Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #92

[LadyL]

How countries including Canada are trying to squeeze more COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer-BioNTech vials

https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/pfiz...2tdZf0qGr_6LFIUyhFVWMYxjuCsoQB-SWJ2_yPQw9f6Oc

 

[SouthAussie]

How countries including Canada are trying to squeeze more COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer-BioNTech vials

https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/pfiz...2tdZf0qGr_6LFIUyhFVWMYxjuCsoQB-SWJ2_yPQw9f6Oc

"Then the company stepped in to note its contracts are for doses, not vials: If a recipient can get six doses instead of five, then Pfizer-BioNTech can ship fewer vials and still fulfil their contractual obligation.

The problem is, the type of syringes needed to get six doses from the vial are in short supply."

 

[margarita25]

 

[Cool Cats]

Actor Anthony Hopkins (Silence of the Lambs) gets Covid Vaccine.

 

[Cool Cats]

Airline pilots making in-flight errors say they’re ‘rusty’ because of pandemic | Maine Breaking News

A plane approaches San Diego International Airport for a landing. Aviation safety experts note that pilots can lose proficiency when they are out of the cockpit for an extended period of time.

These incidents are among at least a dozen flying errors and mishaps since May that pilots and first officers have attributed, at least in part, to being out of practice because the COVID-19 pandemic had kept them away from flying for a while.

It is not just the lack of practice that can lead pilots to make errors.

During the pandemic, planes have been carrying an average of 80% fewer passengers which means a much lighter load. If pilots erroneously assume the plane they are flying is as heavy as it was before the pandemic, they can miscalculate the speed and thrust needed for a landing.

In addition the pandemic has led to less crowded skies, so there's less need for planes to take circuitous paths. The shorter, more direct routes could confuse a pilot who arrives at a destination sooner than expected.

A pilot preparing to pull a passenger jet away from an airport gate forgot to disengage the parking brake, damaging a part of a towing vehicle that was trying to pull the plane to the runway.

Another pilot had so much trouble landing a passenger jet on a windy day that it took three tries before the plane touched down successfully.

In another incident, the first officer forgot to turn on the anti-icing mechanism that ensures the altitude and airspeed sensors on the outside of the plane are not blocked by ice. Luckily for the passengers, the plane completed its flight without problems.

 

[margarita25]

 

[SouthAussie]

@LadyL .... a Canadian friend just posted that they are going to tighten up the border restrictions now.
(Of course, now living in the US he is interested in the further delay in getting his butter tarts, real beer, and Swiss Chalet chicken )


Starting this Sunday, non-essential trips to sun destinations - Mexico and the Caribbean - will be cancelled until April 30th. Air Canada, Air Transat, Sunwing, and WestJet have agreed to suspend service to these locations.
We are also strengthening measures to better control international flights. Starting next week, all international passenger flights must land at the following four airports: Calgary, Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver.
As soon as possible in the coming weeks, we will be introducing mandatory PCR testing at airports for people returning to Canada. Travelers will then have to wait for up to three days - at their own expense - at an approved hotel for their test results.
Travelers with negative test results will have to quarantine at home for 14 days under increased surveillance and enforcement. Those with positive test results will be transferred to designated quarantine facilities.
These new measures are in addition to the following restrictions already in place:
Our border is closed to foreign travelers (it has been since last March);
A negative test is required for flying back to Canada;
A mandatory quarantine is in place when you return home.
Justin Trudeau

 

[Cool Cats]

CDC orders sweeping U.S. transportation mask mandate as COVID-19 rages

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a sweeping order late Friday. The order, which takes effect at 11:59 p.m. EST on Monday (0459 GMT Tuesday), requires face masks to be worn by all travelers on airplanes, ships, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-shares and at transportation hubs like airports, bus or ferry terminals, train and subway stations and seaports.

Executive Order on Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel | The White House

President Joe Biden on Jan. 21 ordered government agencies to "immediately take action" to require masks in airports and on commercial aircraft, trains and public maritime vessels, including ferries, intercity bus services and all public transportation.

 

[SouthAussie]

CDC orders sweeping U.S. transportation mask mandate as COVID-19 rages

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a sweeping order late Friday. The order, which takes effect at 11:59 p.m. EST on Monday (0459 GMT Tuesday), requires face masks to be worn by all travelers on airplanes, ships, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-shares and at transportation hubs like airports, bus or ferry terminals, train and subway stations and seaports.

Executive Order on Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel | The White House

President Joe Biden on Jan. 21 ordered government agencies to "immediately take action" to require masks in airports and on commercial aircraft, trains and public maritime vessels, including ferries, intercity bus services and all public transportation.

Can you imagine how much better off things would be if this had been implemented a year ago? How the spread likely would have been far more minimsed? How many lives likely would have been saved?

