Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #109

[MimosaMornings]

Watch this space! I am assuming we may well go on lockdown here at the retirement home....if not, then "they" don't really care about us. We have MORE infected people today and quite a few who are "sick" but not taking tests...(sigh) I am taking my meals in my room....I don't understand why the powers that be are letting this virus run rampant among us.

Oh no.....

 

[Estelle]

I assume you are in the US, Tabitha. I also live in a Retirement Village in Sydney. We had about 40 residents out of 140 with Covid early May after we went to a Farewell to the Social Co-ordinator. Mine only lasted 4 days. The flu I had years ago was much worse.

 

[anneg]

Addendum to my other post: the most recent person with Covid here has dementia and roams around the building at all times and all hours. She is very hard to keep in her room- let alone keep a mask on. I don't see how an independent living situation can babysit her and keep tabs on her all the time (not enough staff for one thing) This is not assisted living even though we have residents that desperately need to be in that type of care!
Concerns are always raised to the staff about these residents but the staff does nothing....now in this situation...what can be done? You can't lock this person in her room. It's just a bad situation all around.

I'm sorry to hear about the worsening outbreak and the resident with Covid and dementia roaming around. What a difficult situation! It does surprise me that this hasn't happened previously, based on what you've told us. I hope there are no deaths.

 

[anneg]

Science | AAAS

CLUES TO LONG COVID
Scientists strive to unravel what is driving disabling symptoms
16 JUN 2022 BYJENNIFER COUZIN-FRANKEL

Science Article discusses three leading theories about the cause of Long Covid: microclots, persistent virus, and immune system gone haywire.

 

[anneg]

Risk of long COVID associated with delta versus omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2

The omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 (PANGO B.1.1.529) spread rapidly across the world, out-competing former variants soon after it was first detected in November, 2021. According to the Our World in Data COVID-19 database, In Europe, the number of confirmed cases reported between December, 2021...

www.thelancet.com

Risk of long COVID associated with delta versus omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2

"Overall, we found a reduction in odds of long COVID with the omicron variant versus the delta variant of 0·24–0·50 depending on age and time since vaccination."

Less chance of developing Long Covid with Omicron sounds good to me.

 

[anneg]

Eric Topol
@EricTopol

The Omicron BA.4/5 subvariants are leading to a new wave in Europe and the United States, with an impact of some increase in hospitalizations https://ft.com/content/8c871596-d3c0-438c-b54c-f47b26aa4b7a…


12:56 PM · Jun 17, 2022·Twitter Web App

From the article (BBM):
In the US, Topol said authorities had failed to grasp the threat posed by the sub-variants and needed to do more to protect the population, including promoting mask-wearing, vaccination and boosters. “They’re basically pretending everything is done — it’s over,” he said. “That couldn’t be further from the truth.”

 

[fimogenfeels]

I hope we get a booster with Omicron specific protection soon. In summer 2021, I was finally feeling more comfortable but with omicron spreading and knowing people with long covid, I feel apprehensive again.

 

[ilovepierre]

Science | AAAS

CLUES TO LONG COVID
Scientists strive to unravel what is driving disabling symptoms
16 JUN 2022 BYJENNIFER COUZIN-FRANKEL

Science Article discusses three leading theories about the cause of Long Covid: microclots, persistent virus, and immune system gone haywire.

Microclots would explain some of my LC symptoms-such as the chronic fatigue and low energy levels. Since they can’t be detected through normal blood work, all my tests come back “normal” and “within range.”

 

[ilovepierre]

I hope we get a booster with Omicron specific protection soon. In summer 2021, I was finally feeling more comfortable but with omicron spreading and knowing people with long covid, I feel apprehensive again.

Same here. Omicron and its subvariants are spreading and I’ve already had COVID and I get colds/flus super easily now…I just don’t want to be sick anymore/all the time.

I’m boosted, but only against the non-Omicron variants.

 

[ilovewings]

Can We Develop a Covid-19 Vaccine That Lasts?

New variants have weakened the protection of the current shots, which require unpopular boosters. Scientists and the White House are exploring options for more durable protection, but success could take years.

www.wsj.com

sorry this is behind a paywall but if you can read it, it is well worth reading. It really points out the huge flaw of our vaccines: their effectiveness does not last long enough and how difficult it is to develop a vaccine with the longevity of our other vaccines. It may take years to develop a longer lasting vaccine for Covid- they are working on a nasal vaccine, but that too may take a very long time to develop with a good safety profile. I have not had my 2nd booster yet--- I just don't feel comfortable getting a vaccine every few months. I was surprised at how short a time the booster is actually effective (the article describes weeks not months).

I was also surprised to find out that it was initially thought the vaccines would help prevent infection, but then it was determined that is not the case, though the vaccines do prevent hospitalizations and death in many many people. I am not knocking the vaccine: It was a miracle they were able to produce it in record time and has saved millions of lives.

 

[anneg]

Can We Develop a Covid-19 Vaccine That Lasts?

