Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #98

[Teche]

I just had surgery last week and approx a week prior, I received a phone call from registration followed by a phone call from a nurse at the hospital. Both people asked for my status. I had to provide either a vax card by email ahead of time or a negative Covid test followed by avoiding any public transportation or going in public without a mask ahead of surgery. I expect (from what I was told) that this policy will be updated to require tests for all very soon at the hospital. I do not ordinarily like being told what to do at all. I want my freedom as much as the next person. I’m generally stubborn and refuse to do as I’m told just because someone says so. However we are talking about life or death here and a virus that is spreading like crazy! In this case, I feel like the considerate and intelligent thing to do is follow the science. I am vaxxed and I mask diligently and I don’t care if I don’t see my pals or go to malls or any of the other things I enjoy doing as long as I can help keep my loved ones safe and lower the chances of others dying or getting sick. I just don’t understand, in this situation, putting “self” or “wants” above the greater good. If we want normalcy back and our pre-Covid lives back, then we all need to pull together, read the scientific reports, change our minds when we realize we are being dumb or selfish. We need to grow. Like what the heck!

Bravo. I'm with you.

 

[anneg]

Shocking Image Reveals Suffering of Patients Waiting for Florida's Monoclonal Antibody Treatments - News & Guts Media

This article includes the following:

Monoclonal antibodies are more expensive, more time consuming, and more resource intensive to administer than the abundantly available vaccines. While the treatment – which then President Trump received in October – is considered an important breakthrough in treating COVID-19, Florida would be less dependent on it if their governor made an effort to stop the spread of the virus before it infected his constituents.

 

[musicaljoke]

Did you catch this link (see below) to a Covid Dashboard for Florida? There seems to be rather a lot of information, so it isn't easy to quickly grab the numbers, but it's better than nothing, which is what we are getting now.

Jason Salemi, an epidemiologist at the University of South Florida and a specialist in public health surveillance and data systems, said he understands the frustration people are having with the transition from a readily available state dashboard to multiple federal sites that are not as easy to navigate.

"Even for somebody like me, it is still a challenge to shift gears," Salemi said.

He's able to get about 90% of what the state was putting out on the COVID-19 dashboard he's created to provide a readily available one-stop shop for the public. "Federal sites are carrying lots of the data that the state used to push out and update on its dashboard each day," Salemi said.

COVID-19 in Florida (Dr. Jason Salemi)

 

[Cool Cats]

Poll: More unvaccinated Americans blame vaccinated Americans for the Delta surge than blame themselves

The survey of 1,649 U.S. adults, which was conducted from Aug. 16 to 18, found that just 6 percent of those who remain unvaccinated say they are the ones who deserve “the most blame for the new surge of COVID cases in the U.S.”

Likewise, when asked “how much” blame each group deserves, just 9 percent of unvaccinated Americans say they themselves deserve a “great deal of blame.” Nearly twice as many (15 percent) say vaccinated Americans deserve a great deal of blame.

The fact that unvaccinated Americans say their vaccinated peers bear more responsibility for Delta’s spread flies in the face of data showing that it’s actually unvaccinated Americans who now account for a vast majority of new COVID cases, hospitalizations and deaths — and it underscores just how difficult it will be to convince most unvaccinated Americans that they have a role to play in ending the pandemic.

 

[LaborDayRN]

Poll: More unvaccinated Americans blame vaccinated Americans for the Delta surge than blame themselves

View attachment 309497

The survey of 1,649 U.S. adults, which was conducted from Aug. 16 to 18, found that just 6 percent of those who remain unvaccinated say they are the ones who deserve “the most blame for the new surge of COVID cases in the U.S.”

Likewise, when asked “how much” blame each group deserves, just 9 percent of unvaccinated Americans say they themselves deserve a “great deal of blame.” Nearly twice as many (15 percent) say vaccinated Americans deserve a great deal of blame.

