[Standing Strong]

Just curious.... I haven't found anything on it in the news.....

That "mutant" Covid is running amuck, had heard about it a few weeks ago.... at the time it was in England, but it's jumped the pond and working it's way west.

The vaccine, does anyone know if it does anything to this new version? I wasn't in any rush to get the shot, but if it doesn't do anything to this new one..... what's the point?
Actually the whole vaccine has so much information it's hard to know what's right....... you need one shot, except you also need a second shot.... except you also need another shot every 8 months...... it's effective, except it's not unless you get them all.....what happens if you're late due to non-availability? The different brands are all the same, except they're not. Can you mix and match the different brands? Or does that break the chain? There's plenty of shots, except they're for the people who need them the most, except they're throwing away millions of shots because they didn't use them before expiring. The feds turned over the shots to the hospitals for distribution except when my folks call the hospital they're told they can get on a list. No one is responsible at a local level and no one seems to know what is going on, what the stock of shots available are, or how to get them in the people who want them now.

I'm so tired of this virus...... the nasty thought of being back to square one is a really terrible idea. I hope that's not the case.
My poor mom is so terrified of the existing virus, I don't even want her to know this new one is out there. She told me the other day that I only need to hide for another year...... except the talking heads on TV say it'll be another two years (if you can believe them)..... meanwhile, time marches on and waits for no COVID.

-SS

[xyzcf]

I will try and answer your questions SS. I want to state that a year ago, we really had not heard much about COVID. Since that time, a vaccine has been researched, shown to be safe and is presently being manufactured There has not been enough time to demonstrate how long the vaccine will give us immunity. Some vaccines, such as flu, need to be made and distributed each year depending upon what strain is circulating in the Southern Hemisphere. Other vaccinations such as tetnanus need a booster every 10 years.

That "mutant" Covid is running amuck, had heard about it a few weeks ago.... at the time it was in England, but it's jumped the pond and working it's way west.

The vaccine, does anyone know if it does anything to this new version? I wasn't in any rush to get the shot, but if it doesn't do anything to this new one..... what's the point?

To date, the mutation that we are seeing in North America does not seem to affect the efficacy of the COVID Vaccine. The vaccine is effective.

Actually the whole vaccine has so much information it's hard to know what's right....... you need one shot, except you also need a second shot.... except you also need another shot every 8 months...... it's effective, except it's not unless you get them all.....what happens if you're late due to non-availability?

Pfizer and Moderna require 2 shots. 3 and 4 weeks after the original shot to provide 95% protection. Johnson and Johnson's vaccine is made differently and will require just one shot.

The recommended time frame between shots is what has been researched and any other time frame doesn't have data to state what happens if the second shot is delayed.

Other vaccines , which have been around much longer also have time frames. Shingles for example is a 2 shot vaccine with the second shot given 2 months after the first.

These are the ideal recommendation as the data that is presently available from the manufacturer.

That doesn't mean that if the schedule is interrupted and you are not able to get the vaccine as recommended that your level of immunity would be seriously affected. But that has not been studied yet.

Since the vaccine is somewhat effective with 1 dose, there is thinking of some scientists that we should give everyone at least one vaccine.

I personally would prefer that we follow the guidelines. Those may change as more information becomes available.

The different brands are all the same, except they're not. Can you mix and match the different brands? Or does that break the chain?

Pfizer and Moderna are both mRNA vaccines so they are similar. It is recommended that you get the same brand for the second shot.

Johnson and Johnson is made by a different process so it is not the same as Pfizer and Moderna's.

Think Advil vs Tyelenol. Both will decrease a fever however they are different drugs with different mechanisms.

There's plenty of shots, except they're for the people who need them the most, except they're throwing away millions of shots because they didn't use them before expiring.

The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines have a limited "shelf life" once they have been taken out of the freezer. Millions of doses have NOT been thrown away. There were some that were accidentally left out too long. There are 5-6 doses in each vial.  There are not yet "plenty of shots". The manufacturer is producing them as fast as they can but it will still be awhile until enough shots are available for the total poplulation.

The feds turned over the shots to the hospitals for distribution except when my folks call the hospital they're told they can get on a list. No one is responsible at a local level and no one seems to know what is going on, what the stock of shots available are, or how to get them in the people who want them now.

There is a problem regarding distribution of the vaccine. Each state has also been determining who should get the vaccine first and have not been following the CDC guidelines.

We need to be patient. The shots will become available and I would think that the distribution will become more streamlined.

Remember, we have never had to deal with something like this before. We are learning as we go along.

I'm so tired of this virus...... the nasty thought of being back to square one is a really terrible idea. I hope that's not the case.
My poor mom is so terrified of the existing virus, I don't even want her to know this new one is out there.

There is not a "new" virus. There is a mutation to COVID which is quite common.

If the virus mutates and the vaccine isn't working, the mRNA viruses can be adjusted to become more effective but at the moment that is not a problem because the mutations are not affecting the efficacy of the vaccine.

She told me the other day that I only need to hide for another year...... except the talking heads on TV say it'll be another two years (if you can believe them)..... meanwhile, time marches on and waits for no COVID.

The best source of information about COVID is to go to the CDC website at:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Your state public health department also will have up to date resources as well as an information line that you can call to ask questions.

When I worked in Toronto during the SARS epidemic in 2002, the information changed very quickly as more became known about the virus. Sometimes our public health department would receive several updates in a day..hard for us to keep up.

In the meantime, we know what works.

Social distancing.
Wear a mask.
Avoid activities that occur indoors.
Wash your hands.
No unnecessary travel.
Stay healthy by exercising, getting enough sleep and managing your stress level.
Stay home if you are sick.
Get tested if you have symptoms or have been in contact with another person who tests positive.
Get vaccinated when it is available to you.

