COVID-19/Coronavirus Information and Support Thread (see OP for useful links)

[TB]

Infection rates are up in Brampton, Mississauga,the GTA and Niagara again.

COVID-19 vaccines - peelregion.ca

www.peelregion.ca

Up compared to what? Cases aren't even up compared to two months ago, never mind the spikes in the last year.

People have been wearing masks and social distancing since 2020. %75.2 of all Canadians are double vaccinated. So herd immunity should be working according to W.H.O.

Based on the chart, those measures are working.

Now they want booster shots.

Which is no different than the flu shot.

Now kids are getting shots.

Good. Kids carry viruses just as easily as adults. And how is this any different than MMR or chickenpox vaccines? Just because it's new?

 

[JKgo]

Tried to watch that Scottish fella's video but couldn't go past the 4.30 mark. Had enough, said my brain.

 

[UKMikey]

Tried to watch that Scottish fella's video but couldn't go past the 4.30 mark. Had enough, said my brain.

I wouldn't even give him 4.3 seconds. Let him and his anti-science followers get their clicks from someone else.

 

[JKgo]

I wouldn't even give him 4.3 seconds. Let him and his anti-science followers get their clicks from someone else.

Well, I was trying to be fair and not pass judgement simply based on the video's title and... uh, its thumbnail?

Although, now I fear being bombarded by videos selected by Youtube's algorithm, thinking that I like this sort of stuff... Wouldn't be the first time in that regard.

 

[UKMikey]

Well, I was trying to be fair and not pass judgement simply based on the video's title and... uh, its thumbnail?

I'll admit I was passing judgment based on who it was that recommended the video and the other Neil videos. He has added nothing to this thread so far.

 

[Biggles]

What? Infection rates are up in Brampton, Mississauga,the GTA and Niagara again. I work in the GTA daily doing deliveries. People have been wearing masks and social distancing since 2020. %75.2 of all Canadians are double vaccinated. So herd immunity should be working according to W.H.O. Now they want booster shots. This virus was made in a lab and will continue to evolve. Now kids are getting shots. 2.9 million shots are ready to go. This will almost push our rate to %80. That is total herd immunity.

You apparently believe what you want to believe. Infection rates are up a little from where they were in July & August, but way lower than they were in April, May & June of this year & way lower than they were at the same time last year.

The increases in rates reflect the fact that Ontario is now much more restriction free than it has been & we are now entering the winter months. This is a pattern that has been repeated elsewhere. My daughters are currently studying in the Netherlands. If you look at the Covid stats for the Netherlands there have been 6 waves of Covid with dramatic spikes every time they remove all Covid restrictions & dramatic declines when they reinstate them. The same is true of every other country.

"Herd immunity" - whether natural or inoculated - would now appear not to be sufficient to protect the population from Covid infections. It does seem to confer significant protection against illness, hospitalization & death. It's a legitimate political discussion as to what level of restrictions are appropriate overall in an effort to control Covid ... however, the statistics are what they are & not what you pretend they are.

 

[Joey D]

So herd immunity should be working according to W.H.O. Now they want booster shots.

Except vaccine effectiveness wanes over time. The only way vaccines were going to deliver herd immunity was if about 80% of the population was vaccinated in a relatively short amount of time. There are still people who are getting their first dose today and the vaccine has been available now for nearly a year. Peak effectiveness for most people seems to be somewhere around 6 months depending on a bunch of different factors.

This is why booster shots are available now, to bring those of us who were vaccinated early back up to the level of peak effectiveness. I got my first shot on January 21st meaning when I got my booster dose on November 19th, nearly 11 months had passed between the first shot and the booster, and about 10 months between the second shot and the booster. My protection against COVID has likely waned during that time and by getting the booster, I'll get back to somewhere around a peak level of protection.

SARS-CoV-2 has mutated as well since the vaccines were first introduced. The first generation of the vaccines were made using data from early 2020 when COVID was a much different virus than it is now. With a newly introduced virus, the likelihood for mutations is high since there are a ton of new factors it can attempt to exploit. This is what happened with Delta to put it in really simplistic terms.

This virus was made in a lab and will continue to evolve.

The virus was likely not made in a lab. There's evidence that it could've been released due to poor lab safety protocols, but until there's evidence it's a bit conspiratorial to think it was bioengineered. The first post of the thread even addresses this. So do you have creditable information that COVID was made in a lab?

Important note: Posts that promote conspiracy theories, misinformation, or contain misleading or unverifiable claims will be removed. Persistent offenders will be banned from posting in this thread permanently. Any content deemed inappropriate may be removed without notice, and is at the discretion of the moderation team.

Update: Discussion of the origins of the virus/outbreak is permitted provided that posts cite credible source material.

 

[Biggles]

The bottom line seems to be that right-wingers decided early on that Covid was a liberal hoax designed to undermine Donald Trump - a theory that makes absolutely no sense - and/or evidence of a globalist plot to destroy national independence. With this mindset, they have chosen to dismiss the advice of epidemiologists & medical experts & to look at any inconsistencies or missteps in the medical advice as evidence of a wider conspiracy, rather than the natural process of gaining knowledge about a novel coronavirus.

