2019-nCoV (Coronavirus)

[Geezer II]

What Causes Viruses to Mutate?
Virus changes are associated with three things. First, sometimes a change in a virus is a pure error.

“A good analogy about virus changes is that it’s like copying a manuscript and, at some point, you're going to have a typo,” Dr. Best says.

Another reason a virus might change is because of pressure from select cells in the body.

“This hypothesis emerged regarding some of the COVID-19 variants. It states if a virus infects a person who doesn’t have a very strong immune system, for example, someone with cancer, then the body is not able to clear the virus very well. Then the virus can say, ‘Hey, how are you going to attack me and make changes based on that?’,” Dr. Best says.

The creation of a vaccine for any new virus could also cause additional mutations.

“Let’s explain this concept a little further. Any virus will keep trying to change, so it can continue to spread. With all vaccines, the more quickly people get vaccinated the better. The slower vaccination happens, the higher the chance of having mutations in the virus and the appearance of more variants. And, as we are seeing with the delta variant, the more the virus can spread in the community.

In order to keep viruses in check, everyone must do their part by getting vaccinated, and scientists must work together around the world to track emerging variants.

 

[Jackalope]

What Causes Viruses to Mutate?
Virus changes are associated with three things. First, sometimes a change in a virus is a pure error.

“A good analogy about virus changes is that it’s like copying a manuscript and, at some point, you're going to have a typo,” Dr. Best says.

Another reason a virus might change is because of pressure from select cells in the body.

“This hypothesis emerged regarding some of the COVID-19 variants. It states if a virus infects a person who doesn’t have a very strong immune system, for example, someone with cancer, then the body is not able to clear the virus very well. Then the virus can say, ‘Hey, how are you going to attack me and make changes based on that?’,” Dr. Best says.

The creation of a vaccine for any new virus could also cause additional mutations.

“Let’s explain this concept a little further. Any virus will keep trying to change, so it can continue to spread. With all vaccines, the more quickly people get vaccinated the better. The slower vaccination happens, the higher the chance of having mutations in the virus and the appearance of more variants. And, as we are seeing with the delta variant, the more the virus can spread in the community.

In order to keep viruses in check, everyone must do their part by getting vaccinated, and scientists must work together around the world to track emerging variants.

. Let me point out that authors intellectual dishonesty. They first admit that viruses adapt due to pressures against it. Then admit that vaccine can cause viruses to adapt to get around them. Then says "lets explain that concept a little further" and goes on to completely ignores the previous statements and blame the unvaccinated and demand that everyone get a vaccine because the more it spreads the higher the chance of mutations. Completely ignoring the fact that vaccinated people can and do catch and spread covid, and THAT would be the most likely source of vaccine-resistant mutations. It's like he knows that people are starting to understand that vaccine adaptation can and does happen so he admits it to gain credibility in the eyes of the reader. But then he gives a solution which is the same old propaganda narrative. The truth of the matter is every single person could get vaccinated tomorrow and the virus will continue to circulate in the population. It will adapt and learn to infect more people more efficiently. Over time the original vaccination will only be useful against the original strain which rarely exists, and the new strain will be prolific. This virus isn't going away.

 

[Geezer II]

. Let me point out that authors intellectual dishonesty. They first admit that viruses adapt due to pressures against it. Then admit that vaccine can cause viruses to adapt to get around them. Then says "lets explain that concept a little further" and goes on to completely ignores the previous statements and blame the unvaccinated and demand that everyone get a vaccine because the more it spreads the higher the chance of mutations. Completely ignoring the fact that vaccinated people can and do catch and spread covid, and THAT would be the most likely source of vaccine-resistant mutations. It's like he knows that people are starting to understand that vaccine adaptation can and does happen so he admits it to gain credibility in the eyes of the reader. But then he gives a solution which is the same old propaganda narrative. The truth of the matter is every single person could get vaccinated tomorrow and the virus will continue to circulate in the population. It will adapt and learn to infect more people more efficiently. Over time the original vaccination will only be useful against the original strain which rarely exists, and the new strain will be prolific. This virus isn't going away.

So whats doan the road with this new vaccines or what?

 

[Jackalope]

So whats doan the road with this

Unless there is a breakthrough in science that figures out how to actually immunize people to prevent spreading it will continue to spread and adapt. If they do figure that out and can manage to convince most everyone to get that vaccination, they may have a very slim shot at eradicating it. But that is also doubtful as there is evidence that it can spread to animals. If that is indeed the case it will simply hop over to another host, adapt, and eventually come back. COVID will continue to exist just like the common cold or flu. To protect the vulnerable they will need to continue to adapt specific strain boosters. Unfortunately the risk there is they pressure a mutation that increases the viruses mortality rate and it becomes like its very deadly cousin SARS-COV-1 or MERS.

