New health guidelines for the future

[nocl]

4 minutes ago, Daniel A said:

But wouldn't a negative result from an antibody screening test indicate a Covid-19 vaccine failure?  

 

P.S.  I'm not disagreeing, I'm questioning to learn more about it.  😐

do not know. Clearly if they don't react at all to the vaccine. but I suspect that the majority of the failures produced antibodies. 

 

Will be interesting to see the data.

[nocl]

just listened to an interview concerning the Pfizer vaccine. The person doing the interview asked if the US would get the vaccine first. The person would not answer the question directly but said that approval is the first step for distribution and that they are working with FDA, EMEA and Japan's MHW.

 

So clearly the US is not getting all of their production and may not be the first in line if another country approves it first.

[caribill]

14 hours ago, nocl said:

 

So clearly the US is not getting all of their production and may not be the first in line if another country approves it first.

 

Can't locate where I read it, but Pfizer said that 25 million doses would be available to the USA this year, half of their production.

[WAMarathoner]

I wrote a big long response that CC zapped, so I'll just ask: Does it bother any of you that this is the very first RNA vaccine on the market?  Here's the first 300+ pages from Pfizer's trials:

https://www.acsh.org/news/2020/10/21/how-pfizers-rna-vaccine-works-15104

 

71% side effect rate is high (78% of those were mild, but that still leaves quite a few moderate and severe).

 

As far as proof of vaccination, Gates Foundation has a fix for that.  It's a Quantum Dot (see https://www.sciencealert.com/an-invisible-quantum-dot-tattoo-is-being-suggested-to-id-vaccinated-kids)

It's not difficult to imagine how something like this could be abused.

 

 

Edited November 15, 2020 by WAMarathoner

[WAMarathoner]

On 11/14/2020 at 8:15 AM, KirkNC said:

Maybe but until the virus is gone, there is virtually nothing other then draconian actions a cruise line can take too 100% eliminate the risk.

The genie can't be put back in the bottle.  The virus will never be gone.  But, I agree with you that there is nothing that will 100% eliminate the risk.  Bump up your immune system the best you can, don't stay in close contact for more than 15 minutes with someone you don't know or is coughing, and be happy -- happiness boosts your immune system; worry and fear depress it.

[Cruise Raider]

12 hours ago, caribill said:

 

Can't locate where I read it, but Pfizer said that 25 million doses would be available to the USA this year, half of their production.

I read that the Health Secretary of the US Dept of Health and Human Services stated that Pfizer has a $2B contract for 100 million doses and an option for 500 million more.  While I am not sure how these vaccines will be distributed but, the contract is with the US so, my assumption is that they would be made available to US residents.  

In the recent article below, Army General Gus Perna,  who has been put in charge of Operation Warp Speed, went into his operations center where the plan to get the vaccine out to 300 million Americans by next spring is being orchestrated by military specialists brought in from across the country.  

Since this is a 2 dose vaccination, as far I can tell, 600M doses for 300M sounds as though the majority of Americans will be receiving the vaccine by spring (although that might be an ambitious goal), but far more than the 25M for 2021 as you suggest.  I'm not saying you are wrong, but it doesn't sound like current information.  

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-19-vaccine-distribution-60-minutes-2020-11-08/

[caribill]

18 minutes ago, WAMarathoner said:

Bump up your immune system the best you can

 

From the Houston Chronicle (link may have a paywall)

 

We can’t expect the combination of vaccines and whatever herd immunity we’ve acquired to wipe out COVID?

None of the vaccines gives stronger antibody responses than actually getting the virus, and the response from actually getting the virus seems to wear off in something like three to six months.

 

Immunity wears off for everybody? Not just in rare cases?

For everybody. On average, the antibodies dropped down faster in people over 65. After three months, something like 30 percent or 40 percent of them are still antibody-positive. For younger people, something like two-thirds still have some remnant of an immune response after three months.

 

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/life/article/COVID-vaccine-update-lisa-gray-ben-neuman-texas-15723972.php

[ksheehan16]

On 11/9/2020 at 7:43 PM, Aus Traveller said:

COVID is more infectious than the annual flu, and it also has a higher death rate. It kills not only older people: some younger people have also died.

It is more contagious but does have a death rate similar to the annual flu overall. Elderly unwell people die at a higher rate but 20 and under have a death rate much less than the annual flu. 

