Canada - Coronavirus COVID-19 #3

[Estelle]

Very mixed message regarding mixing and matching vaccines. From your link:

"Ontario continues to follow the advice of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), which recommends that it is safe to mix vaccines based on studies from the UK, Spain and Germany that have found that mixing vaccines is safe and produces a strong immune response," Luis said.
...

"It's a little bit of a dangerous trend here. We are in a data-free, evidence-free zone as far as mix and match," Swaminathan said."
​

AstraZeneca was pushed at Canadians in specific older-adult age groups as "it's better than nothing" and "nothing else is available."

Between first and second vaccinations, the gov't announced the AstraZeneca vaccine withdrawn due to health risks. Everyone who received the AstraZeneca shot first was told to have a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine second. Mixing and matching by design, recommended by the federal government.

In Canada, there was a Pfizer shortage in June, 2021, so people who could not find the Pfizer vaccine were told to get the Moderna vaccine.

Essentially, many people who received AstraZeneca or Pfizer did a mix and match for the second shot.

 

[Estelle]

Mixing COVID-19 vaccines a ‘dangerous trend,’ WHO chief scientist say

Mixing COVID-19 vaccines a ‘dangerous trend,’ WHO chief scientist says - National | Globalnews.ca

 

[MrX]

I think that it is a mistake to introduce covid vaccine passports. Passports would serve to divide political parties - vaxxer-maskers versus anti-vaxxer conspiracy theorists. It's not worth it at this stage of the pandemic.

Every pandemic ends after two years, either socially or medically. It looks like this pandemic will be ended socially. Medically, there may be an issue for another 5 years, or perhaps for the rest of our lives, but people are fed up with compromised living after two years.

I think Canada is at that point where it's up to the individual to determine what they are comfortable with.

And if one third to one half of a population resists vaccination, a substantial majority of those people will have fabricated "passports."

I'm guessing the people's emergence from "compromised living" is similar, everywhere. I've noticed that the most ardent Covid Warriors require about three forays out into the real world, before all fear and inhibition vanishes. And once people go from terror to normalcy, it will be impossible to reintroduce limitations.

 

[otto]

And if one third to one half of a population resists vaccination, a substantial majority of those people will have fabricated "passports."

I'm guessing the people's emergence from "compromised living" is similar, everywhere. I've noticed that the most ardent Covid Warriors require about three forays out into the real world, before all fear and inhibition vanishes. And once people go from terror to normalcy, it will be impossible to reintroduce limitations.

It's surprising how quickly we revert to pre-covid habits. I met a maskless man recently who reached out to shake hands. Instinctively, I shook his hand. Afterward, I wondered why I was not more cautious.

It's true. Once a barrier is dropped, the fear of virus that created the barrier is lessened. The longer we avoid getting sick through modified living, the more we question whether modified/restricted living is necessary.

 

[MrX]

It's surprising how quickly we revert to pre-covid habits. I met a maskless man recently who reached out to shake hands. Instinctively, I shook his hand. Afterward, I wondered why I was not more cautious.

It's true. Once a barrier is dropped, the fear of virus that created the barrier is lessened. The longer we avoid getting sick through modified living, the more we question whether modified/restricted living is necessary.

I remember, in March and April of 2020, wearing an N95 and gloves, everywhere, at a time when we maybe had a couple hundred total cases in a State of 7 million people. Last January, when we were seeing over 12K case per day, I had zero problem eating out or going to the pub.

We are now seeing a large increase in cases - it will be interesting to see how many people that recently came out of hibernation, will find it more comfortable to self incarcerate.

 

[LadyL]

Trudeau defends Canada's early response to COVID-19 but admits room for improvement

 

[LadyL]

Trudeau says he'll leave domestic vaccine passports up to the provinces

 

[Sundog]

Will Canadians need COVID booster shots? - Macleans.ca

 

[otto]

Will Canadians need COVID booster shots? - Macleans.ca

That's interesting - and consistent with data from other countries. I suppose we should mark our calendars for 6 months and 9 months post-second shot as a reminder that immunity declines after 6 months and may need a boost at 9 months. Only Pfizer is mentioned regarding additional doses in the next two years. Hopefully there will be Moderna doses as well.

 

[jjenny]

That's interesting - and consistent with data from other countries. I suppose we should mark our calendars for 6 months and 9 months post-second shot as a reminder that immunity declines after 6 months and may need a boost at 9 months. Only Pfizer is mentioned regarding additional doses in the next two years. Hopefully there will be Moderna doses as well.

Moderna is already working on boosters for the variants. However, in US, FDA and CDC will need to approve the boosters and so far they have been claiming we don't need them "right now."