The best thing they can do is figure out post-infection therapeutics to help the sick because people will continue to get sick. In many ways, that's what the shot is now. A proactive therapeutic. There is no doubt it lessens the severity of the infection. But there are also random and sometimes devastating consequences if it doesn't prevent transmission.

The best hope the world had was a long time ago in Wuhan. Unfortunately, the Chinese government hid it beyond the ability of the world to contain it. What do they care, they want less people and their economy is booming from it.

 

[Snyder10]

Unless there is a breakthrough in science that figures out how to actually immunize people to prevent spreading it will continue to spread and adapt. If they do figure that out and can manage to convince most everyone to get that vaccination, they may have a very slim shot at eradicating it. But that is also doubtful as there is evidence that it can spread to animals. If that is indeed the case it will simply hop over to another host, adapt, and eventually come back. COVID will continue to exist just like the common cold or flu. To protect the vulnerable they will need to continue to adapt specific strain boosters. Unfortunately the risk there is they pressure a mutation that increases the viruses mortality rate and it becomes like its very deadly cousin SARS-COV-1 or MERS.

The best thing they can do is figure out post-infection therapeutics to help the sick because people will continue to get sick. In many ways, that's what the shot is now. A proactive therapeutic. There is no doubt it lessens the severity of the infection. But there are also random and sometimes devastating consequences if it doesn't prevent transmission.

The best hope the world had was a long time ago in Wuhan. Unfortunately, the Chinese government hid it beyond the ability of the world to contain it. What do they care, they want less people and their economy is booming from it.

Nailed it.

 

[Snyder10]

Check out what City of Dayton workers have to do now if they’re unvaccinated.

You can’t make this shit up!!

 

[Jackalope]

Check out what City of Dayton workers have to do now if they’re unvaccinated.

You can’t make this shit up!!

Draconian bullshit. It has been proven that vaccinated people can contract and spread covid. The city acknowledges this fact by requiring vaccinated employees to once again wear masks. So why then don't they requiring weekly covid testing of their vaccinated employees?

 

[Jackalope]

Another one...

If this was a real" pandemic" would we honestly fire our healthcare workers in an economy where businesses are begging for employees? Everyone should take note of this. These employees risked their lives last summer without the protection of a vaccine and worked tirelessly for their companies and patients. Now they're being given an ultimatum and their livelihoods threatened, their families and ability to put food on their table is being threatened. Last year they were called heroes and exalted for their efforts. Today they are nothing more than an expendable resource.

 

[Jackalope]

Another one...

If this was a real" pandemic" would we honestly fire our healthcare workers in an economy where businesses are begging for employees? Everyone should take note of this. These employees risked their lives last summer without the protection of a vaccine and worked tirelessly for their companies and patients. many of them becoming very sick then turning back around and coming right back to the fight after recovery. Now they're being given an ultimatum and their livelihoods threatened, their ability to put food on their families table is being threatened. Last year they were called heroes and exalted for their efforts. Today they are nothing more than an expendable resource.

 

["J"]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/c...ng-for-unvaccinated-city-employees/ar-AAN9uFO

They're making the employee cover the cost of all testing and must be done on their own time…..
But, vaccinated employees will be awarded $100…..

 

[Ohiosam]

WTF ???

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1424821446166130688

 

[Wildlife]

Reaching the final phase of takeover folks. Very unfortunate to see all this happening, but very predictable. Going back through this thread more than a few times, I mentioned it myself way back, shortly after the so called pandemic was declared.

Again, my heart acks for the republic of our country and those impacted heavily by what is happening currently. I pray everyday that by some miracle something will happen and turn this all around somehow.

 

[giles]

Divided we fall...

 

[Jackalope]

Another data point I'm having a hard time locating.

How many patients were admitted to the hospital covid related illness and progressed to needing ICU care.

How many patients were admitted to the hospital for other conditions but contracted covid while admitted which progressed to a need for ICU care.

Covid transmission is nursing, long term care and assisted living facilities is a known issue. While I'm sure hospitals are very good at keeping transmission low I wonder if people that were admitted or in ICU for other issues have contracted covid due to the covid positive admissions and are being counted in covid positive hospital and ICU stats.

 

[Jackalope]

WTF ???

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1424821446166130688

Wow... Just wow...

 

[Ohiosam]

 

[xbowguy]

 

[Boarhead]

 

[Jackalope]

Maybe someone else can find this because I'm having trouble locating it. What I'm trying to determine is vaccine status hospitalizations by age for the last two weeks.

Hmm. Imagine that. No wonder I'm having trouble locating data relating to vaccinated infections in a linear graph and all the data is combined back to January or February.


