COVID-19 (f/k/a "the Coronavirus")

[ZiggysFryBoy]

https://www.freep.com/story/news/2020/05/05/michigan-capitol-building-protest-picture/3084192001/

Nah, the screamer is home grown.    We don't need to import them.    We have plenty home made ones.

A bernie bro and a trump bot.  Yes, Michigan!

[tower912]

Don't forget, if he is awake, then he is high.    So I guess it all tracks. 

[Pakuni]

Is WHO, the World Health Organization made up of experts?  In late January did they not say COVID 19 had shown no evidence passing from human to human contact?  Their own twitter account suggests they did.  They were wrong.

Yes, the person who runs WHO's Twitter account was wrong to report what the organization had been told by the Chinese health officials. Clearly they should have been more wary of the Chinese government's willingness to be dishonest.
That says a lot about the political savvy of WHO. But I'm not sure it has anything to do with the public health experts who work there.
Care to explain?

All of this is classic Arguendo Cheeks, wherein nothing is ever valid unless there is 100% agreement. And even then, who knows, because there was that one time when that one scientist was wrong ... how do we know this totally different scientist isn't wrong now?
It doesn't matter what the vast majority of the medical community says as long as there are a couple of quacks in Bakersfield who use erroneous data to say something different.
Who could possibly know which side is more credible? How can we trust in the opinion of the nation's top epidemiologists when an OB-GYN from Tennessee has a different take?
500 economists ...

[jesmu84]

I vote for candidates that I think can help the country work together.  As I said, if Warren or Bernie had won they would not get my vote.  I find the pulling on both sides to their ideological beacons bad for this country.

My voting for Democrats only in the presidency is correct.  Not always the case in other offices.

You think Bernie and Warren are "ideological beacons"? What was FDR?

[jesmu84]

Mainly because he's been successful on surprising state numbers. Most all Florida numbers in the last week have been from private labs.

Yup. DeSantis has been holding back data intentionally.

[forgetful]

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gop-sen-alexander-warns-congress-a-highly-efficient-virus-spreading-machine

Lamar Alexander (R-Texas), doesn't think it is a good idea to reconvene congress, because of the risk of spreading infections. He has not spoken out about states that are reopening, including his own, putting people at similar risk.

Some of his concern is in congressman going to DC, then returning home on weekends...maybe if he is so concerned, he should: 1) speak out agains opening other places of employment. 2) Not fly back and forth every weekend on the taxpayers dime, and instead stay in DC and actually do the job they are supposed to be doing.

I have no idea how congress was on vacation during the worst crises to hit this nation in decades.

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/05/top-republican-urges-mcconnell-and-pelosi-to-accept-coronavirus-tests-for-congress-237800

He's also saying they need to be first in line for testing...because safety, and protecting their loved ones.

[MU82]

If true, astroturfing at its finest.  Democrats do it do.  It is maddening to me.  One of the scariest trends in our democracy.  I would not be surprised at all to find out that foreign actors are playing a role here as well.

You know of a lot of white supremacist Dems who support Trump, say COVID-19 was a Chinese plot, and proudly don't wear masks during a global pandemic?

[JWags85]

You know of a lot of white supremacist Dems who support Trump, say COVID-19 was a Chinese plot, and proudly don't wear masks during a global pandemic?

I think he's implying that it's not just one party that astroturfs. And that's not wrong at all.

[MU82]

I think he's implying that it's not just one party that astroturfs. And that's not wrong at all.

Ah ... got it. Absolutely true.

Sorry about that, Dano.

[Mutaman]

Fox lies
Fox lies
Fox lies
Fox lies
Fox lies

Citing madcow is just as dumb as citing carlson as a legitimate source.

Actually he's citing an article written by one Steve Benen who wrote an article focused on Trump's own words. Maddow just posted the article.

[MarquetteDano]

Ah ... got it. Absolutely true.

Sorry about that, Dano.

No probs. Can understand since I spelled  "do" instead of "too" by mistake.

