Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #104

[nhmemorymaker]

Some people need to work as quickly as they feel able to do so if they don’t have Covid. Quarantine rules are very different if you have Covid vs if it’s a cold. I don’t begrudge someone needing to know if they have Covid from a work standpoint… many simply cannot afford to quarantine for 10 days for every cold.

Ah. Yes. My specific comment was only regarding the one poster whom I quoted that was talking about a family member testing positive but then said rapid tests were only 50/50. I was thinking…. Yeah, no… if they got a positive result, it’s definitely more than 50/50 that it’s a true positive. I wasn’t commenting on anything except that one particular poster’s comment.

Gotcha... i guess I did not see the post to which you were referrng.
positive tests are way up there in accuracy, again statistical data shows that very clearly.

BUT I really really think the 'false negative' is a real issue. I am in an area where there is a relatively high percentage of unvaccinated.... and a number of them work, so have to get tested regularly. The calmness about getting a "negative test is always accurate", and the feeling that it is "nothing but a common cold" is going to have disappointing behaviors and spreading of the highly contagious infection. I think I am most concerned, personally, with a couple of young couples, unvaccinated, who have had babies this past year. One's grandmother died of Covid... so I was hoping she would get vaccinated...

I think we all have emotions that go in many different directions....
just my rambling opinions here!!!

 

[nhmemorymaker]

Woo hoo for fulfilled Costco orders!! I was able to get every single thing at Costco today that we needed for work but hadn’t been able to get from our usual vendors this week. Disinfectant wipes, spray, briefs, etc etc etc. I’m sure I looked like one of those hoarders but I don’t even care. I was shopping for 90+ frail elderly patients and just so thrilled everything was well stocked with almost no purchase limits.

Geezzz... I haven't seen shortages yet. I did notice, however, that one half of the toilet paper shelves at my local grocer were empty....but there was still plenty available.

I really hope folks keep us informed of where they see shortages.... Kind of nice to have "supply chain" expert experience working for us here!!!!

 

[nhmemorymaker]

My husband is watching the Orange Bowl which is in Miami: OMG the stands are filled with people and it is indoors. The virus is having a real good time tonight: This game should have never been allowed to go on in Miami especially. They have a huge outbreak there.

DeSantis is truly MIA. I am feeling he is trying to manage his own 'herd immunity' program here. If the data from South Africa holds true for us in the US... maybe it will peak and flow out quicker than projected. Florida is just such a mobile petrie dish, so the virus will travel to all states rapidly, but the local statistics will probably look fine . Florida has never counted cases of out of state residents as Florida cases anyway. I suspect he will tout success with herd immunity eventually.....

just my own opinion as a Florida resident !!!!!

 

[CharlestonGal]

DeSantis is truly MIA. I am feeling he is trying to manage his own 'herd immunity' program here. If the data from South Africa holds true for us in the US... maybe it will peak and flow out quicker than projected. Florida is just such a mobile petrie dish, so the virus will travel to all states rapidly, but the local statistics will probably look fine . Florida has never counted cases of out of state residents as Florida cases anyway. I suspect he will tout success with herd immunity eventually.....

just my own opinion as a Florida resident !!!!!

Florida has been deceptive in their reporting from the beginning, IMO. They only report cases and deaths of Florida's own residents. So all those tourists and snowbirds in FL right now, residents Maine or Canada or Michigan, do not appear in FL's numbers. Nor are they reported in their resident state. This should never have been allowed, IMO. If you get covid in FL or die of covid in FL, Florida should have been required to count it.

Which raises the question - yesterday they reported 76,000 new cases. But how many more are there really? How many snowbirds and tourists are infected? We will never likely know. jmo

http://ww11.doh.state.fl.us/comm/_p..._archive/covid19-data/covid19_data_latest.pdf

COVID-19 Weekly Situation Report: State Overview
Previous week (December 24, 2021 - December 30, 2021)
Published December 31, 2021
All data are provisional and subject to change. Data include only Florida residents.

 

[jjenny]

DeSantis is truly MIA. I am feeling he is trying to manage his own 'herd immunity' program here. If the data from South Africa holds true for us in the US... maybe it will peak and flow out quicker than projected. Florida is just such a mobile petrie dish, so the virus will travel to all states rapidly, but the local statistics will probably look fine . Florida has never counted cases of out of state residents as Florida cases anyway. I suspect he will tout success with herd immunity eventually.....

just my own opinion as a Florida resident !!!!!

Florida, unlike South Africa, is full of elderly.

 

[CrimeAway]

Here's the latest TWIV Clinical Update with Dr Daniel Griffin MD, and Vincent Racaniello PhD.

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ETA: I thought I was hearing things when Dr Griffin said the new Corbevax was financed by Tito's vodka, but sure enough:
Tito’s Handmade Vodka gives $1M grant for COVID-19 vaccine

Here's some more information about Corbevax, which has secured EUA in India:
A COVID Vaccine for All

 

[weepingangel]

We haven’t been able to find our preferred brand of tp for at least a month
Also gbabys regular brand of formula.

