believe the threat of coronavirus has been exaggerated?” 58% of all respondents said “no,” – 57% of Republicans said yes.

When the same question was asked one year ago, 58% said the threat was exaggerated -- a statistical tie with this year.

The stupid, it burns.

Look on the bright side R54, As long we keep wearing our masks, taking the proper precautions, and getting the vaccine(s) when we can, we'll be around to watch as the Republicans learn denying reality has consequences.

I’m getting my first shot on the 25th and I assume will be fully vaccinated and ready to start living again by late April. Denmark’s vaccine passport program sounds promising. Is it true that twentysomething Danish lads still go nuts for men 60 years and older? Asking for a friend.

Get some younger friends r56.

I hope I get my vaccine before the idiots come back from Spring Break and infect everybody again.

I'm actually hoping for the J&J because there has already been some efficacy found against some variants, so maybe less boosters. I'm on a lot of lists, just waiting for that text/email that lets me schedule an appointment.

In CA, from what my friends are telling me, anyone can basically go to a pharmacy to get the vaccine by answering the online questionnaire. They just want to in and out. It seems like if you really want the vaccine, you can figure out a way to get it, especially if you are willing to go anywhere in LA I'm tempted to just take a day to make it happen, but I also feel like it's best to wait my turn. It will get harder and harder as friends cheat and start getting back to normal life..

On Monday, CA is opening up to anyone 16-64 who self-reports one of ten preexisting conditions. I'm dusting off the popcorn maker.

Meanwhile in Australia..a hospital in Brisbane has been locked down because an unvaccinated doctor treating Covid patients, became ill with the UK variant disease and went out and about the community. We’ve had months to prepare, weeks with supplies of the Pfizer vaccine (although our supplies are small) and it is so frustrating.

The rest of us are expected to get the AstraZeneca vaccine, eventually. The government says maybe we’ll all have one dose by October.

We are ahead of Canada in our rollout, which shows how badly it is going there.

R61 Hmmm, here in West Australia our state Premier Mark McGowan was just voted in for another 4-year term yesterday, in the biggest landslide in our state's history. He has become a hero in WA because of the way he has handled COVID after the state has essentially become a country with its own borders. He locked down the whole state again for 5 days last month after a single case was detected.

Good luck with the rollout in QLD, I hope it all goes well.

If you say you have a preexisting condition, I wonder if it goes on your insurance. To go to CVS, you need to show your insurance if you have it.

I have a CVS appt on Monday, the first day of pre-existing conditions. I'm supposed to get a letter emailed to me from my oncologist's office, but if they don't, I have months and months of appointment confirmation texts from the cancer center on my phone that I can show them, the most recent coming next week.

I will let you all know how it goes when I get back.

[quote]Europe not looking good:

A year after COVID-19 struck Italy, more than half of the country’s residents were set to be placed back under hard lockdown restrictions from Monday, March 15 at least through Easter. Restrictions are being tightened in response to yet another rise in case numbers — Italy is entering a third wave of coronavirus infections.

Only weeks ago the country appeared to be bouncing back, albeit cautiously.

I got my first dose of the Pfizer vaccine a couple days ago. Only side effects from it so far have been being tired, getting the chills and cold sweats, and some mild nausea.

This is the fact sheet they give you before getting it, if you're interested in reading over it.

Why is CVS only covering certain states?

R67, there was some agreement with the Orange Menace's administration where some of the states would be covered by CVS and others by Walgreens.

r64, how were you able to make an appointment. I qualify for the vaccine starting tomorrow but I can't find an appointment anywhere in Los Angeles.

R69 - Just keep refreshing. I don't qualify but I wanted to see how easy it would be to get an appointment. If you are willing to drive to any part of LA, there are CVS appts. Also, everyone on reddit is booking appts through carbon health . com. Good luck!

R66 thanks for sharing that

Here's my question to the people in this thread. I've seen Dr Fauci on the news or Meet the Press say that we mustn't compare the efficacy of vaccinations against each other. That we should completely stop doing that. For example; we must not compare the Pfizer, Astrazeneca, Moderna and J&J vaccines.

I have thought about this long and hard and cannot, for the life of me, understand what he means. I can't understand the premise of what he is saying. I have also seen other authorities say the same thing.

Why?

[quote] [R64], how were you able to make an appointment. I qualify for the vaccine starting tomorrow but I can't find an appointment anywhere in Los Angeles.

It might depend on what time of day you're trying. I was actually awake at 4:30am on Friday morning, so I thought I would try, and I found several appointments available. But every time I checked at a normal hour there were none. I didn't want to wait until tomorrow to start checking, I just wanted to book after I qualified, which is tomorrow.

R72, because he wants people to just get vaccinated as quickly as possible. You should do what's right for you. As long as you're not putting anyone else in danger, you figure out what the best vax is for you and go after it.

More to the point, real world conditions were different when the vaccines were tested. The J&J vaccine was tested amidst a growing number of variants so there can be no apples-to-apples comparison of efficacy between it and Moderna or Pfizer.

R72, in addition to R75's response, they were all tested differently from the beginning. They measured results using different standards. Also, the Moderna and Pfizer are all based on two doses instead of one.

They all work. They are all excellent vaccines. More effective than almost all the other vaccines you've gotten in your life.

R74 what world do you live in where you have a choice of vaccine? Because the vast majority of people on this planet will get whatever their governments give them. Thus the worry some of us have about how good the various vaccines are compared to each other. We all want the best one. Why wouldn’t we? Except it isn’t under our control.

From what I can piece together is the Pfizer vaccine is for cities that have the cold storage it requires. Rural areas will have the Moderna vaccine because it doesn't require the cold storage. At this point I just feel lucky I have received my first and will receive the second in two weeks.

[quote] what world do you live in where you have a choice of vaccine? Because the vast majority of people on this planet will get whatever their governments give them. Thus the worry some of us have about how good the various vaccines are compared to each other. We all want the best one. Why wouldn’t we? Except it isn’t under our control.

No, some people actually don't care and have been quite vocal about it on here. I've mentioned before that I don't want J&J and my reasons for it. It doesn't mean I think no one should take it and that it won't help, but I want something that will do the best at keeping me from getting it at all, not just getting it mildly or avoiding hospitalization (or worse). There are enough cases out there of people having had mild Covid and then developing alarmingly bad health issues a few weeks or months after recovering. My immune system is such that I would have a particularly bad time with Covid, so I would rather hold out for Pfizer. But I've been shouted down about that. I think people should do what's best for them if it doesn't affect anyone else. I stay quarantined and don't have contact with other people, and am planning on keeping that way until many more people are vaxxed and things really start getting better, even after I'm vaccinated. So if I choose to wait longer for the vaccine that I want (which I luckily didn't have to do but would have), then that's my business and I'm not harming anyone else by doing so.

And to answer your question, in California, they tell you what vaccine each place has when you go to sign up. I have no idea what it's like in other states but I would assume it's similar, and if not, easy enough to find out by putting in a little effort.

On the linked site below, it lets you pick which vaccine you want, but I guess it all depends.

My mother in FL only had Moderna as a choice. So far, she's doing well after her 2nd shot.

Interesting find from Denmark. The person who died had the same rare blood clot as the 3 who are hospitalized in Norway. Looks more and more likely to be a link between the cases and the vaccine.

Here's the article (in Norwegian).

From The Economist’s daily email this morning... “ AstraZeneca said a review of data from 17m people vaccinated with its covid-19 jab, developed with Oxford University, found no increased risk of blood clots. Over the weekend Ireland and Netherlands joined a growing list of European countries in halting use of the jab, after reports of clotting. The review, conducted alongside European health authorities, found fewer clotting cases than would be expected to occur naturally.”

Maybe they're throwing clots because going out to get the vaccine was the most they had moved in a year.

The cases keep going up in places around the world because people won't mask, socially distant, or stay home altogether. All countries should be modelling themselves after Australia and South Korea. Vigorous contact tracing and lockdowns until it is completely stamped out.

R85 Australia is an island. A bit easier to fight the virus there than in the EU with open borders.

[quote]Australia is an island. A bit easier to fight the virus there than in the EU with open borders.

It's easy to fight the virus, wherever you're located -- wear masks and socially distance. Too many people just refuse to do it.

True, R86, but that does not make it unachievable for other countries. We need to do something because vaccination alone is not going to cut it in the U.S. when there are large swathes of the population who are resisting getting vaccinated. Reinfection rates are higher with this virus and its variants.

I don't know what the answer is. Maybe we make sure all that want the vaccination receive it and then let the UK and Brazilian variants run amok in the unvaccinated population? The Brazilian variant seems to be impacting all ages. Maybe if those resisting vaccination and other measure see the virus impact their own age cohort (as opposed to this only impacting the elderly - in their eyes) they will finally take this seriously, if only for self preservation.

More than 220 people hospitalized with Covid in Norway currently. Hasn't been this many since March last year. Fewer deaths though because those aged 85+ have been vaccinated. It's getting bad hrte in Europe. Third wave is hitting hard and not enough people are vaccinated. New lockdown in several countries, including Italy.

Very interesting press conference regarding AZ now. One of the 3 people with the rare type of blood clot has died. They say they can't link OR rule out that it is linked to the vaccine, but the 3 all had the same symptoms. They also said this type of rare blood clots has NOT been seen as a side effect from the other vaccines, ONLY in AZ.

Who is giving this press conference, r90?

R91 It can be seen on NRK now. It's from the hospital.

It's impossible to get a vaccination appt today in CA for serious pre-existing condition, and checked not only Carbon Health but also all the pharmacy and CA public websites (but not w/Cedars-Sinai yet). Anyone have better luck?

Are you just searching online R93. If there are phones numbers try calling.

r93, I'm in L.A., and my friend called me about an hour ago and told me to go to the Rite-Aid website.He was able to get an appointment (he's under 65 with a pre-existing condition and his husband is HIV positive on his 2nd liver transplant). I'm younger than he, with no pre-existing condition, so I felt irresponsible to get one.

I got my letter from my oncologist today stating I was being treated for cancer, though they told me it was not a guarantee that I wouldn't be turned away. Since underlying conditions are now eligible in CA, I would be surprised if they did turn me away today.

They aren’t asking for verification of a preexisting condition, r96.

[quote]To protect confidentiality, verification documentation of the diagnosis or type of disability is not required but instead anyone meeting the eligibility requirements will be asked to sign a self-attestation that they meet the criteria for high-risk medical conditions or disabilities.

I'm freaking the FUCK out!

Yeah, I saw that afterwards, R97. Thank you. I feel better about going. But I'm glad I have it, anyway.

I’m going for my first shot a week from Thursday (to the Javits Center, NYC).

Two questions:

I got an appointment last month by disclosing my two mild heart conditions. But then the age requirement was lowered last week from 65 and over to 60 and over. I’m 60. Does that mean all I have to do now is show my proof of birth date and I don’t need to provide documentation of my heart conditions?

On the day I get my first shot I will still have health insurance but for my second shot I’ll have lost it (fuck you, SAG-AFTRA). Will that matter? Isn’t the vaccine free?

Thanks in advance.

No proof necessary.

No insurance necessary. They may ask for your insurance card, but they're not going to turn you down if you don't have one.

I'm in LA and wasn't able to book an appointment until today. Just went on the carbon health site and there were a few spots available at the local community college so tomorrow, one year to the day that I locked down, I will be getting the Moderna vaccine!

Thanks, R101!

Just got back from my first Pfizer shot in LA at Walgreens. Went very smoothly. I had already filled out the paperwork online so I just handed it to them along with my reservation, license and insurance card. They had me sign a small card stating how I qualified (from a list) and the closest thing there was "I qualify under my county's current (something or other)" without asking to specify.

I asked if she wanted the letter from my oncologist and she said no. I waited for about 10 min, got the shot, waited another 15 min, then got my card saying I had gotten my first shot. They won't give you your card until you wait the 15 min. Some guy (nicely) asked if he could go five minutes early because he had an appointment elsewhere and they told him no.

I'm now on my couch, showered and in my pajamas. I tossed and turned all night last night, nervous about the shot so I probably will hit the sheets early tonight.

On the way home, I passed some Men's Health Center on Santa Monica in Weho that (as far as I know) is brand spanking new. It wasn't there in December. They were doing registration (why, I have no idea, since why not do it online?) and the line was several blocks long.

They won't turn you away unless you don't have an appointment. That's it. It's the honor system.

r104 Congrats. Not to doubt your truthfulness, but do you have/had cancer?

R106, why would I have an oncologist otherwise? They don't see you for shits and giggles.

My apologies. Given that no proof is needed in CA (a simple personal attestation statement suffices), I was wondering, since I know of a 36yo acquaintance "jumping the line" & called him out for it.

That's okay. I understand. I wanted to actually shove it in her face and say "See, SEE, I qualify!" But that's my own nuttiness. I'm not too keen on the whole "honor system" as there are fewer and fewer honorable people these days, but I don't make the rules. I'm the kind of guy who still thinks the coach section of planes should be boarded from the back first so everyone gets a shot at getting overhead storage.

I want to see everyone who wants to be vaxxed taken care of, as it will only help all of us in the end. And had I not been needing to keep going to the doctor's office, I would have been okay even to wait a little longer since I don't go anywhere unless I have to these days and rarely leave my apt. But with the new, more contagious strains making inroads and people still not wearing their masks properly (and my dr. office is notorious for that- even my oncologist, the last time I saw him, wasn't wearing a mask and I yelled at him), I feel better being vaccinated, but will still go into my appointments as though I'm first on the scene at a nuclear accident.

Everybody is jumping the line in LA. I am feeling so tempted but I just feel like it is bad karma to lie about a pre existing medical condition. Especially hearing people on here with legit needs. The more everyone gets vaccinated, the harder it is going to be.

When I was at Walgreens today waiting for my 15 minute post-shot time to be up, a guy came up to the counter saying he had canceled his appointment because he had to take his mom to some dr. appt, but that she had finished up early and he wondered if he could get his appointment back. They told him no, and said his name wasn't on the list, so he'd have to make a brand new appointment. I could have sworn the time he said was the same as my appointment, but I can't say for sure.

I'm a disability worker with the elderly, so I'm in group 1a (right behind hospital and quarantine staff) hoping I get the Pfizer vaccine, because 90% of Australians are getting the Astrazeneca.

I got the Pfizer vaccine recently. FWIW, the side effects were mild. I slept like a baby, well into the afternoon the following day. I'm still getting the chills, but I just crank my heat up. My first thought was that employers need to be more accommodating/understanding for those of us getting vaccinated right now - give them some time off for at least a few days in order to get the vaccine itself, and also deal with the initial side effects from it. I'm currently self employed, so that wasn't an issue, but I could have easily slept through a standard 8-5 workday if I was employed by someone else.

R113 Won't be an issue for me as I work from home every day. The third wave hit us hard and everything is closing down again. Oslo is going back into lockdown. They are vaccinating people but not fast enough as we don't have enough doses. Also, a few people likely died from the AZ vaccine, so we can forget about that vaccine. I think they will stop it conpletely. Especially since the people who died were young and developed blood clots from the vaccine. Well... it's not proven yet but it's likely. Then again, what can you expect from a vaccine developed from a chimpanzee protein? Fuck that shit. I'm in ny 30s. I'm not risking blood clots and death with that shitty b-list vaccine. I'll wait for the much better, safer and more effective mrna vaccines from Modrerna and Pfizer.

Some people who have spent months suffering from long-haul covid-19 are taking to social media to report their delight at seeing their symptoms disappear after their vaccinations, leaving experts chasing yet another puzzling clinical development surrounding the disease caused by the coronavirus.

Wow, that's interesting. I wonder if the vax can help lung issues.

Why are many Republicans vaccine skeptics? Keilar rolls the tape

Here in regional Australia, my local large medical centre was set to vaccinate 100 people a week, but due to supply issues that number is down to 50 people a week. Every medical person I’ve spoken to says they don’t know when vaccinations will begin.

Americans, you have come under a lot of criticism in the last few years but you are doing a stellar job right now. Amazing numbers.

A little over 11% in the US are fully vaccinated. We are 2 to 3 times higher than other countries and yet it is pretty dismal. States are complaining they are running out of vaccines or have run out. This is not a complaint about president Biden. Considering the circumstances, especially with what Trump left him, he is doing a good job. As we have seen the virus is mutating and the longer it takes to get the majority of people vaccinated the more chance it has to mutate over and over. Someone posted that we might still have to wear mask into 2022. Lets not forget our medical staff are exhausted, physically and emotionally.

[bold]Number Of Texans Hospitalized By COVID-19 Drops Below 4,000 For The First Time Since October[/bold]

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Texas has dropped below 4,000 for the first time since October.

The Texas Department of Health and Human Services on Monday reported 3,980 hospitalizations. State health officials also reported 1,610 new confirmed and probable cases and 27 additional deaths from the coronavirus.

Over the past two weeks, the rolling average number of daily new cases in Texas has fallen by 2,921.3, a decrease of 39.1%, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

Over 2.8 million people in Texas are now fully vaccinated, that’s about 10% of the state’s population.

Johns Hopkins says that over 46,000 people have died from COVID-19 in Texas, the third highest death count in the country.

Last week, Gov. Greg Abbott ended the state's COVID-19 restrictions, including the state mask mandate. Many businesses though have kept their mask rules in place.

I get so tired of commentators just using gross figures. Yes, of the 50 states, Texas has the third largest death count... but it has the SECOND largest population. So duh... who do you expect to be in the top 3, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wyoming? Top 4:

California (Population: 39,747,267) Texas (Population: 29,087,070) Florida (Population: 21,646,155) New York (Population: 19,491,339)

The third wave is hitting us hard. Yesterday we had a record number with 1150 new cases. This is not looking good.

Yes, vaccine is good but it's mutating fast. How well does it work against the variants and for how long?

Keep masking and washing your hands

I got my pfizer vaccine. Just a little sore in the arm but feeling good.

