Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #95

[weepingangel]

COVID mask guidelines aren’t ‘permission for widespread removal,’ CDC says
More at link
Recent federal guidelines for Americans protected by the COVID-19 vaccine are not meant to send the message that everyone can start tossing their masks, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, warned on Sunday.




CDC Director Defends Telling Fully Vaccinated They Can Go Without Masks Amid Confusion in States, Cities
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CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky defended the agency's decision to tell people who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 they can go without a mask as state and local officials grapple with whether to follow suit.

"We are asking people to be honest with themselves," Walensky said on NBC's "Meet the Press" which aired Sunday. "If they are vaccinated and they are not wearing a mask, they are safe. If they are not vaccinated and they are not wearing a mask, they are not safe."

 

[dixiegirl1035]

COVID mask guidelines aren’t ‘permission for widespread removal,’ CDC says
More at link
Recent federal guidelines for Americans protected by the COVID-19 vaccine are not meant to send the message that everyone can start tossing their masks, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, warned on Sunday.




CDC Director Defends Telling Fully Vaccinated They Can Go Without Masks Amid Confusion in States, Cities
More at link
CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky defended the agency's decision to tell people who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 they can go without a mask as state and local officials grapple with whether to follow suit.

"We are asking people to be honest with themselves," Walensky said on NBC's "Meet the Press" which aired Sunday. "If they are vaccinated and they are not wearing a mask, they are safe. If they are not vaccinated and they are not wearing a mask, they are not safe."

Why do I keep saying to myself they are skipping over now the message reinforcing that folks that are not vaccinated should wear not only for themselves, but for kiddos who are not vaccinated and others inside.

I guess the message is too complex?

 

[LadyL]

hopefully we can donate to India

Canada could donate excess AstraZeneca doses to other countries, Anand suggests

 

[LadyL]

B.C. 19-year-old hospitalized with rare COVID-linked syndrome usually found in kids

 

[Satchie]

Why do I keep saying to myself they are skipping over now the message reinforcing that folks that are not vaccinated should wear not only for themselves, but for kiddos who are not vaccinated and others inside.

I guess the message is too complex?

I don't think the CDC want to tell people what they "should" do (except people who visit their website looking for advice).. They have no mandate to regulate actual behaviour. I think they want to stick to their mandate and just explain what the science indicates.

IMO they are right. People don't elect the CDC. They aren't in charge. I think elected governments need to be the ones who tell people what they should and should not do.

ETA, the new advice for fully vaccinated people is here: COVID-19 Vaccination

There's still all the pages for non-vaccinated people.

 

[nightowl1975]

Any chance that the federal govt is basically saying "we're opening up, get your vaccine or take your chances"?

They can't go on pussy footing around the hesitant and deniers forever. And there seems to be plenty of vaccines.

I think this is absolutely a valid message. We were incredibly fortunate to have access to the vaccine in late December as healthcare workers, and this is a common sentiment that I’ve heard. I personally didn’t want the vaccine, but I wanted covid less, so I got it. And I definitely feel at this point that those who choose not to get it are choosing to take their chances with covid. Businesses can’t stay closed or under all of these restrictions forever, and even those who cooperate with masks aren’t likely to do so indefinitely.

 

[GRT]

Any chance that the federal govt is basically saying "we're opening up, get your vaccine or take your chances"?

They can't go on pussy footing around the hesitant and deniers forever. And there seems to be plenty of vaccines.

We have some large groups of Americans who are hesitant -- some religious groups and some large racial groupings. Their ideas are not backed by science, but that's because they don't trust science. We still must protect them, of course.

I have to wonder if we're closer to herd immunity than we think. Don't those who've recently had Covid also contribute to immunity? At least in the short term? Maybe they're taking them into consideration.

I do hope the CDC isn't making a major error. By lifting the mask mandate now, it will be very hard to reinforce it if infections start to rise. I think they could have waited a little longer.

This weekend I shopped for both groceries and gardening supplies. In the grocery store, everyone was wearing a mask, in Lowes, I was one of just a couple who wore masks. So different.

 

[SouthAussie]

We have some large groups of Americans who are hesitant -- some religious groups and some large racial groupings. Their ideas are not backed by science, but that's because they don't trust science. We still must protect them, of course.

I wonder how they can be protected? From themselves.

I think it is a complex issue, and I really don't see an answer. It is not as if everyone has not been encouraged and encouraged, by every means possible.

How long will the economy wait? How long will the vaccinated people wait?
I am guessing that the economy is doing very poorly and now that many people have been vaccinated, the economy can't wait any longer.

