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/

 

[.X.]

I'm not a fan of any vaccines, 'old school' nor mnra. I took the jab, but I won't take another...one bad apple spoiled the bunch. That said, the doctor who vaccinated my little girl did lose his license for malpractice, but not until after hurting several children, my own blood included.

My eldest, I vaccinated (homeopathically), since proof of vaccine is a prerequisite for school attendance.

That is terrible!! Sorry to hear that . I took flu vaccines for years , i am far from a anti vax person , the Covid - 19 was a complete different circumstance in me choosing not to take it , MRNA played a role in my decision. I just did not feel that a long enough testing period was performed . Age groups tend to be a matter with side effects as well , the testing period just didn’t feel sufficient to me. I think each individual person should do what they think is best for them regarding covid 19 vaccines .

 

[Cannuck]

I'm sorry to hear about those bad experiences. A bad experience with a vaccination can be difficult to overcome. How do you trust what a government is recommending after going through those things.

How is your little girl doing now?

She had been blessed with extraordinary abilities, had a few years in recovery, she appears to be normal now, but the trypanophobia persists (fear of needles). I can't say as I blame her. I don't put all my faith in modern medicine, though I do appreciate what they do, particularly first responders and EMERG. They're generally very good at what they do. My eldest just enrolled in medical school and her spouse is a doctor.

 

[tonyk2000]

Australian government cares about you!

 

[.X.]

I am glad to hear your own blood made a full recovery @Cannuck

I really appreciate doctors , EMTs , they do what they can do , the body has to heal itself , the mind and brain as well , I have used homeopathic medicines all my life , much due to the native Americans and how much interaction I have had with them through out my lifetime , the boiled acorn thick black salve is outstanding , I have used since childhood on bee stings , all bug and spider bites , it is awesome drawing salve for boils and such , I have learned so much from the Choctaw and Tahlequah Cherokee nation , I am friends with the Chickasaw as well .. it has been my pleasure and a huge blessing to have been , and currently be accepted by them and be able to actually go inside the Nations as opposed to just having to stay in the tourist section of the Nations .. everyone on this earth should experience a true True Pow WoW once in their life , the fellowship and fun is like no other .

I would encourage everyone to look into Native American Homeopathic medicines. All are natural plant , and some vegetable , but you must know how to prepare them correctly .

They work , from a common cold, Flu , allergies , cuts , wounds , burns . Itching . And much much more

So all of my life I have used the remedies , I know when to go to a doctor and get an antibiotic for infection and things that go beyond the Tribal medicines , which isn’t very often , but of course happens.

But I never go to any drug store for the issues above , no need to buy the drugstore generic chemical medicines .

God Bless you and your family

 

[Cal2]

It'll be interesting to see where this goes:

Omicron-specific boosters fail to show benefit over original shots, study finds​

The newest omicron COVID-19 booster shots from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech do not increase neutralizing antibodies, proteins produced in the body that help prevent infection, against omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 compared to four of the original COVID-19 shots, according to a small-scale independent study.

Researchers at Columbia University and the University of Michigan found that the omicron booster did not induce more antibodies among 21 people who had received three shots with the original formula and a fourth shot of Moderna’s or Pfizer-BioNTech’s omicron booster compared to 19 people who had received four shots targeting the original strain. .......

While researchers noted that further follow-up studies were needed, the results are some of the first tracking how the omicron booster stands against previous ones. It also starkly differs from early data released by vaccine manufacturers Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna earlier this month from clinical trials. Pfizer-BioNTech said that their omicron booster showed a “substantial increase” in antibody levels compared to pre-booster levels.

Moderna also said early data from clinical trials indicated that the omicron booster had a “superior immune response.”

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/health/me...pc=U531&cvid=af85599e3d6240559c983f648fb9f1b4

 

[.X.]

It'll be interesting to see where this goes:

Omicron-specific boosters fail to show benefit over original shots, study finds​

The newest omicron COVID-19 booster shots from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech do not increase neutralizing antibodies, proteins produced in the body that help prevent infection, against omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 compared to four of the original COVID-19 shots, according to a small-scale independent study.

Researchers at Columbia University and the University of Michigan found that the omicron booster did not induce more antibodies among 21 people who had received three shots with the original formula and a fourth shot of Moderna’s or Pfizer-BioNTech’s omicron booster compared to 19 people who had received four shots targeting the original strain. .......

