The Power of Boosters – The New York Times

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The Power of Boosters – The New York Times

The average weekly chance that a boosted person died of Covid was about one in a million during October and November (the most recent available C.D.C. data). Since then, the chances have no doubt been higher, because of the Omicron surge. But they will probably be even lower in coming weeks, because the surge is receding and Omicron is milder than earlier versions of the virus. For now, one in a million per week seems like a reasonable estimate.

That risk is not zero, but it is not far from it. The chance that an average American will die in a car crash this week is significantly higher — about 2.4 per million. So is the average weekly death rate from influenza and pneumonia — about three per million.

With a booster shot, Covid resembles other respiratory illnesses that have been around for years. It can still be nasty. For the elderly and immunocompromised, it can be debilitating, even fatal — much as the flu can be. The Omicron surge has been so terrible because it effectively subjected tens of millions of Americans to a flu all at once.

Clearing

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One of many small clearings at Partridge Run to create habitat for the Ruffled Grouse that are frequently seen hiding out in the bushes throughout Partridge Run.

Taken on Sunday February 6, 2011 at Partridge Run Game Management Area.

Heating With Coal.

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I've always been interested in coal stoves. Coal heating is the most inexpensive heating fuel out there, especially in rural areas. They are very common in the Finger Lakes and Pennsylvania. The great thing is they are like wood stoves but don't constantly have to be perked up and be fed more wood like wood stoves. Anthracite is largely mined around Scranton, which is in part and explanation of the popularity of these stoves.