wuhan - coronavirus

[Arcadia]

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/japan-us-military-base-okinawa-covid19-outbreak-2391346
“A Japanese worker at Camp Hansen on the southern island of Okinawa was found positive with the Omicron variant last Friday, Japanese officials said.

The cluster linked to the base now had 180 cases, chief Cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told a regular news conference, though it was not clear how many were of the highly contagious Omicron variant.

"The Japanese government is urging again the US side to ensure all workers at the US military bases in Japan abide by the instructions and take strong measures if there are any violations," Matsuno said.

The southernmost prefecture of Okinawa hosts 70 per cent of US military facilities in Japan and has been hit by outbreaks linked to bases before.

Okinawa declared a state of emergency in January as coronavirus infections spread. The latest cluster included Japanese workers and US personnel, Japanese officials said.

Okinawa governor Denny Tamaki told reporters on Friday Japanese authorities were investigating the spread of Omicron and had asked the US military to conduct genome tests to determine if the infections were of the variant.

The public affairs office of US Forces Japan was not immediately available for comment.”

[SeaConquest]

16 hours ago, Jean in Newcastle said:

Dh (RN nurse manager) suggests that you work for an agency. They will give you (quick) orientations but you get to know the people and procedures in various local hospitals and units. It will give you the experience you need. 

Hi Jean,

I do work for two agencies now -- the one that staffs for the county psych hospital and the one staffs for CVS for the vaccinations. But, all of the agencies that staff for our large magnet hospitals require at least a year of experience.  I have tried -- trust me. It's just incredibly competitive here. I get offers to travel to others states all of the time, but I don't feel comfortable working as an ICU travel nurse in another state. I know the money is good, but I don't want to risk my license or patient safety just to get experience. New grads really need to be precepted, and it isn't fair to our most vulnerable patients in the ICU for me to waltz in there as a travel nurse and just be thrown to wolves with no orientation. Especially as a traveler, making much more than the staff nurses, people are very unlikely to help me if I am drowning and don't know my stuff. I really need to have more experience, but I just cannot seem to get it.  

[SeaConquest]

5 hours ago, FuzzyCatz said:

I know this is something to watch and our population is much different than SA's, but I do find this encouraging ....

https://twitter.com/ScottGottliebMD/status/1472664060445569026

This is pure hopium.

Median age in South Africa is 27.6 years. Median age in USA is 38.1 years.

28% of South Africans are obese, compared to 42% of Americans.

Our hospitals are already overrun and healthcare workers are drowning.

Please don't assume that things will play out here as they have in South Africa. I really don't think the American public has any clue what is about to hit this country. 

My unsolicited thoughts, which I will likely delete: 

If you have a kid in the 12-15 year old donut hole (six months out, but cannot get a booster yet), you may want to consider getting them a third dose by making an appointment at CVS as immunocompromised. No one will ask any questions. Privacy rights, y'all.

If you are getting your booster, consider asking for a full dose of Moderna (immunocompromised) vs the half dose booster. 

If you had J&J, tear up the card and start all over with your primary series with two doses of Moderna. J&J is crap. 

Wear an N95 or better.

 

Edited December 20, 2021 by SeaConquest

[catz]

7 minutes ago, SeaConquest said:

This is pure hopium.

Median age in South Africa is 27.6 years. Median age in USA is 38.1 years.

28% of South Africans are obese, compared to 42% of Americans.

 

I said directly in my quote our population looks very different.  That curve is comparing SA to SA.  This wave does look very different for them in terms of outcomes of THEIR population.  They did have much higher numbers in prior waves WRT deaths and hospitalizations.  And absolutely may not directly translate.

We are all triple vaxxed here and KN95ed up consistently, but I don't feel like I'm in contrast to the people pushing vaccines and masking because I'm right there.  It's exhausting being called out because you continue to hope for possibly NOT the worst possible scenario for a change when we're doing all the right things.  You're preaching to the choir.

[SeaConquest]

2 minutes ago, FuzzyCatz said:

I said directly in my quote our population looks very different.  That curve is comparing SA to SA.  This wave does look very different for them in terms of outcomes of THEIR population.  They did have much higher numbers in prior waves WRT deaths and hospitalizations.  And absolutely may not directly translate.

We are all triple vaxxed here and KN95ed up consistently, but I don't feel like I'm in contrast to the people pushing vaccines and masking because I'm right there.  It's exhausting being called out because you continue to hope for possibly NOT the worst possible scenario for a change when we're doing all the right things.  You're preaching to the choir.