R124 I want Pfizer. It's the Rolls Royce of vaccines. Pfizer is actually upping their production and delivery to the EU. Crossing my fingers this means my parents and I will all get this. I'm last in line though as I'm a Millennial. My parents are boomers so they should get it soon.

Moderna and Pfizer are almost the exact same, R125.

We should start punishing people harshly for breaking the rules. They are making variants that are going to fucking kill us and make the vaccines useless. They are obviously too stupid to understand the carrot so we need the stick.

I got the Moderna vaccine about 12 hours ago. Shot one. So far, my entire left side of my body is sore and feels inflamed. Including my neck. I'm actually surprised because most people I know had no reaction at all to the first shot. Oh well, guess I'm the lucky one.

Overall though, I feel ok. Just really fucking sore on my left side. Took 3 ibuprofen a bit ago and am waiting for it to kick in.

R127 I got Moderna on Monday and I had arm pain from my shoulder to my hand same day as well. It was similar, but less intense than a reaction I had to a spider bite on my arm years ago. Ibuprofen and sleep and it went away and just left soreness at the injection site. Yesterday I had brain fog until 4 pm and then it lifted all of a sudden.

I am scheduling time off from work after shot # 2!

What are the problems in Australia, r118? It's normal for there to be delays, etc., especially at the beginning of a vaccination programme. It's going to take a while to get through everyone.

Take antihistamine after the shot and codeine tablets for the arm pain (Solpadeine Max in the UK is good and can be bought at chemists).

ElderLez - I had a strong reaction to the first Moderna vaccine as well. Sore arm and days (like a week!) of heavy fatigue.

Was fully prepped for the second shot, analgesics and pre-frozen meals. Results? Nada

Was somewhat sleepy the afternoon following the shot and have been my usual self ever since.

Had the first shot of Pfizer this past Monday. Slightly sore arm. I've also been more tired than usual but not completely knocked out. Will get the second shot in 19 days.

I feel like even Democratic governors have thrown in the towel and are hoping against hope that the vaccines stem the rising tide. Here in Michigan, where I've been very impressed with Gov. Whitmer's handling of the Covid crisis, case counts have risen 50% and the positivity rate has gone from 3% to almost 9% over the past two weeks as the gov. upped capacity limits in restaurants, opened movie theaters, etc. Yet barely a peep about the increasing threat.

R133 Spineless Tom Wolf is PA is following their lead even though this state's vaccine rollout has been an abject failure. Wolf's response to the pandemic was good in the first 2 months, then it went to shit and never recovered. I can't wait to get rid of him in 2022.

Because Australia has such low infection rates we keep getting vaccine orders cancelled or requisitioned before they can get here. We also had the luxury of waiting to see how the vaccines worked elsewhere before we began the rollout. We should start producing the vaccine here soon, but unfortunately it's the Astrazeneca...which should be adequate within Australia but wont provide much immunity against most of the new variants. So it looks like another two years of being isolated from the rest of the world.

My 42 year old brother and his late 30's wife proudly posted on FB that that got their 2nd inoculation- I asked, "How?? You're both way younger than I am?". She replied, "I'm a food server (waitress) and he's a teacher.". He's a private music tutor, and hasn't been to anyone's house in a year and a half- been doing it all online. They're in Santa Cruz, CA.

I'm low-key peeeved, but I guess glad they they got it.

pregnant mom got 1 shot of moderna vax and now newborn baby (first known) has covid antibodies

Ugh, I have fatigue normally. I'm worried that I won't be able to get out of bed after my first shot. Though maybe the fatigue is from Covid. I've read people are seeing their long lasting effects from it disappear after getting the vaccine.

Have there been any studies about people who have harsher reactions to the first shot possibly having already had a mild case of Covid? That would make sense since it would be like the second shot for people who didn't have Covid. The actual Covid infection would have primed your system instead of the first dose priming your system.

People who have had confirmed COVID for sure on average have had second shot type reactions to the first shot.

I'm MUCH better today after sleep. My arm doesn't even hurt at all and the soreness elsewhere has gone. I'm impressed. I had a tetanus shot last year and my under arm and breast area was swollen for days until my doctor told me to take an antihistamine. Was going to take one last night but thought I'd hold off and now I feel pretty normal.

r127

r136, don't be too hard on those who are getting the vaccine. The more people who get it now, the better. I would guess that by next week or the following, it will be open to everyone.

R122 -/Norwegian I guess even though the vaccine is unavailable, somehow Mette Marit has managed to get it

There is now proof that there's a link between the AZ-vaccine and the deadly blood clots in Norway and Denmark.

Now that there's proof I refuse to take the AZ-vaccine. Sorry, don't want to get a blood clot that is so dangerous that it's hard to treat (i.e. it's not a "normal" type of blood clot), and might cause death. I'm in my 30s, same ages as those who died. They were young and otherwise healthy too. I'd rather take my chances with the mrna vaccines Pfizer or Moderna. At least if you get a blood clot with those it's the "normal" type, which is easier to treat.

AZ vaccine does not play nicely with the South African variant:

R146 Let's face it... it's not a good vaccine. It's not as effective as Pfizer and it can lead to deadly blood clots in young, healthy people.

Article in English about the deadly blood clots being linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine.

What are your thoughts about the J & J vaccine, since it was tested against the SA variant, and not Pfizer/Moderna?

R149 It's made with the same technology as AZ and a healthy 25 year old developed a blood clot from it. It's not very effective against the mutations and I think it's only at 60 % effectiveness in general (against all types/mutations of covid) vs 92 % effectiveness from Pfizer. I know which vaccine I'd want.

In February 2021, the NYT had an article about some rare occurrences of blood disorders among people who took Pfizer or Moderna vaccines:

[quote] One day after receiving her first dose of Moderna’s Covid vaccine, Luz Legaspi, 72, woke up with bruises on her arms and legs, and blisters that bled inside her mouth.

[quote] She was hospitalized in New York City that day, Jan. 19, with a severe case of immune thrombocytopenia — a lack of platelets, a blood component essential for clotting.

[quote] The same condition led to the death in January of Dr. Gregory Michael, 56, an obstetrician in Miami Beach whose symptoms appeared three days after he received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Treatments failed to restore his platelets, and after two weeks in the hospital he died from a brain hemorrhage.

[quote] It is not known whether this blood disorder is related to the Covid vaccines. More than 31 million people in the United States have received at least one dose, and 36 similar cases had been reported to the government’s Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, VAERS, by the end of January. The cases involved either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine, the only two authorized so far for emergency use in the United States.

R151 That a 71 year old is developing blood clots is far different than a person in their 30s. How can you even compare the two. It's also the type of blood clotting that is the problem here. The one that the person died of in Norway is very dangerous and difficult to treat, unlike "normal" blood clots.

Man died in the UK of a blood clot after getting the vaccine.

Lol at this press conference from the EU. They're saying that the Norwegian doctors who found the link between the vaccine and the deadly blood clots are lying. So... who do you trust more, the EU or Norwegian doctors?

New person hospitalized in Norway with the same rare type of blood clot as the 3 other cases. There is a proven link now, according to Norwegian doctors. The people in EMA are lying.

The UK and EU’s vaccine regulators have both ruled the Oxford/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine is safe to use and there is no proven link between the jab and blood clots.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said jab was a “safe and effective vaccine”, while the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said there was "no proven causal association" between five reports in the UK of a "unique" blood clot and the Covid Oxford/AstraZeneca jab.

Two doses of the AZ vaccine did not show protection against mild-to-moderate COVID due to infection w/B.1.351 variant in South Africa.

cuomo and mayor bill de blasio got the J & J vaccine. it's only one jab.

does the J & J vaccine also have unexpected benefits like the other 2 vax?

[quote]No proven link yet Norwegian doctors say otherwise. They say there is a link. The EU is lying.

Or Norwegian doctors are mistaken.

R150's post is filled with misinformation and lies. Look shit up yourself because people on here like R150 tend to speak with authority about things they know nothing about.

There’s a New York City March for Science Live Stream on Facebook (I know, hisss) tonight at 6:30 PM on vaccines if anyone is interested.

For me, an effective vaccine is one that stops hospitalization, death and long term disability. Efficacy against the sniffles is interesting, but unimportant. After 40 days J&J is 100% effective against hospitalization and death. It is an awesome vaccine.

Anybody have Rand's neighbor's phone number?

Here in Australia, I am beyond despair. Forced to take AZ which means no travel outside of the country for a long time because of the danger of exposure to variants. And as R135 pointed out, we are only safe if Australia keeps its borders closed. Ultimately everything will open up because the rest of the world will be moving on and we will have to keep moving too. Then we might experience the horror case levels of the UK, EU, and USA.

My elderly mother (not in Australia) keeps asking when we will see each other and honestly the way things are going I feel we will probably never see each other again.

And...it is fantastic how many people are getting vaccinated in the world. It really is a miracle I could not have imagined a year ago. But the variant issue has me really worried and feeling doomy-gloomy.

Our government has gone all-in with AZ so that’s that.

Elderlez, are you saying that if you were to choose a vaccine it would be J&J?

Australia will open it borders after the next Federal election regardless of who wins.

For what it's worth......

R166 I think the Pfizer, Moderna and J&J vaccines are all A++++, super extra credit, much better than anyone could have anticipated vaccines. I wound up getting Moderna and I am very happy, but i still have to worry about that second shot appointment. If it had been J&J I’d just be counting days, not worrying about traffic on the Belt Parkway.

Poor Astra Zeneca seems to be suffering from the comparison. It’s tough being an A- vaccine compared to A+ vaccines.

R165 my heart goes out to you. May you get to see your Mom soon. I am hopeful that within a year you’ll have a booster for the variants and the AZ vaccine will keep you safe in the meantime.

Thank you ElderLez. And thank you too for all the information you have calmly and straightforwardly delivered to us over the last year.

My thread about AZ was closed despite the fact that Norwegian doctors found a link between the dangerous blood clots and the vaccine. Why was it closed? I linked to an article. This isn't propaganda or fake news. These are findings from medical experts. And before you accuse me of being an anti-waxxer, I can assure you I am not. I am not a conspiracy nut either. I took the swineflu vaccine and I will take the covid-vaccine. Hopefully Pfizer or Moderna. I do not trust AstraZeneca anymore after young and healthy people died from dangerous and hard to treat blood clots. The fact is though that the Norwegian doctors disagree with the EMA. Only one can be right, so the question is... who do you trust more? Norwegian doctors or the European Union? I know what my answer is.

R165 AZ works well against the Brazilian variants.

I think the J & J is ok. I mean gov cuomo and mayor bill de blasio got it.

[quote]The fact is though that the Norwegian doctors disagree with the EMA.

To be accurate, the fact is that the Norwegian doctors disagree with EMA, the UK, Canada, Mexico, WHO and every medical expert I've seen comment on the matter. Doesn't mean the Norwegians are wrong. It will be interesting to see what the FDA and CDC have to say when they review AZ's request for emergency use authorization -- though I suspect authorization is in the bag.

Hamburg is going into total lockdown again.

The third wave is hitting us hard right now. Another day with more than 1000 new cases. More than 200 people hospitalized. Lots of young people are hospitalized. New lockdown starting today. All shops and malls have to close. Only grocery stores are allowed to stay open.

NEW: An antiviral drug, Molnupiravir, appears to be safe and reduces SARSCoV2 to undetectable levels in COVID-19 patients after five days of use, according to data from a Phase II clinical trial.

I'm glad research into treatments continues even as America seems to have put all its stock in vaccines.

Danish analysis of PCR tests nationwide in the 1st and 2nd COVID-19 waves found varying levels of reinfection among those who had COVID in Wave 1.

Protection against repeat infection was a robust 80·85% in those younger than 65...but just 47·1% for those older

"Our data indicate that vaccination of previously infected individuals should be done because natural protection cannot be relied on."

(Someone needs to alert Rand Paul.)

R177 the vaccines get the bulk of the press, but there is still a lot of money and work being directed toward therapeutics via the ACTIV network. I believe that your link is to one of the drugs being tested by ACTIV.

The US research infrastructure is a beautiful thing.

[quote]I'm glad research into treatments continues even as America seems to have put all its stock in vaccines.

The fact that the drug was developed at Emory University and sold to a company based in Miami gives the lie to that statement.

Another person died in Denmark after getting the AZ-vaccine.

North Dakota will make Covid-19 vaccine available to general public March 29

From CNN's Jen Christensen

The North Dakota Department of Public Health said Friday that the Covid-19 vaccine will be available to the general public starting March 29.

The department encouraged people who are in the earlier categories of eligibility not to put off getting an appointment to get one.

“As the state prepares to make the vaccine available to the general public, it’s important for people included in Phases 1A, 1B or 1C to be vaccinated now, as they are at highest risk for severe COVID-19 or being exposed to COVID-19,” said Molly Howell, the department’s immunization director.

As of Friday, 27% of North Dakotans had at least one dose of the vaccine, and 16% have been fully vaccinated, according to the state.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson receives first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine

From CNN's Nada Bashir

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson received the first dose of AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine on Friday.

“I've just received my first Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine dose. Thank you to all of the incredible scientists, NHS staff and volunteers who helped make this happen,” he tweeted.

“Getting the jab is the best thing we can do to get back to the lives we miss so much. Let's get the jab done,” Johnson added.

He urged people to get a vaccine, telling reporters after receiving his first shot that it is the “best thing” for all.

“I literally did not feel a thing, it was very good, very quick. I cannot recommend it too highly,” Johnson said.

“Everybody, when you do get your notification to go for a jab, please go and get it. It is the best thing for you, the best thing for your family, and for everybody else,” he added.

Johnson was seen leaving Gassiot House Outpatient Centre at London’s St Thomas’ Hospital on Friday evening after receiving his first dose.

Johnson was previously admitted to St Thomas’ Hospital in April 2020 for coronavirus and remained in intensive care for three nights. The prime minister later released a statement thanking National Health Service staff who cared for him.

Germany's Merkel says she would take AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine

From CNN's Nada Bashir

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said she herself “would get vaccinated with AstraZeneca” when called to get the vaccine, adding that the government’s motto to tackle the coronavirus pandemic is “vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate.”

The chancellor's remarks come as Germany recommences its rollout of AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine on Friday, a day after the European Medicines Agency [EMA] reaffirmed that the vaccine is both “safe and effective” in preventing coronavirus and “not associated with an increase in the overall risk of thromboembolic events, or blood clots.”

Speaking during news conference following Berlin’s vaccination summit, Merkel said the government was right to impose a temporary suspension on the rollout of the vaccine in order to guarantee its safety.

UK variant is more deadly and contagious, Fauci says

From CNN's Nick Neville and Maggie Fox

One of the new coronavirus variants that’s rapidly spreading in the US is both more contagious and likely more deadly as well, Dr. Anthony Fauci said Friday.

The spread of the B.1.1.7 variant first identified in the UK means vaccination is more important than ever, as are measures such as mask use and social distancing, Fauci said during a White House briefing.

It was first spotted in Colorado at the end of December, said Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. “Since then it has been detected in 50 jurisdictions in the United States, and likely accounts now for about 20 to 30% of the infections in this country. And that number is growing."

“Of concern is that there are about 50% increase in transmission with this particular variant that has been documented in the UK and there's likely an increase in severity of disease if infected with this variant,” added Fauci, chief medical adviser to President Biden.

“In a couple of UK studies, this one looking at over 54,000 matched pairs of participants in the UK in which one person was infected with the B.1.1.7 and another one with the previously circulating variant, there was a 64% increased risk of death for those with the B.1.1.7,” Fauci told the briefing. He showed a second study that indicated a 61% higher risk of death with B.1.1.7.

But vaccines appear to protect well against B.1.1.7 and treatments such as monoclonal antibodies also appear to work against this particular variant, Fauci noted.

“The way we can counter 1.1.7, which is a growing threat in our country, is to do two things: To get as many people vaccinated as quickly and as expeditiously as possible with the vaccine that we know works against this variant and, finally, to implement the public health measures that we talk about all the time and that was on Dr. [Rochelle] Walensky's slide — masking, physical distancing, and avoiding congregant settings, particularly indoors,” he said.

People in this thread probably don't need to read this, but here's some pragmatism to go with your Saturday coffee.

"The goal of vaccination isn’t eradication, but a détente in which humans and viruses coexist, with the risk of disease at a tolerable low."

Amen Sylvia. How is your husband doing? And do you have an appointment yet?

Fauci hates Broadway. It is apparent now. No house seats for The Music Man for HIM this December.

The hospitals are full in Oslo. They have to move critically ill covid patients to other hospitals. It's really bad here in Norway. We are struggling with the new mutations. Younger people are getting sick and hospitalized too.

R187 He's doing great and I had my first jab today at Rite Aid. Pfizer!

As the United States recovers from the Former Guy, some might wonder if the covid response could have been any worse. Well, yes, it could have been.

[quote]In his final year in office, Magufuli also emerged as arguably the most ardent and dangerous down-player of the pandemic among global heads of state. He publicly shunned vaccines and claimed his nation “covid-free” for much of last year, maintaining for months that three days of prayer he had called for in June had rid the East African country of 60 million from the virus, even as hospitals filled up and other nations reported importing cases from Tanzania.

My sympathies to the people of Tanzania.

CNN: The Covid-19 crisis in Brazil has never been worse. Nearly every Brazilian state has an ICU occupancy of 80% or higher, according to a CNN analysis of state data. The seven-day averages of both new cases and new deaths are higher than they have ever been.

Bolsonaro is a monster.

The USA would have been Brazil if Trump had been re-elected. Biden went in and made eradicating Covid his priority.

I've got my appointment for Pfizer shot #1 this Tuesday and the 2nd already scheduled. Michigan is starting to surge again, so I'm laying low until my shots are done.

