35 thoughts on “C-19 Chat Post – September 1 2021”
This is the DESE approved remote. It has quietly existed since the no remote option was put into place. Applications had to be submitted months ago. Also, it seems DESE has quietly decided to approve a remote option in instances where too many absences would be recorded due to quarantine.
Vicki, you’re indirectly pointing to a potentially big problem this fall: Absences due to quarantine. This will not only be a school issue. We’re seeing it in professional sports, and the problem will grow over time. And, I think until we have a much higher vaccination rate – even in Massachusetts – this will be an issue. People often forget that quarantine is not about the person quarantining so much as it’s about who that person might infect: The unvaccinated janitor, Grandpa at the nursing home (who was vaccinated in January, but whose immunity is waning), and immunocompromised teacher, etc …
This has been my issue for months. We absolutely should have spent the time working out bugs from remote last year even with full in person as the goal. Another absolute is that at no time should school have only one option. Yes, most want their kids in school. However, many, many individuals have very legitimate reasons for remaining remote.
The main priority of any school organization such as DESE is supposed to be what is in the best interest of all its students….not just a section of them.
The reasoning for suddenly and quietly allowing some remote is blatantly obvious and sadly has nothing to do with the best interest of anyone in school.
It is a new month. I thought I had so many a month. Darn.
And this, folks, is a problem the U.S. government at the state and federal levels is mostly ignoring: Children with long Covid. This is an insidious virus. Its effects should not only be measured in terms of hospitalizations and deaths. https://twitter.com/EricTopol/status/1433059147138748419/photo/1
It is increasingly more difficult for me to understand what the heck we are thinking
As an update: Finally got my rx for a cpap machine. My main motivation was *going* to be securing one… but then air started leaking from one of my tires. Had to call AAA. This is what I see when he puts on the spare tire https://ibb.co/Tw6DZnF
My mechanic took in the car and after inspection said it was both rear tires not just that wrong and a systemic issue with the alignment and parts in the alignment. A $1,600 bill later and my priority shifts to paying that off before I can even consider hunting down a new cpap machine. Life keeps giving me lemons, one day I will make lemonade.
Oh my God. I’m sending all the positive thoughts I have that you make gallons of lemonade VERY quickly
Thank you!
On a very positive school note. Both my girls are home schooling. Both school systems have had multiple teachers reach out to them this week offering complete support. Any child with an IEP continues to be eligible for services. In every single case (four children) every educator who called repeatedly commented on how far all grandkids had come last year compared to their in-school years. That of course is due to the tremendous effort the school system…top down….put into making remote successful.
The same message also came from both of the superintendents. My daughters and my grandkids are certainly blessed to have these amazing teachers and staff not only support but go the extra mile for what has been a very difficult decision.
I received my booster #3 of the Pfizer vaccination today. All I can do now is see how the next 24 hours goes. The nurse told me that if I experience any problems to take some Tylenol. I had no real issues with my first two doses.
On the CDC vaccination record card there are 4 slots.
1. 1st dose COVID-19
2. 2nd dose COVID-19
3. Other
4. Other (booster #4 perhaps?)
Interesting re 4 shots. Hope you can just veg foe rest of the day and that all is well
Yes, I have tomorrow off.
Perfect.
Dr. S, thinking positive thoughts for you. Hope it works.
Philip, congratulations on becoming the 1st person at WHW to get a booster (am I missing someone? – perhaps TK?).
Vicki, glad your family is able to do what’s most optimal for you, in terms of schooling.
By the way, sometimes if you use a different browser – Firefox, for example – you can access more free articles. I wish it wasn’t so difficult. Since the change, Forbes has earned more – with more paid subscriptions – but I have not. It’s still a measly amount; averages around $75 an article. Each article takes about 5 or 6 hours of my time, so the math will tell you that this is a paltry sum. It is, however, good exposure, that sometimes leads to projects.
I use Firefox for my PC….safari for devices which I’m on most often.
I will try booting up PC. I just paid $279 for an inhaler so am interested in your article
Thanks!
While we may have peaked at the end of last week in terms of cases and hospitalizations, it’s not been ascertained. All we do know is that the entire nation is red (has never occurred throughout the entire pandemic, until now): https://twitter.com/syramadad/status/1433140144513630212/photo/1
I guess we can kiss herd immunity goodbye. That was mankind’s only hope. 🙁
I am interested in Joshuas view. I was always surprised at the belief we could reach herd immunity. We didn’t know for 1918 other than some vaccine herd immunity and won’t for flu. Unlike polio and smallpox and mumps, etc, they mutate.
I’m most interested in joshua’s view on us all being infected. How many times since we can be reinfected.