[WarriorDad]

Have a friend that works in politics for his career primarily as a strategist on voter issues.  He said it best that whomever got handed this crap sandwich was screwed, especially in an election year or because it is an election year.  In his opinion, no way Hillary Clinton risks the economy in an election year and with some of the closest ties between US and China than ever before in our history at stake.  Would our travel with China been shut down at all?  We will never know, but no one will convince me that on March 7th, approximately 8 months before an election with less than 40 deaths in the entire country that she was going to essentially shut down the country.  It would have been an election death wish.

https://www.brookings.edu/opinions/assessing-u-s-china-relations-under-the-obama-administration/

What Trump has failed at it is leading us as a nation through any of this for which he will likely pay.  Some Governors, on both sides have done well, while others on both sides have struggled.  Local leaders

[TSmith34, Inc.]

Who could possibly know? 500 strategists.

[GooooMarquette]

What Trump has failed at it is leading us as a nation through any of this for which he will likely pay.  Some Governors, on both sides have done well, while others on both sides have struggled.

The speculation by a few strategists about a hypothetical situation is nothing but that - speculation.

But at least we agree on the part I highlighted above. He failed...and now it appears he's going to take his toys and go home.

Cheers, on at least finding some common ground.

[MU82]

Vaccine specialist Rick Bright led a research division within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services until last month — when he says he was ousted as revenge for openly criticizing malaria drug hydroxychloroquine as a coronavirus treatment. While the Trump administration promoted the drug, research has found it could be dangerous for COVID-19 patients. In an 89-page official whistleblower complaint, Bright now says the administration steered profitable drug contracts toward companies with political connections. HHS has disputed Bright's version of events.

Another "hoax," I'm sure.

[rocky_warrior]

Well this is scary:
https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2020/05/05/nyc-children-hospitalized-with-mysterious-illness/

"Generally, children present with prolonged high fevers, several days of very high fevers. They can also have very red eyes, very brightly colored lips. One of the hallmarks that we see is what we call a strawberry tongue, which means their tongue is very bright and red," Dr. Barbot said. "The other symptoms children can have are a rash. They can have swelling of their hands and feet.

"Generally, if the condition is identified early, there is definitive treatment, and there are typically no long-term consequences," she continued. "However, if the syndrome is not identified early, there can be long-term consequences, most commonly related to ongoing heart problems."

[tower912]

When you were young
And your heart was an open book.
You used to say
live and let live
(You know you did, you know you did, you know you did)

[GooooMarquette]

Well this is scary:
https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2020/05/05/nyc-children-hospitalized-with-mysterious-illness/

Wow - that is scary.

Given that the majority either tested positive for COVID or had COVID antibodies, it will be critical to study whether there was a causal relationship. If there was, perhaps it will give pause for those calling for businesses to open faster because young people typically only have "mild" illness.

[GooooMarquette]

Llama antibodies to fight COVID?

Hoping Llamas Will Become Coronavirus Heroes

Antibodies from Winter, a 4-year-old llama with great eyelashes, have neutralized coronavirus and other infections in lab experiments.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/06/science/llama-coronavirus-antibodies.html?action=click&module=Spotlight&pgtype=Homepage

Winter is a 4-year-old chocolate-colored llama with spindly legs, ever-so-slightly askew ears and envy-inducing eyelashes. Some scientists hope she might be an important figure in the fight against the novel coronavirus.

She is not a superpowered camelid. Winter was simply the lucky llama chosen by researchers in Belgium, where she lives, to participate in a series of virus studies involving both SARS and MERS. Finding that her antibodies staved off those infections, the scientists posited that those same antibodies could also neutralize the new virus that causes Covid-19. They were right, and published their results Tuesday in the journal Cell.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

Llama antibodies to fight COVID?

Hoping Llamas Will Become Coronavirus Heroes

Antibodies from Winter, a 4-year-old llama with great eyelashes, have neutralized coronavirus and other infections in lab experiments.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/06/science/llama-coronavirus-antibodies.html?action=click&module=Spotlight&pgtype=Homepage

Winter is a 4-year-old chocolate-colored llama with spindly legs, ever-so-slightly askew ears and envy-inducing eyelashes. Some scientists hope she might be an important figure in the fight against the novel coronavirus.