I go for walks in nearby parks on the weekends with a couple of friends. We wear masks because 1) we don't live in same house; and 2) the parks have been busy lately, especially as the weather gets nicer. Usually, we'd see other people walking the trail wearing masks too, but sadly for the past 3 weeks or so, we've been the only ones.

As Fauci said, people are spiking the ball on the 5 yard line.

Yup. If we had been stuck with Dump for another four years, none of us would be vaccinated, and things would be even worse than they were in December.

[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

Meanwhile, over in the UK...

Dozens of people wearing yellow smiley faces gathered in Barnstaple to call on the government to end lockdown measures early.

About 80 people gathered in Rock Park at 11am.

The gathering, which organisers said was not a protest, follows a letter in which more than 60 MPs and peers wrote to the home secretary calling for a change in the Covid-19 legislation's to allow protests to happen during lockdown.

Some at the gathering also highlighted their concern for the rollout of 5G.

Tom Wilks, a former police officer, spoke to the crowd.

He said: “We’re here to part of a national conversation, we’ll be doing it, while doing our exercise and so we’re not breaking regulations.

“We stand by common law and human rights article ten and eleven under the human rights act 1998 which mean you can congregate, talk and even have a protest. This is not a protest, we are standing in the park we’re here together, talking to like minded people.

“We’re not happy with what is going on,” he said.

He said people had lost trust in the government, explaining that we were still in lockdown on the anniversary of Boris Johnson’s announcement that there would be a three-week lockdown to ‘flatten the curve’ to protect the NHS.

Mr Wilks, who is also a physicist by profession, added: “From day one when they said they were following the science, I burst out laughing. There is no such thing; there’s biology, chemistry and physics; I’m a physicist by trade. I’ve taught genetics, so I’ve a rough idea what I’m talking about.

“I’ve also worked in military intelligence as well, so I know what’s going on when people talk about a psychological operation.

“They are using behavioural science on us and SAGE are completely geeing us to comply to the point where we now are. In a year we now have our children officially being abused by the state, wearing masks, we even have the jab coming out, this is their long-term intention.”

He said people at the gathering were not concerned about being confronted by police. Despite a police vehicle passing the park, attendees were not approached by officers.

Mr Wilks said: “I have a particular contact in the police force who told me they don’t have the manpower to cover every grouping. Here, they don’t have the political will, unlike in London where they will come out and batter you for turning up.”

He thanked those at the park for coming together.

“It’s a good turnout, much better than what we thought,” he said.

“It would be and it’s wonderful to see so many likeminded people, standing for the truth. I’d like to thank everyone for coming along.

“We want people across North Devon to think about their freedom, think about your choice, respect other people and do what’s right what you believe in.

“To the government, we urge them to speak to scientists across the board, and to open up a debate. There’s not just one way of doing science.”

Another at the gathering, Katherine Armitage who is an alternative health practitioner, encouraged people to talk about different ways to look after your health.

“I’m not hearing much about diet, alternative health practices, yoga, meditation, wellbeing, fresh and air and exercise, which is being restricted more and more.

“All of those things create positive thinking. We have got singing happening here in the park today; singing out in the fresh air is a fantastic activity.

“Also, we are what we eat. You cannot take a vaccine and be healthy. It is an oxymoron.”

Another angry voice among the crowd was Stewart Johnstone, a retired engineer, who said: “I can’t believe what the government is trying to do to us; what are they playing at? They must think we’re completely stupid.

“For any law they introduce, it needs to be proportional and justifiable, and there is no rhyme or reason for shutting down the country, taking away so many people’s livelihoods, causing umpteen cases of misery throughout the country is total lunacy.

“I don’t understand it, unless the politicians have caught some sort of virus themselves and it’s turned them into madmen.”

50% of the UK population is now vaccinated. Germany for some reason only has 8% done. They are usually so organised, too.

All care home workers in the UK were first to be offered the vaccine but 40% (mainly black and Asian) refused it.

I found out today that there's only one clinic giving out the vaccine in my area, so getting my mom in to get vaccinated might take who knows how long.

[quote] Germany for some reason only has 8% done. They are usually so organised, too.

If it's anything The Germans hate, it's a mess.

the brazillian variant is in NYC!

Germany has now found 12 cases of the deadly blood clot that they believe is linked to the vaccine. 2 young and healthy people died here in Norway. Same number in Denmark. I think AZ will be canned for good here. People won't risk it. Trust in vaccines is so important. Simply put Norwegians don't trust AZ. You can all argue how rational or non-rational it is. It doesn't matter. AZ's reputation is destroyed here. People are scared. They see young people who otherwise would have survived covid die from the vaccine. I highly doubt they will ever use it again here.

R202, you sound pantingly reactionary, almost excited about it. Weird. What are you all going to do when they tell you that all the vaccines have the same or worse records of blood clots? Not take any of them? It's going to happen. They will all have a few bad side effects for a few people. Some will die. By some, I'm talking a couple out of millions. It's reality. Deal with it.

R202 The Pfizer vaccine can cause a rare blood disorder in some people, no vaccine is 100% safe and risk free for all the population. You're still more than a 1000 times likely to die from Covid than from any of the vaccines available. I think that much of the criticism of AZ in Europe is politically driven.

Accordibg to AFP Merkel is now trying to extend the lockdown through April.

Dr. Scott Gottlieb:

Covid positivity rates in parts of Brooklyn, Queens are approaching 15%, among highest in nation. NYC deserves close watching. Variants now represent more than 60% of infections, and B.1526 is majority strain and is probably being undercounted because of way we're sampling.

Where is the evidence that the Pfizer vaccine can lead to a rare blood disorder in some people, r204?

R203, are you seriously calling the Norwegian Health Agency reactionary? Even Sweden - the homeland of Astra - has pretty much given up on the AstraZeneca vaccine, so the questions about it are hardly political. The US isn't even using this vaccine

While I am not R204 here you go R207. As I posted before my Mother developed ITP from the MMR vaccine and it took twenty years to resolve so she got her platelets tested right before she got the second Pfizer shot just in case she had a similar reaction. She also spoke to her primary care doctor about how to treat her if she did have a recurrence. Everything is fine with her so far.

I am so glad that an overly emotional response to a very serious, but extremely rare potential adverse reaction is not deep sixing the vaccine roll-out in the States. Risk-benefit analysis.... Anyway there are more vaccines coming.

Yay Sylvia!

2 new people dead from blood clots in Norway from the AZ-vaccine. That makes it 4 (maybe 5). Norway has only vaccinated about 100k with the vaccine so far, so this is serious. The people who died from the blood clots were all young and healthy. To compare: 10 people under 50 have died from covid in Norway. Now we're up to 5 people under 50 who have died from the vaccine. It is clearly not worth it.

This is starting to sound like a Norwegian Covid version of that seminal medical classic Coma. Paging Liv Ullman...

I picture Norwegian dude like the guy in Munch's The Scream, except wearing a reindeer sweater and clogs. :)

Why so much in Norway? Lack of Vitamin D? A bad batch? Something genetic? It doesn't make sense considering other countries have used the AZ vaccine in much higher numbers without that many blood clot issues.

Two weeks ago, I visited a friend; his roommate came in and started coughing. Two days later, my friend came down with COVID (thankfully mild). I never got sick. I think being vaccinated saved my ass.

R213 Did the roommate at least die for coming in and coughing all over people?

R214, lol, to his credit, he had tested a few days earlier, it came back negative, and he thought he was feeling better. Considering what happened to his roomie, though, I think it was a false negative.

R212 I think because the Nordic countries actually report side effects. I read somewhere no other countries are as good as reporting side effects as us. I think there might be more cases, but they just haven't linked them to the vaccine. In Germany they suddenly found 7 blood clot cases that they linked to the vaccine. Now they're at 12. I have a feeling this is just the start. We might hear about more cases eventually. Also, if this dangerous and deadly blood clot type does affect more young people, maybe we will see it at the end of the vaccination in the UK. I assume the oldest get it first, and younger people last. Last but not least the AZ-vaccines that are shipped to the EU are made at a factory in Belgium while the UK-vaccines are made in the UK. Maybe there's something wrong with the production in Belgium.

Covid causes a lot of blood clot issues so it isn't surprising that the vaccine will cause this in some people.

I wonder if the people with the clots already had asymptomatic Covid or weren't fully over a case of Covid when they got the vaccine? They aren't testing people here in the US for Covid before giving them the vaccine. I wonder how your body reacts if you already have Covid and are given the vaccine.

I wonder if a low-dose aspirin regimen in tandem with the vax might be beneficial, if AZ is your only choice. It's been shown to have benefited covid patients who were already on aspirin therapy before they got ill.

Haven't they been telling people to stop taking their NSAIDs before getting vaccinated? How would that match an advisory to take an aspirin?

A surprising new analysis found that states such as South Carolina and Florida that raced ahead of others to offer the vaccine to ever-larger groups of people have vaccinated smaller shares of their population than those that moved more slowly and methodically, such as Hawaii and Connecticut.

The explanation, as experts see it, is that the rapid expansion of eligibility caused a surge in demand too big for some states to handle and led to serious disarray. Vaccine supplies proved insufficient or unpredictable, websites crashed and phone lines became jammed, spreading confusion, frustration and resignation among many people.

Natural blood thinners: Almonds, cherries, salmon, Vitamin E supplements, Fish oil supplements, EFA supplements, oregano oil supplements.

I found out the hard way- I ate a full bag of almonds, a pound of cherries, and was taking oregano supplements (I thought I was coming down with a cold) for a week before getting a botox shot in my forehead, and bled like a stuck pig for about 5 minutes. The blood was very thin, and weirdly more orange tinted. I had gotten botox several times before, and that never happened. The botox provider asks if you're on any of the EFA/fish related supplements or aspirin because of that, but I think they're unaware of the other things that I've listed.

Get vaccinated and Krispy Kreme will you give you a free doughnut every day this year.

Remember the New Zealand case that was supposedly spread from the surface of a garbage can?

New study says it was probably not fomite transmission at all:

"There was a 50-second window between closing the door to the room of case-patient C and opening the door to the room of case-patients D and E. Suspended aerosol particles were the probable mode of transmission in this instance, and the enclosed and unventilated space in the hotel corridor probably facilitated this event. A commissioned review of the ventilation system found that the rooms in question had a net positive pressure compared with the corridor."

There is not nearly enough attention being paid to aerosol transmission and the need to upgrade ventilation systems.

R224 Oh, but changing HVAC would cost so much more money than sanitation theater! Seriously ventilation should be the #2 priority at schools, universities, office buildings of any size --- #1 being getting all of the denizens vaccinated.

My dentist told me a story about his niece today (He's gay; it was like being on DL!) -- college age track star who caught COVID early on and now has lasting cardiovascular issues. Can't walk up or down stairs without highly elevated heart rate, still gets winded easily, etc.

I've avoided my dentist the past year precisely because I don't trust that he has proper ventilation equipment -- he's the opposite of an "early adopter" -- and if there's one place that needs to be concerned about aerosolization, it's the dentist's office.

R226 Everyone in my dentist's office has been vaccinated since Feb and I always request the first time slot of the day so that no one has been in there off-gassing before me.

Don't put off going to the dentist. My dentist has also been vaccinated. He had the first shot when I went for a check up.

I agree on the dentist. During past year, we discovered during recent cleaning that I had been grinding my teeth (from Covid anxiety?) and had to be fitted for night guard.

[quote=Don't put off going to the dentist. My dentist has also been vaccinated.

I'm not concerned about the dentist and his staff, it's the people sitting in the chair before me.

[quote]Last but not least the AZ-vaccines that are shipped to the EU are made at a factory in Belgium while the UK-vaccines are made in the UK. Maybe there's something wrong with the production in Belgium.

The AZ vaccines used in the UK are actually made in the EU and in India, r216. UK domestic production is tiny.

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Trump Tower Employees Vaccinated Before They Were Eligible

Vaccines aren't 100% effective, so of course some people are going to catch it. And I wonder if it's the newer variants that they caught.

The vaccine is to prevent hospitalization and death. It has always been said that you can still catch it and pass it to someone else and if that person has not been vaccinated, they could get sick and maybe die from it.

The vaccine was never touted as a "cure." Eventually, as more people become vaccinated, Covid will become a common virus that very few will die from.

But I love the people trying to scare others with the stories of vaccinated people still testing positive for it. Those of us who are educated know that this is why everyone still needs to wear masks until the majority of the population has been jabbed.

Exactly, r235. Thank you.

R235 Everyone on this thread knows that, but I am very concerned that the media will continue to report exclusively on the rare cases where the vaccines didn't work and not on the dropping numbers when they do work. I'm also concerned that because humans are abysmally stupid and have begun carrying on as if the pandemic is over (with the aid of their equally stupid state and local governments), numbers will creep UP (already happening where I live) and feed further into the "vaccines don't work" narrative here in the US.

And that will quickly turn into, "BIDEN LIED!!" and we'll have an even bigger shitshow on our hands by fall.

Oh, they will, r237. Just as they keep reporting on the variants to scare people. The variants are nothing to be concerned about other than they could result in the current vaccines needing to be tweaked a bit. But as more and more people get vaccinated, the variant stories will start to fade away. My prediction is that by September, the mask mandates will go away too. But it all depends on people getting the vaccine and the ones who aren't getting it by choice can slow down the entire "getting back to normal" by months or years. Or the ones not getting it will be the ones who get the more serious cases of Covid and will be the drains on our health systems for years to come, especially if they turn into the long haulers after they get sick.

Another day with more than 1000 new cases here in Norway. Almost 300 people hospitalized, many of them young. It is not looking good. The third wave is hitting us hard. We have the British mutation here which is more infectious and people tend to get sicker from it. We are now in another strict lockdown. Everything closed. Should be a fun Easter for those who are stuck at home. The rich people get to travel to their cabins in the mountains while the poor people are stuck inside staring at the walls.

CNN: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc said Tuesday its dual antibody treatment for Covid-19 reduced symptomatic illness by four days at any level of dose tried in its clinical trial.

The treatment also seemed to reduce hospitalizations and death by about 70% compared to placebo, the company said.

At any dose given, the treatment significantly reduced the patient’s viral load – and seemed to work to protect people against all of the coronavirus variants most worrying to scientists.

Reuters: Pfizer has started an early-stage US trial of an oral Covid-19 antiviral therapy that could be prescribed to patients at the first sign of infection

The company is also studying an intravenously administered antiviral candidate in an early-stage trial in hospitalised Covid-19 patients.

“Together, the two (oral and intravenous candidates) have the potential to create an end-to-end treatment paradigm that complements vaccination in cases where disease still occurs,” Pfizer’s chief medical officer Mikael Dolsten said in a statement.

WaPo: Most of Africa and parts of South America and Asia are not expected to achieve widespread vaccination coverage until 2023.

Can we keep them all out of the US (and vice versa) until then?

I wish that they would just come up with a reliable treatment. Upon first symptoms, you take a quick test, if you are pos, you take your pfizer pill and are back to work in a few days. I rather that than the vaccine. Regeneran seem literally like a miracle drug. Trump looked like he was very, very ill when he went to the hospital and came recovered shockingly fast.

R244, that is a recipe for disaster. Mutations galore.

More than 270 people hospitalized with covid here in Norway. It's very very bad. Last time this many were hospitalized was a year ago. No wonder we're in a new lockdown sigh.

Study confirms remdesivir shortens Covid-19 illness

From CNN's Maggie Fox

The antiviral drug remdesivir shortens the duration of illness even among non-White patients, who have a higher risk of severe disease, doctors reported Wednesday.

The study, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, adds to evidence the drug can relieve the burden of coronavirus illness, even if it’s not a cure.

Remdesivir, sold under the brand name Veklury, was approved in October. It was the first drug to get full approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for use in treating Covid-19.

“Receipt of remdesivir was associated with faster clinical improvement in a cohort of predominantly non-White patients,” Dr. Brian Garibaldi of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and colleagues wrote in their report. Garibaldi was among the team of doctors who treated then-President Trump for a coronavirus infection last year.

The team looked at the records of 2,483 patients with Covid-19 treated in the Johns Hopkins system. Of those, 342 received remdesivir, and 184 of these patients also received corticosteroids.

And while patients given remdesivir were less likely to die, the findings on this were not statistically significant, the team said.

Only very ill patients got remdesivir – those with low oxygen levels and indications of organ damage.

“Our study included a much higher percentage of patients from underrepresented minority groups than previous remdesivir clinical trials. Approximately 80% of patients in our cohort were non-White individuals compared with 30% to 47% in clinical trials,” the team wrote.

“Because underrepresented minority groups have shouldered a disproportionate burden during the COVID-19 pandemic but have not been widely represented in clinical trials, our results provide important evidence that receipt of remdesivir is associated with decreased time to clinical improvement in these populations," they wrote.

Belgium will close schools and non-essential shops starting Saturday

From CNN's Stephanie Halasz

Belgium will close schools until April 19, but nursery schools will stay open and exams will be taken, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo said Wednesday.

Non-essential shops and hairdressers will close as of Saturday until April 24, de Croo said.

Speaking at a news conference in Brussels, de Croo said the British variant had now become dominant in the country and “we are in a new phase of the pandemic.”

He said infections had doubled within the last two weeks.

Non-essential shops can only take appointments for shoppers to enter, “no more fun-shopping in a group,” he said.

The maximum of people able to meet up outside goes to four from six previously.

Working from home will be monitored more tightly, de Croo said.

He warned border patrols would be heightened during the upcoming Easter holidays.

South Korean president assures safety of AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine after his first does

From CNN’s Gawon Bae in Seoul.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday tweeted, “I got the vaccine, and you can trust it,” roughly 31 hours after receiving the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine on Tuesday morning to assure the safety of the vaccine.

Moon said that he had a mild fever late Tuesday night and took an aspirin just in case, but he did not feel uncomfortable or have a headache. He added that he felt refreshed in the morning while the vaccine seems to have no impact on his high blood pressure.

