COVID-19

[Rebo]

Thanks, @hajario.

[Solfy]

I had planned to wait a bit for a booster, but the rates are skyrocketing in my area. Between that and my COVID positive vaccinated cousins, I think I’ll track down a booster this weekend.

[Detroit Hoser]

I'm so craving some Jersey Fried Chicken right now.

Michigan is still leading the country in infection rate. Last week, 17.3% of Michigan's COVID-19 tests were positive. That's the highest weekly % positive since June 2020.

[What Exit?]

What's Jersey Fried Chicken?

Where do you see the infection rates?

[Detroit Hoser]

Originally Posted by What Exit?

What's Jersey Fried Chicken?

Originally Posted by hajario

JFC.

Beats me. But Haj has pretty good taste so it's probably delicious, but only a California thing.

Where do you see the infection rates?

https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/

[Sputnik]

Born on a mountain top in Tennessee
Greenest state in the land of the free
Raised in the woods so she knew ev'ry tree
Kilt her a be'are when she was only three
Weedy, Weedy Crocker, raffer of the wild frontier ...

Tune in next week folks, until then, remember, get those jabs!

[Detroit Hoser]

Originally Posted by Steve Putnik

Born on a mountain top in Tennessee
Greenest state in the land of the free
Raised in the woods so she knew ev'ry tree
Kilt her a be'are when she was only three
Weedy, Weedy Crocker, raffer of the wild frontier ...

Tune in next week folks, until then, remember, get those jabs!

I dunno, Steve, it seems you may be in a greener state than me right now...

[Borborygmi]

I just wanted chime into the thread again to share how the days after my (Pfizer) booster went. They went... pretty miserably! The rest of booster day was fine but the next day was rough and today started bad but I think I'm finally turning the corner. Headache, body aches, fatigue, and a swollen/tender lymph node in the armpit of the arm I took the needle in. It was like this for me for after second original shot but this has been much more severe and longer-lasting.

The upside is that I guess it is working! At least in my lay interpretation of things.

Hopefully everyone reading this has less of a bad response but I did want to get this out there to encourage people scheduling their boosters to pick a timeslot ahead of when they can lay low for a couple of days, just in case.

[Inna Minnit]

I hope you feel better soon.

An interesting post at Reddit.

[Sputnik]

It appears there's a new threat from South Africa. A newer, more robust variant. It was Nov 2019 when we first started hearing about the Covid. Two years ago and we're not out of the woods yet.

Originally Posted by CNN

Pfizer says it hopes to have data in the next couple of weeks that would shed light on 'whether B.1.1.529 could be an escape variant'

This one sounds really serious. I hope people get a clue soon and realize the life they save just might be their own. Mask up and live.

[Sputnik]

At least Biden is listening. Not only that, he's listening to Dr. Fauci, something the previous administration would never do.

Acting on advice from Dr. Fauci and the CDC, Biden will restrict travel from South Africa and seven other countries as a new Covid variant of concern emerges

[SmartAleq]

Originally Posted by Sputnik

It appears there's a new threat from South Africa. A newer, more robust variant. It was Nov 2019 when we first started hearing about the Covid. Two years ago and we're not out of the woods yet.

This one sounds really serious. I hope people get a clue soon and realize the life they save just might be their own. Mask up and live.

This one is tagged "omicron," which is the fifteenth (of 24) letters in the Greek alphabet. Wonder what they'll use when we run out of letters?

[3acres]

Originally Posted by SmartAleq

This one is tagged "omicron," which is the fifteenth (of 24) letters in the Greek alphabet. Wonder what they'll use when we run out of letters?

There's other alphabets. Maybe Khmer script - it has lots of characters and it's pretty.

[Trrollish McTrollllerson]

Originally Posted by SmartAleq

This one is tagged "omicron," which is the fifteenth (of 24) letters in the Greek alphabet. Wonder what they'll use when we run out of letters?

