Vicki,to answer your question from yesterday, it’s my understanding that the gold standard for testing is the PCR test. But, it takes time to get results. On the other hand, the rapid antigen tests can get you very quick results that are less accurate. This said, the ones approved in the U.S. have 97% “specificity,” which roughly translates to their accuracy. I think they’re a good option for family gatherings. I will be doing one myself at Thanksgiving. I also just arranged for a booster at CVS, along with my 2nd dose of a shingles vaccine.
There’s a lot of disingenuous and hypocritical behavior on both sides of the aisle, on numerous issues. But when it comes to the Covid vaccine and vaccine mandates, my goodness, today’s GOP takes the cake. https://twitter.com/thehowie/status/1457696583127076864
I do have misgivings, by the way, about our misplaced emphasis on vaccinating children BEFORE we make sure as many still unvaccinated adults are vaccinated. I sincerely believe we’ve given up on these efforts too soon. Nevertheless, it’s in all of our best interests that as many people as possible get vaccinated. And yes, in the end, this includes children. It would be my preference to wait for more real-world data on possible side effects before mandating that the 5-11 group be vaccinated.
I was going to post re Big Bird. It is my understanding that Big Birds video is from 1972. Ted Cruz is darn near as equally disturbing as Tump.
How does any decent human object to making something easier that we know all children are impacted by? Sesame characters have been used for decades to help explain worrisome events to Childers
The wave in the Netherlands is relentless, and is now heavily concentrated in an older population (>55), unlike the previous two waves. The Dutch haven’t released the case data yet today. I’m expecting an all-time record number of daily cases this week at some point (all-time, as in biggest increase in the entire pandemic). But, they did release the hospitalization and ICU data. Over the weekend, there was a net hospitalization increase of 180 (including 35 more in the ICU)! And, this is no longer a “pandemic of the unvaccinated” as the latest evidence points to a further increase in the percentage of recently hospitalized patients to 48% being fully vaccinated (was 44% just last week). The good news is that the fully vaccinated who get hospitalized have a 35% lower chance of going to the ICU. Still, the news coming from Europe is sobering.
To be frank, I think that what all this means is that treatments are more important than ever, such as the still investigational Merck and Pfizer pills. The vaccines are certainly very helpful, but we can’t boost fast enough to prevent these major spikes. In order to “live with the virus” we’re going to have to have MUCH better and cheaper availability of tests (including rapid antigen tests) to ensure that people can (self) diagnose early and get treatment. The treatments only work if the Covid diseases is detected early.
Joshua. Have we seen any information from Israel or the Uk on the efficacy of the third vaccine of booster?
Because other countries are not seeing a spike and breakthroughs are commonplace
Vicki, yes, Israel’s boosting across the population and that is having a VERY positive effect. The case numbers in Israel are way down, compared to August. One caveat is that Israel still has a very strict set of mitigation measures in place, systematic use of green pass system (proofs of vaccination AND negative test to enter public indoor places) and very little travel in and out of the country.
Best news of the day is that Japan recorded 0 deaths for the first time in 15 months. Japan had a significant spike right around the time of the Olympics, but it has since gotten things under control. Now 70% fully vaccinated, with boosters coming, and mitigation measures still in place – similar to Israel.
Our biggest current problem is that we just won’t mitigate at all. That’s kind of Europe’s problem, too, as they yo-yo back and forth from mitigate to lifting restrictions to mitigate, etc … There is a `happy’ medium that should be stuck to while we’re still in pandemic mode. But, we don’t want to go there, clearly.
Thanks, Joshua. I was seeing a considerable efficacy drop a month after the booster/third vaccine. But perhaps that has leveled out. I’ll schedule my booster soon.
Gotta pick a time when I can do nothing for a couple of days if I react.
JPD…is your PCP recommending a third vaccine rather than a booster for Mrs OS?
Has anyone on here had the vaccine as opposed to booster?
I am scheduled for a booster on Friday.
We are not sure about the Mrs. She is basically still sick
from the 2nd dose. She has NOT been right since those
shots. Not even close. She is not due for a few more weeks. I, on the other had, am over due.
We’ll see how our daughter does with her Moderna booster later this week. If she fares well, then the Mrs. may opt for the booster regardless. We shall see.
Thanks
Our biggest current problem is that we just won’t mitigate at all.
Agree 100% and it PISSES ME OFF NO END!!!!!
Agree and agree.
Picture from my old stomping ground – Utrecht, Netherlands – of very long lines of people waiting to be tested. See link below. In the Netherlands, you can only get tested at an official site if you are symptomatic. The government does provide several free home tests every month, which you can use anytime. The Utrecht region currently has one of Europe’s biggest increases in cases. Test positivity is nearing 20%. 84% of folks are fully vaccinated. https://cdn.nos.nl/image/2021/11/08/801278/xxl.jpg
All of those people are symptomatic? Wow!
this virus is NEVER going away.
