Re-posting this from yesterday. I’ve been thinking about this quite a bit:
I think (and hope) that the controversial decision in the U.S. to strictly follow the vaccine dosing schedule according to the label and not spread it out over months (as the UK and Europe have done) will work in our favor. Ffor vaccinated folks it’s crucial they have both doses to have adequate protection. One dose just isn’t nearly enough. Fauci and others argued vigorously in favor of keeping the dosing schedule of 3 or 4 weeks between doses, and not spacing it out over months. They were concerned that those who’ve had only one dose for long periods of time would be susceptible, and that getting full protection sooner is better. I think that was the right decision.
Proper scheduling of doses could – I emphasize the word could – be another saving grace for the U.S., in addition to the fact that we’ve mostly used mRNA vaccines. We’ll have to wait and see, of course.
Just great. It says rare but then testing for kids is still limited.
We know it causes heartbeat irregularities in adults. It did in me and one daughter for two to three weeks after the second
New study shows decreased effectiveness of Pfizer vaccine against Delta (`Indian’) variant. See tweet below. You’ll notice it says that after the 1st dose there’s little protection, but after 2 doses there’s significantly more (but less than against other variants). Study points to the need for boosters. I will schedule mine – and pay for it if need be – at the 6 month mark after my 2nd dose; so in early November. The `Indian’ variant is 2.6 times as transmissible as the `Wuhan’ 1.0, and at least 50% more lethal, sparing none of the younger than 65 age groups. https://twitter.com/i/events/1400788642243645440
Will there always be need for boosters every 6 months of our lives from now on?
Don’t know, and it’s not yet clear from the evidence. But, I think proactively – while there’s virus/variants circulating globally – it may be a good idea for the first few years. I’m not recommending anyone get a booster, because it’s not my area of expertise. I’m just saying that I will get a booster in November. Part of my thinking is that this will not only give a boost to my immune system, it will also help facilitate future international travel. Most of the traveling I do for work and to see family is overseas. And it’s overseas (and possibly even Canada) where vaccinations will be required to avoid the need to quarantine.
UK is firmly in exponential growth territory. Added another 1,000 cases today (6.3k cases today; 2.1k cases 2 weeks ago). This is driven almost exclusively by the `Indian’ variant, which in outcompeting has decimated the other variants. Hospitalizations and ICU usage are rising and on a similar though not parallel path. But there is of course a lag factor. All in all, this spells possibly deep trouble. Keep in mind, we’re in June, a month that’s not hospitable to the proliferation of the virus. The UK still has a lot of mitigation measures in place. And most of the UK has gone through a really nice 8 day stretch of sunny weather. I dare not say what would have happened had the Delta or `Indian’ variant come in January. This clearly points to the fact that herd immunity is nowhere near being achieved, and that vaccines are not a panacea.
Test positivity in the UK was 0.2% just 3 weeks ago. Even I thought herd immunity was in reach, and that the virus had been dealt a knock-out blow in that country. While the virus is not omnipresent and can’t find hosts as readily as it used to, it’s up off the mat.
This should concern our leaders, too, business and government. The `Indian’ variant is here and it’s really efficient at proliferating, even more so than the UK variant, and much more so than the Brazilian variant (which I was fearful of because it’s so lethal). Maybe we’ll `skate’ as they say. But that’s built on hope, not evidence.
One example of where I believe our business and government have failed to adhere to the precautionary principle is in getting rid of distancing protocols. Whole Foods, for example, no longer has any stickers indicating distance between customers. Masks are optional. In an indoor environment like a grocery store, I think this is bad policy. Similarly, having indoor events with 100% capacity is just premature at this point, especially without masks or any kind of green pass system. I love hearing a rocking arena, like the wonderful Islanders’ Coliseum last night, but I don’t think now is the time for that.
The grocery stores that I go to (Star Market, Stop & Shop) masks are optional but most customers and workers still wear them, at least for now. It will be interesting what Gov. Baker says on June 15th (State of Emergency).
Interestingly, my son in law just received 200 N95 masks for $50. He uses them in business and always takes extra precautions when going into a customers home. The cost for 20 a very short time ago was $50. Demand is clearly way down.
