Covid 19 thread

[cliffs]

President Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani has tested positive for the coronavirus, the president announced Sunday on Twitter.

"Get better soon Rudy, we will carry on!!!" Trump exclaimed while praising Giuliani's record as mayor of New York City.

[cliffs]

Ivanov Sergey Nikolaevich, the scriptwriter for the survival-horror S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl, has passed away.

Born in Kiev in 1954, Ivanov was not drawn towards creative pursuits in his childhood or youth, surprisingly. He enjoyed science-fiction books and comics, and was a big fan of Boris Stern, a Soviet writer who penned a range of fairy tales, satire, social and realistic prose.

"If they did not provoke a desire to take up the pen, then, at least, they made me look at writing from a slightly different angle," said Ivanov. "I don't consider myself, like many of those who write now, to be a writer (here, Stern was a real writer!)"



Simultaneously, Ivanov's creative writing was featured in magazines and newspapers, and after his stint at National Academy of Sciences, he got a job as a literary editor of the book series, VEGA. Of course, his academic research into the synthesis of digital automata and his personal passion for science-fiction overlapped with these aforementioned leaps in entertainment technology. S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl is based upon the book, Roadside Picnic, which describes an alternate reality where visits from aliens leave behind "zones" of strange phenomena on Earth.

Ivanov worked for the developer, GSC Game World, in 1991, adapting that text into an interactive and fully realised version of the original, and titled S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Oblivion Lost. Sadly, this has been lost, though its successor Shadow of Chernobyl released in 2007 takes from its source material and the script that Ivanov wrote. Though the reasons for the "zones" differ, the game references a handful of narrative events from Roadside Picnic, like the wish granter, and recycles terminology from the book.

Ivanov was an important link between Soviet science fiction and the video game industry in Ukraine, and without his input, we would be without one of the touchstones of survival-horror games today.

[cliffs]

The first Covid-19 vaccines from Pfizer and BioNTech are being distributed in the UK this week, marking a turning point in the pandemic. As more countries move to authorize and disseminate vaccines, the end of the pandemic can feel tantalizingly close. But before we can get a clear idea of when and how life could return to normal, we have a number of outstanding questions to answer.



One of those remaining unknowns: Once an individual is vaccinated, how long will their immunity to Covid-19 last? To answer this question and others, scientists need to collect more data from vaccine trials—some of which will simply take longer to collect.



At the moment, only three vaccine candidates—those from Pfizer and BioNTech, Moderna, and AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford—have released meaningful safety and efficacy data from their late-stage clinical trials. These data are enough for global regulatory bodies to assess whether or not to authorize the vaccines for widespread use. But every Covid-19 vaccine in the pipeline will continue those trials well beyond authorization.



The question of the duration of a vaccine’s efficacy “will be part of ongoing studies,” Albert Bourla, the chief executive officer at Pfizer, said on a press call with the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations on Dec. 8. The answer doesn’t just depend on how a vaccine performs; it could also change depending on how SARS-CoV-2 acts in the real world.



Early evidence from individual cases has suggested that it’s possible to develop Covid-19 more than once. Scientists still aren’t clear on why this happens; theoretically, after we get sick, our immune cells should build up antibody defenses that will be ready to tackle future infections even faster. It could be that Covid-19 is more like seasonal viruses, like the cold or flu, for which we don’t retain long-term immunity. In that case, beating back the pandemic and keeping it back would require repeated vaccinations.



Cold and flu viruses also mutate substantially year after year, which is why we need flu shots annually; there is no vaccine for the viruses that cause the common cold. In that case, we might have to redesign the Covid-19 vaccine before we take it again. But so far, it seems like SARS-CoV-2 is spreading faster than it mutates—which means that we likely won’t need new vaccines every year.



It could also be that reinfections simply occur when individuals didn’t get sick enough to develop strong antibody responses against the virus. If that’s the case, there’s a chance vaccines could generate a stronger immune response than these weaker cases, protecting people for multiple years. Early mouse studies of mRNA vaccines targeting SARS-CoV-2 provided immunity to mice 13 weeks after they received two doses, which could translate to years of time in humans.