My apologies if you felt called out. If anything, I was calling out Scott Gottlieb, who I also follow on Twitter, and just in November was saying that the end of the pandemic was in sight.  

[Melissa in Australia]

One thing to remember about South Africa is it is SUMMER in the Southern Hemisphere at the moment.

[Ausmumof3]

15 hours ago, chocolate-chip chooky said:

That figure of 7 deaths for QLD is the total for the whole pandemic.

Although our current case numbers are going crazy, there have been no recent deaths that I'm aware of.

Thanks.  It seemed a bit insane to suddenly have 7 deaths from so few cases - I was wondering what was going on.

[Ausmumof3]

Anyone know how to compress photos/screenshots in the latest ios update? I used to be able to click the paper clip and then go to actual size on the photo and change the size but now i just get four options for sizes that all take the same amount of space. 

[Ausmumof3]

42 minutes ago, FuzzyCatz said:

I said directly in my quote our population looks very different.  That curve is comparing SA to SA.  This wave does look very different for them in terms of outcomes of THEIR population.  They did have much higher numbers in prior waves WRT deaths and hospitalizations.  And absolutely may not directly translate.

We are all triple vaxxed here and KN95ed up consistently, but I don't feel like I'm in contrast to the people pushing vaccines and masking because I'm right there.  It's exhausting being called out because you continue to hope for possibly NOT the worst possible scenario for a change when we're doing all the right things.  You're preaching to the choir.

The issue I’m seeing with the data he’s using is it’s percentages of hospitalisations/cases. If you have a sudden increase in cases then as a percentage hospitalisations will look low in the short term.  That’s what’s happening in my state right now - 105 new cases yesterday only 1 new hospitalisation - doesn’t sound too bad. Except that hospitalisation probably links to cases from a few days ago when we had 30 or so for the day.  
 

Looking at the data from here 

https://www.nicd.ac.za/diseases-a-z-index/disease-index-covid-19/surveillance-reports/daily-hospital-surveillance-datcov-report/
 

and selecting Gauteng province on the right hand side tells a different story, I think. It may not be as bad as Delta, time will tell but there certainly was a marked increase in hospitalisation.

Eta… not calling you, sorry, in case it’s starting to feel like a pile-on 😕.  I have been trying to reconcile the apparently conflicting views of various experts on the situation myself and this is what stood out to me personally as not being consistent.  

Edited December 20, 2021 by Ausmumof3

[KSera]

1 hour ago, SeaConquest said:

making an appointment at CVS as immunocompromised. No one will ask any questions. Privacy rights, y'all.

Fwiw, didn’t have that experience when taking my 18-year-old for a booster, who legitimately qualified in multiple ways (before they opened up to everyone over 17). I got grilled by the person giving the shot, who said they weren’t giving them to people that age for no reason. I had wanted to spare my dd the embarrassment of me having to spell out why she qualified, but had to. Once I did, it wasn’t a problem. My DH reported the same experience when he went to get his. He had to cite his newly acquired Covid pounds, which he did not appreciate at all. I don’t think privacy rights apply here—same as they need to know your age and past Covid immunization history. 

[Spryte]

3 minutes ago, KSera said:

Fwiw, didn’t have that experience when taking my 18-year-old for a booster, who legitimately qualified in multiple ways (before they opened up to everyone over 17). I got grilled by the person giving the shot, who said they weren’t giving them to people that age for no reason. I had wanted to spare my dd the embarrassment of me having to spell out why she qualified, but had to. Once I did, it wasn’t a problem. My DH reported the same experience when he went to get his. He had to cite his newly acquired Covid pounds, which he did not appreciate at all. I don’t think privacy rights apply here—same as they need to know your age and past Covid immunization history. 

Yes, same here. Even with an actual immune issue, our state site said, “No one that age gets a booster.” Even when I tried to explain that it’s a third dose, not a booster. Just no. I think we’d have needed a doc note. As it was, we waited.

Maybe other areas are easier.

ETA: I was in person, speaking to a nurse on site. 

Edited December 20, 2021 by Spryte

[ieta_cassiopeia]

21 hours ago, Ausmumof3 said:

I’ve seen a bit of talk about dropping the mandatory observation time because it serves little purpose and slows the process down as well as increasing risk of covid spread while people are waiting.

In my case, mandatory observation meant that when I collapsed after dose #1, I didn't end up in hospital and there was enough context for the doctor to figure out how I could have future doses, so I'm not a neutral party on the question. But it is true that collapses are relatively rare, especially among people who are there for boosters rather than initial doses and got through the initial doses fine.