 

[SouthAussie]

This is this week's excerpt from Deloitte's summary of the US covid economy ... it might cause a yawn from some/many, but I think it is important to look at the govt concerns when considering their desire to open up now that many people are vaccinated.


In April, employment remained about eight million jobs below the pre-pandemic level.

First, some business leaders have complained that the enhanced unemployment insurance that was part of the last two stimulus bills has left millions of people receiving more money from the government than they can earn from returning to work.

Second, many women who dropped out of the labor force are reluctant to return so long as they continue to care for children at home. Millions of children have not yet returned to school full time.

Third, it is likely that some people who left employment during the pandemic are wary of returning to jobs that involve social interaction so long as the virus remains a threat.

Fourth, there have been significant disruptions of supply chains involving shortages of transport capacity and key inputs. This has suppressed the ability to produce, transport, and distribute goods.

Finally, the structure of the economy is changing in response to the pandemic, with some sectors shrinking and others growing. This has affected the mix of jobs available and the mix of skills required of the labor force. It is possible that a skills mismatch is stifling hiring.

Weekly global economic update

 

[GRT]

I wonder how they can be protected? From themselves.

I think it is a complex issue, and I really don't see an answer. It is not as if everyone has not been encouraged and encouraged, by every means possible.

How long will the economy wait? How long will the vaccinated people wait?
I am guessing that the economy is doing very poorly and now that many people have been vaccinated, the economy can't wait any longer.

I agree it's complex and there's likely not one "correct" answer. For me it's similar to parenting--we try to encourage our kids to make responsible decisions, but sometimes they don't and then they need to be encouraged a bit more.

The US is such a diverse nation, and we've always had a large group that fought against immunizing their kids for one reason or another. They've cited things like "autism," as a side effect, even when studies showed that not to be true.

The CDC's new masking recommendations bother me a little, but as long as people are kind and do not harass those who still choose to wear masks, perhaps it will be okay. But here's the thing--those who fought against masking and the vaccines will just quit wearing masks altogether because now they can get by with it. We'll never know if they really got their shot or not.

By and large, however, the economy is reopening anyway. We are seeing some issues of businesses not being able to find workers, but states are cutting off enhanced unemployment aid, which should encourage the willingly unemployed to see work once again. It looks as though schools are planning to fully open in the fall.

The only industry--JMOO--that I can tell took a large hit was the restaurant industry. Interestingly, though, while some closed their doors, a number of new meal-delivery industries opened. Like Freshly. Or, Martha Stewart's Marley Spoon. So, it's kind of like a shift in the industry as opposed to a loss of industry.

Only time will tell if the CDC jumped the gun.

 

[weepingangel]

All remaining COVID restrictions to end on May 29; Mass. state of emergency set to end on June 15
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Gov. Charlie Baker announced that, as the state is on track to meet its vaccination goal by early June, Massachusetts will lift all remaining “industry COVID restrictions and capacity limits” by May 29.

Additionally, Baker said the state’s pandemic-era state of emergency will lift on June 15. Baker said the state is nearing its goal of vaccinating 4.1 million residents by the first week of June.

“Effective May 29, the Commonwealth will lift all industry COVID restrictions and capacity limits,” Baker announced on Monday during a press conference at the Massachusetts State House.

The Department of Public Health on May 29 will also be issuing a new order to replace the state’s existing mask guidance with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s new guidance for vaccinated and unvaccinated people, Baker said.

“At that time, the (DPH) will issue a public health advisory urging all unvaccinated residents to wear face coverings in most indoor settings,” Baker said.

That public health order will also mandate the use of face coverings by everyone, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, in “a small number of specific places,” like nursing homes, health care settings, schools and public and private transportation systems, among other places, Baker said.

 

[SouthAussie]

Queensland researchers and a US team have developed an antiviral therapy that has killed off the COVID-19 viral load in infected mice by 99.9 per cent.

Lead researcher Professor Nigel McMillan, from Griffith University, called it a "seek and destroy mission" where the therapy genetically targeted the potentially deadly virus.

The international team of scientists from the Menzies Health Institute Queensland and the US research institute City of Hope began their collaborative research last April.

"It causes the genome to be destroyed and the virus can't grow anymore — so we inject the nanoparticles and they go and find the virus and destroy it just like a heat-seeking missile," Professor McMillan said.

"This is the first time we have been able to package this up as a particle, send it through the blood stream to attack the virus.

"We have also shown that these nanoparticles are stable at 4 degrees Celsius for 12 months and at room temperature for greater than one month, meaning this agent could be used in low-resource settings to treat infected patients."