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: the hyperbole that covid is an extinction level event is folly. It is not. The idea we would have herd immunity was out the window on day one. Just like it was out the window for the spanish flu. This isn’t like small pox — small pox is an outlier as it is the only human disease to be eradicated. Everything else we’ve had to live with varying levels of. Just like everyone will have to deal with getting the flu a few times in their life they will have to deal with getting covid a few times. There will be some who are fortunate and don’t get it. And most intelligent people who are vaccinated who get it will just be annoyed by having to take some medications for symptoms. But that will by and large be the end if it. Covid will die down in notoriety as the numbers die down but we will still live with it. Consider this: 1 billion people get the flu each year. There are 3-5 million severe cases each year. 290-650k a year die from the flu. We still truck on. This too shall “pass” but not in a herd immunity type of way we all had a fantasy for because anti-masking and anti-vaxxing has been a thing of life for over 200 years. Food for thought.
You, sir, echo thoughts perfectly
I had hoped for herd immunity, but I no longer do.
Reinfections, vaccinated people getting infected, it’s all working against the herd immunity concept.
I share some of Dr. S’s interesting perspective.
The one thing I quarrel with a bit is juxtaposing it to the flu.[I do realize Dr. S isn’t directly comparing to the flu.] While the numbers Dr. S cites are correct for the flu worldwide, these pale in comparison to what Covid-19 has caused, in terms of deaths. Officially, we’re at >4.5 million deaths worldwide, but that’s likely an undercount by at least several million (judging by excess mortality statistics). And, that’s over an 18 month span. That’s a massive difference with influenza, even during the worst of flu seasons. Moreover, just looking at hospitalizations – most of which do not end in death – the differences (sheer numbers hospitalized) are enormous, across many age categories, too, especially with Delta.
I do think we’ll have to learn to live with it and won’t be able to eradicate it. Most of us will be vaccinated which will hopefully continue to prevent bad outcomes for the vast majority. But, as we’ve seen with Delta and several other variants, the coronavirus wants to mutate and survive. It’s stealth, and it wouldn’t surprise me if another variant hits with even more vaccine-evasive properties. That could put us in a difficult spot.
Agree. The caveat is at some point we need to literally smarten up. And we are not close as of now. Not just those who are not vaccinated, but those who are. It has to STOP being us vs then….or the idea of end of life which I don’t believe now WILL come into play. We are already perilously close to end of the grand experiment…..yes, a discussion for another time
Evidence that herd immunity may be elusive:
Israel’s Covid-19 update: 16K new cases, biggest increase on record:
– New cases: 16,629 (includes 4k cases from weekend data dump; still 12.6k is a very high number)
– 7-day Average: 9,308 (+1,432)
– Critical, in hospital: 1,123 (+6)
– New deaths: 43
The majority of new cases are in fully vaccinated folks. Vaccines are still working to prevent critical illness in at least 87% of people (so that’s good news). But, overall, these numbers are probably what Massachusetts will be facing at some point. It’s slightly smaller than Israel – by 1.3 million, I think.
Was a “100%” nationwide vaccination rate from the beginning our one and only chance of herd immunity? The scientists originally believed 70% would be enough.
Not sure who was thinking that, but I agree with Dr S. It was just not an option from the start. Folks grabbed the word and tossed it around as if it were a reality …or could be.
I believe I first heard about “70%” herd immunity from Dr. Fauci.
You did indeed. That doesn’t make Dr. Fauci ignorant, but it was a mistake. I latched on to it, as you may recall. Oh well, Covid-19 has taught me many lessons in humility.
My guess is that Fauci believed at the start that he might be right. I can’t fault that as no one really knew what was coming. At this point, it is important to make it clear that was them and, with more knowledge, this is now. That is where I believe we are failing.
To clarify what I said earlier: I definitely wasn’t conflating the flu now to what covid currently is. The parallel I was making was the 1918 flu was something that was far deadlier and impactful and we went through waves much like coronavirus. But we stopped hearing about it about a year after vaccines were made for it – but it still quite a potent and deadly killer we should all be diligent about… but not cower in fear over. We just know it’s a thing and do not consider that event of 1918 an extinction level event – even though it still exists and kills scores of people every year.
I believe covid will go a similar path. Eventually a dominant strain will win out and be what we get boosters for every year… it will still infect scores of people, hopefully no more severely than the flu does.
To philip: 70-80% is desired for herd immunity. But anti vaccine people, viral mutations, reinfections, and other factors make it a virtual impossibility for a while (if ever.)
Absolutely understand and agree
C-19 for 9-2 is ready.
Comments are closed.
Your no-hype southeastern New England weather blog!
