Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #104

[LaborDayRN]

I've just been alerted that my niece (39 years old) has been intubated and moved to ICU. She's hospitalized in Winston-Salem, NC.

Oh no CharlestonGal! I'm so sorry to hear this! Please keep up updated.

 

[CrimeAway]

@CharlestonGal that's sad to read. It certainly seems that she has an uphill battle. Sometimes I think that I am overly concerned about Covid-19 in general, but I worry less about myself, and more for others who may not realize how much risk they place themselves (and others) in until it's too late.

I'll be thinking of your family.

 

[CharlestonGal]

I think the idea is that Omicron may become the dominant strain and DELTA may burn itself out.
Omicron is much more contagious than Delta and also is believed to cause much milder symptoms according to studies in South Africa where it seemed to have originated. So if enough people catch Omicron (including the millions of unvaccinated people), herd immunity could be reached. It gives me some hope to believe this anyway. It would be wonderful if like could return to a more normal state.

Omicron is not the last of this, imo. It did not evolve from Delta and shares no common ancestors with Delta. It split off the main family tree some time last year and evolved separately on its own. It's likely there are other variants on their own evolutionary paths right now and it's impossible to know how those variants are going to mature. This is the reason Delta confers no immunity to Omicron. They are not relatives. It's kind of interesting if you want to dive into the genetics of the thing.

"It's been very common to use an evolutionary tree — or a family tree — of these SARS-CoV-2 viruses to catch introductions in places like Australia and Taiwan that have not had a lot of local spread," says Bedford. "You can figure out where the importations are coming from by looking at the viral genome and checking, 'Is it close in its sequence characteristics to [strains] that are circulating elsewhere that have been sequenced and shared with the database?' "

Scientists can then see, as they continue to take samples in the new region over time, how each particular strain starts to pick up additional — often benign — mutations step by step until it morphs into a significantly different strain.

But Bedford says that when you look at the family tree for this omicron variant, there's something surprising: "With omicron, your closest sequences are back from mid-2020 — so over a year ago. That is very rare to see."

In other words, while scientists can tell that this variant evolved from a strain that was circulating in mid-2020, in the intervening months there has been no trace of all the intermediate versions that scientists would have expected to find as it morphed into its current form.

"It doesn't tie into anything that was circulating more recently," says Bedford." Yet its mutations put it a long way from that 2020 strain."

The mystery of where omicron came from — and why it matters

 

[LadyL]

Here's the thing: it does not matter if we get upset, mad or disgusted: the unvaccinated don't give a crap and the hospitals won't turn them away so they are taking up beds that other patients cannot have, even in an emergency. This case is sad for the family and the deceased patient and angering for the rest of us, because it could be any one of us or a loved one that cannot get a bed that is needed. There is just so much wrong with the way this pandemic has been handled in this country. It is chaos: not enough tests, the only monoclonal antibodies that could treat Omicron is not available in many areas. What kind of country have we become? Oh, and people who don't get vaccinated get the best treatment while people who took all precautions cannot get treated. I will tell you this: If I was a young single woman I would consider moving to Canada for a while. This country has become a chit-hole. sorry.

fair warning we're a chithole here too

 

[Lilibet]

Omicron is not the last of this, imo. It did not evolve from Delta and shares no common ancestors with Delta. It split off the main family tree some time last year and evolved separately on its own. It's likely there are other variants on their own evolutionary paths right now and it's impossible to know how those variants are going to mature. This is the reason Delta confers no immunity to Omicron. They are not relatives. It's kind of interesting if you want to dive into the genetics of the thing.

"It's been very common to use an evolutionary tree — or a family tree — of these SARS-CoV-2 viruses to catch introductions in places like Australia and Taiwan that have not had a lot of local spread," says Bedford. "You can figure out where the importations are coming from by looking at the viral genome and checking, 'Is it close in its sequence characteristics to [strains] that are circulating elsewhere that have been sequenced and shared with the database?' "

Scientists can then see, as they continue to take samples in the new region over time, how each particular strain starts to pick up additional — often benign — mutations step by step until it morphs into a significantly different strain.

But Bedford says that when you look at the family tree for this omicron variant, there's something surprising: "With omicron, your closest sequences are back from mid-2020 — so over a year ago. That is very rare to see."