(In case anyone is wondering, I had a Pfizer booster and had zero side effects this time).

[SHP]

14 minutes ago, Spryte said:

Yes, same here. Even with an actual immune issue, our state site said, “No one that age gets a booster.” Even when I tried to explain that it’s a third dose, not a booster. Just no. I think we’d have needed a doc note. As it was, we waited.

Maybe other areas are easier.

ETA: I was in person, speaking to a nurse on site. 

I have one with immune issues and I am having an incredibly difficult time getting scheduled. Had the specialist appointment this morning and tried what she suggested but without any luck. I cannot figure out how people are making 3rd dose appointments for a different vaccines at CVS and Walgreens. We recieved Pfizer and our doctor wants us to get Moderna, it isn't an option when I go to CVS and Walgreens websites.

I finally emailed the social worker in the specialty clinic and asked for help. 

[Corraleno]

1 minute ago, SHP said:

I have one with immune issues and I am having an incredibly difficult time getting scheduled. Had the specialist appointment this morning and tried what she suggested but without any luck. I cannot figure out how people are making 3rd dose appointments for a different vaccines at CVS and Walgreens. We recieved Pfizer and our doctor wants us to get Moderna, it isn't an option when I go to CVS and Walgreens websites.

I finally emailed the social worker in the specialty clinic and asked for help. 

Have you tried WalMart? I had two Pfizers and was able to get a Moderna booster at a WalMart pharmacy. I registered online and it let me choose the one I wanted.

 

[Ausmumof3]

8 minutes ago, ieta_cassiopeia said:

In my case, mandatory observation meant that when I collapsed after dose #1, I didn't end up in hospital and there was enough context for the doctor to figure out how I could have future doses, so I'm not a neutral party on the question. But it is true that collapses are relatively rare, especially among people who are there for boosters rather than initial doses and got through the initial doses fine.

(In case anyone is wondering, I had a Pfizer booster and had zero side effects this time).

It seems like maybe it needs to be a bit dependent on whether you have someone with you to help you get medical care if something goes wrong or not.

 

Im glad your booster went well.

[SeaConquest]

36 minutes ago, KSera said:

Fwiw, didn’t have that experience when taking my 18-year-old for a booster, who legitimately qualified in multiple ways (before they opened up to everyone over 17). I got grilled by the person giving the shot, who said they weren’t giving them to people that age for no reason. I had wanted to spare my dd the embarrassment of me having to spell out why she qualified, but had to. Once I did, it wasn’t a problem. My DH reported the same experience when he went to get his. He had to cite his newly acquired Covid pounds, which he did not appreciate at all. I don’t think privacy rights apply here—same as they need to know your age and past Covid immunization history. 

Aren't you in Canada, though? I should have said that I can only speak for what I know working as a vaccinator here in the US.

[SeaConquest]

This is what the page looks like where you select a third dose for the 12-15 year olds:

[SeaConquest]

And then it says right here on the CDC website, under Pfizer, that if you are 12+ and immunocompromised,  you get an additional shot.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/immuno.html

People age 12+ who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should get an additional primary shot of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine

Given 28 days after 2^nd shot

Edited December 20, 2021 by SeaConquest

[SeaConquest]

It doesn't say anything about a doctor's note or proof, yadda yadda.

[SeaConquest]

We also do not make people wait after getting their booster here. I was told that it was no longer necessary because the vaccines have full approval. I mean, they have been in 7 billion arms, so I don't see why it would be necessary after full approval. Some people get vagal or anaphylactic reactions to any vaccine; we don't make everyone who gets a vaccine wait just because a tiny percentage of people have reactions. I've been vaccinating for 2 months, 8 hours per days, 100+ people per day and I haven't had a single reaction.

[Ausmumof3]

Slightly lower numbers for VIC today at 1245. 6 deaths.

NSW was a big jump to 3,057

[SHP]

49 minutes ago, Corraleno said:

Have you tried WalMart? I had two Pfizers and was able to get a Moderna booster at a WalMart pharmacy. I registered online and it let me choose the one I wanted.

 

I have, same issue.

[Matryoshka]

1 hour ago, KSera said:

Fwiw, didn’t have that experience when taking my 18-year-old for a booster, who legitimately qualified in multiple ways (before they opened up to everyone over 17). I got grilled by the person giving the shot, who said they weren’t giving them to people that age for no reason. I had wanted to spare my dd the embarrassment of me having to spell out why she qualified, but had to. Once I did, it wasn’t a problem. My DH reported the same experience when he went to get his. He had to cite his newly acquired Covid pounds, which he did not appreciate at all. I don’t think privacy rights apply here—same as they need to know your age and past Covid immunization history. 

