The COVID-19 pandemic continues

[Roland]

Since the old thread was locked, we haven't discussed the pandemic. A friend sent me this interesting page, which tracks Rt, the reproduction rate of the virus, by state:

https://rt.live/

[corsair91]

Interesting site

They should list both the State Governor political affiliation (D or R)
and Gender to help put things in context.

The general international opinon is that the ladies are simply handling this crisis better by doing what needs to be done and the pandemic is highlighting gross incompetence.


Even if you do get the infection rate down, you need to test EVERYBODY,
as there are people who have Covid and don't show any symptoms
and are capable of infecting others. You will not find them without testing them.


Covid Lockdowns may be happening for the next decade or more,
Already there are 2 Covid versions in the US, as East and West coast
versions are different, at the moment similar enough that the
same stuff would work on both, but that could easily change.

The Steps to beat Covid, are a national plan, Social distancing ,
use hand sanitizers, wearing a mask, and restrict numbers & your
movements as much as possible.
But this actually has to be done and not just talked about doing it
and less wishful thinking.

A google search say on
1919 not wearing masks protest

Will give lots of hits about the 1919 Flu pandemic and
wingnuts back then not wanting to wear face masks.

People's right to remain alive, trumps any discomfort about
wearing a face mask.

[Roland]

[Pirate]

Russia found the cure. All you gotta do is land there roll up your sleeve and say stick me and poof you gonna live forever Sputnik style. Okay not very funny I know but just had to be the wise guy who said it.

[corsair91]

The first Ebola virus vaxine was recently approved in 2019
some 40 or more years since Ebola 1st appeared back in 1976.

Aids was supposed to have a vaxine within 2 years from 1984 by say 1986, which has yet to appear.

Too much fantasy nonsense about having a vaxine in the next 18 months,
the reality is nothing will probably be available for this pandemic.
Even if they have something that works (which they don't) it will take 2 years to roll it out.

The Russian's claim to now have a Covid Vaxine, but they severely reduced the trial testing done on it (actually none), so doubts about it even working.

Covid Testing in the US was not helped by the US deciding not to use the WHO developed tests, unlike virtually every other country and then
had major problems with rolling out the US Tests, some of which did not work initially. That cost time and a lot of lives.
Tests appear good enough to get the job done outside the US,
problem appear to be in getting timely results.

The Medical people simply can't keep this pandemic work rate up for much longer. Covid has to be fought with what we have, not what we would like to have.
The 1919 Flu and SARs were brief pandemics, may not be so luck with this one.
All the stuff being thrown at covid currently is the SARS research developed stuff, which is all they have.

Reopening schools seem to more about providing cheap childcare, rather
than actual medical needs. Kids can pass covid on just as well as adults
and don't forget kids get every bug going when at school, covid is
not going to be any different.

[Pirate]

Well from what I’ve been reading there is hope that some of the vaccines in stage 3 trails might be somewhat effective but it’s unknown how much if any. I guess Russia thinks what they have might work but skipped trails so hopefully their right. I’m hearing too that that it may be years before a reliable vaccine is available. If that is true no economy can hold up being in quarantine and no government makes money on it’s own to feed cloth the people so with that being said perhaps the end of time is near or there will be wars famines looting. Maybe we will have to resume as normal except keep the mask thing in place and let the people carry on as before including all shops bars etc and hopefully at some point a herd immunity will take effect after untold numbers die. If things continue as is we all might die.

[Roland]

If there is eventually a COVID vaccine, it will probably require re-vaccination every year or two like the flu vaccine. It will not confer lifelong immunity like, say, the measles vaccine.

[Pirate]

Somebody was saying the My Pillow man found a cure for Covid 19 . Yeah we gonna live after all.

[corsair91]

The Sandman, Easter Bunny, Tooth fairy and Christmas grinch
somehow are not what you may consider as medical experts
in infection diseases.




Tooth rot is more the line of work of some of them.

[fleetp]

What is tooth root?

[corsair91]

Typo, Tooth rot

Tooth decay, excessive consumption of sugary substances
leading to cavities and possible loss of tooth.

Easter Bunny has form delivering chocolate eggs.
Tooth fairy helps hide the teeth evidence.


Russians are actually doing the tests now, which shoud have been
done first, before the covid vaxine was announced.

[corsair91]

hydroxychloroquine

This drug is used to treat malaria and autoimmune conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

This is a drug taken by US President Donald Trump to combat covid-19


potential side effects are:

Dangerously rapid heart rate
Abnormal heart rhythms
Problems with the heart muscle properly recharging between beats
Issues with the heart's ability to pump blood around the body
Severe hypoglycemia
Rupturing of red blood cells
Low counts for platelets and red and white blood cells
Liver failure
Kidney failure
Increased risk of seizures
Psychosis
Delirium
Suicidal behaviour
Hallucinations
Retina damage


and they let this guy near the nuclear football!






Trump's Finanicial interest in hydroxychloroquine

https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2020/apr/09/facebook-posts/trump-has-tiny-financial-stake-company-manufacture/

[Roland]

Here is the FAQ on the Russian vaccine:
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2251722-everything-you-need-to-know-about-russias-coronavirus-vaccine-claims/

The vaccine has so far been tested on only 76 people, and the results from those tests have not been released. Even if all goes as hoped, the Russian vaccine will not be available for widespread use until next year. In short, the Russians are not any further along the road to a vaccine than researchers in other countries. Putin is making a premature announcement for reasons of national and personal prestige - i.e., it's propaganda.

[corsair91]

In the FAQ on the Russian vaccine article:

According to the World Health Organization,
six vaccines are currently in the phase III trials - does this really work by protecting against infection.
None has yet completed Phase III.


More than 100 vaccines are in development and many have showed positive results, raising hopes that one will be ready to be rolled out within the next 12 months.


In the mean time social distance and mask up,
and don't expect much of a sports season this year.

Best you can hope for is TV coverage of games in empty stadiums.

[Salty Dog]

Pfizer is aiming to release their first vaccine December 1st. They have at least six vaccines they are working on. I would imagine it will be a shot and will be like the annual flu shots we get. Flue shots are only about 50-60% effective and have to be taken every year.