Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #86

[kkdj]

At first, with only 50 million doses expected this year, it's going to have to go to the most vulnerable first.

Plus, the plan says the government is going to pay for it, which I think is only right because it's in the nation's best interest. And, when more doses are available, it sounds as though we'll be able to get them because they will be available through a variety of pharmacies and health centers.

Please describe who falls in the category of most vulnerable. First responders I'm sure. They say elderly too.
What's specifically elderly and do they have a cutoff point for age?

 

[musicaljoke]

Please describe who falls in the category of most vulnerable. First responders I'm sure. They say elderly too.
What's specifically elderly and do they have a cutoff point for age?

JMO, I suspect that the elderly will not be among the first to receive the vaccinations. If testing hasn't been completed on that more complicated demographic, then seniors may have to wait a bit before a vaccine is determined to be safe and effective for them.

I haven't been following Pfizer's vaccine research to know which age groups they have been studying.

 

[SouthAussie]

It may be easier than we think to get state governing bodies onboard with a comprehensive, Federal plan to fight CoVid. Under the Trump administration there was no plan. Information was politically charged and often contrary to medical science. The highest medical institutions and leaders had their authority ripped out from under them. There were no goals, plus, at the national level there was no way to measure whether or not the states were successful in implementing effective protocols. Laissez faire was normalized.

So state leaders had no guidance. They were left floundering. It is already clear that Biden has a plan that will be put in place. While it's still possible that some states won't be willing to follow the plan, their leadership failures will become evident, pressuring them to follow the American plan for recovery.

I was thinking about this very thing last night.

When many states come on board with strong federal govt direction, I imagine the states that don't will become the 'untouchables'. In other words, people will be afraid to go there and spend their tourism dollars - due to no strong covid attack/defence. That lack of covid attack/defence will become truly apparent, once their own states are following new federal guidelines.

Also, other federal assistance can likely be denied if states will not follow a national covid plan.


<modsnip: No link, therefore hearsay.>

 

[SouthAussie]

Okay, a little more info on the Pfizer vac.

It seems to have passed requirement #1 and has been proved to be 90% effective.

Next requirement is proving its safety.

Third requirement is manufacturing data that proves consistency in the quality of the vaccine.

(Just hearing this stuff on morning TV news.)


Letter from Pfizer chairperson and CEO:
A key point that I’d like to make clear is that effectiveness would satisfy only one of the three requirements and, alone, would not be enough for us to apply for approval for public use.

The second requirement is to prove that the vaccine is safe.

.... the last requirement will be the submission of manufacturing data that demonstrates the quality and consistency of the vaccine that will be produced.

An Open Letter from Pfizer Chairman and CEO Albert Bourla | Pfizer

 

[kkdj]

JMO, I suspect that the elderly will not be among the first to receive the vaccinations. If testing hasn't been completed on that more complicated demographic, then seniors may have to wait a bit before a vaccine is determined to be safe and effective for them.

I haven't been following Pfizer's vaccine research to know which age groups they have been studying.

A senior is 65 and older? When is the age considered elderly?
And then what if one is 90-100? Are they in the front line to get the vaccine? Because they're not going to live much longer anyway? Is there a cutoff date for who is considered elderly as far as being a frontrunner to get the vaccine? Is it, say, 80?
idk. But I want to know.
jmo

 

[HongKongPhooey]

Covid: Who will have the Pfizer vaccine first and when can I get it?

This article is well set out.

It says in the UK priority will be care home residents and staff, followed by health care workers.

Under 50s, it says, will be "bottom of the list".

 

[Cool Cats]

A senior is 65 and older? When is the age considered elderly?
And then what if one is 90-100? Are they in the front line to get the vaccine? Because they're not going to live much longer anyway? Is there a cutoff date for who is considered elderly as far as being a frontrunner to get the vaccine? Is it, say, 80?
idk. But I want to know.
jmo

Updated Nov. 9, 2020

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Institute


Groups considered for early vaccination if supply is limited

Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
is considering four groups to possibly recommend for early COVID-19 vaccination if supply is limited:

• Healthcare personnel
• Workers in essential and critical industries
• People at high risk for severe COVID-19 illness due to underlying medical conditions
• People 65 years and older

In general, your risk of getting severely ill from COVID-19 increases as you get older. In fact, 8 out of 10 COVID-19-related deaths reported in the United States have been among adults aged 65 years and older.

• Healthcare personnel continue to be on the front line of the nation’s fight against this deadly pandemic. By providing critical care to those infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, many healthcare personnel have a high risk of being exposed to and getting sick with COVID-19. Healthcare personnel who get COVID-19 can also spread the virus to their patients seeking care for medical conditions that, in turn, increase their patients’ risk for severe COVID-19 illness. Early vaccine access is critical to ensuring the health and safety of this essential workforce of approximately 21 million people, protecting not only them but also their patients, communities, and the broader health of our country. Learn who is included under the broad term “healthcare personnel.”