Geezzz... I haven't seen shortages yet. I did notice, however, that one half of the toilet paper shelves at my local grocer were empty....but there was still plenty available.

I really hope folks keep us informed of where they see shortages.... Kind of nice to have "supply chain" expert experience working for us here!!!!

 

[Cool Cats]

Geezzz... I haven't seen shortages yet. I did notice, however, that one half of the toilet paper shelves at my local grocer were empty....but there was still plenty available.

I really hope folks keep us informed of where they see shortages.... Kind of nice to have "supply chain" expert experience working for us here!!!!

There are lots of shortages. I keep coming across them. Our local bakery can't get pastry shells for one. Local craft store is out of items. Cream cheese I use is gone, bagels I buy are gone, cat food scarcer to find in grocery stores. Lots of things.

 

[kkdj]

There are lots of shortages. I keep coming across them. Our local bakery can't get pastry shells for one. Local craft store is out of items. Cream cheese I use is gone, bagels I buy are gone, cat food scarcer to find in grocery stores. Lots of things.

Yup.
We have plenty of bare shelves too!

 

[Cool Cats]

Scientists Predict Omicron Will Peak in the U.S. in Mid-January But Still May Overwhelm Hospitals

New estimates from researchers at Columbia University suggest that the United States could peak by Jan. 9 at around 2.5 million cases per week, although that number may go as high as 5.4 million. In New York City, the first U.S. metropolis to see a major surge, the researchers estimated that cases would peak by the first week of the new year.

“It’s shocking. It’s disturbing,” said Jeffrey Shaman, a public health researcher who led the Columbia modeling work. “We’re seeing unprecedented numbers of COVID-19 cases.”

The variant is significantly milder than delta and other versions of the virus and is far less likely to lead to hospitalizations, according to data from South Africa and preliminary data from Britain released Friday.

 

[CrimeAway]

Information about where to obtain new Covid antiviral medication at select pharmacies, such as some Walmart, Sam's Club, Walgreens, and Good Neighbor locations.

Note that TWIV'S Dr Griffin recommends that if a provider writes for one antiviral, for example Paxlovid, that they also add on the script, to substitute for the other antiviral, Molnupiravir, if Paxlovid is unavailable. This information can be found in the TWIV Clinical Update 848 (posted earlier) at around 26:00

https://www.walmart.com/cp/authorized-covid-19-medication/2766660

The COVID antiviral drugs are here but they're scarce. Here's what to know

Where to get COVID pill treatment in Georgia | 11alive.com

https://healthdata.gov/widgets/rxn6-qnx8?mobile_redirect=true

 

[Cool Cats]

Op-Ed: Vaccine-hesitant people can still change their minds. As a doctor, I'm seeing it happen

Earlier this month, I saw an elderly patient with underlying chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who was admitted to the hospital with a bone stuck in his throat. He underwent endoscopic removal the same day; a routine pre-procedure COVID-19 test came back negative.

The next day, going over his discharge instructions, I asked if he was vaccinated against COVID-19 yet. He was not, and the room got awkwardly silent for a few seconds. But he followed up by asking if he could get his first dose now.

It is easy to assume every unvaccinated person is set in their ways. Some people may very well be, but even now there are many people on the brink of getting the vaccine — like me at the end of 2020 when travel plans got in the way, or like my patient earlier this month who just needed me to ask.

My patient said that he had been trying to stay home as much as possible. With his son and daughter-in-law in a different city, he would have needed an Uber to get to a vaccination appointment, and he was afraid of catching COVID-19 in the process of trying to prevent it. One of his friends, he said, had just left the hospital after spending two months there battling COVID-19.

My patient was doing what he could to protect himself and not be a burden on his family. I ordered him a dose of his preferred vaccine and provided information on an appointment for his next dose. I hope he keeps it.

 

[Sundog]

There are lots of shortages. I keep coming across them. Our local bakery can't get pastry shells for one. Local craft store is out of items. Cream cheese I use is gone, bagels I buy are gone, cat food scarcer to find in grocery stores. Lots of things.

The cat food shelves have been pretty much bare at our grocery stores for over a month now.

 

[Teche]

yep, our retirement community "caregiver" is in Las Vegas right now. She barely wears a mask here, so I know it will only be a thin cloth mask at the poker tables (her speciality). This place slays me, saw a young couple walk in yesterday with a young boy and not a single mask on- they were visiting her father- only she checked in (temp check) her husband and boy did not and walked on up anyways.
Then there is the man moving in today whose relatives (I assume) three big burly guys bringing up furniture from a pick up truck- no masks.
There is a singer coming at 2 pm for a NYE sing along, then a BYOB party starting at 10 pm tonight- needless to say I won't be attending.

Can the administration be reported to the state department of health or to the news media.