Travelling around has always been the weakest point of covid spread in the US. imo

 

[Cool Cats]

Can you imagine how much better off things would be if this had been implemented a year ago? How the spread likely would have been far more minimsed? How many lives likely would have been saved?

Travelling around has always been the weakest point of covid spread in the US. imo

Yes! And these travel mask mandates apply only to public transportation. Private travel in private vehicles also - likely greatly - propagates the spread.

What happens is people drive out of State in their vehicles and go maskless with no social distancing to many crowded events and "tourist" stops. After going maskless in these crowds they drive home and bring covid into their communities.

I think it is under reported how people driving all over the US are spreading the virus - THINK:

Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

CDC says new study shows how Sturgis Rally triggered spread of COVID-19 | KELOLAND.com

 

[SouthAussie]

Yes! And these travel mask mandates apply only to public transportation. Private travel in private vehicles also - likely greatly - propagates the spread.

What happens is people drive out of State in their vehicles and go maskless with no social distancing to large events. After going maskless in these crowds they drive home and bring covid into their communities.

I think it is under reported how people driving all over the US are spreading the virus - think:

Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

CDC says new study shows how Sturgis Rally triggered spread of COVID-19 | KELOLAND.com

View attachment 281777

Agreed. Common sense woud tell many people that the virus can't travel and spread without a human host to travel in.

Look at the repercussions that are happening now from all the Thanksgiving and Christmas travel. People were warned. But they didn't heed the warnings.

 

[Cool Cats]

Agreed. Common sense woud tell many people that the virus can't travel and spread without a human host to travel in.

Look at the repercussions that are happening now from all the Thanksgiving and Christmas travel. People were warned. But they didn't heed the warnings.

Probably most ferries, seaports, taxes, trains, planes, subways, buses and transpotation hubs/waiting areas have had Mask Mandates for months. However, with the U.S. CDC issuing a sweeping order late Friday for an official Mask Mandate on all public transportation, it will be easier for transportation officials to enforce it.

They can simply say that by law they have to follow the CDC Mask Mandate, thus, hopefully less arguments will ensue between the masked and the maskless.

This is what happens in States that have Mask Mandates. It is easier for stores to enforce wearing masks inside because they can simply "blame" it on the State or the Governor. They can say "it's not up to us, it's a State Mandate and we are a public business and have to follow it.

<modsnip>

 

[SouthAussie]

Dr Mike Ryan: (BBM)

We were seeing variants, we've seen different virus variations.
That's what a variant actually means - where the virus has a small variation in its genetic code.
It doesn't necessarily mean that the virus behaves any differently.
You see that amongst humans all the time - we have slightly different genetic codes.
That's why sometimes we look different and we act different.
Ir's exactly the same.
It doesn't mean we are fundamentally different.

These viruses, these variants are not fundamentally different to their previously circulating strains.
They have differences and those differences may affect the way in which the virus binds to human cells, or it may affect the way in which the virus can reproduce itself successfully in the human body.

What it hasn't changed is the way in which the virus transmits.
So therefore all of the measures that we already have in place like hand hygeine and physical distance and reducing the number of people you're in contact with, and reducing proximity to people, and reducing the time you spend with people, wearing masks, ensuring you're in a properly ventilated space, these are the things that will still work.

World Health Organization (WHO) is sharing a COVID-19 update.

 

[dixiegirl1035]

Friday, Jan 30th

3,604 daily deaths 436,799 US total

 

[dixiegirl1035]

Eric Feigl-Ding @DrEricDing
·
3m
BREAKING—EU has backtracked on its decision to temporarily override part of the Brexit deal for #COVID19 vaccine exports. EU Commission said it would ensure the Northern Ireland Protocol is "unaffected". EU vaccine export backtracks on controls for NI.

EU vaccine export row: Bloc 'must clarify intentions' over NI move - PM

The EU has backtracked on its decision to temporarily override part of the Brexit deal amid an ongoing row over Covid vaccine supplies.

In a statement, the EU Commission said it would ensure the Northern Ireland Protocol is "unaffected". Boris Johnson had called on the bloc to "urgently clarify its intentions" over the move.
The EU had said it would trigger a clause to introduce export controls on vaccines to Northern Ireland. Under the Brexit deal, all products should be exported from the EU to NI without checks.

On Friday, the bloc invoked Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol in a bid to prevent the region becoming a backdoor for EU vaccines to be sent to the wider UK.

More explanation of above on this starting at 2 minutes into the video.

My notes: In May 2020, UK signs up for 100M doses of Oxford/AZ vaccine. It wasn't until 3 months later on 14Aug20 that EU reached agreement for up to 400M doses. 30Dec20 UK regulator approved the vaccine. (First in the world to approve Ox/AZ) UK supply going well, EU manufacturing problem so trying to force UK to give them some they have produced successfully.

Interesting disputes at 4:00 talks about differences in opinions to Ox/AZ in folks over 65 years old efficacy.

