Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #95

[margarita25]

From above video:

Dr. Mike, “We can can end this pandemic, it’s how we choose to move...”

You are the best Dr. Mike, love you SO MUCH!!

Nobody is safe until we are all safe!!!!

“If we let out guard down...”

Thank you Dr. Maria!

 

[SouthAussie]

There have been a record load of new daily cases in the past 10 days in Malaysia, Vietnam and East Timor, and since the start of May in Thailand and Cambodia. Singapore has been in partial lockdown after its own spike, albeit with fractional numbers by comparison.

Then there are fears infections are much higher than reported in Indonesia, the region’s hardest hit nation throughout the pandemic, as well as plummeting testing rates in post-coup Myanmar and a worrying rise in cases in the Philippines beyond metro Manila.

“We are still very much in the acute phase of [the] pandemic,” said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, the World Health Organisation’s south-east Asia regional director.

Coronavirus pandemic: South-east Asian COVID wave will keep coming without vaccines, experts warn

 

[SouthAussie]

On Monday, the heads of several major airlines as well as the chief executives of Heathrow Airport and industry group the U.S. Travel Association will hold a virtual news conference to push for removal of travel restrictions between the United States and the United Kingdom.

On Friday, France said vaccinated Americans starting on June 9 will be able to travel to the country.

The White House, which is focused on boosting U.S. vaccination rates and reducing COVID-19 cases, declined to comment on Friday.

Airlines press U.S. on refusal to lift COVID-19 travel restrictions

 

[SouthAussie]

COVID-19 hospitalizations rose among U.S. adolescents in March and April, and nearly a third of those hospitalized needed intensive care, according to data from more than 250 hospitals in 14 states released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday.

"Until they are fully vaccinated, adolescents should continue to wear masks and take precautions when around others who are not vaccinated to protect themselves, and their family, friends, and community"

COVID SCIENCE-More unvaccinated U.S. adolescents hospitalized; myocarditis may be rare vaccine side effect in teens

 

[GRT]

An incredibly huge loss.
Such a huge number, it is almost unfathomable.
But it is like my country losing 1/4 of its entire population in just 16 months.

Yes, it's an unbelievably high number. I remember when the death toll reached 10, 000 and I thought that was high -- now, 600,000.

Our vaccination rates are dropping though. Kansas only ordered 0.7% of its allocated vaccine ratio for next week because so much of the vaccine is sitting unused. Only 42.5% of our citizens have had at least one shot.

On the up side, because the virus spread like wildfire through here, perhaps a good portion of other citizens have antibodies now from being infected. I guess there's no real way to know. I can't imagine it would be close to getting us near herd immunity, though.

 

[GRT]

COVID-19 hospitalizations rose among U.S. adolescents in March and April, and nearly a third of those hospitalized needed intensive care, according to data from more than 250 hospitals in 14 states released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday.

"Until they are fully vaccinated, adolescents should continue to wear masks and take precautions when around others who are not vaccinated to protect themselves, and their family, friends, and community"

COVID SCIENCE-More unvaccinated U.S. adolescents hospitalized; myocarditis may be rare vaccine side effect in teens

It appears to be the variants that are driving up the adolescent hospitalization rates.

I haven't seen a kid wearing a mask for at least two weeks, but I know they're not all vaccinated.

From what I've read--and I could be way off--the more these variants spread, the greater the risk that one of them will mutate again into a different variant that our vaccines won't protect against.

Everyone is running around, smiling, laughing, shouting across the aisles to friends in the supermarket. I just keep wondering what fall will bring and I try to push down the nagging little sense of doom that keeps creeping in.

 

[SouthAussie]

It appears to be the variants that are driving up the adolescent hospitalization rates.

I haven't seen a kid wearing a mask for at least two weeks, but I know they're not all vaccinated.

From what I've read--and I could be way off--the more these variants spread, the greater the risk that one of them will mutate again into a different variant that our vaccines won't protect against.

Everyone is running around, smiling, laughing, shouting across the aisles to friends in the supermarket. I just keep wondering what fall will bring and I try to push down the nagging little sense of doom that keeps creeping in.

