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.
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 InteractiveI 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 ScienceTo 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.
I'm also somewhat skeptical of this model. Just eyeballing it, it looks like it's predicting we should be around 10K new cases a day by now on their bell-shaped curve, and the data that I'm seeing (see Worldometer.com) indicates that we're still up at over 30K new cases a day as of yesterday. That would make us at the very least 10 days behind their model, and the data looks much more like a plateau than a bell.
I had read a story about police officer in Florida that gets seasonal allergies and he got tested and he was positive for Covid.
I am in NY they are making testing available and emergency clinics and even pharmacies. I think it’s great more places to get tested instead of getting it through the government.
@goldstone it means the body does not produce antibodies. It is like the common cold in that sense. How long have we been trying to cure the COMMON COLD? My doctor, who has been my primary care physician for 35 years told me the reason they ask you how long have you had your symptoms is because a virus will turn into a bacterial infection after about 10 days. What makes this virus so terrible is the ease that it spreads and the power of it’s striking. Even dogs and cats are getting it. Even if we do reach herd immunity, it will still strike with force.
I remember when they came out with a vaccine for LYMES DISEASE. My daughter and I went to my doctor to ask for the vaccine as we had both had it. It was and is a devastating disease. He told us “No!” We were very upset. A few months later I was hearing stories of people who did get the lymes vaccine and they developed MS...... JUST A NOTE TO BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!
Trump has tried to blame everyone but him on the pandemic. He is now asking US spies to find “evidence” that is started in lab in Wuhan. Let’s play a game that he correct on this. It still does not excuses him for not getting ready for this in time to save American citizens. It is well know that he was told in briefings since January and he just doesn’t read and did not care.
We here in CT are on a downward slope (yay) and if it continues we will be in a soft-reopening of businesses on May 20th. Hairdressers, nail salons and only OUTdoor restaurant seating will be available with distance restrictions. I for one can't wait to have my hair done and nails so I'm looking forward to it.
One gal in Georgia told me that when she went to her hairdresser recently she had to stay in the car, they came out to get her. She was not allowed to bring in her phone, purse etc. and that she had to put her keys in her pocket and the money in a little baggie for when she paid. The stylist wore a mask and gloves, and she changed the gloves often, after each procedure (coloring etc) and each person.
I don't plan on going to restaurants until much later than the end of May, and my vacation is going to be by my pool - IF this darn cold spell we're having goes away. My God-daugher's wedding is still on for July 2nd but I can't see her being able to have 200 people. She'll be lucky if 50 people are allowed in the same room that can hold hundreds.
My husband's cousin was misdiagnosed back in her 30s. She had lymes but was told it was MS. Because they never treated her promptly for Lymes, she is now in her 40s in a wheel chair and is losing movement now in her hands too. It's so sad.
I was diagnosed a few years ago with Lymes from a Spider bite! the spider must have chowed down on a deer tick is my guess. I went to a Lymes specialist who only took cash or credit but no insurance. I was on antibiotics for 6 months and was finally feeling like a human being. Seeing what happened to my husband's cousin gave me some ammunition to seek help when the medical community (at the time) was being told there was no such thing (years ago) as chronic Lyme disease. That's why the specialist had to do it without taking insurance otherwise he would have lost his medical license. Things are different now though.
my state plans on opening golf courses and parks this week but with restrictions on social distancing everything else plans to open on the 8th i pray that people will take this seriously because my state has been considered a hot spot and still is considered to be one i keep seeing cases climb up but also keep seeing the curve flatten mid may.
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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
...
Actually this virus mutates relatively slowly (much more slowly then the influenza virus), which means a vaccine will be much more effective then the current flu vaccine. So while it will always be around, it will be more like mumps, measles and rubella.
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/what-to-know-about-mutation-and-covid-19
https://www.livescience.com/coronavirus-mutation-rate.html