Viruses / Vaccines 2

brianlux · February 2023

AW124797 said:

brianlux said:

Vax denier digging furiously for arguing points:

You might want to asterisk it with covid vax denier.

Fair enough. Changed!

tempo_n_groove · February 2023

mickeyrat said:

for real. why in gods name would an organization with folks coming from many different areas and locals working there want to know such useless information.

Well since all the covid restrictions have pretty much all been lifted this seems dated smart ass.

tempo_n_groove · February 2023

tbergs said:

tempo_n_groove said:

So, I need to sign up for a college course on campus and they want my covid vax history. I got the initial 2 shots but won't get the booster. I thought we were done with asking for this?

Immunization records have been required in the past for certain viruses. Some of our program areas require vaccination for Covid, but not all.

They don't care about my previous immunizations that I got as a child, they want to know my vax status which is now expired.

brianlux · February 2023

I'm concerned that lifting restrictions has given a lot of people cause to lower their common sense precautions regarding the virus. I think a lot of people seem to equate lowering restrictions with meaning the virus is gone. But of course we know it is not and it is still spreading. I am one of the very few people I see out in public (post office, grocery store, etc.) who still wears a mask. It's amazing to me that the vast majority of people don't seem to be concerned about COVID any more. That attitude is driving me further and further into isolation. For me, too many people are problematic and dangerous.

tempo_n_groove · February 2023

brianlux said:

I'm concerned that lifting restrictions has given a lot of people cause to lower their common sense precautions regarding the virus. I think a lot of people seem to equate lowering restrictions with meaning the virus is gone. But of course we know it is not and it is still spreading. I am one of the very few people I see out in public (post office, grocery store, etc.) who still wears a mask. It's amazing to me that the vast majority of people don't seem to be concerned about COVID any more. That attitude is driving me further and further into isolation. For me, too many people are problematic and dangerous.

Brian, most of the world doesn't seem to have a concern for it any more. The news hardly covers it now. Covid deaths are trending down, hospitalizations are trending down.

We aren't out of the woods but it is something that will most likely always be here.

brianlux · February 2023

tempo_n_groove said:

brianlux said:

I'm concerned that lifting restrictions has given a lot of people cause to lower their common sense precautions regarding the virus. I think a lot of people seem to equate lowering restrictions with meaning the virus is gone. But of course we know it is not and it is still spreading. I am one of the very few people I see out in public (post office, grocery store, etc.) who still wears a mask. It's amazing to me that the vast majority of people don't seem to be concerned about COVID any more. That attitude is driving me further and further into isolation. For me, too many people are problematic and dangerous.

Brian, most of the world doesn't seem to have a concern for it any more. The news hardly covers it now. Covid deaths are trending down, hospitalizations are trending down.

We aren't out of the woods but it is something that will most likely always be here.

You're probably right. I'll be here in case you need anything, haha:

AW124797 · February 2023

brianlux said:

AW124797 said:

brianlux said:

Vax denier digging furiously for arguing points:

You might want to asterisk it with covid vax denier.

Fair enough. Changed!

Much better!

AW124797 · February 2023

brianlux said:

I'm concerned that lifting restrictions has given a lot of people cause to lower their common sense precautions regarding the virus. I think a lot of people seem to equate lowering restrictions with meaning the virus is gone. But of course we know it is not and it is still spreading. I am one of the very few people I see out in public (post office, grocery store, etc.) who still wears a mask. It's amazing to me that the vast majority of people don't seem to be concerned about COVID any more. That attitude is driving me further and further into isolation. For me, too many people are problematic and dangerous.

What do you mean by too many people are problematic and dangerous?

Gern Blansten · February 2023

brianlux said:

I'm concerned that lifting restrictions has given a lot of people cause to lower their common sense precautions regarding the virus. I think a lot of people seem to equate lowering restrictions with meaning the virus is gone. But of course we know it is not and it is still spreading. I am one of the very few people I see out in public (post office, grocery store, etc.) who still wears a mask. It's amazing to me that the vast majority of people don't seem to be concerned about COVID any more. That attitude is driving me further and further into isolation. For me, too many people are problematic and dangerous.