OMG. Frightening
I thought that the “booster” and a “3rd shot” were one in the same. All I know is I went to BWH on 3 different occasions and received vaccinations of the Pfizer.
I have one more space left on my CDC vaccination card. When should I get #4?
Forgive my ignorance, but what exactly should we be doing as a nation do to “mitigate” against this disease?
Up until now, I had to look up its meaning as I have never even heard of the term, and I bet most of the general population never have either.
Mitigate – “to make less severe”.
JPD – If you are overdue on your booster and you haven’t had any health issues with the first two, you really should get it ASAP! You need to stay healthy to take care of your wife.
I am already scheduled for this Friday.
Good luck! 🙂
Old salty I am scheduled as well for Friday . I feel fine but I’ve had an upper respiratory infection going on 5 weeks now ( have been to doctors twice ) it’s a runny nose & on & off dry cough ( cough was worse In the beginning. As long as it’s in check Friday I’ll get the booster . My wife had hers weeks ago with no problem.
Regarding the picture I sent, do keep in mind that symptomatic means having symptoms that could be related to Covid-19: Might have fever, cough, loss of taste/smell, etc … Even with the high test positivity of 20%, 80% of those folks pictured do not have Covid-19. There are multiple bugs going around Europe, including the so-called “super cold.”
Mitigate, Philip, is a confusing word. You’re correct about its formal definition. When used in the context of the coronavirus it means lessen the spread by way of crowd limits, for example, masking and distancing (which you clearly see in the picture), the use of so-called green pass systems (proofs of vaccination/negative test).
PM Boris Johnson visited a healthcare setting – hospital or clinic – without a mask. Sure, he has lots of immunity (got a terrible case of Covid in April 2020 and had to be hospitalized, is fully vaccinated and boosted), but damn it, for the sake of setting the example, he shouldn’t be strolling through the corridors without a mask. https://twitter.com/Kit_Yates_Maths/status/1457746339706572811
Unbelievable. My daughter works with a woman who is fully vaccinated and boosted and has covid three times. First was severe. Second fairly bad but not severe. Third she had no idea of but has to be tested for something else
I’m very surprised that facility didn’t insist he wear a mask. Even here in this country, there are no exceptions. Masks are the ONLY option in every health care facility nationwide, no matter the local vaccination rate.
Johnson is the British version of Trump.
Good news for those with families in the UK. Or heading there for something special….such as a wedding maybe 😉 😉
There are people I strongly disagree with on Twitter. But unless they’re insane or intentionally deceiving us I don’t block them, and in fact want to read and sometimes learn from their viewpoints. Sadly, in my view, there’s a canceling trend. For example, Monica Gandhi is a professor at UCSF, who I strongly disagree with. She’s highly intelligent and an HIV expert. She knows quite a bit about Covid-19, too. But, her views are controversial because she’s been too optimistic – perhaps even cavalier – in her judgments on where the pandemic is headed. She’s questioned universal use of masks, closing of schools, and vaccinations for children. I’ve disagreed with her on all three points. But, she’s not crazy. She has a heart, too. Yes, I think she’s been wrong more than right. But, I don’t want her to leave Twitter. Yet, that’s what’s she being forced to do, apparently by her UCSF bosses.
According to a boston.com article (and no, this is not a joke): “In the next month, data from the CDC forecasts a slow but continuing decline of COVID-19 cases across the country, reaching approximately 40,000 cases per day by early December.”
Based on what? Magic potion?
I would love to see this forecast verify. But, I look at the data every day and I do not see evidence of a decline, at least not during the last 2 weeks. Rather, I see some evidence of a slight (so far) rebound the last week or so. Boosters and shots for children will help to stem growth in cases, yes. But, I still believe firmly that we’ll see an uptick rather than a downward trend the coming weeks. We’ll see who’s right.
We have lived in this magic bubble before. I’d love to see it work this time. Sadly, this type of article sends those out who actually think we are back to a form of normal ….right and left
China has an outbreak – with community transmission – that it’s concerned about. We’re talking several hundred cases across the entire nation. But, it’s leading to panic at the stores. Of course, their lockdowns – if they begin imposing them – are unlike anything we’ve experienced. So panic purchases make sense. You’ll notice in these chaotic scenes of jostling customers at a store no physical distancing whatsoever and lots of people without masks. If the virus is in that store it’s spreading. https://twitter.com/SCMPNews/status/1457672497432760324
Dear heavens
C-19 for 11-9 is ready.
Comments are closed.
Your no-hype southeastern New England weather blog!
Thanks TK.