I get a bit worried about our slow vaccination rate here, and the likelihood that a terrible variant is going to escape quarantine and take us down.

I think we just have to have faith in our competent leaders, and hope they keep pushing to protect us all.

The virus will reach a phase where it will burn itself out and become more tolerable and endemic. Our resistance will strengthen. Will we even know when that happens? I guess the realisation will creep up on us, in time.

It has been 1½ years now. I think it took 3 years for the 1918 pandemic to subside.

 

[ilovewings]

I really miss buffet.... I did meet some friends I have not seen in a few years at a nearly empty diner last week. we are all vaxed, but I did keep thinking of the diagrams of air flow in restaurants while we were eating. This week, I actually forgot to wear a mask in a grocery store (no longer required) but I felt strange without one. I also tried to stop at a Dunkin for a coffee and found out that it was drive through only- the doors were locked (oops). I am sort of at a point where I feel weird with or without a mask. Tonight I passed by a school parking lot where a lot of high school-ish aged kids were congregating in and around their new cars, screaming and acting crazy as kids may do on a warm summer night but it occurred to me how unusual it seems to see anyone congregating... was pretty much illegal for months.

I still wear my mask in a grocery store and most other public places indoors. It isn't that I want to wear it- but I am still concerned about people around me not being vaccinated and carrying the virus. I still haven't dined in anywhere. I somehow can't imagine life being normal again, people congregating etc.

 

[ilovewings]

Well this morning my husband and I ventured to the grocery store without a mask--
It was weird, and I still remain afraid not to mask up, but I have to try and believe
the scientists who say those of us who are fully vaccinated can shed the masks

 

[margarita25]

BBM:

rsbm
From what I've read--and I could be way off--the more these variants spread, the greater the risk that one of them will mutate again into a different variant that our vaccines won't protect against.

Everyone is running around, smiling, laughing, shouting across the aisles to friends in the supermarket. I just keep wondering what fall will bring and I try to push down the nagging little sense of doom that keeps creeping in.

You are not way off, you are absolutely correct. This is another reason why it’s so important to get vaccines out there to everyone.

—

Pfizer Vaccine Protects Less Against India Variant

“June 4, 2021 -- The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine produces lower levels of antibodies against the Delta variant, known as B.1.617.2 and discovered in India, according to a new study published Thursday in The Lancet.”

[...]

““This virus will likely be around for some time to come, so we need to remain agile and vigilant,” Emma Wall, PhD, the lead study author and an infectious diseases specialist at the Francis Crick Institute in London, said in a statement.”

—


“Is there a Nepal variant?
A mutated virus has been spotted in Nepal and elsewhere. But that doesn't mean a new variant of coronavirus has been found.

The WHO said it was "not aware of any new variant of SARS-CoV-2 being detected in Nepal", and the dominant variant there was the Delta or Indian variant.

A small number of cases of the Delta variant have been identified as having an extra mutation - called K417N.

The change is in the virus's distinctive spike protein and has been seen before, including in the so-called South African or Beta variant.”

'Nepal variant': What's the mutation stopping green list trips to Portugal?

—-

B.1.617.2 variant first identified in India may increase risk of hospitalization, UK officials say - CNN

“The B.1.617.2 coronavirus variant that was first identified in India is now believed to be dominant in the United Kingdom, Public Health England (PHE) said Thursday, adding that early evidence suggests it could cause an increased risk of hospitalization in comparison to the strain that was first detected in England.

While PHE cautioned that more data is needed, its early findings showed that the B.1.617.2 or "Delta" variant was more likely to cause serious illness than the B.1.1.7 or "Alpha" variant, which had been dominant in the UK since it was first detected in southeast England last fall.”

—

Delta Covid variant first found in India spreads to 62 countries, hot spots form in Asia and Africa, WHO says
June 2, 2021

• The Covid variant now named Delta, which was first detected in India, has been reported in 62 countries, the WHO said Wednesday.
• The P.1 variant, now named Gamma, which was first detected in Japan in people who had traveled from Brazil, has spread to 64 countries.
• The WHO’s new naming system for Covid variants, after letters of the Greek alphabet, simplify the scientific names and avoid stigmatizing countries that detect new strains.
• The African and Western Pacific regions have seen a rise in infections, with a rise in Covid deaths in the African region in the past week.

