news Covid19-Coronavirus updates and news

[Mister Funsky]

Having relatives and friends scattered all over the globe, I am getting an overload of input (some on the record and some off the record).

My intention for this thread is for community members from around the world to post first hand stories and/or links to information sources that, for the most part, should be reliable.

In my community, just outside a major southeastern city, 'assets' have been placed. Only because I have friends in both high and low places have I heard about some of this. At this point it is only some basic medical supplies that should be equally distributed anyway in preparation for a natural emergency (hurricane/wildfire/etc.).

I will start with posting a link to a site with current data that seems to come from an aggregate of sources and hope others will do the same as they come across similar sites/pages.

Because of the 'typhoid Mary' spread-ability of this disease, I feel we may be in for a really large spread globally which will impact the global economy and through extension, retail domain prices.

One thing is for sure...things will get worse before they get better.

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/usa-coronavirus/

 

[mr-x]

After talking 5 minutes or 5 days to anti-vaxxers and science deniers, I think that your post resumes the situation quite well

I just posted a video of Joe Rogan talking about a effective treatment, prescribed by an MD, developed by an infectious disease expert and you and brad are flipping out without watching it.

You both are perfect examples of media tools.

 

[bmugford]

After talking 5 minutes or 5 days to anti-vaxxers and science deniers, I think that your post resumes the situation quite well

The problem is none of these self proclaimed "experts" know shit about the field they are talking about. Do the "research" it is like some random YouTube video or anecdotal stories.

I follow what the actual experts say. The qualified medical groups, organizations, medical journals, etc. I follow the empirical data far more than anecdotal.

It takes a real Dunning-Kruger to substitute their (lack of) knowledge in place of the actual qualified people in a field.

Brad

 

[Sutruk]

The problem is none of these self proclaimed "experts" know shit about the field they are talking about. Do the "research" it is like some random YouTube video or anecdotal stories.

I follow what the actual experts say. The qualified medical groups, organizations, medical journals, etc. I follow the empirical data far more than anecdotal.

It takes a real Dunning-Kruger to substitute their (lack of) knowledge in place of the actual qualified people in a field.

Brad

Totally agree. But I am still wondering what makes the anti-vaxxers and anti-science believe in every worthless chemical treatment out there like that ivermectin but they are ready to die for not getting a simple vaccine.
I think some people have their brain built to believe in every ridiculous treatment and conspiracy theory just to go against the science and now also against the democrats. I really think the damage that the first conspiracy in chief and misinformation spreader, now ex president Trump has done to many people's brain still is having disastrous consequences in many people.

 

[bmugford]

Totally agree. But I am still wondering what makes the anti-vaxxers and anti-science believe in every worthless chemical treatment out there like that ivermectin but they are ready to die for not getting a simple vaccine.
I think some people have their brain build to believe in every ridiculous treatment and conspiracy theory just to go against the science and now also against the democrats. I really think the damage that the first conspiracy in chief and misinformation spreader, now ex president Trump has done to many people's brain still is having disastrous consequences in many people.

Valid point. I have no idea.

It could be any number of things like wanting to think they know more, being a non-conformist, etc.

Some people just can't seem to filter and parse information well. They tend to elevate anecdotal stories above empirical data.

They are suckered by misinformation / disinformation that fits their confirmation bias. Social media has not helped that either.

Brad

 

[Sutruk]

Why You Should Not Use Ivermectin to Treat or Prevent COVID-19

https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consu...-not-use-ivermectin-treat-or-prevent-covid-19

• The FDA has not authorized or approved ivermectin for use in preventing or treating COVID-19 in humans or animals. Ivermectin is approved for human use to treat infections caused by some parasitic worms and head lice and skin conditions like rosacea.
• Currently available data do not show ivermectin is effective against COVID-19. Clinical trials assessing ivermectin tablets for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 in people are ongoing.
• Taking large doses of ivermectin is dangerous.
• If your health care provider writes you an ivermectin prescription, fill it through a legitimate source such as a pharmacy, and take it exactly as prescribed.
• Never use medications intended for animals on yourself or other people. Animal ivermectin products are very different from those approved for humans. Use of animal ivermectin for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 in humans is dangerous.

