Apocalyptic Virus Or Not?

[Reclaimed_A1]

India recorded the world’s highest daily tally of 314,835 COVID-19 infections on Thursday as a second wave of the pandemic raised new fears about the ability of crumbling health services to cope.

Health officials across northern and western India, including the capital, New Delhi, said they were in crisis, with most hospitals full and running out of oxygen.

Some doctors advised patients to stay at home, while a crematorium in the eastern city of Muzaffarpur said it was being overwhelmed with bodies, and grieving families had to wait their turn. A crematorium east of Delhi built funeral pyres in its parking lot.

“Right now there are no beds, no oxygen. Everything else is secondary,” said Shahid Jameel, a virologist and director of the Trivedi School of Biosciences at Ashoka University.

“The infrastructure is crumbling.”

[Reclaimed_A1]

The peak of the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in France “appears to be behind us”, Prime Minister Jean Castex said on Thursday, announcing that travel restrictions will be relaxed from early next month.

Castex told reporters there had been a “genuine fall in the circulation of the virus over the last 10 days”, confirming that schools will reopen on Monday and restrictions confining people to a 10-kilometre (six-mile) radius of their homes would be dropped from May 3.

But the nationwide 7pm curfew will remain in place until the Covid-19 epidemic is under control, he said.

As Castex was speaking, however, France reported that 5,981 people were in intensive care units with Covid-19, up by 22 a day earlier, the second highest record of 2021.

A total of 102,164 people have died in France from the pandemic. After a slow start, however, the vaccine campaign is gaining pace with over 13 million people now given at least a first dose.

Health Minister Olivier Véran said that France would begin offering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which requires only a single shot, from Saturday to people aged 55 and over.

In a bid to prevent new, more contagious coronavirus variants from taking hold in the country, France will impose from Saturday a 10-day quarantine on travellers arriving from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, India and South Africa

Travellers from those countries will have to provide proof of where they will be quarantined and will be subject to controls. People in quarantine will only be allowed to go outside between 10am and noon, and could face fines of up to €1,500 for breaching quarantine.

[alexora]

Meanwhile, Israel seem to be getting things right:

Covid-19: Israel records no daily deaths
for the first time in 10 months

Israel has recorded no new daily Covid-19 deaths for the first time in 10 months, as the country pushes ahead with its speedy vaccination drive.

The country's coronavirus death toll remained unchanged at 6,346 on Thursday, health ministry data showed.

The last time Israel reported zero Covid-19 deaths was at the end of June last year, after lockdown measures curbed a first wave of infections.

Israel's outbreak has eased after hitting its peak in January this year.

The Israeli government started to relax lockdown restrictions a month later as vaccinations against Covid-19 were rolled out more widely.

Israel has the highest vaccination rate in the world. On Thursday, the country reached the milestone of five million Covid-19 vaccinations.

The health ministry said more than 53% of the country's population of about nine million people had received two doses of vaccine.

"This is a tremendous achievement for the health system and Israeli citizens. Together we are eradicating the coronavirus," Health Minister Yuli Edelstein tweeted on Friday.

Last week Eyal Leshem, a director at Israel's largest hospital, the Sheba Medical Center, said the country may be close to reaching "herd immunity".

Herd immunity happens when enough of a population has protection against an infection, thus stopping it from spreading.

World Health Organization (WHO) experts have estimated that at least 65%-70% of a population need vaccination coverage before herd immunity is reached.

Mr Leshem said herd immunity was the "only explanation" for Israel's continued fall in cases as more restrictions were lifted.

"There is a continuous decline despite returning to near normalcy," he said.

"This tells us that even if a person is infected, most people they meet walking around won't be infected by them."

Israel began its vaccination campaign last December and since then, it has been the leading nation globally for the number of doses per head of population.

The country has so far relied on only the two-shot vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech. In February, Israel's health ministry said studies revealed the risk of illness from the virus had dropped 95.8% among people who have had both doses of the Pfizer vaccine.

