Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #88

[pocketaccent]

The horse has left the barn because the USA has turned a health pandemic into a political pandemic...meanwhile 65 people an hour are dying...shameful, whatever side of the fence you’re on I would’ve thought.

Too slow, too weak, too little, too late, too lax...

Describe our response to the mother of all disasters, this pandemic. Absolutely dismayed and horrified!

 

[SouthAussie]

I'm in the U.S. I asked my DIL about the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine, and she is not worried about it--thinks it will be fine. So that was reassuring to me.

The UK govt has just submitted the Oxford vaccine to the regulator .. first step in approval.

They say that the Oxford vaccine will be a most useful vaccine as it will target "hundreds of millions of doses to low and middle income countries and to deliver the vaccine on a not-for-profit basis to those nations in perpetuity. The vaccine developed at England's Oxford University is significantly cheaper than the others and, crucially, it would be far easier to transport and distribute in developing countries than its rivals since it does not need to be stored at freezing temperatures."

Oxford's Covid-19 vaccine could do more for the world than other shots - CNN

 

[SouthAussie]

Agilence. A combination of agility and resilience.

We believe agilence, especially in the face of uncertainty, can make one both adaptable and tenacious.

Stage 1: Shock
As the pandemic spread, it quickly became apparent how devastating the consequences would be

Stage 2: Preserve
People moved to self-preservation mode. Some started isolating. Others halted all discretionary purchases. Elective surgeries and treatments were postponed.

Stage 3: Adapt
We are beginning to accept the enormity of the pandemic’s impact on life and that it will last a few years.

Stage 4: Sustain
It is sobering to know that even at the current ‘rate of spread’ only 0.15% of the world population are confirmed cases. This means, it will take several years for the global population to become immune to the virus.
To sustain this ‘new’ version of life will mean we cannot fight a new battle with old armour. Humanity will have to upgrade.

Agilence: A Necessary Life Skill in a Post-COVID World

 

[margarita25]

“Everything we did this weekend is not going to show up today or tomorrow,” Dr. Reza said. “About three to four weeks out is when we have to watch.”

When will we see Thanksgiving’s impact on Florida’s COVID-19 cases?.
When will we see Thanksgiving’s impact on Florida’s COVID-19 cases?

Yeah, it’s pretty much literally “Gather for turkey in November and plan a funeral for December“, as a couple governors stated similarly.

 

[Lilibet]

I hadn’t noticed until this morning that there is mention of whether to immunize young healthy adults first to slow transmission. The bottom line...it’s complicated:

Because Covid-19 is especially lethal for those over 65 and those with other health problems such as obesity, diabetes, or asthma, and yet is spread rapidly and widely by healthy young adults who are more likely to recover, mathematicians are faced with two conflicting priorities when modeling for vaccines: Should they prevent deaths or slow transmission?

The consensus among most modelers is that if the main goal is to slash mortality rates, officials must prioritize vaccinating those who are older, and if they want to slow transmission, they must target younger adults.

Doing the Touchy Math on Who Should Get a COVID Vaccine First

 

[margarita25]

Notes / EUA:

Self-swab kit for COVID-19 test granted emergency-use authorization by FDA
2 days ago

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Authorizes Monoclonal Antibodies for Treatment of COVID-19
Nov. 21

FDA Issues an EUA for Baricitinib in Combination with Remdesivir for Severe COVID-19
Nov. 21

FDA / Emergency Use Authorization for Vaccines Explained
Nov. 20

Pfizer and BioNTech seek FDA emergency use authorization for coronavirus vaccine - CNN
Nov. 20

FDA / Emergency Use Authorization for Vaccines to Prevent COVID-19
Oct. 20

John’s Hopkins / What Is Emergency Use Authorization?
Oct. 20

—

I hadn’t noticed until this morning that there is mention of whether to immunize young healthy adults first to slow transmission. The bottom line...it’s complicated:

Because Covid-19 is especially lethal for those over 65 and those with other health problems such as obesity, diabetes, or asthma, and yet is spread rapidly and widely by healthy young adults who are more likely to recover, mathematicians are faced with two conflicting priorities when modeling for vaccines: Should they prevent deaths or slow transmission?

The consensus among most modelers is that if the main goal is to slash mortality rates, officials must prioritize vaccinating those who are older, and if they want to slow transmission, they must target younger adults.

