We have certainly been lucky and we must thank the science (who relentlessly are busy finding new knowledge with as mayor motivation: curiosity ) and even the farmaceutical industry (whose motivation is largely profit but because there are mere humans working even they are partly motivated by doing good) for finding a way less messy way out of the pandemic than just let many more millions die.
About retroviruses: the reason that their RNA is copied into DNA is because of the enzyme reverse transcriptase, a unique protein which is brought in by the retroviruses themselves but is completely absent in humans if they are not infected by retroviruses. So as far as my biology knowledge goes there really is no pathway in the human body for RNA to make it into the human genome (but I have not picked up everything from the latest biology). I’m surprised that SARS-COV2 sequences have been found in the genome of some humans, I have not read the article but I could speculate that there was a co-infection with SARS-COV2 and some retrovirus to make that happen. In any way it sounds like it must be rare.
Starting June, the EU won’t renew contracts with AZ. There were some doubts about the side-effects, but the main reason is that AZ is not able (some think: willing) to deliver the agreed quantities.
Those are interesting graphs.
I also find it interesting that the infection & death data per capita in Florida is almost identical with that of California.
Florida has had minimal restrictions/lockdowns compared to the severe restrictions/lockdowns of California.
Yet there is virtually no difference in how the virus has affected the population
And both states are below the national average.
In the USA, as of 8 May 2021; a person has a 0.180% of catching & dying of COVID.
That is a 99.820% chance of not catching & dying of COVID.
Nationally, as of 8 May 2021; those that do catch COVID have a 1.780% chance of dying.
A 98.220% chance of living & not dying.
As it appears it would be against BLF Rules to offer an opinion on this data, I offer none.
The data is below as are the notations where it was obtained.
…….
Florida [Minimal restrictions / lockdowns]
Pop. 21,538,187
Cases 2,272,102
Deaths 35,785
Pop. 0.166% died
Cases 1.575% died
…….
California [Severe restrictions / lockdowns]
Pop. 39,538,223
Cases 3,758,663
Deaths 62,303
Pop. 0.158% died
Cases 1.658% died
…….
AMERICA [Varied restrictions / lockdowns]
Pop. 331,449,281
Cases 33,483,779
Deaths 595,865
Pop. 0.180% died
Cases 1.780% died
…………
Speaking of statistics, for those interested in seeing profiles of how the various states are doing in the USA, the CDC publishes its Community Profile Report. Included in the report are areas of concern within the country, and also profiles of the individual states, with the following statistics listed as of May 11, 2021: cases per 100,000 population; viral lab test positivity rate; confirmed admissions per 100 beds, and more. The states are grouped as follows: High transmission states, substantial transmission states, moderate transmission states, and low transmission states.
The high transmission states listed in the latest report: Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wyoming.
Funny, from this last map it seems there is a straight line from North Dakota down to Texas diving the continental country (except Alaska) in half! Those grey areas, I mean!
I was going to talk about how great my county (Riverside) is doing in these two maps, but upon closer inspection, there are a lot of counties that are doing better.
(We're yellow in both maps.)
Still, Riverside county is doing decently right now.
North Carolina today dropped social distancing and mask requirements (except schools, public transportation, prisons, certain healthcare, ect.), effective immediately. NC will no longer require mask, social distan
Well, as far as social distancing and capacity restrictions, Gov. Cooper had already announced last month of his intentions to rescind those on June 1. As far as rescinding the indoor mask mandate, he had then placed a target of 67% of adults being partially vaccinated. Currently, NC stands at 51.2. Although, the vaccination rate is now about 1 per week. However, the state and counties have started or are close to starting several new vaccine programs. They’re working on vaccinations in doctor offices, community and mobile clinics, home visits, and increased community education. I believe the current mindset is that while we’re not at exactly where they’d like for us to be, we’re still headed in the right direction. And, that any possible spikes should be small enough that our healthcare system can handle it without straining.
Good for Norrh Carolina. Several states have already done this & more are getting onboard. The science tells us this is this is the prudent thing to do for the general population.
“At risk” people are free to make their own decisions, as is anyone else.
The problem with not having reasonable mandates is that many people who have not been fully vaccinated will choose not to wear a mask or be socially distanced indoors.
Your freedom ends where mine begins, and freely spreading COVID-19 doesn't help many people.
And to be clear, the science does not say that getting rid of reasonable mandates (like masking up and being socially distant) is a good idea.
The states that have chosen to drop these mandates will experience increases in illness and death compared to the states that haven't chosen to do so.
Good info, it appears a little under half the states have a mask mandate.
All states are listed with a YES or No along with other pertinent information.
Article is dated May 14 2021.