I don’t like those N95 masks. I tried once and it was hard to breathe. The general purpose disposable masks much more comfortable.
I can’t wear them either. But neither of my sons in law or son have trouble and it makes sense for them to wear them over other masks.
Ohhhhh I do double mask
Indoor locations where masks are still mandatory:
-Public transportation (including taxis and other ride services)
-Public Libraries
-Hospitals
-College and University buildings on campus
Any others? What about museums and aquariums?
As staggering as the exponential growth in cases was, I was not prepared for the exponential decline. Positivity rate down to 0.58…crushing it here in Massachusetts. Also—it’s been just over 2 weeks since 12-15 year olds were approved so those who opted to get the vaccine are getting second doses now
*Just over 3 weeks
A steady decrease in school cases too. I was going to put the graph together today but got side tracked
I get the impression that President Biden expects total herd immunity (70%) by July 4th. What a way to really celebrate our “independence” from masks and social distancing. Fingers crossed! 🙂
Also, all kids from 6 months to 11 years of age are expected to be vaccinated sometime in the fall, or towards the end of this year.
I don’t think there can be herd immunity to a virus that mutates as this does. Just like there was never herd immunity to 1918…or flu.
As far as children, I understand vaccine hesitancy in adults. I REALLY understand hesitancy with children. I have a serious problem with our school systems forcing kids to have vaccines that have barely been tested
This from Mayo Clinic
“ What’s the outlook for achieving herd immunity in the U.S.?
The U.S. is currently making progress toward herd immunity through a combined approach. The number of fully vaccinated adults continues to rise. In addition, more than 31 million people in the U.S. have had confirmed infections with the COVID-19 virus — though, again, it’s not clear how long immunity lasts after infection.
Given the challenges, it’s not clear if or when the U.S. will achieve herd immunity.
However, the FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective at protecting against severe illness requiring hospitalization and death due to COVID-19. Even if it isn’t currently possible to stop transmission of the COVID-19 virus, the vaccines are allowing people to better be able to live with the virus.”
C-19 for 6-5 is ready.
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Re-posting this from yesterday. I’ve been thinking about this quite a bit:
I think (and hope) that the controversial decision in the U.S. to strictly follow the vaccine dosing schedule according to the label and not spread it out over months (as the UK and Europe have done) will work in our favor. Ffor vaccinated folks it’s crucial they have both doses to have adequate protection. One dose just isn’t nearly enough. Fauci and others argued vigorously in favor of keeping the dosing schedule of 3 or 4 weeks between doses, and not spacing it out over months. They were concerned that those who’ve had only one dose for long periods of time would be susceptible, and that getting full protection sooner is better. I think that was the right decision.
Proper scheduling of doses could – I emphasize the word could – be another saving grace for the U.S., in addition to the fact that we’ve mostly used mRNA vaccines. We’ll have to wait and see, of course.
Just great. It says rare but then testing for kids is still limited.
https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-06-04/heart-reaction-probed-as-possible-rare-vaccine-link-in-teens
We know it causes heartbeat irregularities in adults. It did in me and one daughter for two to three weeks after the second
New study shows decreased effectiveness of Pfizer vaccine against Delta (`Indian’) variant. See tweet below. You’ll notice it says that after the 1st dose there’s little protection, but after 2 doses there’s significantly more (but less than against other variants). Study points to the need for boosters. I will schedule mine – and pay for it if need be – at the 6 month mark after my 2nd dose; so in early November. The `Indian’ variant is 2.6 times as transmissible as the `Wuhan’ 1.0, and at least 50% more lethal, sparing none of the younger than 65 age groups.
https://twitter.com/i/events/1400788642243645440
Will there always be need for boosters every 6 months of our lives from now on?
Don’t know, and it’s not yet clear from the evidence. But, I think proactively – while there’s virus/variants circulating globally – it may be a good idea for the first few years. I’m not recommending anyone get a booster, because it’s not my area of expertise. I’m just saying that I will get a booster in November. Part of my thinking is that this will not only give a boost to my immune system, it will also help facilitate future international travel. Most of the traveling I do for work and to see family is overseas. And it’s overseas (and possibly even Canada) where vaccinations will be required to avoid the need to quarantine.