I don't see many people with masks but definitely a handful. It's odd to me that people are so triggered by masks. Maybe you're protecting us? My doctor's office still requires them.

One thing that is kind of irritating is seeing "Masks are mandatory" signs up on the doors of restaurants, etc., and you go in and no one is wearing a mask. IF you don't mean it take the fucking thing down.

jwhjr17 · February 2023

AW124797 said:

Go Beavers said:

AW124797 said:

Go Beavers said:

AW124797 said:

Go Beavers said:

AW124797 said:

Go Beavers said:

AW124797 said:

I don't recall mandatory plane travel for grocery shoppers.

I don’t recall anyone who was anti-mandates being able to present accurate information about the vaccine and Covid itself.

I do recall your very recent statement that covid vaccine stops transmission. Accurate?

Bad recall. I said it reduces the likelihood of transmission.

What’s the Pfizer statement say, by the way.

True. Reduces transmission by 0.00000389%.

What was I saying about anti-mandate people not being able to grasp facts about the vaccine? They have no credibility and most are trying to revise their history.

I'd censor them. Vaccine hesitancy leads to low sales.

You’re basically trolling to see who will fit into your caricature of what you think a pro-vaccine person is. Good luck with that.

Trolling? Plenty of sarcasm and irony on both sides.

Yes, and why this thread is a joy to read.

brianlux · February 2023

AW124797 said:

brianlux said:

I'm concerned that lifting restrictions has given a lot of people cause to lower their common sense precautions regarding the virus. I think a lot of people seem to equate lowering restrictions with meaning the virus is gone. But of course we know it is not and it is still spreading. I am one of the very few people I see out in public (post office, grocery store, etc.) who still wears a mask. It's amazing to me that the vast majority of people don't seem to be concerned about COVID any more. That attitude is driving me further and further into isolation. For me, too many people are problematic and dangerous.

What do you mean by too many people are problematic and dangerous?

Too many people don't cover their mouths when they cough, don't practice common sense hygiene, are not not considerate around older people like myself who can't afford to get COVID, let alone the flu.

Gern Blansten said:

brianlux said:

I'm concerned that lifting restrictions has given a lot of people cause to lower their common sense precautions regarding the virus. I think a lot of people seem to equate lowering restrictions with meaning the virus is gone. But of course we know it is not and it is still spreading. I am one of the very few people I see out in public (post office, grocery store, etc.) who still wears a mask. It's amazing to me that the vast majority of people don't seem to be concerned about COVID any more. That attitude is driving me further and further into isolation. For me, too many people are problematic and dangerous.

I don't see many people with masks but definitely a handful. It's odd to me that people are so triggered by masks. Maybe you're protecting us? My doctor's office still requires them.

One thing that is kind of irritating is seeing "Masks are mandatory" signs up on the doors of restaurants, etc., and you go in and no one is wearing a mask. IF you don't mean it take the fucking thing down.

Yeah, I don't know why people are triggered by masks. Deep seated guilt maybe? But more likely an "it's my right" attitude. Maybe it is their right. It's also their right to be hemorrhoids , which is also often the case.

As for protecting, I'd say both, although probably more myself because I am more careful than most people I see in public (which I do as seldom as possible). It may not be great protection, but it can't hurt and I'll take any precaution I can to stay well and alive. I won't live forever and I'm not obsessively afraid of death, but I really don't want to waste away from some frickin' damn disease!

GlowGirl · February 2023

tempo_n_groove said:

So, I need to sign up for a college course on campus and they want my covid vax history. I got the initial 2 shots but won't get the booster. I thought we were done with asking for this?

Most colleges require certain vaccines. When I started my grad program years ago I couldn’t find my measles, mumps, and rubella records - even though I had them. They put a hold on my registration until I retook them - which I didn’t mind doing. I think this is just standard procedure for colleges.

tempo_n_groove · February 2023

GlowGirl said:

tempo_n_groove said:

So, I need to sign up for a college course on campus and they want my covid vax history. I got the initial 2 shots but won't get the booster. I thought we were done with asking for this?

Most colleges require certain vaccines. When I started my grad program years ago I couldn’t find my measles, mumps, and rubella records - even though I had them. They put a hold on my registration until I retook them - which I didn’t mind doing. I think this is just standard procedure for colleges.

