Coronavirus updates August 1, 2021

[Calliecake]

@Arcadian , So happy to hear the burning feeling in your lungs is better. It sounds like you are beginning to get well. Please take it easy and just rest. Thinking of you and sending lots of get well dust your way. Please keep us updated. Hugs, Callie

 

[Arcadian]

BTW daytime tv sucks...I turned my attention to the "cloth corner" sorting out the stuff that will eventually be made into something. yeah I need to stop buying fabric...lol

 

[diamondringlover]

@Arcadian I hope you feel better soon, if you have covid that scares me for you, I hope you will be ok!! Scares me for my family as well, we all have asthma my youngest son who is 24 has it the worst...I will be honest we have not been masking up, our little village only has 3 cases but from now on when I go to the city I will be wearing a mask!

 

[wildcat03]

Arcadian - hope you feel better quickly.

 

[Arcadian]

@Arcadian I hope you feel better soon, if you have covid that scares me for you, I hope you will be ok!! Scares me for my family as well, we all have asthma my youngest son who is 24 has it the worst...I will be honest we have not been masking up, our little village only has 3 cases but from now on when I go to the city I will be wearing a mask!

Vaxxed or not anything that has to do with the lungs is just scary. I feel for you.

I'm def. fighting something off, I feel hung over today! Heachache is still there, but I did sleep pretty good! My lungs don't burn too badly at all though I'm still coughing. That full feeling in my throat has eased a lot. Throat is sore though! And the nasal congestion is of course, wishy washy. What I thought was me being old may have been those hot spots in my lungs. One is gone, the other is not too bad.

The things you'll need the most if he does get ill: Methyl prednisone because thats whats helping with my inflammation, and whatever the heck is in those zPaks. I'm actually on 2 antibiotics (one was delivered yesterday). Get lots of vitamin C. Lots. Like a few grams if you can. I'm taking 3 grams daily without stomach upset. I usually can't even take 1! Zinc lozenges also help too.

Pay attention to him and how he breathes. Even if you think its nothing, if you hear him struggling get him to an urgent care, your GP or ER. I so far have not recorded a fever over 98.6F, however I have had chills and night sweats (twice now) I sincerely hate going to the dr, but I also knew that on Monday I had one more day before I would have been really bad.

Today ...I'm hopeful its a cold. Praying its one.

 

[Arcadian]

We were able to purchase the BinaxNow tests from the Walgreens but us in Florida. CVS also stocks them, but they were sold out. Our pharmacies also ran out of the free pcr/rapid covid tests, so purchasing over the counter was the only option. It was really convenient and the tests showed the results in 15 minutes. You can also buy the tests from Sam's club!

If not for my husband losing his sense of taste and smell and then testing positive, I would have assumed we both had colds. Our best guess is we got it from the grocery store, since everything else we do is outdoors.

I don't know HOW I missed your message (yes I do...lol) Thats really interesting! He totally lost taste and smell? Are you both vaccinated? That is so freaky to me. I can only smell stuff thats really up close to me.

I haven't been anywhere except grocery store/pet store/vets office And covid ran through my vets office heavy once before (the receptionist got it and did not make it) His practice is very busy so even though they require masks, they can have a lot of people in and out.

Walmart has them but I was told you have to ask for it at the pharmacy window (I called the pharmacy of the one nearest me....they did not know what i was talking about...yeah opting out of that wallyworld!)

If my results are delayed I'll have a friend get me 2 and drop off.

 

[MamaBee]

@missy or anyone…My last shot was in March so my six months are up in September. I know the efficacy doesn’t take a nose dive at that point but I’m less protected. Antibodies start really dropping..I’m also older so not sure what my efficacy is from the last shot.
I’m trying to find out information. Do you or any medical people know if I should be more concerned now that my six months is approaching? The other concern is the Delta virus. I’m only shopping once a week now. It’s frustrating.

 

[missy]

@missy or anyone…My last shot was in March so my six months are up in September. I know the efficacy doesn’t take a nose dive at that point but I’m less protected. Antibodies start really dropping..I’m also older so not sure what my efficacy is from the last shot.
I’m trying to find out information. Do you or any medical people know if I should be more concerned now that my six months is approaching? The other concern is the Delta virus. I’m only shopping once a week now. It’s frustrating.

Yes is the short answer. But we don't know that much right now so I would, at this time, advise against a booster until the USA goes ahead and starts officially giving them. We saw my endocrinologist today and he agrees completely with us. He is aggravated we aren't moving faster but even off the record cannot recommend getting a booster now.

