*** OFFICIAL *** COVID-19 CoronaVirus Thread. Fresh epidemic fears as child pneumonia cases surge in Europe after China outbreak. NOW in USA (11 Viewers)

[beer 30]

 

100% unjabbed. Exposed numerous times to covid. Nothing happened. Why? Answer.  Glad to live in the land of the free: Florida. With the greatest governor in the USA. I'll never take this useless crap.

May I suggest getting healthy. We are an obese, out of shape nation.

   To the judges that struck down the insanity of jab juice mandates and put biden in his place for a virus that has killed AT MOST 0.02% of the population. Gotta exclude all the lies where they called gunshots , car wrecks, falling off a building, etc - covid deaths. Yeah, Dr. Birx counted all deaths COVID if they tested and found covid in their system.

Oh and by the way: Ivermectin does it again. Deny its effectiveness all ya want. Sad that courts have to step in to save people's lives.

Hey welcome back! See you in a couple weeks 

 

[jobarules]

You laughed at my post @jobarules

Did you bother to read the link I posted? More than 99% of healthcare workers stayed on across multiple healthcare organizations and hospitals.

So, we didn't "fire a bunch of healthcare workers". But let's not let facts get in the way of our arguments.

Yeah I read hundreds of links citing 100s of healthcare workers being fired across hundreds of healthcare systems. That link didn't help you.

Looks like a bunch to me

 

[IvanKaramazov]

We do not live in isolation. What we do as a population and community affects everyone. So even for IK, who right now isn't directly affected, hopefully the time doesn't come that he gets ill with something else and can't get timely care as a result of our current situation. 

I understand that this is an issue, but my family and I are all vaccinated.  We're not the ones who are filling up hospitals.  If I was worried about hospitalization, I'd be living the same way I lived 2020.

 

[Harry Frogfish]

Huh. I was agreeing with you

My mistake I was replying to a different post, or so I thought, sorry.

I think Harry thought he was responding to another poster.

Yeah, I screwed up.  

 

[Dragons]

YLE Update

Not great, but some cautiously optimistic developments.

And likely: get your booster for Omicron, especially if you're running on Natural Immunity.

 

[beer 30]

Been listening to an interesting podcast concerning the lab leak theory if anyone is interested. It's 5 hrs long so pack a lunch.

Lex Fridman w/ Jamie Metzl

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

YLE Update

Not great, but some cautiously optimistic developments.

And likely: get your booster for Omicron, especially if you're running on Natural Immunity.

"As hypothesized, the results from the studies look great— T-cells continue to work against Omicron. So even though the number of infections will substantially increase, we will largely stay out of the hospital."

[snip]

"We really need a more generalizable sample in order to differentiate between the two: How do older people fare with Omicron? How about those with no prior infection? Unvaccinated? We still don’t know."

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Maarten van Smeden @MaartenvSmeden 9m

Both drivers wearing a seatbelt and drivers not wearing a seatbelt can die in a car crash Both smokers and non-smokers can get lung cancer etcetera

Maxime Bernier@MaximeBernier

Both the vaccinated and unvaccinated can spread the virus.

 

[Doug B]

Maxime Bernier@MaximeBernier

Both the vaccinated and unvaccinated can spread the virus.

Really, really get tired of running across this empty debate point. Totally illegitimate thing to say, true or not.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

"As hypothesized, the results from the studies look great— T-cells continue to work against Omicron. So even though the number of infections will substantially increase, we will largely stay out of the hospital."

[snip]

"We really need a more generalizable sample in order to differentiate between the two: How do older people fare with Omicron? How about those with no prior infection? Unvaccinated? We still don’t know."

I think there was similar data out of Israel, as what she references in real world data out of the UK.  Pfizer vaccine after 2-shots (and 6 months after) is only 30%-40% effective against infection, but after a booster, it is 80% effective.  Israel also is showing that the booster is as effective against Omnicron as it is against Delta for preventing infection.  

