Coronavirus thread

[MusicTurner]

Obviously, there's a wide range of vaccines about to be launched, and they'll be of varied content and also with varying functions. A professor here emphasized, that some types of vaccines might reduce symptoms only, not eliminating the option of the person to transmit the virus totally, but that all this will be related to political, doctoral and scientific priorities on the way.

We just heard here in Denmark that one of our state institute's vaccines is about to be tested on humans now, but that the real launch will only take place in early 2022. This vaccine, not aspiring to be among the first in the vaccine race, will for example be different in the way that it is more 'modular' than most others, allowing quick adjustments in the composition related to those who need it, or due to ongoing changes in the virus.

It seems that several of the vaccines underway will have high efficiency percentages. Vaccines are likely to be given to selected people such as health workers and elderly people at first, and obviously, knowledge and the study material regarding the individual vaccines will gradually grow.

[prémont]

Obviously, there's a wide range of vaccines about to be launched, and they'll be of varied content and also with varying functions. A professor here emphasized, that some types of vaccines might reduce symptoms only, not eliminating the option of the person to transmit the virus totally, but that all this will be related to political, doctoral and scientific priorities on the way.

Symptom-free carriers , which may not have had any symptoms at all, and who still are able to transmit diseases are not that unusual. This is more common with bacterial diseases e.g. MRSA or meningococci, but also viral diseases e.g. herpes genitaiis.

[drogulus]

Are you in a group particularly at risk of developing a serious illness from COVID?

     I don't think so, even though many people my age are. I have no illnesses of the kind that would put me at greater risk.

[krummholz]

We can't say that if everyone takes it we'll all be better off because we're uncertain of the effects of taking it. So it's a more complicated problem than balancing individual choice and collective rationality.

I agree, and I think I said that... it's not even certain that herd immunity is possible with this virus. Nevertheless, the individual/collective choice is an important dimension of the problem IMO.

[Tom 1960]

I worked for the Postal Service for 33+ years as a letter carrier before retiring December 31, 2019.  Recent state mandates now require the public to wear masks inside and outside in public spaces. Meanwhile folks in the PO up my way are arguing whether they can be forced to wear masks. Many feel it should be a personal choice. Apparently from conversations with a former coworker who I speak to on a regular basis states pretty much nobody wears a mask at present at my old office. So friggin' glad I don't work there anymore.

[Karl Henning]

I worked for the Postal Service for 33+ years as a letter carrier before retiring December 31, 2019.  Recent state mandates now require the public to wear masks inside and outside in public spaces. Meanwhile folks in the PO up my way are arguing whether they can be forced to wear masks. Many feel it should be a personal choice. Apparently from conversations with a former coworker who I speak to on a regular basis states pretty much nobody wears a mask at present at my old office. So friggin' glad I don't work there anymore.

No kidding.

[drogulus]

I worked for the Postal Service for 33+ years as a letter carrier before retiring December 31, 2019.  Recent state mandates now require the public to wear masks inside and outside in public spaces. Meanwhile folks in the PO up my way are arguing whether they can be forced to wear masks. Many feel it should be a personal choice. Apparently from conversations with a former coworker who I speak to on a regular basis states pretty much nobody wears a mask at present at my old office. So friggin' glad I don't work there anymore.

     I'm not coming back until I can eat breakfast at Congdon's.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I worked for the Postal Service for 33+ years as a letter carrier before retiring December 31, 2019.  Recent state mandates now require the public to wear masks inside and outside in public spaces. Meanwhile folks in the PO up my way are arguing whether they can be forced to wear masks. Many feel it should be a personal choice. Apparently from conversations with a former coworker who I speak to on a regular basis states pretty much nobody wears a mask at present at my old office. So friggin' glad I don't work there anymore.

Sorry to hear that Tom.  I hope that those who feel that way there change their minds--particularly with the rapid increase of cases.

I'm curious as to whether (talking to your former coworker) he/she had any comments about their thoughts on the new (Trump-appointed) head of the postal service's actions regarding equipment removal and/or destruction?  And, for what it's worth, all that I've seen and heard regarding the delivery of ballots, were that the USPS took very seriously the delivery of mail-in ballots to individuals and back to the city/town clerks' offices and, I suspect, busted their backs to do their very best....regardless of any judges order.

Best wishes,

PD

[Mirror Image]

I worked for the Postal Service for 33+ years as a letter carrier before retiring December 31, 2019.  Recent state mandates now require the public to wear masks inside and outside in public spaces. Meanwhile folks in the PO up my way are arguing whether they can be forced to wear masks. Many feel it should be a personal choice. Apparently from conversations with a former coworker who I speak to on a regular basis states pretty much nobody wears a mask at present at my old office. So friggin' glad I don't work there anymore.

