COVID-19 Information

[dreadnut]

We knew from the start that the Pfizer vaccine, for example, was at best 86% effective. So if 100 million Americans have been vaccinated, 14 million could possibly contract a breakthrough case of Covid. I'm not buying that everyone who has been vaccinated is susceptible to it, at least not until over 14 million vaccinated people come down with it.

 

[Cougar]

I will just add that it is now generally understood that vaccinated people can be infected with the Delta variant and yet may be asymptomatic. So they can still unknowingly spread it....

True. What is not now generally understood is whether there are just a few of such vaccinated but infected people or whether there are many. At this point, the reporting on this is anecdotal.

 

[Cougar]

We knew from the start that the Pfizer vaccine, for example, was at best 86% effective.

Well, the CDC says:

"Based on evidence from clinical trials in people 16 years and older, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was 95% effective at preventing laboratory-confirmed infection with the virus that causes COVID-19 in people who received two doses and had no evidence of being previously infected."

 

[walrus]

Major contributing factors to the current wave of infections:
- The delta variant is much more easily transmitted & will infect far more people in a given environment compared to last year's initial version.
- As cases dropped worldwide, most countries lifted precautionary measures & people started traveling in massive numbers.
- The delta variant pounced on unvaccinated people, who have rapidly spread the virus via the lifted restrictions & travel.
- Since the variant began spreading, every large gathering has had the potential to be become a super-spreader event.

A case close to home: I live in a small community. A long time resident and his wife had chosen to not get vaccinated. He contracted the delta variant and went to the hospital this past Saturday, and was admitted. On Sunday he was placed on a ventilator. On Monday (yesterday), he died. His wife has now been placed on a ventilator.

This is serious business.

Well said. I would just add to this that it is also likely, just a like a flu shot, that the vaccine may be waning in people. This is why there is talk of a booster shot. Also, because of so many unvaccinated people, we never reached the "herd immunity" that would make everyone a little safer.

What's scary to me right now is the number of children who are getting it.

On a personal note, I am getting a third shot on Thursday. I am one of the infamous "immunosuppressed" people, and it is known that the vaccine gives me much less protection than others. Even with this, I have been advised by my doctors to remain masked, socially distanced, etc., which is fine with me if it keeps me and others safe.

walrus

 

[Cougar]

I think we'll find that this particular COVID is a seasonal thing as with colds & flus. It's here and it'll stay, mutating into mostly less (but occasionally more) dangerous strains over time but never going away.

Last year new infections started peaking in October-November. This year, it's starting to peak again in August! So it apparently doesn't really stick to the season.

A vaccine that confers long-term immunity would be great, but we may have to settle for short-term protection with periodic boosters…

You called it on that one -- looks like boosters in the U.S. are set to begin in September if your second shot was 8 months prior.

It's here and it'll stay, mutating into mostly less (but occasionally more) dangerous strains over time

It didn't really have to be like this. If nearly everyone got vaccinated, the virus would have nowhere to go and eventually die out. Then it would not have time to mutate into a more dangerous strain. But too many Americans decided they didn't need or want to get vaccinated, giving the virus plenty of time to mutate.

 

[FNG]

COVID-19 RESOURCES FOR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS

Resources to help you determine the best treatment options for your patients with COVID-19.

combatcovid.hhs.gov

 

[Tom O]

Neurologist explains why unvaccinated previously infected people are less likely to spread COVID than never-infected vaccinated people | Blaze Media

Americans have received countless mixed messages about the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, natural immunity, herd immunity, and virus transmission. Dr. Michael Segal, a neurologist and neuroscientist, wrote a piece for the Wall Street Journal attempting to clear up some misconceptions about...

www.theblaze.com

 

[Default]

COVID-19 RESOURCES FOR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS

Resources to help you determine the best treatment options for your patients with COVID-19.

combatcovid.hhs.gov

Will check that out at lunch.
Thanks!

 

[dreadnut]

I'll be getting my booster shot ASAP

 

[Westerly Wood]

I believe COVID to be highly political, and I had always enjoyed the LTGs stance on no political discussions whatsoever.

 

[dreadnut]

You can turn almost anything into a political discussion, especially if you're looking for political solutions to problems (which ain't gonna happen.)

 

[Default]

I wish it was political. Hitting very close to home with me. Lost an uncle-in-law early Monday morning.

 

[HeyMikey]

I believe COVID to be highly political, and I had always enjoyed the LTGs stance on no political discussions whatsoever.

I agree and would appreciate it if the Mods would lock this thread. It is getting way too political and I’m trying my best to not go ballistic on some people here who I consider friends, which I would regret doing.

 

[fronobulax]

Historically threads where the members talk about whether the topic is political tend to end up being closed because the conversations turns political.

I can see the writing on the wall and will close it but some people have added themselves to the Moderator's Watch List.