1. They are working on boosters that address the variants better
2. We don't know what happens when you get a third vaccine or mix and match a third one. Most people will be fine. Some might have a more severe reaction to the third.
3. Eventually there will be a booster that is different than the first two vaccines of Moderna or Pfizer so to just get a third vaccine might not be as protective as waiting for a booster that is different and addresses the variants.

My endocrinologist was just as upset as we all are. Our protection is waning and we have nothing to do but hold tight. Wear masks and stay away from people if you can. Our endocrinologist said there is a top secret study showing masks are not effective at all but hopefully that study is not correct. I, for one, am continuing to mask and social distance and just wait and hope for the best while mitigating our risks until a booster is available for everyone.

@MamaBee you can get a blood test to see if you are protected but I am not sure to what end since I still recommend not doing anything but more of the same. Social distancing, masking and staying away from people.

 

[missy]

I'm on the go but there is a new study showing Moderna is a bit more effective against Delta than Pfizer. Take all these studies with a grain of salt however as still there is so much we are learning.

 

[MamaBee]

I'm on the go but there is a new study showing Moderna is a bit more effective against Delta than Pfizer. Take all these studies with a grain of salt however as still there is so much we are learning.

Thanks @missy..I also read that Moderna is slightly more effective..I’m getting to the point where I want to move to an isolated area away from people..

 

[wildcat03]

@missy or anyone…My last shot was in March so my six months are up in September. I know the efficacy doesn’t take a nose dive at that point but I’m less protected. Antibodies start really dropping..I’m also older so not sure what my efficacy is from the last shot.
I’m trying to find out information. Do you or any medical people know if I should be more concerned now that my six months is approaching? The other concern is the Delta virus. I’m only shopping once a week now. It’s frustrating.

I'm almost 7 months from my second dose and very anxiously awaiting some real discussion of a booster. I'm also an ER doctor. I've heard that the FDA may make a decision by late September on boosters. Overall, we're seeing a lot of breakthrough infections right now, which raises the question whether it's related to waning immunity in the first vaccinated cohort or Delta. Overall, it seems to be Delta. So, I'd sit tight waiting (and hoping) for a Delta specific booster rather than trying to get a third shot right now (which I know some people have been doing) unless advised otherwise by your doctor.

 

[MamaBee]

I'm almost 7 months from my second dose and very anxiously awaiting some real discussion of a booster. I'm also an ER doctor. I've heard that the FDA may make a decision by late September on boosters. Overall, we're seeing a lot of breakthrough infections right now, which raises the question whether it's related to waning immunity in the first vaccinated cohort or Delta. Overall, it seems to be Delta. So, I'd sit tight waiting (and hoping) for a Delta specific booster rather than trying to get a third shot right now (which I know some people have been doing) unless advised otherwise by your doctor.

Thank you so much for replying @wildcat03..I know some people are getting a third shot..I definitely want to wait for a Delta specific booster. I hope you stay safe. It must be so frustrating for you. Big hugs..

 

[CoffeeAndDiamonds]

I don't know HOW I missed your message (yes I do...lol) Thats really interesting! He totally lost taste and smell? Are you both vaccinated? That is so freaky to me. I can only smell stuff thats really up close to me.

I haven't been anywhere except grocery store/pet store/vets office And covid ran through my vets office heavy once before (the receptionist got it and did not make it) His practice is very busy so even though they require masks, they can have a lot of people in and out.

Walmart has them but I was told you have to ask for it at the pharmacy window (I called the pharmacy of the one nearest me....they did not know what i was talking about...yeah opting out of that wallyworld!)

If my results are delayed I'll have a friend get me 2 and drop off.

Yep, both fully vaccinated. I never lost my taste and smell, but those senses were gone for hubby for about a week. We are both feeling much better after a lot of rest. I still have a bit of a cough and headache, but thankfully the tiredness has passed.

We live in the keys, and there were a lot of out of town folks that came down for lobster mini season late July. So maybe those folks brought covid down with them.

Not a great sign that the tests are so hard to come by

 

[Arcadian]

Yep, both fully vaccinated. I never lost my taste and smell, but those senses were gone for hubby for about a week. We are both feeling much better after a lot of rest. I still have a bit of a cough and headache, but thankfully the tiredness has passed.

We live in the keys, and there were a lot of out of town folks that came down for lobster mini season late July. So maybe those folks brought covid down with them.

Not a great sign that the tests are so hard to come by

Oh gosh, I'm so sorry but I'm glad you guys are on the mend! Stay safe down there with all the crazy weather going on.