The president also shared the conditions of those who received the vaccine with him: The first lady had a mild fever, he said, but it was slighter than with the flu vaccine.

He said that all 11 people, including himself, the first lady and nine members of the delegation that were vaccinated together, had either similar mild reactions or none at all. "“Depending on the person, some had heavier symptoms, but there is not much to worry about since it is the process of forming immunity,” he added. He urged people to end controversies over the safety of the vaccine."

Background: In an unusual statement released early Tuesday, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said the independent board that reviews data from multiple Covid-19 vaccine candidates has raised concerns about AstraZeneca's announcement of efficacy data from its vaccine trial.

"The DSMB expressed concern that AstraZeneca may have included outdated information from that trial, which may have provided an incomplete view of the efficacy data," said the NIAID statement released early Tuesday.

On Monday, the company had issued a press release saying its Covid-19 vaccine showed 79% efficacy against symptomatic disease and 100% efficacy against severe disease and hospitalization, citing long-awaited US trial data. The latter figure was based on five total cases of severe disease or hospitalization in people who received the placebo, NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci said during a coronavirus briefing Monday.

Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca stood by the results of its US-based clinical trial on Tuesday, after the Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) expressed concern that the data from the trial may have been “outdated” and “incomplete.”

7 in 10 people hospitalized for Covid-19 have not fully recovered 5 months after discharge, UK study finds

From CNN’s Meera Senthilingam

Seven in 10 people hospitalized for Covid-19 have not fully recovered five months after discharge, a new study finds.

The patients continued to experience concerns with their mental and physical health, with 1 in 5 people developing a new disability, and a similar number either not working or having to change jobs due to their health, according to findings by UK researchers.

The people most likely to have persistent symptoms were middle-age White women who developed severe Covid-19, and who had at least two conditions that put them at greater risk of severe disease, such as diabetes, asthma or heart disease.

“Our results show a large burden of symptoms, mental and physical health problems and evidence of organ damage five months after discharge with COVID-19,” Rachael Evans, an associate professor at the University of Leicester and respiratory consultant at Leicester’s hospitals, said in a statement.

“It is also clear that those who required mechanical ventilation and were admitted to intensive care take longer to recover. However, much of the wide variety of persistent problems was not explained by the severity of the acute illness – the latter largely driven by acute lung injury – indicating other, possibly more systemic, underlying mechanisms,” she said.

More on the study: The UK-wide study analyzed 1,077 people who were discharged from hospital between March and November 2020, who developed Covid-19. Among them, 67% where White, 36% were women and 50% had at least two conditions that put them at risk of severe disease.

When the participants were followed up five months later, only 29% of people said they felt fully recovered, while more than 90% of people had at least one persistent symptom, and most experienced an average of nine ongoing symptoms.

The ten most common symptoms were muscle pain, fatigue, physical slowing down, impaired sleep quality, joint pain or swelling, limb weakness, breathlessness, pain, short-term memory loss, and slowed thinking, according to the study.

Mental health was also affected, with more than 25% of people having clinical symptoms of anxiety or depression and 12% having symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Poland reports highest number of Covid-19 deaths and cases since start of the pandemic

From CNN's Antonia Mortensen in Milan, Italy

Poland on Wednesday reported the highest number of daily deaths since the start of the pandemic, registering 575 new fatalities, according to figures announced by its health ministry.

The country also recorded 29,978 new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, one of the highest daily tallies since the start of the pandemic.

Poland has reported a total of 2,120,671 Covid-19 cases and 50,340 Covid-19 related deaths since the beginning of the pandemic, according to the health ministry.

Germany records more than 75,000 Covid-related deaths, as Easter lockdown looms

From CNNs Fred Pleitgen in Berlin

Germany has passed the grim milestone of 75,000 coronavirus-related deaths since the start of the pandemic, data from the country's public health agency published Wednesday shows.

According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) coronavirus dashboard, 248 people died in a span of 24 hours, bringing the total number of deaths to 75,212.

Germany is struggling with a surge of new coronavirus cases, RKI data shows 15,813 new infections for Wednesday, 2,378 more than a week earlier.

Easter lockdown: The German government has imposed tough new anti-pandemic restrictions, including a hard lockdown over the Easter holidays. Germany has also extended general lockdown measures until April 18.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will discuss the situation with state premiers in a video conference on Wednesday, a government spokesperson said..

This comes after harsh criticism of the Easter lockdown and frustrations over the slow vaccine rollout in the country.

Hong Kong and Macao suspend BioNTech vaccine rollout due to packaging defect

From CNN's Joshua Berlinger in Hong Kong

Authorities in Hong Kong and Macao have suspended the rollout of BioNTech's Covid-19 vaccine citing a packaging defect found in their first batch of doses.

Both governments said in statements Wednesday they had received a letter from BioNTech and its Chinese partner, Fosun Pharma, indicating an issue with the seal on individual vials in batch number 21012.

According to government figures, as of Tuesday, 150,200 people in Hong Kong had received their first dose of the BioNTech vaccine, which outside of China is partnered with US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer.

Although both Fosun and BioNTech "have not found any reason to believe that product safety is at risk," the Hong Kong government said it was suspending vaccinations involving batch 21012, and halting plans to administer a second batch pending an investigation. ""These are preventive measures to continuously ensure the safety of the vaccination program," the statement read."

Prior to halting the BioNTech rollout, Hong Kong offered residents a choice of two vaccines, BioNTech, and Chinese-produced Sinovac. Now those who wish to get vaccinated must either wait until the issue with the BioNTech doses is resolved or go with Sinovac.

Hong Kong is expected to receive doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine at a later date.

Vaccine hesitancy: The BioNTech suspension will likely blunt Hong Kong's mass vaccination drive, which is already moving at a slower-than-expected pace.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam said Tuesday that 6% of the population had taken their first shot, which she sad described as "not bad," though admitted the city could "do better."

Though an estimated 252,800 people have so far received their first dose of Sinovac, hesitancy has been an issue, with many citing a lack of public data regarding clinical trials.

My county logged 500 cases today after sitting at about 200 for three weeks. Bars are packed full of maskless cunts.

Don't know if it has been mentioned, but there is evidence that Covid-19 can cause type 2 diabetes. Kinda scary to think if you got Covid and recovered that years from now you can get an illness and it could be traced back to Covid.

But isn't type 2 curable with diet and exercise and losing weight etc?

You can control it, but you can't cure it R256.

Franklin Graham says Jesus wants you to get vaccinated.

That's going to explode a lot of evangelicals' heads. The extremists -- like the relative of mine who home-schooled her nine kids -- are all "I trust God to protect my health."

[quote]Kinda scary to think if you got Covid and recovered that years from now you can get an illness and it could be traced back to Covid.

If it's anything like the 1918 flu, Covid survivors are at a greater risk for many health complications in the decades ahead.

And if long-haulers' experience is a guide, even an asymptomatic case of Covid can come back to bite you.

[quote]full of maskless cunts

Pics please.

[quote]Franklin Graham says Jesus wants you to get vaccinated. That's going to explode a lot of evangelicals' heads.

Pew Poll on intent to get vaccinated by religious affiliation in the US:

Atheists: 90%

Agnostics: 80%

Catholics: 77%

Black protestants: 64%

White evangelical protestants: 54%

White evangelicals: 45%

[quote]And that will quickly turn into, "BIDEN LIED!!" and we'll have an even bigger shitshow on our hands by fall.

R237, if they're going to play that game, it can be countered that these vaccines were ALL developed during the Trump era.

I was always concerned Covid would produce ugly surprises after "recovery", like chicken pox and shingles, but so much worse.

Don't know if it's a valid analogy, but it makes me think sort of like malaria. People who get it never fully recover. Or maybe they do now, but not so much a century ago.

Double-mutant COVID variant found in India.

Awesome!!

I received my 2nd Moderna vaccination Monday morning (32 hours ago). The side effects I have had have been mild nausea and mild dizziness. To combat it, I took one 50mg of a motion sickness med, Dimenhydrinate, an antiemetic (which is a drug to treat side effects from other drugs). Yesterday and today I used the drug and it did reduce the problem.

My dad who is 75 got his first Pfizer shot yesterday. My mom is 70 so she probably has to wait another one or two months before it's her turn. The vaccination pace is still very slow.

Researchers create nose-only COVID-19 masks to wear while eating

Researchers in Mexico have sniffed out a new COVID-19 mask designed for people to wear only over their schnozes while they eat, according to a report Wednesday.

The nose masks — worn under a full mask with similar behind-the-ears straps — were unveiled in a demonstration video where a man and woman sit down for lunch, according to Reuters.

In the video, the pair takes off their normal masks to reveal their nose-only gear before chowing down at an outdoor table.

Some observers cheered the idea on Twitter, saying it would “reduce transmission” while others poked fun of its goofy look.

“Hardly a new invention, clowns have been wearing them for years,” one user posted, along with a photo of a bright red clown nose.

Human cells that give people a sense of smell are a key entry point for coronavirus, making nose coverings important, according to Johns Hopkins University.

But the World Health Organization recommends that people wear masks covering their nose, mouth and chin to best protect from the virus.

And Centers for Disease Control and Prevention studies have shown that more mask material is generally better than less. Last month, a CDC study showed that double-masking can significantly decrease the spread of the coronavirus.

In the US, roughly 30 million people have contracted the virus, and 544,000 people have died from it, according to Johns Hopkins University.

The report didn’t note the name of the Mexican researchers, their company or when the nose masks could become available to the public.

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A more virulent and contagious variant has been detected.

Is this EVER going to be in the review mirror?!

More than 10 million Texans have now been vaccinated and all adults (above 16) are eligible starting next Monday. Things are hopefully looking up.

R262 More specifically, they'll be screaming that "BIDEN LIED!!" when he said that we could approach semi-normalcy by July 4. Nevermind that when we don't, it'll be because Americans have to behave like .... I can't even think of an animal that I want to insult with the comparison.

It would be nice if that article at R269 NAMED all the brands that contained Benzene.

The Brookings Institution concludes that the U.S. squandered both money and lives in its response to the coronavirus pandemic, and it could have avoided nearly 400,000 deaths with a more effective health strategy and trimmed federal spending by hundreds of billions of dollars while still supporting those who needed it.

U.S. COVID-19 fatalities could have stayed under 300,000, versus a death toll of 540,000 and rising, if by last May the country had adopted widespread mask, social distancing, and testing protocols while awaiting a vaccine.

The study projects an eventual 670,000 US deaths due to coronavirus.

[quote] The Brookings Institution concludes that DONALD TRUMP squandered both money and lives in its response to the coronavirus pandemic, and it could have avoided nearly 400,000 deaths with a more effective health strategy and trimmed federal spending by hundreds of billions of dollars while still supporting those who needed it.

Fixed that for them.

R273, highest levels of benzene :

1. artnaturals

2. Scentsational

3. huangjisoo

4. TrueWash

5. The Crème Shop

6. Star Wars Mandalorian

7. Body Prescriptions

8. Born Basic

9. beauty concepts

10. PureLogic

Thank you, R276. I'd bought a large jug of something called Nature's Oil Germ Attack a while back and had been using that. I was concerned it was on the list.

God knows what those surgical masks from China were made of that we were breathing in every day.

This article tries to explain if a person who experiences side effects after taking the vaccine will have a better response to the actual Covid-19 virus than someone who experiences little or no side effects.

[quote] Does the severity of side effects have anything to do with how well your body will fight COVID-19 if exposed?

[quote] Though it is a valid question, more studies need to be conducted to unpack what the severity of side effects actually mean, said Anna Wald, an infectious diseases physician and researcher in COVID-19 vaccine trials at the University of Washington’s School of Medicine.

[quote] But Erasmus, Kelley and Wald all say the effectiveness of the vaccine is unlikely to be determined by how severe your side effects are.

[quote] “Remember that most people have mild or no side effects in the clinical trials (for the mRNA vaccines), and yet the vaccine was still found to have 95% effectiveness at protecting them from illness,” Wald noted.

[quote] God knows what those surgical masks from China were made of that we were breathing in every day.

Totally. I bought a box of KN95s and every time I wear one for more than a few minutes, I'm congested and coughy afterwards.

Any more stories about people who had the vaccine and saw their longlasting effects of Covid like fatigue disappear?

I've seen several, R281. One gentleman was interviewed on TV and said his brain fog lifted almost immediately after the shot and his fatigue was decreasing by the day.

Such a freaky disease.

Former CDC Director Robert Redfield told CNN on Friday that he believes the coronavirus "escaped" from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, and that it was spreading as early as September or October of 2019 — though he stressed that it was his "opinion."

"It's not unusual for respiratory pathogens that are being worked on in a laboratory to infect the laboratory worker. ... That's not implying any intentionality. It's my opinion, right? But I am a virologist. I have spent my life in virology," he continued.

[bold]'Not the time to relax your guard': Memorial Hermann warns of COVID variants after spring break[/bold]

. . .

Linda Yancey, M.D., with Memorial Hermann cautioned the Houston community to continue social distancing and reduce travel during spring break. Now that spring break is over, Yancey is reminding all families to socially distance as usual and to self-isolate if they traveled in order to reduce the spread, regardless of vaccination status.

“That means wearing a mask around the house, keeping to yourself in your room, avoiding those unvaccinated family members as much as you can for 10 days,” Yancey said. “This is not the time to relax your guard. Not only have we had spring break, not only have we had the governor defy the CDC's nationwide mask mandate, but [bold]we've also got variants moving into the area that are much more contagious[/bold].” (emphasis added)

more at link

[bold]Over 80% of workers don't want to go back to the office full time, survey finds[/bold]

Parents with kids at home are more likely to want to return to office life, a study by Harvard Business School finds.

story at link

Kaitlan Collins:

Big— and surprising — news: Biden’s team announces Johnson & Johnson WILL meet its goal of 20 million vaccines in March. Around 11 million will go out next week. This had been in doubt as of just a few days ago, given less than half the 20 million had gone out.

[quote]Over 80% of workers don't want to go back to the office full time, survey finds

The first time in my life that I embrace my position in a majority.

R285 I am digging in my goddamned heels. Not going back to "normal"; normal gave me migraines every day. I'm far more productive and enthusiastic from my home.

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[quote]Twenty-seven people in Oregon and Washington are being monitored for EBOLA amid fears they were exposed to the virus before returning to the US from West Africa

Well, sure. Why not? Everyone just keep traveling everywhere during a pandemic and a fucking Ebola outbreak!

I got my first shot today, and I go back for my second shot in April.

R290, on the plus side, if there’s an epidemic of people with blood running out of their eyes and nose, maybe Covid deniers will finally put a fucking mask on.

Yay R291!

It makes me so happy to know so many people are now getting their shots.

I don’t know if Naked Beneath my Clothes or Dr. Jack are still on these threads. But I hope they are vaccinated.

AstraZeneca paused for another three weeks here in Norway. Considering so many countries have started using it again I wonder if they will only make it available for 65+, which seems like the mosy likely scenario right now. The people who died fromt the blood clots were all young and healthy. Their own immune system reacted too stromgly to the vaccine. Older people have a weaker immune system, so it will be safer for them.

Daily cases in Israel have plunged from 1,200 to 39.

Staggering under its worst period of the pandemic, Brazil is facing a daunting development: a rising number of deaths among the young.

So far this month, about 2,030 Brazilians aged 30 to 39 have died from Covid, more than double the number recorded in January. Among those in their 40s, there have been 4,150 fatalities in March, up from 1,823 in January, and for those 20-29, deaths jumped to 505 from 242.

Meanwhile in Australia the 700k AZ vaccines we pre ordered and paid for are still being held up in Europe. We've already started producing our own and have asked for them to be sent to Papua New Guinea. The excuse for hijacking the vaccines in Italy was Australia didn't need them...but PNG is a poor country in desperate need. Meantime Italy fucking halted the AZ vaccinations with blood clot concerns!!!!

I received my second Pfizer this morning and worked all day cutting down trees, I feel great. I'm 67 and my dimwit 91 year old mother refuses to get the vaccine because "I don't like shots". Honestly I'm just ashamed of her. My brother is very ill in a nursing home, I asked her how she would feel if the home called her to say he was dying and if she is fully vaccinated she can visit him. Or if she gets sick with one of the variants and puts healthcare workers at risk. She's always been a self centered twit. There I'm finished ranting.

R298– With your brother being so ill, your mother is trying to go before she has to bury him?

I got my second Pfizer shot today R298. I semi feel protected from the idiots that refuse to wear a mask.

AP: Mexico's government is acknowledging that the country's true death toll from the coronavirus pandemic now stands above 321,000. That is almost 60% more than the government's official test-confirmed number of 201,429.

The higher toll rivals that of Brazil, which currently has the world’s second-highest number of deaths after the United States. But Mexico’s population of 126 million is far smaller than either of those countries.

The Mexican border never closed. I see videos of people traveling for leisure to Mexico for vacation posted to SM. Not doing the right thing is costly.

And, I think I heard yesterday that 15% of the kids being tested at the border facilities are positive for Covid. If Mexico's positivity rate is 15%, it's going to be a while before it gets under control.

Health-Care Workers Are Bragging on TikTok About Forging Vax Cards

“I’m just sitting here flummoxed, thinking about the implications of it all,” said Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine and infectious disease at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. “Anyone who works in the health-care environment obviously contributes to the safety of the environment, which is their own safety, their colleagues’ safety as well as the patients they serve.”

I have a name change, but haven't changed by drivers license yet. I asked about it since my card has my old name on it. They told me to just bring the paperwork stating the name change when I need to show proof. What an inconvenience to everyone that changes their name for various reasons.

R302 On Feb. 14, 400 flights landed at the Cancún International Airport.

Delta tweeted today that they will assist Iceland in beginning to accept vaccinated tourists as of May 1st.

[quote] I have a name change, but haven't changed by drivers license yet. I asked about it since my card has my old name on it. They told me to just bring the paperwork stating the name change when I need to show proof. What an inconvenience to everyone that changes their name for various reasons.