Yeah if they actually wanted those I don't even know how i'd find them, lol.

Gern Blansten · February 2023

brianlux said:

AW124797 said:

brianlux said:

I'm concerned that lifting restrictions has given a lot of people cause to lower their common sense precautions regarding the virus. I think a lot of people seem to equate lowering restrictions with meaning the virus is gone. But of course we know it is not and it is still spreading. I am one of the very few people I see out in public (post office, grocery store, etc.) who still wears a mask. It's amazing to me that the vast majority of people don't seem to be concerned about COVID any more. That attitude is driving me further and further into isolation. For me, too many people are problematic and dangerous.

What do you mean by too many people are problematic and dangerous?

Too many people don't cover their mouths when they cough, don't practice common sense hygiene, are not not considerate around older people like myself who can't afford to get COVID, let alone the flu.

Gern Blansten said:

brianlux said:

I'm concerned that lifting restrictions has given a lot of people cause to lower their common sense precautions regarding the virus. I think a lot of people seem to equate lowering restrictions with meaning the virus is gone. But of course we know it is not and it is still spreading. I am one of the very few people I see out in public (post office, grocery store, etc.) who still wears a mask. It's amazing to me that the vast majority of people don't seem to be concerned about COVID any more. That attitude is driving me further and further into isolation. For me, too many people are problematic and dangerous.

I don't see many people with masks but definitely a handful. It's odd to me that people are so triggered by masks. Maybe you're protecting us? My doctor's office still requires them.

One thing that is kind of irritating is seeing "Masks are mandatory" signs up on the doors of restaurants, etc., and you go in and no one is wearing a mask. IF you don't mean it take the fucking thing down.

Yeah, I don't know why people are triggered by masks. Deep seated guilt maybe? But more likely an "it's my right" attitude. Maybe it is their right. It's also their right to be hemorrhoids , which is also often the case.

As for protecting, I'd say both, although probably more myself because I am more careful than most people I see in public (which I do as seldom as possible). It may not be great protection, but it can't hurt and I'll take any precaution I can to stay well and alive. I won't live forever and I'm not obsessively afraid of death, but I really don't want to waste away from some frickin' damn disease!

The triggering all comes from right wing media. They used to yammer on about seeing people in their cars wearing masks and how stupid liberals must be for doing that.

brianlux · February 2023

Gern Blansten said:

brianlux said:

AW124797 said:

brianlux said:

I'm concerned that lifting restrictions has given a lot of people cause to lower their common sense precautions regarding the virus. I think a lot of people seem to equate lowering restrictions with meaning the virus is gone. But of course we know it is not and it is still spreading. I am one of the very few people I see out in public (post office, grocery store, etc.) who still wears a mask. It's amazing to me that the vast majority of people don't seem to be concerned about COVID any more. That attitude is driving me further and further into isolation. For me, too many people are problematic and dangerous.

What do you mean by too many people are problematic and dangerous?

Too many people don't cover their mouths when they cough, don't practice common sense hygiene, are not not considerate around older people like myself who can't afford to get COVID, let alone the flu.

Gern Blansten said:

brianlux said:

I'm concerned that lifting restrictions has given a lot of people cause to lower their common sense precautions regarding the virus. I think a lot of people seem to equate lowering restrictions with meaning the virus is gone. But of course we know it is not and it is still spreading. I am one of the very few people I see out in public (post office, grocery store, etc.) who still wears a mask. It's amazing to me that the vast majority of people don't seem to be concerned about COVID any more. That attitude is driving me further and further into isolation. For me, too many people are problematic and dangerous.

I don't see many people with masks but definitely a handful. It's odd to me that people are so triggered by masks. Maybe you're protecting us? My doctor's office still requires them.

One thing that is kind of irritating is seeing "Masks are mandatory" signs up on the doors of restaurants, etc., and you go in and no one is wearing a mask. IF you don't mean it take the fucking thing down.

Yeah, I don't know why people are triggered by masks. Deep seated guilt maybe? But more likely an "it's my right" attitude. Maybe it is their right. It's also their right to be hemorrhoids , which is also often the case.