The same thing my fraternity did when we got to the 25th chapter. Alpha Alpha chapter came after Omega. My chapter was Kappa Alpha, so we got quite a few beyond 24.

[Flying Squid with Goggles]

Here's a helpful thread from Trevor Bedford, a virologist at the Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center, on what we know about Omicron so far (it's not much): https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1...417325066.html

Too soon to really know about whether it will really outcompete Delta, but it should be interesting to watch over the next week or two, to see if it takes off like Delta, or fizzles like Beta and Lambda

[Solfy]

Originally Posted by Inna Minnit

I hope you feel better soon.

An interesting post at Reddit.

That is indeed interesting. I had to unsubscribe because it was making me too angry/despairing, especially while dealing with a frustrating antivaxxer IRL. The bit about having finality for the sub is especially intriguing. Lately I feel like this pandemic won’t ever end. Logically I know it should, emotionally it’s harder to swallow.

I scheduled my booster for the 7th. That was the earliest date I could find.

[Tinker]

48 hours after my Pfizer booster and no ill effects aside from a slightly sore shoulder.

Still speechlessly aghast at at the supermarket shopping I have to do amongst maskless staff and customers. (And I have always had the utmost respect/empathy for retail workers in the first few months of 2020).

Also the cigarette smoking colleagues who refuse to let an "unknown toxin" into their bodies.

The negative emotions I have had about the general populace and their behaviour 18 months ago just keep growing

[Ludovic]

Originally Posted by Solfy

That is indeed interesting. I had to unsubscribe because it was making me too angry/despairing, especially while dealing with a frustrating antivaxxer IRL.

That's weird: I just subscribed but have been watching it for a month or so now, and since I only look at 4 or so subs that's the same as subscribing since I get better content by going directly to the subs instead of my main page which is full of mostly-irrelevant stuff.

I don't know how I would feel if I had to deal with an antivaxxer IRL, but the HCAs are one of the few things that have consistently brought me joy since the pandemic began. I think my response is related to people who think that terrorists are cowards when they kill themselves: even though those that know they will die before it is too late are manifestly not cowards, people still feel a lack of closure when they don't get to confront the terrorists personally because they are dead. The HCAs give me a sense that some of the people who are, at the very least, as bad as a criminally negligent person, and half of which either support the violent overthrow of the American government or think that I am literally a Satanic pedophile, pay for their deadly dedication to nonsense.

[Solfy]

…and another fully vaccinated cousin gets breakdance COVID. This one the day after giving birth. Everyone is doing fine, fortunately. * shudder *

What made me mad about the HCAs was that there were so many of them. A never-ending stream of hatred and willful ignorance. I don’t like being reminded how much is out there.

[Borborygmi]

I will not riff on hilarious autocorrect in serious topic discussion... I will not riff on hilarious autocorrect in serious topic discussion... I will not riff on hilarious autocorrect in serious topic discussion...

[JimNightshade]

I have never joined this thread before.
I am vaxxed - JJ.

My dad, 2 shots Pfizer, just received his booster.
He is very badly :-(
i hope he wil be OK again soon.

Excuse me for asking, as this is a long thread,but have there been experiences of booster shots, and their effects on people?

I am worried

[Solfy]

Originally Posted by Borborygmi

I will not riff on hilarious autocorrect in serious topic discussion... I will not riff on hilarious autocorrect in serious topic discussion... I will not riff on hilarious autocorrect in serious topic discussion...

If you're talking about "breakdance," it wasn't autocorrect. Weedy dubbed it so a while back.

[JackieLikesVariety]

I think a short period of feeling unwell with the booster is typical. I hope he is typical!

[3acres]

Hey Jim, I got the booster as soon as I was officially eligible. I got the Moderna shot (I got the J&J vaccine in March).

