I’m hearing Chile’s numbers have come down slightly for about two weeks. Hopefully, that is one good sign.
I heard this morning that there are new trials being conducted as to the strength of the mRA vaccines Pfizer and Moderna. So far, it seems that the vaccines are so effective that it’s looking more and more unlikely that boosters will ever be necessary. Two shots would last years of protection, maybe even a lifetime.
That’s true, but it assumes that there aren’t new variants that can evade these vaccines. Changes to the spike protein are of particular concern, as the mRNA vaccines were designed around recognizing this protein in its original form.
Moderna is working on some updated versions of the vaccine that have updated mRNA that matches the variants, probably Beta, the one first seen in Kent, UK. I’m not sure of the specifics, and in any event, it could be evolving. The virus certainly is!
They are also working on a combined vaccine that is SARS-CoV2 booster plus flu. So a two for one jab.
Pfizer is also working on a booster, but I am not familiar with the details.
The boosters will be especially helpful for people with suppressed or weakened immune systems. I read that they might be given to folks 65+.
Thank you, Amy. Macs cousin told me the same this morning when we spoke. She thought it had said the vaccine was able to morph along with the variants, but said she was paraphrasing.
Vicki, Chile’s numbers have decreased a bit. Still relatively high for a highly vaccinated population (almost all with Sinovac).
The rest of South America looks dismal, however. A holding pattern of many deaths with seemingly no end in sight.
Parts of Africa are in exponential growth territory.
Europe is seeing significant improvement in almost all countries, except the UK and Portugal. Let’s hope it stays that way.
Reporting in the U.S. has gotten spotty it’s hard to know what’s happening in states like Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and a number of others that simply don’t report on most days. Across the nation I do NOT detect upward movement in cases so far. This is good. Hospitalizations and deaths have decreased a bit more in the past 7 days. Again, good.
Globally, it appears we’re in a holding pattern of between 300,000 and 400,000 new cases every day. Deaths are around 5 to 6,000 per day. Has come down, but ever so gradually. I’m pessimistic about the global trajectory in low and middle income nations.
That is absolutely true. The information came from a ICU physician in Chili. Her husband is here (he is a US citizen) and she will be visiting soon. Let’s pray it continues in that direction
I was horribly remiss in not adding that I am not sure we can ever repay the debt of gratitude to so many front line workers worldwide. I know they do not expect it.
There are really so many unsung heroes in our world from all medical staff to researchers to educators to all school staff to front line workers from grocery store personnel to delivery folks and police and fire and so many more.
Not to mention public transportation workers. Drivers of all vehicles especially.
Very true. Thousands of front-line workers have lost their lives in the U.S., and thousands outside the U.S.
Horrifically true. And others have worked night and day for a very long time
I would also like to add that not requiring boosters should relieve those who had very uncomfortable side effects from their previous shots.
Mrs. JPD especially comes to my mind.
C-19 / 6-30 / ready.
Comments are closed.
Your no-hype southeastern New England weather blog!
I’m hearing Chile’s numbers have come down slightly for about two weeks. Hopefully, that is one good sign.
I heard this morning that there are new trials being conducted as to the strength of the mRA vaccines Pfizer and Moderna. So far, it seems that the vaccines are so effective that it’s looking more and more unlikely that boosters will ever be necessary. Two shots would last years of protection, maybe even a lifetime.
That’s true, but it assumes that there aren’t new variants that can evade these vaccines. Changes to the spike protein are of particular concern, as the mRNA vaccines were designed around recognizing this protein in its original form.
Moderna is working on some updated versions of the vaccine that have updated mRNA that matches the variants, probably Beta, the one first seen in Kent, UK. I’m not sure of the specifics, and in any event, it could be evolving. The virus certainly is!
They are also working on a combined vaccine that is SARS-CoV2 booster plus flu. So a two for one jab.
Pfizer is also working on a booster, but I am not familiar with the details.
The boosters will be especially helpful for people with suppressed or weakened immune systems. I read that they might be given to folks 65+.
Thank you, Amy. Macs cousin told me the same this morning when we spoke. She thought it had said the vaccine was able to morph along with the variants, but said she was paraphrasing.
Vicki, Chile’s numbers have decreased a bit. Still relatively high for a highly vaccinated population (almost all with Sinovac).
The rest of South America looks dismal, however. A holding pattern of many deaths with seemingly no end in sight.
Parts of Africa are in exponential growth territory.
Europe is seeing significant improvement in almost all countries, except the UK and Portugal. Let’s hope it stays that way.
Reporting in the U.S. has gotten spotty it’s hard to know what’s happening in states like Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and a number of others that simply don’t report on most days. Across the nation I do NOT detect upward movement in cases so far. This is good. Hospitalizations and deaths have decreased a bit more in the past 7 days. Again, good.
Globally, it appears we’re in a holding pattern of between 300,000 and 400,000 new cases every day. Deaths are around 5 to 6,000 per day. Has come down, but ever so gradually. I’m pessimistic about the global trajectory in low and middle income nations.
That is absolutely true. The information came from a ICU physician in Chili. Her husband is here (he is a US citizen) and she will be visiting soon. Let’s pray it continues in that direction
I was horribly remiss in not adding that I am not sure we can ever repay the debt of gratitude to so many front line workers worldwide. I know they do not expect it.
There are really so many unsung heroes in our world from all medical staff to researchers to educators to all school staff to front line workers from grocery store personnel to delivery folks and police and fire and so many more.
Not to mention public transportation workers. Drivers of all vehicles especially.
Very true. Thousands of front-line workers have lost their lives in the U.S., and thousands outside the U.S.
Horrifically true. And others have worked night and day for a very long time
I would also like to add that not requiring boosters should relieve those who had very uncomfortable side effects from their previous shots.
Mrs. JPD especially comes to my mind.
C-19 / 6-30 / ready.