The fact that unvaccinated Americans say their vaccinated peers bear more responsibility for Delta’s spread flies in the face of data showing that it’s actually unvaccinated Americans who now account for a vast majority of new COVID cases, hospitalizations and deaths — and it underscores just how difficult it will be to convince most unvaccinated Americans that they have a role to play in ending the pandemic.

Denial is a powerful thing IMO.

 

[jjenny]

Denial is a powerful thing IMO.

This sounds more like a delusion.

 

[Kaley Smith]

This is so upsetting to read. And it's happening over and over again. Needless suffering and death. It breaks my heart and I must admit that I'll never understand.

Yes, needless suffering! Needless death! Needless grief for loved ones! I'm in a province in Canada (Manitoba) population 1.35 million, where our Covid- 19 and variants case numbers, hospitalizations and ICU numbers were very high in May. As our vax percentage increased, all those numbers decreased. Now 81% of all eligible people born before Dec 31, 2009 here have had one dose and 75% have had two doses. Today we had only 4 in ICU with active Covid, 17 in hospital with active Covid , 37 new cases and under 300 cases total left in the whole province. Vaccines work!

 

[TootsieFootsie]

That's insane.

Poll: More unvaccinated Americans blame vaccinated Americans for the Delta surge than blame themselves

 

[weepingangel]

How it’s going/massachusetts/more at link
As COVID infections remain elevated in Massachusetts, see how many cases are in your city or town
There are currently 439 people hospitalized with the virus, including 94 in intensive care and 48 who are intubated. Of the 439 patients, 129 were reportedly fully vaccinated when they contracted COVID, DPH said.

 

[weepingangel]

Massachusetts orders state workers to get the COVID-19 vaccine
more at link
Get the COVID-19 vaccine or potentially lose your job. That’s the choice Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker is giving to tens of thousands of state government workers.

The Republican governor announced Thursday that he is ordering all of the state’s Executive Branch employees to provide proof that they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 17 or face “disciplinary action, up to and including termination.”

According to Baker’s office, the new mandate covers roughly 42,000 employees, from the governor’s office to departments of public safety, education, transportation, and others. It also covers around 2,000 additional contracted employees that work for the state’s executive departments.

Baker’s office said Thursday that employees will also be required to get COVID-19 vaccine boosters by a future, to-be-determined deadline, once federal officials release guidance for the additional shots.

The policy also applies to both employees working in-person and those who are teleworking, amid plans to shift nearly half the state’s workers toward more remote work.

 

[Cool Cats]

That's insane.

 

[beatrixpotter]

COVID patients lying on the ground waiting for monoclonal therapy | firstcoastnews.com

Florida governor has been pushing one of his biggest doner's investments.... monoclonal antibodies via the Jacksonville FL library infusion center....

"Everyone please be careful - whether you are vaccinated or not. My husband (vaccinated, but positive) has been waiting 2+ hours for monoclonal therapy and he says he has never seen people so sick. Moaning, crying, unable to move."

Can you believe the quote below is supposed to be reassuring? Oh, it's just the amount of desperately ill people doubled in volume in a day and you ran out of wheelchairs to keep them ambulatory?

"The volume of patients at this state operated facility more than doubled yesterday. There were wheelchairs on hand, but at the time these pictures were taken, all of the available wheelchairs were in use. In order to support the State of Florida in their efforts to provide this important treatment (that they’ve contracted out to CDR Maguire), JFRD and COJ are providing triple the number of wheelchairs, additional seating for those waiting in line and signage that directs patients to alert someone if they need any type of assistance.""

 

[Cool Cats]

'They were very sick': Viral photo of people on floor at Florida clinic shows troubled scene

Yes, this photo of severely ill COVID-19 patients lying on the floor in Jacksonville is real Lopez took a photo and sent it to his wife.

People lying on the floor while waiting for monoclonal therapy at Jacksonville's downtown library location on Wednesday, Aug. 19. Lopez obscured the faces of the people before sharing the image.

