Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #93

[ilovewings]

Eli Lilly COVID-19 drug combo cuts risk of hospitalizations, deaths by 87%: study


Eli Lilly COVID-19 drug combo cuts risk of hospitalizations, deaths by 87%: study

Great news!!!!!

 

[dixiegirl1035]

Eli Lilly COVID-19 drug combo cuts risk of hospitalizations, deaths by 87%: study


Eli Lilly COVID-19 drug combo cuts risk of hospitalizations, deaths by 87%: study

IIRC, they got EUA authorizations for the monoclonal antibody treatments last November or December (similar to Regeneron which President Trump received).

Last I heard, so much has gone unused because the drugs must be given to folks early on, and are delivered by hours long transfusions and in settings for access to medications to treat reactions and where emergency medical is available if needed. (and for "common folk" issues of who should get them/who is eligible for as 500 million folks couldn't get infusions!!!...where to get them and at what $$$$$$).

Good they have gotton up the prevention of the more serious COVID progression with the addition to another drug with the infusions.

Thank goodness for the vaccines! I think that the monoclonals have their place, but with vaccines.... the need for folks needing to find/get/pay for infusions will be less and less common as more treatments come to the fore that don't require an infusion setting and cost etc.

MOO

ETA: BTW... I wonder how many folks are still getting remdesivir which requires 5 days of infusions and shall be done in only a hospital? $$$$$

ETA #2: Note how many of the guidances now refer that the US will pick up the tab for some drugs/treatments during pandemic and/or will be covered by trial $$. After it settles to "endemic" (Looking forward to that day! iykwim, prior to completely gone) .... insurances will be needing to pick up the tab so low prices will be needed MOO for "standard protocols for treatments"

 

[ilovewings]

IIRC, they got EUA authorizations for the monoclonal antibody treatments last November or December (similar to Regeneron which President Trump received).

Last I heard, so much has gone unused because the drugs must be given to folks early on, and are delivered by hours long transfusions and in settings for access to medications to treat reactions and where emergency medical is available if needed. (and for "common folk" issues of who should get them/who is eligible for as 500 million folks couldn't get infusions!!!...where to get them and at what $$$$$$).

Good they have gotton up the prevention of the more serious COVID progression with the addition to another drug with the infusions.

Thank goodness for the vaccines! I think that the monoclonals have their place, but with vaccines.... the need for folks needing to find/get/pay for infusions will be less and less common as more treatments come to the fore that don't require an infusion setting and cost etc.

MOO

ETA: BTW... I wonder how many folks are still getting remdesivir which requires 5 days of infusions and shall be done in only a hospital? $$$$$

ETA #2: Note how many of the guidances now refer that the US will pick up the tab for some drugs/treatments during pandemic and/or will be covered by trial $$. After it settles to "endemic" (Looking forward to that day! iykwim, prior to completely gone) .... insurances will be needing to pick up the tab so low prices will be needed MOO for "standard protocols for treatments"

IIRC, they got EUA authorizations for the monoclonal antibody treatments last November or December (similar to Regeneron which President Trump received).

Last I heard, so much has gone unused because the drugs must be given to folks early on, and are delivered by hours long transfusions and in settings for access to medications to treat reactions and where emergency medical is available if needed. (and for "common folk" issues of who should get them/who is eligible for as 500 million folks couldn't get infusions!!!...where to get them and at what $$$$$$).

Good they have gotton up the prevention of the more serious COVID progression with the addition to another drug with the infusions.

Thank goodness for the vaccines! I think that the monoclonals have their place, but with vaccines.... the need for folks needing to find/get/pay for infusions will be less and less common as more treatments come to the fore that don't require an infusion setting and cost etc.