While researchers noted that further follow-up studies were needed, the results are some of the first tracking how the omicron booster stands against previous ones. It also starkly differs from early data released by vaccine manufacturers Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna earlier this month from clinical trials. Pfizer-BioNTech said that their omicron booster showed a “substantial increase” in antibody levels compared to pre-booster levels.

Moderna also said early data from clinical trials indicated that the omicron booster had a “superior immune response.”

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/health/me...pc=U531&cvid=af85599e3d6240559c983f648fb9f1b4

Once again , I think they are moving far to fast with the vaccines , I know they feel time is of the essence , but getting it even half wrong could be just as bad of an outcome . More data is always better data .IMO

 

[Cannuck]

Australian government cares about you!

First Nations were first in line to receive mrna vaccines in Canada. That can be viewed both ways I guess.

 

[Cannuck]

I am glad to hear your own blood made a full recovery @Cannuck. I would encourage everyone to look into Native American Homeopathic medicines. All are natural plant , and some vegetable , but you must know how to prepare them correctly .

This fact cannot be understated. There are potential side-effects to any remedy if not properly prepared, as was the case with my daughter.

I believe there are remedies for any and all ailments on Earth, from the earth. The difficulty is mass production and distribution. Generally, people have dismissed the old ways, are too busy in daily lives and/or distracted to venture outside their comfort zone. Fear is a great motivator, education is the key to understanding and acceptance of the unknown, IMO.

Just as I do not know how to synthesize an mrna vaccine, the correct application of traditional medicine goes far beyond my understanding. We here deal in words...if the power of the Word can exorcize demons, is it so inconceivable that combined with the healing power of nature, there is a cure?

 

[LoveCatchyDomains]

She had been blessed with extraordinary abilities, had a few years in recovery, she appears to be normal now, but the trypanophobia persists (fear of needles). I can't say as I blame her. I don't put all my faith in modern medicine, though I do appreciate what they do, particularly first responders and EMERG. They're generally very good at what they do. My eldest just enrolled in medical school and her spouse is a doctor.

Thanks heavens for your daughter's recovery and your other daughter's blessings. And thank you for sharing your story and your uplifting update.
Your daughter in medical school will no doubt help share a very needed perspective there. Doctors aren't perfect, sometimes bad things happen that shouldn't, and the result can be someone determined to make sure the medical world does a better job.

 

[koolishman]

If you had COVID, several of your organs could be aging 3-4 years faster: Study​

After over two and a half years of COVID research, scientists are seeing the first data points that prove a dramatic change in human organs after a COVID infection.

"You can start thinking about getting COVID as almost as an accelerant to aging. The viral infection accelerates the aging process in people," said Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, director of the Clinical Epidemiology Center at Washington University in St. Louis and the chief of research and education service at Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care System.

All pointing to multiple human organs aging faster after COVID. The majority happening among people who were hospitalized but also some with mild COVID symptoms.

 

[Cal2]

Once again , I think they are moving far to fast with the vaccines , I know they feel time is of the essence , but getting it even half wrong could be just as bad of an outcome . More data is always better data .IMO

Some food for thought:

The Pandemic Uncovered Ways to Speed Up Science​

There doesn't have to be a trade-off between good research and fast research.

https://www.wired.com/story/covid-19-open-science-public-health-data/

 

[Cal2]

This fact cannot be understated. There are potential side-effects to any remedy if not properly prepared, as was the case with my daughter.

I believe there are remedies for any and all ailments on Earth, from the earth. The difficulty is mass production and distribution.

Mass customization of medication also an issue, imo.

3D Printing as a Promising Tool in Personalized Medicine​

https://link.springer.com/article/1...applications,tailored as per individual needs.

 

[.X.]

This fact cannot be understated. There are potential side-effects to any remedy if not properly prepared, as was the case with my daughter.

I believe there are remedies for any and all ailments on Earth, from the earth. The difficulty is mass production and distribution. Generally, people have dismissed the old ways, are too busy in daily lives and/or distracted to venture outside their comfort zone. Fear is a great motivator, education is the key to understanding and acceptance of the unknown, IMO.

Just as I do not know how to synthesize an mrna vaccine, the correct application of traditional medicine goes far beyond my understanding. We here deal in words...if the power of the Word can exorcize demons, is it so inconceivable that combined with the healing power of nature, there is a cure?

I have relied on Nature remedies most all of my life , so Natural Nature remedies is my personal comfort zone , of course we need vaccines and medications , but they have to tested correctly and dispensed responsibly by heath care providers .. we don’t know better , we rely on the doctor to know better . The problem today is , I see quite a bit of medicines advertised that the side effects may be worse than the actual medical condition .. Those are things that each individual has to weigh and make a decision what they feel is best for themself .