 

[Nathan R. Jessep]

Been listening to an interesting podcast concerning the lab leak theory if anyone is interested. It's 5 hrs long so pack a lunch.

Lex Fridman w/ Jamie Metzl

tl;dr summary when you finish please 

 

[beer 30]

tl;dr summary when you finish please 

Nothing really new so far, I'm 3 hours in and I'm not expecting an "AH HA!" moment at this point. The time line below gives you the talking points they cover. I didn't know who this guy was beforehand but he's a somebody in the field. Basically just laying out the common sense approach to why he thinks a lab leak is more plausible than natural origins. I've been in favor of that theory since day one so I'm jaded. Everything he points out, the coincidental (and nonsensical) thought that a virus developed in bats in an area 1000 miles away from the epicenter of a global pandemic and attributing it to either a bat making the trek or someone being asymptomatic, hopping in a car and driving 1000 miles without stopping to infect anyone along the way and going directly to the Wuhan Meat Market and infecting everyone seems a bit much.

He also goes into the WHO being tainted, why, who it benefits and the way the international community kind of let it happen. I'm at the bolded section below. It's interesting and fills in a lot of blanks if you're like me, an outsider with an opinion. This will give you some points to substantiate the "why/when/how". Metzyl outlines what happened then follows it up with what he thinks actually happened (the coverup) and why.

(00:00) – Introduction
(07:44) – Lab leak
(1:06:18) – Gain-of-function research
(1:15:49) – Anthony Fauci
(1:25:31) – Francis Collins
(1:30:13) – Joe Rogan, Brett Weinstein, and Sam Harris
(2:00:10) – Xi Jinping
(2:14:41) – Patient Zero
(2:27:55) – WHO
(2:51:45) – Government transparency
(3:13:45) – Likelihood of a cover-up
(3:15:34) – Future of reproduction
(3:51:12) – Jon Stewart
(3:56:31) – Joe Rogan and Sanjay Gupta
(4:21:36) – Ultramarathons
(4:31:38) – Chocolate
(4:39:51) – One Shared World
(4:54:54) – Hope for the future

 

[jobarules]

https://lm.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftrib.al%2FNDYIxCy&h=AT2lPBcqAjOaHDnVA4tsg7HRw4MKwSup3WojPQ5n5Tu0Fn3g4zX4hbfaRn-hWzBpDQ4edBi_5PjcmtN4MlUHwA1iYMHFBr9khNZBc8qnhUGDrRSpcRUmUlYEhUgN4Pngzg

‘Super responsible’ vaccinated people at wedding lead to Omicron outbreak at California hospital

 

[IC FBGCav]

I think there was similar data out of Israel, as what she references in real world data out of the UK.  Pfizer vaccine after 2-shots (and 6 months after) is only 30%-40% effective against infection, but after a booster, it is 80% effective.  Israel also is showing that the booster is as effective against Omnicron as it is against Delta for preventing infection.  

What did that study say about natural immunity.  Can't pick and choose now.  13x better than the vaxx.   

 

[Alex P Keaton]

https://lm.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftrib.al%2FNDYIxCy&h=AT2lPBcqAjOaHDnVA4tsg7HRw4MKwSup3WojPQ5n5Tu0Fn3g4zX4hbfaRn-hWzBpDQ4edBi_5PjcmtN4MlUHwA1iYMHFBr9khNZBc8qnhUGDrRSpcRUmUlYEhUgN4Pngzg

‘Super responsible’ vaccinated people at wedding lead to Omicron outbreak at California hospital

What’s your point?

 

[Doug B]

A lot of this stuff doesn't pan out ... but I'm excited by the prospect of a multivalent vaccine finally getting to trial. The way the article is worded, too, makes it sound like researchers are beginning to apply predictions of near-future SARS-CoV-2 mutations to the design of this vaccine.

Additionally, for reasons I'm not clear on, this vaccine is being developed to be given by an updated jet injection system, not by a needle.