This seems to vary a lot by location.  They did not ask us here.

[Matryoshka]

1 hour ago, SHP said:

I have one with immune issues and I am having an incredibly difficult time getting scheduled. Had the specialist appointment this morning and tried what she suggested but without any luck. I cannot figure out how people are making 3rd dose appointments for a different vaccines at CVS and Walgreens. We recieved Pfizer and our doctor wants us to get Moderna, it isn't an option when I go to CVS and Walgreens websites.

I finally emailed the social worker in the specialty clinic and asked for help. 

At least in these parts it will tell you on the CVS website which store has which shots.  So, we had Pfizer and got Moderna boosters - we just picked a CVS that had Moderna and made the appointment there.

[SHP]

30 minutes ago, Matryoshka said:

At least in these parts it will tell you on the CVS website which store has which shots.  So, we had Pfizer and got Moderna boosters - we just picked a CVS that had Moderna and made the appointment there.

The stores here do offer both, but when you say you got Pfizer originally you are only offered a slot for Pfizer 3rd dose, same with Moderna 3rd dose, I checked. 

[SHP]

After checking several hospitals (only offering Pfizer) and my city's health department without luck, I went to the county health department and was able to pick my 3rd shots, regardless of which was recieved previously.

[kbutton]

https://www.news-medical.net/news/20211220/COVID-19-infection-during-pregnancy-found-to-impact-infant-neurodevelopment.aspx?fbclid=IwAR3heW2ONuBO5uHLNAhhiXjWjPJRKRHFgYO_twoWj0vUbK-06AzO96bLki4
 

[Ausmumof3]

Tried to tune in to the PM update but it was all move on, live with the virus and personal responsibility.  Plus a bit about how great the economy and death rate are going.  Funny how that happens when you listen to public health advice.  Interesting to see if it still happens when you choose not to.

[Ausmumof3]

In better news apparently there’s early indications that maybe London cases are slowing down. Hopefully that’s not weekend data or shortage of testing.

Interpret with caution this source is new to me and there’s a tonne of caveats but will be nice if true.

[popmom]

48 minutes ago, SHP said:

The stores here do offer both, but when you say you got Pfizer originally you are only offered a slot for Pfizer 3rd dose, same with Moderna 3rd dose, I checked. 

I'm not sure what to think about that. I guess I think that's really bad. My pharmacist at Walmart told me it didn't matter. I got Moderna after 2 doses of Pfizer. Moderna was all he had at the time. 

[popmom]

4 hours ago, Melissa in Australia said:

One thing to remember about South Africa is it is SUMMER in the Southern Hemisphere at the moment.

That has not mattered one bit in the U.S. Our Delta surge was horrendous, and it started in June. I don't think any COVID variant has cared what season it was.

[Syllieann]

19 minutes ago, popmom said:

That has not mattered one bit in the U.S. Our Delta surge was horrendous, and it started in June. I don't think any COVID variant has cared what season it was.

Things that force people indoors are definitely correlated. In the southern us, it is hot, muggy weather that forces them into the air conditioning.  Here in the northern us, we have a definite correlation with when it becomes too cold to gather outside.

[Arcadia]

https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/12/20/1066083896/omicron-is-now-the-dominant-covid-strain-in-the-u-s-making-up-73-of-cases
“NEW YORK — Omicron has raced ahead of other variants and is now the dominant version of the coronavirus in the U.S., accounting for 73% of new infections last week, federal health officials said Monday.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention numbers showed nearly a six-fold increase in omicron's share of infections in only one week.

In much of the country, omicron's prevalence is even higher. It's responsible for an estimated 90% of new infections in the New York area, the Southeast, the industrial Midwest and the Pacific Northwest.

Since the end of June, the delta variant has been the main version causing U.S. infections. As recently as the end of November, more than 99.5% of coronaviruses were delta, according to CDC data.”

[popmom]

14 minutes ago, Syllieann said:

Things that force people indoors are definitely correlated. In the southern us, it is hot, muggy weather that forces them into the air conditioning.  Here in the northern us, we have a definite correlation with when it becomes too cold to gather outside.

