Omicron is highly transmissible. Scientists are looking for clues as to why : Goats and Soda : NPR
Coronavirus
NPR
New data released on Tuesday shows that while omicron remains the dominant variant, delta – which is the more severe strain – is still a worrisome driving force behind the current surge.
The CDC had previously reported that as of Dec. 18, 73% of new cases were linked to omicron. But on Tuesday, the agency revised those figures, slashing that estimate to 23% – a 50-point drop, suggesting that while the new variant was on the rise, it was not infecting people at the rate the CDC had projected
Omnicron is pretty much a scam 😷
Omnicron is pretty much a scam 😷
It’s winter, COVID-19 cases are back up again but mostly for those who choose to be unvaccinated. The news media and politicians are all over it with their scare tactics and mandates, but I don’t think it’s much to worry about.
People get sick this time of year from all kinds of things. The muzzles seem to help and I don’t mind wearing my reusable mask when I’m in an elevator or on a bus. I got vaccinated and boosted and I am avoiding any dangerous business that requires proof of vaccination.
I am not freaking out. I’m not buying a disposable N95 mask nor am I going to take up ramparts in the bunker. No need to stay home, but I won’t to any restaurants or vaccination-check card places soon. I despise both having to wear a muzzle for a quick run into the gas station and I don’t think the government should be coercing people to get vaccinated if they choose to live a life at constant risk of getting sick.
I sure hope that come next year that should Republicans take congress they hold accountable those who are celebrating mandates and power grabs, force them to turn over records and speak candidly under oath what they actually knew about the risks and benefits of the restrictions. Science not the political views of scientists should be deciding policy.
There is very little accountability right now when it comes to public health measures, with the scientists getting away with believe us and our choices, we are the experts.
RGF Photohydroionization-Cell
Does this advanced, expensive technology help slow the spread of the virus?
Goats and Soda : NPR
Doctors think in terms of how your lungs and other organs are doing and what treatments might be required.
"SARS-CoV-2 is a respiratory virus that causes COVID, and the designations refer largely to how well a patient's lungs are able to oxygenate and what treatment is necessary to keep the illness from progressing," says Stanford University infectious disease physician Dr. Abraar Karan.
"So when we move from mild to severe, we mean how easy or how difficult is it for you to breathe and maintain certain oxygen levels in your blood, and what treatments, if any, should we be using."
Patients, meanwhile, think in terms of how horrible they might feel. This is an important distinction because some patients can have very low oxygen levels without many other symptoms or could have bad symptoms such as high fever and a painful headache but have normal oxygen levels.
Boosterism 💉
Boosterism 💉
I am no fan of Boosterism, the public form of masterbation by some liberals over the COVID-19 vaccine. It’s the use of coercion over others to get self pleasure by feeling morally superior because you are vaccinated and are forcing others to get vaccinated.
It’s hard to disagree with the benefits of choosing to get vaccinated. Especially the first two shots – they can save your life and keep you out of the hospital. Arguably those first two shots are the most important – but getting a booster isn’t a half had idea either because it gives you extra protection from the virus. I got my shots and the booster.
But whatever. I can see the benefits of vaccine – less risk of hospitalization and missed work – but I’m not sure of the booster. Sure it does reduce your risk of getting sick for a few days but the evidence suggests that vaccination alone is quite protective from serious illness without the booster.
And I really don’t like the moving goal posts of vaccination mandates – first the vaccine and then the booster. Vaccination should be enough. And it’s not like the vaccine is free – it takes time and effort to get to your appointment and then you feel like crap the next few days.
My view is if you want to be a jack off over the vaccine, do it in your own bedroom. Keep it to yourself. Get vaccinated, and you will have much lower risk of getting COVID-19. But don’t celebrate coercion and mind your own business. If you are vaccinated your chances of getting sick are greatly reduced compared to your neighbor. Keep it to yourself, and feel better.
Shots – Health News : NPR
In a highly anticipated decision, the Food and Drug Administration authorized the first antiviral pill to treat COVID-19 at home.
The pill, called Paxlovid, is made by Pfizer. It's taken twice a day for five days in combination with a second medicine called ritonavir, a generic antiviral.
"Today's authorization introduces the first treatment for COVID-19 that is in the form of a pill that is taken orally — a major step forward in the fight against this global pandemic," said Dr. Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "This authorization provides a new tool to combat COVID-19 at a crucial time in the pandemic as new variants emerge and promises to make antiviral treatment more accessible to patients who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19."