As for protecting, I'd say both, although probably more myself because I am more careful than most people I see in public (which I do as seldom as possible). It may not be great protection, but it can't hurt and I'll take any precaution I can to stay well and alive. I won't live forever and I'm not obsessively afraid of death, but I really don't want to waste away from some frickin' damn disease!

The triggering all comes from right wing media. They used to yammer on about seeing people in their cars wearing masks and how stupid liberals must be for doing that.

For sure. And I'll admit it seems a little off to see people driving alone in a car wearing a mask but that's certainly not reason to judge someone. Who knows, they might have allergies. Or maybe they just like wearing masks. We've all seen weirder get ups, lol.

Gern Blansten · February 2023

brianlux said:

Gern Blansten said:

brianlux said:

AW124797 said:

brianlux said:

I'm concerned that lifting restrictions has given a lot of people cause to lower their common sense precautions regarding the virus. I think a lot of people seem to equate lowering restrictions with meaning the virus is gone. But of course we know it is not and it is still spreading. I am one of the very few people I see out in public (post office, grocery store, etc.) who still wears a mask. It's amazing to me that the vast majority of people don't seem to be concerned about COVID any more. That attitude is driving me further and further into isolation. For me, too many people are problematic and dangerous.

What do you mean by too many people are problematic and dangerous?

Too many people don't cover their mouths when they cough, don't practice common sense hygiene, are not not considerate around older people like myself who can't afford to get COVID, let alone the flu.

Gern Blansten said:

brianlux said:

I'm concerned that lifting restrictions has given a lot of people cause to lower their common sense precautions regarding the virus. I think a lot of people seem to equate lowering restrictions with meaning the virus is gone. But of course we know it is not and it is still spreading. I am one of the very few people I see out in public (post office, grocery store, etc.) who still wears a mask. It's amazing to me that the vast majority of people don't seem to be concerned about COVID any more. That attitude is driving me further and further into isolation. For me, too many people are problematic and dangerous.

I don't see many people with masks but definitely a handful. It's odd to me that people are so triggered by masks. Maybe you're protecting us? My doctor's office still requires them.

One thing that is kind of irritating is seeing "Masks are mandatory" signs up on the doors of restaurants, etc., and you go in and no one is wearing a mask. IF you don't mean it take the fucking thing down.

Yeah, I don't know why people are triggered by masks. Deep seated guilt maybe? But more likely an "it's my right" attitude. Maybe it is their right. It's also their right to be hemorrhoids , which is also often the case.

As for protecting, I'd say both, although probably more myself because I am more careful than most people I see in public (which I do as seldom as possible). It may not be great protection, but it can't hurt and I'll take any precaution I can to stay well and alive. I won't live forever and I'm not obsessively afraid of death, but I really don't want to waste away from some frickin' damn disease!

The triggering all comes from right wing media. They used to yammer on about seeing people in their cars wearing masks and how stupid liberals must be for doing that.

For sure. And I'll admit it seems a little off to see people driving alone in a car wearing a mask but that's certainly not reason to judge someone. Who knows, they might have allergies. Or maybe they just like wearing masks. We've all seen weirder get ups, lol.

yep...like maga hats

I tend to assume they just got in their car and didn't think to take it off because it wasn't uncomfortable or something. No different than not taking off your coat when you get in the car.

Lerxst1992 · February 2023

AW124797 said:

Go Beavers said:

AW124797 said:

Go Beavers said:

AW124797 said:

Go Beavers said:

AW124797 said:

Go Beavers said:

AW124797 said:

I don't recall mandatory plane travel for grocery shoppers.

I don’t recall anyone who was anti-mandates being able to present accurate information about the vaccine and Covid itself.

I do recall your very recent statement that covid vaccine stops transmission. Accurate?

Bad recall. I said it reduces the likelihood of transmission.

What’s the Pfizer statement say, by the way.

True. Reduces transmission by 0.00000389%.

What was I saying about anti-mandate people not being able to grasp facts about the vaccine? They have no credibility and most are trying to revise their history.

I'd censor them. Vaccine hesitancy leads to low sales.

You’re basically trolling to see who will fit into your caricature of what you think a pro-vaccine person is. Good luck with that.

Trolling? Plenty of sarcasm and irony on both sides.