But the fact remains that no one really knows the answers to these questions. Scientists will just have to keep collecting information from the continued vaccine trials to know for sure.



The Pfizer/BioNTech and other trials will extend for dozens of months. Tens of thousands of trial participants will continue to check in periodically with healthcare providers, providing more data about long-term safety and efficacy and receiving supportive care should they need it. If participants who received the vaccine go on to develop Covid-19 after a year, for example, scientists will know that annual boosters may be necessary.



These long-term follow ups can answer other remaining questions about Covid-19 vaccines, too. They can assess if vaccine candidates actually stop viral transmission, or if they only protect individuals from getting sick. (Theoretically, vaccines should stop transmission as they eliminate the chance for the virus to replicate inside us.) They’ll also be able to demonstrate any long-term side effects from these vaccines.



As this information becomes available, it can help inform public health decisions about re-opening schools, restaurants, or unrestricted travel. But until we have a complete understanding of both the virus and the vaccines that protect against it, basic public health tools—tracking local transmission and hospitalization rates—are one of our best weapons.

[cliffs]

[cliffs]

US COVID deaths surpass number of Americans killed in World War II

[cliffs]

F***ing dumbass typical Republican

GOP Congressman-Elect Praises Maskless Trump Supporters: 'This Is A Phony Pandemic'


Looking out at the largely-maskless throng of attendees at a pro-Trump rally in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Republican congressman-elect Bob Good dismissed the coronavirus pandemic as “phony” and lauded the crowd as “a group of people that gets it.”

“I can’t tell you how great it is to look out there and see your faces,” said Good, who won Virginia’s 5th Congressional District seat last month. “This looks like a group of people that gets it. This is a phony pandemic.”

“It’s a serious virus, but it’s a virus, it’s not a pandemic,” continued Good, who was wearing a Trump 2020 hat but no mask.

Good’s remarks come as the United States reports record-breaking COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths. On Wednesday, at least 3,124 people in the U.S. died from the coronavirus. It was the first time that the daily death toll has surpassed 3,000.

[golfer dude]

Dec 13, 2020 12:11:04 GMT cliffs said:

F***ing dumbass typical Republican

GOP Congressman-Elect Praises Maskless Trump Supporters: 'This Is A Phony Pandemic'


Looking out at the largely-maskless throng of attendees at a pro-Trump rally in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Republican congressman-elect Bob Good dismissed the coronavirus pandemic as “phony” and lauded the crowd as “a group of people that gets it.”

“I can’t tell you how great it is to look out there and see your faces,” said Good, who won Virginia’s 5th Congressional District seat last month. “This looks like a group of people that gets it. This is a phony pandemic.”

“It’s a serious virus, but it’s a virus, it’s not a pandemic,” continued Good, who was wearing a Trump 2020 hat but no mask.

Good’s remarks come as the United States reports record-breaking COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths. On Wednesday, at least 3,124 people in the U.S. died from the coronavirus. It was the first time that the daily death toll has surpassed 3,000.

As a republican, its Republicans like this that piss me off, Cliff.

They are just puppets cause god forbid anything be said that would be counterintuitive against their infallible leader aka Donny Trump.

[cliffs]

Dec 14, 2020 8:20:21 GMT golfer dude said:

Dec 13, 2020 12:11:04 GMT cliffs said:

F***ing dumbass typical Republican

GOP Congressman-Elect Praises Maskless Trump Supporters: 'This Is A Phony Pandemic'


Looking out at the largely-maskless throng of attendees at a pro-Trump rally in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Republican congressman-elect Bob Good dismissed the coronavirus pandemic as “phony” and lauded the crowd as “a group of people that gets it.”

“I can’t tell you how great it is to look out there and see your faces,” said Good, who won Virginia’s 5th Congressional District seat last month. “This looks like a group of people that gets it. This is a phony pandemic.”

“It’s a serious virus, but it’s a virus, it’s not a pandemic,” continued Good, who was wearing a Trump 2020 hat but no mask.

Good’s remarks come as the United States reports record-breaking COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths. On Wednesday, at least 3,124 people in the U.S. died from the coronavirus. It was the first time that the daily death toll has surpassed 3,000.

