Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #102

[LaborDayRN]

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[Grouse]

How are they identifying this "variant"? I thought that the current Covid tests, only test for the Covid-19, how does the test distinguish between the variants?

I read about this earlier today. Apparently it is something about "S Gene dropout" that shows up different with this variant on a PCR test, meaning they can identify it quite quickly before sending it off to analyse the whole genome. So it appears that's at least one good thing about it.

""Current SARS-CoV-2 PCR diagnostics continue to detect this variant," the statement reads. "Several labs have indicated that for one widely used PCR test, one of the three target genes is not detected (called S gene dropout or S gene target failure) and this test can therefore be used as marker for this variant, pending sequencing confirmation."

World Health Organization: PCR tests able to detect new SARS-CoV-2 variant ‘Omicron’

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

As world scrambles to contain new omicron variant, scientists say the West was warned about Covid mutations (nbcnews.com)

Dr. Anthony Fauci told NBC News’ "Weekend TODAY" he "would not be surprised," if the variant had reached the U.S.

As countries around the globe scrambled to contain a new Covid-19 variant called omicron, scientists have said they are unsurprised at its emergence and repeated calls for greater worldwide vaccination efforts.

Two cases of the variant have been identified in the U.K., Health Minister Sajid Javid said Saturday. He added that the people involved were linked to each other and to travel to southern Africa, where omicron was first detected earlier this week.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Saturday anyone arriving in the UK will be asked to take a PCR test for Covid-19 on the second day and must self isolate until they provide a negative test. He also said the rules on face coverings in shops and on public transport will be tightened.

A case of the new variant Omicron has also been detected in Italy, the National Health Institute (ISS) said on Saturday...

 

[margarita25]

Very informative article:

New Concerning Variant: B.1.1.529

From the above link:

BBM:

“B.1.1.529 has 32 mutations on the spike protein alone. This is an insane amount of change. As a comparison, Delta had 9 changes on the spike protein. We know that B.1.1.529 is not a “Delta plus” variant. The figure below shows a really long line, with no previous Delta ancestors. So this likely means it mutated over time in one, likely immunocompromised, individual.”

*This goes against what Dr. Gottlieb predicted/said not too long ago when he said something along the lines of him expecting future variants to be of the Delta sublineage. He also said something along the lines of this could be “over in January” which I was totally against and found to be an irresponsible statement, imo.


Pfizer board member Gottlieb says the Covid pandemic could be over in the U.S. by January
Nov. 5, 2021
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/05/pfi...emic-could-be-over-in-the-us-by-january-.html

—-

I have got a lot to say about this new variant, but don’t even know where to start. Right now honestly I’m feeling so sick about it I can barely speak.

 

[whitelilac]

To think back to 2020, don't remember which month, when on my local Nextdoor, people were complaining about the new order to stay home for TWO weeks, only to go out for necessities wearing a mask and staying 6 feet apart.
Two weeks, people complained, others said hey it's only for two weeks.

Little did they know.

I thought at the time, no, this will be for two to four months.
Little did I know.

 

[mickey2942]

I am not a scientist, but if the Covid vaccine is like the flu vaccine, it is based on a "guess", which is why, even if you get a flu vaccine, you may catch another strain of the flu, not in the vaccine.

So, we got our vaccines for Covid, but not this variation. So, back to the beginning. And it doesn't seem like we have learned much. Since we are already repeating the exact same mistakes. An endless loop now.

 

[CrimeAway]

I am not a scientist, but if the Covid vaccine is like the flu vaccine, it is based on a "guess", which is why, even if you get a flu vaccine, you may catch another strain of the flu, not in the vaccine.

So, we got our vaccines for Covid, but not this variation. So, back to the beginning. And it doesn't seem like we have learned much. Since we are already repeating the exact same mistakes. An endless loop now.

The influenza virus mutates a lot more than Covid, so I don't think that Covid vaccines will need to be changed as much. JMO.

ETA:
The coronavirus is mutating — does it matter?

The natural evolution of SARS-CoV-2: How science responds to these challenges

 

[Cool Cats]

Good News

Pfizer said an updated version of its COVID-19 vaccine will be 'ready in 100 days' if the new Omicron variant is resistant to its current vaccine

Pfizer said it will be able to manufacture and distribute an updated version of its COVID-19 vaccine within 100 days if the new variant Omicron is found to be resistant to its current vaccine.

"Pfizer and BioNTech have taken actions months ago to be able to adapt the mRNA vaccine within six weeks and ship initial batches within 100 days in the event of an escape variant," the company said in a statement.

Pfizer expects to know within two weeks whether the variant is resistant to its current vaccine, a company spokesperson told Reuters.

"We expect more data from the laboratory tests in two weeks at the latest. These data will provide more information about whether B.1.1.529 could be an escape variant that may require an adjustment of our vaccine if the variant spreads globally," the spokesperson said.

Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are also preparing to respond to the Omicron's possible threat.