Doing the Touchy Math on Who Should Get a COVID Vaccine First

Wow just wow...this is deep.

 

[weepingangel]

Christmas Tree Sales Surging at Farms Across Mass. Amid Pandemic
more at link
It is the most wonderful time of the year at Christmas tree farms across Massachusetts even though the coronavirus pandemic has made it a tough year for many. Farmers say the amount of people staying at home has increased demand to deck the halls.

At Mistletoe Christmas Tree Farm in Stow, they started getting calls for trees three weeks before they usually start their season. The day after Thanksgiving they were already sold out of cut-your-own trees.

“This has been the craziest early year for Christmas trees we have had in 12 years of farming,” owner Mark Harnett said. “And it’s absolutely pandemic related.”






Some Polar Express and Christmas trains are running this season | Boston.com
more at link why?
Holiday events such as Christmas tree lightings have been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, but there are still Christmas trains delivering cheer this year to families across New England.

“We know that 2020 has been challenging for everyone, and our mission is to wrap up this year with a safe, socially distanced, and magical experience to keep the spirit of Christmas alive for the young and young at heart,” Connecticut’s Essex Steam Train & Riverboat wrote on its website, which will offer a “Reindeer on the Rails” Christmas train.

Ahead, discover which New England Christmas trains are operating and which are closed this holiday season. Keep in mind that capacities are limited and COVID-19travel restrictions must be followed when crossing state lines, in addition to safety guidelines from local officials and the train operators.

 

[Satchie]

I hadn’t noticed until this morning that there is mention of whether to immunize young healthy adults first to slow transmission. The bottom line...it’s complicated:

Because Covid-19 is especially lethal for those over 65 and those with other health problems such as obesity, diabetes, or asthma, and yet is spread rapidly and widely by healthy young adults who are more likely to recover, mathematicians are faced with two conflicting priorities when modeling for vaccines: Should they prevent deaths or slow transmission?

The consensus among most modelers is that if the main goal is to slash mortality rates, officials must prioritize vaccinating those who are older, and if they want to slow transmission, they must target younger adults.

Doing the Touchy Math on Who Should Get a COVID Vaccine First

To me, the solution is to continue to slow transmission through social distancing, etc, while the vaccination program proceeds from high risk to low risk.

I think that will be the approach here in Canada. Hopefully, like this summer, the natural rates of transmission will drop in May so the clampdown can lift somewhat, but there will still be controls on social mixing until everyone is vaccinated. I think the goal will be to have everyone vaccinated by next winter. (Canada cannot produce the vaccine ourselves, so we'll be later than the US).

 

[SouthAussie]

Wow just wow...this is deep.

Isn't it?

"We know you can't/won't control yourselves and do what is right (wear a flippin' mask, social distance, wash your hands), so we'll vaccinate all of you first and let the elderly and infirm fend for themselves while we use months and months of vaccination supplies to take care of the young healthy spreaders".

Just no. Protect those that need protecting. IMO

 

[margarita25]

“Everything we did this weekend is not going to show up today or tomorrow,” Dr. Reza said. “About three to four weeks out is when we have to watch.”

When will we see Thanksgiving’s impact on Florida’s COVID-19 cases?.
When will we see Thanksgiving’s impact on Florida’s COVID-19 cases?

““Expert says we won’t see the effects of Thanksgiving travel until Christmas““

 

[weepingangel]

2,914 new Mass. COVID-19 cases, 40 deaths reported Saturday
charts graphs and more at link
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health on Saturday reported 2,914 new confirmed cases of COVID-19.

That brings the statewide total to 214,662 since the start of the pandemic.


The report also included an additional 40 deaths, bringing the statewide total to 10,441.

An estimated 42,549 cases are active across the state, according to the report.

As of Saturday, 1,045 patients with confirmed coronavirus cases were hospitalized in Massachusetts, of which 225 were reported to be in an intensive care unit.

 

[margarita25]

Agilence. A combination of agility and resilience.

We believe agilence, especially in the face of uncertainty, can make one both adaptable and tenacious.

Stage 1: Shock
As the pandemic spread, it quickly became apparent how devastating the consequences would be

Stage 2: Preserve
People moved to self-preservation mode. Some started isolating. Others halted all discretionary purchases. Elective surgeries and treatments were postponed.