New variants have weakened the protection of the current shots, which require unpopular boosters. Scientists and the White House are exploring options for more durable protection, but success could take years.

www.wsj.com

sorry this is behind a paywall but if you can read it, it is well worth reading. It really points out the huge flaw of our vaccines: their effectiveness does not last long enough and how difficult it is to develop a vaccine with the longevity of our other vaccines. It may take years to develop a longer lasting vaccine for Covid- they are working on a nasal vaccine, but that too may take a very long time to develop with a good safety profile. I have not had my 2nd booster yet--- I just don't feel comfortable getting a vaccine every few months. I was surprised at how short a time the booster is actually effective (the article describes weeks not months).

I was also surprised to find out that it was initially thought the vaccines would help prevent infection, but then it was determined that is not the case, though the vaccines do prevent hospitalizations and death in many many people. I am not knocking the vaccine: It was a miracle they were able to produce it in record time and has saved millions of lives.

Thanks for your post, ILW!

From the article:
“I think we can do much better with durability of response,” Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, said in an interview. “Even our best vaccines don’t do a very good job of preventing infection and transmission. They do a good job protecting from severe disease.”

For now, the federal government is hoping to update short-term boosters. Last week Moderna, maker of one of the most widely used Covid-19 vaccines, said that a tweaked shot targeting the Omicron variant as well as the original strain of the virus worked better in a study than the company’s current jab. Pfizer is expected to release its Omicron-targeted vaccine data any day. The Food and Drug Administration is meeting on June 28 to discuss the best vaccine strategy for targeting variants in the fall.
[...]

To try to get to a more durable Covid vaccine, researchers are drawing from a menu of options. They can make vaccines fight specific variants or a broad range of strains, change the way the shot is delivered to the body, switch the platform for triggering the immune system—or attempt to aim higher, such as preventing infection.

The initial vaccines are delivered through an intramuscular injection, so they do a good job of protecting the lungs from serious infection. A nasal vaccine, however, could be far more effective and perhaps even block infection and transmission because it could block the virus in the nose, throat and mouth, where infections happen, researchers say. The Rockefeller and Bill and Melinda Gates foundations are convening a blue ribbon task force of 11 experts that will make recommendations about the next generation of vaccines to the U.S. government.
[...]

“The vaccines we have are superb against death and severe disease, and only 45% percent of Americans that are eligible have gotten that booster,” said Dr. Poland. “A newer vaccine is highly unlikely to change that.”

-----------

Personal note: DH and I (in our later 70s) were fully vaxxed with Pfizer in early 2021, got the Pfizer booster in October, and chose to have the Moderna booster in May. We've avoided Covid so far but know quite a few people who've had breakthrough infections. We'll see what's next...

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Can We Develop a Covid-19 Vaccine That Lasts?

New variants have weakened the protection of the current shots, which require unpopular boosters. Scientists and the White House are exploring options for more durable protection, but success could take years.

www.wsj.com

sorry this is behind a paywall but if you can read it, it is well worth reading. It really points out the huge flaw of our vaccines: their effectiveness does not last long enough and how difficult it is to develop a vaccine with the longevity of our other vaccines. It may take years to develop a longer lasting vaccine for Covid- they are working on a nasal vaccine, but that too may take a very long time to develop with a good safety profile. I have not had my 2nd booster yet--- I just don't feel comfortable getting a vaccine every few months. I was surprised at how short a time the booster is actually effective (the article describes weeks not months).

I was also surprised to find out that it was initially thought the vaccines would help prevent infection, but then it was determined that is not the case, though the vaccines do prevent hospitalizations and death in many many people. I am not knocking the vaccine: It was a miracle they were able to produce it in record time and has saved millions of lives.

DH and I have not had our second boosters yet, either. Hopefully, by fall, there will be additional information forthcoming about the overall efficacy of boosters in general, and perhaps an improved booster that will provide immunity for more than a few months at a time. We are also concerned about the growing number of breakthrough cases and repeat cases among those who have been vaccinated and boosted. While vaccines have prevented hospitalizations and deaths, the fact that vaccinated/boosted individuals continue to get Covid or even get it multiple times, is disconcerting. We've both managed to stay well throughout the pandemic and make every effort to maintain our good health. That said, I'm having major allergy issues at the moment - those darn cottonwoods wreak havoc for so many in this area! Symptoms generally last 2-3 weeks.

Faux snow? Fluffy cottonwood seeds strike Michigan, clogging air filters

Metro Detroit has seen close to two weeks of downy cotton balls descending from the sky, prompting complaints about clogged air filters and allergies.

www.freep.com

 

[Sundog]

We haven't had our second boosters, either. I am thinking of returning to work in person in August though, and wondering if I should get the second booster in early July to prepare for being indoors with others for a large part of the day. I have been working remotely since March of 2020. I am leaning toward getting the second booster, but now I am wondering if that will preclude getting a more targeted covid-19 vaccine as soon as it is available in the fall,while I wait out the four months post-second-booster in order to be eligible for the next shot.