I'd read that lots of people were having a few rough days after the Moderna, but I'd also read that it was showing slightly more protection in some studies and I wanted that since I'm a walking talking co-morbidity. I was lucky and didn't have any ill effects from the shot. But honestly I've never noticed a reaction to any vaccine in my life.

[JimNightshade]

I appreciate your feedback - thank you.

[Borborygmi]

Originally Posted by Solfy

If you're talking about "breakdance," it wasn't autocorrect. Weedy dubbed it so a while back.

Ah, sorry not to be up on that. I'm guessing it was inspired by something Steve Putnik did.

And of course I hope everyone continues to do well despite all these break* cases. It's jarring to hear of multiple cases like that in one family but maybe they're all around and your clan is just better about being tested.

[Sputnik]

Originally Posted by Borborygmi

I'm guessing it was inspired by something Steve Putnik did.

You heard about that too huh?
Weedy promised she'd never tell.

[Detroit Hoser]

Originally Posted by Borborygmi

Ah, sorry not to be up on that. I'm guessing it was inspired by something Steve Putnik did.

Generally this is a correct assumption, but it came about when I was feeling like I'd been run over by the Snot 'n Crud truck a few months back. Alas, I did not come down with any smooth moves or groovy dance riffs and could not thus be diagnosed with Breakdance Covid. I feel pretty confident I'll never get Breakdance Covid, too, cuz I can't dance for shit.

[SmartAleq]

Originally Posted by JimNightshade

I appreciate your feedback - thank you.

Another bit of anecdata--I'm 3x Moderna and my booster was about ten days ago. I had soreness in the arm, a bit more than the first two, and felt just a general malaise for about three days or so. Other than that, nothing. I am not magnetic, am not being followed by drones and the vet assures me I do not have a microchip implanted.

[Dazzling White Diamonds]

Originally Posted by SmartAleq

Other than that, nothing. I am not magnetic, am not being followed by drones and the vet assures me I do not have a microchip implanted.

Yeah, but how's your cell phone signal?

JimNightshade, I was like 3acres - I had the J&J and boosted with the Moderna. I didn't have any ill effects. My mom is a 3X Moderna - she had a pretty hefty headache after her booster that went away within a day. She's had more issues with the arm she got the shot in - we suspect a nerve may have been hit, or perhaps it has to do with the fact that her arm was slightly raised (she was sitting in a wheelchair/shopping cart combo at the time).

Here's hoping your Dad feels better soon.

[Wolf Larsen]

Originally Posted by JimNightshade

Excuse me for asking, as this is a long thread,but have there been experiences of booster shots, and their effects on people?

I am worried

Mrs. Larsen and Wolfette have had their boosters and they felt bad for a day, but no big deal.

[Sputnik]

Maybe a little good news out of South Africa.

Originally Posted by BBC

Dr Angelique Coetzee, the South African doctor who first spotted the new Covid variant Omicron, says the patients seen so far have had "extremely mild symptoms" - but more time is needed before we know the seriousness of the disease for vulnerable people.

Watch her tell the BBC's Andrew Marr how patients in South Africa have told her they've been feeling.

[thorny locust]

I'm 3X Pfizer. First shot, mildly sore arm, one day. Second shot, mildly sore arm about two days, sleepy one day. Booster shot, mildly sore arm more like the first time, felt generally crappy and a bit queasy the morning after, felt fine by afternoon.

[Trrollish McTrollllerson]

Originally Posted by Ludovic

... I don't know how I would feel if I had to deal with an antivaxxer IRL....

All the antivaxxers I get to deal with IRL are in their 80s and 90s. Jesus fucking Christ, people! None of you will be ALIVE in 20 years! Why are you worried about 'long-term-consequences' of this 'unknown toxin', when the disease itself is around a thousand times likelier to kill you, this fucking month?

I got my vax, I wear my mask, and i just think, 'yeah, whatever, dude... I hope you don't infect me...'

