Coronavirus Tidbits #121 2/14/21
Announcements:
First, there is now a Resources Page here for the most commonly asked questions I'm getting.
Happy to continue to answer your questions/concerns as best I can, so don't be shy about that.
News
Mutations
https://link.broadcaster3.
~ ~ ~
Virus variant first detected in the U.K. has been deadlier, study confirms . #COVID19 https://t.co/3glLOAgo10
— Deborah Blum (@deborahblum) February 14, 2021
Diagnostics:
still an incredible, negligent lack of rapid, accurate testing.
FDA Authorizes Use of SARS-CoV-2 Neutralization Antibody Test in Convalescent Plasma Screening
the cPass™ kit can assess both prior exposure and the presence of neutralizing antibodies in convalescent [or vaccinated] patients
~ ~ ~
Scent detection dogs can identify individuals infected w COVID-19
In a recent article in the Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, authors gathered previously published research to summarize current thinking on the feasibility and efficacy of using scent detection dogs to screen for the COVID-19 virus. The researchers report that sensitivity, specificity, and overall success rates reported by the canine scent detection studies are comparable or better than the standard RT-PCR and antigen testing procedures.
These findings indicate scent detection dogs can likely be used to effectively screen and identify individuals infected with the COVID-19 virus in hospitals, senior care facilities, schools, universities, airports, and even large public gatherings for sporting events and concerts.
“Accurate and rapid screening of individuals who may be carriers, symptomatic or asymptotic, of the COVID-19 virus will remain important for slowing and limiting the spread of infection,” said Tommy Dickey, PhD, professor, University of California, Santa Barbara. “These preliminary studies suggest the use of medical scent detection dogs offers a promising approach.”
Documented success detecting disease
Dogs can sense a broad range of molecules with extremely small concentrations: 1 part in a quadrillion compared with 1 part in 1 billion for humans. This capability is used for search and for identification of diseases with their individual chemistries and odors.
Drugs and Vaccines
AstraZeneca vax has ~75-80% against severe disease in S. African variant (B1.351)
but minimal effect in preventing mild to moderate cases. COVAX urges continued studies. [COVAX = coalition co-led by Gavi, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (
~ ~ ~
One COVID-19 Vaccine Dose Provokes Immune Response in Those Previously Infected
Israeli researchers from Bar-Ilan University and Ziv Medical Center reported preliminary evidence that people previously infected with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus responded very strongly to one dose of the Pfizer - BioNTech SE vaccine (Comirnaty), regardless of when they were infected and whether or not they had detectable antibodies against COVID-19 before receiving the vaccine.
"It also offers reassurance that not having detectable antibodies after being infected does not necessarily mean that protection following infection is lost."
immune response was similar across multi-ethnic groups--Jews, Arabs, Druze, and others.
~ ~ ~
France recommends single vaccine dose for people who have had COVID
France on Friday recommended that people who have already recovered from COVID-19 receive a single vaccine dose [not 2, because the infection acts as the first dose primer], becoming the first country to issue such advice.
They also recommended a gap of between three and six months after infection before individuals who had recovered from COVID-19 receive a jab.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-02-france-vaccine-dose-people-covid.html?
~ ~ ~
Should you mix and match COVID-19 vaccines?
With nine vaccines now showing they can powerfully prevent severe illness and death from COVID-19—and vaccines in short supply—researchers are mulling an issue that, even a few months ago, was only hypothetical: Should people mix and match vaccines that require two shots?
If some combinations work, they may provide needed flexibility whenever production of a vaccine falters, as often happens. And there’s even a chance that mixing doses of two different vaccines may boost the protection against COVID-19.
~ ~ ~
COVID Clot Prevention: Hit It Early
From A to Z, Supplements Fail for COVID-19
High-dose zinc and vitamin C (ascorbic acid) had no impact on the course of symptoms in patients with mild COVID-19, a randomized trial found.
https://www.medpagetoday.com/
~ ~ ~
Fired for using vaccine that was expiring via @NYTimes https://t.co/9aC2IApfi8
— Peggy Stuart, Pragmatic Progressive (@PeggyStuart) February 11, 2021
Devices:
Millions of counterfeit N95 face masks sold to Americans
Sales of foreign-made counterfeit N95 face masks in at least five states are being investigated by U.S. officials.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-02-millions-counterfeit-n95-masks-sold.html?
Epidemiology/Infection control:
Biden is tapping the nation’s public health service officers to run vaccination sites. But many haven’t been able to get shots of their own.https://t.co/OXTWTqtgTv by @ddiamond
— LenaSun (@bylenasun) February 13, 2021
~ ~ ~
CDC: Fully vaccinated people do not have to quarantine after COVID-19 exposure...BUT
[and most people probably don't go beyond the headline] This ONLY APPLIES IF they meet these criteria:
- Are at least 2 weeks after their 2nd vaccine dose
- Got the 2nd dose of vaccine within the past 3 months
- Are asymptomatic
~ ~ ~
COVID-19 Death Rate at Veterans Admin Nursing Homes Is 13 Times Lower
Roughly one-third of the 1.4 million Americans living in a nursing home tested positive for COVID-19 in 2020, and the death rate was 6.5%, according to data published by AARP.
If you're in a nursing home operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, data shows you're about half as likely to contract COVID-19 as you are in a non-VA senior living facility, and 13 times less likely to die from the disease.
