Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #91

[dixiegirl1035]

Wednesday, Jan 6th update.

I guess deaths are catching up, 3,775 showing

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[nhmemorymaker]

Spike protein shape shifter
While the UK variant was first detected in September, officials noticed that it was rapidly spreading through the country in mid-December, leading to tighter restrictions on movement and businesses within days. South African officials reported on December 18 that 501.V2 had been largely replacing other strains of the coronavirus as early as November.

501.V2 carries a mutation in the spike protein called E484K, which is not present in the UK strain, Francois Balloux, the director of the University College London Genetics Institute, says in a statement. “The E484K mutation has been shown to reduce antibody recognition,” he says, which may help the virus bypass immune protection provided by prior infection or vaccination. However, he says that the mutation is not sufficient for the variant to bypass the protection provided by vaccines.
South African SARS-CoV-2 Variant Alarms Scientists

Dr Julian W Tang, Honorary Associate Professor/Clinical Virologist at the University of Leicester, said:

“The South African variant (B.1.351 or 501Y.V2) differs significantly from the UK B.1.1.7(variant) in several ways that may impact on vaccine effectiveness.
expert reaction to the South African variant | Science Media Centre
“Both variants share the N501Y mutation in the viral S gene which lies in the receptor binding domain (RBD) – where the virus binds to the host cell – and where vaccine-induced antibodies bind to the virus. But the South African variant has two more mutations – E484K and K417N – in this RBD region that are absent in the UK variant. These two additional mutations may interfere more with vaccine effectiveness in the South African variant than in the UK variant.

“This does not mean that the existing COVID-19 vaccines will not work at all, just that the antibodies induced by the current vaccines may not bind and neutralise the South African variant as well as it would the other circulating viruses – including the UK variant.

thanks so much for posting this... It really ads a lot of clarity as to the differences in the South AFrican variant --thatmay outsmart the vaccines.

 

[nhmemorymaker]

I know. This really is all any president can do except Biden could put more restrictions on travel between states and travel coming into our borders.

I've long said we need a positive public service message, something Trump failed to do, but something that has been successfully done in the past for quitting smoking, etc. Our Consitution just isn't set up for a President to issue a national or federal mandate of people who are not proved to be ill.

That's where the problem lies--in mandating masks for those who are not sick. It can be done on a state basis and on a county and community level, but not at the federal level. We could try to change the Constitution, and perhaps that's an idea for the future because it would take a lot of time, but that option isn't open to us right now.

I would like to see the Biden Administration develop a marketing plan that involves appealing to the populous at an emotional level, not an authoritarian level. Draw celebrities from all social circles, from the Left, the Right, and everywhere in between, and have them advocate for masks, hand-washing, social distancing, etc. Show a child kneeling at a graveside. Show a young adult on a ventilator. Have the message hit home.

That should have happened from the get-go and now we have to play catch-up with one hand tied behind us.

But, we also have to move forward with programs that keep people safe. My niece's yoga studio was closed last spring and she qualified for supplemental emergency income through CARES but she didn't get a dime. She has no other source of income and had to move in with a guy (I worry he is an abuser) because she had no money to buy food and she was too proud to come to my house or her mother's home. Her income is gone, yet people are shopping in Target and Menards every day.

The little guy is being unfairly squeezed and my guess is that those maskless protests are mainly the little guys who are feeling the brunt of the economic downfall. If we can't help people pay utility bills and food bills, we're going to see massive protests. Our Congress is absent.

Our local Food Bank is overwhelmed and I've worked my butt off to help with raising awareness, but so many are unaware of the pain some of our brothers and sisters are suffering.

Sometimes, I just get so discouraged at how this has been handled. Sorry. Rant over.

some good ideas here....
I am hoping we have some real big PSA stuff... and better management of testing and vaccines too.

 

[nhmemorymaker]

Or its not going to the people who are supposed to get it.
My SIL is a nurse in a state owned hospital in NC. Very dangerous work there with COVID 19 going around the wards.

Last week they were told they would get the vaccine. Instead, it went to top administrators, not front line staff. Now they have to wait for the next batch, who knows how long.

That's why all the reporting is off,JMO.

grrrrrr

 

[303gmf]

I know. This really is all any president can do except Biden could put more restrictions on travel between states and travel coming into our borders.

I've long said we need a positive public service message, something Trump failed to do, but something that has been successfully done in the past for quitting smoking, etc. Our Consitution just isn't set up for a President to issue a national or federal mandate of people who are not proved to be ill.

That's where the problem lies--in mandating masks for those who are not sick. It can be done on a state basis and on a county and community level, but not at the federal level. We could try to change the Constitution, and perhaps that's an idea for the future because it would take a lot of time, but that option isn't open to us right now.

