Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #102

[BetteDavisEyes]

Fears of new omicron Covid variant prompts Israel to ban entry to foreigners (nbcnews.com)

"You don’t want to frighten the American public but when something occurs that you need to take seriously, you take it seriously," Dr. Anthony Fauci said.

Israel will on Sunday become the first country to ban the entry of all foreigners as the world races to understand and contain the new worrying variant of Covid-19 that emerged in southern Africa. The government also promised to use controversial phone-tracking technology to track and locate cases of the new omicron variant.

While no cases of the new variant have been detected in the United States, the nation’s leading infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, told NBC News that mutations displayed by omicron indicate that it may be highly transmissible and able to escape the body’s immune response, including the protection rendered by antibodies induced by the vaccines.

"You don’t want to frighten the American public but when something occurs that you need to take seriously, you take it seriously and you do whatever you can to mitigate against that," Fauci said...

 

[Grouse]

Definitely worse than I imagined, but like you, I prepared for the worst and hoped for the best. And even being prepared and super-careful, my dh and I were both found by Covid.

And great that you recovered! I recall reading your original post about how the virus found you even after isolating for so long last winter. Does the fact that you did beat the virus make you feel more confident? I think it would for me.

 

[Sundog]

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Interesting that he says that those who have natural immunity to covid-19 may have better immunity to the omicron variant than those who have vaccine immunity, because the mRNA vaccines target the spike program which has now mutated, while natural immunity isn't limited to recognition of the spike protein.

 

[LaborDayRN]

I've read here about crowded stores, no masks, etc. - don't you have "rules" when out shopping?
Like here in Riga, Latvia - when you enter a mall - there are security people that check to see if you have a vaccine certification & your ID & are wearing a mask. If you don't have any of those - you don't get in. Also they have a limit of how many people can enter the store. You have to get a shopping cart or basket when you enter. If there are none at the entrance - you have to wait until someone comes out.

I guess in my country people are following the "rules". I did see a couple come in last week to the grocery store - and got kicked out because they refused to wear masks...

In LA County we are still masking in indoor public places. Our numbers here are pretty good so I think it's helping. Actually our numbers in CA are pretty good right now. Of course that can change at the drop of a hat.

 

[HongKongPhooey]

Interesting that he says that those who have natural immunity to covid-19 may have better immunity to the omicron variant than those who have vaccine immunity, because the mRNA vaccines target the spike program which has now mutated, while natural immunity isn't limited to recognition of the spike protein.

Every cloud

 

[ilovewings]

Organ transplant patients are at risk from covid. But some donors and recipients are fighting vaccine requirements. - The Washington Post

Go figure--- some transplant patients and some donors are refusing to get the vaccine. All I can say is "DUH"--- seriously?????

 

[LaborDayRN]

A less frightening update. The news seems more positive today.

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[beatrixpotter]

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.

Wow. So true. That has been one of the biggest shocks. What others are really like and how little concern they have for others. I realize on some level this is how others are coping. They reassure themselves it's all a hyped up lie because it affirms their desires and that then plays out in a lack of regard for others.

 

[beatrixpotter]

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”.

Yes, I pictured people coming together and fighting a common enemy. It seems that lasted for about two weeks. Then it became everyone being pitted against each other. I'm still so saddened by it. I view so many people I know very differently now.

I'm also blown away by how truly stupid some people seem to me now. So many people repeating such tired and stupid arguments over and over and over again.

 

[Lilibet]

And great that you recovered! I recall reading your original post about how the virus found you even after isolating for so long last winter. Does the fact that you did beat the virus make you feel more confident? I think it would for me.

Thanks! That’s an interesting question! Beating the virus was due to the excellent care (drugs, etc) I received in the hospital. I was on a downhill slide, so had I not received that care I could easily have just faded away and died at home like so many do. Now that I’m vaxxed and boosted I have a bit more confidence that I wouldn’t get as sick. But neither my dh nor I have ventured very far out of our fairly isolated and careful life so far, so we clearly haven’t felt confident enough to test the vaccine. We need to fly from Oregon to L.A. and back Dec. 6 and 9 for a medical appointment, and that feels like a big test! Even bigger now with Omicron in the mix. But we will take precautions, hope and pray for the best and try to enjoy our stay in a nice hotel on the water with fine dining. We’re viewing it as making up for two anniversaries we haven’t really celebrated! I think we’ll be OK, so I guess that’s a wee bit of confidence.

 

[sds71]

Moderna's chief medical officer Paul Burton said on Sunday that a reformulated vaccine against the newly-identified Omicron coronavirus variant could be ready as soon as early 2022 if it's found to be necessary.

Moderna says updated vaccine for Omicron could be ready in early 2022 - Axios

 

[beatrixpotter]

So, I'm back to having major anxiety like I was having in March of 2020 and beyond. This new variant sounds bad.

Husband and I were fully vaxxed as of the second week of Sept. so I don't think we are able to get a booster yet.

Are you guys thinking this is going to be super bad? Curious to hear from all of you smart Websleuths people that have been my go-to during this.

I'll be honest that I'm trying not to think about it too much. I know it's there. But I need to not think too far ahead. I feel trapped in my life in that for my children's sakes we can just no longer isolate like we did. But as someone with some severe health anxiety related to my actual severe health issues this whole thing has been a total mind #(@%.

 

[beatrixpotter]

Definitely worse than I imagined, but like you, I prepared for the worst and hoped for the best. And even being prepared and super-careful, my dh and I were both found by Covid.

Seeing NYC in such bad shape really made me see how bad it could get.

The death toll has been beyond what I could have imagined on my own without listening to experts.