Yes, this is rather unfortunate to read. I see USPS carriers with no masks all the time. It shouldn't be a personal choice. It should be mandated that all employees of USPS wear masks. If not, they they will be reprimanded. It's our civic duty to wear them! Congratulations on your retirement, btw. I know you're happy you don't have to see that place again.

[Mandryka]

     I don't think so, even though many people my age are. I have no illnesses of the kind that would put me at greater risk.

That shows the danger of icons. In my head, because of your icon, your about 20.

[drogulus]

That shows the danger of icons. In my head, because of your icon, your about 20.

     That was 1970, when I was 21. I don't play guitar through 3 amps any more.

[Karl Henning]

Meanwhile, over in "It it what it is" country.

The Texas Tribune reports:
El Paso hospitals are so overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients that the county has summoned 10 mobile morgues.
With the holidays approaching, health officials and funeral homes are bracing for a potential crush of hospitalizations in Texas.

[Tom 1960]

     I'm not coming back until I can eat breakfast at Congdon's.

Ha! I live a short distance from Congdon's. Just window service and drive through these days. The food trucks still did well during the summer months. Plenty of property to social distance.

[Tom 1960]

Sorry to hear that Tom.  I hope that those who feel that way there change their minds--particularly with the rapid increase of cases.

I'm curious as to whether (talking to your former coworker) he/she had any comments about their thoughts on the new (Trump-appointed) head of the postal service's actions regarding equipment removal and/or destruction?  And, for what it's worth, all that I've seen and heard regarding the delivery of ballots, were that the USPS took very seriously the delivery of mail-in ballots to individuals and back to the city/town clerks' offices and, I suspect, busted their backs to do their very best....regardless of any judges order.

Best wishes,

PD

In reference to the removal of sorting machines my friend felt that Trump was trying to undermine the credibility of the Postal Service. LeJoy was just his stooge. Glad that not many people bought into that nonsense.

[Tom 1960]

Congratulations on your retirement, btw. I know you're happy you don't have to see that place again.

Thanks for the good words. Never did I ever imagine what would be in store for all of us when I walked out that door on my very last day. What a year it has been.

[Karl Henning]

Thanks for the good words. Never did I ever imagine what would be in store for all of us when I walked out that door on my very last day. What a year it has been.

No kidding. Now, if we might only get COVID-19 to retire....

[T. D.]

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-13/trump-silent-on-virus-surge-as-cases-and-deaths-rise-sharply

...
"I find it really just unbelievable that the federal government has just thrown in the towel on this and is doing nothing," said Ashish Jha, dean of the Brown School of Public Health. He expects Biden to inherit an even more dire picture.


"We are in the worst shape that we have been in, in the pandemic. Things are awful and they are going to get much, much worse," he said.

The US recorded 145,000 cases on Thursday, second only to the 152,000 a day earlier, roughly double the figures from just two weeks earlier. Deaths have been trending upward as well with nearly 2,000 on Wednesday alone.

Average of daily U.S. cases has topped 100,000
Data show the virus surging across the entire country, in both cities and smaller towns and in virtually every state. About 65,000 Americans are currently hospitalized from the virus, according to the Covid Tracking Project, another record. The situation is likely to worsen, fueled by cold weather and Thanksgiving gatherings, public health experts say.

Larry Hogan, Maryland's Republican governor and a Trump critic, said the states last had a call with the White House coronavirus task force on Nov. 2.

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"It's one of the things I'm frustrated about," Hogan said Thursday. "The states are out here fighting probably the worst part of the crisis we've ever had to deal with and we don't really know what's going on at the federal level and we don't see any action out of Congress either."
...

[Karl Henning]

Pfizer's Art of the Deal

Why it kept the Trump administration at arm's length.

[T. D.]

Pfizer's Art of the Deal

Why it kept the Trump administration at arm's length.

Interesting. The American Enterprise Institute ripping Cheeto Mussolini?
Who'da thunk it?

[T. D.]

Latest from Superspreader Central:

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/13/more-than-130-secret-service-officers-are-isolating-due-to-covid-19-outbreak-report-says.html

More than 130 U.S. Secret Service officers have been ordered to isolate after testing positive for Covid-19 or being exposed to an infected co-worker, The Washington Post reported Friday.

The sidelined officers make up roughly 10% of the USSS core security team, according to the Post.

The outbreak is thought to be partially related to President Donald Trump's campaign rallies, sources told the paper.

The president maintained a busy campaign travel schedule in the weeks leading up to Election Day, hosting large rallies that were criticized for their scant mask-wearing and lack of social distancing.

Covid-19 infections have also recently afflicted prominent figures in the Trump campaign and White House, including Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, campaign advisor Corey Lewandowski and White House political affairs director Brian Jack.