[Trrollish McTrollllerson]

My father died at 68, a mere ten years older than I am. You people are NOT going to live 20 years. You're NOT going to have to deal with any 'lingering effects'. It isn't a fucking issue for you. It's just not. Get fucking jabbed, assholes...

[Flying Squid with Goggles]

My 2nd Pfizer shot, I had a half-day of fever & just staying in bed

The 3rd Pfizer shot, nothing but a sore arm for a couple days

[BJMoose]

There is a report saying the omicron variant isn't particularly bad. Such a shame; the media scarcely had time to whip everyone into a frenzy with doomsday speculation.

[Sputnik]

Originally Posted by BJMoose

There is a report saying the omicron variant isn't particularly bad. Such a shame; the media scarcely had time to whip everyone into a frenzy with doomsday speculation.

What scares me more than a variant is that the virus seems to always have another trick up it's sleeve. I'm beginning to think this is going to become a way of life.

[Solfy]

One of my long-term hopes has been that the virus will mutate towards being less harmful. While COVID-19 is a novel corona virus, as a class corona viruses are not novel things. Most of them only cause cold-like symptoms. Mutation into something consistently less lethal would be ideal. I don't know enough biology to know if that's a reasonable hope.

[Inna Minnit]

Originally Posted by BJMoose

There is a report saying the omicron variant isn't particularly bad. Such a shame; the media scarcely had time to whip everyone into a frenzy with doomsday speculation.

That was part of an early report. Part of it. It's looking like the vaccines may not be as effective, and some of the other treatments will be less effective. If you aren't already keeping masked, social distance, avoiding crowds, you need to start.

They are saying they have found it in Canada and Mexico, so it's probably here too. Don't panic, but stay vigilant.

[3acres]

Originally Posted by Inna Minnit

Don't panic, but stay vigilant.

It's like I used to tell 'em at work: Never panic till you're absolutely certain it's the right thing to do.

[Sputnik]

The UK is now suggesting a booster shot at three months now and that those over 18 get in line for it. I wonder how much is science and how much is just being overly cautions.

I guess you should get the booster once you stop glowing in the dark.

[SmartAleq]

Well yeah, it's nice not having to use a night light to read in bed!

[BJMoose]

Originally Posted by Inna Minnit

That was part of an early report. Part of it. It's looking like the vaccines may not be as effective, and some of the other treatments will be less effective. If you aren't already keeping masked, social distance, avoiding crowds, you need to start.

They are saying they have found it in Canada and Mexico, so it's probably here too. Don't panic, but stay vigilant.

To be sure, I'm all for prudence. What stuck in my craw this time is that The Worst That Could Happen was hyped to the hilt, while the least that could happen was simply overlooked. I am so damned tired of this relentless fear mongering. Balanced reporting is dead.

[SmartAleq]

"Reporting," as such, is dead. What we have now is endless pushing of whatever narrative the PTB want pushed and it's gotten so ludicrous that you see 180 degree changes of narrative from the same "reporter" only a few days removed from each other and nobody even points out that they said X on Tuesday and Y on Thursday, where Y is diametrically opposed to X. There's a reason no news outlet online has a comment section any more--people kept pointing out how incredibly inconsistent the stories were getting.

[Flying Squid with Goggles]

Originally Posted by Solfy

One of my long-term hopes has been that the virus will mutate towards being less harmful. While COVID-19 is a novel corona virus, as a class corona viruses are not novel things. Most of them only cause cold-like symptoms. Mutation into something consistently less lethal would be ideal. I don't know enough biology to know if that's a reasonable hope.

I'm sorry to say that's not an inevitable process for mutations & virulence. It's understandable - I hope it would become less virulent also, but this virus does most of its transmission to other hosts in the first week of infection and if it becomes fatal, it's a month later - there isn't going to be evolutionary pressure against lethality in those conditions.

But mutations are a random walk, the next variant might be less dangerous, we just shouldn't plan on time being on our side in that way.

