Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #111

[Auntie Cipation]

AI should be able to determine one vaccine that works for all current and future covid mutations based on evolution of previous variants.

That would indeed be a very good use of AI.

Either a comprehensive vaccine that actually prevents infection (as opposed to reduces symptoms as the current vaccines do) or maybe also a "cure" as in treatment that quells the infection AND prevents longterm effects.

And since the common cold is often a coronavirus (generally either coronavirus or rhinovirus), such a discovery/invention might well mean a vaccine/cure for the common cold as well, which would also be great.

MOO

 

[otto]

...

 

[otto]

That would indeed be a very good use of AI.

Either a comprehensive vaccine that actually prevents infection (as opposed to reduces symptoms as the current vaccines do) or maybe also a "cure" as in treatment that quells the infection AND prevents longterm effects.

And since the common cold is often a coronavirus (generally either coronavirus or rhinovirus), such a discovery/invention might well mean a vaccine/cure for the common cold as well, which would also be great.

MOO

Regarding the common cold and coronavirus, do you recall the reason that a vaccine was not developed? Is it that a common cold vaccine is absorbed by the body in a new way, or was it an unsolved problem?

 

[anneg]

That would indeed be a very good use of AI.

Either a comprehensive vaccine that actually prevents infection (as opposed to reduces symptoms as the current vaccines do) or maybe also a "cure" as in treatment that quells the infection AND prevents longterm effects.

And since the common cold is often a coronavirus (generally either coronavirus or rhinovirus), such a discovery/invention might well mean a vaccine/cure for the common cold as well, which would also be great.

MOO

Most cold viruses are rhinoviruses. There are too many different viruses and subtypes to create a vaccine, I think.

Common Cold - Infections - Merck Manual Consumer Version

Common Cold - Learn about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis & treatment from the Merck Manuals - Medical Consumer Version.

www.merckmanuals.com

Common colds are among the most common illnesses. Many different viruses (rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, coronaviruses, and human metapneumoviruses) cause colds, but rhinoviruses (of which there are more than 100 subtypes) cause most colds. Colds caused by rhinoviruses occur more commonly in the spring and fall. Other viruses cause common coldlike illnesses at other times of the year.

 

[Auntie Cipation]

Regarding the common cold and coronavirus, do you recall the reason that a vaccine was not developed? Is it that a common cold vaccine is absorbed by the body in a new way, or was it an unsolved problem?

I really don't know, sorry.

 

[ArianeEmory]

The current wave has finally hit my office (meaning, I suppose, that for the first time since last winter, people are getting sick enough to actually test for covid AND letting their coworkers know about possible exposure). Fortunately my office is in a secluded part of the building. I’d already started masking in grocery stores again, and I’d never stopped on planes. But I also just finished up some cancer treatment.

I’m really glad I got a bunch of travel in, in between waves. I’m not “living in fear” or whatever the rhetoric is (been on cruises and everything), but I’m also cool with lowering my exposure during peaks.

 

[Sundog]

Most cold viruses are rhinoviruses. There are too many different viruses and subtypes to create a vaccine, I think.

Common Cold - Infections - Merck Manual Consumer Version

Common Cold - Learn about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis & treatment from the Merck Manuals - Medical Consumer Version.

www.merckmanuals.com

Common colds are among the most common illnesses. Many different viruses (rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, coronaviruses, and human metapneumoviruses) cause colds, but rhinoviruses (of which there are more than 100 subtypes) cause most colds. Colds caused by rhinoviruses occur more commonly in the spring and fall. Other viruses cause common coldlike illnesses at other times of the year.

I think it's the same with the flu (influenza). They aren't able to come up with a vaccine that can predict the exact flu virus that is circulating every year. But even if it isn't an exact match, the flu vaccine does provide some protection. We watch Australia and see what flu is circulating during their winter, and hope that the vaccine that is manufactured in preparation for our winter is a good match. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't. So sounds like coronaviruses don't lend themselves to the kind of vaccines that we wish we could have.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Can you use expired Covid tests? What to know as hospitalizations rise and new variants spread

Some expired Covid tests are safe to use if the FDA says they have extended expiration dates.

www.nbcnews.com

As Covid cases surge again in the U.S., Americans are digging out unused at-home tests that they stashed earlier in the pandemic.

