SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus (COVID-19)

There appears to be a new local California strain, CAL.20C, that "may be contributing to the acceleration of the recent surge of cases across Southern California":
Local COVID-19 Strain Found in Over One-Third of Los Angeles Patients

 

Thank you for the additional reference. From that journal article:

Both South African teams will soon test the 501Y.V2 variant with serum from people who participated in COVID-19 vaccine trials, and similar studies are under way at labs worldwide. A team co-led by Bieniasz found that receptor binding domain mutations in 501Y.V2 caused modest drop in the potency of antibodies from people who got either the Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccines6. That’s “a reassuring finding”, says Moore, but it will be important to test the consequences of the additional mutations 501Y.V2 carries.
(Bolded lines are my edits)

Again, these finings should not cause fear of a present loss off effectiveness of the current Covid vaccines. As time goes on and there are further mutations we may be in the same situation as with the Flu and need periodic revaccinations.

JeffD

 

You should check today's Dr. Fauci's WH press briefing. He talked about the variant virus and the effectiveness of the current vaccine. If I can find a video clip link I will post it here, but it was streaming LIVE ended just a few seconds ago. In essence, he was very optimistic about the effectiveness of the current vaccine being distributed even if some variant virus lowers its effectiveness in vitro. His message was that if the vaccination effort goes smoothly to vaccinate 70-85% of all US population by the middle of this year, then we may see a degree of normalcy by fall THIS YEAR.

 

Here is Dr. Fauci speaking at WH press briefing today 1/21/2021 on variant virus and vaccine.

 

our neice in ny just got her first shot as a college prof. meanwhile, the guv is complaining there isn't enough vax for first responders.

 

experts say deaths should follow the decline. covant variant clouds prognostications.

ma guv lifts some restrictions day after inauguration

 

Some technical terms after I'd misused them:

• mRNA - mRNA, or messenger RNA, is genetic material that contains instructions for making proteins. mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 contain synthetic mRNA. Inside the body, the mRNA enters human cells and instructs them to produce the "spike" protein found on the surface of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The body recognizes the spike protein as an invader, and produces antibodies against it. If the antibodies later encounter the actual virus, they are ready to recognize and destroy it before it causes illness.
• monoclonal antibodies - Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made proteins that mimic the immune system's ability to fight off harmful pathogens such as viruses. This is a treatment sharing some characteristics with plasma from recovered patients.

Bob Wilson

 

decline continues, cali lifts stay at home orders, i hope we don't get a valentines day surge.

moderna says its vaccine will work on variants

 

Valentine's Day should be more intimate .

 

SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus (COVID-19) | Page 170 | PriusChat

Well, the Brazilian P.1 variant is now in the US. I hope the current vaccines stay effective... I have my first Pfizer/BioNTech shot scheduled this Friday.
A Coronavirus Variant First Detected In Brazil Has Been Found In Minnesota : Coronavirus Updates : NPR

 

which group do you fall into? i'm 66, and don't expect to be eligible until late this year, hopefully.

 

Yeah, if I went by the age, I can't get the vaccine until later this summer. The vaccine is being offered through my DW's work which falls under Phase1A along with Health Care Personnel and Residents and Staff of Long-Term Care Facilities.

 

I'm under 65 but I'm hoping a pre-existing condition will get me a vaccine shot earlier because I got a jury summons for April (it was actually for January but I got a one time extension). I'd rather not be in a poorly ventilated room with a lot of other people for hours at a time without some immunity.

 

Absent vaccination in time to get immunity, and with a pre-existing condition, I'd be asking for a medical exemption or deferral.

Most of the court districts issuing jury summons here, allow two deferrals, up to a year.

 

There are other countries. The U.K. currently has around 3.7 millions cases recorded (underestimate of course) and over 7 million vaccinated (one dose mostly at this early time, I suspect). Israel may have also made the transition

I think you have an excellent roll-out and I wonder if it might have been part of the strategy (not widely shared?) to be light on border controls and societal restrictions and hope for the vaccine to provide the rescue. I understand large orders were made by us much earlier than other countries and to some extent the narrative in the press between US and U.K. appear similar.

 

Evidence is emerging that the vaccine might not be as protective against some of the new variants.

Is the Covid-19 Vaccine Effective Against New South African Variant? - The New York Times

It's turning into a medical arms race

 

both moderna and pfizer are working on variant booster shots