So just get your drivers license updated. Jesus, don't be so fucking lazy.

That's not the point you idiot R308 and learn to fucking read. My drivers license and the card will have two different names. So when a woman marries and takes her husbands last name she will have to bring along her marriage license or proof of the name change? I should be able to bring the old card and exchange it for a new card with my name change.

I can read, you dumb cunt. Your drivers license should reflect your new name. If you don't want to carry around name change forms, then change your fucking license so you don't have to carry around those papers. You're too stupid to live.

This is the Datalounge where the majority of posters are too stupid to live.

R310, it's a T with a name change. They just mentioned the woman taking a husband's name because they didn't want to say they were T...namely, pushy, entitled MtT type T, of course.

UK is doing well with its vaccination pronouns. It's now given 30m first doses to a population of 68m and is on second doses for those over 80.

Once again R310 you are a fucking idiot. My vaccine card has my name as it is before I change it on my drivers license. Your stupidity is annoying.

Shut the fuck up you idiot R312.

[quote] Once again [R310] you are a fucking idiot. My vaccine card has my name as it is before I change it on my drivers license. Your stupidity is annoying.

No, you DUMB FUCKING CUNT, you're the one who got your vax card with your old name on it, so don't come on here whining and moaning and calling other people idiots. Anyone with Down Syndrome would be able to suss out that they should probably have the name they're going forward with on everything and would have made sure to make that change either before getting vaxxed or find out BEFOREHAND what the protocol was. Now shut the fuck up, we don't care. I hope the fucking 'rona gets you because you really are too stupid to live.

Fauci is saying cases in the US are rising again because the quarantine ended too soon not because the virus is mutating. Birx is being blamed for not speaking out earlier about the former administration's lack of response to contain the infection. Why should she bear the weight of criticism? The CDC was compromised with data pulled from the website and the US was removed from the WHO. None of this was her doing.

States had to bid against one another for supplies including the ventilators and PPE. A comprehensive and coherent federal response was needed to contain the infection. We didn't get it and we are fucked.

Lets remember too, Trump withheld crucial supplies to blue states because he is a fucking moron.

Just dined indoors tonight for the first time in over a year. I've had my first moderna dose two weeks ago and so I'm not as worried as I was about getting the Rona. It was nice and really quiet since the place was only at about 30% capacity.

It is not about you you fucking idiot.

Who are you referring to, r321?

You R322 and R320.

Um, ok, r323. Just sharing that it was nice to be able to finally dine out after spending a year of my life in isolation. I was hoping to let folks know that the vaccine means getting back to normal and that there is hope.

Of course it's not all about me.

Yeah, R315 is definitely a MtT. Didn't like being found out so easily. Thought the bullshit talking about women taking their husband's names would hide it. We see you, moron. You have the wrong hame and the wrong sex on your little card. Sad.

R320 could have done much worse, but it is true that one vaccination doesn't make you impervious to getting the virus or spreading it. That being said, if the venue was that empty, everyone is probably okay. Just keep in mind, R320, we're a long way from being out of the woods- for your own sake, as well as others. But I'll be it was nice to have an hour or so where you felt somewhat normal.

For myself, I'm half vaxxed, but I'm going to keep up my pre-vaccination protocols through my full vaccination and until I see numbers consistently dropping with no new variants popping up. The only thing different I'll be doing is going to a small office a couple days a week where the other two occupants are already fully vaxxed. I'll still be double masked and keeping my distance, though.

I’m in my late thirties in London where the vaccination rate for the first shot is something like 44%. I’ve noticed that an increasing number of older people, mainly guys in their 60s, aren’t bothering with masks in my local stores. It’s still mandatory masking wearing in shops (only essential ones are open) and on public transport. In my mind, they’re saying fuck you, I’m vaccinated and the rest of you can go to hell. Then others see it and think well if he isn’t, why should I? Maybe I’m being paranoid but it would fit with the mindset of the average English man.

248 people hospitalized in health region southeast (Oslo and surrounding areas). New record. The number hasn't been this high since the beginning of the pandemic. Yikes! Lots of young people among those hospitalized due to the new mutations and the elderly are already vaccinated. The third wave is hitting us hard. Everything is closed here except grocery stores and pharmacies.

Hang in there Norwegian. Your updates are scary but informative.

I do wonder if the increasing number of younger people ending up in the hospital will scare their peers into greater compliance with masks and social distancing.

Oh, who am I kidding, of course not. "It will never happen to me!"

India’s second Covid wave undermines herd immunity theory.

Financial Times: Test positivity rates are now doubling every five days in several states. That is faster than the growth rate seen in the UK when the B.1.1.7 variant took off at the end of 2020 and is suggestive of rapid community spread. At the height of the winter surge in London, doubling time was only nine days by comparison.

Scientists are unclear what is driving the increase, particularly after widespread infection last year prompted speculation about whether parts of India were enjoying a degree of herd immunity.

[quote]increasing number of younger people ending up in the hospital

Apropos:

A single dose of Pfizer or Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccines was 80% effective in preventing coronavirus infections, according to a new CDC study of vaccinated health-care workers.

The effectiveness of partial immunization was seen two weeks after the first dose. The health care workers in the study had no previous laboratory documentation of Covid-19 infection.

(I had my first Pfizer shot two weeks ago today - yay!)

CDC Director this morning:

Dr. Birx drops bombshell about US Covid-19 deaths

Get the fucking vaccine. Anyone who doesn’t deserves to die.

anyone with latest info on vaccines (type) vs the variants?

Ugh, I'm going out to buy toilet paper in case there is another wave.

R334 Tell it to our idiot governors all across the nation, R and D.

[quote]I do wonder if the increasing number of younger people ending up in the hospital will scare their peers into greater compliance with masks and social distancing.

While younger people being hospitalized is alarming, I'm wondering if that has more to do with there now being space to admit them. Now that the elderly aren't filling every hospital bed because they are vaccinated, maybe they are hospitalizing younger patients who previously would have been told to stay home and self-care?

[quote]I'm wondering if that has more to do with there now being space to admit them.

"Young people are presenting to hospital and going straight to the intensive care unit with profound, extreme, life threatening oxygen failure," says Dr. Susan Shaw, Saskatchewan Health Authority chief medical officer.

R341, that could still be a combination of there being room along with the fact that the younger people are waiting much longer than old people did to actually go to the hospital because they think they are magic creatures who can't possibly get really sick or die of a deadly illness. We'll have to see what the death numbers eventually show. I know Brazil is showing more deaths of younger people but Brazil is a fucking Covid disaster.

More from CDC Director Rochelle Walensky this morning:

"I'm gonna pause here, I'm gonna lose the script, and I'm gonna reflect on the recurring feeling I have of impending doom. We have so much to look forward to, so much promise & potential of where we are, and so much reason for hope, but right now I'm scared."

Some good news:

Some bad news:

I don't like to click on links, please cut and paste info next time but thank you so much for this thread!

R345's link talks about the horrible Michigan numbers. Remember that as went Michigan in the Fall, so went the rest of the Midwest, followed by the South. I hate these irresponsible, unmasked piece of shit motherfuckers who are causing this.

I see more people double masking but lots of people exercising outdoors (jogging) with warmer weather are not wearing anything. CUNTS!

I would guess you live in a city, yes, R348? I live in rural US, and getting people to wear masks inside (and wear them properly) is a crazy challenge. My county, of course, has had the worst of % in our state, yet we have no vaccines for the under 65 yet. So frustrating, and I live in a good blue state.

[quote]people exercising outdoors (jogging) with warmer weather are not wearing anything

Pics please.

I had an appointment with my oncologist this morning. I sat in the waiting room for 45 minutes. Not very many people were there, and I got the sense that they had forgotten about me. I went up to the front desk again, and sure enough, they looked at me like I had just appeared in a puff of smoke. The last fucking thing I want to be doing is sitting in a doctor's office waiting room for an hour.

I finally got ushered in to see my doctor and he walks in with his mask under his nose. I about hit the roof. I was double masked and gloved, with goggle glasses on. The least he could do is pull his mask up.

r351- he's probably vaccinated, if that gives you any comfort.

I figured he probably got vaxxed, R352, but you never know. My treasured chiropractor, whom I have not seen since November, has not gotten vaxxed and does not intend to. I sent a friend to him (not knowing this, she told me) and she called me after and said- I really like him, but I'm not going back. I don't blame her.

Yeah, appts are hard to come by in nyc and starting tomorrow, over 30 can get vaxxed. So it will be impossible to get an appointment.

Is there more than one version of the vaccine available in the US?

Three so far R355.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says he will issue an executive order forbidding passports in his sate.

Michigan is reaping what they sowed. The idiot citizens there were calling for their governor to be hanged for trying to enforce mask mandates. May they die slow, painful gasping deaths...

... forbidding vaccine passports in his state, that is.

"“It’s completely unacceptable for either the government or the private sector to impose upon you the requirement that you show proof of vaccine to just simply be able to participate in normal society," DeSantis said today.

He’s really bound and determined to kill as many of his citizens as is humanly possible, isn’t he?

President Biden on Monday called on governors and mayors to maintain or reinstate mask-wearing orders, saying that because of “reckless behavior,” the coronavirus was again spreading fast, threatening the progress the nation has made so far against the pandemic.

I truly hope Ron DeSantis suffers for his cruelty and greed.

East Fairmont (West Virginia) High School closes campus due to COVID-19 outbreak

[quote]I truly hope Ron DeSantis suffers for his cruelty and greed.

Unfortunately, my fellow Floridians prefer to reward him for those deplorable traits.

Israel, with 56% of the population vaccinated ≥ 1 dose and 51% w/ 2 doses:

Durisan hand sanitizer recalled over risk of serious infections

A hand-sanitizer maker is recalling a contaminated batch of its product that could cause an infection serious enough to land someone in the hospital.

The bottles of Durisan sanitizer contain two different types of bacteria that could infect someone who uses it by getting into the bloodstream through scrapes or wounds, a Food and Drug Administration notice says.

While no complaints have been reported so far, there’s a risk the infections could grow severe enough to require hospitalization, particularly for people with compromised immune systems, according to the notice published last week.

“Health care professionals who use this contaminated hand sanitizer and tend to an at-risk patient, such as one with cystic fibrosis, could lead to adverse events ranging from a localized infection to lung or bloodstream infections, which could require patient hospitalization,” the notice reads.

Florida-based Durisan manufactured the sanitizer from February through June of last year and distributed it to retailers across the country. The company says consumers who have any on hand should “destroy it immediately.”

The affected product comes in a wide range of packages, from 18-milliliter credit-card-sized containers to one-liter refills for wall-mounted dispensers, the notice says.

Durisan says it discovered the contamination during a routine audit focused on its scale-up in sanitizer production at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The bacteria it found are Burkholderia cepacia complex and Ralstonia pickettii, according to the notice.

Durisan isn’t the only hand-sanitizer firm to grapple with contamination issues. A recent analysis by the online pharmacy and product testing company Valisure found high levels of the cancer-causing chemical benzene in samples from more than a dozen sanitizer brands.

Olivia Troye Says There Should Be A Full Investigation Into Trump Admin. Covid Response | Deadline

R364, If DeSantis kills them all, which he seems to be trying to do, then it doesn't matter what they prefer(ed).

We've talked about mutations and that is another reason why you should get the vaccination. This virus is not going to go away any time soon so the best we can do is lessen the impact it will have on our bodies.

A deep dive inside the efforts NY officials took to prioritize VIPs for covid-19 tests: A list kept separate from the general public’s database. Special treatment for designer Kenneth Cole. Hours vs. days for results. Multiple visits to Chris Cuomo’s home.

COVID research updates: New coronavirus variants spur multi-talented antibody response

That’s bad, right R371?

[quote] This virus is not going to go away any time soon so the best we can do is lessen the impact it will have on our bodies.

No, that is not “the best we can do”. The vaccines prevent infection and spread. They don’t just lessen the impact it has on our bodies. Stop spreading misinformation.

BS R373. I'll listen to the doctors and scientist instead of you.

R374, I take it you completely missed the results of the study published yesterday?

Why are so many DLers either misinformed or lying about the vaccine effectiveness?

The vaccine doesn’t just prevent serious illness and death, it actually prevents infection and spread.

NYT: The Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine is extremely effective in adolescents 12 to 15 years old, perhaps even more so than in adults, the companies reported on Wednesday.

No infections were found among children who received the vaccine in a recent clinical trial, the drug makers said; the children produced strong antibody responses and experienced no serious side effects.

A man had a severe reaction to the J&J shot.

Yes, we know, R378. It’ll be remarkable if that happens at a statistically significant rate.

[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

Wear your mask even though you have been vaxxed! Lots of people are getting covid even after getting 2 shots. Over 100 in WA state.

Vax protects from serious illness and death. You may just get minor symptoms if you get infected.

There is an article of this woman who got infected after going to an indoor wake NOT wearing a mask. she got covid but only stuffy nose and muscle aches.

If you are fully vaccinated and you somehow come down with a breakthrough case, like the LI woman, the vaccine not only reduces severity of the illness to a level that ensures you won’t need hospitalization or die, it always reduces your viral load (obviously) to a level such that you are far less likely to spread the virus. Again: the hysteria about needing to wear a mask once fully vaccinated is not warranted.

From a report out TODAY on this topic (link below) —

Abstract

Beyond their substantial protection of individual vaccinees, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines might reduce viral load in breakthrough infection and thereby further suppress onward transmission. In this analysis of a real-world dataset of positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) test results after inoculation with the BNT162b2 messenger RNA vaccine, we found that the viral load was substantially reduced for infections occurring 12–37 d after the first dose of vaccine. These reduced viral loads hint at a potentially lower infectiousness, further contributing to vaccine effect on virus spread.

[quote] Wear your mask even though you have been vaxxed! Lots of people are getting covid even after getting 2 shots. Over 100 in WA state.

No, “lots” aren’t. These are rare cases. Do you realize how many people have been vaccinated in this country versus how many breakthrough cases there’ve been among fully vaccinated people? You’re just bolstering anti-vax sentiment when you make these characterizations.

Pfizer-BioNTech says Covid vaccine is 100% effective in kids ages 12 to 15

Pfizer said Wednesday its Covid-19 vaccine was 100% effective in a study of adolescents ages 12 to 15, encouraging results that could clear the shots for use in middle school students before school starts this fall.

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said the company plans to submit the new data on the vaccine, which is developed in partnership with German drugmaker BioNTech, to the Food and Drug Administration and other regulators “as soon as possible,” with the hope that kids in the age group will be able to get vaccinated before the next school year.

“We share the urgency to expand the authorization of our vaccine to use in younger populations and are encouraged by the clinical trial data from adolescents between the ages of 12 and 15,” Bourla said in a press release.

The trial enrolled 2,260 participants in the United States. There were 18 confirmed Covid-19 infections observed in the placebo group and no confirmed infections in the group that received the vaccine, the company said. That resulted in a vaccine efficacy of 100%, it said, adding that the shot was also well-tolerated, with side effects generally consistent with those seen in adults.

The company also said the vaccine elicited a “robust” antibody response in children, exceeding those in an earlier trial of 16- to 25-year-olds.

Vaccinating children is crucial to ending the pandemic, public health officials and infectious disease experts say. The nation is unlikely to achieve herd immunity — when enough people in a given community have antibodies against a specific disease — until children can get vaccinated, experts say.

Children make up around 20% of the U.S. population, according to government data. Between 70% and 85% of the U.S. population needs to be vaccinated against Covid to achieve herd immunity, experts say, and some adults may refuse to get the shots.

Dr. Scott Gottlieb, a former commissioner at the FDA and a member of the Pfizer board, said he expects it will take the U.S. agency about a month to review the new data. If the FDA process goes well, the vaccine could be available for children as young as 12 by the fall, he told CNBC’s “Squawk Box.”

Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease specialist who has sat on several data and safety monitoring boards, called the results “wonderful news,” saying it is a “huge step forward” in protecting more people against the virus and making schools safer for kids.

“We’re talking about improving the safety of youth activity like youth sports and youth art and youth extracurricular activities,” he said.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has already been authorized for use in the U.S. in people 16 and older. Clinical trial studies testing the vaccine in kids, whose immune systems can respond differently than adults, still needed to be completed.

The White House’s chief medical advisor, Dr. Anthony Fauci, told a House committee earlier this month that the U.S. could begin vaccinating older kids against Covid this fall while elementary-age children may start getting their shots early next year.

Moderna, which also has a vaccine authorized in the U.S., said on March 16 that it had begun testing its shot in children under age 12. Moderna in December began a study testing kids ages 12 to 17.

Johnson & Johnson plans to test its single-shot vaccine in infants and even in newborns, after testing it first in older children, according to The New York Times.

Pfizer began testing its vaccine in kids as young as 12 in October. It announced last week it started a clinical trial testing its vaccine on healthy 6-month to 11-year-old children.

For the first phase of that trial, the company will identify the preferred dosing level for three groups — ages 6 months to 2 years, 2 to 5, and from 5 through 11. The kids will begin by receiving a 10-microgram dose of the vaccine before progressively moving to higher doses, according to the company. Participants also have the option to take 3-microgram doses.

Bogoch said it is difficult to predict if the vaccine will work as well in young kids as it does in adolescents, though he added he was “optimistic.”

Pfizer said Wednesday it plans to request an amendment to its current emergency use authorization with the FDA to include adolescents 12 to 15 years of age. All participants in the trial will continue to be monitored for an additional two years after their second dose, the company said.

Pfizer and BioNTech said they plan to submit the data for scientific peer review.

I will continue to wear a mask around people who are not fully vaccinated until such time as only the idiot anti-vaxxers are unvaccinated.

The CDC has already said you can visit a household of unvaccinated people, no masks, if you’re fully vaccinated, ElderLez.

No, fully vaccinated people can socialize unmasked, not mixed groups. I am linking the CDC website guidance below.