As we have seen with other improbable conspiracy theories, once established in the minds of some people, it is impossible to shake people from their mindset, regardless of the actual evidence presented.

 

[Famine]

Vaccinated people can still transmit COVID?

Tell me you don't know how the immune system works without telling me you don't know how the immune system works:

 

[Joey D]

The FDA will be meeting on Tuesday, November 30th to review Merck's new COVID drug molnupiravir for EUA.

November 30, 2021: Antimicrobial Drugs Advisory Committee

November 30, 2021: Antimicrobial Drugs Advisory Committee Meeting Announcement

www.fda.gov

I'm in the midst of working with the team that will get everything set up for this in our system in the event it's approved. The timeline for the patient to get the drug and have it be effective is tight, like really tight. But if a patient gets the drug within the window it's incredibly effective at keeping you from becoming seriously ill or dying.

I've been trying to understand how the drug works too. I still don't fully grasp all the ins and outs of it, but CNN did put it in pretty good layman's terms based on information found in this paper by Brandon Malone and Elizabeth Campbell: Molnupiravir: coding for catastrophe

The drug works by wreaking havoc with the way the Covid-19 virus makes copies of itself. The virus is an RNA virus, meaning that its genetic material is stored in RNA, not DNA. RNA has four bases, called A, C, G and U. When the virus replicates, C always pairs up with G, and A always pairs up with U.

Anything that messes with those pairings will stop the virus in its tracks -- and that's what molnupiravir is designed to do.

The drug disguises itself as a base that looks like C, but doesn't always act like the real C, and so sometimes pairs up with A instead of G.

"The fake C becomes promiscuous and pairs up with the wrong partner, and so now the genome isn't what it's supposed to be, and the virus will peter out and die," said Campbell, a research associate professor at Rockefeller University.

 

[TB]

The fake C becomes promiscuous and pairs up with the wrong partner

Kinky.

And amazing.

 

[CodeRedR51]

YouTube guy back at it. Apparently had the Delta variant.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

Both shots are done. Flu side is getting sore at the moment. I think the flu shot was larger in terms of volume.

 

[TB]

Both shots are done. Flu side is getting sore at the moment. I think the flu shot was larger in terms of volume.

For me, the flu shot hurt more initially but the booster ended up being sore for longer.

 

[UKMikey]

More evidence to support mask wearing...

https://www.medscape.co.uk/viewarticle/coughing-can-spread-sars-cov-2-virus-beyond-two-metres-2021a1002f51

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

For me, the flu shot hurt more initially but the booster ended up being sore for longer.

Yep, it's looking like that.

What happens when you get both in one arm? You get the fast action of the flu vaccine soreness combined with the sustained release of the covid vaccine soreness?

 

[TB]

What happens when you get both in one arm? You get the fast action of the flu vaccine soreness combined with the sustained release of the covid vaccine soreness?

I wasn't that brave. Or dumb.

 

[Biggles]

I've never had a flu shot in my life. Does it make sense to have one now? I don't know - there's been no period in my life when I have had less direct interaction with other people ... and any interaction I have had - at least indoors - I have been wearing a mask, as have they.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

I haven't had the flu vaccine either until now, but figured while I'm in I'll just get both. And it wouldn't hurt to reduce my chances of having covid and the flu at the same time.

 

[andrea]

I like German honesty.

 

[UKMikey]

10 Antivax Lies to Watch Out for This Holiday

Satanic ingredients, mass death, and other debunked talking points from the anti-vaccination movement.

gizmodo.com

 

[Touring Mars]

A concerning new variant is emerging in Botswana and South Africa called B.1.1.529. It has some 32 mutations in the spike protein alone, some of which are associated with increased transmissibility and may reduce antibody recognition (i.e. increase 'immune escape').

Scientists warn of new Covid variant with high number of mutations

The B.1.1.529 variant was first spotted in Botswana and six cases have been found in South Africa

www.theguardian.com

So far, there are only a handful of cases that have been formally identified, but very recent PCR data from South Africa suggests that the new variant could already be widespread, prompting calls for countries such as the UK to act swiftly and place SA back on a 'red list' for incoming visitors.

There is a lot of concern about this particular variant, but it is still too early to say whether it turns out to be a potential new wave (i.e. replacing the Delta variant) or whether it may 'fizzle out' as other concerning variants have already done.

 

[PeterJB]

A concerning new variant is emerging in Botswana and South Africa called B.1.1.529. It has some 32 mutations in the spike protein alone, some of which are associated with increased transmissibility and may reduce antibody recognition (i.e. increase 'immune escape').

Scientists warn of new Covid variant with high number of mutations

The B.1.1.529 variant was first spotted in Botswana and six cases have been found in South Africa

www.theguardian.com

So far, there are only a handful of cases that have been formally identified, but very recent PCR data from South Africa suggests that the new variant could already be widespread, prompting calls for countries such as the UK to act swiftly and place SA back on a 'red list' for incoming visitors.

There is a lot of concern about this particular variant, but it is still too early to say whether it turns out to be a potential new wave (i.e. replacing the Delta variant) or whether it may 'fizzle out' as other concerning variants have already done.