The country is preparing to start vaccinating children aged 12-15 as soon as the US Food and Drugs Administration, a regulator, approves vaccine use for people in that age bracket.

But while Israel has surged ahead with its vaccination programme, the Palestinian territories have lagged behind.

In March, the Palestinians received the first shipment of about 60,000 vaccines doses under the international Covax vaccine-sharing scheme.

Source:

http://bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-56868383

[Miskatonic]

Originally Posted by alexora

Absolutely right: this will only work if everyone is vaccinated.

Unfortunately the world is full of ignorant and superstitious people who subscribe to uninformed and bizarre theories:

I was in a work Zoom meeting when I explained I had to leave to get to my 2nd vaccine appointment on time.

One person shouted: "Don't do it: it will change your DNA!!"

I'm not taking a vaccine to combat something that is not going to kill me. I have an immune system to take care of viruses. Being ignorant or superstitious has nothing to do with an adult making a choice of what they want or don't want put into their bodies.

[Miskatonic]

Originally Posted by alexora

Meanwhile, Israel seem to be getting things right:

Covid-19: Israel records no daily deaths
for the first time in 10 months

Israel has recorded no new daily Covid-19 deaths for the first time in 10 months, as the country pushes ahead with its speedy vaccination drive.

The country's coronavirus death toll remained unchanged at 6,346 on Thursday, health ministry data showed.

The last time Israel reported zero Covid-19 deaths was at the end of June last year, after lockdown measures curbed a first wave of infections.

Israel's outbreak has eased after hitting its peak in January this year.

The Israeli government started to relax lockdown restrictions a month later as vaccinations against Covid-19 were rolled out more widely.

Israel has the highest vaccination rate in the world. On Thursday, the country reached the milestone of five million Covid-19 vaccinations.

The health ministry said more than 53% of the country's population of about nine million people had received two doses of vaccine.

"This is a tremendous achievement for the health system and Israeli citizens. Together we are eradicating the coronavirus," Health Minister Yuli Edelstein tweeted on Friday.

Last week Eyal Leshem, a director at Israel's largest hospital, the Sheba Medical Center, said the country may be close to reaching "herd immunity".

Herd immunity happens when enough of a population has protection against an infection, thus stopping it from spreading.

World Health Organization (WHO) experts have estimated that at least 65%-70% of a population need vaccination coverage before herd immunity is reached.

Mr Leshem said herd immunity was the "only explanation" for Israel's continued fall in cases as more restrictions were lifted.

"There is a continuous decline despite returning to near normalcy," he said.

"This tells us that even if a person is infected, most people they meet walking around won't be infected by them."

Israel began its vaccination campaign last December and since then, it has been the leading nation globally for the number of doses per head of population.

The country has so far relied on only the two-shot vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech. In February, Israel's health ministry said studies revealed the risk of illness from the virus had dropped 95.8% among people who have had both doses of the Pfizer vaccine.

The country is preparing to start vaccinating children aged 12-15 as soon as the US Food and Drugs Administration, a regulator, approves vaccine use for people in that age bracket.

But while Israel has surged ahead with its vaccination programme, the Palestinian territories have lagged behind.

In March, the Palestinians received the first shipment of about 60,000 vaccines doses under the international Covax vaccine-sharing scheme.

Source:

http://bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-56868383

I don't know who I trust the least, the BBC, Israel, or the WHO.

[Volcan]

If they get too cocky they'll get more cases and that'll lead to more deaths, it's not over yet.

[JustKelli]

Originally Posted by JustKelli

^^^^^ I could use some "Spidey senses" right about now, I think I've become forgetful but can't recall.

I deferred my shot to let less fortunate have a chance first but since I am leaving for Scotland tomorrow where my crew is currently quarantined, I got mine the other day and now my right arm is numb from the shoulder to my fingertips, I have no feeling in digits 4 and 5. Thanks Pfizer. Oh ya, my doctor forbid me from flying until they figure it out!!!