Vicki,to answer your question from yesterday, it’s my understanding that the gold standard for testing is the PCR test. But, it takes time to get results. On the other hand, the rapid antigen tests can get you very quick results that are less accurate. This said, the ones approved in the U.S. have 97% “specificity,” which roughly translates to their accuracy. I think they’re a good option for family gatherings. I will be doing one myself at Thanksgiving. I also just arranged for a booster at CVS, along with my 2nd dose of a shingles vaccine.
There’s a lot of disingenuous and hypocritical behavior on both sides of the aisle, on numerous issues. But when it comes to the Covid vaccine and vaccine mandates, my goodness, today’s GOP takes the cake. https://twitter.com/thehowie/status/1457696583127076864
I do have misgivings, by the way, about our misplaced emphasis on vaccinating children BEFORE we make sure as many still unvaccinated adults are vaccinated. I sincerely believe we’ve given up on these efforts too soon. Nevertheless, it’s in all of our best interests that as many people as possible get vaccinated. And yes, in the end, this includes children. It would be my preference to wait for more real-world data on possible side effects before mandating that the 5-11 group be vaccinated.
Here’s an interesting thread on the polio vaccine. https://twitter.com/ashishkjha/status/1457564261765550082
I was going to post re Big Bird. It is my understanding that Big Birds video is from 1972. Ted Cruz is darn near as equally disturbing as Tump.
How does any decent human object to making something easier that we know all children are impacted by? Sesame characters have been used for decades to help explain worrisome events to Childers
The wave in the Netherlands is relentless, and is now heavily concentrated in an older population (>55), unlike the previous two waves. The Dutch haven’t released the case data yet today. I’m expecting an all-time record number of daily cases this week at some point (all-time, as in biggest increase in the entire pandemic). But, they did release the hospitalization and ICU data. Over the weekend, there was a net hospitalization increase of 180 (including 35 more in the ICU)! And, this is no longer a “pandemic of the unvaccinated” as the latest evidence points to a further increase in the percentage of recently hospitalized patients to 48% being fully vaccinated (was 44% just last week). The good news is that the fully vaccinated who get hospitalized have a 35% lower chance of going to the ICU. Still, the news coming from Europe is sobering.
To be frank, I think that what all this means is that treatments are more important than ever, such as the still investigational Merck and Pfizer pills. The vaccines are certainly very helpful, but we can’t boost fast enough to prevent these major spikes. In order to “live with the virus” we’re going to have to have MUCH better and cheaper availability of tests (including rapid antigen tests) to ensure that people can (self) diagnose early and get treatment. The treatments only work if the Covid diseases is detected early.
Joshua. Have we seen any information from Israel or the Uk on the efficacy of the third vaccine of booster?
Because other countries are not seeing a spike and breakthroughs are commonplace
https://twitter.com/business/status/1457704726389211143?s=21
Vicki, yes, Israel’s boosting across the population and that is having a VERY positive effect. The case numbers in Israel are way down, compared to August. One caveat is that Israel still has a very strict set of mitigation measures in place, systematic use of green pass system (proofs of vaccination AND negative test to enter public indoor places) and very little travel in and out of the country.
Best news of the day is that Japan recorded 0 deaths for the first time in 15 months. Japan had a significant spike right around the time of the Olympics, but it has since gotten things under control. Now 70% fully vaccinated, with boosters coming, and mitigation measures still in place – similar to Israel.
Our biggest current problem is that we just won’t mitigate at all. That’s kind of Europe’s problem, too, as they yo-yo back and forth from mitigate to lifting restrictions to mitigate, etc … There is a `happy’ medium that should be stuck to while we’re still in pandemic mode. But, we don’t want to go there, clearly.
Thanks, Joshua. I was seeing a considerable efficacy drop a month after the booster/third vaccine. But perhaps that has leveled out. I’ll schedule my booster soon.
Gotta pick a time when I can do nothing for a couple of days if I react.
JPD…is your PCP recommending a third vaccine rather than a booster for Mrs OS?
Has anyone on here had the vaccine as opposed to booster?
I am scheduled for a booster on Friday.
We are not sure about the Mrs. She is basically still sick
from the 2nd dose. She has NOT been right since those
shots. Not even close. She is not due for a few more weeks. I, on the other had, am over due.
We’ll see how our daughter does with her Moderna booster later this week. If she fares well, then the Mrs. may opt for the booster regardless. We shall see.
Thanks
Our biggest current problem is that we just won’t mitigate at all.
Agree 100% and it PISSES ME OFF NO END!!!!!
Agree and agree.
Picture from my old stomping ground – Utrecht, Netherlands – of very long lines of people waiting to be tested. See link below. In the Netherlands, you can only get tested at an official site if you are symptomatic. The government does provide several free home tests every month, which you can use anytime. The Utrecht region currently has one of Europe’s biggest increases in cases. Test positivity is nearing 20%. 84% of folks are fully vaccinated. https://cdn.nos.nl/image/2021/11/08/801278/xxl.jpg
All of those people are symptomatic? Wow!
this virus is NEVER going away.
