I've never stopped wearing a mask outside my house. The idea that those who are unvaccinated would follow an honor system that says they should wear one is utterly nonsensical to me. Those unvaccinated people are also usually virulently anti-mask, and the authorities think those people are somehow going to suddenly care about me or anyone else? Nah...not gonna happen, so no offense, but I don't trust y'all, and I'm going to mask up.
@ana @tgraf66 @Paul W I think you all may find this latest Paul Campbell explanation of the latest covid infection rates for the vaccinated. Campbell is the UK PhD nurse who had the most helpful YouTube explanations of the latest covid research from the beginning of the pandemic.
Here is his explanation of the latest infection rates for the vaccinated in Israel and the UK
The Gist: Among the Pfizer-vaccinated in the UK and Israel, the breakthrough infection rate was more than double in Israel and they attributed it to the greater length of time between the first and second dose.
In Israel, like in the U.S., the second dose was given three weeks after the first. In the UK they waited 2 months. So they think the longer wait time gave longer immunity.
If you have been vaccinated and get covid, you are most likely to end up with cold symptoms and a sore throat. But if you give it to someone who is not vaccinated, they could become very sick. Add to this that the Delta variant is much more virulent. Apparently people who get the delta variant, which is the dominant strain now, have a much higher viral load to impart on others.
Thank you, @bluebelle, for sending this to me. I have passed it to my family members.
Indoor Pool Swimming and Covid: I have been masking indoors except when lap swimming in an indoor chlorinated pool. I've learned that building codes public health standards for indoor pools require high rates of ventilation to protect from the byproducts of pool chemicals, mainly chlorine.
@jeanne-mayell Hi Jeanne, you've got a typo in that youtube link. There should be no space between the "L" and the "C".
As for the message in the video, several people (I think rightly) in the comments noted that perhaps it is not the time gap between the two doses, but the amount of time since the most recent dose that makes the difference-- because given the longer interval in the UK, it is likely that a greater proportion of people in the UK got their second dose more recently than those in Israel.
Regardless, I wonder if it would be smart to run down to the pharmacy to get a third shot even though officially we're not supposed to. (It's not like we'd be taking it away from people who want it.)
@jeanne-mayell Hi Jeanne, you've got a typo in that youtube link. There should be no space between the "L" and the "C".
As for the message in the video, several people (I think rightly) in the comments noted that perhaps it is not the time gap between the two doses, but the amount of time since the most recent dose that makes the difference-- because given the longer interval in the UK, it is likely that a greater proportion of people in the UK got their second dose more recently than those in Israel.
Regardless, I wonder if it would be smart to run down to the pharmacy to get a third shot even though officially we're not supposed to. (It's not like we'd be taking it away from people who want it.)
Thanks on the link, I fixed it.
I agree that the space between shots might not be correct. He did show data on how the effectiveness declines over time.
But getting a third shot is something I hadn't thought of. Is it safe to get a third shot? I might wait for a booster that's designed to handle the delta variant.
@jeanne-mayell Hi Jeanne, you've got a typo in that youtube link. There should be no space between the "L" and the "C".
As for the message in the video, several people (I think rightly) in the comments noted that perhaps it is not the time gap between the two doses, but the amount of time since the most recent dose that makes the difference-- because given the longer interval in the UK, it is likely that a greater proportion of people in the UK got their second dose more recently than those in Israel.
Regardless, I wonder if it would be smart to run down to the pharmacy to get a third shot even though officially we're not supposed to. (It's not like we'd be taking it away from people who want it.)
@ana, thank you for your helpful post! Thanks also for the correction on the link, I fixed it.
I agree that the space between shots might not be correct and that more people got their dose later is a better explanation. He did show data on how the effectiveness declines over time.
But getting a third shot is something I hadn't thought of. Is it safe to get a third shot? I might wait for a booster that's designed to handle the delta variant. But people who are around unvaccinated people might want to consider this.
They are finally working on recommendations for immune compromised folks and a third vaccine. My doctor and I have discussed it. For those in flairs, high dose pred., other chemos or low dose methotrexate the vaccine did not always reliably work well. The US government has been slow on recommendations. But France has already given third shots to autoimmune patients. I am willing to wait a tad longer to see if one more targeting Delta will be made soon. If not I will go get another. This morning I heard in Nashville all of the six percent in ICU who were vaccinated were immune compromised. For now it’s off label. As much as I want one I feel to wait a couple of months.
But getting a third shot is something I hadn't thought of. Is it safe to get a third shot? I might wait for a booster that's designed to handle the delta variant. But people who are around unvaccinated people might want to consider this.
Realistically, I think a third shot is probably safe, or at least no more risky than the first or second shots. But there's no way it will be officially recommended until more data are available. I do hope they get that delta booster ready soon. ("delta booster" sounds like a rocket...)
It makes me feel both sad and angry for and about the anti vaxxers. They are ruining it for all of us, but I mostly feel compassion. They don't deserve a death sentence. I agree Danny boy - it is very very sad.
You're doing better than I am with compassion for the anti-vaxxers. I'm mostly angry with them for their selfishness, which is screwing it up for the rest of us.
One personal reason: My late brother's "celebration of life" is in two weeks. The event is by invitation-only and non-vaccinated people are requested not to attend. We have plane tickets to travel to his city. We could have elected to drive, but it's an 8 hour drive and we decided the short flight would be easier on my 90-something mother. Now we have to worry about her getting COVID on the plane. ?
Now we have to worry about her getting COVID on the plane. ?
I will say (I flew Delta though don’t know about the other airlines) that when I went to Kentucky a few weeks back, the airlines on both the flight down and back did a fantastic job. When you get to the airport find a spot away from the crowds (even if that means waiting by a different gate) and feel free to request more of those purell hand wipes they pass out. Flight crew and passengers were required to remain masked throughout the flight.
It makes me feel both sad and angry for and about the anti vaxxers. They are ruining it for all of us, but I mostly feel compassion. They don't deserve a death sentence. I agree Danny boy - it is very very sad.
You're doing better than I am with compassion for the anti-vaxxers. I'm mostly angry with them for their selfishness, which is screwing it up for the rest of us.
One personal reason: My late brother's "celebration of life" is in two weeks. The event is by invitation-only and non-vaccinated people are requested not to attend. We have plane tickets to travel to his city. We could have elected to drive, but it's an 8 hour drive and we decided the short flight would be easier on my 90-something mother. Now we have to worry about her getting COVID on the plane. ?
@ana, i am late to this, but i just wanted to say how sorry i am about your brother. This must be very hard on you and your mother. You might consider getting some N-95 masks for the plane ride, as they are more effective than the other types (but harder to breathe thru).
As for the anti-vaxxers, it is hard to feel compassion for people who are actively threatening the safety and health of our loved ones. Once again, we are being held hostage by the most selfish and stupid people on the planet. There are billions of folks all over the world who would love the opportunity to get the vaccine, and then we have all of these Americans who just turn up their smug little noses at it.
Here is what an Italian jounalist had to say about it (this statement had been falsely attributed to French president Macron, and it is too bad that he didn't say it):
“I no longer have any intention of sacrificing my life, my time, my freedom and the adolescence of my daughters, as well as their right to study properly, for those who refuse to be vaccinated. This time you stay at home, not us,”