Boris will wait until cases are confirmed in the UK and then ground flights to and from South Africa and put restrictions in place to punish the British public for his own incompetence.

 

[Touring Mars]

England (and presumably the rest of the UK) are to place South Africa on a travel red list with effect from tomorrow, and recent arrivals from South Africa are to be tracked down and "offered" tests.

South Africa to be put on England’s travel red list over new Covid variant

Flights from six countries will be banned as officials review travel measures after scientists voice concern over variant

www.theguardian.com

 

[McLaren]

I didn't take the flu vaccine for a long time. The 2 years in a row I took it, got incredibly sick (terrible coincidence now, but I blamed the shots back then) and decided not to get it again until I got Flu B a couple years ago. Wasn't as bad as the previous 2 times, but wasn't pleasant, either. Figured after that, I should make an effort to get the vaccine again (didn't last year b/c of everything going on & I never went out), esp. when I hear them advertise getting the flu shot on the radio with the line, "You can't get the flu from the vaccine". Will likely see if I can schedule it along side the booster here shortly.

A concerning new variant is emerging in Botswana and South Africa called B.1.1.529. It has some 32 mutations in the spike protein alone, some of which are associated with increased transmissibility and may reduce antibody recognition (i.e. increase 'immune escape').

Scientists warn of new Covid variant with high number of mutations

The B.1.1.529 variant was first spotted in Botswana and six cases have been found in South Africa

www.theguardian.com

So far, there are only a handful of cases that have been formally identified, but very recent PCR data from South Africa suggests that the new variant could already be widespread, prompting calls for countries such as the UK to act swiftly and place SA back on a 'red list' for incoming visitors.

There is a lot of concern about this particular variant, but it is still too early to say whether it turns out to be a potential new wave (i.e. replacing the Delta variant) or whether it may 'fizzle out' as other concerning variants have already done.

Already seen a Herman Cain Award winner that was sharing misinformation about this variant.

 

[Jezza819]

I didn't take the flu vaccine for a long time. The 2 years in a row I took it, got incredibly sick (terrible coincidence now, but I blamed the shots back then) and decided not to get it again until I got Flu B a couple years ago. Wasn't as bad as the previous 2 times, but wasn't pleasant, either. Figured after that, I should make an effort to get the vaccine again (didn't last year b/c of everything going on & I never went out), esp. when I hear them advertise getting the flu shot on the radio with the line, "You can't get the flu from the vaccine". Will likely see if I can schedule it along side the booster here shortly.

Already seen a Herman Cain Award winner that was sharing misinformation about this variant.

I didn't take the flu vaccine until 3 years ago. I've never been one that got really, really sick but as I'm now in my mid 50's I just figured it couldn't hurt to maybe be a little more protected. I've never had the first complication from any of the flu vaccine shots. The only thing I've noticed is that the flu shot injection is more painful than either of the Covid shots I've had.

 

[Joey D]

I've gotten the flu shot every year since 2009 when I got it for the first time because of H1N1. I still get influenza about every other year though, however, it's never that bad of a case. Typically just a day or two of feeling lousy then I'm fine. I credit the vaccine for helping make it tolerable instead of being feverish for days on end. I also almost always get Tamiflu as soon as symptoms appear too since it works pretty well for me.

If you work in healthcare, you almost have to get it. I've never been to a health system that doesn't require its employees to get a yearly flu shot. Where I work, you can opt out of it if you like, but to do you you need to wear full PPE for the entire duration of flu season. If you're caught without it at any point, you're immediately terminated.

 

[05XR8]

Second jab done. Will see how I go.

 

[CodeRedR51]

I can't remember the last time I had a flu shot. I very rarely get sick, and when I do it's usually a sinus infection. Those average about once a year unfortunately. I've considered getting allergy shots because that's the one thing I go through that always kicks my rear.

 

[Shaun]

I didn't take the flu vaccine until 3 years ago. I've never been one that got really, really sick but as I'm now in my mid 50's I just figured it couldn't hurt to maybe be a little more protected. I've never had the first complication from any of the flu vaccine shots. The only thing I've noticed is that the flu shot injection is more painful than either of the Covid shots I've had.

I've gotten the flu shot every year since 2009 when I got it for the first time because of H1N1. I still get influenza about every other year though, however, it's never that bad of a case. Typically just a day or two of feeling lousy then I'm fine. I credit the vaccine for helping make it tolerable instead of being feverish for days on end. I also almost always get Tamiflu as soon as symptoms appear too since it works pretty well for me.

If you work in healthcare, you almost have to get it. I've never been to a health system that doesn't require its employees to get a yearly flu shot. Where I work, you can opt out of it if you like, but to do you you need to wear full PPE for the entire duration of flu season. If you're caught without it at any point, you're immediately terminated.

I've been getting yearly flu shots for so long I can't remember, not once have I felt any side effects from it apart from a sore arm,
It's so simple to get here, for me my employer pays for it as it's more cost effective at $15 a shot than us getting the flu and having time off. A nurse turns up at work and 5 minutes out of your day at work is all it takes.