COVID-19

I hope that people keep your thread as you wish. 

The parent of a 16 year old who is looking to start her junior year here in a few weeks, we are concerned. 

They offer two choices - In-school instruction with attendance in or out dependent on the color coding system our state has. You also have the choice of on-line. These choices are by contract each semester. 

We chose in-school. 

We're caught in a weird spot. Our daughter is to start her culinary arts career program this year. It's a two-year program. 

There are two paths to graduation in Ohio. You have college prep + passing the state mandated graduation test. 

My kid is not college prep nor is she a pass-the-big-ass-test kind of kid. (Test anxiety is horrible.) What they do with these kids is to require: 120 hours of volunteer work, pass English 9 & 10, Math 9 & 10 and participate in a 2-year career program that ends with them having earned certification in their program. She has everything ticked from the list except for the career program. 

A revision to the restart plan was sent yesterday. I need to read over it to see what they have tweaked. 

pjl44 said:

I know there's a thread on AMT, but I think putting it in the forum for political discussion has brought out all the problems you might imagine.

My hope is that this thread can be focused on discussion of vaccine and treatment progress, apolitical analysis of case/mortality trends, good faith discussions about difficult decisions like when to reopen schools, etc. If you want to bicker about red states and blue states, mask wearing, Governors, our President, etc., the thread in AMT would be more appropriate.

My motivation to kick things off was a couple articles that caught my eye recently:

Despite some anecdotes, it looks very unlikely for someone to get reinfected:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/22/health/covid-antibodies-herd-immunity.html#click=https://t.co/cTiRddiIZm

It hasn't been published in a peer-reviewed journal yet, but these are potentially the best treatment results we've seen so far. A well-designed study, although I wonder if it's a large enough sample.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/health-53467022?__twitter_impression=true

And hopefully many people have already seen the encouraging results from Oxford's Phase 1 studies published in The Lancet:
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/oxford-coronavirus-vaccine-induces-strong-immune-response-early-trial-results-n1234191

I applaud your efforts.  I'll be interested to see how far this goes until the "T" word is brought up.  In any case, there seems to be serious momentum on the vaccine front.  I have not followed other countries as closely in this regard, but the U.S. has put in orders for billions of dollars worth of the vaccines that look like real candidates.  Enough to vaccinate hundreds of millions of people.  If any of these turn out to be "the one" that will help expedite the back end process I would imagine.  Clinical trials are under way, so let's hope the momentum continues in the right direction.  2020 is still a long shot, but not out of the realm of possibility.

I was on the school district's conference call last night, and my wife is sending them our comments today. (I'm on their ignore list for making it my goal in life to replace their racist, homophobic/transphobic, inept skinflint of a superintendent with someone who might have a genuine interest in education.)

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary is going with three feet of distance, and there's absolutely no fucking way our children are returning to school if our district aligns with that guidance. And if remote learning is the absolute shitshow that it was in the spring, they aren't doing that either.

We'll see what the district comes up with by August 10, but I'm expecting more incompetence.

Poncier said:

dankind said:

I'm on their ignore list

Color me shocked.

pjl44 said:

Despite some anecdotes, it looks very unlikely for someone to get reinfected:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/22/health/covid-antibodies-herd-immunity.html#click=https://t.co/cTiRddiIZm

It hasn't been published in a peer-reviewed journal yet, but these are potentially the best treatment results we've seen so far. A well-designed study, although I wonder if it's a large enough sample.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/health-53467022?__twitter_impression=true

And hopefully many people have already seen the encouraging results from Oxford's Phase 1 studies published in The Lancet:
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/oxford-coronavirus-vaccine-induces-strong-immune-response-early-trial-results-n1234191

I have been watching this very closely in terms of being able to get reinfected. I had Covid-19 in March. NYC was a mess then. I think I got it from either the gym or the subway since I work at home. I wasn't completely asymptomatic, but had fairly mild symptoms - no fever, no cough, no breathing issues. I did have fatigue, back pain, and loss of smell. The loss of smell was the weirdest thing. I was going around my house trying to smell things - garlic, scented candles, pepper, oranges, etc. - Nothing. It was so strange. That only lasted about 5 days though. I really just felt tired like when you have a bad cold - the whole thing lasted 10 days or so. I went to the doctor when my back started hurting, but they wouldn't test me back then since I didn't have the main symptoms. I tested positive for antibodies in May. I wish they would have more definitive data on reinfection or the ability to spread it. Since they don't, I am taking the same precautions as if I never had it. I really want to visit my family soon (haven't seen them since November) - so I am hoping they get more answers on this.

GlowGirl said:

pjl44 said:

Despite some anecdotes, it looks very unlikely for someone to get reinfected:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/22/health/covid-antibodies-herd-immunity.html#click=https://t.co/cTiRddiIZm

It hasn't been published in a peer-reviewed journal yet, but these are potentially the best treatment results we've seen so far. A well-designed study, although I wonder if it's a large enough sample.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/health-53467022?__twitter_impression=true

And hopefully many people have already seen the encouraging results from Oxford's Phase 1 studies published in The Lancet:
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/oxford-coronavirus-vaccine-induces-strong-immune-response-early-trial-results-n1234191

I have been watching this very closely in terms of being able to get reinfected. I had Covid-19 in March. NYC was a mess then. I think I got it from either the gym or the subway since I work at home. I wasn't completely asymptomatic, but had fairly mild symptoms - no fever, no cough, no breathing issues. I did have fatigue, back pain, and loss of smell. The loss of smell was the weirdest thing. I was going around my house trying to smell things - garlic, scented candles, pepper, oranges, etc. - Nothing. It was so strange. That only lasted about 5 days though. I really just felt tired like when you have a bad cold - the whole thing lasted 10 days or so. I went to the doctor when my back started hurting, but they wouldn't test me back then since I didn't have the main symptoms. I tested positive for antibodies in May. I wish they would have more definitive data on reinfection or the ability to spread it. Since they don't, I am taking the same precautions as if I never had it. I really want to visit my family soon (haven't seen them since November) - so I am hoping they get more answers on this.