Trial begins of needle-free Covid vaccine targeting new variants (BBC, 12/14/2021)

The vaccine, DIOS-CoVax, uses different technology to fight the disease which could provide much broader protection against Covid variants and other coronaviruses, [said Prof Jonathan Heeney of Cambridge University].

"It's vital that we continue to develop new generation vaccine candidates ready to help keep us safe from the next virus threats," [Heeney] added.

"It is the first step towards a universal coronavirus vaccine we are developing, protecting us not just from Covid-19 variants but from future coronaviruses."

Current Covid-19 vaccines use genes taken from the virus spike protein to encode antigens, which causes the immune system to produce antibodies.

This new vaccine uses predictive methods to mimic the wider family of coronavirus antigens that researchers hope will give more protection.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Anybody have intel on boosters for teenagers?   If it has already been shared in here, apologies.

 

[belljr]

Anybody have intel on boosters for teenagers?   If it has already been shared in here, apologies.

16+ has been approved 

I'm assuming under 16 is not needed since the vaccine was recently approved 

Eta: There is no recommended booster for under 16 at this time. 

 

[Doug B]

I'm assuming under 16 is not needed since the vaccine was recently approved 

It's coming about time for 12-15-year-olds to be boosted. My 15-year-old's second shot was in early June. Just past six months now.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

It's coming about time for 12-15-year-olds to be boosted. My 15-year-old's second shot was in early June. Just past six months now.

Yep.  Ditto.  Mine were in late June.  I’m not panicked or anything - just aware and thoughtful.

 

[Dragons]

I guess it is time to be grateful for my oldest son not turning 12 until August and my youngest just hitting full immunity last weekend from his series of shots. 

 

[[icon]]

Flying to visit the folks and brother for Christmas. Direct MEM>TPA.
 

Will do the N95 thing and ramp up precautions a bit. I fly a ton and haven't had an issue to date, but had been getting more lax (not using N95). With Omicron now in the wild it's time to return to pre-vax levels of precautions for me. GF and I will test the morning we fly. 

Very politely Mentioned to folks and brother to maybe scale back social / crowds this week to decrease odds of a family outbreak. Brother still is unvaxxed and his wife is an antivaxxer but no response from him. Folks agreed (both vaxxed and recovered).

I wouldn't have mentioned anything except my brothers family had an outbreak that infected my 70yo parents last holiday season... so it merited mention  

 

[PlayaHata]

Two unrelated COVID tidbits to share:

1. My wife and I went on a Royal Caribbean cruise out of Miami last week.  RCCL required proof of vaccination for all guests over 12 and a negative test 48 hours prior to boarding.  While on the ship, masks were required when indoors, but they also had many of their events for vaccinated folks only (i.e. certain shows and large sections of the main dining room) and we weren't required to wear masks in those areas.  I thought the cruise line handled COVID quite well overall in terms of trying to balance health & safety with freedom & comfort.
   
2. When we got back to Miami on Sunday night, I took my phone out of airplane mode and got a text message that one of my close co-workers went into the hospital last week with COVID.  My team is still WFH so I hadn't seen him in person in 2 months, but he's been on a ventilator and sedated for a week now.  I talked to his wife on the phone and she also has COVID but luckily not nearly as bad, but she's at home on a bunch of meds and also on oxygen.  I'm not 100% positive, but I'm fairly certain they weren't vaccinated.  I asked my wife last night - "Is it wrong to be frustrated with folks who intentionally choose not to be vaccinated and then they're surprised this happened to them?"  They've got a daughter away at college that had to come home to help since they also have an autistic son who needs constant care.  Count me as another one of the many who don't get the mindset that deciding to go unvaxxed is less risky than getting the shot.
   

 

[Doug B]

My wife and I went on a Royal Caribbean cruise out of Miami last week.  RCCL required proof of vaccination for all guests over 12 and a negative test 48 hours prior to boarding.  While on the ship, masks were required when indoors, but they also had many of their events for vaccinated folks only (i.e. certain shows and large sections of the main dining room) and we weren't required to wear masks in those areas.

