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

[GooooMarquette]

Hearing the Manaus situation is becoming a HUGE concern in the US.  To those that have had it and think they may be "immune", please be careful.  To those that haven't had it yet - please continue to be careful.  These variants are kicking ass and don't even care what your name is.

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2021/01/variant-covid-among-triggers-grim-surge-manaus-brazil

The possibility that the B.1 variant may evade the immune response of previously infected individuals is horrifying. The thought that it is more transmissible makes that even worse. The fact that it is now in the US means we could see further and more dramatic surges. And we still don't know if, and to what extent, the vaccines protect against this variant.

Masks, social distancing and other preventive measures are as important now as ever...even for people who have had Covid and/or been vaccinated.

[forgetful]

The possibility that the B.1 variant may evade the immune response of previously infected individuals is horrifying. The thought that it is more transmissible makes that even worse. The fact that it is now in the US means we could see further and more dramatic surges. And we still don't know if, and to what extent, the vaccines protect against this variant.

Masks, social distancing and other preventive measures are as important now as ever...even for people who have had Covid and/or been vaccinated.

Agree. The only positive is that based on what is seen in other trials, there is a high probability that although the current vaccines will not prevent cases of these new variants, they very likely will protect against severe disease.

That might be the best we can hope for. And then, booster shots regularly for new variants in the future.

[Hards Alumni]

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00251-4

[Skatastrophy]

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00251-4

Despite what you may want this to say, Hards, you still need to wash your hands

[GooooMarquette]

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00251-4

Not surprising, and in line with suggestions months ago that things like wiping down groceries and other packages is overkill.

The most effective prevention against SARS CoV2 is still wearing a mask and keeping a safe distance. And conscientious hand-washing is still a good idea, even if it isn't the primary means of presenting infections.

[GooooMarquette]

The UK variant has a new mutation, identical to one seen in the SA and Brazil strains, that could make it more resistant to current vaccines.

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/02/covid-mutation-of-most-concern-has-occurred-in-uk-variant.html

The coronavirus mutation "of most concern" that could impact vaccine efficacy has occurred spontaneously in the U.K. variant, a professor of outbreak medicine who is part of a panel that advises the British government said on Tuesday.

Ugh...

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

The fact that the virus seems to be mutating independently but similarly around the world is interesting.  I've also heard these mutations were predicted by AI. So predictable—also interesting. 

This plus the efficacy of the initial vaccines (on severe COVID and death) makes me think we have a very good shot at controlling this.  We have also proven we have a plug and play vaccine system for boosters. 

Things will and are getting better daily. 

[GooooMarquette]

The fact that the virus seems to be mutating independently but similarly around the world is interesting.  I've also heard these mutations were predicted by AI. So predictable—also interesting. 

This plus the efficacy of the initial vaccines (on severe COVID and death) makes me think we have a very good shot at controlling this.  We have also proven we have a plug and play vaccine system for boosters. 

Things will and are getting better daily.

Agree that we have a good shot at controlling this...but I also think it's going to get worse again before it gets better. Experts already predict that the UK strain (possibly along with the SA and/or Brazilian strains) will become the dominant strain in the US soon, and that we will likely see another increase in cases, then hospitalizations, then deaths....

One projection currently predicts somewhere between 590K and 650K deaths in the US by May 1. That's another 150,000-200,000 in just three months.

[forgetful]

The UK variant has a new mutation, identical to one seen in the SA and Brazil strains, that could make it more resistant to current vaccines.

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/02/covid-mutation-of-most-concern-has-occurred-in-uk-variant.html

The coronavirus mutation "of most concern" that could impact vaccine efficacy has occurred spontaneously in the U.K. variant, a professor of outbreak medicine who is part of a panel that advises the British government said on Tuesday.

Ugh...

Well that's certainly not good news.

It is also a good example of how evolution works, and as a counter example to what many people thought to be true (e.g. viruses mutate to become weaker).

All these strains are converging to the same set of mutations which enhance infectivity and increase their ability to evade initial antibody responses to the original strain.

[Spotcheck Billy]

Now Canada (and it's rumored soon to be followed by the US) requires that you submit a negative PCR test less than 3 days before arrival back in CA meaning that you will have to get tested in the country you travel to. In JA you have to either go to Mobay or Kingston for a PCR test costing about $200 US. Canada has stated that if you aren't tested before checking in you will have to reschedule your flight until you have a negative test. If there are no tests available where you traveled to you must quarantine at a Gov't. approved location for 14 days upon return.

I see that Canada has now canceled all flights to/from "sunny" destinations like the Caribbean until April 30th. Travelers currently abroad will not only have to still show a negative test before returning but be tested upon arrival in CN and quarantine 3 day in a hotel at their own expense. This appears to have been announced with just 3 days notice.

[Hards Alumni]

I see that Canada has now canceled all flights to/from "sunny" destinations like the Caribbean until April 30th. Travelers currently abroad will not only have to still show a negative test before returning but be tested upon arrival in CN and quarantine 3 day in a hotel at their own expense. This appears to have been announced with just 3 days notice.

Who cares what the notice was.  These people knew the risks of traveling during covid.  The virus does not care about them being inconvenienced.