When my niece flew into Orlando she was like "I didn't know it was going to be so hot" I contemplated on how to answer this...lol

I decided to take another day off work because even though I work from home most of the time, the brain is not in the game and I really can't sit through all the meetings. I attend the first one of the day and again at the end of the day if I need to sign off on things. Thankfully my team is full of great people.

RE: the headache. Nothing is touching mine and I do mean nothing. I have MM (can't inhale but I do have the oils) and they're not doing anything for the headache.

 

[Calliecake]

@Arcadian and @Ontheblackrock15 , Glad to hear you are feeling a little better.

Since you both live in Florida can you please answer a question for me. Do you have to doing anything in your state before getting the vaccine or can you just walk in a CVS or Walgreens and get the vaccine? Thank you.

 

[diamondringlover]

Vaxxed or not anything that has to do with the lungs is just scary. I feel for you.

I'm def. fighting something off, I feel hung over today! Heachache is still there, but I did sleep pretty good! My lungs don't burn too badly at all though I'm still coughing. That full feeling in my throat has eased a lot. Throat is sore though! And the nasal congestion is of course, wishy washy. What I thought was me being old may have been those hot spots in my lungs. One is gone, the other is not too bad.

The things you'll need the most if he does get ill: Methyl prednisone because thats whats helping with my inflammation, and whatever the heck is in those zPaks. I'm actually on 2 antibiotics (one was delivered yesterday). Get lots of vitamin C. Lots. Like a few grams if you can. I'm taking 3 grams daily without stomach upset. I usually can't even take 1! Zinc lozenges also help too.

Pay attention to him and how he breathes. Even if you think its nothing, if you hear him struggling get him to an urgent care, your GP or ER. I so far have not recorded a fever over 98.6F, however I have had chills and night sweats (twice now) I sincerely hate going to the dr, but I also knew that on Monday I had one more day before I would have been really bad.

Today ...I'm hopeful its a cold. Praying its one.

Hopefully it is...yeah he has been on prednisone alot of the years he got diagnosed at about 18 months old its been a long hard battle...prednisone he has been many times and like you we have the home nebulizer and I got fresh liquid albuterol right after covid became an issue so far all has been good, I get freaked everytime he coughs and he hasnt been really compliant with taking his daily med's in spite of me reminding him every chance I get..ugh...darn youngins lol...hopefully you feel better soon sound like you might be on the upswing, hang in there and take care. ETA as a FYI we are all fully vaccinated...at least he didnt even protest at all when it came his time to get the vaccine!

 

[missy]

For those who wanted this info. FYI.



"Nevertheless, some research suggests that the Moderna vaccine provides stronger protection against breakthrough Delta infections than the Pfizer vaccine. A retrospective study among more than 73,000 fully vaccinated adults in Minnesota, Florida, Wisconsin, Arizona or Iowa showed that, during July 2021 (when the prevalence of the Delta variant was greater than 50% in each state), the risk of breakthrough infection as well as hospitalization was lower with the Moderna vaccine compared to the Pfizer vaccine. However, there was no difference in the rate of ICU admission or COVID-19-associated death. Compared to the unvaccinated, the Moderna vaccine reduced the risk of Delta variant infection by 76% and the Pfizer by 42%, and Moderna reduced hospitalization by 81% and Pfizer by 76% (Puranik, medRxiv 2021 — preprint).

The Moderna vaccine appears likely to protect against variants with mutations within the spike protein (such as EHC-083E, a variant identified in Atlanta, GA and the Epsilon variant (i.e., B.1.429), a variant of concern first identified in California, although neutralization efficacies against these strains were modestly diminished compared to the original SARS-CoV-2 strain (Edara, JAMA 2021; Shen, N Eng J Med 2021). Similarly, antibodies induced by the Pfizer vaccine have been shown in a laboratory study to neutralize the Epsilon variant, although, like the Moderna vaccine, efficacy is slightly diminished compared to the original SARS-CoV-2 strain (Liu, N Engl J Med 2021).

How Does FDA Authorization Differ from FDA Approval?

The Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines have emergency use authorization (EUA) from the FDA, which is different from FDA approval. An authorized product has been tested in adequate and well-controlled trials according to rigorous standards set forth by the FDA and the potential benefits of the product outweigh the known and potential risks. However authorized products do not undergo the complete safety evaluation required for approval (which requires a much longer period of evaluation — sometimes years).