To be clear: Were all guests over 12 vaccinated? So that the vaccinated-only events were essentially no-small-kids events?

 

[top dog]

So to recap, my Mother-In-law is sick with covid. So far she has been pretty sick, but not bad enough to worry about hospitalization or anything.. So far so good there.. Taking my old man to the hospital to start some cancer treatment on Monday. My brother is the only other of my siblings local and had asked him to help out with what he can. He calls me just now to tell me that he is currently at his in laws house because HIS mother-in-law just got out the hospital from COVID and was supposed to go to a rehab facility because she is dealing with brain fog from the covid. She insisted on going home. Her husband ALSO has been dealing with covid, but didn't need hospitalized. He collapsed tonight and had to be taken to the hospital with his oxygen levels at like 85%. The mother-in-law, father-in-law and my brother's wife are all unvaccinated. Because his mother-in-law can't be alone and the husband is now in the hospital, AND BECAUSE MY SISTER-IN-LAW REFUSED TO GET VACCINATED... My brother who is vaccinated (and boosted) is staying with the MIL until they can get her into a rehab facility. But now that my brother is potentially exposed to COVID and my old man is going to go through some chemo... He is no longer in the equation of helping with my old man. 

Update - my sister-in-law is now covid positive. 

 

[PlayaHata]

To be clear: Were all guests over 12 vaccinated? So that the vaccinated-only events were essentially no-small-kids events?

That was my understanding, yes.  And there were way less kids than normal on this cruise too, which was definitely nice.  And on top of that, I heard the ship was only at 75% capacity in terms of total guests, but I'm guessing they're slowly ramping that up.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

On reflection, I think a cruise is still one of the very small number of things that I would opt against.  No judgment of course, but I'm still affected a bit by that cruise ship that was stuck in harbor early in the pandemic.  

 

[PlayaHata]

On reflection, I think a cruise is still one of the very small number of things that I would opt against.  No judgment of course, but I'm still affected a bit by that cruise ship that was stuck in harbor early in the pandemic.  

I'm sure there are plenty that feel the same way you do.  We decided to go mainly because of the following:

• We're both vaccinated plus we both have the booster
  
• We knew the ship wasn't at full capacity
  
• Prices were insanely low
  

 

[Sand]

On reflection, I think a cruise is still one of the very small number of things that I would opt against.  No judgment of course, but I'm still affected a bit by that cruise ship that was stuck in harbor early in the pandemic.  

New Pfizer pill is 90% effective.  If that holds it's the end of this pandemic for most of us, don't you think?  Just pack a couple of those and head out.

 

[Mene]

New Pfizer pill is 90% effective.  If that holds it's the end of this pandemic for most of us, don't you think?  Just pack a couple of those and head out.

Will those who refuse the vaccine take these?  I would really like to hear from anyone in this thread who is of that view... would take the pill, but not the vaccine.  Interested in the thinking if there is anyone in that camp.

For those of us who are vaccinated, not sure if the pill makes a difference, does it?  Or is there more to the pill than just 90% effective against serious illness?

 

[AAABatteries]

Will those who refuse the vaccine take these?  I would really like to hear from anyone in this thread who is of that view... would take the pill, but not the vaccine.  Interested in the thinking if there is anyone in that camp.

For those of us who are vaccinated, not sure if the pill makes a difference, does it?  Or is there more to the pill than just 90% effective against serious illness?

I would assume the pill is even more protection for those that are vaccinated - similar to those who get a flu shot but then get the flu - Tamiflu or whatever it is they give you nowadays would still be effective in making the illness be lessened.

 

[beer 30]

Will those who refuse the vaccine take these?  I would really like to hear from anyone in this thread who is of that view... would take the pill, but not the vaccine.  Interested in the thinking if there is anyone in that camp.