But above all, what I naively did not expect was the level of angry resistance to every public health measure, from social distancing to masks to the vaccine. And the conspiracy theories! Totally nuts! It’s like some evil force has possessed people. So now, nothing will surprise me.

Yes, like some kind of mass psychosis!

 

[MajorHoople]

Super-mutant Covid strain Omicron hits Australia as two infected travellers land in Sydney despite being FULLY vaccinated - as health expert says ALL arrivals should be forced to quarantine

"Two cases of new 'super-mutant' Covid variant Omicron have been detected in Australia after arriving from Africa where it first emerged.

NSW Health confirmed on Sunday urgent genomic testing found the two travellers who touched down in Sydney on Saturday night have the new strain.

'They underwent testing on arrival and tested positive for Covid late last night,' it said.

'The two positive cases, who were asymptomatic, are in isolation in the special health accommodation. Both people are fully vaccinated."

 

[ilovewings]

Thanks! That’s an interesting question! Beating the virus was due to the excellent care (drugs, etc) I received in the hospital. I was on a downhill slide, so had I not received that care I could easily have just faded away and died at home like so many do. Now that I’m vaxxed and boosted I have a bit more confidence that I wouldn’t get as sick. But neither my dh nor I have ventured very far out of our fairly isolated and careful life so far, so we clearly haven’t felt confident enough to test the vaccine. We need to fly from Oregon to L.A. and back Dec. 6 and 9 for a medical appointment, and that feels like a big test! Even bigger now with Omicron in the mix. But we will take precautions, hope and pray for the best and try to enjoy our stay in a nice hotel on the water with fine dining. We’re viewing it as making up for two anniversaries we haven’t really celebrated! I think we’ll be OK, so I guess that’s a wee bit of confidence.

Like you, I take precautions: I don't do anything different than I did before I got vaccinated. I got my booster about 10 days ago. I think you should have confidence with that booster on board. Just go ahead and enjoy your stay in a nice hotel and eating great food!!!! My husband and I are going to Florida for the winter-we are driving: that puts me in a dilemma as far as eating on the road. I have not been inside a restaurant since this nightmare began. I think we could go into a restaurant with masks-- and with the booster on board it should be ok -----

 

[Grouse]

Thanks! That’s an interesting question! Beating the virus was due to the excellent care (drugs, etc) I received in the hospital. I was on a downhill slide, so had I not received that care I could easily have just faded away and died at home like so many do. Now that I’m vaxxed and boosted I have a bit more confidence that I wouldn’t get as sick. But neither my dh nor I have ventured very far out of our fairly isolated and careful life so far, so we clearly haven’t felt confident enough to test the vaccine. We need to fly from Oregon to L.A. and back Dec. 6 and 9 for a medical appointment, and that feels like a big test! Even bigger now with Omicron in the mix. But we will take precautions, hope and pray for the best and try to enjoy our stay in a nice hotel on the water with fine dining. We’re viewing it as making up for two anniversaries we haven’t really celebrated! I think we’ll be OK, so I guess that’s a wee bit of confidence.

Well you're going so you may as well enjoy it!

 

[MimosaMornings]

Like you, I take precautions: I don't do anything different than I did before I got vaccinated. I got my booster about 10 days ago. I think you should have confidence with that booster on board. Just go ahead and enjoy your stay in a nice hotel and eating great food!!!! My husband and I are going to Florida for the winter-we are driving: that puts me in a dilemma as far as eating on the road. I have not been inside a restaurant since this nightmare began. I think we could go into a restaurant with masks-- and with the booster on board it should be ok -----

Be careful heading through the southern states. Especially at convenience stores and gas stations especially the larger ones like QuikTrip, Raceway, Love’s. It was like preCovid.
Very little mask wearing. I was the only person wearing a mask, I had to go inside to use the bathroom.

 

[Grouse]

Covid: 13 test positive for Omicron after S Africa-Netherlands flights

"The new coronavirus variant Omicron has been detected in 13 people who arrived in the Dutch capital Amsterdam on two flights from South Africa.

They are among 61 passengers who tested positive for coronavirus."

Hmm, not sure what that's telling us. If it weren't for knowledge of the new variant would it have made the news that 48 people arriving off two flights had tested positive for Delta?

ETA: it does say "the new variant could still be found in more test samples." though so not conclusive yet

 

[ilovewings]

Be careful heading through the southern states. Especially at convenience stores and gas stations especially the larger ones like QuikTrip, Raceway, Love’s. It was like preCovid.
Very little mask wearing. I was the only person wearing a mask, I had to go inside to use the bathroom.

Those are the places we always stop at: I will mask up and have lots of hand sanitizer-
I am not surprised about the South- I think they think somehow the pandemic is not in the south--- "nothing to see here'

 

[margarita25]

And great that you recovered! I recall reading your original post about how the virus found you even after isolating for so long last winter. Does the fact that you did beat the virus make you feel more confident? I think it would for me.

Thankfully our Dear @Lilibet and her hubby made it through!!!

I heard Dr. Fauci saying there may be a potential issue with omicron and the effectiveness of monoclonal antibodies as well as convalescent plasma. Anxiously awaiting all the data, as we all are.

I am hearing some outraaaaaaageous numbers on the R-Naught. Delta was around 8ish, one doctor said omnicron could be as high as 50 on TV last night. Let’s see what the formal data says.

Less severe disease, if true, is obviously great news. However, if omicron outcompetes Delta wrt transmissibility and infects more people, then there is even more opportunity for mutations under this sublineage with potentially dangerous characteristics including immune escape. And if treatments and vaccines are not (as) effective, then there could be some serious issues.

Let’s see what the data says. It’s going to a stressful couple of weeks, I think.

And as if things aren’t already bad enough...