COVID-19 News and Discussions

[Ken_J]

https://news.yahoo.com/florida-school-s ... 22021.html

A Florida school says vaccinated students must stay home for 30 days after each shot, citing a false claim that they'll infect others

[raklian]

https://news.yahoo.com/florida-school-s ... 22021.html

A Florida school says vaccinated students must stay home for 30 days after each shot, citing a false claim that they'll infect others

Insane.

[wjfox]

[weatheriscool]

Covid-19: New mutation of Delta variant under close watch in UK
Source: BBC

Officials are keeping a close watch on a new descendant of the Delta variant of Covid that is causing a growing number of infections. Delta is the UK's dominant variant, but latest official data suggests 6% of Covid cases that have been genetically sequenced are of a new type. AY.4.2, which some are calling "Delta Plus", contains mutations that might give the virus survival advantages. Tests are under way to understand how much of a threat it may pose. Experts say it is unlikely to take off in a big way or escape current vaccines.

It is not yet considered a variant of concern, or a variant under investigation - the categories assigned to variants and the level of risk associated with them.

What is AY.4.2?

There are thousands of different types - or variants - of Covid circulating across the world. Viruses mutate all the time, so it is not surprising to see new versions emerge. Original Delta was classified as a variant of concern in the UK in May 2021 after overtaking the Alpha variant to become the dominant type of Covid in circulation. But in July 2021 experts identified AY.4.2. This offshoot or sublineage of Delta has been increasing slowly since then. It includes some new mutations affecting the spike protein, which the virus uses to penetrate our cells.

So far, there is no indication that it is considerably more transmissible as a result of these changes, but it is something experts are studying. The mutations - Y145H and A222V - have been found in various other coronavirus lineages since the beginning of the pandemic.

Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/health-58965650

[caltrek]

It is not constructive or useful to the species to turn this into a ****flinging contest between apologism for a given person's favorite imperialist country, whether that country be the People's Republic of China or the United States. And pushing the lab "hypothesis" is very much part of that ****flinging because it only serves as rhetorical deflection.

@Erowind,

I just thought that I would pass along to you that I recently entered into an argument with one of my Facebook "friends" on this topic. As sure as night follows day my friend was pushing the "lab hypothesis."

Your post, especially the thought I have cited above, was helpful to me in formulating my counter-argument. Thanks!

[erowind]

.

[wjfox]

[wjfox]

[wjfox]

[wjfox]

[caltrek]

New Zealand Sets 90% Vaccination Target to End Lockdowns
by Nick Perry
October 21, 2021

https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory ... s-80718292

Introduction:

(ABC) WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- New Zealand's government on Friday set an ambitious target of fully vaccinating 90% of all eligible people to end coronavirus lockdowns.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had been under pressure to provide a pathway to freedom for people living in Auckland, who have been in lockdown for more than two months.

Under the new framework, people living in the largest city will regain many of their freedoms once 90% of people 12 and older across each of three districts are fully vaccinated.

Other parts of the country without community spread of the virus will gain even broader freedoms once they hit the 90% target. However, people will be required to use new vaccine certificates to visit places like bars, restaurants and gyms.

The government also promised more money to help businesses struggling under the lockdown restrictions and to boost vaccinations among Indigenous Maori, whose rates have been lagging.

[andmar74]

[wjfox]

[raklian]

Which in turn will spur them to dig deeper thinking the whole world is out to get them and that it's the reason they're in this predicament.

I don't think they have the self-awareness needed to realize they'll be better off if they look at this differently. They're too far in the rabbit hole already.

[wjfox]

Ron DeSantis Planning $5K Bonus for Unvaccinated Police to Relocate to Florida

By Fatma Khaled On 10/24/21 at 12:59 PM EDT

Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said on Sunday that he is hoping to sign legislation that would give unvaccinated police officers a $5,000 bonus to relocate to his state.

DeSantis commented about police officers in other states who are losing their jobs because they are not complying with the COVID vaccine mandate.

"On a scientific basis, most of those first responders have had COVID and have recovered. So they have strong protection and so I think that influences their decision," he said during an appearance on Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures program.

"In Florida, not only are we going to want to protect the law enforcement and all the jobs, we're actually actively working to recruit out of state law enforcement because we do have needs in our police and our sheriff's departments," he added.

https://www.newsweek.com/ron-desantis-p ... da-1642018

[Xyls]

I think this was missed a few days ago but:

Russia’s population undergoes largest ever peacetime decline, analysis shows

Analysis finds natural population fell by 997,000 between October 2020 and September 2021 – with Covid cited as principal cause

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/ ... me-decline

This is an enormous loss of people and it is getting worse with delta. If Russia doesn't turn this around it may lose close to 2 million people by the time this is all over, assuming the death rate from COVID is around the 2% mark.

[weatheriscool]

Moderna says COVID-19 vaccine safe, effective in kids 6 to 11
Source: The Hill

Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine generated a strong immune response in children and was generally well-tolerated, the company announced Monday.

In its study, Moderna determined that children aged 6 to 11 years old, who were vaccinated with two 50 microgram doses, had 1.5 times higher antibody levels than those observed among vaccinated young adults.

The dosage used for the children is half of the 100 micrograms used for the initial two adult shots, but the same amount authorized for the booster shot.

With the vaccine, these children showed a "robust neutralizing antibody response" and a "favorable safety profile" consistent with adolescent and adult response, the company noted.

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics ... li=BBnbfcQ

[weatheriscool]

FDA panel recommends Pfizer's low-dose Covid vaccine for kids ages 5 to 11
Source: CNBC

A key Food and Drug Administration advisory committee on Tuesday recommended a lower dose of Pfizer and BioNTech's Covid-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11, a critical step in getting some 28 million more kids in the U.S. protected against the virus as the delta variant spreads. The endorsement - by the agency's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee - will now be considered by the FDA, which could issue a final decision within days.

The agency doesn't always follow the advice of its independent committee, but it often does. Next week, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccine advisory group is expected to make its own recommendation. If it issues an endorsement and CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky signs off, shots for young kids could begin immediately.

The Biden administration said it plans to distribute the doses as soon as it's authorized by the FDA and CDC, which is expected to come early next month. The administration said it's procured enough vaccine to inoculate all 28 million 5- to 11-year-olds in the U.S., and will distribute it in smaller dosing and with smaller needles to make it easier for pediatricians and pharmacists to administer to kids.

Many parents say they are anxiously awaiting the vaccine's authorization with schools now open across the U.S. and the delta variant driving a surge in children's cases. Children ages 5 to 11 account for roughly 9% of all reported Covid cases in the U.S., according to data presented to the committee by the FDA on Tuesday. The number of new Covid cases in kids remains exceptionally high, with more than 1.1 million child cases added over the past six weeks, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/26/fda-pan ... to-11.html

[wjfox]

[raklian]