As a republican, its Republicans like this that piss me off, Cliff.

They are just puppets cause god forbid anything be said that would be counterintuitive against their infallible leader aka Donny Trump.

As an Independent that has 2 son in laws that love Donnie and now my oldest daughter and my oldest grand daughter are leaning heavily towards calling themselves republicans, it is a quagmire to maneuver around them.

I don't try to dissuade them from having their own beliefs but when the four of them insist on a rigged election and all the other crap coming from Donnie and all his allies, I just throw my hands up and shake my head. 

I asked them if it would be okay for Hillary to contest the 2016 election due to the fact she won the popular vote and they emphatically answer, what the hell for, she lost the electoral college vote....see what I live with.

[cliffs]

I know, let's play a game



Tyson Foods terminated seven employees from an Iowa pork plant following an independent investigation into allegations that management wagered on how many workers would get infected with Covid-19, the meat processing giant announced on Wednesday.

All of those fired were plant management employees at the facility in Waterloo, Iowa.

“We value our people and expect everyone on the team, especially our leaders, to operate with integrity and care in everything we do,” said Dean Banks, Tyson Foods President and CEO, said in a statement on Wednesday. “The behaviors exhibited by these individuals do not represent the Tyson core values, which is why we took immediate and appropriate action to get to the truth."

The wagering allegations, which stem from a wrongful death lawsuit filed on behalf of deceased Tyson Foods Inc. employee, Isidro Fernandez, stated that plant management did not do enough to protect employees while Covid-19 rapidly spread through the facility in early April.

According to the suit, 1,000 of 2,800 employees at the Waterloo plant were infected.

The plant manager, according to the lawsuit, "organized a cash buy-in, winner-take-all betting pool for supervisors and managers to wager how many employees would test positive for COVID-19."

Upon learning of the allegations, the company initiated its own investigation headed by former Attorney General Eric Holder and the law firm Covington & Burling LLP to look into a possible wagering ring.

Tyson said Banks and others immediately traveled to Waterloo to meet with plant team members and community leaders "to reinforce Tyson’s commitment to them and the community." Banks said he was " very upset to learn of the behaviors found in the allegations, as we expect our leaders to treat all team members with the highest levels of respect and integrity." '

Black Hawk County Sheriff Tony Thompson visited the Waterloo plant in the spring and said that conditions were so awful that they "shook" him "to the core," according to the suit. At that time, plant workers were crowded together and few wore face coverings.

Tyson closed down the plant after the outbreak, but reopened again less than a month later.

[cliffs]

Isn't this a new twist. Now the question arises, does the vaccine work against this mutant?



LONDON — The United Kingdom was increasingly isolated on Monday as countries around the world shut their doors to the island nation after a possibly more infectious strain of the coronavirus was detected.

Almost two dozen countries including Canada, France, Germany, Israel, Iran, Colombia and Morocco have suspended flights from the U.K. for 48 hours or more. Saudi Arabia has closed its borders and suspended all flights regardless of destination or origin.

[TimB]

From what I've heard is the vaccine will work with this new strain. The new strain has more transmissibility but is still the same.

In Ontario Canada here. We are headed to full lockdown on Thursday..yes Thursday because our hash dealing Ontario PM (Ford/Trump north) wants to let businesses reap the benefits of the holiday rush before he locks everything down. Then 8 months from now he can say he ordered the lockdown.

I really don't get the "we are locking down in 4 days so rush out, jam yourselves into stores to buy all the toilet paper then we will lockdown"..DO IT FUCKING NOW.

edited to add.

I watched a CNN show about the 1918 flu. The parallels are amazing. Protests against masks, the second wave etc..There was one picture that I liked. "Wear a mask or go to jail" 

Edited to add again..

I don't think putting people in jail is the solution to refusing to wear a mask though. You should have to work in the hospital on a covid ward with no mask wiping asses.

[cliffs]

Been waiting for stories on virus mutation and here they come. I wonder if the vaccine that was rushed to the people is effective against this strain?