"Meanwhile the UK has insisted that existing vaccine supplies won't be interrupted despite a continuing row between AstraZeneca and the European Union over shortages. ......The row was sparked when AstraZeneca said it wouldn't be able to deliver all the doses promised to the EU by March. The EU has called for some of the vaccines made in the UK to be diverted and warned it could resort to legal action. France, Portugal and Germany are just some of the EU member states struggling to get hold of enough vaccine supplies. Vaccinations are having to be postponed before the roll out has really begun. "

 

[astheworldfallsdown]

COVID-19: Austria ski resort finds 96 foreigners in breach of coronavirus rules

Austria has found 96 foreigners - including British people - at a top ski resort in breach of travel and lockdown rules.

A total of 15 police officers, together with representatives of local health authorities checked 44 hotels and lodges and found 133 people, of which 96 were given "notices."
Some were ordered to take a COVID PCR test.

They all now face fines of up to 2,180 euros (£1,900) under the Epidemic Act.

 

[dixiegirl1035]

COVID-19: Austria ski resort finds 96 foreigners in breach of coronavirus rules

Austria has found 96 foreigners - including British people - at a top ski resort in breach of travel and lockdown rules.

A total of 15 police officers, together with representatives of local health authorities checked 44 hotels and lodges and found 133 people, of which 96 were given "notices."
Some were ordered to take a COVID PCR test.

They all now face fines of up to 2,180 euros (£1,900) under the Epidemic Act.

Austria suspects outbreak of new UK COVID-19 strain at ski resort

Deja Vu big time

This is how the first superspreader event in the world happened with COVID in March of 2020 - leading to seeding in many many countries. I'm surprised the article didn't compare to such. Glad that they are enforcing proactively.

Coronavirus: 'Momentous' errors worsened Austria ski resort outbreak in March 2020

 

[tabitha111]

Somedays I feel we will never get out of this pandemic...just a casual look at my facebook pages tells me that.
One friend - her daughter is getting married next week- 100 guests are coming to an indoor wedding and reception - oh but "there is plenty of room for social distancing and masks will be handed out" ...
another wants advice on a baby shower and do "not tell her anything about Covid" as she wants an in person event.
Everyday I see these kinds of postings....and some in my extended family posting photos of themselves hugging "friends" or posing with family that they flew to visit.. sometimes with masks on sometimes without.

 

[mickey2942]

Somedays I feel we will never get out of this pandemic...just a casual look at my facebook pages tells me that.
One friend - her daughter is getting married next week- 100 guests are coming to an indoor wedding and reception - oh but "there is plenty of room for social distancing and masks will be handed out" ...
another wants advice on a baby shower and do "not tell her anything about Covid" as she wants an in person event.
Everyday I see these kinds of postings....and some in my extended family posting photos of themselves hugging "friends" or posing with family that they flew to visit.. sometimes with masks on sometimes without.

I feel like I am in a "bubble". I literally go nowhere, do nothing. But, like you, I see Facebook friends traveling, having pedicures, going to yoga classes...like nothing is wrong.

And I am so tempted to join them in their revelry! Fling the mask, and let the good times roll! Bread and circuses. The ICU beds are completely full here, and bars are now fully open. Can anyone figure this out? If hospitals are full to capacity, why are people going out to bars, working out at the gym, and dining out?

 

[margarita25]

“In the United Kingdom (UK), a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 (known as 20I/501Y.V1, VOC 202012/01, or B.1.1.7) emerged with a large number of mutations. This variant has since been detected in numerous countries around the world, including the United States (US). In January 2021, scientists from UK reported evidence[1] that suggests the B.1.1.7 variant may be associated with an increased risk of death compared with other variants. More studies are needed to confirm this finding. This variant was reported in the US at the end of December 2020.“


Source:
CDC
Emerging SARS-CoV-2 Variants
Updated Jan. 28, 2021
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)


B.1.1.7 lineage (a.k.a. 20I/501Y.V1 Variant of Concern (VOC) 202012/01)

• This variant has a mutation in the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein at position 501, where the amino acid asparagine (N) has been replaced with tyrosine (Y). The shorthand for this mutation is N501Y. This variant also has several other mutations, including:
  • 69/70 deletion: occurred spontaneously many times and likely leads to a conformational change in the spike protein
  • P681H: near the S1/S2 furin cleavage site, a site with high variability in coronaviruses. This mutation has also emerged spontaneously multiple times.
• This variant is estimated to have first emerged in the UK during September 2020.
• Since December 20, 2020, several countries have reported cases of the B.1.1.7 lineage, including the United States.
• This variant is associated with increased transmissibility (i.e., more efficient and rapid transmission).
• In January 2021, scientists from UK reported evidence[1] that suggests the B.1.1.7 variant may be associated with an increased risk of death compared with other variants.
• Early reports found no evidence to suggest that the variant has any impact on the severity of disease or vaccine efficacy.[2],[3],[4]