Everyone please be careful - whether you are vaccinated or not. My husband (vaccinated, but positive) has been waiting 2+ hours for monoclonal therapy and he says he has never seen people so sick. Moaning, crying, unable to move.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Louie Lopez showed up to the downtown Jacksonville Main Library Conference Center in the early afternoon for a Regeneron therapy appointment. His primary care doctor recommended it after Lopez tested positive for COVID-19 and was experiencing moderate to severe symptoms.

While waiting in line for his turn, two other people got in the line behind Lopez. Both of them, he says, sat down on the floor immediately. They eventually laid down “sick and moaning.” Lopez, 59, told The Florida Times-Union, part of the USA TODAY Network, that the woman pictured in yellow was dragging herself on the floor as the line slowly moved forward.

 

[MimosaMornings]

'They were very sick': Viral photo of people on floor at Florida clinic shows troubled scene

Yes, this photo of severely ill COVID-19 patients lying on the floor in Jacksonville is real Lopez took a photo and sent it to his wife.

People lying on the floor while waiting for monoclonal therapy at Jacksonville's downtown library location on Wednesday, Aug. 19. Lopez obscured the faces of the people before sharing the image.

Everyone please be careful - whether you are vaccinated or not. My husband (vaccinated, but positive) has been waiting 2+ hours for monoclonal therapy and he says he has never seen people so sick. Moaning, crying, unable to move.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Louie Lopez showed up to the downtown Jacksonville Main Library Conference Center in the early afternoon for a Regeneron therapy appointment. His primary care doctor recommended it after Lopez tested positive for COVID-19 and was experiencing moderate to severe symptoms.

While waiting in line for his turn, two other people got in the line behind Lopez. Both of them, he says, sat down on the floor immediately. They eventually laid down “sick and moaning.” Lopez, 59, told The Florida Times-Union, part of the USA TODAY Network, that the woman pictured in yellow was dragging herself on the floor as the line slowly moved forward.

Did someone just drop these people off and leave? Or they took a bus/rideshare?

 

[KALI]

I am NOT happy about getting a 3rd shot of this vaccine. I am extra unhappy that the two I already got, are already regressing their potency in just 9 months.
It's been said, that we won't need anymore shots after this 3rd one.
Do I believe them? He'll NO.
I also question how many people are going to get this 3rd shot?
Unless somehow mandated (no work, no restaurants, no gyms, no movies, etc) I just don't see the majority of people going for this 3rd shot.
Yes, hubby and I will get this shot, but, I can tell you, we'd like some straight answers from the powers that be, and. As a small business owner, I cannot possibly conceive of what's going to happen to our restaurant over the next year. I'm already exhausted and way behind on our restaurants rent.
How many more businesses are going to give up?

Anyone here getting the Booster soon as you can?

The first ones in September will go to nursing homes and frontline workers but probably soon to the general public.

I'm getting my 2nd shot in September so won't need a booster until April 2022

I definitely will get the booster.

 

[LaborDayRN]

Can you believe the quote below is supposed to be reassuring? Oh, it's just the amount of desperately ill people doubled in volume in a day and you ran out of wheelchairs to keep them ambulatory?

"The volume of patients at this state operated facility more than doubled yesterday. There were wheelchairs on hand, but at the time these pictures were taken, all of the available wheelchairs were in use. In order to support the State of Florida in their efforts to provide this important treatment (that they’ve contracted out to CDR Maguire), JFRD and COJ are providing triple the number of wheelchairs, additional seating for those waiting in line and signage that directs patients to alert someone if they need any type of assistance.""

Things that make you say ummmm WHAT?