'We should be able to eliminate people dying from this': Researchers say they've made COVID breakthrough

 

[nrdsb4]

Queensland researchers and a US team have developed an antiviral therapy that has killed off the COVID-19 viral load in infected mice by 99.9 per cent.

Lead researcher Professor Nigel McMillan, from Griffith University, called it a "seek and destroy mission" where the therapy genetically targeted the potentially deadly virus.

The international team of scientists from the Menzies Health Institute Queensland and the US research institute City of Hope began their collaborative research last April.

"It causes the genome to be destroyed and the virus can't grow anymore — so we inject the nanoparticles and they go and find the virus and destroy it just like a heat-seeking missile," Professor McMillan said.

"This is the first time we have been able to package this up as a particle, send it through the blood stream to attack the virus.

"We have also shown that these nanoparticles are stable at 4 degrees Celsius for 12 months and at room temperature for greater than one month, meaning this agent could be used in low-resource settings to treat infected patients."

'We should be able to eliminate people dying from this': Researchers say they've made COVID breakthrough

If it works in humans in real world settings, this would be quite the accomplishment! People who cannot/will not be vaccinated would be in a much better position should they become infected. Crossing fingers.

 

[mickey2942]

So, as usual, today at work was a complete cluster. Everyone has become "used" to wearing masks, social distancing. Now, no one has to wear a mask. No one can be asked their vaccination status. No more temperature checks. But, if you want to wear a mask you can.

Last week, if you had taken off your mask, a guard could escort you from the office. This week, whatever.

 

[LadyL]

They’re Vaccinated and Keeping Their Masks On, Maybe Forever

 

[ilovewings]

If it works in humans in real world settings, this would be quite the accomplishment! People who cannot/will not be vaccinated would be in a much better position should they become infected. Crossing fingers.

Great news but how far away is it from being used on actual patients?

 

[Lilibet]

Great news but how far away is it from being used on actual patients?

He said the treatment could be available as early as 2023, depending on the outcomes of the next phase of clinical trials.

'We should be able to eliminate people dying from this': Researchers say they've made COVID breakthrough

The article didn’t say what phase of clinical trials it is in. Still exciting!

 

[dixiegirl1035]

Attorney General Announces Task Force to Combat COVID-19 Fraud

Attorney General Announces Task Force to Combat COVID-19 Fraud
U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today directed the establishment of the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance enforcement efforts against COVID-19 related fraud.

“The Department of Justice will use every available federal tool—including criminal, civil, and administrative actions—to combat and prevent COVID-19 related fraud. We look forward to working with our federal government colleagues to bring to justice those who seek to profit unlawfully from the pandemic,” wrote Attorney General Garland in a memo announcing the Task Force.

...... The Department of Justice needs the public’s assistance in remaining vigilant and reporting suspected fraudulent activity. To report suspected fraud, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) at (866) 720-5721 or file an online complaint at: NCDF Disaster Complaint Form. Complaints filed will be reviewed at the NCDF and referred to federal, state, local, or international law enforcement or regulatory agencies for investigation.

 

[ilovewings]

He said the treatment could be available as early as 2023, depending on the outcomes of the next phase of clinical trials.

'We should be able to eliminate people dying from this': Researchers say they've made COVID breakthrough

The article didn’t say what phase of clinical trials it is in. Still exciting!

It is exciting-- but it is still at least 2 years away

 

[SouthAussie]

They’re Vaccinated and Keeping Their Masks On, Maybe Forever

It is going to take quite a while for people to feel safe. It is going to take quite a while for the pandemic to be over.


For those who may not be able to read the article .......

For a number of so-called perma-maskers, the decision is informed by trauma: They endured the coronavirus or witnessed loved ones die, and they say taking off their mask makes them feel terrifyingly vulnerable.

Mr. Glickman said he planned to stay the course. In fact, he said, he plans to do his grocery run double-masked and goggled for at least the next five years.“I have no problem being one of the only people” “But I don’t think I’m going to be the only one.”

George Jones, 82, a retired mail carrier, said his blue surgical mask — though uncomfortable and inconvenient — would stay put for at least another year.

Barry J. Neely, 41, a composer from Los Angeles ... He now plans to wear a mask whenever he feels under the weather, in perpetuity.
“It’s not hard to wear a mask,” Mr. Neely said. “It’s not hard in the least.” He is taking his cue from several East Asian countries, he added, where wearing a mask when you’re feeling sick is not just socially acceptable but seen as considerate.