 

[bmugford]

Why You Should Not Use Ivermectin to Treat or Prevent COVID-19

https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consu...-not-use-ivermectin-treat-or-prevent-covid-19

• The FDA has not authorized or approved ivermectin for use in preventing or treating COVID-19 in humans or animals. Ivermectin is approved for human use to treat infections caused by some parasitic worms and head lice and skin conditions like rosacea.
• Currently available data do not show ivermectin is effective against COVID-19. Clinical trials assessing ivermectin tablets for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 in people are ongoing.
• Taking large doses of ivermectin is dangerous.
• If your health care provider writes you an ivermectin prescription, fill it through a legitimate source such as a pharmacy, and take it exactly as prescribed.
• Never use medications intended for animals on yourself or other people. Animal ivermectin products are very different from those approved for humans. Use of animal ivermectin for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 in humans is dangerous.

If you are refusing to be vaccinated, and instead support using Ivermectin for COVID you have become a meme at this point.

Brad

 

[Cal2]

Totally agree. But I am still wondering what makes the anti-vaxxers and anti-science believe in every worthless chemical treatment out there like that ivermectin but they are ready to die for not getting a simple vaccine.
I think some people have their brain built to believe in every ridiculous treatment and conspiracy theory just to go against the science and now also against the democrats. I really think the damage that the first conspiracy in chief and misinformation spreader, now ex president Trump has done to many people's brain still is having disastrous consequences in many people.

Valid point. I have no idea.

It could be any number of things like wanting to think they know more, being a non-conformist, etc.

Some people just can't seem to filter and parse information well. They tend to elevate anecdotal stories above empirical data.

They are suckered by misinformation / disinformation that fits their confirmation bias. Social media has not helped that either.

Brad

Maybe time to post this again:

The More BS You Spread, the More BS You Fall For, New Study Shows

https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/psychology-truthfulness-research-university-waterloo.html

 

[J Sokol]

If you are refusing to be vaccinated, and instead support using Ivermectin for COVID you have become a meme at this point.

Youarenotahorse.com is for sale if anyone is interested.

 

[bmugford]

At least one part of the country is doing it right when it comes to schools.

Texas, Florida, and other states where it is out of control in school children, take notes.

San Francisco Schools Have Had No COVID-19 Outbreaks Since Classes Began Last Month

https://www.npr.org/2021/09/10/1035...ols-vaccinated-covid-outbreaks-none-pediatric

There have been no COVID-19 outbreaks in San Francisco schools since students and educators went back into classrooms on Aug. 16, the San Francisco Department of Public Health announced Thursday, noting that about 90% of children ages 12 to 17 are fully vaccinated.

 

[Mister Funsky]

It really breaks my heart to see these people dying needlessly.

7th Mississippi child dies of COVID, eight pregnant women lose lives to virus in a month

Mississippi health officials have reported a seventh child, under age 1, is dead due to complications from COVID-19 and eight pregnant women in the state have lost their lives to the coronavirus since Aug. 1.

All eight expecting mothers were unvaccinated, Mississippi State Health Officer Thomas Dobbs said, adding that COVID-19 is particularly dangerous and problematic for pregnant women and can be potentially deadly for the fetus. Some of the women's babies were born premature and are alive, Dobbs said, but did not specify a number. Officials are still investigating the cases.

"It is a tragic and difficult circumstance," Dobbs said during a Wednesday press conference. "The vaccine is very helpful and remarkably successful in preventing these outcomes in pregnant women."

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news...orts-7th-pediatric-covid-19-death/5768481001/

 

[Cal2]

It really breaks my heart to see these people dying needlessly.

