Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #97

[HongKongPhooey]

On a slightly different note.. My son (20's, jab #2 scheduled next week) went to a beer festival over the weekend. They had to produce a negative lateral flow test result before they were allowed in. This is far from fool proof BUT it was good to know these venues are attempting preventative measures.

 

[CoverMeCagney]

Coronavirus infections continue to fall in UK

Lots of info in this report which is making me feel a bit but the big takeaway for me is that National Stats say 92% of us now have antibodies over here.

Also, for the first time during the pandemic our cases are decreasing without a lockdown coming in to play. This may change when the data since "freedom day" is gathered in but for now I'm takimg the positives.

My only concern is whether the drop in cases is caused mainly by school children stopping testing now they’ve broken up for summer; there were drops in previous school holidays. Most would have done a test on Wed/Thur and I doubt they’ll test as regularly now. Tomorrow’s tests and positivity numbers compared with last Monday will be key.

 

[HongKongPhooey]

My only concern is whether the drop in cases is caused mainly by school children stopping testing now they’ve broken up for summer; there were drops in previous school holidays. Most would have done a test on Wed/Thur and I doubt they’ll test as regularly now. Tomorrow’s tests and positivity numbers compared with last Monday will be key.

Hmm good point Cags

 

[CoverMeCagney]

Hmm good point Cags

But… on the plus side, millions of kids being in stuffy classrooms with 30 others will now stop for six or seven weeks. So while they’re still mixing with friends it’ll tend to be more outdoors and in much smaller groups.

Scottish schools broke up a fortnight before us and their cases have fallen steadily since, even though the media likes to attribute that to them leaving the Euro Championships earlier!

 

[Teche]

Well, I guess if he recovers, he could get vaccinated sometime down the road, right?

My daughter, a Nicu Nurse Practitioner and husband, ER nurse, were around COVID patients daily. They were required to wear PPE in the presence of parents/patients. They also have 3 little kids and who we provide some childcare. Other than work, they masked and socially distanced when grocery shopping. They were COVID-free for 10 months. My daughter contracted COVID from a fellow nurse. Many of the department’s employees attended a wedding and 8 were infected. My daughter and her family were all sick. As soon as they were cleared to return to work, they were vaccinated.

 

[ilovewings]

I agree, I would get a booster if it would help.
Having been reading here since before the beginning of the pandemic with Margarita's excellent postings and warnings of what was to come, I was so prepared and have been leading the safety team at work implementing protocols through this. Also protecting my elderly parents.
For that man to call me out on how carefully I have played this out in my own life really shook me.
Back to square one in being proactive.

Unfortunately, these days it seems people have less impulse control and feel comfortable acting and saying things to other people that are rude, crude and sometimes dangerous.

 

[jjenny]

My question is "are the new boosters going to have new targets and an adjusted formula" iykwim. Like flu shots... new targets each year due to what is circulating. I am interested in such, but haven't seen MSM or reports on such.

It could be the exact same vaccine, only a third dose. Or a modified vaccine targeting specific covid variant. Either way should work. It will increase antibody levels. The higher the antibodies, the better for covid fighting. I believe both Moderna and Pfizer tested it both ways (same vaccine or a variant specific booster) and either method increases antibodies.

 

[MimosaMornings]

Georgia restaurant to only serve fully vaxxed customers — Insider

 

[SouthAussie]

Georgia restaurant to only serve fully vaxxed customers — Insider

"Despite the pushback, Celentano told the outlet he has no problem asking customers if they are fully vaccinated."

I wonder if some people are just going to lie, or if this restaurant's policy will be enough to put the unvaccinated off and they won't want to go there anyway.

I hope he is successful with his policy. He certainly should have the right to try to keep himself, his staff, and his vaccinated customers safe. IMO

 

[LadyL]

Family says conservative radio host has changed his tune on vaccines after he was hospitalized with Covid-19 - CNN

 

[LadyL]

Should COVID-19 vaccines be mandatory for healthcare workers? Experts weigh in

 

[TootsieFootsie]

My regional area of New South Wales.

Fourth day of no new cases after more than 1400 COVID tests across region

No new venues of concern have been identified across the Central West as the region's COVID lockdown continues.

Western NSW Local Health District confirmed on Sunday there had been no new cases of COVID identified in the area in the 24 hours to 8pm Saturday.

There remains just the single active case in the LHD. That case is located in the Cabonne LGA and is the infected worker from the Blayney pet food factory.

"As a result of contact tracing and other investigations we currently have six venues of concern in our LHD; five in Orange and one at Bathurst. All venues of transmission or concern are listed on the NSW Health website," a spokeswoman for the health service said.