Stage 3: Adapt
We are beginning to accept the enormity of the pandemic’s impact on life and that it will last a few years.

Stage 4: Sustain
It is sobering to know that even at the current ‘rate of spread’ only 0.15% of the world population are confirmed cases. This means, it will take several years for the global population to become immune to the virus.
To sustain this ‘new’ version of life will mean we cannot fight a new battle with old armour. Humanity will have to upgrade.

Agilence: A Necessary Life Skill in a Post-COVID World

Omg on the last paragraph....”.15%”?

 

[CoverMeCagney]

Agilence. A combination of agility and resilience.

We believe agilence, especially in the face of uncertainty, can make one both adaptable and tenacious.

Stage 1: Shock
As the pandemic spread, it quickly became apparent how devastating the consequences would be

Stage 2: Preserve
People moved to self-preservation mode. Some started isolating. Others halted all discretionary purchases. Elective surgeries and treatments were postponed.

Stage 3: Adapt
We are beginning to accept the enormity of the pandemic’s impact on life and that it will last a few years.

Stage 4: Sustain
It is sobering to know that even at the current ‘rate of spread’ only 0.15% of the world population are confirmed cases. This means, it will take several years for the global population to become immune to the virus.
To sustain this ‘new’ version of life will mean we cannot fight a new battle with old armour. Humanity will have to upgrade.

Agilence: A Necessary Life Skill in a Post-COVID World

Resility sounds so much better.

*misses the point*

 

[SouthAussie]

Omg on the last paragraph....”.15%”?

Yes ... not very many yet, is it? When looking at the big picture. We have a very, very long way to go for herd immunity. Kazillions of vaccinations to give. This is going to be a long pandemic.

 

[ilovewings]

Isn't it?

"We know you can't/won't control yourselves and do what is right (wear a flippin' mask, social distance, wash your hands), so we'll vaccinate all of you first and let the elderly and infirm fend for themselves while we use months and months of vaccination supplies to take care of the young healthy spreaders".

Just no. Protect those that need protecting. IMO

Well said

 

[margarita25]

Yes ... not very many yet, is it? When looking at the big picture. We have a very, very long way to go for herd immunity. Kazillions of vaccinations to give. This is going to be a long pandemic.

Man...

—-

Eta / more sighs / “the most Americans hospitalized since the beginning of the pandemic...”

 

[SouthAussie]

Eta / more sighs / “the most Americans hospitalized since the beginning of the pandemic...”

And that is the major problem with having an unhealthy population when and as the vaccine arrives.

Dr Jeff Smith, Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre: "The biggest challenge is that the vaccines are becoming available right at the time that we are experiencing another surge. So the nurses who would commonly be the ones to administer the vaccines are needed at the bedside to care for covid patients. As well as non-covid patients."

Also from the newscast, next week up to 25% of hospitals (nationwide) could be understaffed.

 

[MaryG12]

Women Are Deciding Not to Have Babies Because of the Pandemic. That’s Bad for All of Us

While I do not necessarily agree with everything in the article - I am seeing a frightening trend at work: a good 85% of the women (and men's wives) are in fact pregnant and soon to give birth. What if the baby is born with COVID-19 or contracts it from its mother. What if the baby dies from COVID-19. And so many more possible scenarios.

Like lighting a match by a gasoline spill.

 

[margarita25]

BBM:

And that is the major problem with having an unhealthy population when and as the vaccine arrives.

Dr Jeff Smith, Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre: "The biggest challenge is that the vaccines are becoming available right at the time that we are experiencing another surge. So the nurses who would commonly be the ones to administer the vaccines are needed at the bedside to care for covid patients. As well as non-covid patients."

Omg I didn’t even think about that..

(eta: Duh. Wow...)

 

[pocketaccent]

Omg on the last paragraph....”.15%”?

Yes ... not very many yet, is it? When looking at the big picture. We have a very, very long way to go for herd immunity. Kazillions of vaccinations to give. This is going to be a long pandemic.

If you look at the US only,
Total cases 13,605,048 / population 331,000,000 = 4.1 %
And if the CDC estimate of 8 times higher than reported is true, 4.1% x 8 = ~ 32%

Give us ~ 6 more months, we are marching toward herd immunity even without the vaccine.