~ ~ ~
A teacher posted this. It’s a room w/ COVID accommodations for 28 students. Watch what the student’s experience when the teacher sits in a student’s seat. When bureaucrats make decisions without stakeholders they miss the mark.
— KatBrezler (@KatBrezler) February 12, 2021
Can’t put students first if you put teachers last! https://t.co/08VVHDfcNL pic.twitter.com/COnWxKVidX
New CDC guidelines on schools also only give lip service to ventilation, too--Open windows and doors if possible...
The new guidance was detailed in a 38-page report
~ ~ ~
Part of the CDC's schools guidance uses indicators and thresholds for community transmission to divide counties into 4 zones: Blue, Yellow, Orange and Red. Just 2 counties (0.06%) are in the "blue" zone.
— Benjy Renton (@bhrenton) February 12, 2021
Yellow - 148 (4.7%)
Orange - 391 (12.5%)
Red - 2599 (82.8%) pic.twitter.com/7jFmpAMm9j
~ ~ ~
It’s time to target variant hotspots. It would also help the rest of the country gain time while we rush to vaccinate. “Ring vaccination” type surge of vaccines, more strict measures, distributing higher-filtration masks. With exponential threats, even a week’s delay counts. https://t.co/UADSBJ4lpV
— zeynep tufekci (@zeynep) February 11, 2021
Tips, general reading for public:
StayAtHome
Wash your hands.
Rinse and repeat.
Tip for Tear Gas, going to protests, from a woman and journalist who lost an eye from police
I wear a pair of granny panties one size too small
— Linda Tirado (@KillerMartinis) February 12, 2021
Under that I’ve a “heavy flow” pad
Over that I wear a pair of cotton panties one size too large
This is specifically because I don’t want the chemical irritants banned by the Geneva conventions to reach the inside of my labia https://t.co/X4oaCWSJvb
Politics:
Jamie Raskin brings up a Voltaire quote that we probably should have heard a lot more the last four years:
— Matt Fuller (@MEPFuller) February 11, 2021
"Anyone who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities."
~ ~ ~
New: updated @HuffPost tally finds 57 state & local GOP officials at Jan. 6 rally that turned into the insurrection, most of whom are now resisting calls to resign.
— Christopher Mathias (@letsgomathias) February 13, 2021
- only 2 have resigned
- 4 were arrested
- 20 falsely blamed “antifa” for violence https://t.co/7tkVl8m5aq
~ ~ ~
As a public defender, I couldn't even use the same bathroom as jurors during a trial. https://t.co/WvdjD2YM6d
— Eliza Orlins (@elizaorlins) February 12, 2021
~ ~ ~
Pharma money helped fuel a toxic political atmosphere in the U.S.
"During the previous two election cycles, the industry donated more than $2.4 million to the Republican Attorneys General Association, which made campaign contributions to the Texas attorney general who filed a lawsuit challenging results from the presidential election in several states. The association also funded attorneys general from 11 other states who supported the effort.
For good legal reasons, the suit never stood a chance, yet the attorneys general persisted. But in doing so, they unnecessarily contributed to a toxic climate in which political divisions are worsening across the U.S. and were on troubling display at the Jan. 6 insurrection in Washington, D.C.
https://www.statnews.com/2021/02/12/trump-campaign-contributions-pharma/?
~ ~ ~
Two seconds on google: https://t.co/JXUMXuVEUe pic.twitter.com/FZ2qzPEVkM
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) February 14, 2021
~ ~ ~
— Glenn Kirschner (@glennkirschner2) February 13, 2021
~ ~ ~
Feel good du jour:
Lovely story:
So, a funny story: my mother (hi mom!) got her vaccination appointment through a friend of a friend's grandson, age 13. I thought it was so striking I wrote a story about it, and the Washington Post just published it!https://t.co/Mo0Peu53Q2
— Greg Harris (@storyplace) February 12, 2021
~ ~ ~
Pretty amazing young woman, Vitória Bueno. https://t.co/hM4ubIUxtn
— Judy Stone (@DrJudyStone) February 13, 2021
~ ~ ~
Reporter: What inspired you to organize this Valentine's Day art installation at the White House?
— NBC News (@NBCNews) February 12, 2021
First Lady Dr. Jill Biden: "I just wanted some joy ... With the pandemic, just everybody's feeling a little down. So, it's just a little joy. A little hope. That's all." pic.twitter.com/FuZ9yd7WUU
Comic relief:
How it started. How it's going. pic.twitter.com/zEpzRUfLFo
— Kim Moir (@kmoir) February 10, 2021
~ ~ ~
A lawyer using Zoom had to let a judge know that he wasn’t a cat after inadvertently activating a face filter pic.twitter.com/vChc14mjM1
— Mikael Thalen (@MikaelThalen) February 9, 2021
Perspective/Poem
I also thought about the mother who gave her kids' school a different address so they could attend the better school and then went to jail.
— Lana (@lana_marie78) February 12, 2021
~ ~ ~
https://twitter.com/onisillos/status/1360488007917305857?s=20
Bits of beauty:
Redwoods,Sequoia National Park
— Nature is Amazing ❤️ (@amazing_nature0) February 13, 2021
Strong sunlight after snow caused the trees to start steaming. An unexpected and magical moment. pic.twitter.com/UP8EIvYL8f
~ ~ ~
One Comment
Connie
Awesome! Many thanks again for truth, beauty and humor in your compilations!..always a pleasure to read.