MOO

ETA: BTW... I wonder how many folks are still getting remdesivir which requires 5 days of infusions and shall be done in only a hospital? $$$$$

ETA #2: Note how many of the guidances now refer that the US will pick up the tab for some drugs/treatments during pandemic and/or will be covered by trial $$. After it settles to "endemic" (Looking forward to that day! iykwim, prior to completely gone) .... insurances will be needing to pick up the tab so low prices will be needed MOO for "standard protocols for treatments"

From my perspective the vaccine is the only way out of this horror. However, there will be a certain portion of the population that will refuse to get vaccinated and they will be at risk for serious effects of this virus. It is good to have as many treatments as possible - this virus is not going anywhere for the foreseeable future. This morning I was thinking about the beginning of this pandemic and how health care workers had basically no clue how to treat it. People put on ventilators, dying in agony, alone, without comfort: and all those body bags. OMG-- I think the medical system at least has some tools now to treat people and minimize the deaths from this wicked evil virus.

 

[nightowl1975]

It was new to me! I’d never heard anything like it prior to this J&J hysteria
Getting my first shot tomorrow and don’t care how it’s made as long as safe and effective

I’ve always been fascinated by anti-vaccinators, so I’ve done a fair bit of research on the topic. It’s well-known in certain religious circles that some vaccines were developed at least in part by using aborted fetal cells. I respect a person’s decision on what to put in their own body, so if this is a deal-breaker for them, so be it. I do believe reasonable consequences may be expected, such as you cannot work for certain employers without having certain vaccines or your children cannot continue to attend school during a known outbreak if they are not vaccinated.

 

[ilovewings]

I’ve always been fascinated by anti-vaccinators, so I’ve done a fair bit of research on the topic. It’s well-known in certain religious circles that some vaccines were developed at least in part by using aborted fetal cells. I respect a person’s decision on what to put in their own body, so if this is a deal-breaker for them, so be it. I do believe reasonable consequences may be expected, such as you cannot work for certain employers without having certain vaccines or your children cannot continue to attend school during a known outbreak if they are not vaccinated.

The other issue is herd immunity: The more people that get vaccinated, it is good for all of us.

 

[tabitha111]

Mark D. Levine
@MarkLevineNYC
·
1h

Virus is still spreading at an extraordinary rate in NYC. ~4,000 cases/day, despite steady progress on vaccination. One big reason: variants B.1.117 (UK) & B.1.526 (NYC) now together make up 51% of new cases here, up from 31% last week. We still need to take this seriously.

 

[ilovewings]

Mark D. Levine
@MarkLevineNYC
·
1h

Virus is still spreading at an extraordinary rate in NYC. ~4,000 cases/day, despite steady progress on vaccination. One big reason: variants B.1.117 (UK) & B.1.526 (NYC) now together make up 51% of new cases here, up from 31% last week. We still need to take this seriously.

My understanding is that the vaccines we have available are at least somewhat
effective against B117

 

[ilovewings]

I have a question: Is it a good idea to get my carpet steam cleaned? My husband is fully vaccinated and I had one shot (next one due in 2 weeks)-- My carpet is so filthy I can't look at it anymore- I put off getting the carpet steam cleaned professionally due to the virus. I am considering having it done before my 2nd shot- I was concerned about virus coming up from the carpet but I know the steam cleaning uses really hot water so to the best of my knowledge that hot water would kill the virus--- of course we will mask up and we would have the carpet guy mask up as well. What do ya all think?

 

[Lilibet]

Eli Lilly COVID-19 drug combo cuts risk of hospitalizations, deaths by 87%: study


Eli Lilly COVID-19 drug combo cuts risk of hospitalizations, deaths by 87%: study

"These positive results reinforce our previous findings and support the authorized dose of bamlanivimab 700 mg with etesevimab 1400 mg,"

I had bamlanivimab but I don’t think etesevimab was given too.

The combo wasn’t officially approved as an EUA by the FDA until Feb 9 and my treatment was Jan 28, so probably not.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Authorizes Monoclonal Antibodies for Treatment of COVID-19

In any case, I do give it credit for keeping me from getting really bad, even though I ended up in the hospital.

