COVID-19 Megathread 6: Return of the Omicron

[BG-NY]

Do you think that ~70% of African population are not smart? Yes, the access to vaccines plays a role, but the " vaccine hesitancy" is important (imo, most important), too.

This is a salient point that has consistently hand-waved away. There is clearly distrust among lower income communities, particularly among blacks, in the vaccine.

While I believe not getting vaccinated is a poor decision, certain people are playing with fire, and are bordering on eugenics-based arguments. It’s not just the “white trash” that NY/NJ/MD/VA/GA red avys hate. It’s black people. In cities and the country. Domestically and abroad.

This scientific racism espoused by some on the left is deplorable.

[Lief 🗽]

The pandemic is over. It’s time to move on with our lives.

[Vaccinated Russian Bear]

I've been reading a lot of conflicting reports. Some are saying that South Africa is faring better than expected. However, others studies are saying there's no evidence Omicron is any less severe than previous variants.

The reports so far have had fairly small sample sizes, and found "no evidence"--the lack of evidence is not confirmation. Remember, early studies of the original strain also found "no evidence" that the virus was airborne, or that it spread without symptoms, or that masks were required--all of which evidence became abundant as time went on.

Actual data coming out of South Africa conflicts with this and does in fact show a dramatic decline in severe cases and deaths. Logic dictates that it is in fact less severe, the question is simply to what extent.

I believe, you conflate 2 things. The Omicron wave is definitely  much milder, and so was even Delta. Not only it's true, it is expected, because of immunity accumulated either by vaccines (rich world) or being infected (South Africa).

Whether Omicron virus is [much] milder is still an open question. Difficult to say, because of higher immunity + higher share of reinfections (take a look at this picture >>>


Omicron renders vaccine/immunity to reduce decease by a lot, but not so much [re]infections, so between 1 & 2, while Delta is between 2 & 3.

[jamestroll]

We will have a day with over 300,000 infections in a single day, possibly 400,000.

Do. Not. Panic.

We will have to measure it by hospitalization and notable illness.

[Lief 🗽]

We will have a day with over 300,000 infections in a single day, possibly 400,000.

Do. Not. Panic.

We will have to measure it by hospitalization and notable illness.

We are nearing final victory over the pandemic. The miracle of modern science has turned this into the cold/flu for everyone but the moron unvaccinateds. We cannot allow the public health goons and the Enemy of the People press to treat this like pre-vaccine covid. We need to all collectively stand up, live our lives, and return to normal.

[Torie]

We will have a day with over 300,000 infections in a single day, possibly 400,000.

Do. Not. Panic.

We will have to measure it by hospitalization and notable illness.

We are nearing final victory over the pandemic. The miracle of modern science has turned this into the cold/flu for everyone but the moron unvaccinateds. We cannot allow the public health goons and the Enemy of the People press to treat this like pre-vaccine covid. We need to all collectively stand up, live our lives, and return to normal.

In other news, it is near impossible to find rapid at home covid testing kits anywhere, so the planned Xmas gathering is now at risk. The management of all of this really sucks.

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

https://twitter.com/DKThomp/status/1472670895328088076
NUT if this is accurate, which I think it probably is.

[emailking]

The spike is so steep I think we need another couple of weeks to be sure but yes that looks good.

[Matty]

Pocahontas tested positive for covid and is experiencing mild symptoms

[Frodo]

https://twitter.com/jptrib1/status/1472633523043508224

Researchers say each exposure following vaccination strengthens immune response to subsequent exposures, even to new variants.

“I think this speaks to an eventual end game,” said co-author Dr. Marcel Curlin, associate professor of medicine in the OHSU School of Medicine. “It doesn’t mean we’re at the end of the pandemic, but it points to where we’re likely to land: Once you’re vaccinated and then exposed to the virus, you’re probably going to be reasonably well-protected from future variants."

(...) Researchers noted they haven't specifically examined the omicron variant, but based on the results of the study, it's anticipated that breakthrough infections from the variant will generate a similarly strong immune response among those who've been vaccinated.

[_.]

https://twitter.com/jptrib1/status/1472633523043508224

Researchers say each exposure following vaccination strengthens immune response to subsequent exposures, even to new variants.