Yes and no. The Delta wave moved north from Florida. May and June are not our hottest, muggiest months.  And our wimpy southern selves are probably much more driven inside during winter because we just can't take the cold. lol 

It's just not that simple. If it were, I guess the south would have flu in July and August every year--before anyone else in the country.

In the case of Delta geography seemed to be a much bigger factor than climate. I distinctly remember the entire I10 corridor in the SE as a major source of spread.

Edited December 21, 2021 by popmom

[Syllieann]

1 minute ago, popmom said:

Yes and no. The Delta wave moved north from Florida. May and June are not our hottest, muggiest months.  And our wimpy southern selves are probably much more driven inside during winter because we just can't take the cold. lol 

It's just not that simple. If it were, I guess the south would have flu in July and August. 

There are other factors that shift things, true.  But to say that the weather doesn't matter one bit is just absurd.

[popmom]

10 minutes ago, Syllieann said:

There are other factors that shift things, true.  But to say that the weather doesn't matter one bit is just absurd.

Okay.

thanks.

 

Edited December 21, 2021 by popmom

[Melissa in Australia]

37 minutes ago, popmom said:

That has not mattered one bit in the U.S. Our Delta surge was horrendous, and it started in June. I don't think any COVID variant has cared what season it was.

In Australia the last few times the weather has made a huge difference.

 Don’t think it will this time, everyone( in Victoria at least) has been mostly locked down and limited to their state for the last 2 years ( state to state travel had practically been completely halted). Now state to state travel is allowed and just about every single Aussie is traveling ( exaggeration). It is spreading like wildfire.

[Matryoshka]

1 hour ago, SHP said:

The stores here do offer both, but when you say you got Pfizer originally you are only offered a slot for Pfizer 3rd dose, same with Moderna 3rd dose, I checked. 

Are you looking at third dose, or booster? Those are different menu choices.  Mix/match boosters are officially approved - I'm not sure why they wouldn't be offering them.

[popmom]

@Syllieann  @Melissa in Australia

It is my personal belief that weather/season has very little to no influence on the spread of COVID. It comes in waves and has a life of its own (to put it very unscientifically). If that is absurd to you, I'm okay with that. My views are admittedly based on my anecdotal observations over the course of the pandemic in my part of the country. Here are a couple of studies on the subject. 

" The World Health Organization says that the COVID-19 pandemic is one big wave, not seasonal. It is now clear that this virus did not behave like influenza which tended to follow seasonal trends. The world was waiting for COVID-19 to fade with the rise in temperature or the decrease in humidity, but the latter adapted to the environment due to its genetic components “A.A.R.N,” which made it difficult to detect a vaccine quickly."

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-021-16903-x

One from U of TX  below--although it's a year old. I'm surprised I can't find more out there about this. And there are probably studies that show the exact opposite. I just didn't find any.

https://news.utexas.edu/2020/11/02/hot-or-cold-weather-alone-has-no-significant-effect-on-covid-19-spread/

"The effect of weather is low and other features such as mobility have more impact than weather,” said Dev Niyogi, a professor at UT Austin’s Jackson School of Geosciences and Cockrell School of Engineering who led the research. “In terms of relative importance, weather is one of the last parameters.”

ETA: I think we can all agree that human behavior is the main factor in the spread. 

 

Edited December 21, 2021 by popmom
add better link

[SHP]

19 minutes ago, Matryoshka said:

Are you looking at third dose, or booster? Those are different menu choices.  Mix/match boosters are officially approved - I'm not sure why they wouldn't be offering them.

3rd dose 

[Matryoshka]

6 minutes ago, SHP said:

3rd dose 

Ah. That's frustrating. Can you get them at a doctor's office?

[Ausmumof3]

13 minutes ago, popmom said:

@Syllieann  @Melissa in Australia

It is my personal belief that weather/season has very little to no influence on the spread of COVID. It comes in waves and has a life of its own (to put it very unscientifically). If that is absurd to you, I'm okay with that. My views are admittedly based on my anecdotal observations over the course of the pandemic in my part of the country. Here are a couple of studies on the subject. 

" The World Health Organization says that the COVID-19 pandemic is one big wave, not seasonal. It is now clear that this virus did not behave like influenza which tended to follow seasonal trends. The world was waiting for COVID-19 to fade with the rise in temperature or the decrease in humidity, but the latter adapted to the environment due to its genetic components “A.A.R.N,” which made it difficult to detect a vaccine quickly."