I would like to see the Biden Administration develop a marketing plan that involves appealing to the populous at an emotional level, not an authoritarian level. Draw celebrities from all social circles, from the Left, the Right, and everywhere in between, and have them advocate for masks, hand-washing, social distancing, etc. Show a child kneeling at a graveside. Show a young adult on a ventilator. Have the message hit home.

That should have happened from the get-go and now we have to play catch-up with one hand tied behind us.

But, we also have to move forward with programs that keep people safe. My niece's yoga studio was closed last spring and she qualified for supplemental emergency income through CARES but she didn't get a dime. She has no other source of income and had to move in with a guy (I worry he is an abuser) because she had no money to buy food and she was too proud to come to my house or her mother's home. Her income is gone, yet people are shopping in Target and Menards every day.

The little guy is being unfairly squeezed and my guess is that those maskless protests are mainly the little guys who are feeling the brunt of the economic downfall. If we can't help people pay utility bills and food bills, we're going to see massive protests. Our Congress is absent.

Our local Food Bank is overwhelmed and I've worked my butt off to help with raising awareness, but so many are unaware of the pain some of our brothers and sisters are suffering.

Sometimes, I just get so discouraged at how this has been handled. Sorry. Rant over.

Excellent and heartfelt rant at that though!
Right there with you

 

[Knitty]

Wealthy donors received vaccines through nursing home in Palm Beach County

 

[Yesiamapirate]

I have an appointment for the vaccine at 6 pm tonight. I never thought it would be so soon. I work in healthcare.

Now I am a little scared! I thought I would have more time to digest the idea.

I will keep the appointment for the good of all.

 

[anneg]

Click those ruby shoes together and make a wish.

In Kansas....
At least 20,158 doses have been administered,
covering 4.5% of the prioritized population...
and 0.7% of the state’s population.
Kansas has been allocated 199,450 doses,
enough to vaccinate 45.0% of the prioritized population...
and 6.8% of the state’s population.

In California....
At least 456,980 doses have been administered,
covering 11.0% of the prioritized population...
and 1.2% of the state’s population.
California has been allocated 2,691,675 doses,
enough to vaccinate 64.0% of the prioritized population...
and 6.8% of the state’s population.

In Florida....
At least 264,512 doses have been administered,
covering 5.0% of the prioritized population...
and 1.2% of the state’s population.
Florida has been allocated 1,473,125 doses,
enough to vaccinate 28.0% of the prioritized population...
and 6.9% of the state’s population.

In Georgia....
At least 94,607 doses have been administered,
covering 2.5% of the prioritized population...
and 0.9% of the state’s population.
Georgia has been allocated 698,000 doses,
enough to vaccinate 18.0% of the prioritized population...
and 6.6% of the state’s population.

In Iowa....
At least 60,137 doses have been administered,
covering 28.0% of the prioritized population...
and 1.9% of the state’s population.
Iowa has been allocated 217,725 doses,
enough to vaccinate 100.0% of the prioritized population...
and 6.9% of the state’s population.

In Montana....
At least 23,526 doses have been administered,
covering 37.0% of the prioritized population...
and 2.2% of the state’s population.
Montana has been allocated 76,400 doses,
enough to vaccinate 119.0% of the prioritized population...
and 7.1% of the state’s population.


https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/health/covid-vaccine-states-distribution-doses/

In North Carolina....
At least 121,881 doses have been administered,
covering 1.6% of the prioritized population...
and 1.2% of the state’s population.
North Carolina has been allocated 706,075 doses,
enough to vaccinate 9.5% of the prioritized population... and 6.7% of the state’s population.

North Carolina’s front-line health-care workers and long-term health facility residents and staff will be vaccinated first, followed by adults 75 years or older and essential workers over the age of 50. Next, the state will offer vaccines to other front-line workers.

[BBM]
DH and I are over 75 and are anxiously awaiting our turn to be vaccinated. Could be in second half of January.

 

[ilovewings]

some good ideas here....
I am hoping we have some real big PSA stuff... and better management of testing and vaccines too.

Hope is on the way! I really like the points you made in your post---

 

[Cool Cats]

California dentists can now administer coronavirus vaccines amid the state's massive surge in cases

 

[Skigh]

Covid UK: Daily death toll passes 1,000 for first time since APRIL | Daily Mail Online

 

[margarita25]

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[dixiegirl1035]

1:04 pm today. Strictly Covid related, glad to see 100% of folks at this moment are masked.

Unless they are talking.

100%!!!

 

[nightowl1975]

Biden to Ask Americans to Wear Masks for 100 Days

I find this very interesting. Our new President is "asking" folks to wear a mask. No law. So, "anti maskers" can keep doing what they want. No wonder Covid cases in the United States are so astronomical.