UK is firmly in exponential growth territory. Added another 1,000 cases today (6.3k cases today; 2.1k cases 2 weeks ago). This is driven almost exclusively by the `Indian’ variant, which in outcompeting has decimated the other variants. Hospitalizations and ICU usage are rising and on a similar though not parallel path. But there is of course a lag factor. All in all, this spells possibly deep trouble. Keep in mind, we’re in June, a month that’s not hospitable to the proliferation of the virus. The UK still has a lot of mitigation measures in place. And most of the UK has gone through a really nice 8 day stretch of sunny weather. I dare not say what would have happened had the Delta or `Indian’ variant come in January. This clearly points to the fact that herd immunity is nowhere near being achieved, and that vaccines are not a panacea.
Test positivity in the UK was 0.2% just 3 weeks ago. Even I thought herd immunity was in reach, and that the virus had been dealt a knock-out blow in that country. While the virus is not omnipresent and can’t find hosts as readily as it used to, it’s up off the mat.
This should concern our leaders, too, business and government. The `Indian’ variant is here and it’s really efficient at proliferating, even more so than the UK variant, and much more so than the Brazilian variant (which I was fearful of because it’s so lethal). Maybe we’ll `skate’ as they say. But that’s built on hope, not evidence.
One example of where I believe our business and government have failed to adhere to the precautionary principle is in getting rid of distancing protocols. Whole Foods, for example, no longer has any stickers indicating distance between customers. Masks are optional. In an indoor environment like a grocery store, I think this is bad policy. Similarly, having indoor events with 100% capacity is just premature at this point, especially without masks or any kind of green pass system. I love hearing a rocking arena, like the wonderful Islanders’ Coliseum last night, but I don’t think now is the time for that.
The grocery stores that I go to (Star Market, Stop & Shop) masks are optional but most customers and workers still wear them, at least for now. It will be interesting what Gov. Baker says on June 15th (State of Emergency).
Interestingly, my son in law just received 200 N95 masks for $50. He uses them in business and always takes extra precautions when going into a customers home. The cost for 20 a very short time ago was $50. Demand is clearly way down.
I don’t like those N95 masks. I tried once and it was hard to breathe. The general purpose disposable masks much more comfortable.
I can’t wear them either. But neither of my sons in law or son have trouble and it makes sense for them to wear them over other masks.
Ohhhhh I do double mask
Indoor locations where masks are still mandatory:
-Public transportation (including taxis and other ride services)
-Public Libraries
-Hospitals
-College and University buildings on campus
Any others? What about museums and aquariums?
As staggering as the exponential growth in cases was, I was not prepared for the exponential decline. Positivity rate down to 0.58…crushing it here in Massachusetts. Also—it’s been just over 2 weeks since 12-15 year olds were approved so those who opted to get the vaccine are getting second doses now
*Just over 3 weeks
A steady decrease in school cases too. I was going to put the graph together today but got side tracked
I get the impression that President Biden expects total herd immunity (70%) by July 4th. What a way to really celebrate our “independence” from masks and social distancing. Fingers crossed! 🙂
Also, all kids from 6 months to 11 years of age are expected to be vaccinated sometime in the fall, or towards the end of this year.
I don’t think there can be herd immunity to a virus that mutates as this does. Just like there was never herd immunity to 1918…or flu.
As far as children, I understand vaccine hesitancy in adults. I REALLY understand hesitancy with children. I have a serious problem with our school systems forcing kids to have vaccines that have barely been tested
This from Mayo Clinic
“ What’s the outlook for achieving herd immunity in the U.S.?
The U.S. is currently making progress toward herd immunity through a combined approach. The number of fully vaccinated adults continues to rise. In addition, more than 31 million people in the U.S. have had confirmed infections with the COVID-19 virus — though, again, it’s not clear how long immunity lasts after infection.
Given the challenges, it’s not clear if or when the U.S. will achieve herd immunity.
However, the FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective at protecting against severe illness requiring hospitalization and death due to COVID-19. Even if it isn’t currently possible to stop transmission of the COVID-19 virus, the vaccines are allowing people to better be able to live with the virus.”
C-19 for 6-5 is ready.