[Solfy]

Originally Posted by BJMoose

To be sure, I'm all for prudence. What stuck in my craw this time is that The Worst That Could Happen was hyped to the hilt, while the least that could happen was simply overlooked. I am so damned tired of this relentless fear mongering. Balanced reporting is dead.

If it bleeds, it leads.

Originally Posted by Flying Squid with Goggles

I'm sorry to say that's not an inevitable process for mutations & virulence. It's understandable - I hope it would become less virulent also, but this virus does most of its transmission to other hosts in the first week of infection and if it becomes fatal, it's a month later - there isn't going to be evolutionary pressure against lethality in those conditions.

But mutations are a random walk, the next variant might be less dangerous, we just shouldn't plan on time being on our side in that way.

I know it's not inevitable, but I hold out hope that it's at least possible. And it doesn't preclude those less lethal potential future mutations from mutating again back to more lethal. In the same way there are definitely more-lethal and less-lethal flu strains. I hope SARS-Cov-2 winds up like the flu variant from the 1918 pandemic - one for the history books that mutates itself into obscurity even though it's still technically with us.

Not encouraged by what I heard last week about white tailed deer being a potential reservoir. Even in a fantasy world where we could get all the humans to vaccinate, zoonotic reservoirs are an ugly prospect. (zombie minks notwithstanding) We've gotten too comfortable with the idea that we can control all infectious diseases just because we can manage some. The past two years have proven otherwise.

[Flying Squid with Goggles]

Originally Posted by Solfy

I know it's not inevitable, but I hold out hope that it's at least possible. And it doesn't preclude those less lethal potential future mutations from mutating again back to more lethal. In the same way there are definitely more-lethal and less-lethal flu strains. I hope SARS-Cov-2 winds up like the flu variant from the 1918 pandemic - one for the history books that mutates itself into obscurity even though it's still technically with us.

That's good to hear. There's a common myth that I see way too much on Twitter and other media that viruses always or almost always evolve to become less virulent/lethal, and it just isn't true - good to see that you're not into that one

It unfortunately has even worked its way into the wikipedia article on Rabbit Myxomatosis; I should dig up the primary sources and edit that article (the virus became less virulent, and then became more virulent - it wasn't a one-way street the way the article implies)

[JimNightshade]

Old man doing well again.

Warning, old man likes tits – SJWs go milk a cactus.

He was pretty bad for a day and a half, never had any issues with the first 2 pricks that pricked him. Nor the pricks for that matter.
This time it went badly. Strange.

He says “Chicken soup, cognac, and a feverish dream where the boobs of my caretaker were strutted proudly and bouncily, was the first path. As I reached for them”, he says, “the actual caretaker broke trough the mist, and I could see and hear her smile. Within a few minutes, I could feel her hand on my forehead. I could feel warmth. It was the first connection with the real world after what seems a fever dream. Soon, I was better. It is now 48 hours, and I am back to where I was. Asshat.”

Yeah, old man is back.

His story has conquered my fear, and I too will get prickly with it. No idea when, probably sometime in January.

Thanks again people for your kind words. I may come across as really very silly, I usually am, but sometimes I need to be a little serious, and you all helped me a lot.

Thank you.



Trrollish McTrollllerson – you come across as a real asshole tbh. Real people have real fears, and we all know what we should be doing. But we are people, we have fears and uncertainty.

I invite you to fuck off and go suck a Barbie dick in the box, or alternatively, calm the fuck down and become a human. At least in this forum. Deal?

[Inna Minnit]

Originally Posted by Flying Squid with Goggles

That's good to hear. There's a common myth that I see way too much on Twitter and other media that viruses always or almost always evolve to become less virulent/lethal, and it just isn't true - good to see that you're not into that one

But it sounds like it might be true. If it was less virulent (like a cold) we wouldn't be trying to eradicate it. But I guess that would attribute intelligence where there is none.