7th Mississippi child dies of COVID, eight pregnant women lose lives to virus in a month

Mississippi health officials have reported a seventh child, under age 1, is dead due to complications from COVID-19 and eight pregnant women in the state have lost their lives to the coronavirus since Aug. 1.

All eight expecting mothers were unvaccinated, Mississippi State Health Officer Thomas Dobbs said, adding that COVID-19 is particularly dangerous and problematic for pregnant women and can be potentially deadly for the fetus. Some of the women's babies were born premature and are alive, Dobbs said, but did not specify a number. Officials are still investigating the cases.

"It is a tragic and difficult circumstance," Dobbs said during a Wednesday press conference. "The vaccine is very helpful and remarkably successful in preventing these outcomes in pregnant women."

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news...orts-7th-pediatric-covid-19-death/5768481001/

The sad, mostly unnecessary covid death stories are going to continue for who knows how long. Best get used to it...

"A couple with seven children contracted COVID and then died on the same day—in different states. Troy and Charletta Green, both 44, of Detroit were getting ready to take a trip to Florida last month when he suddenly felt ill. According to Fox 2, Troy decided to stay home while his wife of 22 years headed out of town and developed symptoms soon after arriving. The unvaccinated spouses ended up in the ICU—Troy back in Michigan and Charletta in Florida, where her condition only worsened. “Her lungs were severely damaged and... they just couldn’t do any more for her,” sister-in-law Tiki Green said, adding that news of his wife’s deterioration sent Troy into a spiral. “He just basically couldn’t take that. He just started having chest pains and eventually a couple of hours later he passed.” According to a GoFundMe, the Greens died within eight hours of each other."

4-Year-Old Texas Preschooler Dies of COVID Within Hours of First Symptoms

https://www.thedailybeast.com/4-yea...covid-within-hours-of-first-symptoms?ref=home

 

[bmugford]

The sad, mostly unnecessary covid death stories are going to continue for who knows how long. Best get used to it...

"A couple with seven children contracted COVID and then died on the same day—in different states. Troy and Charletta Green, both 44, of Detroit were getting ready to take a trip to Florida last month when he suddenly felt ill. According to Fox 2, Troy decided to stay home while his wife of 22 years headed out of town and developed symptoms soon after arriving. The unvaccinated spouses ended up in the ICU—Troy back in Michigan and Charletta in Florida, where her condition only worsened. “Her lungs were severely damaged and... they just couldn’t do any more for her,” sister-in-law Tiki Green said, adding that news of his wife’s deterioration sent Troy into a spiral. “He just basically couldn’t take that. He just started having chest pains and eventually a couple of hours later he passed.” According to a GoFundMe, the Greens died within eight hours of each other."

4-Year-Old Texas Preschooler Dies of COVID Within Hours of First Symptoms

https://www.thedailybeast.com/4-yea...covid-within-hours-of-first-symptoms?ref=home

Yeah, these stories are heartbreaking and avoidable.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nati...ouple-declined-covid-19-vaccine-died-orphans/

A mom of 4 who died of covid days after her husband makes one final wish: ‘Make sure my kids get vaccinated’

A few weeks ago, Lydia Rodriguez thought her body was strong enough to fight the coronavirus without the vaccine.

But after a week-long church camp, she and other members of her family tested positive for the coronavirus. By the time Rodriguez, 42, changed her mind and asked for the shot, it was too late, her doctor said. A ventilator awaited her, her cousin Dottie Jones told The Washington Post.

Out of options, the Galveston, Tex., mother of four, asked her family to make a promise: “Please make sure my kids get vaccinated,” Rodriguez, a piano teacher, told her sister during their last phone call.

Rodriguez died Monday — two weeks after her husband, Lawrence Rodriguez, 49, also died after coronavirus complications. The couple fought the virus from hospital beds just a few feet from one another in a Texas intensive care unit, Jones said.

 

[Mister Funsky]

Some of the youngest will have a better chance soon.