OMG. Frightening
I thought that the “booster” and a “3rd shot” were one in the same. All I know is I went to BWH on 3 different occasions and received vaccinations of the Pfizer.
I have one more space left on my CDC vaccination card. When should I get #4?
Forgive my ignorance, but what exactly should we be doing as a nation do to “mitigate” against this disease?
Up until now, I had to look up its meaning as I have never even heard of the term, and I bet most of the general population never have either.
Mitigate – “to make less severe”.
JPD – If you are overdue on your booster and you haven’t had any health issues with the first two, you really should get it ASAP! You need to stay healthy to take care of your wife.
I am already scheduled for this Friday.
Good luck! 🙂
Old salty I am scheduled as well for Friday . I feel fine but I’ve had an upper respiratory infection going on 5 weeks now ( have been to doctors twice ) it’s a runny nose & on & off dry cough ( cough was worse In the beginning. As long as it’s in check Friday I’ll get the booster . My wife had hers weeks ago with no problem.
Regarding the picture I sent, do keep in mind that symptomatic means having symptoms that could be related to Covid-19: Might have fever, cough, loss of taste/smell, etc … Even with the high test positivity of 20%, 80% of those folks pictured do not have Covid-19. There are multiple bugs going around Europe, including the so-called “super cold.”
Mitigate, Philip, is a confusing word. You’re correct about its formal definition. When used in the context of the coronavirus it means lessen the spread by way of crowd limits, for example, masking and distancing (which you clearly see in the picture), the use of so-called green pass systems (proofs of vaccination/negative test).
PM Boris Johnson visited a healthcare setting – hospital or clinic – without a mask. Sure, he has lots of immunity (got a terrible case of Covid in April 2020 and had to be hospitalized, is fully vaccinated and boosted), but damn it, for the sake of setting the example, he shouldn’t be strolling through the corridors without a mask. https://twitter.com/Kit_Yates_Maths/status/1457746339706572811
Unbelievable. My daughter works with a woman who is fully vaccinated and boosted and has covid three times. First was severe. Second fairly bad but not severe. Third she had no idea of but has to be tested for something else
I’m very surprised that facility didn’t insist he wear a mask. Even here in this country, there are no exceptions. Masks are the ONLY option in every health care facility nationwide, no matter the local vaccination rate.
Johnson is the British version of Trump.
Good news for those with families in the UK. Or heading there for something special….such as a wedding maybe 😉 😉
https://twitter.com/nbc10boston/status/1457749813534068740?s=21
There are people I strongly disagree with on Twitter. But unless they’re insane or intentionally deceiving us I don’t block them, and in fact want to read and sometimes learn from their viewpoints. Sadly, in my view, there’s a canceling trend. For example, Monica Gandhi is a professor at UCSF, who I strongly disagree with. She’s highly intelligent and an HIV expert. She knows quite a bit about Covid-19, too. But, her views are controversial because she’s been too optimistic – perhaps even cavalier – in her judgments on where the pandemic is headed. She’s questioned universal use of masks, closing of schools, and vaccinations for children. I’ve disagreed with her on all three points. But, she’s not crazy. She has a heart, too. Yes, I think she’s been wrong more than right. But, I don’t want her to leave Twitter. Yet, that’s what’s she being forced to do, apparently by her UCSF bosses.
According to a boston.com article (and no, this is not a joke): “In the next month, data from the CDC forecasts a slow but continuing decline of COVID-19 cases across the country, reaching approximately 40,000 cases per day by early December.”
Based on what? Magic potion?
I would love to see this forecast verify. But, I look at the data every day and I do not see evidence of a decline, at least not during the last 2 weeks. Rather, I see some evidence of a slight (so far) rebound the last week or so. Boosters and shots for children will help to stem growth in cases, yes. But, I still believe firmly that we’ll see an uptick rather than a downward trend the coming weeks. We’ll see who’s right.
We have lived in this magic bubble before. I’d love to see it work this time. Sadly, this type of article sends those out who actually think we are back to a form of normal ….right and left
China has an outbreak – with community transmission – that it’s concerned about. We’re talking several hundred cases across the entire nation. But, it’s leading to panic at the stores. Of course, their lockdowns – if they begin imposing them – are unlike anything we’ve experienced. So panic purchases make sense. You’ll notice in these chaotic scenes of jostling customers at a store no physical distancing whatsoever and lots of people without masks. If the virus is in that store it’s spreading. https://twitter.com/SCMPNews/status/1457672497432760324
Dear heavens
C-19 for 11-9 is ready.