 

[Yesiamapirate]

I have a question: Is it a good idea to get my carpet steam cleaned? My husband is fully vaccinated and I had one shot (next one due in 2 weeks)-- My carpet is so filthy I can't look at it anymore- I put off getting the carpet steam cleaned professionally due to the virus. I am considering having it done before my 2nd shot- I was concerned about virus coming up from the carpet but I know the steam cleaning uses really hot water so to the best of my knowledge that hot water would kill the virus--- of course we will mask up and we would have the carpet guy mask up as well. What do ya all think?

We have had our cleaning lady come throughout the pandemic, except the first few months when it was not allowed. We left for the whole time she was inside, lysoled and opened widows after for a while. She only used our vacuum and it didn't involve steam. So, I don't know. It is really up to your risk level. MOO...maybe if you are not comfortable now, wait just a few more weeks until you are vaccinated fully?

 

[Lilibet]

ETA: BTW... I wonder how many folks are still getting remdesivir which requires 5 days of infusions and shall be done in only a hospital? $$$$$

ETA #2: Note how many of the guidances now refer that the US will pick up the tab for some drugs/treatments during pandemic and/or will be covered by trial $$. After it settles to "endemic" (Looking forward to that day! iykwim, prior to completely gone) .... insurances will be needing to pick up the tab so low prices will be needed MOO for "standard protocols for treatments"

AFAIK and in my case, hospitalization is done because of pneumonia and low O2, not just to be give Remdesevir, if that’s what you are thinking. Remdesevir was just part of the treatment I received, which included steroid IV, blood thinner shots and respiratory therapy with two inhaled drugs.

Yes, the monoclonal antibody treatment and Remdesevir were both free for me. But I hope the prices won’t be jacked up when insurance takes over.

IIRC, they got EUA authorizations for the monoclonal antibody treatments last November or December (similar to Regeneron which President Trump received).

Last I heard, so much has gone unused because the drugs must be given to folks early on, and are delivered by hours long transfusions and in settings for access to medications to treat reactions and where emergency medical is available if needed. (and for "common folk" issues of who should get them/who is eligible for as 500 million folks couldn't get infusions!!!...where to get them and at what $$$$$$).

I received my infusion at my local hospital in a converted hospital room in the Covid wing. The infusion took about an hour and then I was monitored for at least an hour afterward. There were three patients receiving it when I was there. My doctor is the one who suggested it and made the arrangements. I wouldn’t have thought to ask if it was available. I’m glad he was proactive. My husband had to ask for it when he tested positive later (different doctor).

Checking online recently to see where it’s offered in Oregon, there are only three locations in rural Southern Oregon where I live. One is right in my town, another 90 minutes away over the mountains, and another 2 hours north up the freeway, all at hospitals. I don’t think I could have handled getting to the latter two, so I felt very fortunate to be able to get it close by. As you noted in an ETA, at this point it’s free.

 

[ilovewings]

Yes, the monoclonal antibody treatment and Remdesevir were both free for me. But I hope the prices won’t be jacked up when insurance takes over.



I received my infusion at my local hospital in a converted hospital room in the Covid wing. The infusion took about an hour and then I was monitored for at least an hour afterward. There were three patients receiving it when I was there. My doctor is the one who suggested it and made the arrangements. I wouldn’t have thought to ask if it was available. I’m glad he was proactive. My husband had to ask for it when he tested positive later (different doctor).

Checking online recently to see where it’s offered in Oregon, there are only three locations in rural Southern Oregon where I live. One is right in my town, another 90 minutes away over the mountains, and another 2 hours north up the freeway, all at hospitals. I don’t think I could have handled getting to the latter two, so I felt very fortunate to be able to get it close by. As you noted in an ETA, at this point it’s free.

It is great that you had a forward thinking proactive physician. I have read that many physicians are not using the monoclonal antibodies- they are just sitting around-- partly because it takes a while to give the infusion, and as you pointed out, it takes an hour afterward for the patient to be monitored. So often, unless a patient asks for this, it won't be given and that is a shame.