"A new preprint study that raises concerns about the mRNA vaccines' effectiveness against Delta — particularly Pfizer's — has already grabbed the attention of top Biden administration officials.

What they're saying: The study found the Pfizer vaccine was only 42% effective against infection in July, when the Delta variant was dominant. "If that's not a wakeup call, I don't know what is," a senior Biden official told Axio"

New data suggests Pfizer and Moderna's vaccines may be less effective against Delta

A senior Biden official called the preprint study "a wakeup call."

www.axios.com

 

[Geezer II]

White-tailed deer, a common forager in suburban yards and fields in Pennsylvania, might be picking up more than nuts and berries this year.

Recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service show that some white-tailed deer in Pennsylvania had antibodies against the coronavirus. This is one of the first signs that animals in the wild have been exposed to the virus, although it doesn’t reveal how these deer came in contact with the virus or how it affects their health.

Currently, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not recommended routinely testing wildlife for SARS-CoV-2 because animals’ risk of contracting the virus was largely unknown. The new USDA preprint, still awaiting peer review, may shed some light on whether they should be monitoring wildlife more vigilantly.

“Before we had no idea if they could be exposed in the wild,” said Thomas DeLiberto, wildlife veterinarian and an assistant director at the USDA’s National Wildlife Research Center who coauthored the study. “I think from here on out, [agencies] will be looking at how we can work together to use our current surveillance systems and enhance them to look for the
Even before the new evidence, white-tailed deer seemed particularly vulnerable to the virus. They thrive in suburban and urban areas near human settlements, and this wouldn’t be the first time that they picked up a virus that also affects humans — such as West Nile virus and hepatitis E.

Moreover, studies have also predicted that SARS-CoV-2 can infect deer’s cells because ACE2 — the molecular foothold that the virus uses to infiltrate a cell — is very similar between humans and deer.

USDA scientists decided to figure out if deer had encountered the virus by testing wild animals’ blood for antibodies, which are proteins made by the immune system in response to a foreign invader. Antibodies can be present due to a past exposure — one of the reasons that people may take antibody tests — or after a vaccination.

Between January and March of this year, the team collected 385 samples from white-tailed deer in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, and New York, and tested them for the presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.

They found SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in 154 of these deer, including in 62 of the 142 deer tested in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania deer with antibodies were found in Snyder, Huntingdon, Philadelphia, and Montgomery Counties. Though deer tested in some other counties did not have antibodies, DeLiberto said that shouldn’t be interpreted as a regional difference.

“What this new preprint really adds is that what we feared is actually happening in the real world,” said Suresh Kuchipudi, clinical professor of virology and associate director of the Animal Diagnostic Lab at Pennsylvania State University, who was not involved in the study.

Moreover, the USDA researchers also tested hundreds of samples collected over the last decade to monitor animal afflictions like chronic wasting disease. They found SARS-CoV-2 antibodies first appeared at low levels in three samples collected from deer in January 2020.

It’s not clear whether the deer contracted the virus from humans, other animals, or environmental sources like wastewater runoff. The direct risk infected deer may pose to humans is likely low, DeLiberto said, but still warrants caution.

“There’s no evidence that white-tailed deer and other wildlife can spread the virus to people,” DeLiberto said. “But because wildlife can carry other diseases, even without looking sick, we always recommend that people enjoy wildlife from a very safe distance to protect the animals, as well as themselves.”

Armed with relief funding from the American Rescue Plan, the USDA hopes to do a more systematic follow-up study. It is especially interested in other species that might be spotted in backyards, such as possums, skunks, and raccoons. A study earlier this year showed that some small mammals, such as deer mice and skunks, can become infected and spread the virus in lab settings. Others, including cottontail rabbits, house mice, and raccoons, weren’t shown to be susceptible in the same lab studies.

Angela Bosco-Lauth, assistant professor of biomedical sciences at Colorado State University who led the small mammal lab study and was not involved in the deer study, agreed that further investigation is needed.

“Without any virus isolation or PCR data, there’s nothing to prove that these deer serve as reservoir hosts,” which are animals that harbor and spread the virus, she said.

This is part of what DeLiberto hopes further studies can do: not only measure antibodies, but also look for viral RNA that signals the virus’ presence and even sequence its genome to see how the strain compares with those documented in humans.

Kuchipudi is concerned that as the virus enters new animal hosts, it may have more opportunities to mutate. In minks, for example, the coronavirus mutated into a new variant that was actually transmitted back into humans.

This adds urgency to the need for vaccination to reduce viral transmission among humans, he said.

“It also reminds all of us that this pandemic isn’t over yet,” Kuchipudi said. “The sooner we can end this pandemic, the better it is, because the longer it circulates among people and potentially animals, the virus is going to continue to change.”