 

[LaborDayRN]

I am NOT happy about getting a 3rd shot of this vaccine. I am extra unhappy that the two I already got, are already regressing their potency in just 9 months.
It's been said, that we won't need anymore shots after this 3rd one.
Do I believe them? He'll NO.
I also question how many people are going to get this 3rd shot?
Unless somehow mandated (no work, no restaurants, no gyms, no movies, etc) I just don't see the majority of people going for this 3rd shot.
Yes, hubby and I will get this shot, but, I can tell you, we'd like some straight answers from the powers that be, and. As a small business owner, I cannot possibly conceive of what's going to happen to our restaurant over the next year. I'm already exhausted and way behind on our restaurants rent.
How many more businesses are going to give up?

I can't even imagine what you're going through Kali. My heart breaks for you and other business owners. It's been a nightmare.
I'm getting the third shot as soon as I'm eligible. It stinks but the Delta variant is what is making the difference.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

• The Delta variant is more contagious: The Delta variant is highly contagious, more than 2x as contagious as previous variants.
• Some data suggest the Delta variant might cause more severe illness than previous strains in unvaccinated persons. In two different studies from Canada and Scotland, patients infected with the Delta variant were more likely to be hospitalized than patients infected with Alpha or the original virus strains.

The virus mutates as it passes from person to person. Sadly this is not the same virus we started with. It's evolved to be much more contagious. Unfortunately because there are so many unvaccinated people the virus will CONTINUE to evolve. It finds many available hosts.
We have to get flu shots yearly and IMO this is going to be no different only we might need it more often.

 

[beatrixpotter]

I am NOT happy about getting a 3rd shot of this vaccine. I am extra unhappy that the two I already got, are already regressing their potency in just 9 months.
It's been said, that we won't need anymore shots after this 3rd one.
Do I believe them? He'll NO.
I also question how many people are going to get this 3rd shot?
Unless somehow mandated (no work, no restaurants, no gyms, no movies, etc) I just don't see the majority of people going for this 3rd shot.
Yes, hubby and I will get this shot, but, I can tell you, we'd like some straight answers from the powers that be, and. As a small business owner, I cannot possibly conceive of what's going to happen to our restaurant over the next year. I'm already exhausted and way behind on our restaurants rent.
How many more businesses are going to give up?

I get your frustration. The problem is there are no answers. No one really knows what the hell is going on or what's going to happen including those in power. They never really have. It's all guesswork. It always has been though. That's why it changes. People are making their best guesses based on the data they have. But no one can predict what a virus will do. No one can apparently predict what a vaccine will do in the short term either. No one can predict what the economy will do or how people will respond.

The entire world is in a state of chaos basically and I don't think this is going to change anytime soon. I've skated by the last year and a half with time frames of how to cope and hoping things will be better and different by X period of time. But it turns out the virus is not seasonal and seems to fairly rapidly mutate and into something worse at that.

We are all going through some seriously crazy stuff and who knows which of us will survive to see the end of it. My best guess is we have a couple more years of this at least and hopefully it ends up mutating into something milder. But I'm predicting there is no end in sight to the chaos that can and does unfold from all this over the next couple of years.

 

[KALI]

Well, here in the USA, we've now run out of monetary assistance from our government.
Now we have Delta. Absolutely not one financial contingency plan to deal with this new wave for our citizens. Maybe they'll stop trying to force a 3 Trillion infrastructure and global warming bill down our throats and keep the money they are printing for helping our citizens and our businesses. I can only hope.

That's a good point--where we messed up in the US was in implementing fake little "feel good" lockdowns that weren't lockdowns at all. People never stopped shopping at the supermarkets and home improvement centers--they were always packed with shoppers. Costco and Sams were considered "essential" and open.

And, the govt. assistance didn't go to those who needed it, so they risked opening back up. It was just ridiculous and still is.

 

[JDG]

And the good news?

BBC is reporting that immunologists are watching and trying to figure out where/when the next zoonotic virus will hit.

Zoonotic, meaning comes from animals. ie bats, monkeys, wild boars etc. Hops to the human beings and creates havoc.

If they can get enough information, possibly they can come up with another vaccine for the next virus of grand proportions.

Stopping the Next One. BBC Reel.