[ksheehan16]

On 11/9/2020 at 8:28 PM, PurpleHays said:

So, the next time you or a family member have a surgical procedure done, please tell the operating room staff that they don't have to wear a mask. 🙄 Go on, I dare you!

The studies I am referencing were for non-medical scenarios. They were designed to see if masks for general public use would prevent virus spread.

[Aus Traveller]

1 hour ago, ksheehan16 said:

It is more contagious but does have a death rate similar to the annual flu overall. Elderly unwell people die at a higher rate but 20 and under have a death rate much less than the annual flu. 

I have to disagree strongly. Whether it is COVID or the flu, the death rate is higher for elderly than younger people.

 

Looking at CDC statistics for the US:

Annual flu, 9mill to 45 mill infections - deaths 12,000 to 61,000, a rate of 1 in 750

COVID - 11.1 mill infections - deaths 24,600 a rate of 1 in 45.

 

Some people who 'recover' from COVID (and maybe did not become very ill) are left with damage to their organs. It is believed that this is permanent.

 

[WAMarathoner]

On 11/14/2020 at 8:23 AM, Daniel A said:

According to NIH:

 

A positive hepatitis B surface antibody screening test means the person has lifetime immunity from hepatitis B (the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2009).  These antibodies appear in people who have been vaccinated against HBV, or who had been infected and cleared the virus from their bodies. 

HepB is a behaviorally-acquired disease.  I don't understand why those who don't play contact sports or engage in the other behaviors that facilitate it "need" it.

 

 

82% of people who are listed as death from COVID had a vitamin D deficiency (it's in the 40% for the general population).  Obesity, especially morbid obesity, is the number one risk factor.  Get out in the sun, people (on a cruise!) and if you're fat, do what you can to shed the pounds.

 

 

I've been reading about Sputnik V, and am encouraged that it does NOT use mRNA to trigger the immune response, but instead uses two common cold vectors.  Does anyone have any personal insights to that?

[nocl]

1 hour ago, WAMarathoner said:

HepB is a behaviorally-acquired disease.  I don't understand why those who don't play contact sports or engage in the other behaviors that facilitate it "need" it.

 

 

82% of people who are listed as death from COVID had a vitamin D deficiency (it's in the 40% for the general population).  Obesity, especially morbid obesity, is the number one risk factor.  Get out in the sun, people (on a cruise!) and if you're fat, do what you can to shed the pounds.

 

 

I've been reading about Sputnik V, and am encouraged that it does NOT use mRNA to trigger the immune response, but instead uses two common cold vectors.  Does anyone have any personal insights to that?

Hope you never need a blood transfusion while traveling in a number of third world countries, including the eastern med and sub Saharan Africa.  The amount of Hep B in the blood supply in those areas is a problem.

 

An accident can happen anywhere.  Maybe even more in some countries.

 

That is why some of us that travel a lot do get the vaccination.

Edited November 17, 2020 by nocl

[mcrcruiser]

11 hours ago, nocl said:

Hope you never need a blood transfusion while traveling in a number of third world countries, including the eastern med and sub Saharan Africa.  The amount of Hep B in the blood supply in those areas is a problem.

 

An accident can happen anywhere.  Maybe even more in some countries.

 

That is why some of us that travel a lot do get the vaccination.

Well we will never travel to those types of countries .We are just too old but prime for cruises ;which we have done some 87 times in the past  . Now before cruising resumes because of the vaccines ,we have intended to take land trips to our wonderful National Parks & they are both wonderful & marvelous places to visit . Cruising will resume once most people have been vaccinated or slightly  earlier ;however ,we are in no rush  , 2 cruises booked for 2022 so far 😃👍

 

[WAMarathoner]

On 11/16/2020 at 9:54 PM, nocl said:

Hope you never need a blood transfusion while traveling in a number of third world countries, including the eastern med and sub Saharan Africa.  The amount of Hep B in the blood supply in those areas is a problem.

 

If I was heading to a country like that, I'd pay to bank my own blood first.  You're right about Hep B in those areas -- and Hep C and AIDS. 

[Aus Traveller]

24 minutes ago, WAMarathoner said:

If I was heading to a country like that, I'd pay to bank my own blood first.  You're right about Hep B in those areas -- and Hep C and AIDS. 

Where would you bank that blood? Would you plan to send it to each country you would be visiting? Sorry to say it, but the plan sounds strange to me.🙂

[WAMarathoner]

I'm not planning to head there any time soon (it's not especially attractive to me), but my friend Tim had his blood banked in advance and shipped to both places he was headed.  Of course, he banks his here at home, too.  It's not really that uncommon.  We have banked blood for a family member's upcoming surgery, and my dad banks his own before procedures. 

