Hopeful news on the vaccine development front...
https://mobile.twitter.com/australian/status/1255257556366381058
“An experimental Australian vaccine for COVID-19 has generated immunity levels in preclinical trials exceeding those recorded in people who have recovered from the disease.”
Article text:
An experimental Australian vaccine for COVID-19 has generated immunity levels in preclinical trials exceeding those recorded in people who have recovered from the disease.
The findings released Wednesday entrench the molecular clamp technology developed by scientists at the University of Queensland as among the most promising in the world to combat coronavirus.
@jeanne-mayell When you say three to six months for COVID to subside, can that be this coming summer?
Yes. Three months is July, and here are my July predictions, posted in the Forum Timeline Thread and on the Prediction Page for July:
- It’s July 2020 and I ask how’s the pandemic in the US? I’m being shown an empty made-up bed which means there are now extra beds for people because the pandemic has slowed. (Jeanne Mayell).
- People are crawling out of their fox holes, as if after a blitz,. Many are going back in to restaurants although many are still afraid of restaurants, especially among the elderly.
Monumental day!
Breaking: Oxford scientists raise hopes of a vaccine by September!!
AND Dr. Fauci announces "good news" in the treatment of COVID-19 patients with a drug called remdesivir.
It's a treatment that reduces recovery time. But coming from Fauci, it's good news. And it's very important they've discovered it can be treated with drugs.
This is what I've have been seeing.
You have to watch this! You must! OMG. this was me yesterday after my trip to the grocery store I kid you not. Without the instrument.
This was totally me.
I was hysterical laughing when I saw this clip today. I can so relate.
@lovendures definitely wasn't expecting that I laughed so hard it made me cry, but I completely understand how she feels ??
@lovendures OMG this is perfect. That screaming happens in my head almost every day as I try to contain the words that are rolling around in my head. Trying to be gentle (which is not me) and not flip. I’m more of a “pull up your big girl panties” kind of person. I feel so good right now. Thank you for sharing this. ❤️
Fun fact I apparently missed because I have not been flying anywhere but wow. There sure are a lot of states that require a 14 day self isolate order when you enter their state now. Some are just travel from certain states like the Tri-State areas. Others from any state. You must wear a mask if you are traveling through San Francisco.
Also, there are dramatic reductions of flights going places this summer, but full schedules for much of the fall.
Anyone know how this compares to if you are driving to a different state vs. flying?
Well, I have some information for you guys that may be enlightening. However, some background information needs to be shared first.
For the past several decades, I have developed seasonal allergies without fail. They always develop during the time when winter ends and spring begins (usually March/April). The result is me coughing for about two months until summer hits. Most years it is not a problem, but occasionally it leads to bronchitis and/or a chest cold. (I have no idea what causes it. It only occurs in Spring, and tends to get worse if there is a lot of rain, which makes me believe it is some type of mold, moss, or mildew that causes the allergic reaction.)
As per usual, I developed my seasonal cough, and I have been coughing for about five weeks. This last week, it has gotten worse, as my chest has been hurting from coughing so much (usual signs to let me know that bronchitis is about to hit me). I went to the walk-in clinic today and explained the situation, but I also informed the doctor that (1) I was an attorney, (2) we would be starting court appearances again soon, and (3) per my sources, anyone who was court personnel (attorney, court officer, judge, etc.) would not be allowed to return to court at all if they exhibited any symptoms of any illness (fever, coughing, sneezing, etc.) Naturally, I needed treatment to prevent my allergies from developing into bronchitis as well as clear up my cough for good, so that I could return to work (however limited it may be).
The doctor advised me to take the Covid-19 test as a precautionary measure, even though I have been social distancing and working at home for the last month and a half. He told me that testing was hard to come by until recently (just this week, my area went from less than ten cases to over 100, with several deaths. This has occurred very recently). Because my area has become a new "hot spot," suddenly testing has become available. Of course, you have to pay for the tests ($300), but if you exhibit coughing, shortness of breath, or a fever, then insurance covers it.
Naturally, I took the test, and should expect the results in a few days. The chances of me having Covid-19 are less than 1%, given that I have only had a cough (that has lasted 5 weeks), no fever, and no contact with any known victims (over half of them are located at a nursing facility less than 15 miles from my home), and due to the fact that I have lived like a hermit for the past six weeks (never leaving my home unless necessary, going out with face mask and gloves, staying at least six feet away from people, etc.). So I am not worried about the test results, in that my chances of getting it or slim to none. But I am sharing my story to demonstrate that my area were unable to get testing until there was an actual outbreak (thank you so much, Trump). Last week, you could not get the test unless you were in the emergency room. Now, thankfully, we can get them at the doctor's office, but even then there are barriers (such as insurance will only cover it if you develop symptoms). If you are asymptomatic, you will have to pay a lot of money just to have peace of mind.
I thought I would share my experience here to give some perspective, as well as issues that still seem to plague mass testing in a red state like Tennessee. It basically took a sudden increase in cases before testing was available outside the emergency room. Sad, but true.
I don't think it [quarantining upon arrival in another state] will apply to drivers. It's not applying to truck drivers. I believe the reason it applies only to flights is that airplanes are notorious for spreading disease. All that inadequately filtered, recycled air, combined with bodies packed in close and up til recently, inadequate cleaning of aircraft (none between flights really, and only minimal at the end of a day).
In fact my husband and I were musing about what our first "vacation" will look like and we're thinking a road trip up the coast is the most likely scenario.
I'm sorry, but this data looks very sketchy to me. There is no indication of which data they are compiling from what sources. It is an entity based in Singapore, which may or may not be a good thing.
A better source is the NY Times modeling by metro area in the US:
NY Times US Interactive
I don't think it will be possible to reach "100%" with SARS-CoV-2. We already know it mutates quickly, and there are now 12 different strains that all came from the "master strain" in Wuhan. It is more likely to become endemic - meaning it will always be circulating. You can track that here: www.nextstrain.org
Lastly, for herd immunity to be considered successful generally requires 60% of a population to have become infected with coronavirus. By contrast, you need 90% herd immunity for things like mumps and measles. Small silver lining. A couple of links to reflect on that:
Popular Science
To me, anyone who is saying we'll reach 100% of anything is spreading false hope. COVID-19 is here to stay, will most likely resurge in Fall, and then again in 2021.