General COVID-19 Topic

[Yukari]

Touche!

You are correct.  My bad.

With regards to vaccine, looks like the vaccine made by Moderna is entering phase 3.  Hope it works out.

While I am keeping my fingers crossed, I am a bit weary about possible mutation of COVID-19.

[Missouri Swede]

3 hours ago, Yukari said:

While I am keeping my fingers crossed, I am a bit weary about possible mutation of COVID-19.

🥱

[DaveP043]

5 hours ago, Yukari said:

While I am keeping my fingers crossed, I am a bit weary about possible mutation of COVID-19.

From what I have read, this virus has mutated a number of times already, and almost certainly will continue.  The one positive from continuing mutations is that, if I am interpreting things correctly, mutations that survive and thrive are generally less lethal but more communicable than the original.  More lethal mutations tend to kill the host before they are passed along to too many other hosts, so the strain eventually dies out.  If the effects of this particular virus become generally less severe, that seems like a positive.

[phillyk]

What happens if the coronavirus’s spikes mutate?

---

New Fred Hutch research aims to shed light on how the coronavirus evolved to easily infect human cells — and to guide efforts to stop it.

If the main point of contact with human cells stays the same, then vaccines that target that specific part of the sequence should work nearly the same no matter the mutation.  If the protein changes, then we are in trouble, but that seems highly unlikely.  It all depends on where in the chain of events, the vaccine targets. 

[iacas]

2 hours ago, DaveP043 said:

From what I have read, this virus has mutated a number of times already, and almost certainly will continue.  The one positive from continuing mutations is that, if I am interpreting things correctly, mutations that survive and thrive are generally less lethal but more communicable than the original.  More lethal mutations tend to kill the host before they are passed along to too many other hosts, so the strain eventually dies out.  If the effects of this particular virus become generally less severe, that seems like a positive.

Things with DNA want to replicate. So viruses often get weaker over time, yeah. Fewer killed hosts. Less aggressive medicine.

[Vinsk]

10 minutes ago, iacas said:

Things with DNA want to replicate. So viruses often get weaker over time, yeah. Fewer killed hosts. Less aggressive medicine.

And...good ole Covid-19 is an RNA virus...

[boogielicious]

1 hour ago, Vinsk said:

And...good ole Covid-19 is an RNA virus...

And it doesn’t even have the decency to be a true life form the bastard!

[iacas]

3 hours ago, Vinsk said:

And...good ole Covid-19 is an RNA virus...

You know what I mean. 🙂 Genetic material. 😄

[Vinsk]

11 minutes ago, iacas said:

You know what I mean. 🙂 Genetic material. 😄

Yeah I know...just thought I’d mention that before one of these Google experts chimed in...🙂

 

2 hours ago, boogielicious said:

And it doesn’t even have the decency to be a true life form the bastard!

Hell my shanks have more life form than this Lil bastard! 😁

[boogielicious]

Saw this notice at Jordan’s Furniture. I would pick different songs I think!

[Shindig]

30 minutes ago, boogielicious said:

Saw this notice at Jordan’s Furniture. I would pick different songs I think!

Most of those songs are more than 20 seconds too.  

[CarlSpackler]

This is certainly shocking.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine Tests Positive For The Coronavirus

---

DeWine was tested on Thursday as part of a protocol to meet with President Trump. He's the second governor known to have tested positive...

Spoiler

It isn't really shocking to me as one who has been arguing that masks are increasing the spread of COVID.

 

[iacas]

4 hours ago, CarlSpackler said:

It isn't really shocking to me as one who has been arguing that masks are increasing the spread of COVID.

What?

[Double Mocha Man]

6 minutes ago, iacas said:

What?

I'll second that "What?"  Based on what?

[CarlSpackler]

1 hour ago, iacas said:

What?

Below is an article published by the CDC discussing the effectiveness of stopping flu-like viruses. 

Quote

Proper use of face masks is essential because improper use might increase the risk for transmission (39). Thus, education on the proper use and disposal of used face masks, including hand hygiene, is also needed.

Nonpharmaceutical Measures for Pandemic Influenza in Nonhealthcare Settings—Personal Protective and Environmental Measures - Volume 26, Number 5—May 2020 - Emerging Infectious Diseases journal - CDC

---

There were 3 influenza pandemics in the 20th century, and there has been 1 so far in the 21st century. Local, national, and international health autho...

Hardly anyone is using a mask properly. They are constantly touching them and not washing their hands. They aren't disposing or changing them when they get saturated. Masks COULD be effective IF used properly and with social distancing. 

[CarlSpackler]

Local media is reporting that his second test is negative. Good news, but it casts a shadow of doubt over testing that is driving policy to keep businesses and schools closed. Is he positive or not?

[iacas]

Here's what I'd like to ask everyone. No commentary, really, just a question:

What has changed (weather independent, etc.) from February until today?

Here in Erie, PA and off the top of my head:

• Much more golf being played.
• Masks inside anything, and sometimes even outside.
• Restaurants are still pushing outdoor seating and limited indoors (which doesn't feel totally weird, but does a little).
• Some reduced hospitalization and/or procedures. Chiropractors, for example, are seeing fewer patients (great for me as I can get in whenever!)
• LOTS more golf being played, particularly by juniors who don't have as many things to do.
• Kids are still doing stupid things. Almost nothing has changed there.
• All the changes to education. My wife is a teacher and she's going to have like 75% more work this year — and she was NOT one of the lazy teachers. She put in a lot of time, which is actually why she'll have so much more work to do this year. It's the actually lazy teachers or those who teach the "non-essential" courses that get another several months (at a minimum) of easy work.
• Retail is down. The Millcreek Mall is a ghost town. Other places like Lowe's and Home Depot seem almost unaffected.
• Friends and others are still working from home… which honestly makes sense if it becomes permanent. I've been a big fan of working from home since I got out of college.
• Pro sports are "back". No fans but they're playing. High school sports are not. Many college sports are not.

I've run out of my self-allotted time, so that's all I've got. What has changed for you? 

[Double Mocha Man]

17 minutes ago, iacas said:

Here's what I'd like to ask everyone. No commentary, really, just a question:

What has changed (weather independent, etc.) from February until today?

Here in Erie, PA and off the top of my head:

• Much more golf being played.
• Masks inside anything, and sometimes even outside.
• Restaurants are still pushing outdoor seating and limited indoors (which doesn't feel totally weird, but does a little).
• Some reduced hospitalization and/or procedures. Chiropractors, for example, are seeing fewer patients (great for me as I can get in whenever!)
• LOTS more golf being played, particularly by juniors who don't have as many things to do.
• Kids are still doing stupid things. Almost nothing has changed there.
• All the changes to education. My wife is a teacher and she's going to have like 75% more work this year — and she was NOT one of the lazy teachers. She put in a lot of time, which is actually why she'll have so much more work to do this year. It's the actually lazy teachers or those who teach the "non-essential" courses that get another several months (at a minimum) of easy work.
• Retail is down. The Millcreek Mall is a ghost town. Other places like Lowe's and Home Depot seem almost unaffected.
• Friends and others are still working from home… which honestly makes sense if it becomes permanent. I've been a big fan of working from home since I got out of college.
• Pro sports are "back". No fans but they're playing. High school sports are not. Many college sports are not.

I've run out of my self-allotted time, so that's all I've got. What has changed for you? 

All the changes are depressing and antisocial. Can't wait for a vaccine so we can get back to near-normal.