[JWags85]

I see that Canada has now canceled all flights to/from "sunny" destinations like the Caribbean until April 30th. Travelers currently abroad will not only have to still show a negative test before returning but be tested upon arrival in CN and quarantine 3 day in a hotel at their own expense. This appears to have been announced with just 3 days notice.

Don't forget the absurd $2K price tag for that quarantine. The measure is what it is, the abrupt "ehh we decided no more travel is allowed" when they've been allowing it for months and now creating a mass scramble back to the Canada is what is dumb about it.  They closed their borders to filthy Americans long ago but had no issue with people flying all over.

[MU82]

450K American deaths.

Took 15 days to go from 400K to 450K - an average of 3,333 per day.

[Hards Alumni]

Don't forget the absurd $2K price tag for that quarantine. The measure is what it is, the abrupt "ehh we decided no more travel is allowed" when they've been allowing it for months and now creating a mass scramble back to the Canada is what is dumb about it.  They closed their borders to filthy Americans long ago but had no issue with people flying all over.

USA has been a covid hotspot for months.  Caribbean countries have fared better.  Shutting down abruptly should be part of anyone's overseas travel plans.

I have zero sympathy for vacationers during covid.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

New cases and hospitalizations are going down.  I think people have been hunkering down in January, partly because of the bad Covid news and party because that's what they normally do in January.  We just need to be vigilant for the next couple of months.

[Galway Eagle]

New cases and hospitalizations are going down.  I think people have been hunkering down in January, partly because of the bad Covid news and party because that's what they normally do in January.  We just need to be vigilant for the next couple of months.

if we can get a bad enough polar vortex and more snow we may beat this thing in the north!

[Hards Alumni]

if we can get a bad enough polar vortex and more snow we may beat this thing in the north!

Well, the next week might be cold enough to freeze the great lakes... so I think it will be plenty cold.

[tower912]

Polar vortex might be the socially isolating event we have been waiting for.   Everybody stays home for a week plus except for necessary activities.   Air so cold people want to wear a mask.

So just parka your butt in front of the TV.

[GooooMarquette]

We have seen new cases and hospitalizations decrease significantly before (May into June, August into September), only to see them turn around rapidly both times. And while the vaccines are a positive development, we still have vaccinated far too few (<10% have gotten first dose) to prevent a rebound.

Between loosening restrictions, more rapidly spreading and virulent variants, and the slow vaccine rollout, we will almost certainly see a turnaround over the next several weeks.

We can limit the next surge by being smart. Continuing to wear masks, keeping proper social distance, and avoiding large social gatherings.

[Warriors4ever]

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/latest-travel-health-advice/exposure-flights-cruise-ships-mass-gatherings.html?fbclid=IwAR1lNKB6-rzyqTl4JskVlwZL_o4cfXQFPbjULDWpYhPkkIbR04QdIoPUe4U#wb-auto-5

This is interesting, it's a Canadian site that lists flights where someone tested positive afterwards for Covid. You can see if you were exposed.

[Skatastrophy]

NYTimes Wirecutter has some of the best recommendations on the internet for all things. No joke - https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-cloth-face-masks/

The Graf Lanz Zenbu mask fits well, looks great (if you're going for streetwear), and doesn't touch my mouth when I'm breathing heavy while commuting/walking around the city.

https://graf-lantz.com/pages/organic-cotton-linen-face-masks

I have a few Hedley & Bennett Wake Up & Fight masks from early in the pandemic when masks were out nationwide. The fit was originally for slim people, but the masks I got later were more "American" sized so they won't fit me. You Wisconsinites are probably their target market if you ever leave your mom's basement

https://www.hedleyandbennett.com/pages/wakeupandfightmask

[MU82]

This, from the Charlotte Observer, isn't good ...

In January, the deadliest month of the pandemic so far in Mecklenburg County, a higher rate of adults under 40 and those without underlying health conditions died from coronavirus complications, a new analysis of public health data by the Charlotte Observer reveals.

Adults ages 20-39 account for 1.64% of all county deaths — a roughly 50% increase since mid-October, based on data published by Mecklenburg County Public Health on Friday.

Put differently, in the first 10 months of the pandemic, seven people ages 20-39 died of coronavirus complications in Mecklenburg. Six more in that age group have died in the last month alone, even as their share of all cases dropped slightly.

[rocket surgeon]

Polar vortex might be the socially isolating event we have been waiting for.   Everybody stays home for a week plus except for necessary activities.   Air so cold people want to wear a mask.

So just parka your butt in front of the TV.

  doesn't sound like the best conditions to prevent spread.  forcing people indoors, into closer contact?  does everyone have air purifiers in their tv or living rooms?  you do realize that staying confined indoors in closer contact actually promotes viral growth   

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

  doesn't sound like the best conditions to prevent spread.  forcing people indoors, into closer contact?  does everyone have air purifiers in their tv or living rooms?  you do realize that staying confined indoors in closer contact actually promotes viral growth   

I think tower is implying that people will stay home in their bubble and not really engage in a lot of social activities when its so cold. 

[tower912]

Obviously