I do think it is a Pfizer miracle that I didn’t get infected by my wife when she got COVID between shots. But after she got her diagnosis I wore a mask at home for eight days.

ElderLez, read the last paragraph below. It is directly from the CDC link you provided. I’ve linked to it myself on this site several times the past 2 days.

[quote] If you’ve been fully vaccinated:

[quote]You can gather indoors with fully vaccinated people without wearing a mask.

[quote]You can gather indoors with unvaccinated people from one other household (for example, visiting with relatives who all live together) without masks, unless any of those people or anyone they live with has an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

I see what you mean R389,

Sadly, I’ve got old people problems- with the exception of my nieces and nephews there’s no one I’d be visiting with who doesn’t have an increased risk either from age or co-morbidities, so I don’t think I’ll be taking advantage of that only one household loophole any time soon.

R389, we understand that you are fucking obsessed with getting as many people out of masks as possible for some fucking reason. I assume you are also R382 and, if so, you should learn the definition of "maybe" and "hint". I wouldn't trust dumb Americans to understand 'one other household' or follow those rules at all. Numbers are rising quickly across the country, variants abound, Europe is shutting down again, so shove your mask up your ass for all we care but stop with your idiotic obsession with getting other people to not wear their mask based on one sentence from the CDC that follows another sentence that actually applies to more people across the board.

I hear ya, ElderLez. We’ll get there soon enough, though!

R391, that attitude of yours just encourages people to skip getting the vaccine. You’re downplaying its ability to prevent spread. We’ll revisit this topic the next time the CDC relaxes guidelines.

Actually, we can probably revisit it this weekend when Israel further relaxes theirs.

I'm still laughing at the idiot who doesn't understand that 90% effective means you have a 10% chance of catching it if you are exposed.

Wear the mask until the majority of people are vaccinated. 80% of the population vaccinated is when we can probably stop wearing them. Until then, even those fully vaccinated need to wear one if around people who are not.

Careful, R394, you'll wake up the nutter who will INSIST that it will only bring about a case a mild Covid if you get it, not understanding that there are many of us who DO NOT WANT THIS VIRUS IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM.

[quote] 80% of the population vaccinated is when we can probably stop wearing them.

There will never be 80% vaccinated. So restrictions will be lifted before that, sooner than you think.

90% effective means 90% less likely than people who got the the placebo. It would only mean a 10% chance of getting it if everyone in the placebo group gets it.

Let’s say there are 100 people in the placebo group and 100 in the vaccine group. Now let’s say 20 people in the placebo group get it, 90% effective would mean 2 people get it.

2 people in the vaccine group get it.

Thank you, ElderLez.

I’m still laughing at R394, who doesn’t understand the data.

ElderLez, your calm and informed posts are always a joy to read.

Coronavirus Update New York City: NYC could be 'completely out of this within 6 to 8 weeks': Health official

Story in link below.

Israel is probably about 5-6 weeks ahead of NYC. They have nightclubs open. Their cases have plummeted from ~1000 per million in January to 40 per million today, and case numbers are still dropping.

I finally got an appointment for this Saturday, after Cali opens up to 50 and over. However, I noticed that it said "Early Educators" when I got the confirmation. Myturn.ca.gov doesn't filter that out when it's making an appointment for you. I'm still keeping it, dammit.

I’m surprised CA is so far behind NY. What ever happened to California doing everything first?

Millions of Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine doses ruined by mistake: report

Future shipments of Johnson & Johnson’s coronavirus vaccine have been halted in the US after a mistake at a manufacturing plant ruined 15 million doses and raised questions about quality control, according to a report on Wednesday.

The workers at Emergent BioSolutions’ Baltimore plant mixed up the ingredients for J&J’s single-dose vaccine and another COVID-19 inoculation being produced there several weeks ago, The New York Times reported.

The error doesn’t affect J&J doses currently being delivered and used nationwide, as those were produced in the Netherlands, the report said.

However, it has caused ten of millions of doses that were going to come from the Baltimore factory — and were to be delivered within the next month — to be put into question, according to the Times.

The Food and Drug Administration in investigating the mixup, which federal officials have attributed to human error, the report said.

Meanwhile, J&J is said to be taking steps to tighten its control over Emergent BioSolutions’ work to avoid future lapses in quality. The biopharmaceutical company is a manufacturing partner of both J&J and AstraZeneca.

Federal officials still expect to have enough doses to meet President Biden’s goal of having enough vaccine for every US adult by the end of May.

The other two vaccines approved by the feds, from Pfizer and Moderna, are continuing to be delivered as expected.

Thanks R399 and R400. If you have time here is an informative video about vaccines featuring Dr. Miriam Merad. I think she has a fabulous accent which makes it a more pleasant listening experience then the average video.

Well, well, well, looks like there may not be enough doses for everyone by May.

Thanks J&J

France announces 3-week school closure, domestic travel ban

In a televised address to the nation, Macron said efforts are needed as “the epidemic is accelerating.”

“We’re going to close nursery, elementary and high schools for three weeks,” he said, adding that a nationwide 7 p.m.- 6 a.m. curfew will be kept in place.

“If we stay united in the coming weeks … then we will see light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.

Macron said restrictions already applying in the Paris region and others parts of north and eastern France will be extended to the whole country, for at least one month. Under these restrictions, people are allowed to go outside for leisure, but within a 10-kilometer (6 miles) radius from their homes — and without gathering. Also most non-essential shops are closed down.

The move is a departure from the government’s policy in recent months, which has focused on regionalized restrictions. School closures in particular had been seen as a very last resort.

A debate is scheduled in parliament Thursday that will address the virus situation and the new measures.

“The key factor in our decision-making remains the situation in hospitals,” government spokesman Gabriel Attal said Wednesday after Macron hosted his weekly coronavirus strategy meeting and a Cabinet meeting.

After Paris hospital officials warned they would have to start refusing needy patients for lack of space, he said, “One thing is clear: France will not refuse care for any sick patients. Choosing patients is not an option.”

Previous nationwide lockdowns in March and October 2020 were announced by Macron in televised speeches.

The total number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care in France surged past 5,000 on Tuesday, the first time in 11 months that the figure has been that high. Macron on Wednesday said numbers of hospital ICU beds will be increased “in the coming days” from the current 7,000 to 10,000.

After an overnight shift at an ICU in the northern French city of Amiens, Dr. Pauline Caillard described growing numbers of patients and mounting strain on medical staff.

“It is moving very fast,” she said. “I hope we do not have to make choices” between patients.

The renewed surge of infections has led to growing questions about Macron’s virus strategies. With presidential elections scheduled for 2022, Macron is having to weigh both political and health considerations.

An overnight nationwide curfew has been in place since January and all France’s restaurants, bars, gyms, cinemas and museums have been closed since October.

Trial of Moderna’s variant-specific Covid-19 vaccine has begun, US health institute says

From CNN’s Virginia Langmaid

The clinical trial for Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine designed to protect against the B.1.351 variant, first identified in South Africa, has begun, the US National Institutes of Health said Wednesday.

First shots have been administered as part of Phase 1 of the trial that is taking place in the Atlanta, Cincinnati, Nashville, and Seattle areas.

The trial aims to enroll around 210 participants.

According to Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, current available vaccines should be “adequate” against the variant, but NIAID is continuing its work with Moderna on this trial “out of an abundance of caution.”

The variant-specific vaccine is also an mRNA vaccine that targets spike proteins, like Moderna’s original vaccine, but the targeting takes into account the mutations that distinguish the B.1.351 variant.

The trial will be enrolling people who have already received Moderna’s initial vaccine as well as people who are so far unvaccinated. Participants will be split into eight different vaccine cohorts that will test different dosages and combinations. Some participants will receive only the variant-specific vaccine or the general vaccine, while some will be testing a combination regimen of the two.

Delta will resume selling middle seats on May 1 as US travel industry retires many pandemic-era practices

From CNN’s Pete Muntean

Delta Air Lines says it will offer for sale every seat on its flights starting May 1. The new announcement marks the end of pandemic-era social distancing precautions on board major US airlines. Delta was the last major carrier to cap capacity on its flights.

In a statement, Delta says it feels empowered to officially end its policy because of more people getting vaccinated against coronavirus.

Delta CEO Ed Bastian said 65% of those who flew on the airline in 2019 anticipate having at least dose of the vaccine by May 1.

Other major US airlines that had blocked middle seats have already done away with the practice:

Southwest Airlines ended it last December, ahead of the winter holiday travel season.

JetBlue Airways began expanding capacity last December and was fully selling its cabins by January.

American Airlines lifted capacity limits last summer, and United Airlines did not set capacity limits.

The announcement means the airline will let the policy expire on April 30 as scheduled. It had previously repeatedly extended the policy for months-long increments during the pandemic.

r403,

California: Number of people fully vaccinated: 6,228,491 Population: 39,368,078 Percentage of population fully vaccinated: 15.82

New York: Number of people fully vaccinated: 3,158,458 Population: 19,336,776 Percentage of population fully vaccinated: 16.33

Italy has been quarantined until Easter. It's a mess. This fucking virus has fucked with lives and livelihoods.

There will long lasting economic consequences.

will xmas be cancelled this year as well?

Thank you, R410.

Despite all the deplorables asking for Newsome to be recalled, California is truly doing phenomenal in all this. We still have mask mandates both inside and out and in Los Angeles are cases went from in the thousands per day down to just hundreds. I think Newsome's caution has paid off however, this weekend is Easter so I'm sure our numbers will dip back up after but I doubt there will be any further lockdowns here.

There will be no further lockdowns anywhere, because governors no longer have the stomach for it. Michigan is a disaster but Gov. Whitmer, who has been doing a really good job with the pandemic up to this point, has completely abdicated her leadership and bully pulpit on the issue.

Cross post: I have to fly to see a very sick parent cross country beginning of May. If I have my second Covid vaccine 11 days before, how much danger of infection do you think I’m dealing with? I’ll have Moderna vaccine, I plan to double mask.

I think you'll be fine as long as you make sure you stay masked through the trip and observe all protocols.

Thank you for easing my anxiety r417, I'm such a stress puppy.

I totally understand. I, myself, am afraid to fly until things get a whole lot better, but I also am a recent cancer survivor and my immune system is a little wonky, so I probably trump your stress level. But your trip sounds necessary and I would do the same if I were in your shoes.

I can tell you that a friend of mine and her husband flew from LA to NC last month and traveled all over, as they were looking to move there. My friend is very prepared and takes this very seriously, and she made sure she and her husband took every precaution, even if he argued some of the time. They had to stay in hotels and rent a car as well as fly RT, so she had a lot to contend with. Both are fine and did not get sick.

"Pfizer, BioNTech Say Covid-19 Vaccine Protects for Six Months"

"The Covid-19 vaccine from Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE is highly effective at protecting against symptomatic Covid-19 up to six months after the second dose, the companies said.

The findings, released Thursday, emerged from a continuing review of how volunteers in the shot’s late-stage trial were faring.

The further analysis suggested the vaccine worked effectively against a variant first identified in South Africa, Pfizer and BioNTech said. And the companies said they haven’t found serious safety concerns so far.

“It is an important step to further confirm the strong efficacy and good safety data we have seen so far, especially in a longer-term follow-up,” said BioNTech Chief Executive Ugur Sahin.

Pfizer Chief Executive Albert Bourla said the additional results provide “further confidence in our vaccine’s overall effectiveness.”

The companies said they now expect to file for full approval of the vaccine in the U.S. as early as this month. It’s been cleared for use so far on an emergency basis.

The vaccine was the first authorized in the West last year, after the late-stage, or Phase 3, trial found it was 95% effective at preventing Covid-19 with symptoms and was generally safe.

In the U.S., the vaccine is cleared for use in people age 16 and older.

The shot has now become a key cog in global vaccination efforts. The companies have distributed more than 200 million doses globally and plan to produce 2.5 billion doses this year.

On Wednesday, the companies said the vaccine was 100% effective in children ages 12 to 15, results that could lead to the vaccine’s U.S. authorization for use in adolescents in May.

The vaccine uses a new gene-based technology, named messenger RNA after the molecules that carry genetic instructions to cells to make proteins. Production of the proteins trains the immune system to recognize the coronavirus and fight it.

The new analysis looked at the vaccine’s performance in 46,307 people who enrolled in the Phase 3 trial, starting in July.

Of the 927 cases of symptomatic Covid-19 observed through March 13, 850 were in people who received a placebo and 77 in people who were vaccinated, according to the companies.

That corresponds to a vaccine efficacy of 91.3% up to six months after getting the second dose, Pfizer and BioNTech said.

The protection remained generally consistent across age, gender, race and ethnicity, as well as among individuals with underlying health conditions, the companies said.

The vaccine was also 95% to 100% effective against severe disease, with the precise figure depending on whether researchers used a definition of severe disease from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or one from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Some 800 trial subjects were enrolled in South Africa, where a more contagious variant of the virus was first identified. Among those volunteers, there were nine cases of Covid-19, all in people who got a placebo. Sequencing confirmed six of the nine cases were of the variant.

The findings, the companies said, support earlier analyses that have shown the vaccine generated a slightly lower immune response against the variant than the more common strain circulating in the U.S., but was still effective at neutralizing the variant virus.

Of the 697 cases of symptomatic Covid-19 among study subjects in the U.S., 647 were in people who received a placebo, with the rest in vaccinated subjects, indicating 92.6% efficacy, according to the companies.

The companies plan to continue to monitor study subjects for two years."

Since we don't know how long the vaccine protects us this is why those of us are still saying you should wear your mask.

r416, wear glasses- it'll prevent you from touching your eyes with your hands.

For those who are interested in the evolution of the virus, and have an hour to spare, this video is a great overview.

I can't find anywhere to get vaccinated in NJ. I've tried all the usual places. I'm not eligible yet (over 55 but under 60) and NJ is opening eligibility on April 5th to my age bracket. My sister is over 65 and can't find appointments either. At this rate, I'm not sure I'll get a vaccine before Summer begins!

R423, here´s a pro tip. When bookings are made available to your age bracket, it may be VERY hard for you to find an appointment. One way around this, is to make an appointment at CVS, Walgreens, etc BEFORE April 5th, for a shot to be given AFTER April 5th. So go online, say tomorrow, click on the option where you would indicate that you have a health condition and make your appointment for April 5 or as soon thereafter as possible. When you show up for your shot in 5 days, you will not need to show a doctor´s note because you will be legally eligible. Worked for me.

[quote] [R416], wear glasses- it'll prevent you from touching your eyes with your hands.

Ocular transmission of this virus doesn’t happen. A report just came out this week or last that confirms it.

R424 is right I did this in CT no one questioned me upon arrival at CVS.

Another tip. On the CVS site go through the state of Alabama select schedule a vaccine, answer the screeners, when you choose a location pick your own state. When it asks if you are eligible put your real age but select the Over 55 (or whatever it is in your state) then proceed. CVS loads up appts for the next week every night at MIDNIGHT, stay up and get 'er done.

Why don't they report covid cases and death in percentages?

US: Population (2021): 331.42M Cases: 30,5M Death: 552K Cases / Population: ~9.20% Death / Population: ~0.167% Death / Cases: ~1.81%

UK: Population (2021): 67.61 million Cases: 4,35M Death: 127K Cases / Population: ~6.43% Death / Population: ~0.19% Death / Cases: ~2.92%

Brazil: Population (2021): 212.78 million Cases: 12,7M Death: 322K Cases / Population: ~5.97% Death / Population: ~0.15% Death / Cases: ~2.54%

Sweden: Population (2021): 10,146,130 Cases: 805K Death: 13.465 Cases / Population: ~7.93% Death / Population: ~0.13% Death / Cases: ~1.67%

France: Population (2021): 65,381,564 Cases: 4,64M Death: 95.667 Cases / Population: ~7.097% Death / Population: ~0.15% Death / Cases: ~2.06%

Germany: Population (2021): 83,984,285 Cases: 2,84M Death: 76.589 Cases / Population: ~3.38% Death / Population: ~0.09% Death / Cases: ~2.70%

Denmark: Population (2021): 5,807,398 Cases: 231K Death: 2.419 Cases / Population: ~3.98% Death / Population: ~0.042% Death / Cases: ~1.05%

The fear of dying from Covid is hysterical.

Could the data be affected by how it's reported, R427?

For example, why would the US have a lower death per # of cases than the UK, France or Germany? We're a lot fatter, especially than the latter two - likely more comorbidities such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

OTOH, maybe it's the higher prevalence of the more virulent British (and/or South African) strains?

[quote]Why don't they report covid cases and death in percentages?

Do you also go around demanding that the world report war, famine and natural disaster casualties as a percentage?

r427 tell my friend who died, gasping for breath on a ventilator how "hysterical" you think his death was.

Fuck off.

People die every day, R431. Yes, it’s tragic, and I’m very sorry about your friend, but that person’s point was:

[quote] Death / Population: ~0.167% Death / Cases: ~1.81%

It’s killed 0.167% of the US population. And of the number of cases of COVID-19 in the US, only 1.81% of those infections result in death. I’m personally surprised it’s that low.

It also primarily kills the elderly and obese, which you wouldn’t know if you just heard about all the young people it killed—which were the deaths that got a disproportionate amount of media attention.

Seriously if you think an infectious disease with an R0 of 2.5 (wild type, higher with the variants of concern) and a mortality of close to 2% of the people it infects (but hey fat people) is no biggie, well bless your heart.

r425, one can get the garden variety cold and flus (they're also corona viruses...virusi?) through ocular transmission, why would it be any different with this more deadlier one? Eyes are mucous membranes too.

Around the globe:

Chile will close its borders for the month of April to fight against its worst coronavirus outbreak to date. This, despite ranking third in the world on a per capita basis for vaccinating its citizens.

Turkey today reported 40,806 new cases, representing the biggest one-day increase on record.

India reports 81,398 new coronavirus cases, the biggest one-day increase since October 1.