 

[MimosaMornings]

“Get ready for cruise ships carrying people who are not vaccinated against Covid-19. That’s what you may see as soon as next month with the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic still a public health emergency. Gee, what could possibly go wrong?”

Royal Caribbean Won’t Require Covid-19 Vaccination To Ride U.S. Cruises

Royal Caribbean reverses, won’t require passengers on U.S. cruises to be vaccinated — Bradenton Herald

 

[ilovewings]

“Get ready for cruise ships carrying people who are not vaccinated against Covid-19. That’s what you may see as soon as next month with the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic still a public health emergency. Gee, what could possibly go wrong?”

Royal Caribbean Won’t Require Covid-19 Vaccination To Ride U.S. Cruises

Royal Caribbean reverses, won’t require passengers on U.S. cruises to be vaccinated — Bradenton Herald

That is just p!ain stupid and irresposible

 

[SouthAussie]

You know that the powers-that-be don't think the pandemic is going anywhere for a while when the Victorian Govt and Federal Govt have decided to build a purpose built quarantine centre.
As all of our small outbreaks involve hotel quarantiners leaking the virus to the public, this facility is meant to stop that from happening.


The federal government will fund construction of a purpose-built quarantine hub in Victoria, but a site for the facility has not yet been chosen.
"This is a very, very good outcome for Victorians and for all Australians."

New quarantine hub to be built in Victoria, site yet to be confirmed

 

[margarita25]

Dbm

 

[ilovewings]

Yes, it's an unbelievably high number. I remember when the death toll reached 10, 000 and I thought that was high -- now, 600,000.

Our vaccination rates are dropping though. Kansas only ordered 0.7% of its allocated vaccine ratio for next week because so much of the vaccine is sitting unused. Only 42.5% of our citizens have had at least one shot.

On the up side, because the virus spread like wildfire through here, perhaps a good portion of other citizens have antibodies now from being infected. I guess there's no real way to know. I can't imagine it would be close to getting us near herd immunity, though.

I never ever thought we would have 600,000 deaths. It is a staggering number of humans-- all gone because of Covid- these people would still be here among us were it not for that evil virus. All of those people left behind families who will never get over their loss.

 

[CoverMeCagney]

How is the vaccine rollout for children going in the USA? The UK has just authorised Pfizer for 12-15 (?) year olds which means my children will be offered it at some point.

I couldn’t wait for my own vaccine, practically skipped in there, but feel strangely reticent about the kids having it. I assume there haven’t been dozens of awful side effects in children? I’ve not heard much about it at all. What % have accepted or refused it?

I can imagine there being some parents who feel really strongly either way, but I’m very much on the fence and can see both points of view. Interested to know peoples thoughts.

 

[margarita25]

June 3, 2021

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[SouthAussie]

The country’s declining COVID-19 case rates present an unrealistically optimistic perspective for half of the nation - the half that is still not vaccinated.

As more people receive vaccines, COVID-19 cases are occurring mostly in the increasingly narrow slice of the unprotected population. So The Washington Post adjusted its case, death and hospitalization rates to account for that — and found that in some places, the virus continues to rage among those who haven’t received a shot.

... the rate among susceptible, unvaccinated people is 73% higher than the standard figures being publicized.

With that adjustment, the national death rate is roughly the same as it was two months ago and is barely inching down. The adjusted hospitalization rate is as high as it was three months ago.

Unvaccinated people are getting the wrong message, experts said.

“They think it’s safe to take off the mask. It’s not”

The adjusted rates in several states show the pandemic is spreading as fast among the unvaccinated as it did during the winter surge.

The unseen COVID-19 risk for unvaccinated people

 

[Lilibet]

As more people receive vaccines, COVID-19 cases are occurring mostly in the increasingly narrow slice of the unprotected population.