In other words, while scientists can tell that this variant evolved from a strain that was circulating in mid-2020, in the intervening months there has been no trace of all the intermediate versions that scientists would have expected to find as it morphed into its current form.

"It doesn't tie into anything that was circulating more recently," says Bedford." Yet its mutations put it a long way from that 2020 strain."

The mystery of where omicron came from — and why it matters

Fascinating article…and rather chilling. Thanks for posting @CharlestonGal.

 

[Caylee Advocate]

Ohio is breaking records for the number of daily cases, just today there were 20,320 new cases. Our Governor has requested 1500 additional National Guards to help in the hospitals.

I just don't understand why some refuse to even wear a mask and look at those of us who do, like we are aliens. I have had both shots and a booster, but until this crap is completely gone.... this chick is gonna' mask up and avoid the naysayers. Sorry, not sorry.




DeWine sends more Ohio National Guard to hospitals to help with COVID

 

[Caylee Advocate]

I've just been alerted that my niece (39 years old) has been intubated and moved to ICU. She's hospitalized in Winston-Salem, NC.

So sad to hear. Prayers for your niece. HUGS.

 

[CharlestonGal]

No words.

Coroner finds 3 siblings at Johnstown home died of COVID-19 | AP News

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (AP) — A western Pennsylvania coroner said Wednesday that three siblings found dead at a home near Johnstown two months ago all died from COVID-19.

The two men and a woman found in different locations on the property had died about five days before they were found in late October, he said.

Ruth Kinsey, 68, was on the kitchen floor. Richard Kinsey, 70, was in a living room chair. Donald Kinsey, 72, was found in bed in a camper inside a barn on the property.

Their bodies were discovered after authorities were asked to check on their welfare.

 

[Teche]

@CharlestonGal, I'm sorry to hear about your niece. Hopefully she will make a completely recovery.

 

[SouthAussie]

Right? The US is not participating. Not because of covid, but because of China's human rights violations. I'm not sure who else pulled out. jmo

ETA: US diplomats to boycott 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics

The US, UK, Canada and Australia have all joined in a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics.

We are all still allowing our athletes to go. Just the diplomats won't be going. (I don't know if that means that our govts are still funding the athletes, but I presume that we are.)

It is kind of a semi-boycott. imo

Australia will 'pay a price' for Winter Olympics boycott, China says

 

[StarrChance]

No words.

Coroner finds 3 siblings at Johnstown home died of COVID-19 | AP News

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (AP) — A western Pennsylvania coroner said Wednesday that three siblings found dead at a home near Johnstown two months ago all died from COVID-19.

The two men and a woman found in different locations on the property had died about five days before they were found in late October, he said.

Ruth Kinsey, 68, was on the kitchen floor. Richard Kinsey, 70, was in a living room chair. Donald Kinsey, 72, was found in bed in a camper inside a barn on the property.

Their bodies were discovered after authorities were asked to check on their welfare.

This is sounding like a horror movie!

 

[nightowl1975]

So if enough people catch Omicron (including the millions of unvaccinated people), herd immunity could be reached. It gives me some hope to believe this anyway. It would be wonderful if like could return to a more normal state.

There’s no such thing as herd immunity to the common cold or the flu. Why would we expect natural omnicron antibodies to protect us against other strains of Covid? Prior infection and/or vaccine with or without booster doesn’t appear to be stopping people from getting omnicron. I *do* think we might eventually get to the point where Covid is more in line with really bad flu seasons in terms of how many deaths it causes. But “herd immunity”? I don’t think that’s ever going to happen. Just my honest opinion based on what I’m seeing.

 

[pocketaccent]

Woman Tests Positive for COVID-19 Mid-Flight, Isolates for 5 Hours in Bathroom

A Michigan schoolteacher who tested positive for COVID-19 in the middle of a flight to Iceland a few days before Christmas says she ended up voluntarily isolated in the plane's cramped bathroom for the last five hours of the trip to Reykjavik.
...
Fotieo said her throat began to hurt about halfway through her Dec. 20 Icelandair flight out of Chicago. She had brought some rapid test kits with her in case she needed them while traveling.

"I just took my rapid test and I brought it into the bathroom, and within what felt like two seconds there were two lines (indicating a positive test)," Fotieo said.

Fotieo opted to stay isolated in the airplane bathroom for the remainder of the flight, which she estimated was five hours.