You cannot get the virus unless you are exposed to it so the more you stay away from any place/activity that puts you into close contact with other people, the less infections will occur.

Our hospitals and medical personal are at their breaking point. The vaccine will help us to get back to a normal life but not for some time yet.

And it will still be necessary to follow these guidelines even after you get your vaccine as there is still a chance that you can become infected.

[Standing Strong]

Thank xyzcf 

That was very awesome.

-SS

P.S. I know the cure for COVID........ it's visiting an Amusement Park and riding all the roller coasters. 

[Songanddance]

In the UK - the vaccine programme has started and so far been fairly efficient.  Thus far 2.6 million have received the first vaccine shot since it started just over a month ago.

The aim is 400,000 a week which is almost a million a fortnight.  Not only that pharmacies, and vaccine centres are now set up and authorised to administer the vaccine.

The info here is that the vaccines are efficacious against the mutated virus which has swept through the UK and that changes to the vaccine if necessary would be swift and effective. 

The only change to the plan is that there is now a 12 week gap between the first jab and the second. The thinking here (which seems logical) is that whilst lockdown continues it makes more sense to get the first jab into as many vulnerable/priority people as possible because the first jab will certainly reduce the virus and its impact as the second just shuts the door to it completely.  It is a bold move but one I support.
The UK cannot survive another lengthy lockdown and the sooner we can reduce lockdown to a slightly lower tier such as tier 3 or even tier 2 which allows gyms and health centres to open as well as sporting and other activities for U18s, the better.

Nothing will happen here in terms of lockdown until at least mid Feb or third week (22nd) as that would have created a 6/7 week lockdown which did work when we had it in March 2020.

I am an optimist and I believe that, despite a minority stupidity who think its all a hoax and a conspiracy to get control and create a Big Brother state, we will prevail.
It is sad that there has been such a huge loss of life but i do think the figures in the UK are somewhat blurred. The death numbers are released with the statement that these are deaths that had a positive Covid test in the previous 28 days.  This is in itself is confusing and feeds the conspiracy theory.

In the meantime I just wish people would follow the guidance and work together towards returning to a better situation rather than perpetuating the same challenges.

[readytofixmyselffirst]

Hello,

In the meantime I just wish people would follow the guidance and work together towards returning to a better situation rather than perpetuating the same challenges.

This is so true.  My wife and I have just been spending our free time at home and keeping a low profile. I have elderly parents and if anyone gets sick and needs medical treatment, the hospitals are filled and workers are exhausted. The numbers are just through the roof. 

While I support everyone's right to peacefully demonstrate, to have thousands of people get on planes and fly to a destination, gather together (sans masks) and then fly back only creates more surges. The numbers in the US are staggering. We have almost lost as many people to covid as we have lost in WWII and covid hasn't been in the US for a full year.  The war is not against each other, but against the virus and we need to unite and work together to defeat it.

The death numbers are released with the statement that these are deaths that had a positive Covid test in the previous 28 days.  This is in itself is confusing and feeds the conspiracy theory.

You are so right, however the statistics for the year in the US indicate 2020 will be the deadliest year for the US on record. The increase in deaths is much higher than projected. On an interesting note, auto accidents with fatalities also increased in 2020. Due to the decrease in traffic, many people are driving at higher speeds and having accidents. All so sad.

I’m not getting very good info in my state about when I can expect to get my first dose. My medical oncologist hasn’t been vaccinated herself, nor has anyone on her team,

This also frustrates me because people who need to be vaccinated. Nas should be at the top of the list to get vaccinated. Your oncologist is seeing patients who all are susceptible to this deadly disease. Not one is vaccinated. Nope, but the billing assistant who works at home gets his. There just doesn't seem to be a plan and when only one third of all available does have been administered, it only makes it more frustrating. I was happy to see that they are turning Disneyland into a mass center for all people over 65. I hope to get my mom vaccinated soon.

As for the rest of us? Who knows!

(((((Ready)))

[Curiosity]

I sincerely hope we are able to get these vaccines into people sooner rather than later, both because the numbers are staggering (and I am in what has been and I expect still is the epicenter), and because while the vaccine is apparently effective against the known mutations so far, that may not be true if it continues to spread and mutate. I don’t have any idea when I will be eligible; I am hoping to get MIL vaccinated soon though I’m not sure how that will work because, while the pandemic has her stuck here in CA, she is not a CA resident. I hope she is able to get it despite that. And while I don’t begrudge anyone, even the lower risk people, the chance to get the vaccine early, I am so frustrated that people at real risk are being bypassed.

In the meantime,

[Ready2Transform]

I am hoping to get MIL vaccinated soon though I’m not sure how that will work because, while the pandemic has her stuck here in CA, she is not a CA resident. I hope she is able to get it despite that.

Just a heads up though that this isn't your responsibility to work out. Your W works in the medical field and has already gotten her vaccine, so she should know the right channels to pursue to take care of her mom. Give yourself a break and let this one be on her.

[Curiosity]

Thanks, R2T ... you’re right, there’s the fixer tendency again! Basically I won’t leave MIL in the lurch (I work in healthcare too though in a low risk area). But I won’t necessarily take it all on myself... I found the state’s phone hotline; I can leave it to W or MIL to call about it. Just as I am not great at “not my circus, not my monkeys,” I also struggle with, “not my problem to solve.” Work in progress...

[Ready2Transform]

You're getting better! It's a practice (from one recovering fixer to another ).

[Milly]

xy, that was very awesome!