This is the DESE approved remote. It has quietly existed since the no remote option was put into place. Applications had to be submitted months ago. Also, it seems DESE has quietly decided to approve a remote option in instances where too many absences would be recorded due to quarantine.
https://boston.cbslocal.com/2021/09/01/remote-learning-schools-massachusetts-peabody-prep/
Vicki, you’re indirectly pointing to a potentially big problem this fall: Absences due to quarantine. This will not only be a school issue. We’re seeing it in professional sports, and the problem will grow over time. And, I think until we have a much higher vaccination rate – even in Massachusetts – this will be an issue. People often forget that quarantine is not about the person quarantining so much as it’s about who that person might infect: The unvaccinated janitor, Grandpa at the nursing home (who was vaccinated in January, but whose immunity is waning), and immunocompromised teacher, etc …
This has been my issue for months. We absolutely should have spent the time working out bugs from remote last year even with full in person as the goal. Another absolute is that at no time should school have only one option. Yes, most want their kids in school. However, many, many individuals have very legitimate reasons for remaining remote.
The main priority of any school organization such as DESE is supposed to be what is in the best interest of all its students….not just a section of them.
The reasoning for suddenly and quietly allowing some remote is blatantly obvious and sadly has nothing to do with the best interest of anyone in school.
My latest is on political preoccupation with prescription drug costs, to the exclusion of other bigger drivers of healthcare costs.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshuacohen/2021/09/01/political-preoccupation-with-prescription-drug-costs-may-distract-from-larger-problem-of-hospital-costs/
It is a new month. I thought I had so many a month. Darn.
And this, folks, is a problem the U.S. government at the state and federal levels is mostly ignoring: Children with long Covid. This is an insidious virus. Its effects should not only be measured in terms of hospitalizations and deaths. https://twitter.com/EricTopol/status/1433059147138748419/photo/1
It is increasingly more difficult for me to understand what the heck we are thinking
As an update: Finally got my rx for a cpap machine. My main motivation was *going* to be securing one… but then air started leaking from one of my tires. Had to call AAA. This is what I see when he puts on the spare tire https://ibb.co/Tw6DZnF
My mechanic took in the car and after inspection said it was both rear tires not just that wrong and a systemic issue with the alignment and parts in the alignment. A $1,600 bill later and my priority shifts to paying that off before I can even consider hunting down a new cpap machine. Life keeps giving me lemons, one day I will make lemonade.
Oh my God. I’m sending all the positive thoughts I have that you make gallons of lemonade VERY quickly
Thank you!
On a very positive school note. Both my girls are home schooling. Both school systems have had multiple teachers reach out to them this week offering complete support. Any child with an IEP continues to be eligible for services. In every single case (four children) every educator who called repeatedly commented on how far all grandkids had come last year compared to their in-school years. That of course is due to the tremendous effort the school system…top down….put into making remote successful.
The same message also came from both of the superintendents. My daughters and my grandkids are certainly blessed to have these amazing teachers and staff not only support but go the extra mile for what has been a very difficult decision.
I received my booster #3 of the Pfizer vaccination today. All I can do now is see how the next 24 hours goes. The nurse told me that if I experience any problems to take some Tylenol. I had no real issues with my first two doses.
On the CDC vaccination record card there are 4 slots.
1. 1st dose COVID-19
2. 2nd dose COVID-19
3. Other
4. Other (booster #4 perhaps?)
Interesting re 4 shots. Hope you can just veg foe rest of the day and that all is well
Yes, I have tomorrow off.
Perfect.
Dr. S, thinking positive thoughts for you. Hope it works.
Philip, congratulations on becoming the 1st person at WHW to get a booster (am I missing someone? – perhaps TK?).
Vicki, glad your family is able to do what’s most optimal for you, in terms of schooling.
By the way, sometimes if you use a different browser – Firefox, for example – you can access more free articles. I wish it wasn’t so difficult. Since the change, Forbes has earned more – with more paid subscriptions – but I have not. It’s still a measly amount; averages around $75 an article. Each article takes about 5 or 6 hours of my time, so the math will tell you that this is a paltry sum. It is, however, good exposure, that sometimes leads to projects.
I use Firefox for my PC….safari for devices which I’m on most often.
I will try booting up PC. I just paid $279 for an inhaler so am interested in your article
Thanks!
While we may have peaked at the end of last week in terms of cases and hospitalizations, it’s not been ascertained. All we do know is that the entire nation is red (has never occurred throughout the entire pandemic, until now): https://twitter.com/syramadad/status/1433140144513630212/photo/1
What do you think of all of this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhRb5hnTseU
I guess we can kiss herd immunity goodbye. That was mankind’s only hope. 🙁
I am interested in Joshuas view. I was always surprised at the belief we could reach herd immunity. We didn’t know for 1918 other than some vaccine herd immunity and won’t for flu. Unlike polio and smallpox and mumps, etc, they mutate.