 

[ilovewings]

We haven't had our second boosters, either. I am thinking of returning to work in person in August though, and wondering if I should get the second booster in early July to prepare for being indoors with others for a large part of the day. I have been working remotely since March of 2020. I am leaning toward getting the second booster, but now I am wondering if that will preclude getting a more targeted covid-19 vaccine as soon as it is available in the fall,while I wait out the four months post-second-booster in order to be eligible for the next shot.

That is quite a dilemma! Good luck in making your decision

 

[Teche]

Thanks for your post, ILW!

From the article:
“I think we can do much better with durability of response,” Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, said in an interview. “Even our best vaccines don’t do a very good job of preventing infection and transmission. They do a good job protecting from severe disease.”

For now, the federal government is hoping to update short-term boosters. Last week Moderna, maker of one of the most widely used Covid-19 vaccines, said that a tweaked shot targeting the Omicron variant as well as the original strain of the virus worked better in a study than the company’s current jab. Pfizer is expected to release its Omicron-targeted vaccine data any day. The Food and Drug Administration is meeting on June 28 to discuss the best vaccine strategy for targeting variants in the fall.
[...]

To try to get to a more durable Covid vaccine, researchers are drawing from a menu of options. They can make vaccines fight specific variants or a broad range of strains, change the way the shot is delivered to the body, switch the platform for triggering the immune system—or attempt to aim higher, such as preventing infection.

The initial vaccines are delivered through an intramuscular injection, so they do a good job of protecting the lungs from serious infection. A nasal vaccine, however, could be far more effective and perhaps even block infection and transmission because it could block the virus in the nose, throat and mouth, where infections happen, researchers say. The Rockefeller and Bill and Melinda Gates foundations are convening a blue ribbon task force of 11 experts that will make recommendations about the next generation of vaccines to the U.S. government.
[...]

“The vaccines we have are superb against death and severe disease, and only 45% percent of Americans that are eligible have gotten that booster,” said Dr. Poland. “A newer vaccine is highly unlikely to change that.”

-----------

Personal note: DH and I (in our later 70s) were fully vaxxed with Pfizer in early 2021, got the Pfizer booster in October, and chose to have the Moderna booster in May. We've avoided Covid so far but know quite a few people who've had breakthrough infections. We'll see what's next...

Dbm

 

[ilovewings]

Omicron poses about half the risk of long COVID as delta, new research finds

Some scientists estimate that cases of long COVID from omicron will still rise, however, because of high transmissibility and the misconception that people don't have to worry about catching it.

www.npr.org

According to this article. Long Covid risk is quite a bit less with the Omicron Variant than it was with Delta

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

CDC recommends Covid vaccines for littlest kids

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky’s final approval means shots can begin immediately, finally ending the two-and-a-half year wait on the part of parents of children under 5.

www.nbcnews.com

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory committee on Saturday endorsed Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccines for young children, the last step before Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky can issue her final signoff.

The unanimous recommendations from the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices followed the Food and Drug Administration’s authorization of the shots on Friday.

Shortly before Saturday's votes — one for Moderna and a separate for Pfizer — many panel members celebrated the milestone, noting that parents will soon have two effective tools to protect their youngest children from Covid after more than two years of living with the virus...

 

[Kingsley]

We haven't had our second boosters, either. I am thinking of returning to work in person in August though, and wondering if I should get the second booster in early July to prepare for being indoors with others for a large part of the day. I have been working remotely since March of 2020. I am leaning toward getting the second booster, but now I am wondering if that will preclude getting a more targeted covid-19 vaccine as soon as it is available in the fall,while I wait out the four months post-second-booster in order to be eligible for the next shot.

FWIW, I'm waiting for another booster until late fall when I expect there to be more infections.
I work in an office with others around me in a low, cubical type of setting. We are almost fully vaccinated here. We have a few cases once in a while but people have gotten good about not coming in if they don't feel well. Masks are optional when county is not at a high transmission status. I personally wear mine coming in and when visiting the restroom but unmask at my desk. I realize that everyone's work environment is different, but for me, I'm trying to save the booster for when things get bad.
JMO.

 

[ilovepierre]

Like everyone else here, I’ll probably be waiting until fall and/or an omicron specific vaccine is developed until I get my second booster. I can’t even get one right now anyways, so hopefully by the time my age group can get one, an omicron specific one will be ready.

 

[tabitha111]

Greetings from the Retirement Home or should I rename it to "Covid Central"? We have two staff out with "colds" yahhh sure...and then there are the numerous folks running around coughing and with hoarse voices. One in particular, who is early dementia is tough to keep in his room along with the other gal who has dementia.
Brought both to the attention of the director here as they have both been let off quaranitne and are still symptomatic big time! Her reply " this is independent living, what can I do?" Neither one should be living here and they are putting us all in danger. Can you tell that I am fed up? I am.
Still eating my meals in room. Still wearing a mask although I would say 50% of the residents are not....and no, the symptomatic ones are not wearing masks either.
Just ordered more KN95's...don't know how much longer I can avoid Covid.