Daily cases in Poland reached a record high today.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is expected to announce partial lockdown for at least 28 days.

Sao Paulo, Brazil has surpassed its 2021 peak caseload and hospitals are so overwhelmed, patients are dying before they can get a bed. Bodies are being buried 24 hours a day to free up morgue space.

R434, Researchers think it’s because tears wash the virus away before it can really set up shop in the eye or move to the nasal membranes.

It’s really only possible in a medical setting, which is why medical professionals are advised to wear eye protection but the general public is not.

The covid data for India.

Covid data for Poland.

If you do the simple calculations you will find the chance of surving covid is way over 90% in all countries. But I guess reporting this survival rate does not increase and maintain fear in the general population.

Had my first Astra Z vaccination last Tuesday. Zero side effects, not even a sore arm. Would recommend.

The UK has beaten it back. Deaths have been in double figures for weeks now after peaking at 1600 per day in January. Cases have fallen from 60k per day to 4k and dropping further every week.

R437 The number of deaths across India is likely to be substantially higher than what is being reported.

Another article examining why it is difficult to get a true picture of Covid's impact in India.

80 percent of India's raw sewage, including the diseases it carries goes untreated into the lakes and rivers --- and that is the drinking water for the majority. Only India's wealthy have access to any quality of healthcare.

India is a shithole...literally.

Yes, r429 and r429 The SA and especially the UK variant have spread aggressively in the EU countries.

The percentage calculations in r427 are very simplified. The calculations have not been adjusted for comorbidities (eg. age, bmi, diabetes, yes=smoking). If these had been included the death rate due to covid would be much lower.

The interesting data are the ones between the neighboring countries, Denmark and Sweden. Both countries have very similar cultures and people. However, Denmark has had a strict lockdown while Sweden has been open. If you look at the number of death/cases, SK = ~1.67% while DK = ~1.05%. Sweden had ~0.62% more death/cases. If you compare Sweden with France who's had a very strict lockdown, Sweden had ~0.39% fewer death/cases compared to France.

Why won't the EU just vaccinate everyone instead of going into another surge and hard lockdown. If they don't like AZ for political reasons, why can they get one of the other 3 options? It doesn't make any sense, especially small countries to not get everyone in Italy vaccinated.

What do you suppose accounts for the unexpected disparity between France’s deaths/cases and Sweden’s?

[quote]The percentage calculations in [R427] are very simplified. The calculations have not been adjusted for comorbidities (eg. age, bmi, diabetes, yes=smoking). If these had been included the death rate due to covid would be much lower.

Death is a binary state, moron. Old, fat, diabetic people and smokers who were alive and are now dead from having covid are still fucking dead, whether people like you care or not. You really are fucking ignorant.

[quote]The fear of dying from Covid is hysterical.

Unless [bold]YOU'RE[/bold] the one dying or it's [bold]YOUR[/bold] loved one unnecessarily dying R427 right?

I'll bet you'd be the first one screeching and shrieking if Covid-19 affected you directly. But as long as it's someone else's loved one then just fuck them right R427?

R443 I've send some figures comparing death rates for 2020 (worldwide) compared to the average 5 years prior and they are way over the 'offical' COVID deaths for 2020.

It will eventually come out but things are so chaotic in most countries.

Nature will control populations one way or another. Covid was just a warning shot. The real population clearing event is yet to come.

Way more people in the USA die of cancer (Death: n=612,390 | Cases: 2281658) with a fatality rate of ~26.84% than they do of COVID (Death: n=552K | Cases: 30,5M), fatality rate of ~1.81%.

The current life expectancy for the U.S. in 2021 is 78.99 years, a 0.08% increase from 2020. Most people who died from covid were age 80+ people with comorbidities. The NYT had a front cover listing the names and age of people who have died of covid. Most of them were over 80 and many over 90 and no it is not a tragedy when a 80+ person dies - it is expected. As for the younger ones. So far there has been 1 death every 1,166 people under the age of 65. And 89% of the times, the person who died had one or more underlying medical conditions (eg. diabetes, high bmi, smoker, addiction, etc.).

But there's long covid - and also if this thing runs rampant, it could mutate into a much more deadly variant. It's already got worse in a few places.

Measles, mumps, hep A - lots of things we routinely vaccinate against are not that deadly.

Further to what R573 has written. Read, watch, weep......

Long COVID has even been explored in most countries because they are trying to stay on top of the people recently infected and ill with COVID. Australia is not in this position so more research has been done in relation to long COVID and it ain't pretty.

... and how about the long-term effects of cancer and its treatment (chronic fatigue, sexual difficulties, early menopause, infertility, neuropathy, cognitive dysfunction, mental health problems, chronic pain, cavities and tooth decay, heart and vascular problems, hypothyroidism - just to mention a few)?

I’m just going to drop this right here.

r453 there are many other illnesses that are far more fatal than Covid-19 cancer being one and also various lethal infectious diseases that are killing and have been killing children for decades worldwide.

R453 Measles used to kill a lot of children

r449 LOL I've been infected with COVID-19. I was out of the loop for almost two weeks. I noticed I got it when I couldn't smell the tin of mackerel I had opened. My symptoms apart from the loss of smell were headaches and aches. After a month I got my sense of smell back. I am in my 40's and a little bit overweight. According to the Death Prophets, I should've been deadly sick with the covid infection. I wasn't.

r459, no one said YOU would be deathly ill. They have warned all along that the danger was not to people in relatively good health, but people with comorbidities...which means other conditions that could kill them. A lot of people were like you...they got sick but got better. But some people who died were younger and didn't even know they had a comorbidity until it was too late. That could have been you, but it wasn't. You should be fucking grateful. Again, it's not about you.

r447 My guess is different cultures. The Swedes are more reserve and only hug and kiss close friends and relatives. A Swede's social circle is usually very small. Also if their government tells them to wash their hands and keep their distance, the Swedes will obey. The French are more like anarchists. They will not always listen to recommendations from authorities. The French are also more touchy-feely with strangers. and their social circle is usually much larger than an average Swede. The Swedes are also more healthy than the French, who are (generally speaking) heavy smokers, the Swedes are not.

r460 once again. If you live in the USA your chances of recovering from COVID-19 is over 95%. People's fear of dying from COVID is ridiculously hysterical. I am more worried about the long-term effects of the mental healths of people being forced to live in isolation due to the death prophecies of people who have an unhealthy relationship to death.

Nobody believes a word you say R459. Not a word.

You're specifically here to continue the politicization of Covid-19 and the anti-lockdown/masking wearing measures which are the only weapons humans have to halt and put an end to virus transmission - the pandemic. You pretend to be deeply and horribly concerned about mental health and domestic violence and general freedoms and wring your hands about how hard done by everyone is. You're here to spew propaganda about how the economy will be ruined and how it should be chosen over human health because it's more important. You're here to muddy the waters so that no-one knows what to believe - least of all the actual facts.

You're full of shit.

I wonder what has the trolls so spooked that they are back in force?

Anyway if people are up for a controversial political topic let me suggest the Russian vs. Chinese vaccines. They have a lot in common having been introduced unethically without proper testing by authoritarian governments. Miraculously the Russian vaccine is actually pretty awesome. The Chinese vaccine is just good enough, the crappiest of all the vaccines in use so far. Yet, oddly the Chinese vaccine seems to me to have had more success finding global markets. Why is that? Are the Russians really viewed as so evil and incompetent that people all over the world would prefer the less effective Chinese option?

Thoughts?

More lockdowns are coming into effect all over the globe R464 and things are about to get bad in the US again which will equal more lockdowns.

That's what has these Ayn Rand devotees spooked.

[quote] According to the Death Prophets, I should've been deadly sick with the covid infection. I wasn't.

There's always hope, you bloated cunt.

do you reckon xmas will be cancelled as well this year?

r463 you're the one who is full of shit and are clearly led by your irrational emotions. I have shown you numbers on the fatality rates of COVID-19. Those numbers are facts and can be found in COVID databases. I am by no means an anti-masker or anti-covid. You on the other hand very clearly seem like an anti-science and anti-facts COVIDIOT with absolutely no rationality. I have not mentioned anything about domestic violence, even though that is definitely a thing to worry about, especially when it comes to children's physical and mental health. It is heartbreaking to think about the children being forced to stay at home in a dysfunctional family with one or two abusive parents. Is it fair to sacrifice these children's well-being or the mental and physical health of young people?

You should seek professional help to deal with your irrational fear of a virus of which if people get infected the survival rate is way above 90%. I've actually met people like you in real life. One person, a middle-aged woman with type-2 diabetes, went into a meltdown when she found out that my country was about to partly lift the restrictions. In her twisted mind, she would prefer to continue the lockdown despite the extremely low incident and fatality rate. All she cares about is her own situation. She doesn't give a shit about people losing their livelihood or other people's mental health. She doesn't care about young people who have lost a whole year of their lives. I suspect you're the same type of immoral person. But hey..... [bold][italic]Why suffer alone, when you can have other people suffer with you, right?[/italic][/bold]

As I wrote. Seek help for your irrational fear of death and illness. You only have one life and it is sad to waste it by living a life engulfed with so much fear. Good luck.

Why are there pro-covid psychos here?

[quote]I have not mentioned anything about domestic violence, even though that is definitely a thing to worry about

Far fewer people were killed in domestic violence incidents worldwide last year than died from COVID, so in your twisted mentality we shouldn't worry about domestic violence, either.

To be fair to R468 domestic violence rates are extraordinarily high in Russia conspired to normal countries because of all the alcoholism, which is somewhat protective against viral diseases. We have to consider local context.

Darn spellcheck changing compared to conspired. Dear spellcheck not everything related to Russia is a conspiracy.

r470 Good grief you truly are not very bright. Most children who experience domestic violence don't seek help because they are after all loyal to their parents. Child abuse is often discovered by teachers or health professionals in schools and child care facilities. Closures of schools and child care facilities have lowered the incidents and this is very worrying. COVID and people/children confined to their homes have not magically removed or reduced domestic violence. JFC! #Idiot

No fourth wave, according to Dr. Fauci

[quote]Good grief you truly are not very bright.

And yet you have not disproved anything I said.

R415, I think the genie is unfortunately out of the bottle in Michigan. Once things started opening again, it'll be hard to get people to listen if restrictions are put back.

I agree, I think she's done a great job, but once she lost her executive order power back in October (thanks to state GOP), cases shot up and haven't come back down.

Meanwhile 2 people in my family, and their partners who might as well be spouses, have been diagnosed with Covid over the past couple of weeks. Fortunately, nobody has been hospitalized yet.

Also, I think that Michigan should do another 2-week 'pause to flatten the curve' while more people get vaccinated. It won't happen though.

I think Whitmer is relying on the vaccines to bring the cases down, as opposed to re-establishing the restrictions.

[quote]I think Whitmer is relying on the vaccines to bring the cases down, as opposed to re-establishing the restrictions.

She absolutely is, but the weird thing is she's not even using her bully pulpit anymore to highlight the issue and urge state residents to follow precautions. She did a press conference every other week since the start of the pandemic, but she hasn't done one in over a month, even as the virus has been surging.

[quote]But hey..... Why suffer alone, when you can have other people suffer with you, right?

Or in your hermetic little world, why pay any attention to suffering at all when I am not suffering?

I really hope there is an extremely rare condition from Covid, which appears a decade or two down the line, and that the assholes on this thread are the examples. Like chicken pox/shingles, but Covid's is anal incontinence and incurable erectile dysfunction. Or, if you're female, I hope it seals shut.

If the 1918 flu is any indication, R480, children born during this pandemic will grow up shorter, dumber and unhealthier, and people who survived their covid infection face, in addition to long-haul symptoms, an elevated risk of cardiac disorders, pulmonary issues and early-onset Parkinson's disease.

[quote]I've actually met people like you in real life. One person, a middle-aged woman with type-2 diabetes, went into a meltdown when she found out that my country was about to partly lift the restrictions.

You're a pretty stupid troll, narcissist troll. Hm. Wonder which unnamed country "my country" is? Would love to see what the Covid stats are in "my country" right about now.

r482 My country is Denmark - a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe.

Below is a link. You are welcome I know you guys are too uneducated and too uninformed to have ever heard of the monarchy Denmark.

This is what happens when a right wing Covid denier runs the country.

R468 = Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah...

r485 That is [italic]exactly[/italic] the kind of response one would expect from an exceptionally uninformed, facts-denier, innumerate idiot. Well, done. 👏

R478 that’s because Democrats have shifted to a pro-vaccine message. We can’t force people to close down anymore but we can focus on protecting ourselves from the anti-vaccinators. This helps both sides reach out mutual goal of fully opening up society.

Hopefully, with so many of the older people now safely protected with their vaccination, all the new illness, hospitalization, and death will be restricted to the moron contingent of society who are voluntarily getting themselves infected.

Why would someone compare covid to cancer. Cancer is not a contagious disease.

The CDC announced on Friday that people who are fully vaccinated can travel within the US with a low risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus. The new guidance recommends that travelers continue to wear masks and socially distance, and advises that fully vaccinated travelers entering the US from overseas continue to test for infection.

The CDC director is horrible. They announced that vaccinated people can travel but she immediately says that non essential travel, even amongst vaccinated people, is strongly discouraged. So which is it?

R491...is it black or is it white? There is no grey! The answer is that it is both. You can but you shouldn't unless completely necessary.

R488, that’s what’s happening in Brazil now, a lot of cases are young people now because they won’t stay home. And Brazil is probably also a good example of why discouraging people from traveling is a good idea.

Some other countries aren’t doing as well as we are, and people can go there and bring back yet another variant. Brazil’s government strongly discourages mask wearing and vaccines, and they’re getting decimated. It’s so bad, a lot of women are miscarrying because they have Covid, and funeral homes are overwhelmed.

Largest P.1 outbreak outside Brazil forces a British Columbia ski resort to shut down and is rapidly spreading, sending more young people to the hospital.

Dr. Osterholm: Clearly We Are In Another Surge Of Virus Cases | Morning Joe | MSNBC

Tom Nichols responds to R491:

CDC: "You *can* travel if you're vaccinated, and we're okay with lifting that restriction, but we don't *recommend* it just yet and kind of wish you'd give it a bit more time during this surge of cases."

The Usual Suspects: "See, they have no idea what they're talking about."

Basically, the first version of every CDC revision is aimed at adults. The walkbacks and caveats come when they realize that the rest of the overgrown toddlers have no sense of prudence or judiciousness.

My Brazilian flatmate returned home back in November due to lack of work. I think she is regretting it now as she can't find a job there either and is worried about the pandemic being out of control. Yesterday over 3700 people died of covid in Brazil whereas here in the UK it was just 51. She is a real fan of Bolsonaro's too, refused to believe anything the media said about the infection and death rates in Brazil, blamed it all on her president's enemies, the Chinese, the communists etc etc. Now that she is actually there in the centre of the shitstorm, she is beginning to change her tune.

[quote]I have shown you numbers on the fatality rates of COVID-19.

And that's how I know you're a covidiot. Over and over again they come here and rant about how few people are dying and that we're overreacting. Do they discuss the high rate of hospitalization? Do they discuss the people whose surgery had to be put off because the hospitals were so full of covid patients? Do they mention the overwhelmed ICUs? Do they mention the exhausted health care workers? Do they mention the exhausted health care workers begging us to wear masks and take other precautions?

No, they just want to discuss the death rates, as though that were the only thing that mattered.

And as though the death rates aren’t as low as they are because of the mask wearing and closures and working from home, as if those numbers wouldn’t change if we all rushed out to socialize maskless and unvaccinated.

California will allow indoor concerts, theater performances, other private gatherings starting April 15.

To attend, people will have to either be tested or show proof of full vaccination. How many people can attend gatherings will depend on the level of restrictions in place at each county.

The troll on here crowing about how he got covid and was fine after does not even comprehend that he might have long term health effects that could indeed kill him. A friend's brother was in his 40's, caught covid and was recovering in his second week after being sick. He was finally starting to feel 100% and they found him dead in his bed from a heart attack that was triggered by his having Covid.

My brother had it and now they are seeing scaring on his lungs months after he had it. So yeah, you might not die immediately after catching it, but it fucks with the health of those who survived. So sorry that you will likely suffer long term issues, troll boy.

God, that stupid CDC announcement was so fucking irresponsible. Why would the CDC say masks are *recommended* when all the airlines are making them mandatory? All that's going to do is cause more arguments from dumb ass deplorables fighting for their freedumb. How are airlines supposed to enforce this now, when the CDC can't even back them up? And this whole announcement was made in order to stimulate the air travel business in the first place. Fucking MORONS.

r498 The failed health care systems in countries like Brazil and Italy are to blame for surgeries and treatments of other illnesses being put off.

r501. Nope most healthy people who contracted covid do not suffer long-term effects of COVID-19. Some people who contracted covid develop medical complications that may have lasting health effects but these are usually obese or old people with already compromised immune systems. So I understand why some of you fatties are worried about getting covid.

r448 You clearly don't understand the basic concept of statistical analysis. Did you even manage to pass high school or was that also just too difficult to manage?

Just curious, What kind of mutation would the virus have to undergo for it to be vaccine resistant?

R506, something that changes the spike protein to the extent that the shape and/or chemical makeup of it no longer matches the spikes produced by the vaccine to enough of an extent to be recognizable by your immune system.

R505, nothing to do with statistics. Are you arguing that death is not a binary state? I was pointing out that you are an immoral piece of shit that doesn't care about any of the people who died. You, like the usual idiot trolls, will change your tune when something happens to you or a loved one..if you have any.

I think people who aren’t American (you may call them “un-American” if you wish) don’t understand why we’re so fat and unhealthy and defensive about being fat and unhealthy. That’s where this bitter divide is coming from.

One of the "fat, unhealthy" guys who suffered terribly before finally succumbing to the disease.