The vaccination report yesterday here in Oregon emphasized this point that the majority of cases and deaths are among the unvaccinated…
Governor Brown, OHA leadership provide update on vaccination progress, reopening : Oregon Vaccine News

OHA Director Allen presented new information about the differences of COVID-19 for those who are fully vaccinated and those who are not.

“There isn’t one pandemic in Oregon,” said Director Allen. “There are two: One is a pandemic that is dying out among people who are vaccinated. And the other is a pandemic that is raging as fiercely as ever among people who are unvaccinated.”

To support his remarks, Director Allen referenced two figures that emerged in the June 3 Vaccine Breakthrough Cases Report published by OHA. The report indicates that 98% of the 16,097 COVID-19 cases recorded in May occurred among people who were not fully vaccinated.

“The data clearly show that if you are fully vaccinated, you can begin to put the pandemic behind you,” said Director Allen. “But if you’re unvaccinated, the threat of COVID-19 still shadows your life.”

—————-
Dr. Sidelinger, supporting Director Allen’s earlier comment about a tale of two pandemics, provided additional data on the different realities for fully vaccinated and not fully vaccinated individuals.

“In one pandemic, as we near the threshold of 70% of adult Oregonians getting at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine: Spread of the virus is clearly waning,” said Dr. Sidelinger.

Dr. Sidelinger announced that daily cases, COVID-19 hospitalizations and the percentage of people testing positive for COVID-19 are all declining, largely as a result of Oregon’s continued vaccination progress and commitment to preventive safety measures. But for folks who aren’t yet fully vaccinated, the pandemic wages on.

Referring to data captured between March 1 and May 31 of this year, Dr. Sidelinger pointed out that 98% of COVID-19 cases and 94% of COVID-19 associated deaths were among those not fully vaccinated.

“The decision to get vaccinated is a very personal one,” said Dr. Sidelinger. “But the data unquestionably shows that the widespread availability of safe and highly effective vaccines has flipped the script in Oregon.”
BBM

 

[anneg]

The vaccination report yesterday here in Oregon emphasized this point that the majority of cases and deaths are among the unvaccinated…
Governor Brown, OHA leadership provide update on vaccination progress, reopening : Oregon Vaccine News

OHA Director Allen presented new information about the differences of COVID-19 for those who are fully vaccinated and those who are not.

“There isn’t one pandemic in Oregon,” said Director Allen. “There are two: One is a pandemic that is dying out among people who are vaccinated. And the other is a pandemic that is raging as fiercely as ever among people who are unvaccinated.”

To support his remarks, Director Allen referenced two figures that emerged in the June 3 Vaccine Breakthrough Cases Report published by OHA. The report indicates that 98% of the 16,097 COVID-19 cases recorded in May occurred among people who were not fully vaccinated.

“The data clearly show that if you are fully vaccinated, you can begin to put the pandemic behind you,” said Director Allen. “But if you’re unvaccinated, the threat of COVID-19 still shadows your life.”

—————-
Dr. Sidelinger, supporting Director Allen’s earlier comment about a tale of two pandemics, provided additional data on the different realities for fully vaccinated and not fully vaccinated individuals.

“In one pandemic, as we near the threshold of 70% of adult Oregonians getting at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine: Spread of the virus is clearly waning,” said Dr. Sidelinger.

Dr. Sidelinger announced that daily cases, COVID-19 hospitalizations and the percentage of people testing positive for COVID-19 are all declining, largely as a result of Oregon’s continued vaccination progress and commitment to preventive safety measures. But for folks who aren’t yet fully vaccinated, the pandemic wages on.

Referring to data captured between March 1 and May 31 of this year, Dr. Sidelinger pointed out that 98% of COVID-19 cases and 94% of COVID-19 associated deaths were among those not fully vaccinated.

“The decision to get vaccinated is a very personal one,” said Dr. Sidelinger. “But the data unquestionably shows that the widespread availability of safe and highly effective vaccines has flipped the script in Oregon.”
BBM

Wow, those statistics really make the case that the pandemic continues full tilt in unvaccinated folks. I hope that they will finally realize that they need to be vaccinated before they end up in a hospital or dead.