Hey AW, I give you credit sticking around liberalland, however, the right’s views on the vax and Covid in general are dead wrong, deadly dangerous and the below chart says it all. It compares the US life expectancy to other countries, and the US life expectancy has fallen to where it was in 1996, while most other countries experienced a smaller reduction during the pandemic but also an increase after the decline. Only the US has no such increase. For a wealthy country with among the most advanced healthcare , we are not doing a good job staying alive lately.

From 2020 to 2021, life expectancy continued to decline in the U.S. while rebounding in most comparable countries

Halifax2TheMax · February 2023

Lerxst1992 said:

AW124797 said:

Go Beavers said:

AW124797 said:

Go Beavers said:

AW124797 said:

Go Beavers said:

AW124797 said:

Go Beavers said:

AW124797 said:

I don't recall mandatory plane travel for grocery shoppers.

I don’t recall anyone who was anti-mandates being able to present accurate information about the vaccine and Covid itself.

I do recall your very recent statement that covid vaccine stops transmission. Accurate?

Bad recall. I said it reduces the likelihood of transmission.

What’s the Pfizer statement say, by the way.

True. Reduces transmission by 0.00000389%.

What was I saying about anti-mandate people not being able to grasp facts about the vaccine? They have no credibility and most are trying to revise their history.

I'd censor them. Vaccine hesitancy leads to low sales.

You’re basically trolling to see who will fit into your caricature of what you think a pro-vaccine person is. Good luck with that.

Trolling? Plenty of sarcasm and irony on both sides.

Hey AW, I give you credit sticking around liberalland, however, the right’s views on the vax and Covid in general are dead wrong, deadly dangerous and the below chart says it all. It compares the US life expectancy to other countries, and the US life expectancy has fallen to where it was in 1996, while most other countries experienced a smaller reduction during the pandemic but also an increase after the decline. Only the US has no such increase. For a wealthy country with among the most advanced healthcare , we are not doing a good job staying alive lately.

From 2020 to 2021, life expectancy continued to decline in the U.S. while rebounding in most comparable countries

14% or 2.

mickeyrat · February 2023

the what didnt happen this week section of ap news.....

https://apnews.com/article/politics-sports-us-republican-party-ap-fact-check-jamie-raskin-75b21335c24b166421f15ab3fcb7fefb

Experts: Pfizer tests on COVID vaccines, treatment in line with industry standards

CLAIM: Pfizer has acknowledged in a statement it conducted “gain of function” research as part of its development of a vaccine and a separate medical treatment for COVID-19.

THE FACTS: Experts said nothing in a recent statement by the company suggests it’s conducting research designed to make COVID-19 more harmful, as some social media users claim. A statement released Jan. 27 by Pfizer in response to allegations it was conducting risky “gain of function” research triggered another round of false speculation against one of the top makers of COVID vaccines. Gain of function refers to scientific experiments that give an organism a new property or enhances an existing one. In the case of a virus such as the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, that could involve making it more harmful, or giving it the ability to transmit to other species. But the company said no such things in its statement, stressing that its vaccine-related experiments are undertaken only after a new variant has been identified by public health authorities. “This research provides a way for us to rapidly assess the ability of an existing vaccine to induce antibodies that neutralize a newly identified variant of concern,” the company said. “We then make this data available through peer reviewed scientific journals and use it as one of the steps to determine whether a vaccine update is required.” For research related to its antiviral medication Paxlovid, Pfizer said that “most” of the work is conducted using computer simulations or mutations of a non-infectious part of the virus. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, said nothing in the statement suggests Pfizer is conducting research designed to “weaponize” COVID-19 or “increase its pathogenicity,” as some social media users claim. “They might be undertaking virologic research to test the limits of their technologies knowing that through virus evolution some of these changes may occur naturally,” he wrote in an email. Benjamin Neuman, a virologist at Texas A&M University, agreed, though he said Pfizer’s statement is “written in a technical way” that could have been “made clearer for non-science readers.” “To be gain of function, the researcher needs to deliberately make a change, knowing that change makes the virus more dangerous, and the change must be something the virus could not reasonably do on its own,” Neuman wrote in an email. “Miss out any part of that definition, and it’s not gain of function. That’s a really high bar, and the last part is the key.” Albert Ko, who chairs the epidemiology department at the Yale School of Public Health in New Haven, Connecticut, said the online claims amounted to “scare mongering.” “Engineering the virus does not always mean gain of function research,” he said. “Vaccines are made this way, from taking pieces of one virus and placing it into another virus. It does not necessarily mean a high risk of creating a stronger, more dangerous virus.” At the same time, he said, the company should disclose more information about the work, such as its internal approvals process and safety protocols. A spokesperson for Pfizer declined to respond to requests for additional comment. “The statement stands as our comment on the false allegations currently being made about vaccine research at Pfizer,” Amy Rose wrote in an email.