I am so happy that you came through it okay!   

Just looked over the information released yesterday from the school.  They are following the county guidelines for going back.  The mask mandate for school set by the health department is that they need to wear them if they are moving through the halls, working one-on-one with a teacher or in a small group.  The mask can be single layer but can't have holes in them.  

Um, :shakes head: .  Not thrilled with that.  

Oh, the shocking news is that the school year start moved by two weeks.  Didn't know that.  Instead of starting on August 17th, my daughter starts on September 1st.  Would have been wonderful to have that highlighted.  If you don't click on the link, you don't get that information.    

@dankind would be interested to learn that the online learning in our adopted district sounds like it will not be the shit show of the spring.  If Ohio goes purple (which I don't know if that means lockdown again) each day they will have instruction with their teacher and it sounds as if it will be according to the given schedule of classes.  My daughter always did her coursework according to the time blocks of her schedule, but I know that a lot of people (including the boyfriend we don't care for) just didn't do anything at all.  

I am still of the camp to say that just because they say this is how it will be doesn't mean it will pan out that way.   

deadendp said:

GlowGirl said:

pjl44 said:

Despite some anecdotes, it looks very unlikely for someone to get reinfected:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/22/health/covid-antibodies-herd-immunity.html#click=https://t.co/cTiRddiIZm

It hasn't been published in a peer-reviewed journal yet, but these are potentially the best treatment results we've seen so far. A well-designed study, although I wonder if it's a large enough sample.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/health-53467022?__twitter_impression=true

And hopefully many people have already seen the encouraging results from Oxford's Phase 1 studies published in The Lancet:
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/oxford-coronavirus-vaccine-induces-strong-immune-response-early-trial-results-n1234191

I have been watching this very closely in terms of being able to get reinfected. I had Covid-19 in March. NYC was a mess then. I think I got it from either the gym or the subway since I work at home. I wasn't completely asymptomatic, but had fairly mild symptoms - no fever, no cough, no breathing issues. I did have fatigue, back pain, and loss of smell. The loss of smell was the weirdest thing. I was going around my house trying to smell things - garlic, scented candles, pepper, oranges, etc. - Nothing. It was so strange. That only lasted about 5 days though. I really just felt tired like when you have a bad cold - the whole thing lasted 10 days or so. I went to the doctor when my back started hurting, but they wouldn't test me back then since I didn't have the main symptoms. I tested positive for antibodies in May. I wish they would have more definitive data on reinfection or the ability to spread it. Since they don't, I am taking the same precautions as if I never had it. I really want to visit my family soon (haven't seen them since November) - so I am hoping they get more answers on this.

I am so happy that you came through it okay!   

Just looked over the information released yesterday from the school.  They are following the county guidelines for going back.  The mask mandate for school set by the health department is that they need to wear them if they are moving through the halls, working one-on-one with a teacher or in a small group.  The mask can be single layer but can't have holes in them.  

Um, :shakes head: .  Not thrilled with that.  

Oh, the shocking news is that the school year start moved by two weeks.  Didn't know that.  Instead of starting on August 17th, my daughter starts on September 1st.  Would have been wonderful to have that highlighted.  If you don't click on the link, you don't get that information.    

@dankind would be interested to learn that the online learning in our adopted district sounds like it will not be the shit show of the spring.  If Ohio goes purple (which I don't know if that means lockdown again) each day they will have instruction with their teacher and it sounds as if it will be according to the given schedule of classes.  My daughter always did her coursework according to the time blocks of her schedule, but I know that a lot of people (including the boyfriend we don't care for) just didn't do anything at all.  

I am still of the camp to say that just because they say this is how it will be doesn't mean it will pan out that way.   

Thanks. It sounds like the school issue is really difficult for all of you parents. I don't have kids, but I feel for you all. My sister is dealing with this issue with her kids. Two are in high school and one is just starting middle school (I liked it better when it was called Jr. High). They live in Maryland. I guess their county decided not to start public school in person until after Winter Break. But my nieces and nephews go to private school, so they haven't decided yet. One of my nieces is starting her senior year. I feel bad that she is experiencing this. I remember how fun senior year was. I hope this school issue gets easier for you and your children.

Ice cream sales are up and deodorant sales are down. 

pjl44 said:

2 Phase 3 vaccine trials have started. Results could be available as early as late November. The study design and endpoints seem pretty straightforward. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/27/health/moderna-vaccine-covid.html

My sister is a dietician in a doctors office. Their practice was approved to do vaccine trials there. So she said there was a lot of media coming by yesterday. My sister’s job is far removed from that part of the office but hopefully, she can give me periodic updates if she hears anything.