I’m most interested in joshua’s view on us all being infected. How many times since we can be reinfected.
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: the hyperbole that covid is an extinction level event is folly. It is not. The idea we would have herd immunity was out the window on day one. Just like it was out the window for the spanish flu. This isn’t like small pox — small pox is an outlier as it is the only human disease to be eradicated. Everything else we’ve had to live with varying levels of. Just like everyone will have to deal with getting the flu a few times in their life they will have to deal with getting covid a few times. There will be some who are fortunate and don’t get it. And most intelligent people who are vaccinated who get it will just be annoyed by having to take some medications for symptoms. But that will by and large be the end if it. Covid will die down in notoriety as the numbers die down but we will still live with it. Consider this: 1 billion people get the flu each year. There are 3-5 million severe cases each year. 290-650k a year die from the flu. We still truck on. This too shall “pass” but not in a herd immunity type of way we all had a fantasy for because anti-masking and anti-vaxxing has been a thing of life for over 200 years. Food for thought.
You, sir, echo thoughts perfectly
I had hoped for herd immunity, but I no longer do.
Reinfections, vaccinated people getting infected, it’s all working against the herd immunity concept.
I share some of Dr. S’s interesting perspective.
The one thing I quarrel with a bit is juxtaposing it to the flu.[I do realize Dr. S isn’t directly comparing to the flu.] While the numbers Dr. S cites are correct for the flu worldwide, these pale in comparison to what Covid-19 has caused, in terms of deaths. Officially, we’re at >4.5 million deaths worldwide, but that’s likely an undercount by at least several million (judging by excess mortality statistics). And, that’s over an 18 month span. That’s a massive difference with influenza, even during the worst of flu seasons. Moreover, just looking at hospitalizations – most of which do not end in death – the differences (sheer numbers hospitalized) are enormous, across many age categories, too, especially with Delta.
I do think we’ll have to learn to live with it and won’t be able to eradicate it. Most of us will be vaccinated which will hopefully continue to prevent bad outcomes for the vast majority. But, as we’ve seen with Delta and several other variants, the coronavirus wants to mutate and survive. It’s stealth, and it wouldn’t surprise me if another variant hits with even more vaccine-evasive properties. That could put us in a difficult spot.
Agree. The caveat is at some point we need to literally smarten up. And we are not close as of now. Not just those who are not vaccinated, but those who are. It has to STOP being us vs then….or the idea of end of life which I don’t believe now WILL come into play. We are already perilously close to end of the grand experiment…..yes, a discussion for another time
Evidence that herd immunity may be elusive:
Israel’s Covid-19 update: 16K new cases, biggest increase on record:
– New cases: 16,629 (includes 4k cases from weekend data dump; still 12.6k is a very high number)
– 7-day Average: 9,308 (+1,432)
– Critical, in hospital: 1,123 (+6)
– New deaths: 43
The majority of new cases are in fully vaccinated folks. Vaccines are still working to prevent critical illness in at least 87% of people (so that’s good news). But, overall, these numbers are probably what Massachusetts will be facing at some point. It’s slightly smaller than Israel – by 1.3 million, I think.
Was a “100%” nationwide vaccination rate from the beginning our one and only chance of herd immunity? The scientists originally believed 70% would be enough.
Not sure who was thinking that, but I agree with Dr S. It was just not an option from the start. Folks grabbed the word and tossed it around as if it were a reality …or could be.
I believe I first heard about “70%” herd immunity from Dr. Fauci.
You did indeed. That doesn’t make Dr. Fauci ignorant, but it was a mistake. I latched on to it, as you may recall. Oh well, Covid-19 has taught me many lessons in humility.
My guess is that Fauci believed at the start that he might be right. I can’t fault that as no one really knew what was coming. At this point, it is important to make it clear that was them and, with more knowledge, this is now. That is where I believe we are failing.
To clarify what I said earlier: I definitely wasn’t conflating the flu now to what covid currently is. The parallel I was making was the 1918 flu was something that was far deadlier and impactful and we went through waves much like coronavirus. But we stopped hearing about it about a year after vaccines were made for it – but it still quite a potent and deadly killer we should all be diligent about… but not cower in fear over. We just know it’s a thing and do not consider that event of 1918 an extinction level event – even though it still exists and kills scores of people every year.
I believe covid will go a similar path. Eventually a dominant strain will win out and be what we get boosters for every year… it will still infect scores of people, hopefully no more severely than the flu does.
To philip: 70-80% is desired for herd immunity. But anti vaccine people, viral mutations, reinfections, and other factors make it a virtual impossibility for a while (if ever.)
Absolutely understand and agree
C-19 for 9-2 is ready.