 

[tarabull]

CBC.ca: COVID's R-value (or ability to spread) is once again rising in Alberta.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-covid-r-value-1.6101837

 

[otto]

CBC.ca: COVID's R-value (or ability to spread) is once again rising in Alberta.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-covid-r-value-1.6101837

The government seems a bit silly. Numbers go up, the government declares lockdown, numbers go down, the government declares the pandemic is no longer a concern, life returns to normal, number go up, the government declares that another wave has started. It's a silly cycle at this point.

Pandemics have been around for centuries. Artificially reducing the numbers does not mean that wave ended, it's simply temporarily managed.

If numbers increase dramatically in Alberta in the next month, I bet the government will declare that it's the 4th wave, or whatever number of lockdowns have occurred.

It's surprising that Canada is more or less opening up on the basis that 70% of Canadians have received one or two vaccines. Meanwhile, the Delta variant is out of control in some countries - perhaps on the verge of being out of control in Canada.

There were three waves in the 1918 pandemic between Spring 1918 and Winter 1919. The first wave hit young adults, the second hit older adults. We have the reverse. The first wave hit older adults, this wave is hitting younger adults. Children (age 1-17) in Mississippi are in ICU and on ventilators (link).

Dutch government apologizes for opening up too soon.
Dutch PM apologises for easing of COVID-19 curbs as cases soar

 

[otto]

I remember, in March and April of 2020, wearing an N95 and gloves, everywhere, at a time when we maybe had a couple hundred total cases in a State of 7 million people. Last January, when we were seeing over 12K case per day, I had zero problem eating out or going to the pub.

We are now seeing a large increase in cases - it will be interesting to see how many people that recently came out of hibernation, will find it more comfortable to self incarcerate.

I knew the pandemic was coming in January 2020 from reading the news. I mentioned it to a few people, who had a very good laugh about my wild imagination. On March 13, Canada went into lockdown. When that I happened, I was fully stocked to manage hibernation for a couple of months. I suppose many hoped and expected that it would pass quickly, like a seasonal flu.

Here were are 16 months later, and there's really no choice but to enjoy life as much as possible. When restaurants are open, I eat out. I went from washing my groceries on the porch to living normally but taking precautions. I think the healthiest response to the pandemic is that people should do what makes them comfortable. Some wear masks, some don't, it's a personal choice.

 

[otto]

It's not yet as serious as it has been, but we do seem to be at a tipping point regarding the Delta variant, which is 6 times more transmissible than the original variant.

"Cases rose 10 per cent last week to nearly three million, with the highest numbers recorded in Brazil, India, Indonesia and Britain, the WHO said.

The reversal has been attributed to low vaccination rates, the relaxation of mask rules and other precautions, and the swift spread of the more-contagious delta variant, which WHO said has now been identified in 111 countries and is expected to become globally dominant in the coming months.

"It's important that we recognize that COVID has the potential for explosive outbreaks," warned Dr. David Dowdy, an infectious disease specialist at Johns Hopkins University.

Sarah McCool, a professor of public health at Georgia State University, said the combination amounts to a "recipe for a potential tinderbox."​

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/coronavirus-covid19-canada-world-july14-2021-1.6101961

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Canadian government rejects virus shots in Detroit-Windsor border tunnel (clickondetroit.com)

DETROIT – The Canadian government has rejected a creative plan to have Ontario residents line up inside a U.S. border tunnel to tap into a surplus of COVID-19 vaccine held by Michigan, a mayor said.

A white stripe was painted inside the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel in the Detroit River. Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens proposed that Canadians would stand along the border while health care workers jab them.

“We’re not trying to send a man to the moon here. We’re using the infrastructure to accomplish a shared goal,” Dilkens told the Detroit Free Press. “This is a sensible, reasonable alternative to vaccines heading to the landfill.”..

 

[JDG]

CBC.ca: COVID's R-value (or ability to spread) is once again rising in Alberta.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-covid-r-value-1.6101837

Have you seen the pictures of the crowds at the Calgary Stampede this year?

There’s a pandemic??

 

[otto]

Have you seen the pictures of the crowds at the Calgary Stampede this year?

There’s a pandemic??

It doesn't look too crowded. Have you seen photos where it is more crowded?

Calgary Stampede deems 2021 event a 'success' despite lower-than-average attendance numbers

Nashville North required proof of vaccination or rapid testing for admission

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-stampede-covid-tests-1.6099769

 

[MrX]

This, from Calgary Herald, is perhaps more indicative.

 

[otto]

This, from Calgary Herald, is perhaps more indicative.

I suppose that means Calgary numbers will skyrocket in the next 2-3 weeks.

 

[JDG]

Thank you MrX, that ‘s the photo I was referring to….bit crowded IMO.

In England, the numbers are rising since the Euro Cup games started and most are younger males who either attended the games or packed the pubs to watch the games.

IIRC, 47% of the people testing positive were fully vaccinated.

Not time to relax too much…certainly not in crowds. IMO.