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-021-16903-x

One from U of TX  below--although it's a year old. I'm surprised I can't find more out there about this. And there are probably studies that show the exact opposite. I just didn't find any.

https://news.utexas.edu/2020/11/02/hot-or-cold-weather-alone-has-no-significant-effect-on-covid-19-spread/

"The effect of weather is low and other features such as mobility have more impact than weather,” said Dev Niyogi, a professor at UT Austin’s Jackson School of Geosciences and Cockrell School of Engineering who led the research. “In terms of relative importance, weather is one of the last parameters.”

ETA: I think we can all agree that human behavior is the main factor in the spread. 

In Australia we have distinct summer and winter waves so far.  I think it links to people being indoors due to cold or heat with air con running. 
 

Interestingly Darwin’s flu season is summer indicating it’s not related to the cold as such but to indoor living 

Edited December 21, 2021 by Ausmumof3

[Ausmumof3]

154 cases for SA today

some from private labs possibly not in yet.

[GoodGrief3]

16 minutes ago, popmom said:

@Syllieann  @Melissa in Australia

It is my personal belief that weather/season has very little to no influence on the spread of COVID. It comes in waves and has a life of its own (to put it very unscientifically). If that is absurd to you, I'm okay with that. My views are admittedly based on my anecdotal observations over the course of the pandemic in my part of the country. Here are a couple of studies on the subject. 

 

 

I'll add one more anecdote: Alaska's Delta spike began in mid-June, as our population was moving outside for our brief and beautiful summer. It peaked in September and declined steadily (and continues to decline) as the weather cooled and people moved inside.

[popmom]

13 minutes ago, Ausmumof3 said:

 

Interestingly Darwin’s flu season is summer indicating it’s not related to the cold as such but to indoor living 

I think that's very interesting. Flu thrives and spreads with people cooped up, and COVID thrives/spreads with "mobility". 

It very well may be that once COVID has been around awhile, it will also become seasonal like flu. I hope so.,  I think the geographic spread over climate/season must have to do with the novelty--complete lack of natural immunity. Pure speculating. I don't know. lol

Now I'm curious about how seasonal the flu pandemic of 1918 was. I really don't need to be going down any more rabbit holes tonight. 😉

Edited December 21, 2021 by popmom

[Melissa in Australia]

23 minutes ago, popmom said:

I think that's very interesting. Flu thrives and spreads with people cooped up, and COVID thrives/spreads with "mobility". 

It very well may be that once COVID has been around awhile, it will also become seasonal like flu. I hope so.,  I think the geographic spread over climate/season must have to do with the novelty--complete lack of natural immunity. Pure speculating. I don't know. lol

Now I'm curious about how seasonal the flu pandemic of 1918 was. I really don't need to be going down any more rabbit holes tonight. 😉

Would love you to go down that rabbit hole and let us all know.

[Melissa in Australia]

https://www.9news.com.au/world/omicron-south-africa-is-over-the-curve-says-chair-of-national-medical-association/58c36efc-3035-473f-877d-7b91853dc06a

South Africa is reporting they are over the curve. Hospitalisation and deaths way less than delta

[lewelma]

3 hours ago, popmom said:

That has not mattered one bit in the U.S. Our Delta surge was horrendous, and it started in June. I don't think any COVID variant has cared what season it was.

ETA: I see you guys have been discussing this so I'm late to comment. But I'll just leave what I wrote after reading the first post on seasonality.....

That may be because America has air conditioning so summer is still indoors. Is AC super common in South Africa? Here in NZ in Wellington, I don't know a single person with AC. Even many of the office buildings have open windows and fans (even many stories up). 

Edited December 21, 2021 by lewelma

[lewelma]

Down to 29 cases today in NZ. All delta. So the vaccination levels and all the public health measures are keeping the r value substantially below 1 even with Auckland leaving lockdown 3 weeks ago. There are 13 cases of omicron currently in MIQ (military run managed isolation and quarantine). They are going to do their best to keep it out of the community until we can get everyone boosted and the kids vaccinated. So crossing fingers that they can give us 2 months.

Government just announced that they won't open to Australia mid-Jan, and will push it out to end of Febauary after 80% of the population has gotten the booster. They are moving the booster up to 4 months. 

[popmom]

1 hour ago, Melissa in Australia said:

Would love you to go down that rabbit hole and let us all know.

I had my cabinets repainted, and I have to put my kitchen back together!  But here I am again! So maybe I will. Queen of procrastination here. I did at least make a Target run for shelf/drawer liner. Boosted and masked, of course! 🙂

ETA: in defense of my procrastination, I had to correct an major error on another thread. 😉

Edited December 21, 2021 by popmom