"There’s 150 people on the flight, and my biggest fear was giving it to them," she said.

Fotieo said she was able to make it through being cooped up in the bathroom thanks to the care of flight attendant Ragnhildur "Rocky" Eiríksdóttir.
..

 

[Lilibet]

Woman Tests Positive for COVID-19 Mid-Flight, Isolates for 5 Hours in Bathroom

A Michigan schoolteacher who tested positive for COVID-19 in the middle of a flight to Iceland a few days before Christmas says she ended up voluntarily isolated in the plane's cramped bathroom for the last five hours of the trip to Reykjavik.
...
Fotieo said her throat began to hurt about halfway through her Dec. 20 Icelandair flight out of Chicago. She had brought some rapid test kits with her in case she needed them while traveling.

"I just took my rapid test and I brought it into the bathroom, and within what felt like two seconds there were two lines (indicating a positive test)," Fotieo said.

Fotieo opted to stay isolated in the airplane bathroom for the remainder of the flight, which she estimated was five hours.

"There’s 150 people on the flight, and my biggest fear was giving it to them," she said.

Fotieo said she was able to make it through being cooped up in the bathroom thanks to the care of flight attendant Ragnhildur "Rocky" Eiríksdóttir.
..

Now THAT’S being a responsible human being!!

 

[pocketaccent]

Now THAT’S being a responsible human being!!

She is an angel!
In the article there is a link to Tik Tok video she posted of her in the bathroom. Looks like she is triple masked. Unbelievable!

 

[margarita25]

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US coronavirus: The country just hit a record average of daily new Covid-19 cases - CNN

 

[jakat]

I'm so sorry you and your family are going through this jakat. I'm glad that you son was vaccinated. I bet that will help a great deal.

Thank you. I am so glad both of them have been vaccinated. Actually, all 8 of them have been vaccinated. So far, no hospitalizations which is good. I'm waiting to hear how the other 2 are doing, and whether they've been infected.

 

[mickey2942]

There’s no such thing as herd immunity to the common cold or the flu. Why would we expect natural omnicron antibodies to protect us against other strains of Covid? Prior infection and/or vaccine with or without booster doesn’t appear to be stopping people from getting omnicron. I *do* think we might eventually get to the point where Covid is more in line with really bad flu seasons in terms of how many deaths it causes. But “herd immunity”? I don’t think that’s ever going to happen. Just my honest opinion based on what I’m seeing.

Maybe. I just can't wrap my head around the fact that this keeps on going. If someone got Covid-19 at the beginning in 2020, does that mean that the same person could catch it again? With all of these new variants?

@CharlestonGal so sorry about your niece. Prayers for her, and your family.

 

[Mauig’ma]

Maybe. I just can't wrap my head around the fact that this keeps on going. If someone got Covid-19 at the beginning in 2020, does that mean that the same person could catch it again? With all of these new variants?

@CharlestonGal so sorry about your niece. Prayers for her, and your family.

My daughter has had it twice. She’s an er nurse. 4 of the 6 night nurses got it twice also. Exactly one year apart. I don’t have a “link” so I’m sure this will be deleted. And yes all were required to be vaccinated. So there’s that. Edit to add their first diagnosis a year ago was a lot worse than the 2nd time they got it. A couple were asymptomatic and my daughter had mild symptoms.

 

[IceIce9]

Woman Tests Positive for COVID-19 Mid-Flight, Isolates for 5 Hours in Bathroom

A Michigan schoolteacher who tested positive for COVID-19 in the middle of a flight to Iceland a few days before Christmas says she ended up voluntarily isolated in the plane's cramped bathroom for the last five hours of the trip to Reykjavik.
...
Fotieo said her throat began to hurt about halfway through her Dec. 20 Icelandair flight out of Chicago. She had brought some rapid test kits with her in case she needed them while traveling.

"I just took my rapid test and I brought it into the bathroom, and within what felt like two seconds there were two lines (indicating a positive test)," Fotieo said.

Fotieo opted to stay isolated in the airplane bathroom for the remainder of the flight, which she estimated was five hours.

"There’s 150 people on the flight, and my biggest fear was giving it to them," she said.

Fotieo said she was able to make it through being cooped up in the bathroom thanks to the care of flight attendant Ragnhildur "Rocky" Eiríksdóttir.
..

Too bad she didn’t do the test before she hot on the plane.