Japan will halt all new non-resident foreign arrivals coming from overseas from Monday until late January, Tokyo said Saturday, as the country reported its first cases of a new strain of the coronavirus.

Japan currently restricts entry for foreigners from most countries over fears of the virus, requiring all visitors to undergo mandatory quarantine upon arrival.

Tokyo now plans to strengthen those requirements: Japanese travelers and foreign residents from countries where the new coronavirus strain has been reported must take tests within 72 hours ahead of their departure for the country and again upon arrival at Japanese airports.

******

A frightening new coronavirus variant that started in the U.K. has now been detected in several European nations and in Japan, Lebanon, Australia and Canada, health officials reported.

France, Italy, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark were among the nations reporting cases.

Several countries enacted U.K. travel bans Sunday after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned of the strain that scientists have determined is approximately 56% more transmissible than other strains. (Johnson initially said it was as much as 70% more transmissible.)

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Sunday called on President Donald Trump’s administration — which he called “grossly negligent” — to immediately institute a U.K. travel ban or require testing of airline passengers as six flights daily fly into New York airports.

“Today that variant is getting on a plane and landing at JFK,” Cuomo said in a statement.

[cliffs]

ABUJA, Nigeria—On Dec. 5, Joël Bokadi received a WhatsApp message from a Nigerian phone number. It insisted that coronavirus vaccines produced by American companies can hurt people’s immune systems and are less effective than vaccines produced in Russia. As soon as he saw the message, Bokadi began to forward it to dozens of his contacts on the messaging app.



Within two days, Bokadi, who lives near Lwemba town in Democratic Republic of Congo's northeastern Ituri province, had forwarded the message to about 40 people across the restive district, where ethnic militia attacks have killed hundreds of civilians since March and displaced more than 200,000 people since the beginning of the year.



The suspicious message came with a link to a website purporting to provide “facts” on how Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the United States National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a leading voice on the coronavirus, “buried research by a popular American female scientist that showed how vaccines can damage people’s immune systems,” Bokadi told The Daily Beast. “I believe the vaccines produced in America are dangerous and are aimed at reducing the world’s population.”

[cliffs]

Golfer Greg Norman urged Covid "doubters" to take the virus seriously as he revealed it had “kicked the crap out of me like nothing I have ever experienced before”.
The 65-year-old Australian posted a picture of himself from his hospital bed on Sunday after testing positive for the disease while suffering severe headaches, muscle pain and fatigue.
He wrote on Instagram: "For those doubters out there, do not judge or cast unwarranted comments and opinions I would not want anyone, even you, to experience this hideous virus.
"So I ask, do what is right, not just for you, but your family friends co-workers and other people around. I am luckier than most and for that I am thankful and blessed."
Norman believes he was exposed to coronavirus while competing in the PNC Championship tournament in Orlando, Florida, last week with his son, who has also tested positive.
After suffering symptoms while quarantining at home, he admitted himself to hospital on Christmas Day. He told his followers: "This sums it all up... On behalf of millions, f*** CoVid. This get this s*** behind us never to experience it again."
He was released back home to continue his quarantine while awaiting the result of a PCR test but on Sunday Norman revealed he was back in hospital in Palm Beach Gardens and was receiving an antibody treatment.

[cliffs]

Lest we for get this nasty story



Second new coronavirus variant worries health experts.

Another coronavirus variant that shares some of the same mutations as the B.1.1.7 strain, first identified in the U.K., has begun spreading rapidly after it was first identified in South Africa in mid-December. It has quickly become the predominant variant there, but it has also gained a foothold in other countries, including Brazil, which is experiencing a surge of COVID-19 cases.

The new strain, designated 501Y.V2, emerged independently from the U.K. variant, but they both share a few mutations in common, including one that seems to make both these variants more infectious. However, there’s no evidence yet suggesting that they cause more severe disease.

So far, the South African variant has not been detected in the U.S., but top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci told Newsweek that he would be surprised if it were not already here, noting that because of international travel, "sooner or later viruses spread throughout the world.”



news.yahoo.com/second-new-coronavirus-variant-worries-health-experts-heres-what-we-know-000414839.html