Many of those tests may have passed their expiration dates, but don’t throw them away just yet.

The Food and Drug Administration has extended the expiration dates of many popular at-home test products, which means some of your old kits may still be safe to use. You can check by visiting a page on the FDA’s website that lists expiration information for each test brand.

“That’s the first thing I would do before using an expired test or throwing it away,” Andrew Pekosz, a professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, told CNBC...

 

[Auntie Cipation]

Can you use expired Covid tests? What to know as hospitalizations rise and new variants spread

Some expired Covid tests are safe to use if the FDA says they have extended expiration dates.

www.nbcnews.com

As Covid cases surge again in the U.S., Americans are digging out unused at-home tests that they stashed earlier in the pandemic.

Many of those tests may have passed their expiration dates, but don’t throw them away just yet.

The Food and Drug Administration has extended the expiration dates of many popular at-home test products, which means some of your old kits may still be safe to use. You can check by visiting a page on the FDA’s website that lists expiration information for each test brand.

“That’s the first thing I would do before using an expired test or throwing it away,” Andrew Pekosz, a professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, told CNBC...

I've mentioned before that my county's Public Health department told me that as long as the "C" control line appears clearly on the test, the test is still good (or as good as they ever are, given a level of false negatives).

 

[anneg]

I've mentioned before that my county's Public Health department told me that as long as the "C" control line appears clearly on the test, the test is still good (or as good as they ever are, given a level of false negatives).

Yes…I tried using a test kit that was a little past its expiration date and got no control line or anything else.

 

[weepingangel]

“New research shows that a highly mutated strain of the coronavirus is less of a threat than previously feared, allaying concerns that it will trigger a new global surge in infections.”

New study led by Boston scientists finds latest COVID-19 variant is less of a threat than feared - The Boston Globe

The BA.2.86 subvariant had captured the world’s attention because it carries over 30 mutations in its spike protein.

www.bostonglobe.com

https://archive.ph/IFO0h

 

[Arkay]

Can you use expired Covid tests? What to know as hospitalizations rise and new variants spread

Some expired Covid tests are safe to use if the FDA says they have extended expiration dates.

www.nbcnews.com

As Covid cases surge again in the U.S., Americans are digging out unused at-home tests that they stashed earlier in the pandemic.

Many of those tests may have passed their expiration dates, but don’t throw them away just yet.

The Food and Drug Administration has extended the expiration dates of many popular at-home test products, which means some of your old kits may still be safe to use. You can check by visiting a page on the FDA’s website that lists expiration information for each test brand.

“That’s the first thing I would do before using an expired test or throwing it away,” Andrew Pekosz, a professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, told CNBC.

I've mentioned before that my county's Public Health department told me that as long as the "C" control line appears clearly on the test, the test is still good (or as good as they ever are, given a level of false negatives).

I took a home test just now. I have many and I’ve also read (but can’t find my own source) that the tests work if the C line is intact, so I’ll say IMO but I know I’ve seen it sourced, @BetteDavisEyes link and elsewhere.

Tested negative.

I’m a New Yorker who has never had Covid, not at the beginning when we were the worst city, not ever, so far.

I have had six shots because I just turned 66 and I’m eager for the next one.

I took a test because I have to fly to Florida tomorrow to help my ancient and ill parents. I wear masks everywhere—-I’ve never stopped.


Covid began shortly after I’d retired from a lifetime of teaching, which put the kibosh on all my travel plans.
Didn’t see my parents for the first year and a half but did fly to help them after I had the first two miraculous vaccinations.

I’ve also had a flu shot every fall and I’ve never had the flu.
I believe in the vaccinations.

JMO

 

[Gemmie]

Can you use expired Covid tests? What to know as hospitalizations rise and new variants spread

Some expired Covid tests are safe to use if the FDA says they have extended expiration dates.

www.nbcnews.com

As Covid cases surge again in the U.S., Americans are digging out unused at-home tests that they stashed earlier in the pandemic.