Workers in essential and critical industries are considered part of America’s critical infrastructure, as defined by the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agencyexternal icon. Current data show that many of these workers are at increased risk for getting COVID-19. Early vaccine access is critical not only to protect them but also to maintain the essential services they provide U.S. communities.

People with certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness, regardless of their age. Severe illness means that the person with COVID-19 may require hospitalization, intensive care, or a ventilator to help them breathe, or that they may even die. Early vaccine access is critical to ensuring the health and safety of this population that is disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

Among adults, the risk for severe illness and death from COVID-19 increases with age, with older adults at highest risk. Early vaccine access is critical to help protect this population that is disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

 

[musicaljoke]

A senior is 65 and older? When is the age considered elderly?
And then what if one is 90-100? Are they in the front line to get the vaccine? Because they're not going to live much longer anyway? Is there a cutoff date for who is considered elderly as far as being a frontrunner to get the vaccine? Is it, say, 80?
idk. But I want to know.
jmo

They're not going to live much longer anyway?! My goodness!!

Don't you mean that their remaining days are precious? Many seniors will have been locked into their homes for months while the virus rages outside. Many haven't been able to stay connected with their children, gchildren and ggrands. How many have new family members that they haven't been able to meet yet?

How many have served our communities with a lifetime of dedication?

Surely we need to do all we can to make sure our revered elders are given the priority they deserve.

 

[weepingangel]

How Massachusetts Plans To Distribute Coronavirus Vaccines

 

[MimosaMornings]

Coronavirus: How soon can we expect a working vaccine?

“Each organisation or country will have to determine who it immunises first and how it does that," Sir Mene Pangalos - AstraZeneca's Executive Vice President told the BBC.

As the initial supply will be limited, reducing deaths and protecting health care systems are likely to be prioritised.

The Gavi plan is that countries signed up to Covax, high or low income alike, will receive enough doses for 3% of their population - which would be enough to cover health and social care workers.

As more vaccine is produced, allocation is increased to cover 20% of the population - this time prioritising over 65s and other vulnerable groups.

After everybody has received 20%, the vaccine would be distributed according to other criteria, such as country vulnerability and immediate threat of Covid-19.”

“The only certainty is that there won't be enough - the rest is still up in the air," says Dr Simao.

Gavi insists richer participants can request enough doses to vaccinate between 10-50% of their population, but no country will receive enough doses to vaccinate more than 20% until all countries in the group have been offered this amount.”

 

[weepingangel]

Our state metrics recently changed
The Changes to Massachusetts' Town-by-Town Coronavirus Data, Explained

.
The changes led to a steep drop in the number of municipalities designated as "red," from 121 to 16. Designation in the red category impacts a community's ability to progress in the state's phased reopening plan and to offer in-person learning at schools.

The move comes amid a surge in coronavirus cases in the Bay State. Public health officials reported 4,009 new cases of the coronavirus over the weekend and 43 new confirmed deaths from the disease.

.Now, to qualify for the red category under the new metrics, communities with populations under 10,000 must have more than 25 cases. For mid-size communities of between 10,000 and 50,000 people, they must have an average of more than 10 cases per 100,000 people and a positive test rate of more than 5%. And for larger communities of greater than 50,000 people, they must have more than 10 cases per 100,000 people and a positive test rate of more than 4%.

Cases per 100,000 / per community ( once weekly DPH report)

https://www.mass.gov/doc/weekly-covid-19-public-health-report-november-5-2020/download


Locally we’re In the mid teens/per 100000. And no longer considered a red zone under the new guidelines
(I do generally follow this # locally among others)

I have a question for others...

Do you follow the # of cases per 100,000 in your area?

What do you think is high per 100,000?

Cases here are now about 150/100,000. Is that high to you?

If folks look locally, do they assume that is so low, so no worries "for me" iykwim?

 

[sds71]

Other Connecticut companies, such as Protein Sciences in Meriden, are also working on a vaccine.
Medical workers will get the first doses of this vaccine if it comes to market, as well as those most at risk.
Dr. Saul says, "Health care workers, seniors citizens, people with co-morbid illnesses. And then it'll trickle its way down through the rest of the healthy population."
Connecticut doctors: Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine appears surprisingly effective

 

[rogue ant]

The need for a -80°C cold chain and two doses at a 28-day interval will make roll-out logistics.... challenging. Hope they have a failproof mechanism to spot temperature-damaged vaccines.