"Yesterday, more than 1400 Covid-19 tests were performed at drive-through services in Parkes, Blayney, Molong, Orange and Bathurst.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Police horse ‘doing well’ and showered with treats following lockdown protest incident

A NSW Police horse allegedly hit by an anti-lockdown protester over the weekend is “doing well,” his rider says.

Speaking to Sunrise, Tobruk’s rider Senior Constable Patrick Condon thanked members of the public who had dropped off treats for his horse following the incident.

“Tobruk is doing well today, he’s been spoilt by lots of liquorice, apples and carrots from many well-wishers across the community.”

 

[SouthAussie]

My regional area of New South Wales.

Fourth day of no new cases after more than 1400 COVID tests across region

No new venues of concern have been identified across the Central West as the region's COVID lockdown continues.

Western NSW Local Health District confirmed on Sunday there had been no new cases of COVID identified in the area in the 24 hours to 8pm Saturday.

There remains just the single active case in the LHD. That case is located in the Cabonne LGA and is the infected worker from the Blayney pet food factory.

"As a result of contact tracing and other investigations we currently have six venues of concern in our LHD; five in Orange and one at Bathurst. All venues of transmission or concern are listed on the NSW Health website," a spokeswoman for the health service said.

"Yesterday, more than 1400 Covid-19 tests were performed at drive-through services in Parkes, Blayney, Molong, Orange and Bathurst.

That's good to hear, Tootsie.
Our Premier said that South Australia is on track to come out of lockdown tomorrow. The 3 cases that they have discovered over the last couple of days were already in isolation (being close contacts).
Keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[TootsieFootsie]

I was just thinking of you, South and about to post a Yay! for you and your state!!

I'll keep everything crossed for SA too.

That's good to hear, Tootsie.
Our Premier said that South Australia is on track to come out of lockdown tomorrow. The 3 cases that they have discovered over the last couple of days were already in isolation (being close contacts).
Keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[TootsieFootsie]

We're not in lockdown here but after coming down with some nasty bug that lasted for five weeks, I've become reluctant to go to the place where I'm pretty sure I caught it from.
It's a place where most of my social life is spent and some groups went back last week. I started getting ready to go but heard warning bells and ended up not going.
It's been pretty cold here and there are always some people coughing in winter.
Yes I had the flu shot about a month before I got sick.

I think as we had no cases since April last year people started to slack off.

Yes I got checked out and it wasn't Covid. Dr said there are some nasty bugs going around and agreed with me that my immune system may be down after all my isolating, sanitising, wiping etc. I may have overdone it

 

[ilovewings]

Seeking a pill to cure COVID-19: Drugmakers eye alternative to vaccines

Will an antiviral pill soon be available to treat Covid-19???
Work is ongoing in Japan and by Merck

 

[KALI]

Tell me about it. As a restaurant owner in California, we have been jumping through hoops for over 1.5 years.
I get a lot of it, but I never got why ALL of California would get shutdown for break outs happening hundreds of miles away from us.
When we all got double vaccinated I was SO relieved.
I really don't know what to think now.
Should a fully vaccinated person feel safe or not!?!
That is what I, and everyone I know want to know.
Do these vaccines protect you or not?
Yes I realize there will be some break through cases, but what are we talking about?
3 in 100,000.? I won't worry.
Otherwise, come cold weather and holidays, are we going through this again?

All I see, is that the goal posts keep moving on Covid. First, we were told "everything is fine, no one needs to wear a mask". Then, it was, "everyone needs to wear a mask all of the time". Next, it was, "get a vaccine, you will be fine, and can throw away your mask.".

Now, it is yet another narrative..."Well, we never expected the vaccines to work 100%.".

It is a new story about Covid and variants every day...which to me, means that they don't know Jack about Covid.

 

[ringbearer]

I wonder if some people are just going to lie, or if this restaurant's policy will be enough to put the unvaccinated off and they won't want to go there anyway.

I IMO

snipped -- both, I think. I think more will lie than will frequent his business -- depending on how many other restaurants are in the area. I think most people would rather go where they are welcome than lie to go someplace they're not. But that depends on how many options are open, imo.

 

[jjenny]

Even during clinical trials, before variants started to circulate, mRNA vaccines were 94-95 % effective at preventing symptomatic covid, not a 100%. So it never was going to be only 3 break through cases out of 100,000. With 95% efficacy, one would expect 5 break through cases per 100 infections.
Now, with delta, it's clearly less effective in preventing infection than 95%.