 

[Knitty]

There are lots of shortages. I keep coming across them. Our local bakery can't get pastry shells for one. Local craft store is out of items. Cream cheese I use is gone, bagels I buy are gone, cat food scarcer to find in grocery stores. Lots of things.

It's not just the grocery store pet food, either. One of my dogs has an inoperable liver shunt and requires a specialized diet from Hill's Prescription (and a ton of meds which so far I'm able to get). The vet hasn't been able to get that particular food from the supplier for a couple of months and told me to try Chewy and a few others, none of which had it in stock. Fortunately I found it at Amazon, and fortunately paid about the same as usual. I was panicked for a bit there.

 

[CrimeAway]

@Knitty if you cannot get the Hill's in the future, it's possible that Purina, Blue Buffalo, or other manufacturers that produce RX veterinary foods may have a substitute. I know switching brands is a last resort though.

 

[CharlestonGal]

Information about where to obtain new Covid antiviral medication at select pharmacies, such as some Walmart, Sam's Club, Walgreens, and Good Neighbor locations.

Note that TWIV'S Dr Griffin recommends that if a provider writes for one antiviral, for example Paxlovid, that they also add on the script, to substitute for the other antiviral, Molnupiravir, if Paxlovid is unavailable. This information can be found in the TWIV Clinical Update 848 (posted earlier) at around 26:00

https://www.walmart.com/cp/authorized-covid-19-medication/2766660

The COVID antiviral drugs are here but they're scarce. Here's what to know

Where to get COVID pill treatment in Georgia | 11alive.com

https://healthdata.gov/widgets/rxn6-qnx8?mobile_redirect=true

Agreed. As long as people understand these are two completely different drugs and not directly interchangeable. For example, Pfizer and Moderna vaccines can be seen as pretty much interchangeable as their mechanism of action is exactly the same.

These two drugs are different from each other - Paxlovid works by robbing the virus of an enzyme it needs to complete replication. Molnupiravir attacks the viral RNA directly and causes it to mutate out of control in the hopes it becomes too mutated to replicate anymore.

Some people may not care about the difference, but I'm throwing that out there so people know exactly what they are getting. jmo

 

[anneg]

Here's the latest TWIV Clinical Update with Dr Daniel Griffin MD, and Vincent Racaniello PhD.

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

ETA: I thought I was hearing things when Dr Griffin said the new Corbevax was financed by Tito's vodka, but sure enough:
Tito’s Handmade Vodka gives $1M grant for COVID-19 vaccine

Here's some more information about Corbevax, which has secured EUA in India:
A COVID Vaccine for All

Dr. Peter Hotez and his team at Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development are rock stars! Their vaccine is going to save countless lives globally.

 

[anneg]

Here's the latest TWIV Clinical Update with Dr Daniel Griffin MD, and Vincent Racaniello PhD.

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

ETA: I thought I was hearing things when Dr Griffin said the new Corbevax was financed by Tito's vodka, but sure enough:
Tito’s Handmade Vodka gives $1M grant for COVID-19 vaccine

Here's some more information about Corbevax, which has secured EUA in India:
A COVID Vaccine for All

Excerpt from the Scientific American article linked ^ (BBM)

While the Omicron variant spreads across the world and major producers of COVID vaccines squabble over granting global access, a vaccine developed by the Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development (Texas Children’s CVD) and Baylor College of Medicine is ready to be deployed. In the last week of 2021, India’s drug regulation agency authorized a vaccine producer in the country to begin distributing a COVID vaccine called CORBEVAX.

Two years into the pandemic, CORBEVAX is the first COVID vaccine designed specifically for global health. It is a milestone for global vaccine equity, something we believe will overcome vaccine hesitancy, and serves as a blueprint for how to develop a potent vaccine for pandemic use in the absence of substantial public funding.

The vaccine prototype was first developed by scientists at Texas Children’s CVD and Baylor before it was licensed, with no patents or strings attached, to Biological E. Limited (BioE).

(Worth reading the whole article)

They should be given a Nobel Prize for their work and making the vaccine available to the world.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Taking a Step Back: US Colleges Returning to Online Classes | Illinois News | US News

Amid a wave of COVID-19 cases driven by the omicron variant, dozens of colleges are making plans to move classes online for at least the first week of the semester.

With COVID-19 cases surging just as students are about to return from winter break, dozens of U.S. colleges are moving classes online again for at least the first week or so of the semester — and some warn it could stretch longer if the wave of infection doesn’t subside soon.

Harvard is moving classes online for the first three weeks of the new year, with a return to campus scheduled for late January, “conditions permitting.” The University of Chicago is delaying the beginning of its new term and holding the first two weeks online. Some others are inviting students back to campus but starting classes online, including Michigan State University.

Many colleges hope that an extra week or two will get them past the peak of the nationwide spike driven by the highly contagious omicron variant. Still, the surge is casting uncertainty over a semester many had hoped would be the closest to normal since the start of the pandemic...