 

[koolishman]

With shots and infections, the most common COVID symptoms have shifted​

According to the new survey data taken over several recent weeks amid the spread of omicron subvariants, for those who are fully vaccinated, the top five symptoms of a breakthrough infection are (in order): sore throat, runny nose, blocked nose, persistent cough, and headache. Only persistent cough hangs on from the original list of top symptoms, but it is down to the fourth most common symptom. A loss of smell came in as the sixth most common symptom, and fever trailed at number eight. Shortness of breath ranked 29th.

 

[LoveCatchyDomains]

With shots and infections, the most common COVID symptoms have shifted​

According to the new survey data taken over several recent weeks amid the spread of omicron subvariants, for those who are fully vaccinated, the top five symptoms of a breakthrough infection are (in order): sore throat, runny nose, blocked nose, persistent cough, and headache.

So, according to this study, the fully vaccinated may tend to simply get symptoms similar to the common cold. That's reassuring news. Thanks for posting it.

 

[Cannuck]

Fear is a great motivator, education is the key to understanding and acceptance of the unknown, IMO.

To clarify, I am neither pro-vax, nor anti-vax. The decision is a personal one under individual circumstances, uncertainty and the evidence provided. I/we owe a debt of gratitude for the many contributors in this thread who provided insight from numerous sources, providing evidence (from sources we hold trustworthy) in order to better understand the nature of Covid-19, so that one might better make an informed personal decision on vaccination or otherwise, particularly during the early days of the pandemic when the data was least understood.

Just as I do not know how to synthesize an mrna vaccine, the correct application of traditional medicine goes far beyond my understanding.

In modern society, we place faith in the medical profession, as their Hippocratic Oath states, "First, do no harm". - Hippocrates

That shield of protection, IMO has been politicized, monitized and waiverized by governments and corporate lobbyists on many levels in all countries around the globe. We've experienced shut-downs, lock-downs, disinfranchisement, mania, disinformation and division in one form or another, and yet we are still in the wake of a global pandemic. It is difficult, if not near impossible for any one individual to ascertain the absolute truth of the matter. I venture to ask, who can we trust?

To clarify this comment, "Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, 'Physician, heal thyself'". - Jesus

Furthermore, many healthcare workers have contracted coronavirus, as often medical facilities do not tell their employees how many colleagues or staff have tested positive.

According to this analysis, an estimate of around 168K, a figure that is more than 18 times higher than the CDC's last figure.

 

[LoveCatchyDomains]

I venture to ask, who can we trust?

Hopefully, you can trust your doctor or nurse practitioner proving your healthcare. If not, find one you feel you can trust.

Furthermore, many healthcare workers have contracted coronavirus, as often medical facilities do not tell their employees how many colleagues or staff have tested positive.

In the U.S., that would be extremely unlikely to happen nowadays---and, if it did, it would be a major issue with multiple regulators. So, if it did happen at a facility, corrections would likely be implemented quickly to prevent any recurrence.
Do you know where this issue occurred? What country? Or perhaps are you referring to the problems at the beginning of the pandemic, where there were delays in processing tests?

 

[Cannuck]

Hopefully, you can trust your doctor or nurse practitioner proving your healthcare. If not, find one you feel you can trust.

There are very few doctors in the north so I look at the scientific data, self-educating on contraindictions before I make the personal decision to subject my body to drugs, mrna vaccines or take any prescription. Most doctors and nurse practioners I generally trust to be professional.

In the U.S., that would be extremely unlikely to happen nowadays---and, if it did, it would be a major issue with multiple regulators. So, if it did happen at a facility, corrections would likely be implemented quickly to prevent any recurrence.
Do you know where this issue occurred? What country? Or perhaps are you referring to the problems at the beginning of the pandemic, where there were delays in processing tests?

According to this analysis, an estimate of around 168K, a figure that is more than 18 times higher than the CDC's last figure.