Many of those tests may have passed their expiration dates, but don’t throw them away just yet.

The Food and Drug Administration has extended the expiration dates of many popular at-home test products, which means some of your old kits may still be safe to use. You can check by visiting a page on the FDA’s website that lists expiration information for each test brand.

“That’s the first thing I would do before using an expired test or throwing it away,” Andrew Pekosz, a professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, told CNBC...

Piggybacking off your post as it brought up the question for me "Are the old tests effective at detecting new strains of Covid". I found this from the CDCwhich was speaking about BA.2.86:

Based on current information, existing tests used to detect and medications used to treat COVID-19 continue to be effective with this variant.

8-30-2033 Update on SARS CoV-2 Variant BA.2.86 | CDC

Read CDC's August 30, 2023 update about the new COVID-19 Variant BA2.86 being tracked.

www.cdc.gov

At some point I'm thinking new tests may be needed as Covid continues to mutate. All MOO

 

[Auntie Cipation]

I’ve also had a flu shot every fall and I’ve never had the flu.
I believe in the vaccinations.

I hadn't gotten flu shots before covid, partly because I was thinking I would get them starting age 60 and partly because I'm a hermit who lives in an extremely low population density area. I too don't think I've ever had the flu.

But I started getting flu shots in Autumn 2020 when there were no covid vaccines yet, and I figured anything that boosts my immune system would be good.

I also got the two-part shingles vaccine in 2020 using the same logic.

I was 58 then, 61 now, and would've gotten both flu and shingles shots within a few years anyway -- I just bumped ahead a few years as added protection.

And so far as I know, I've never had covid.

I mask in medical facilities, mom's retirement community, and in bigger stores, but in my local shops it's easy to time my shopping to dash in briefly when there are only 2-3 others in the store, so I generally don't mask anymore. Will resume whenever it seems needed though.

Haven't been on a plane since 2002 so that's not a factor for me.

 

[Teche]

I took a home test just now. I have many and I’ve also read (but can’t find my own source) that the tests work if the C line is intact, so I’ll say IMO but I know I’ve seen it sourced, @BetteDavisEyes link and elsewhere.

Tested negative.

I’m a New Yorker who has never had Covid, not at the beginning when we were the worst city, not ever, so far.

I have had six shots because I just turned 66 and I’m eager for the next one.

I took a test because I have to fly to Florida tomorrow to help my ancient and ill parents. I wear masks everywhere—-I’ve never stopped.


Covid began shortly after I’d retired from a lifetime of teaching, which put the kibosh on all my travel plans.
Didn’t see my parents for the first year and a half but did fly to help them after I had the first two miraculous vaccinations.

I’ve also had a flu shot every fall and I’ve never had the flu.
I believe in the vaccinations.

JMO

Enjoy your visit. I can't wait for the next vaccination to be out.

 

[Gemmie]

But I started getting flu shots in Autumn 2020 when there were no covid vaccines yet, and I figured anything that boosts my immune system would be good.

To the best of my understanding I don't think immunity from one virus helps your system when it encounters another virus. Immunity is specific to whatever virus a vaccine targets (immunity isn't a blanket thing). This might help explain that (bolding and underlining by me):

The immune system keeps a record of every microbe it has ever defeated, in types of white blood cells (B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes) known as memory cells. This means it can recognise and destroy the microbe quickly if it enters the body again, before it can multiply and make you feel sick.

Some infections, like the flu and the common cold, have to be fought many times because so many different viruses or strains of the same type of virus can cause these illnesses. Catching a cold or flu from one virus does not give you immunity against the others.

Immune system

The immune system remembers every germ it has ever overcome.

www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au

 

[Gemmie]

in my local shops it's easy to time my shopping to dash in briefly when there are only 2-3 others in the store, so I generally don't mask anymore. Will resume whenever it seems needed though.

SBMFF

It's not about how many people are currently in the store, it's how many people have BEEN in the store the hours before IMO. The aerosols remain in the air for hours. Also a place with better circulation is better than a place with bad circulation.