Although the long-term safety of these vaccines is still unknown, the FDA and CDC will continue to monitor their safety, in part, through a national reporting system. The FDA also expects that manufacturers of the authorized COVID-19 vaccines will continue obtaining safety and efficacy data from ongoing clinical trials and that they will pursue approval (FDA, EUA for Vaccines Explained 2020). If an authorized medical product shows evidence of serious safety issues after being authorized, the FDA can revoke the authorization.

"

 

[Lookinagain]

For those who wanted this info. FYI.



"Nevertheless, some research suggests that the Moderna vaccine provides stronger protection against breakthrough Delta infections than the Pfizer vaccine. A retrospective study among more than 73,000 fully vaccinated adults in Minnesota, Florida, Wisconsin, Arizona or Iowa showed that, during July 2021 (when the prevalence of the Delta variant was greater than 50% in each state), the risk of breakthrough infection as well as hospitalization was lower with the Moderna vaccine compared to the Pfizer vaccine.

That's interesting. I wonder if they tracked when the participants in the study had been vaccinated? Didn't the Pfizer vax get emergency authorization before Moderna? So I wonder if the higher % of breakthrough infections can relate at all to how long before the study someone had been vaccinated (thinking protection wanes as time goes on) and so perhaps the participants who had received Pfizer had been vaccinated earlier than those who received Moderna, and their protection had diminished more. Just a thought, or really a question.

 

[Arcadian]

@Arcadian and @Ontheblackrock15 , Glad to hear you are feeling a little better.

Since you both live in Florida can you please answer a question for me. Do you have to doing anything in your state before getting the vaccine or can you just walk in a CVS or Walgreens and get the vaccine? Thank you.

We can . Pretty much any place that has the vaccine you can go in and get it. Even the urgent care place has them (I also think wally world does too)

 

[missy]

That's interesting. I wonder if they tracked when the participants in the study had been vaccinated? Didn't the Pfizer vax get emergency authorization before Moderna? So I wonder if the higher % of breakthrough infections can relate at all to how long before the study someone had been vaccinated (thinking protection wanes as time goes on) and so perhaps the participants who had received Pfizer had been vaccinated earlier than those who received Moderna, and their protection had diminished more. Just a thought, or really a question.

“The FDA cautions against making comparisons, since head-to-head clinical trials did not occur for these vaccines. The vaccines were evaluated in different regions with different incidences of COVID-19 and viral variants (FDA, 2021). “

https://www.fda.gov/media/144434/download

https://www.fda.gov/media/144245/download

 

[missy]

We can . Pretty much any place that has the vaccine you can go in and get it. Even the urgent care place has them (I also think wally world does too)

I think this is true in many states.

Here there are many drugstores you can just walk into and get one of the vaccines. CVS, Rite Aid, Costco, local drugstores etc. I doubt this will be the case when the booster is finalized but hopefully it won’t be as hard to get as it was in January/February/March 2021.

And hopefully the yearly Covid vaccine will be as easy to get as the yearly flu vaccine.

 

[wildcat03]

That's interesting. I wonder if they tracked when the participants in the study had been vaccinated? Didn't the Pfizer vax get emergency authorization before Moderna? So I wonder if the higher % of breakthrough infections can relate at all to how long before the study someone had been vaccinated (thinking protection wanes as time goes on) and so perhaps the participants who had received Pfizer had been vaccinated earlier than those who received Moderna, and their protection had diminished more. Just a thought, or really a question.

Pfizer was approved a week earlier and distribution of it was a lot more limited early on for two reasons. Pfizer initially required ultra cold storage (-70C if I recall correctly). That has subsequently been slightly modified. In addition, Pfizer would only ship 975 doses at a time, and didn't allow for further distribution. So any receiving facility had to be able to handle that many doses (in cold storage) and would have to be large enough to distribute those doses in 30 days (I think). Moderna required slightly less cold storage (-20C). I don't remember their shipping volume requirements.

one of the reasons Moderna may be providing better protection (if it is) is that the dose of Moderna is more than 3x the dose of Pfizer - 100 mcg vs 30 mcg. This is probably why Moderna has a higher reported rate of side effects as well.

 

[missy]

@wildcat03 I think Moderna is running trials with less volume in their vaccines and it’s proving just as effective though it’s so early what so we really know for certain. It’s all a work in progress.

 

[wildcat03]

@wildcat03 I think Moderna is running trials with less volume in their vaccines and it’s proving just as effective though it’s so early what so we really know for certain. It’s all a work in progress.

Yes, it's probably good that those trial are being run with Delta prevalent. May help clarify if the higher dose improves efficacy (but oh man, those side effect!!)