Much, MUCH easier to hide a tracking device in a pill than in a shot, just saying 

So just got boosted. Went to my rheumatologist today for normal checkup, he asked if I was vaccinated, said yes but not boosted yet and I was due in January. He said you're immunocompromised so go get boosted today. So scheduled a shot, fill out questionnaire which asks if you're immunocompromised, say yes, go in and they tell me because of that, you get the full dose of Moderna instead of the half dose.

#### you COVID, STRONG LIKE BULL   #TeamModerna

 

[Dezbelief]

Will those who refuse the vaccine take these?  I would really like to hear from anyone in this thread who is of that view... would take the pill, but not the vaccine.  Interested in the thinking if there is anyone in that camp.

For those of us who are vaccinated, not sure if the pill makes a difference, does it?  Or is there more to the pill than just 90% effective against serious illness?

Some unvaxed have a change of heart about the vaccines after they get infected and it's too late, some do not. I would like to think most antivaxers would take the pill. 

I would put that thought at about a 5 of 16 in a confidence pool.

 

[Terminalxylem]

Will those who refuse the vaccine take these?  I would really like to hear from anyone in this thread who is of that view... would take the pill, but not the vaccine.  Interested in the thinking if there is anyone in that camp.

For those of us who are vaccinated, not sure if the pill makes a difference, does it?  Or is there more to the pill than just 90% effective against serious illness?

I also wonder what the official antivax stance on newer therapeutics will be. My guess is the stalwarts will reject anything new from “Big Pharma”, and fall back on celebrity podcast endorsed cr@p like ivermectin and vitamins. That being said, when unvaccinated people get hospitalized, they nearly universally accept legitimate standards of care.

And the Pfizer pill definitely is effective for all comers, independent of vaccination status. It impacts the virus using a mechanism which is completely distinct from vaccines. But if history has taught us anything, it’s viral mutation will eventually render the drugs less effective. This is the reason the best antiviral drugs are “cocktails” containing two or three different medicines, reducing the risk a single mutation will kill their efficacy.

 

[Sand]

For those of us who are vaccinated, not sure if the pill makes a difference, does it?  Or is there more to the pill than just 90% effective against serious illness?

It may be very useful for the immune suppressed and elderly folks that are vaccinated.

 

[ericttspikes]

I've noticed several tweets and articles recently say that "almost everyone in South Africa has had Covid" already. These are usually in articles trying to theorize that SA's lower hospitalization rates so far in this wave is because almost everyone there has had Covid and that is the difference between SA and places like the US and the UK. Does anyone know where that stat comes from? There is close to 60 million South Africans and the data I see is around 3.2 million cases. I get that most countries don't report all cases, but SA must really undercount for the narrative of "everyone in SA has had Covid" to keep being repeated. Seems like there is a better chance everyone in the US has had Covid based on our numbers compared to SA. 

 

[Doug B]

But if history has taught us anything, it’s viral mutation will eventually render the drugs less effective.

I could look this up, but since your around: Do you know whether or not this has begun to happen with Tamiflu yet? Or is still new enough not to have seen efficacy slip just yet?

 

[The Z Machine]

I've noticed several tweets and articles recently say that "almost everyone in South Africa has had Covid" already. These are usually in articles trying to theorize that SA's lower hospitalization rates so far in this wave is because almost everyone there has had Covid and that is the difference between SA and places like the US and the UK. Does anyone know where that stat comes from? There is close to 60 million South Africans and the data I see is around 3.2 million cases. I get that most countries don't report all cases, but SA must really undercount for the narrative of "everyone in SA has had Covid" to keep being repeated. Seems like there is a better chance everyone in the US has had Covid based on our numbers compared to SA. 

Access to medical care and quantity of test labs likely plays into the undercount in SA.