I don't know whether to laugh or cry at this one. The USA sounded all bigshot yesterday offering Canada some doses "down the road" since it has a stockpile. It's a loan so needs to be returned at some point and it is the AstraZeneca vaccine that some countries are halting, not to mention it hasn't been approved by the FDA in the US.
To the brainiac up here that preached "god bless america" in all caps, shame on you you traitor.

Further to this post. On Thursday evening Kelli suffered an arterial thrombosis brought on by a pulmonary embolism and was rushed in for emergency surgery Friday afternoon. The procedure is deemed a complete success however a medical coma was induced to control brain swelling.

Kelli awoke this morning and is responsive albeit heavily sedated. She gives a huge to all well wishers here.

Her recovery is estimated at 2 to 4 weeks plus extensive physio.

She already has that devious smile back so that's good, I think.

Originally Posted by wildwest08

Kelli, am so sorry to hear, in our prayers

.

Kelli adores both of you ladies but you already know that.

Originally Posted by HiTrack99

Hope you feel better soon Kelly.

Originally Posted by alex1

Kelli I would say I hope you feel better soon, but you are awesome so I know you will feel better soon. I am sorry you are having any side effects at all.

Each and every one of the posts i quoted can be assured that your well wishes will aid her recovery and I trust she is touched deeply by you having her in your thoughts. Take a bow, you deserve it.

People react differently to medications and past medical history needs to be taken into consideration along with competent doctors advice. Just don't take something because someone tell you you should, make up your own mind for its your life and only yours.

Kelly had a premonition that this might occur and it was realized. Her life's dream was to see Scotland and Ireland and that weighed heavily on her choice to acquiesce in this case, at her peril it appears.

If you know anything about Kelli, she is an immovable object and will bounce back stronger and perhaps kinder.

We use animal therapy in my hospital but saddly Stinky who has unfettered access to the entire vip wing is more concerned with begging for patients cheese and stealing shiny objects to be concerned with mom's plight. God love her selfish little soul.

Again I thank everyone here.

PS - god help Pfizer if Kelli decides to go scorched earth on them. I pray she is above that.

[Reclaimed_A1]

Coronavirus: EU set to allow vaccinated US tourists this summer — report

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a newspaper interview that the vaccines used in the US should enable "free movement and travel" to the EU.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the New York Times Sunday that vaccinated US tourists should be able to travel the EU this summer, although she did not say exactly when travel would resume.

Europe closed its borders to most US travelers last year to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

"The Americans, as far as I see, use European Medicines Agency-approved vaccines," von der Leyen told the newspaper. "This will enable free movement and travel to the European Union."

She said restrictions would be lifted depending on the epidemiological situation in the US.

"But the situation is improving in the United States, as it is, hopefully, also in the European Union," von der Leyen added.

Von der Leyen's remarks come after French President Emmanuel Macron told US broadcaster CBS earlier this month that France is finalizing plans to let in vaccinated Americans this summer.

I am so glad that we here in the United States are using the European Medicines Agency-approved vaccines and that Von der Leyen approves. (The same vaccines that we happen to have but Europe is struggling to get enough doses). Sorry but what a pompous ass statement.

How noble and wonderful that we will be allowed back into Europe (in my case my ancestral homeland) so that we can spend money and help their ailing economies. Especially since they have a lower vaccination rate (the European Union) than us and everyday here we are seeing anti-lock down protests in many places in Europe with no masks anywhere in sight.

Europe this year? Pass.

[Lando Griffin]

Originally Posted by Miskatonic

I'm not taking a vaccine to combat something that is not going to kill me. I have an immune system to take care of viruses. Being ignorant or superstitious has nothing to do with an adult making a choice of what they want or don't want put into their bodies.

Exactly. My body, my choice.

So sorry to hear what happened to Kelli. Take care, get well soon.

[LongTimeLu]

Exactly. My body, my choice.

I have accepted the vaccine because if I catch it and pass it on to my susceptible loved ones my inaction would make me responsible.

Originally Posted by JustKelli

If you know anything about Kelli, she is an immovable object and will bounce back stronger and perhaps kinder.

Hope you continue to give updates as she feels better