 

[wildcat03]

from The Atlantic on compassion fatigue in healthcare workers: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/a..._drqqNdC09OjsDtIiPiDR0fJ6Rd9ha-SEc32TMhldMZF8

 

[missy]

Yes, it's probably good that those trial are being run with Delta prevalent. May help clarify if the higher dose improves efficacy (but oh man, those side effect!!)

Omg I know. We got Moderna and it knocked us on our arses and we’re tough. But so worth it and after 24 hours almost back to normal. I’m anxious for the boosters to be ready and given to all who want them.

 

[missy]

from The Atlantic on compassion fatigue in healthcare workers: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/a..._drqqNdC09OjsDtIiPiDR0fJ6Rd9ha-SEc32TMhldMZF8

You guys are the heart and soul of hope during this pandemic. We cannot thank you enough. Those who refuse vaccination for any reason other than true medical reasons don’t deserve to take up the energy and time of our front care health care professionals.


This pandemic would indeed be over now if everyone who could have gotten vaccinated did. Instead it rages on with new variants developing as we speak.

 

[MamaBee]

@wildcat03 I think Moderna is running trials with less volume in their vaccines and it’s proving just as effective though it’s so early what so we really know for certain. It’s all a work in progress.

Maybe they will do the dosage the way they do for flu vaccines. They give a stronger dose to the people over 65 because their immune system isn’t as robust. I received the stronger one last year.

 

[missy]

Last article of the day.

Effectiveness of Covid-19 Vaccines against the B.1.617.2 (Delta) Variant

List of authors.
Jamie Lopez Bernal, F.F.P.H., Ph.D., Nick Andrews, Ph.D., Charlotte Gower, D.Phil., Eileen Gallagher, Ph.D., et al.

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2108891

“ August 12, 2021
N Engl J Med 2021; 385:585-594

BACKGROUND
The B.1.617.2 (delta) variant of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), has contributed to a surge in cases in India and has now been detected across the globe, including a notable increase in cases in the United Kingdom. The effectiveness of the BNT162b2 and ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccines against this variant has been unclear.
METHODS

We used a test-negative case–control design to estimate the effectiveness of vaccination against symptomatic disease caused by the delta variant or the predominant strain (B.1.1.7, or alpha variant) over the period that the delta variant began circulating. Variants were identified with the use of sequencing and on the basis of the spike (S) gene status. Data on all symptomatic sequenced cases of Covid-19 in England were used to estimate the proportion of cases with either variant according to the patients’ vaccination status.
RESULTS
Effectiveness after one dose of vaccine (BNT162b2 or ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) was notably lower among persons with the delta variant (30.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 25.2 to 35.7) than among those with the alpha variant (48.7%; 95% CI, 45.5 to 51.7); the results were similar for both vaccines. With the BNT162b2 vaccine, the effectiveness of two doses was 93.7% (95% CI, 91.6 to 95.3) among persons with the alpha variant and 88.0% (95% CI, 85.3 to 90.1) among those with the delta variant. With the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine, the effectiveness of two doses was 74.5% (95% CI, 68.4 to 79.4) among persons with the alpha variant and 67.0%
(95% CI, 61.3 to 71.8 )among those with the delta variant.
CONCLUSIONS
Only modest differences in vaccine effectiveness were noted with the delta variant as compared with the alpha variant after the receipt of two vaccine doses. Absolute differences in vaccine effectiveness were more marked after the receipt of the first dose. This finding would support efforts to maximize vaccine uptake with two doses among vulnerable populations. (Funded by Public Health England.)
“

 

[Lookinagain]

Pfizer was approved a week earlier and distribution of it was a lot more limited early on for two reasons. Pfizer initially required ultra cold storage (-70C if I recall correctly). That has subsequently been slightly modified. In addition, Pfizer would only ship 975 doses at a time, and didn't allow for further distribution. So any receiving facility had to be able to handle that many doses (in cold storage) and would have to be large enough to distribute those doses in 30 days (I think). Moderna required slightly less cold storage (-20C). I don't remember their shipping volume requirements.

one of the reasons Moderna may be providing better protection (if it is) is that the dose of Moderna is more than 3x the dose of Pfizer - 100 mcg vs 30 mcg. This is probably why Moderna has a higher reported rate of side effects as well.

Around here Pfizer was the easier one to get at the big vax sites at places like the stadiums and some of the college gyms set up to give the vaccines. Soon it was both, but in the beginning it was Pfizer and Moderna was available at more of the smaller spots, maybe because it didn't need as low of a temp. So the people that I know who got it earliest, got Pfizer .