Larger droplets fall to the ground quickly, three to six feet from the person who makes them. Aerosols can stay floating in the air for hours and can travel long distances. Aerosols have less virus in them than the larger droplets, so you have to inhale more aerosols to get sick.

Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 By Circulating Air in Schools and Other Buildings | RI COVID-19 Information Portal

covid.ri.gov

While coughing generates the largest quantity of droplets, research has shown that just two to three minutes of talking can produce as many droplets as one cough.

Aerosols may play a larger role in COVID-19 transmission than previously thought

More than 200 scientists wrote to the WHO, warning about aerosol transmission of the coronavirus. The WHO has since acknowledged the evidence but hasn't change its advice yet.

www.pbs.org

I think it's might be a good time to revisit this vid I posted in the previous thread. It shows how aerosols are spread in the air.

 

[Auntie Cipation]

To the best of my understanding I don't think immunity from one virus helps your system when it encounters another virus. Immunity is specific to whatever virus a vaccine targets (immunity isn't a blanket thing). This might help explain that (bolding and underlining by me):

The immune system keeps a record of every microbe it has ever defeated, in types of white blood cells (B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes) known as memory cells. This means it can recognise and destroy the microbe quickly if it enters the body again, before it can multiply and make you feel sick.

Some infections, like the flu and the common cold, have to be fought many times because so many different viruses or strains of the same type of virus can cause these illnesses. Catching a cold or flu from one virus does not give you immunity against the others.

Immune system

The immune system remembers every germ it has ever overcome.

www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au

I guess I probably did understand that, but then I thought about people who had "depleted immune systems" who were (I pictured) vulnerable to lots of things, and thought maybe there was some immune system component of "ability to fight off viruses in general".

But you're probably right that it doesn't work that way.

Fortunately when I did stuff like that, I didn't use it as an excuse to take risks, go hang out in crowds, thinking I was protected. I still took serious precautions (masks and distancing, including the maximum form of distancing, otherwise known as "not attending in the first place" ) and only thought the added vaccines "couldn't hurt."

 

[Auntie Cipation]

SBMFF

It's not about how many people are currently in the store, it's how many people have BEEN in the store the hours before IMO. The aerosols remain in the air for hours. Also a place with better circulation is better than a place with bad circulation.

Larger droplets fall to the ground quickly, three to six feet from the person who makes them. Aerosols can stay floating in the air for hours and can travel long distances. Aerosols have less virus in them than the larger droplets, so you have to inhale more aerosols to get sick.

Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 By Circulating Air in Schools and Other Buildings | RI COVID-19 Information Portal

covid.ri.gov

While coughing generates the largest quantity of droplets, research has shown that just two to three minutes of talking can produce as many droplets as one cough.

Aerosols may play a larger role in COVID-19 transmission than previously thought

More than 200 scientists wrote to the WHO, warning about aerosol transmission of the coronavirus. The WHO has since acknowledged the evidence but hasn't change its advice yet.

www.pbs.org

I think it's might be a good time to revisit this vid I posted in the previous thread. It shows how aerosols are spread in the air.

You are correct and usually I try to go in first thing when they open (which also coincides nicely with hardly any other customers).

But yes, this current spike will be hitting even us in the boonies soon, so it seems like it's about time for me to start masking even in the local shops again. I will, as far as I can tell, be the ONLY person in my community doing so, which does make it a challenge. But all I have to do is think about how much I don't want this thing...

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Fall Covid boosters works against the highly mutated BA.2.86 variant, vaccine makers say

The variant has not yet gained widespread prevalence in the U.S., but it has raised alarm among experts because of its high number of mutations.

www.nbcnews.com

Moderna’s latest Covid booster appears to work against the BA.2.86 omicron subvariant, the drugmaker said in a release Wednesday.

The updated booster generated a strong antibody response against BA.2.86, according to Moderna. The variant has not yet gained widespread prevalence in the United States but has raised alarm among experts and health officials because of its high number of mutations.

The data provided by Moderna, based on blood samples, has not yet undergone review from outside scientists. However, Moderna is the first Covid vaccine maker to release data on the effectiveness of the updated booster against the new variant...