 

[CrimeAway]

TWIV 821, TWiV 821: Public clonotype #1
had a fascinating discussion of a paper which demonstrated that NAIVE immune "B" cells could engage the receptor binding domain (RBD) of Sars-coV-2 and other coronaviruses.
Part of this ability seems to be due to random assortment of genes in the B cells as they are developing.

Somatic hypermutation - Wikipedia

I'm still trying to wrap my head around all of this information, as I learn more about the intricacies of the immune system.
However, if I'm understanding it correctly, this process MAY be why booster shots can produce a broader, and more durable level of protection. JMO until I have a link.

ETA: 58:15 on the video below is where they talk about broader immune response after infection and vaccination.

The whole episode is worth a listen IMO, as the first part discusses the results of wildlife sampling for viruses in the US, but the part discussing "B" cells and coronaviruses, starts at around 26:20

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[ilovewings]

From the above link:

BBM:

“B.1.1.529 has 32 mutations on the spike protein alone. This is an insane amount of change. As a comparison, Delta had 9 changes on the spike protein. We know that B.1.1.529 is not a “Delta plus” variant. The figure below shows a really long line, with no previous Delta ancestors. So this likely means it mutated over time in one, likely immunocompromised, individual.”

*This goes against what Dr. Gottlieb predicted/said not too long ago when he said something along the lines of him expecting future variants to be of the Delta sublineage. He also said something along the lines of this could be “over in January” which I was totally against and found to be an irresponsible statement, imo.


Pfizer board member Gottlieb says the Covid pandemic could be over in the U.S. by January
Nov. 5, 2021
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/05/pfi...emic-could-be-over-in-the-us-by-january-.html

—-

I have got a lot to say about this new variant, but don’t even know where to start. Right now honestly I’m feeling so sick about it I can barely speak.

Ditto

 

[Deleted member 158085]

I'm curious about what others think. Is the pandemic better or worse than you were picturing?

I think I was pretty darn pessimistic about the pandemic. Over all it's thankfully not been as deadly as we initially thought. But I have to say as pessimistic as I was it's been worse than I could picture or imagine. I knew the ramifications could be huge. But it's like the entire world is changing. The fall out just seems never ending.

Both better and worse. Better in that I pictured losing many people I am close to. Better in that I half-expected to die myself. Worse in terms of what I learned about my fellow man, which ties into worse in terms of how long this has lasted and how many times it has mutated.

 

[margarita25]

I'm curious about what others think. Is the pandemic better or worse than you were picturing?

I think I was pretty darn pessimistic about the pandemic. Over all it's thankfully not been as deadly as we initially thought. But I have to say as pessimistic as I was it's been worse than I could picture or imagine. I knew the ramifications could be huge. But it's like the entire world is changing. The fall out just seems never ending.

WORSE, WORSE, WORSE.
Beyond my wildest imagination.

 

[ilovewings]

Oy Vay--watching 110,000 Michigan fans screaming and hugging
over Michigan win over Ohio---this spectacle in a state with
exploding cases of Covid-- even outdoors I cannot see how this
wont result in many new cases

 

[ilovewings]

WORSE, WORSE, WORSE.
Beyond my wildest imagination.

Much worse than I ever expected!!

 

[margarita25]

Much worse than I ever expected!!

I honestly thought it would “run its course” like SARS and be over in a few months. I was worried about mutations after learning about that happening during the 1918 flu, but never could have fathomed the scope of all this.

 

[HongKongPhooey]

Much worse than I ever expected!!

Me too. I was just sitting here thinking that this time last year my aunt was still alive and she was trying to work out how she could safely spend Christmas with my cousins. I still cant believe she didnt see Christmas . It was brutal, honestly.

And all those other families, having similar thoughts. Just awful.

 

[ilovewings]

Me too. I was just sitting here thinking that this time last year my aunt was still alive and she was trying to work out how she could safely spend Christmas with my cousins. I still cant believe she didnt see Christmas . It was brutal, honestly.

And all those other families, having similar thoughts. Just awful.

I am so sorry about your aunt--so many lost and we are nowhere
near the end of this true nightmare!

 

[margarita25]

I also thought more people would “care” about it, protect themselves and each other. I had this vision of us all coming together, fighting a common enemy.

I also never anticipated so MANY mutations, and so many “waves”, and that it would NEVER go away.

I look forward to sharing my jmo analysis on what we know so far about variants and mutations as it relates to “omicron”.

 

[ilovewings]

I also thought more people would “care” about it, protect themselves and each other. I had this vision of us all coming together, fighting a common enemy.

I also never anticipated so MANY mutations, and so many “waves”, and that it would NEVER go away.

I look forward to sharing my jmo analysis on what we know so far about variants and mutations as it relates to “omicrom”.

I never thought so many people would refuse to get vaccinated, nor did I anticipate so many militant anti vaxxers including the military, cops, fire fighters
and nurses

 

[LaborDayRN]

Me too. I was just sitting here thinking that this time last year my aunt was still alive and she was trying to work out how she could safely spend Christmas with my cousins. I still cant believe she didnt see Christmas . It was brutal, honestly.

And all those other families, having similar thoughts. Just awful.

((((HongKongPhooey))))) I'm so sorry about the loss of your Aunt.