21 thoughts on “C-19 Chat Post – October 12 2021”

  1. Thanks TK!

    The latest Covid-19 news is the Covid pill by Merck, hoping to get emergency approval.

    Does this pill replace the vaccine or is it for Covid-19 patients only while in recovery at the hospital?

    1. It does not replace vaccines, but rather it is a treatment once
      on had contracted covid. It claims to reduce hospitalizations by 50%.

  2. My latest Forbes piece is on Allen West who continues to wage a cultural war on vaccines. https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshuacohen/2021/10/11/allen-wests-twitter-tirade-epitomizes-the-anti-science-battle-being-waged-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/?sh=5c764d5b5599

    You may recall my concern in April about Delta’s impact on pregnant women. In India, it was very obvious that pregnant women were being impacted disproportionately with severe illness. Well, now studies are out to confirm this problem. 20% of critically ill patients in England are pregnant women. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/11/world/pregnant-women-covid-vaccine.html

  3. The anti-vaccine nonsense must frustrate Scott Gottlieb so much. I know Scott. He’s an old-fashioned Republican, a conservative who respects the viewpoints of others. And like most old-fashioned Republicans he’s not opposed to vaccines, or government involvement in vaccine policy. He’s recoiling at the banning of all vaccine mandates by GOP Governors and others, as well as the mis- and disinformation on vaccines. https://twitter.com/SquawkCNBC/status/1447875237366878208

    1. I heard already about TX governor Greg Abbott but I didn’t know that other governors were in on it as well.

      It’s up to the courts now to decide if those vaccine mandate bans can remain, if I understand correctly.

  4. Baker activates Massachusetts National Guard to assist with COVID-19 testing in public schools
    In response to staffing shortages that caused COVID-19 testing delays in many Massachusetts school districts, Governor Charlie Baker activated up to 200 members of the National Guard on Tuesday to assist with testing in public K-12 schools, according to an administration spokesperson.

    Guard members will begin training for COVID-19 testing in schools this week and are set to begin assisting with testing in schools on Monday.

    1. I read an article yesterday stating a large number of our military is not vaccinated. I’m sure hoping Baker is smart enough making sure anyone he sends into schools is vaccinated

    2. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/10/12/metro/facing-staffing-shortages-baker-activates-massachusetts-national-guard-assist-with-covid-19-testing-public-schools/

      Is he deliberately lying or does he really not know that there has been a shortage of tests nationwide. Even in Canada, schools have complained about not receiving his tests. I’ve been posting sources for this since the start of school.

      And not one word about making sure anyone entering the school is vaccinated.

      1. Adding. I am aware of a shortage of staff…many are in quarantine. And I believe the shortage is not for pooled testing, but it is for the test and stay program unless it was recently rectified.

    1. A few blurbs …..

      “ Weeks into the new school year, an unknown number of families across the city and state continue to struggle with a keenly painful dilemma: how to balance their children’s health and their education. Some, like Ramon and Van Delft, faced delays and obstacles in tracking down online options for vulnerable students, or never learned about those options.

      Others say they sense an underlying disregard for their at-risk children, and their safe return to school, with child vaccines still unavailable and campaigns under way to abolish school mask mandates. State Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley said in August that he will seek “off ramps” to masking in schools; meanwhile, parents have filed multiple lawsuits seeking an end to the mandate.“

      My comment: It isn’t a sense of disregard; it is blatant disregard.

      Something could have been set up as a state approved remote option.

      1. Thanks Vicki. These newspapers are greedy $$$$ forcing readers to subscribe just to read one lousy article.

        As for remote learning, Biden for all practical purposes, gave the entire nation an executive order that there will be “NO REMOTE LEARNING!”

        Not literally, of course you understand…

        1. I agree re Biden. However, there are some schools that still have a remote option. Riley made up his mind last spring.

  5. Dr. Fauci has given the OK for trick-or-treat on Halloween, however he does not recommend crowded indoor Halloween parties for the kids.

    JPD, are you going to give out candy this year?

    1. Not JPD of course. We will put on a table outside. We had a haunted house in the garage last year for my grandkids. Then an outdoor movie in the back yard. None of them are exposed. They all want to do the same thing this year.

  6. The U.S. Covid-19 response is ALWAYS several steps behind. It refuses to be proactive. Disappointing, to say the least.

    I follow the news in Europe carefully. Countries there have done an excellent job in vaccinating (slow start, but much better finish), establishing ground rules for public spaces (efficient green pass systems), and last but not least, comprehensive data collection with level-headed analysis.

    The link below is a Dutch article published today about concerns the Dutch CDC and other public health officials have about a “worse than expected fall and winter in terms of the spread of coronavirus.” This is based on the very latest, up-to-date evidence and analysis. I trust these people MUCH more than I do our officials and pundits. On the other hand, what are we hearing on an almost daily basis? The pandemic is waning and becoming endemic. So, what data, which allow for prospective modeling, are we failing to look at that a better vaccinated nation is examining? I don’t know. But, as I’ve said before, you can safely ignore U.S. data and forecasts from U.S. experts (mostly retrospective, with guesswork and a dash of optimism thrown in), and know for certain the U.S. will react to events, and not be proactive. https://nos.nl/artikel/2401438-omt-prognose-virusverspreiding-in-herfst-en-wintermaanden-ongunstiger-dan-verwacht

    1. Jen Psaki (Biden Administration spokesperson/press secretary) put it well the other day: “We were caught off guard with the Delta wave. We didn’t expect it to be this bad.” I like her honesty, and appreciate her as a reasoned and reasonable person so much more than anybody Trump stuck in front of a microphone. But, goodness, Biden Administration, have you heard of the term “contingency planning?” You must prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Have to. Whether it’s a hurricane, an Afghanistan withdrawal, or Covid-19. It’s shocking how poorly our government plans and messages.

      Biden, July 6: “Covid’s on the run, folks”

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