 

[Lilibet]

It is great that you had a forward thinking proactive physician. I have read that many physicians are not using the monoclonal antibodies- they are just sitting around-- partly because it takes a while to give the infusion, and as you pointed out, it takes an hour afterward for the patient to be monitored. So often, unless a patient asks for this, it won't be given and that is a shame.

Interestingly, the doctor I saw on Telemed was the other doctor in the practice because our doctor was on vacation. By the time my husband tested positive, our regular doctor was back and my DH didn’t have a Telemed discussion with him and the infusion wasn’t mentioned by the nurse he spoke to, so he asked for it. His symptoms weren’t as bad, so that may have had something to do with it, but they were willing to authorize it.

The fact that many doctors aren’t prescribing it may have to do with their location. If they have to send a sick patient two hours away, they may not think it’s practical, but the patient should certainly be given a choice in that case.

 

[anneg]

Interesting article in The Atlantic:
Late-Stage Pandemic Is Messing With Your Brain

Late-Stage Pandemic Is Messing With Your Brain
We have been doing this so long, we’re forgetting how to be normal.

ELLEN CUSHING MARCH 8, 2021

I first became aware that I was losing my mind in late December. It was a Friday night, the start of my 40-somethingth pandemic weekend: Hours and hours with no work to distract me, and outside temperatures prohibitive of anything other than staying in. I couldn’t for the life of me figure out how to fill the time. “What did I used to … do on weekends?” I asked my boyfriend, like a soap-opera amnesiac. He couldn’t really remember either.

Since then, I can’t stop noticing all the things I’m forgetting. Sometimes I grasp at a word or a name. Sometimes I walk into the kitchen and find myself bewildered as to why I am there.

(snip)
This is the fog of late pandemic, and it is brutal. In the spring, we joked about the Before Times, but they were still within reach, easily accessible in our shorter-term memories. In the summer and fall, with restrictions loosening and temperatures rising, we were able to replicate some of what life used to be like, at least in an adulterated form: outdoor drinks, a day at the beach. But now, in the cold, dark, featureless middle of our pandemic winter, we can neither remember what life was like before nor imagine what it’ll be like after.

(More at link.)

ETA: I have definitely noticed this. And I feel some trepidation about what will happen when I try to resume a more 'normal' life. Normal life seems, in retrospect, pretty demanding.

 

[Lilibet]

Interesting article in The Atlantic:
Late-Stage Pandemic Is Messing With Your Brain

Late-Stage Pandemic Is Messing With Your Brain
We have been doing this so long, we’re forgetting how to be normal.

ELLEN CUSHING MARCH 8, 2021

I first became aware that I was losing my mind in late December. It was a Friday night, the start of my 40-somethingth pandemic weekend: Hours and hours with no work to distract me, and outside temperatures prohibitive of anything other than staying in. I couldn’t for the life of me figure out how to fill the time. “What did I used to … do on weekends?” I asked my boyfriend, like a soap-opera amnesiac. He couldn’t really remember either.

Since then, I can’t stop noticing all the things I’m forgetting. Sometimes I grasp at a word or a name. Sometimes I walk into the kitchen and find myself bewildered as to why I am there.

(snip)
This is the fog of late pandemic, and it is brutal. In the spring, we joked about the Before Times, but they were still within reach, easily accessible in our shorter-term memories. In the summer and fall, with restrictions loosening and temperatures rising, we were able to replicate some of what life used to be like, at least in an adulterated form: outdoor drinks, a day at the beach. But now, in the cold, dark, featureless middle of our pandemic winter, we can neither remember what life was like before nor imagine what it’ll be like after.

(More at link.)

ETA: I have definitely noticed this. And I feel some trepidation about what will happen when I try to resume a more 'normal' life. Normal life seems, in retrospect, pretty demanding.