The cost of freedom.

The POTUS can’t mandate masks, even if he wants to. He certainly can make it a “law” that everyone must wear a mask. That’s just not how our government is set up. There are reasons for this, but you’re absolutely correct in saying freedom isn’t free. There is always a cost, sometimes a very large one.

He can mandate them in Federal Buildings, and on All Airlines, since they're regulated by the FAA. There might be some others, but I know he can definitely require them in those venues.

Do we currently have federal buildings or airlines that aren’t already requiring masks?

 

[ilovewings]

https://nypost.com/2021/01/06/yanke...d-19-denier-as-he-fights-virus-from-hospital/

Tommy John, yankees icon pitcher is a Covid denier- as he fights the virus from the hospital-- PATHETIC

 

[musicaljoke]

I know. This really is all any president can do except Biden could put more restrictions on travel between states and travel coming into our borders.

I've long said we need a positive public service message, something Trump failed to do, but something that has been successfully done in the past for quitting smoking, etc. Our Consitution just isn't set up for a President to issue a national or federal mandate of people who are not proved to be ill.

That's where the problem lies--in mandating masks for those who are not sick. It can be done on a state basis and on a county and community level, but not at the federal level. We could try to change the Constitution, and perhaps that's an idea for the future because it would take a lot of time, but that option isn't open to us right now.

I would like to see the Biden Administration develop a marketing plan that involves appealing to the populous at an emotional level, not an authoritarian level. Draw celebrities from all social circles, from the Left, the Right, and everywhere in between, and have them advocate for masks, hand-washing, social distancing, etc. Show a child kneeling at a graveside. Show a young adult on a ventilator. Have the message hit home.

That should have happened from the get-go and now we have to play catch-up with one hand tied behind us.

But, we also have to move forward with programs that keep people safe. My niece's yoga studio was closed last spring and she qualified for supplemental emergency income through CARES but she didn't get a dime. She has no other source of income and had to move in with a guy (I worry he is an abuser) because she had no money to buy food and she was too proud to come to my house or her mother's home. Her income is gone, yet people are shopping in Target and Menards every day.

The little guy is being unfairly squeezed and my guess is that those maskless protests are mainly the little guys who are feeling the brunt of the economic downfall. If we can't help people pay utility bills and food bills, we're going to see massive protests. Our Congress is absent.

Our local Food Bank is overwhelmed and I've worked my butt off to help with raising awareness, but so many are unaware of the pain some of our brothers and sisters are suffering.

Sometimes, I just get so discouraged at how this has been handled. Sorry. Rant over.

It seems to me that there is the option to make federal emergency mandates when there is a public health crisis.

"One exception to the rulemaking process applies when an agency creates an emergency rule. Under these circumstances, an agency must demonstrate that following the typical rulemaking process would be contrary to the public interest.[22] Agencies have invoked the COVID-19 pandemic as a basis for rulemaking under this exception because it is a public health crisis. (See Part III(C), below, for examples of emergency rulemaking at the federal level.)"

Responses to COVID-19 in the United States

 

[Sillybilly]

ADMIN NOTE:

Off topic but important break from tradition here:

If members wish to start a thread in the basement to discuss the current situation unfolding in Washington, you may do so.

Please do not start the discussion on this thread.

 

[ilovewings]

COVID vaccine: CDC reports severe allergic reactions, anaphylaxis

CDC reports severe allergic reactions - anaphylaxis- the number of allergic reactions to this vaccine exceeds reactions to the flu vaccine---

 

[24Roses]

Iowa numbers today and recent news: As of 10:00-11:00 a.m., we had 2,785 new confirmed cases for a total of 289,464 confirmed cases of which 249,867 are recovering (+2,144). 61 more were reported to have passed for a total of 4,060. 125 were hospitalized in the last 24 hrs. for a total of 604 (+22). According to KWWL, there are 35,537 active positive cases with a 24 hr. positivity rate
of 46%. Jan. 6: Iowa reports 2,785 more COVID-19 cases and 61 more deaths
access Daily case totals updated at 11:00 a.m.
Eastern Iowa colleges, still in virus' shadow, prepare to welcome students from break
60,137 Iowans have first dose of COVID vaccine, second doses underway
Iowa surpasses 4,000 COVID-19 deaths as new cases increase
Univ. of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics nurse receives final dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Eastern Iowa hospitals ready for potential surge, encourage other patients to come

 

[Lilibet]

ADMIN NOTE:

Off topic but important break from tradition here:

If members wish to start a thread in the basement to discuss the current situation unfolding in Washington, you may do so.

Please do not start the discussion on this thread.

I started a thread already. If it needs to be moved that’s fine.

DC.—U.S. Capitol breached by mob of demonstrators. Jan. 6, 2020