 

[[icon]]

Much, MUCH easier to hide a tracking device in a pill than in a shot, just saying 

So just got boosted. Went to my rheumatologist today for normal checkup, he asked if I was vaccinated, said yes but not boosted yet and I was due in January. He said you're immunocompromised so go get boosted today. So scheduled a shot, fill out questionnaire which asks if you're immunocompromised, say yes, go in and they tell me because of that, you get the full dose of Moderna instead of the half dose.

#### you COVID, STRONG LIKE BULL   #TeamModerna

Woot! #teamfullmodernadose 

 

[gianmarco]

I could look this up, but since your around: Do you know whether or not this has begun to happen with Tamiflu yet? Or is still new enough not to have seen efficacy slip just yet?

Tamiflu "efficacy" at baseline is close to worthless. It's not a good drug. Why it's still used as much as it is is something I don't understand. The main benefit is to prevent complications in at risk individuals, and even that is somewhat limited.

 

[Doug B]

Tamiflu "efficacy" at baseline is close to worthless. It's not a good drug. Why it's still used as much as it is is something I don't understand.

The placebo effect is a helluva ... well, you know.

 

[jobarules]

Tamiflu "efficacy" at baseline is close to worthless. It's not a good drug. Why it's still used as much as it is is something I don't understand. The main benefit is to prevent complications in at risk individuals, and even that is somewhat limited.

So we're NOT supposed to listen to our doctor's recommendations when they prescribe it?

 

[[icon]]

So we're NOT supposed to listen to our doctor's recommendations when they prescribe it?

IF folks beg them for something to treat it, they'll usually write it because there's not much reason NOT to.. it's not like an antibiotic that's facing growing resistance. 

If they're actively pushing it as a sure thing... I'd consider looking for a new PCP. Like any other profession, there are @Studs & Duds

 

[jobarules]

NYU to require booster shots

 

[gianmarco]

IF folks beg them for something to treat it, they'll usually write it because there's not much reason NOT to.. it's not like an antibiotic that's facing growing resistance. 

If they're actively pushing it as a sure thing... I'd consider looking for a new PCP. Like any other profession, there are @Studs & Duds

1. There is reason not to, actually. The side effects from Tamiflu are not uncommonly worse than the benefits achieved (usually less than a day improvement in symptoms). Rarely, those side effects can be quite dangerous.

2. Resistance is an issue with Tamiflu.

The other main problem with Tamiflu in addition to the above is that the greatest benefit is when it's taken early on during symptoms. Ideally within the first 12 hours and the cutoff is generally 48 hours. Beyond that, any nominal benefits are usually lost. Since most people aren't getting seen/tested that early on when symptoms start, it adds to the lack of utility in Tamiflu. 

If interested in reading more about Tamiflu and questionable benefits from it (might be too technical for most but here it is anyway). Even the FDA states that there isn't conclusive evidence that Tamiflu does what it claims to do. 

 

[IC FBGCav]

I also wonder what the official antivax stance on newer therapeutics will be. My guess is the stalwarts will reject anything new from “Big Pharma”, and fall back on celebrity podcast endorsed cr@p like ivermectin and vitamins. That being said, when unvaccinated people get hospitalized, they nearly universally accept legitimate standards of care.

And the Pfizer pill definitely is effective for all comers, independent of vaccination status. It impacts the virus using a mechanism which is completely distinct from vaccines. But if history has taught us anything, it’s viral mutation will eventually render the drugs less effective. This is the reason the best antiviral drugs are “cocktails” containing two or three different medicines, reducing the risk a single mutation will kill their efficacy.

I think you need two things.  First if they are necessary, I know this has gone by the wayside.  Any large studies that prove what they do.  Really simple. 

 

[ignatiusjreilly]

Had two minor Covid scares this week: one at work (we're mostly still remote, but I happened to be in the office on the same day as the person who tested positive) and one at home (our babysitter). In both cases, I got tested, as did my wife and kids, and everything came back negative. We're all vaccinated, so I was never particularly worried about anyone getting severely ill, but these experiences drove home the fact that I really don't want to get Covid.