CDC is one of the major operating components of the Department of Health and Human Services based out of Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

The link provided is the most recent data I could find (Updated/Verified: Aug 5, 2022), which represents Registered Nurses from ten states:

https://www.registerednursing.org/a...care-worker-covid19-cases-likely-understated/

 

[LoveCatchyDomains]

https://www.registerednursing.org/a...care-worker-covid19-cases-likely-understated/

Sorry for the confusion here, but this article is discussing the reporting to the CDC, not employees not being directly informed about testing positive for Covid19. I'm sure the Registered Nurses would be up in arms if they weren't directly being informed about positive tests.
As of January 1, 2022, electronic case reporting for Covid is now mandatory for certain hospitals, so perhaps the stats will become more accurate. CDC Electronic Case Reporting

 

[Cannuck]

Sorry for the confusion here, but this article is discussing the reporting to the CDC, not employees not being directly informed about testing positive for Covid19. I'm sure the Registered Nurses would be up in arms if they weren't directly being informed about positive tests.

I didn't say the nurses were not informed about positive tests, rather the information about their colleagues being infected are understated.

My point is, who to trust and are stats released to the public accurate? The article clearly states...

If the statistics are not being accurately reported to CDC, then it follows logic that the hospitals are not giving front line workers accurate information either. If front line workers are not being informed, then it follows logic, the public isn't either.

As of January 1, 2022, electronic case reporting for Covid is now mandatory for certain hospitals, so perhaps the stats will become more accurate. CDC Electronic Case Reporting

Why did it take three years to improve the reporting process? IIRC, there was alot of backlash from conspiracy theorists that Covid numbers were being inflated. It appears to me there is a conflict of interest here.

 

[.X.]

Doctors “Practice” medicine , when you young folks get older , you will understand that , “Practice” Scientist somewhat the same in many aspects , they obviously aren’t able to get the side effects out of medications , that is why medication commercials last so long, the list of side effects and possible side effects takes up a full 60 seconds to release them all. It’s an imperfect world , and meant to be that way , the person you can trust most , that regarding most anything, Is Yourself . And what your personal feelings are pertaining to vaccines and medications that are prescribed for you.

 

[LoveCatchyDomains]

Why did it take three years to improve the reporting process? IIRC, there was alot of backlash from conspiracy theorists that Covid numbers were being inflated. It appears to me there is a conflict of interest here.

Improving the reporting process takes time in the U.S., for many reasons.

Unlike countries with national health services, each state in the U.S. chooses their own computerized health systems for public health. Then, hospitals and clinics have their own choices of electronic medical records (EMRs). Even the federal health care systems, such as the military or the VA, have different EMRs.

There have been gradual efforts to standardize the transfer of health information with HL7, but the process has been challenging technically. Added to that are strong standards for privacy, under the HIPAA regulations (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). Protecting the privacy of the individual has been considered paramount, so reporting data may need to be "scrubbed" to maintain appropriate confidentiality of individual cases. No doubt, many discussions went on to decide to what degree the individual information should be anonymized.

Finally, for this to be done at a national level, government contracts have to be bid upon, further planning done, and then thorough testing before the system is implemented. That is a very challenging task.

Could the numbers have been inflated? Perhaps, as the data in the beginning may not have been clearly screened for unrelated causes of death along with positive tests. That's unclear, but what is clear now is that there is a strong attempt to facilitate accurate data integration at the federal, state, and local levels.

So, hopefully, from now on, there will be more accurate and timely data.

 

[Cannuck]

Unlike counties with national health services, each state chooses their own computerized health systems for public health. Then, hospitals and clinics have their own choices of electronic medical records (EMRs) . Even the federal health care systems, such a the military or the VA, have different EMRs.

The medical system in the States is different than in Canada. Case information is provided to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) by health authorities in each of the provinces and territories. Epidemiology data is updated weekly and published on their website for both public and hospital use, correlated nationally. Data collection in the north is less frequent, therefore one has to rely on one's own resources as @.X. suggests.

https://health-infobase.canada.ca/covid-19/

https://health-infobase.canada.ca/covid-19/#a6

 

[LoveCatchyDomains]

The medical system in the States is different than in Canada. Case information is provided to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) by health authorities in each of the provinces and territories. Epidemiology data is updated weekly and published on their website for both public and hospital use, correlated nationally. Data collection in the north is less frequent, therefore one has to rely on one's own resources as @.X. suggests.

https://health-infobase.canada.ca/covid-19/

https://health-infobase.canada.ca/covid-19/#a6

Nice statistics layout. I'm sorry to see that Prince Edward Island is really getting hammered hard.

 

[Cannuck]

Nice statistics layout.

The infographics provided for public awareness in Canada are actually compiled in amazing detail if you do a deep dive. That's tax payer money at work. What I found most painful was, that female front-line essential workers had higher incidence of suicide and suicide ideation than other groups, reasons likely due to stress, exhaustion and feeling of being overwhelmed during the pandemic.