CNN: Ontario announced a province-wide “emergency brake” shutdown beginning this weekend as Canada’s most populous province struggles to cope with a surge in ICU admissions that provincial leaders said they feared was fueled by rapidly spreading coronavirus variants.

While retail shops and mails can remain open at limited capacity, there will be no indoor or outdoor dining in Ontario, and all personal care and fitness facilities will be closed. Indoor social gatherings are prohibited and outdoor gatherings will be limited to five people.

r504 You must have traveled into the future. Good to know that since Covid has only been around 2019, you're assured that there are no lingering long-term effects from Covid among the "healthy" who were infected

The vaccines apparently have been successful in treating the symptoms of COVID long-haulers.

Some long-haulers, R512, they haven’t had any benefit for others.

I hope the vaccine helps my sister. She was diagnosed in early December and went back to work in the beginning of March. After a month, she's had to go back on medical leave as due to continuing pain she can't do her job.

[quote]The troll on here crowing about how he got covid and was fine after does not even comprehend that he might have long term health effects that could indeed kill him

That's because he never had it R501. He's lying. He's a troll.

How embarrassing for Canada. Hope you don’t have elections coming up because even I’d be ready to toss out your PM and the limited majority. What is Canada doing?

R514, I hope so too. When can she get the vaccine?

More Americans Died In 2020 Than Any Previous Year By A Long Way

R423 here. Thank you to all the posters who offered suggestions to book an appointment.

On Friday, I was looking on goodrx for open appointments in my area. Walgreens had a lot of appointments open. My sister, who is over 65, made an appointment. She got her 1st Pfizer injection yesterday. I'm 55+ and, in NJ, became eligible as of today, April 5th. I made an appointment for tomorrow morning. We both have confirmed appointments for our second shots as well.

CNN: The CDC today announced new guidelines for cleaning surfaces to protect against Covid-19.

Science has shown that people can get infected via contaminated surfaces, but the risk is low. Regular cleaning of these surfaces with soap or detergent works. Disinfection is not necessary.

“Disinfection is only recommended in indoor settings, schools and homes where there has been a suspected or confirmed case of Covid-19, within the last 24 hours,” said CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky.

[quote]Over and over again (covidiots) come here and rant about how few people are dying and that we're overreacting. Do they discuss the high rate of hospitalization? Do they discuss the people whose surgery had to be put off because the hospitals were so full of covid patients? Do they mention the overwhelmed ICUs? Do they mention the exhausted health care workers? Do they mention the exhausted health care workers begging us to wear masks and take other precautions?

Something else they don't mention, per CNN:

A new model estimates that 37,300 to 43,000 U.S. children aged 0-17 years have lost a parent to Covid-19.

Of course, that means nothing to the R504s of the world.

The CDC references an Australian case in which an infected choir member infected 12 other church members up to 49 feet away, suggesting airborne transmission:

Someone still needs to "suggest" airborne transmission?

[quote] Regular cleaning of these surfaces with soap or detergent works. Disinfection is not necessary.

I wonder if some of our regulars who have been looking for hydrogen peroxide and Lysol since Feb. 2020 will finally feel they can give up the quest now.

The New York Times had an article today about how Walgreens has been purposely scheduling Pfizer appointments 4 weeks apart because it was easier for them to all be uniform with Moderna, but that so many people were complaining that they are now going to change it to the recommended three weeks. I was wondering why they had automatically scheduled mine 4 weeks apart, and I tried several times to change it to no avail.

My health department is doing four weeks between Pfizer shots. They had no explanation other than “that’s how we’re doing it” when I asked.

Progress on the chicken egg vaccine. With any luck the whole world can be vaccinated in 2022.

As always, thank you ElderLez.

[quote]“We designed HexaPro to be a more stable antigen. In cell culture, this translated to a more than tenfold increased yield relative to the first-generation spike constructs used in current vaccines. If this holds for NDV-HXP-S, HexaPro will bring us a step closer towards addressing the wide disparity in vaccine access.”

I am always amazed at the boundless creativity of scientists.

Hi R528 here's a more in-depth article from the NYT today, Hopefully you can get past the paywall. There are some very thoughtful comments as well.

Another NYT article with a focus on getting the whole world vaccinated.

I got my Pfizer shot and they scheduled me 4 weeks out as well. I thought that was very odd, but they said if I can’t make the appointment they set (same time as my current) then they wouldn’t give me the shot at all, I could leave and reschedule over the phone. Talk about having no options. Of course I can make it work, but there was zero room for negotiations.

A part of respected that because it means things run smoothly without a million appointed rescheduling messing up the slots for the next group the massive flood of requests from the next group about get in line.

I’m in Chicago and so happy I didn’t have to schedule when they open things up for everyone over 18. Will be a madhouse.

This is a little off-topic, but speaking of paywalls and scientific information.

R423 here, again. Got my 1st shot (Pfizer) this morning at 8:30 am ET at Walgreen's. When I scheduled the appt, the website automatically gave me available dates 4 weeks out. I'm OK with waiting 4 weeks.

They hadn't updated their checklist either. The checklist asks if you are eligible and listed 65+ and some medical conditions. In their defense, NJ just increased eligibility to 55+ yesterday. Feels good to finally be in the process of being fully vaccinated.

That’s great news! Thanks for sharing ElderLez

Partner had his second shot last week (Pfizer), only experienced mild body aches. My second dose is set for Saturday morning. I've ordered this handy 2-pack of carriers to keep our cards in.

They fit better in this SylviaFowler

Well, crap. I didn't think to measure the damn thing. Will the CDC be angry if I fold my card??

You would be totally welcome to my four extras SylviaFowler.

How many times do you think you people are going to need to show your vaccination card?

R539 I hope never because I want a phone app with a QR code. But whatever, it was only $5.99.

Ooh, that would be great if they do the phone app. I hadn't heard about that.

I post this here with no opinion or commentary, just for information purposes.

AP: Five states – New York, Michigan, Florida, Pennsylvania and New Jersey – together reported 44% of the nation’s new COVID-19 infections, or nearly 197,500 new cases, in the latest available seven-day period.

The spike in cases has been especially pronounced in Michigan, where the seven-day average of daily new infections reached 6,719 cases Sunday — more than double what it was two weeks earlier.

A third of Covid-19 survivors suffer 'brain disease,' study shows.

r544 I wonder why the study did not also track a separate group of asymptomatic addition to hospitalized vs. outpatient Covid survivors

Republicans Demand COVID Passports To Enter Their Donor Retreat

How funny^^^. Don’t tell the Deplorables.

People never stopped traveling all throughout the pandemic.

Michigan:

One In Four Adults In America Is Now Fully Vaccinated | Morning Joe | MSNBC

Ugh. Incompetence strikes again.

"A New York Times report last week said that workers at an Emergent BioSolutions facility in Baltimore contracted to make both the AstraZeneca Plc and J&J vaccines, mixed up ingredients of the two shots, ruining 15 million J&J doses."

More on the ivermectin controversy in the Washington Post today. I can't seem to link and I don't have an opinion other my ability to confirm that my dog thinks it is delicious.

Chile, which is experience a virus surge even though 45% of the population has received at least one dose of the vaccine: the Chinese vaccine (Sinovac) has shown 56.5% efficacy two weeks after people have received two doses and just 3% after one dose. It's possible that a third dose will be administered.

More evidence of the Trump team's efforts to downplay the virus and kill more Americans:

Trump appointees in the Health and Human Services department last year privately touted their efforts to block or alter scientists’ reports on the coronavirus to more closely align with then-President Donald Trump’s more optimistic messages about the outbreak, according to newly released documents from congressional investigators.

The documents provide further insight into how senior Trump officials approached last year’s explosion of coronavirus cases in the United States. Even as career government scientists worked to combat the virus, a cadre of Trump appointees were attempting to blunt the scientists’ messages, edit their findings and equip the president with an alternate set of talking points.

Link to WaPo story about the above:

Government vaccine advisors say they don't foresee AstraZeneca vaccine being used in the US

Interesting article about Dr. Kariko, the woman behind the mRNA vaccine model.

Good article r557. I'm sure she'll be shortlisted for Nobel Medicine in near future, especially in light of technology already being early tested for HIV prevention.

The European Union’s drug regulator has started a review to assess blood clots in people who received Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine.

Four serious cases of unusual clots accompanied by low blood platelets, one of which was fatal, have emerged after immunization with the J&J shot, the European Medicines Agency said Friday. The regulator is now scrutinizing potential safety issues for two Covid vaccines, after AstraZeneca Plc’s shot was possibly linked to a rare blood-clotting disorder.

Had my 2nd Pfizer shot yesterday morning. Sore arm all day yesterday, otherwise nothing. Then I woke up at 3:30am with my whole body feeling like it was made of lead. Got out of bed a few hours later with a fever of 100 and dizziness. I took Tylenol and drank some electrolyte drink and felt much improved within the hour. Now it's 2:30pm and I feel 100%.

Yay Pfize/ BioNTech vaccine! I'm excited/nervous about my second Moderna shot tomorrow.I'm also feeling wistful about the return to the office in two weeks. I'm very happy about it on the one hand, but I'll miss coffee talk on weekday mornings and lunch with my wife and sharing dog walking duties equally.

I know I posted earlier as kind of a joke about the crappy Chinese vaccines in response to the trolls (the trolls seem to have disappeared?) But it isn't a joke that they are less than ideal. 50% efficacy is the lowest level worth taking. Attached is a Washington Post Article about those vaccines

trying the link again.

I'm nervous about taking my 2nd Pfizer tomorrow. Three people have told me they had bad reactions. While I know they aren't serious or long-lasting, I don't want to be down for two days and not be able to work out. I've been in such a good groove lately, but last weekend I hurt my leg and most of the week was a wash, exercise-wise.

I know, first world problems, shut up. I'm already ready for tomorrow and I have all my paperwork and PPE by the door!

LOL R563 I am proactively taking two days off from work. And I’ve got plenty of Tylenol, Advil and Benadryl (in case of a benign but annoying rash) in the medicine cabinet. But yes I’ve got a minor case of the nerves too, Forward Datalounge comrades!

R563 I had my final Pfizer injection last week. I'm immunocompromised and generally someone who is rather frail. I was terrified I was going to have a bad reaction. I went into the room, the nurse injects me, I begin to rise and she tells me to sit down, she's not done. I ask what's wrong and she said "the injection didn't work" so she had to do it again. I thought for sure my arm was going to be in a world of pain....shockingly, barely anything! I could touch it, a little bit tender, but really nothing, I could sleep on it. I had a very mind sort of sinus like headache and low grade fever for about 24 hours, but I was fully able to work, exercise, lift weights. So I guess I'm trying to say, you never know! My body really surprised me!

ElderLez, fwiw, had the 2nd Moderna yesterday at 6 pm. Felt fine all night but woke up with a slightly sore arm and running 101.4 today. Took a Tylenol, had a nap and my temp was normal. My arm is just a little sore and I recommend using the arm as much as possible. When I got my shingrex back in Oct, I moved some outdoor furniture into the shed and I'm convinced that it helped reduce the soreness. The shingles shot is notorious for giving you a sore arm.

I lifted some light weights last night and I think it helped. Just a suggestion. Good luck.

Wow, R565, what on earth did she mean the injection didn't work? How does one mess that up? How bizarre. Glad you're doing okay.

ElderLez, when is your 2nd appointment?

Tomorrow morning

Me, too. Let's compare notes afterwards. Meet you back here. : )

Good luck!

I'm getting my second dose of Moderna on Thursday. I'm not worried at all about getting sick because if that happens, it's not a big deal and it's basically your body's way of telling you to rest. I don't understand the people who fear getting sick from it or a sore arm. We have these great things called pain killers that really help and a day or two resting in bed never hurt anyone.

When I got my first Pfizer, the person who gave me the shot said that exercising or massaging it helps with the soreness, so I went surfing. Next day it was sore, but not as sore as the Shingles vaccine- that soreness lasted 3 days, whereas the Pfizer lasted 1.5 days.

That’s a plan R569!

It’s completely irrational R570. I get an infusion every eight weeks that gives me flu symptoms if I don’t take Benadryl, but now that it’s routine there’s no fear. In my mind I know that that this is similar or milder than that.

The coronavirus variant first discovered in South Africa is able to evade some of the protection of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, according to a new Israeli study.

The researchers found the prevalence of B.1.351 among patients who received two doses of the vaccine was about eight times higher than those who were unvaccinated.

Hm, much like modern-day flu vaccines, that only can protect from variants that the CDC forecasts will be the prevalent ones. Spin the wheel, and see where the ball lands...

Daily new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Canada have skyrocketed amid the third wave of the pandemic and have now outpaced the United States per capita.

As of Saturday, the rolling seven-day average number of new cases in Canada was 207.27 cases per million people. In the U.S., it's 206.66 cases per million people.

How are you doing R569?

Hi ElderLez! I was just coming on to ask you the same.

All good here. I arrived early and they only had one other person waiting so they took me pretty quickly. They also dumped us pretty quickly. I would say we waited maybe 5-7 min and were sent on our way. Just got out of the shower and I'm waiting for my hair to dry and then I'm gonna jump on my exercise bike.

It was actually a good distraction for the morning. I found out last night that an acquaintance committed suicide and a cousin died. I can't seem to reach anyone in my family who knows what happened. I called his wife twice but she hasn't called back. So between that and anxiety over today, it's been something of a sleepless night.

Oh my goodness, my condolences R577.

They took me right away too, everything was much faster than shot # 1. The clinic gave me a complementary card holder, which was a pleasant surprise. My arm hurts about the same as before,

Good for you exercising now. I am glad that you won’t miss a day.

Thank you so much. I'm glad to hear you're doing okay. : )

I got my vax at Walgreens and I just got an email from them about being able to store my vaccination status on my phone, so I wonder if that would be sufficient for when I travel.

For R579

I got both Moderna doses at a drive up clinic outside a local medical center. I was no given a record for either, but was told that I could access my patient record online. However, that meant a 3 page report which did list the doses and dates. I emailed the center twice, stating that I wanted a CDC vax card to carry. After a few exchanges, the center did provide a card which was mailed to me. I took a picture and stored on my phone, kept card with my records. I anticipated this card may be needed to travel in future.

Thanks, R580. I wondered if a photo would be good or if they would need the original. I'm sure we'll find out.

What's funny is on the way home, i got an automated call from Walgreens telling me I was late for my appointment that I had just completed. Then I got that text saying my vax was done. I just went on the app, and they still have that I didn't do my 2nd appointment yet. Oi!

I got my second Pfizer shot this afternoon and so far I don't even have a sore arm (knock on wood). I got it at the local Health Dept., which was not nearly as busy as when I got my first shot. There were only four people (including me) in the waiting area after we got our shots. My vaccinator said more clinics had been opened in the ensuing month so they had decreased staff and appointments there. Going out now for a walk.

I was honestly expecting Walgreens to be packed solid now that Los Angeles has opened up vaccination so widely.

I think I'll nap with the cat for a bit. I'm getting sleepy.

Regneron's antibody drug, which was used to treat President Trump, reduced the risk of symptomatic disease by 81% in a study.

Meanwhile, I learned today that one of my cousins has the virus and her husband just released from a five-day hospital stay. They weren't taking any precautions other than wearing masks where it was mandated. Her Facebook page is filled with photos of the two of them surrounded by maskless throngs.

My arm just started hurting from my 2nd vax about 5 1/2 hours ago.

Luke Bryan has tested positive. Had to miss American Idol tonight.

What a loser!! ^^^

A New Jersey man is in the hospital with COVID-19 — just five weeks after being vaccinated.

J&J is 100% protective from hospitalization and death beginning 40 days after the shot. 14 is not 40. The crazy guidance that two weeks after you are fully vaccinated will end in tears for many people.

J&J, you in danger, girl.

Distribution is being suspended due to 6 deaths from blood clots. Can’t post NY Times link

Not six deaths - six cases of blood clots. From the article, "All six recipients were women between the ages of 18 and 48. One woman died and a second woman in Nebraska has been hospitalized in critical condition. Nearly seven million people in the United States have received Johnson & Johnson shots so far..."

AstraZeneca is also an "adeno virus" based vaccine. More from the NYT article about how Europe is handling a similar issue with the Astra Zeneca vaccine:

"On April 7, the European Medicines Agency, the main regulatory agency, concluded that the disorder was a very rare side effect of the vaccine. Researchers in Germany and Norway published studies on April 9 suggesting that in very rare cases, the AstraZeneca vaccine caused people to make antibodies that activated their own platelets. Nevertheless, the regulators argued, the benefit of the vaccine — keeping people from being infected with the coronavirus or keeping those few who get Covid-19 out of the hospital — vastly outweighed that small risk. Countries in Europe and elsewhere continued to give the vaccine to older people, who face a high risk of severe disease and death from Covid-19, while restricting it in younger people"

"Adenovirus technologies such as that used by AstraZeneca and others have been associated with clotting in other settings, so if this is the reason for the rare side effects observed with the Astra vaccine, shots from J&J, Sputnik and Chinese drugmaker CanSino Biologics Inc. would also be at risk, said Sam Fazeli, an analyst with Bloomberg Intelligence."

Reuters: Doctors in the Canadian province of Ontario may soon have to decide who can and cannot receive treatment in intensive care as the number of coronavirus infections sets records and patients are packed into hospitals still stretched from a December wave.​

I'm glad I got the Pfizer vaccine since I would worry if it had been J&J. My arm was less sore than when I get my yearly flu shot.

"To be clear: 6 in 6,800,000 million. Just one death."

Hey ElderLez, how you feeling today?

Like crud. Fever/chills/body aches started last night and continue . I’m taking pain killers every six hours, alternating between Tylenol and Advil. But don’t extrapolate anything from my experience, my immune system is completely whackadoodle.

Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear. I hope it won't last more than a day. Sending you good thoughts.

ElderLez, I'm so pleased to know that both you and your wife are protected. Feel better soon!