This is behind a paywall for me, so thanks for posting so much. I’ve noticed this fog too, but attributed it to having Covid. I was grasping at names and words even before Covid and the pandemic, but I think it’s worse and the lives we’ve lived in the past year have added to it. My husband is making a list of every change we’ve experience during this year...the good, the bad and the ugly. As you say, returning to what passes for “normal” will be daunting for some of us, especially for those of us who don’t mind being at home all that much.

 

[anneg]

This is behind a paywall for me, so thanks for posting so much. I’ve noticed this fog too, but attributed it to having Covid. I was grasping at names and words even before Covid and the pandemic, but I think it’s worse and the lives we’ve lived in the past year have added to it. My husband is making a list of every change we’ve experience during this year...the good, the bad and the ugly. As you say, returning to what passes for “normal” will be daunting for some of us, especially for those of us who don’t mind being at home all that much.

I used a private window to search for the article--perhaps you could try that.

Your husband's list sounds like an interesting exercise. Maybe I'll try to write a list of my own.

My friends and I have been attributing some of our mental lapses to getting old (we're in our 70s), but the events and crises of this past year have clearly had an effect on our mental state. It's hard to quantify, though. I was quite fearful during the initial few months of the pandemic--convinced DH and I would die of Covid sooner or later. Then we had some relatively calm months where we had things kind of figured out, such as ordering groceries online, having a supply of masks and hand sanitizer (and toilet paper!), getting takeout meals, etc. Then in the fall, with the election and its aftermath, I had lots of anxiety and stress. As we moved into winter, we had a lot of unusually cold weather and rain, and we had the horrors of Jan. 6th. It just seemed like a dark time. Things got better on Jan. 20th, at least for us. MOO

It feels like spring here in central NC--warm and sunny. Pollen season will be upon us soon and there will be a sticky coating of yellowish pine pollen on everything. And our pollen allergies will take off. .... And then our hot and humid weather will be back. And hurricane season! So much to look forward to!

 

[Lilibet]

I used a private window to search for the article--perhaps you could try that.

Your husband's list sounds like an interesting exercise. Maybe I'll try to write a list of my own.

My friends and I have been attributing some of our mental lapses to getting old (we're in our 70s), but the events and crises of this past year have clearly had an effect on our mental state. It's hard to quantify, though. I was quite fearful during the initial few months of the pandemic--convinced DH and I would die of Covid sooner or later. Then we had some relatively calm months where we had things kind of figured out, such as ordering groceries online, having a supply of masks and hand sanitizer (and toilet paper!), getting takeout meals, etc. Then in the fall, with the election and its aftermath, I had lots of anxiety and stress. As we moved into winter, we had a lot of unusually cold weather and rain, and we had the horrors of Jan. 6th. It just seemed like a dark time. Things got better on Jan. 20th, at least for us. MOO

It feels like spring here in central NC--warm and sunny. Pollen season will be upon us soon and there will be a sticky coating of yellowish pine pollen on everything. And our pollen allergies will take off. .... And then our hot and humid weather will be back. And hurricane season! So much to look forward to!

Yes, I did use a private window, but I wasn’t quick enough to copy the link before the “sign in or subscribe” notice showed up. I think they’re wise to me.

I’m 75 and I can’t count the number of times I said “I can’t get Covid. It will kill me.” Fortunately it didn’t, but that thought made us even more vigilant.

In addition to front line health care workers, many of us are also experiencing a level of PTSD from the past year of Covid, and also I believe from the events leading up to and including Jan. 6. JMO

https://www.bannerhealth.com/healthcareblog/teach-me/will-we-have-ptsd-as-a-result-of-covid-19

Post-COVID Stress Disorder: Another Emerging Consequence of the Global Pandemic

 

[ilovewings]

Interesting article in The Atlantic:
Late-Stage Pandemic Is Messing With Your Brain

Late-Stage Pandemic Is Messing With Your Brain
We have been doing this so long, we’re forgetting how to be normal.