“I think this speaks to an eventual end game,” said co-author Dr. Marcel Curlin, associate professor of medicine in the OHSU School of Medicine. “It doesn’t mean we’re at the end of the pandemic, but it points to where we’re likely to land: Once you’re vaccinated and then exposed to the virus, you’re probably going to be reasonably well-protected from future variants."

(...) Researchers noted they haven't specifically examined the omicron variant, but based on the results of the study, it's anticipated that breakthrough infections from the variant will generate a similarly strong immune response among those who've been vaccinated.

I am SUPER IMMUNE 

[Hammy]

The pandemic is over. It’s time to move on with our lives.

I'd wait to declare it over given Delta is still >95% of cases in the US, but it looks like a go once Omicron becomes dominant if this is a continuing trend.

[GeorgiaModerate]

Pocahontas tested positive for covid and is experiencing mild symptoms

Pocahontas has been dead for 400 years.

If you mean somebody else, say so.

[Matty]

Corey Booker tests positive

2nd Senator today (Liz w was the other)

[Hammy]

Corey Booker tests positive

2nd Senator today (Liz w was the other)

Can't help but wonder if the airline CEO that was testifying about masks was the patient zero of any Senate cases.

[It’s so Joever]

Pocahontas tested positive for covid and is experiencing mild symptoms

Matty, I served with Olawakandi.
I knew Olawakandi.
Olawakandi was a friend of mine.
Matty, you are no Olawakandi.

Now stop copying his post style.

[Fmr. Gov. NickG]

It’s worth noting that (at least according to Worldometers), global average covid deaths are now at their lowest point since October 2020.

[Matty]

It’s worth noting that (at least according to Worldometers), global average covid deaths are now at their lowest point since October 2020.

which nations/continents are driving this downwards?

[jamestroll]

Get rid of him!

[Fmr. Gov. NickG]

It’s worth noting that (at least according to Worldometers), global average covid deaths are now at their lowest point since October 2020.

which nations/continents are driving this downwards?

Seems like the biggest countries are Brazil, the Philippines, and Iran.

[Hammy]

Do the Dems that are supporting this realize the reason he's "unpopular" is because he dared do something contrary to Trump's whims? You want to cater to the right wing outrage machine, when all they'll do is latch onto another public figure.

And were Biden to comply, they'd keep doing this until there are no more Dems anywhere in government.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

Firing Fauci won't cure us from the COVID VIRUS, we still have TB, Herpes and HIV because Females are getting pregnant and not using birth control and having abortions, it's mostly a female disease now, not a male disease both Herpes and AID'S

The Rs think waving a magic wand and firing Fauci will cure us, NO IT WON'T

Even if we Eradicated COVID WE ARE STILL STUCK WITH TB, HERPES AND AIDS and we're still gonna have the common cold there are no cures for any of the diseases we are stuck with COVID

[GoTfan]

We will have a day with over 300,000 infections in a single day, possibly 400,000.

Do. Not. Panic.

We will have to measure it by hospitalization and notable illness.

We are nearing final victory over the pandemic. The miracle of modern science has turned this into the cold/flu for everyone but the moron unvaccinateds. We cannot allow the public health goons and the Enemy of the People press to treat this like pre-vaccine covid. We need to all collectively stand up, live our lives, and return to normal.

In first world countries, sure.

All the variants are coming out of third world countries.

[emailking]

Moderna booster shot increases antibody levels against Omicron, company says

Biotechnology company Moderna announced Monday that preliminary data suggests its half-dose booster shot increased antibody levels against Omicron compared with the levels seen when a fully vaccinated person does not receive a booster -- and a larger-sized dose of the booster increases antibody levels even more.

Currently, Moderna's booster is administered as a 50-microgram dose. The company announcement noted that its 50-microgram booster dose increased antibody levels 37-fold and a 100-microgram booster dose increased antibody levels 83-fold compared with levels seen before a booster. It remains unclear what these increases mean as far as how well the booster doses clinically work against Omicron.

But in the company's statement, CEO Stéphane Bancel called the data "reassuring."

https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/20/health/moderna-booster-omicron-bn/index.html

[Donerail]

The Biden administration should publicly disavow anyone who says we'll be wearing masks forever.