— Associated Press writer Philip Marcelo in New York contributed this report.

mickeyrat · February 2023

https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-johnson-johnson-vaccine-adenovirus-dna-101266877973

AP Fact Check Fact-checking

Post misleads on J&J COVID vaccine, DNA

By ANGELO FICHERA

2 Feb 2023

CLAIM: The COVID-19 vaccine from Johnson & Johnson enters the nucleus of cells, suggesting that the shot alters recipients’ DNA.

AP’S ASSESSMENT: Missing context. The vaccine uses a weakened, modified cold virus. While the DNA from that adenovirus does enter the nucleus of cells in order to produce mRNA and prompt production of the spike protein of the coronavirus, experts say there’s no evidence the shots alter a person’s DNA.

THE FACTS: Social media users have long spread erroneous and alarming claims that the mRNA COVID-19 shots from Pfizer and Moderna are altering humans’ DNA.

A popular post circulating this week acknowledges that falsehood but goes on to misleadingly suggest that it’s actually another vaccine — one from Johnson & Johnson — that is changing recipients’ DNA because it enters the nucleus of recipients’ cells.

“For the past 3 years, nothing but constant yelling about mRNA vaccines designed to change your DNA. It's false. It doesn't enter the nucleus. But guess what does? The J&J is a DNA vaccine. Yet TOTAL silence..” reads a tweet shared as a screenshot on Instagram.

J&J’s COVID-19 shot is a viral vector vaccine that uses a cold virus, known as an adenovirus, that is weakened and modified. The company used the same technology to make an Ebola vaccine.

The J&J COVID-19 vaccine does deliver the adenovirus DNA to the nucleus, where it in turn produces messenger RNA — or mRNA — that then instructs the body to produce the spike protein of the coronavirus, as the Vaccine Education Research Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia explains.

But experts say that doesn’t mean the J&J vaccine changes the human genome, which is the entire set of DNA instructions found in a cell.

“Just because they are present in the same location that doesn’t mean there’s going to be recombination there,” said Paulo Verardi, an associate professor of virology and vaccinology at the University of Connecticut, referring to the adenovirus DNA integrating with the human genome.

There are several factors that work against the notion that the vaccine is being integrated into the genome, Verardi said, who said such a scenario is “very, very, very, very unlikely.”

First of all, adenoviruses are not known to integrate into humans’ genome, he said. Other viruses, such as retroviruses — HIV being one — do.

What’s more, the adenovirus used in the J&J vaccine is also modified so that it is not able to replicate in humans, making the prospect of it altering humans’ DNA even less likely than if humans were to be actually infected with an adenovirus, as they routinely are, Verardi added.

Dr. Beth Moore, chair of the University of Michigan’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology, similarly said in an email that because the virus is replication-incompetent, it can’t easily spread cell to cell.

“The fact that the virus enters the nucleus does NOT mean that it integrates into the genome of humans,” Moore said.

J&J’s COVID-19 vaccine has been largely sidelined by officials because of the risk of rare but serious blood clotting issues. The vaccine is now recommended only in limited situations, such as previous allergic reactions to components of the mRNA vaccines, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many more Americans have received doses from Pfizer and Moderna.

___

This is part of AP’s effort to address widely shared misinformation, including work with outside companies and organizations to add factual context to misleading content that is circulating online. Learn more about fact-checking at AP.

Viruses / Vaccines 2

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From 2020 to 2021, life expectancy continued to decline in the U.S. while rebounding in most comparable countries

From 2020 to 2021, life expectancy continued to decline in the U.S. while rebounding in most comparable countries

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