Pfizer and BioNTech will soon seek clearance for vaccine use in children 5 years and over.

The makers of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will soon ask regulators for clearance its use in children 5 years and over, and are getting ready to make smaller doses of the vaccine for younger children, according to one of the founders of BioNTech, the German company that developed the vaccine in partnership with Pfizer.

“We will be presenting the results from our study on five- to 11-year-olds to authorities around the world in the coming weeks,” Ozlem Tureci, the co-founder of BioNTech and its chief medical officer, told Der Spiegel, a German news site, in an interview published on Friday. She added that the company would be applying for clearance of the use of the vaccine for that age group, including in Europe.

Both the European Union and the United States cleared the Pfizer vaccine for use in children 12 and over in May. They have not cleared any coronavirus vaccines for children younger than 12.

Dr. Tureci, who founded BioNTech with her husband, Ugur Sahin, said the companies were preparing to make smaller doses of the vaccine in anticipation of clearance by authorities.

Dr. Sahin, who is BioNTech’s chief executive, urged anyone who is eligible for vaccination to get their doses before an anticipated wave of infections this fall.

“There are still about 60 days left for us as a society to avoid a tough winter,” he said.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/10/...vaccine-use-in-children-5-years-and-over.html

 

[bmugford]

Some of the youngest will have a better chance soon.

Pfizer and BioNTech will soon seek clearance for vaccine use in children 5 years and over.

The makers of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will soon ask regulators for clearance its use in children 5 years and over, and are getting ready to make smaller doses of the vaccine for younger children, according to one of the founders of BioNTech, the German company that developed the vaccine in partnership with Pfizer.

“We will be presenting the results from our study on five- to 11-year-olds to authorities around the world in the coming weeks,” Ozlem Tureci, the co-founder of BioNTech and its chief medical officer, told Der Spiegel, a German news site, in an interview published on Friday. She added that the company would be applying for clearance of the use of the vaccine for that age group, including in Europe.

Both the European Union and the United States cleared the Pfizer vaccine for use in children 12 and over in May. They have not cleared any coronavirus vaccines for children younger than 12.

Dr. Tureci, who founded BioNTech with her husband, Ugur Sahin, said the companies were preparing to make smaller doses of the vaccine in anticipation of clearance by authorities.

Dr. Sahin, who is BioNTech’s chief executive, urged anyone who is eligible for vaccination to get their doses before an anticipated wave of infections this fall.

“There are still about 60 days left for us as a society to avoid a tough winter,” he said.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/10/...vaccine-use-in-children-5-years-and-over.html

I have a 10 year old niece who is anxiously awaiting that day. She can join the rest of her family in being vaccinated.

Imagine going to court to fight wearing masks among a population that is not yet eligible to be vaccinated as COVID ravages your state (Florida).

It's absolute insanity. The minor inconvenience of wearing a mask is the greatest oppression in human history!!!

Brad

 

[Mister Funsky]

I have a 10 year old niece who is anxiously awaiting that day.

Imagine going to court to fight wearing masks among a population that is not eligible to be vaccinated yet as COVID ravages your state (Florida).

It's absolute insanity. The minor inconvenience of wearing a mask is the great oppression in human history!!!

Brad

My sister and brother are/were about 15 years older than I and between them they had 6 children...now I have 10 greats and only two are old enough to get the vaccine.

One has had several heart operations and is running on pig valves. My nieces spend most of their time trying to keep the kids away from those not wearing masks.

 

[rh2000]

Mask are next to useless. Probably do more harm than good.

Of course.

 

[bmugford]

My sister and brother are/were about 15 years older than I and between them they had 6 children...now I have 10 greats and only two are old enough to get the vaccine.

One has had several heart operations and is running on pig valves. My nieces spend most of their time trying to keep the kids away from those not wearing masks.

I know this is a crazy concept to some people, but I actually care about other people that I have never met. Some people just have this "how does this effect me" mindset.