She is not a superpowered camelid. Winter was simply the lucky llama chosen by researchers in Belgium, where she lives, to participate in a series of virus studies involving both SARS and MERS. Finding that her antibodies staved off those infections, the scientists posited that those same antibodies could also neutralize the new virus that causes Covid-19. They were right, and published their results Tuesday in the journal Cell.

Boy this would be amazing. I guess it makes sense that the animal world could provide some treatments with corona viruses with their propensity to jump across species.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Llama antibodies to fight COVID?

Hoping Llamas Will Become Coronavirus Heroes

Antibodies from Winter, a 4-year-old llama with great eyelashes, have neutralized coronavirus and other infections in lab experiments.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/06/science/llama-coronavirus-antibodies.html?action=click&module=Spotlight&pgtype=Homepage

Winter is a 4-year-old chocolate-colored llama with spindly legs, ever-so-slightly askew ears and envy-inducing eyelashes. Some scientists hope she might be an important figure in the fight against the novel coronavirus.

She is not a superpowered camelid. Winter was simply the lucky llama chosen by researchers in Belgium, where she lives, to participate in a series of virus studies involving both SARS and MERS. Finding that her antibodies staved off those infections, the scientists posited that those same antibodies could also neutralize the new virus that causes Covid-19. They were right, and published their results Tuesday in the journal Cell.

Honest question:  how many bong rips does it take to say to your research pal "wonder if a f*cking llama could cure Sars, Mers and the rona?"

[TSmith34, Inc.]

I'm sure there is a scientific explanation, but it sure sounds like there was a night of heavy drinking involved when, around 3:00am, someone said, "You know what we should try? Llama anti-bodies."

[GooooMarquette]

Honest question:  how many bong rips does it take to say to your research pal "wonder if a f*cking llama could cure Sars, Mers and the rona?"

I'm sure there is a scientific explanation, but it sure sounds like there was a night of heavy drinking involved when, around 3:00am, someone said, "You know what we should try? Llama anti-bodies."

Yeah, whether passing the bong, drinking or both, it seems like good material for a SNL skit or an Onion article.

"Llamas, man! The answer's gotta be llamas!"

[forgetful]

Llama antibodies to fight COVID?

Hoping Llamas Will Become Coronavirus Heroes

Antibodies from Winter, a 4-year-old llama with great eyelashes, have neutralized coronavirus and other infections in lab experiments.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/06/science/llama-coronavirus-antibodies.html?action=click&module=Spotlight&pgtype=Homepage

Winter is a 4-year-old chocolate-colored llama with spindly legs, ever-so-slightly askew ears and envy-inducing eyelashes. Some scientists hope she might be an important figure in the fight against the novel coronavirus.

She is not a superpowered camelid. Winter was simply the lucky llama chosen by researchers in Belgium, where she lives, to participate in a series of virus studies involving both SARS and MERS. Finding that her antibodies staved off those infections, the scientists posited that those same antibodies could also neutralize the new virus that causes Covid-19. They were right, and published their results Tuesday in the journal Cell.

All these efforts fall along the same line as an old post I put up that I thought was very promising. Where Chinese researchers sequenced, and tested all the antibodies they could find in Covid patients, to identify which were best at targeting and preventing infection.

Researchers around the world are leveraging such information to produce monoclonal antibodies in the lab.

The alternative approach is being used here, where you use an animal to produce antibodies against a specific antigen, then again identify which one is most effective. Animals are often used to produce these antibodies. In some cases they can be designed so they simply secrete the antibodies in milk. Sadly in many others, the animals are sacrificed and drained of their blood.

These approaches are old science, but our ability to rapidly identify and scale up production is new. I expect treatments using this approach by September. I think it will be the Chinese that lead on this, unless we significantly relax our safety testing here.

[Hards Alumni]

Honest question:  how many bong rips does it take to say to your research pal "wonder if a f*cking llama could cure Sars, Mers and the rona?"

Like a weekend in Colorado's worth, I imagine.