I'm not talking about the societal-level response to the pandemic. I'm just saying on an individual level, I don't want to have to deal with it. The hassle of having to quarantine, the worry about exposing my immunocompromised mother-in-law (who we see weekly), and above all, the fact that if anyone in the household tests positive, my younger son's school requires him to stay home for 10 days.

That doesn't mean I'm going to go back to full lockdown or anything. In fact, I had been starting to ease up even more on a lot of stuff in the past few weeks, ever since I got my booster. In between those two scares, I attended a conference in Orlando, and while they generally had decent safety protocols (it was a medical conference, after all) there were still plenty of times when I was unmasked indoors with strangers. So I will definitely continue to take calculated risks when it's an activity I really want to do. 

But the notion that I'll view the pandemic as "over" just because I'm vaccinated and no longer have to worry about serious illness, hospitalization or death? I wish I could -- and I kind of envy those of you who can -- but I'm not there yet.

 

[jobarules]

1. There is reason not to, actually. The side effects from Tamiflu are not uncommonly worse than the benefits achieved (usually less than a day improvement in symptoms). Rarely, those side effects can be quite dangerous.

2. Resistance is an issue with Tamiflu.

The other main problem with Tamiflu in addition to the above is that the greatest benefit is when it's taken early on during symptoms. Ideally within the first 12 hours and the cutoff is generally 48 hours. Beyond that, any nominal benefits are usually lost. Since most people aren't getting seen/tested that early on when symptoms start, it adds to the lack of utility in Tamiflu. 

If interested in reading more about Tamiflu and questionable benefits from it (might be too technical for most but here it is anyway). Even the FDA states that there isn't conclusive evidence that Tamiflu does what it claims to do. 

So you see no hypocrisy between your response of "because doctors recommend it" when people say they see no reason to get the booster but you saying the same thing about Tamiflu?

Ridiculous 

 

[Biff84]

So we're NOT supposed to listen to our doctor's recommendations when they prescribe it?

To echo what others have said, Tamiflu is mainly for those something when they are sick with the flu. When people are sick with the flu, the main treatment is rest, fluids, symptom treatment and time. Many people aren’t happy with that answer when they feel miserable and that’s when Tamiflu comes in. It’s only effective if you take it early in the symptoms and will take a day off of the duration of illness. So not much for the average case of flu. There’s certainly a place for it with the elderly and the young but for most, it’s not needed. Before it was generic, it was expensive and insurance coverage wasn’t great. I probably talked more people out of it than I convinced to get it.

If the Pfizer pill is comparable to Tamiflu and needs to be given early to be effective, that’s not a game changer. Any help is still great but not a pandemic ender.

 

[jobarules]

Had two minor Covid scares this week: one at work (we're mostly still remote, but I happened to be in the office on the same day as the person who tested positive) and one at home (our babysitter). In both cases, I got tested, as did my wife and kids, and everything came back negative. We're all vaccinated, so I was never particularly worried about anyone getting severely ill, but these experiences drove home the fact that I really don't want to get Covid.

I'm not talking about the societal-level response to the pandemic. I'm just saying on an individual level, I don't want to have to deal with it. The hassle of having to quarantine, the worry about exposing my immunocompromised mother-in-law (who we see weekly), and above all, the fact that if anyone in the household tests positive, my younger son's school requires him to stay home for 10 days.

That doesn't mean I'm going to go back to full lockdown or anything. In fact, I had been starting to ease up even more on a lot of stuff in the past few weeks, ever since I got my booster. In between those two scares, I attended a conference in Orlando, and while they generally had decent safety protocols (it was a medical conference, after all) there were still plenty of times when I was unmasked indoors with strangers. So I will definitely continue to take calculated risks when it's an activity I really want to do. 

But the notion that I'll view the pandemic as "over" just because I'm vaccinated and no longer have to worry about serious illness, hospitalization or death? I wish I could -- and I kind of envy those of you who can -- but I'm not there yet.

Newsflash: you will get covid eventually