I would rather be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

Vaccination is good for society. Vaccinations have basically saved more lives than any other innovation in modern history.

Mitigating the spread, especially when it comes to people who simply can't be vaccinated such as younger kids and/or immunocompromised, is enough reason for me to get it.

Brad

 

[bmugford]

I think the people who are still unvaccinated can be split into two groups. You have the straight up anti-vaxx. They are passionate, no matter how wrong they are. Nothing will change their minds.

Then you have the lazy-vaxx. These are the younger people who just could not be bothered getting it or think they are not at major risk. I know far more people in this group than the first one.

I think mandates will help with the second group. Introducing minor inconveniences is enough to convince some people that are not against it, but otherwise could not be bothered getting it.

Everyone else is forced to carry the dead weight of the anti-vaxxers to try and reach herd immunity without any effort from them.

Brad

 

[Cal2]

I know this is a crazy concept to some people, but I actually care about other people that I have never met.

Sign of a mature morality.

 

[bmugford]

I know the anti-vaxxers are all up in arms about vaccine requirements, but they have existed for decades. Every single state currently requires multiple vaccines. This is not some new thing.

Current vaccine requirements by state -

https://vaccines.procon.org/state-by-state-vaccinations-required-for-public-school-kindergarten/

DTaP: Diphtheria, Tetanus, & Pertussis

All 50 states and DC require the DTap vaccine (or another vaccine combination for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) for kindergarten entry.

IPV: Polio

All 50 states and DC require the IPV vaccine for kindergarten entry.

Varicella: Chickenpox

All 50 states and DC require the varicella vaccine for kindergarten entry, though some will accept proof of immunity instead of vaccination. Some states list the MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella) vaccine as appropriate.

MMR: Measles, Mumps, & Rubella

49 states and DC require the MMR vaccine for kindergarten entry. Some states list the MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella) vaccine as appropriate.

Iowa, the only state to not require the MMR vaccine, requires a measles and a rubella vaccine, but not a mumps vaccine.

HepB: Hepatitis B

44 states and DC require the Hep B vaccine for kindergarten entry. Alabama, Maine, Montana, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Vermont do not require the HepB vaccine for kindergarten entry.

HepA: Hepatitis A

17 states require the Hep A vaccine for kindergarten entry: Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia.

Hib: Haemophilus Influenza Type b

Some states require this vaccine if the child is entering kindergarten before turning 5 years old. We have included only vaccine requirements for all kindergartners. Please consult your state requirements if the child will be 4 years old when entering kindergarten.

PCV: Pneumococcal

Some states require this vaccine if the child is entering kindergarten before turning 5 years old. We have included only vaccine requirements for all kindergartners. Please consult your state requirements if the child will be 4 years old when entering kindergarten.

 

[bmugford]

As far as employer vaccine requirements go, this is one of many cases that has affirmed the rights of employers to set the conditions of employment.

No vaccine? No job! Court affirms employer’s ability to condition employment upon vaccinations

https://www.natlawreview.com/articl...ployer-s-ability-to-condition-employment-upon

On December 7, 2018, the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals held that an employee who was terminated for refusing to take a rubella vaccine was not discriminated or retaliated against, under the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended (“ADA”). See Hustvet v. Allina Health System, Case No. 17-2963.

 

[bmugford]

Even the main news outlet that is outraged over vaccine requirements!!!!

Fox News requires employees to provide vaccination status

https://thehill.com/media/568673-fox-news-requires-employees-to-provide-vaccination-status

 

[bmugford]

Some other Supreme Court rulings upholding vaccine requirements -

One particular case occurred in 1904. A Massachusetts town gave its citizens a choice: take the smallpox vaccine or pay a $5 fine. Pastor Henning Jacobson refused to pay the fine, leading to a 7-2 Supreme Court decision in 1905 in favor of the state and the validity of state-issued vaccine mandates.