ELLEN CUSHING MARCH 8, 2021

I first became aware that I was losing my mind in late December. It was a Friday night, the start of my 40-somethingth pandemic weekend: Hours and hours with no work to distract me, and outside temperatures prohibitive of anything other than staying in. I couldn’t for the life of me figure out how to fill the time. “What did I used to … do on weekends?” I asked my boyfriend, like a soap-opera amnesiac. He couldn’t really remember either.

Since then, I can’t stop noticing all the things I’m forgetting. Sometimes I grasp at a word or a name. Sometimes I walk into the kitchen and find myself bewildered as to why I am there.

(snip)
This is the fog of late pandemic, and it is brutal. In the spring, we joked about the Before Times, but they were still within reach, easily accessible in our shorter-term memories. In the summer and fall, with restrictions loosening and temperatures rising, we were able to replicate some of what life used to be like, at least in an adulterated form: outdoor drinks, a day at the beach. But now, in the cold, dark, featureless middle of our pandemic winter, we can neither remember what life was like before nor imagine what it’ll be like after.

(More at link.)

ETA: I have definitely noticed this. And I feel some trepidation about what will happen when I try to resume a more 'normal' life. Normal life seems, in retrospect, pretty demanding.

I am trying to remember what it is like to actually sit down in a restaurant and have a lovely meal-- I try to remember what it was like going to Bed Bath and Beyond or going shopping for clothes--- I can't recall what it might be like not to wash my
hands 50 times a day- after picking up a package or the mail-- or just because --or washing my countertops after bringing food home---I can't remember what it is like to talk about something with my friends besides the virus: I can't remember what it was like not to be terrorized at the thought of contracting the virus, of not living in fear every single day that I could wind up on a ventilator, alone and dying ---Many days I never even get out of my robe- I can't imagine not wearing a mask when going anywhere where there are other people---I cannot imagine actually going to lunch with my friends and relaxing- no masks- just being light-hearted and catching up- I am not sure how long it will take all of those, those lucky enough to have survived this horror to go back to our pre-pandemic thought process and activities-- right now,
at this point, I can't imagine being normal.

 

[Lilibet]

I am trying to remember what it is like to actually sit down in a restaurant and have a lovely meal-- I try to remember what it was like going to Bed Bath and Beyond or going shopping for clothes--- I can't recall what it might be like not to wash my
hands 50 times a day- after picking up a package or the mail-- or just because --or washing my countertops after bringing food home---I can't remember what it is like to talk about something with my friends besides the virus: I can't remember what it was like not to be terrorized at the thought of contracting the virus, of not living in fear every single day that I could wind up on a ventilator, alone and dying ---Many days I never even get out of my robe- I can't imagine not wearing a mask when going anywhere where there are other people---I cannot imagine actually going to lunch with my friends and relaxing- no masks- just being light-hearted and catching up- I am not sure how long it will take all of those, those lucky enough to have survived this horror to go back to our pre-pandemic thought process and activities-- right now,
at this point, I can't imagine being normal.

Well said and heartbreaking. I think you speak for many or most of us. If it’s any consolation, it’s 4:00 pm PST and I just now got out of my night pjs and into what I call my day pjs...leggings and a soft shirt. Between that and a shower, at least I accomplished something today. This pandemic has rocked us to our core and, like you, I honestly can’t imagine being normal again...or, as I like to say, what passes for normal.

 

[Gibbo214]

Well said and heartbreaking. I think you speak for many or most of us. If it’s any consolation, it’s 4:00 pm PST and I just now got out of my night pjs and into what I call my day pjs...leggings and a soft shirt. Between that and a shower, at least I accomplished something today. This pandemic has rocked us to our core and, like you, I honestly can’t imagine being normal again...or, as I like to say, what passes for normal.

Back when we were in lockdown, I sometimes took off my pyjamas at 5pm, showered and put on a clean pair.