 

[24Roses]

Iowa numbers today and recent news: As of 10:00-11:00 a.m., we had 4,212 new confirmed cases for a total of 156,816 confirmed cases of which 101,041 had recovered (+329). 3 more were reported to have passed for a total of 1,845. There are 55,775 active positive cases. 152 were hospitalized in the last 24 hrs. for a total of 1,034 (new daily record). IDPH is now current with their Iowa Covid site so I will include the link today along with the approximate age group totals from Sat. Nov.7-Mon. Nov.9. 0-17: 14,448 (+1,417); 18-40: 68,575 (+5,198); 41-60: 44,306 (+3,719); 61-80: 22,939 (+1,860); and 81+: 6,511 (+479). Nov. 9: Over 1,000 hospitalizations in Iowa, 4,212 new cases
Iowa reports 4,212 new virus cases
Iowa COVID-19 Information
Dowling Catholic mourns loss of PE teacher, assistant boys track coach
Southeast Polk bus driver dies weeks after COVID-19 diagnosis, district confirms
Several Des Moines schools consider online learning
UnityPoint Des Moines Health reports all hospitals at capacity
Hundreds of inmates test positive for virus in Iowa facility
Clear Creek Amana Community schools applying for a two-week virtual learning waiver
Janesville dismisses classes early, moving classes online due to COVID-19 related absences
Des Moines Public Schools to apply for waiver to move to 100% online learning
Center Point-Urbana schools identify 8 staff, 2 students positive for COVID-19
30 positive COVID-19 tests in Hawkeye athletics department out of nearly 600 tests
Cedar Valley hospitals beg public to wear masks, stay apart in face of 'pandemic fatigue'

 

[MimosaMornings]

In less than 10 months, the U.S. went from 1 known COVID infection to 10 million — CNN

10 MILLION

Let that sink in.....

 

[margarita25]

So, wrt to all this vaccine discussion, I am especially watching the COVAX Facility, in which the majority of the world is participating (96% of the countries on earth, last I heard). We know Dr. Swaminathan, Dr. Bruce A, etc., have been talking about “safety and efficacy”, and obviously neither is good without the other.

I have a question for others...

Do you follow the # of cases per 100,000 in your area?

What do you think is high per 100,000?

Cases here are now about 150/100,000. Is that high to you?

If folks look locally, do they assume that is so low, so no worries "for me" iykwim?

Long analytical post deleted lol, but I watch a lot graphs, positivity rate, hospitalizations, deaths, etc.

Short answer, wrt my area:
Polis: 1 out of every 100 people in the Denver area is contagious with COVID-19

All statistics aside, I assume anyone can have covid at any given time, jmo, and have looked at things this way from the beginning, jmo.

 

[Yesiamapirate]

What I found interesting is this coach was totally committed to prevention. Now coaches are probably really exposed to a lot of people, so that probably has something to do with it.
Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo has COVID-19

 

[CoverMeCagney]

US President-elect Joe Biden has appealed to Americans to wear a mask as the best way to "turn this pandemic around".

Mr Biden said the US faced a "very dark winter" and the "worst wave yet", and Americans had to put aside political differences to tackle Covid-19. He has named a new task force and vowed to "follow the science" as he puts together his transition team.

US election: Biden urges mask-wearing to save 'thousands of lives'

 

[Rose in SC]

A senior is 65 and older? When is the age considered elderly?
And then what if one is 90-100? Are they in the front line to get the vaccine? Because they're not going to live much longer anyway? Is there a cutoff date for who is considered elderly as far as being a frontrunner to get the vaccine? Is it, say, 80?
idk. But I want to know.
jmo

When my state (South Carolina) reports Covid deaths they call 65 and older "elderly." My DH who is almost 9 years older than me does not like that connotation one bit, lol. Middle-aged is considered 35 to 64.

SC Testing Data & Projections (COVID-19) | SCDHEC

 

[Reasonable & Just]

Thank you for this link ... was able to read this one.

So, basically Cuomo is not blocking the vaccine, he thinks the current administration's plan is a bad one ... and is looking forward to the president-elect's plan.

He doesn't want to see all the vaccines squandered through private distribution when he feels the vaccine should be going to the most vulnerable first and foremost.

Perhaps it will become a non-issue. While they say that they may have vaccines to roll out at the end of December, I recall it said (by Dr Fauci) that some vaccine results would likely come in during November and - if deemed safe and effective - rollout would likely start happening at the start of next year. To essential workers first.

The memory of PPE distribution in the spring dies hard. It was ugly-partisan, and I don't blame people for being skeptical, especially if their states aren't on the "favored" list. They also admitted that distribution is not something they do (they said they aren't "shipping clerks"), so that may also fuel skepticism. Regardless, I hope this vaccine is a good one, and that it is available to all Americans, no matter who's in charge.