 

Look up autologous donation.

 

[d9704011]

8 hours ago, WAMarathoner said:

I'm not planning to head there any time soon (it's not especially attractive to me), but my friend Tim had his blood banked in advance and shipped to both places he was headed.  Of course, he banks his here at home, too.  It's not really that uncommon.  We have banked blood for a family member's upcoming surgery, and my dad banks his own before procedures. 

 

Look up autologous donation.

 

I’ll bet it’s uncommon for tourists to bank their blood and preposition it in a different country just in case they may need a transfusion while on a couple of weeks of vacation.  Banking blood in anticipation of upcoming surgery or other foreseeable events is sensible but recreational travel?

[WAMarathoner]

I know people who do it.  I would if I was heading to an area with insecure blood.

[Aus Traveller]

3 hours ago, WAMarathoner said:

I know people who do it.  I would if I was heading to an area with insecure blood.

... and then hope that if you did need a transfusion, that you actually got your own blood. If the country had an insecure blood bank, I would not rely on them to store my pre-positioned blood and then use it for me.

[ksheehan16]

On 11/15/2020 at 5:44 PM, Aus Traveller said:

I have to disagree strongly. Whether it is COVID or the flu, the death rate is higher for elderly than younger people.

 

Looking at CDC statistics for the US:

Annual flu, 9mill to 45 mill infections - deaths 12,000 to 61,000, a rate of 1 in 750

COVID - 11.1 mill infections - deaths 24,600 a rate of 1 in 45.

 

Some people who 'recover' from COVID (and maybe did not become very ill) are left with damage to their organs. It is believed that this is permanent.

You are right about covid and the flu affecting young and elderly. The good news is that covids affect on the young is 5 -10 times less than the annual flu.

 

There are many more covid infections than have been counted through testing. Many sources say 10 to 20 times the recorded count. That would bring the covid rate in line the annual flu.

[mcrcruiser]

 Dec 2 ,2020   per CNBC stock reports early this AM ,Pfizer's vaccine was just approved for use in the UK  .It now appears the same vaccine will get FDA approval  By Dec 10 ,2020 . also 50 million doses on 2020 & 1.3 billion doses in 2021  will be available . I am happy to own Pfizer stock 

[caribill]

On 12/2/2020 at 8:22 AM, mcrcruiser said:

 Dec 2 ,2020   per CNBC stock reports early this AM ,Pfizer's vaccine was just approved for use in the UK  .It now appears the same vaccine will get FDA approval  By Dec 10 ,2020 .

 

For the USA: Find where you would be in priority for getting the vaccine in your county. (If your county is not listed, pick a nearby one as you will still get the full state information):

 

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/12/03/opinion/covid-19-vaccine-timeline.html?nl

 

 

[Steelers36]

On 11/20/2020 at 5:09 PM, Aus Traveller said:

... and then hope that if you did need a transfusion, that you actually got your own blood. If the country had an insecure blood bank, I would not rely on them to store my pre-positioned blood and then use it for me.

Precisely!!

[dreaminofcruisin]

8 hours ago, caribill said:

 

For the USA: Find where you would be in priority for getting the vaccine in your county. (If your county is not listed, pick a nearby one as you will still get the full state information):

 

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/12/03/opinion/covid-19-vaccine-timeline.html?nl

 

 

This is entertaining....though I don't think very accurate.

I was at the end of the line in the picture at the bottom....including behind children. I don't think any children are going to be vaccinated before a 60 something.......

[mcrcruiser]

On 10/7/2020 at 7:27 PM, Upper Bob said:

Just received the guidelines that Princess has set for cruising once things resume. Not as strict as I imagined it would be. We will see how the social distancing works out with 2,500 - 3,500 passengers. I hope it works!

https://www.princess.com/plan/cruise-with-confidence/cruise-health/?cid=brand_email_promo_internal_announcement_info_pf0ms171a_201007_cruisehealth_42OL4ZXM3DEZ2WP7XJDGL2DQSM&eccn=42OL4ZXM3DEZ2WP7XJDGL2DQSM&rrid=553434253A&mi_u=553434253A

Looks pretty comprehensive by Princess . Then these protocols add that people must be vaccinated & that should do the virus in ;as dead as a door nail ,we hope 👍