19 thoughts on “C-19 Chat Post – September 30 2021”

  1. Pregnant women with Covid-19 are 3x more likely to end up being in an ICU.

    Only 31% of pregnant women have been fully vaccinated here in the U.S. with the most likely Asian women and the least likely Black/African American women.

    I can certainly understand these groups are concerned about their babies, so why don’t they simply ask their doctors during their visits? I just don’t get it.

    Btw, the vaccine actually protects their unborn from being infected after birth if I’m not mistaken.

    1. Thanks, Philip. I’ve been thinking about what I’d do. As with other areas of mRNA, the data just isn’t there for its impact on the developing fetus. It is a really difficult decision. I’m glad I don’t have to make it.

        1. These are tried and true vaccines. From TX children’s hospital ….all not recommended during pregnancy.

          Vaccines Not Recommended for Pregnant Women
          MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) Vaccine. …
          Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine. …
          Live, Attenuated Influenza Vaccine. …
          Oral Poliovirus Vaccine. …
          Yellow Fever Vaccine. …
          Typhoid Vaccines. …
          BCG Vaccine. …
          Vaccinia (Smallpox) Vaccine.

  2. An update from my work sector… their email about those who do not get the vaccine by the deadline:

    Team MassDOT,

    It is important that every MassDOT Team Member understand what will happen should you choose not to meet the requirements of the Vaccine Mandate (Executive Order #595) – all MassDOT employees must demonstrate proof of vaccination by October 17.

    · For managers, failure to meet this requirement will result in a five day suspension without pay. Continued failure to meet this requirement will then result in termination of employment.

    · For bargaining unit members, the progressive discipline track will begin with a five day suspension without pay. Continued non-compliance will result in an additional ten day suspension without pay. Failure to meet this requirement after the ten day suspension will result in the termination of employment.

    1. One of my coworkers has put in for a religious exemption. They claim to have a member of the clergy willing to vouch for them. This is like a drama playing out. I will let you all know what comes to pass with that. I can’t imagine the state allowing it since the vatican gave the ok for vaccines. If a lower member of the church is bucking the vatican I’d imagine the state would just point to the pope’s remarks and report that person to their superiors in the church.

      1. Wow. To the point. Good for them. I suspect it is a way to cover them legally.

        Is the worker catholic? I know several pastors who don’t support vaccines. I sure hope they would not lie. Id think for a religious exemption you’d have to show regular participation at a church that doesn’t necessarily support medical intervention along with regular donations.

        1. Yes, Catholic. But one would think the state would say the views of individual pastors do not reflect the views of the church. I guess we shall see.

          1. I’d agree. To me a church’s overall view should be the deciding factor. I know Christian Science has recognized that some of its members do seek medical help. But if a person is an active member and relies on church practitioners and doesn’t have a history of vaccines, etc., that would qualify him. But then you get into hippa. Surely being active in the Catholic Church would be difficult to justify. Just my opinion

            1. You only get into hippa if you’re a doctor. An employer can ask for your medical history all the live long day.

  3. U.S. daily deaths continue to be above 2,000. Daily cases are decreasing, but still ~120,000 per day. Hospitalizations are gradually decreasing, but very elevated.

    I mentioned this yesterday, and it’s been my concern for about a week to 10 days as I observe the numbers. Several countries in Eastern Europe may become the next major epicenter. [Alaska is the currently the world’s worst affected place, but it’s small in terms of population] Presumably the Eastern European wave is Delta-driven. It’s worrisome, in my view, as it appears to be spreading to Central Europe. Austria is instituting Covid restrictions. Sensible ones, not a lockdown. https://www.thelocal.at/20210930/2g-and-stricter-mask-rules-new-covid-rules-in-vienna-from-friday/

    This brings me to my next point. Here, I have a strong disagreement with Scott Gottlieb. He’s the expert. I am not. So, do NOT take my word for it. I don’t see the Delta wave ebbing away in November. I see it diminishing slowly. But, as immunity wanes it will likely re-emerge in some areas, perhaps even fueled by a different variant (I’m concerned that there’s another variant at play in Eastern Europe). And, while I continue to hold out hope for 2022, beginning in the spring, mobility could prolong this pandemic in a way that did not occur with the Spanish Flu. That lasted 2 years. It’s why we often believe that this pandemic will burn itself out by spring of 2022. But, the world was NOT a mobile place in 1920. It is now. Today (2021) coronavirus in all its variants travels from faraway place to faraway place, finding hosts along the way, in ways it could only dream of back in 1920. This should give us pause regarding the end date of the pandemic. In essence, the world has changed for the better with vaccines and better healthcare, but with increased mobility the virus can stick around much longer, possibly mutate, and come back to reinfect people it infected before or simply infect those with waning immunity.

    1. I agree with you re November. And all else. Thank you. The tweet re CT by Topol (I think) is hopeful. I haven’t seen him as overly optimistic

  4. Joshua – Is it possible that a vaccine will need to be developed SPECIFICALLY for the Delta variant?

    Will we have to literally start all over again in vaccination production and distribution?

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