Associate Justice John Marshall Harlan wrote the majority opinion, ruling that Harlan's individual freedoms, such as not taking the vaccine nor paying the required fine, do not give him a free pass to restrict the liberty of others by allowing the virus to spread.

There are manifold restraints to which every person is necessarily subject for the common good," Harlan wrote. "On any other basis, organized society could not exist with safety to its members. Society based on the rule that each one is a law unto himself would soon be confronted with disorder and anarchy."

The Supreme Court affirmed the decision in 1922, ruling it was well within the rights of public and private schools to exclude unvaccinated students. Associate Justice Louis Brandeis issued the majority ruling, citing the Jacobson decision.

"Long before this suit was instituted, Jacobson v. Massachusetts, had settled that it is within the police power of a state to provide for compulsory vaccination," Brandeis wrote.

 

[bmugford]

Amazing what a minor change can do.

In this case the extra cost for the unvaccinated was perfectly justified as well. On average the unvaccinated are racking up far higher medical bills than the vaccinated.

Delta Air Lines' $200 per month experiment for changing unvaccinated employees' minds seems to be working

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/09/unv...mployees-face-health-insurance-surcharge.html

In the two weeks since Delta Air Lines announced a $200 monthly health insurance surcharge for unvaccinated employees, 20% of Delta's unvaccinated employees have already gotten the jab, Dr. Henry Ting, Delta's chief health officer, said in an Infectious Disease Society of America briefing Thursday. "I think [that's] a huge number in terms of shifting that group that's most reluctant," he said.

The surcharge was first announced on Aug. 25, and will go into effect on Nov. 1. It's meant to help motivate people to get the Covid vaccine and "address the financial risk" that comes with choosing not to get vaccinated, Delta CEO Ed Bastian wrote in the employee memo announcing the move. The airline calculated that the average medical cost associated with a hospital stay for Covid-19 cost the company $50,000 per person.

 

[Mister Funsky]

Thanks for the informative posts @bmugford, some good information in them.

CDC: Unvaccinated people are 11 times more likely to die of COVID-19 than people who got shots

© CDC MMWR While cases ticked up among the fully vaccinated as the Delta variant spread across the US, hospitalizations and deaths did not. CDC MMWR

• A new CDC study found unvaccinated Americans were 11 times more likely to die from COVID-19.
• From April to June, they accounted for 95% of cases, 93% of hospitalizations, and 92% of deaths.
• From June to July, they accounted for 82% of cases, 86% of hospitalizations, and 84% of deaths.
• See more stories on Insider's business page.

More data released on Friday shows, once again, that unvaccinated people are far more vulnerable to infection, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19 than the fully vaccinated.

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study released on Friday afternoon tracked more than 615,000 COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths across the US from the beginning of April until the middle of July in 13 areas of the country. It is the largest study yet of post-vaccination COVID-cases, hospitalizations, and deaths since Delta emerged in the US.

Across the board, the study found that unvaccinated people made up for the bulk of all cases nationwide, even in the later part of the summer, when the Delta variant was dominant.

During the first period of the study, from April 4 to June 19, unvaccinated people accounted for 95% of cases, 93% of hospitalizations, and 92% of deaths.

Later on, from June 20 to July 17, when the more contagious Delta variant had a stronger foothold in the US, the number of breakthrough cases rose in vaccinated people. But even then, unvaccinated people accounted for 82% of cases, 86% of hospitalizations, and 84% of deaths, meaning the unvaccinated were still far more vulnerable to COVID-19.

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said during a White House COVID-19 briefing on Friday that while more vaccinated Americans were being hospitalized, that figure was nowhere near the number of unvaccinated Americans who were being hospitalized and dying from COVID-19.

In fact, over the past two months, when the Delta variant was responsible for almost every single COVID-19 case, those who were unvaccinated were nearly five times more likely to catch COVID-19, 10 times more likely to be hospitalized, and 11 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than those who were fully vaccinated.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/me...ople-who-got-shots/ar-AAOj9q3?ocid=uxbndlbing