Some of you might find this interesting. The WHO has changed the nomenclature slightly, now referring to the Indian "double mutant" strain as Delta. That particular strain seems to be spreading rapidly, and especially amongst the 12-20 age group, where it can be potentially devastating. Disturbing that this mutant is only about 30% effective with a single dose of Pfizer/AZ, and underscores the importance of people getting the second shot.





Way more info here:
[www.cdc.gov]
[www.bbc.com]
[www.axios.com]
[www.ama-assn.org]
[www.nbcnewyork.com]

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Freya says, 'Hello from NOLA, baby!' (Laissez bon temps rouler!)

“ local virus successfully rushes frat”

I’m kidding, thank you for the information.

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p8712
“ local virus successfully rushes frat”

I’m kidding, thank you for the information.

Yes, I had a bit of this reaction too, when I saw the nomenclature and the graphics above -- my first thought was: "OK, you're trying to avoid stigmatizing nations with names ... I get that. But what did Greece ever do to you?"

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Freya says, 'Hello from NOLA, baby!' (Laissez bon temps rouler!)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/08/2021 08:17PM by PeterB.

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PeterB

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p8712
“ local virus successfully rushes frat”

I’m kidding, thank you for the information.

Yes, I had a bit of this reaction too, when I saw the nomenclature and the graphics above -- my first thought was: "OK, you're trying to avoid stigmatizing nations with names ... I get that. But what did Greece ever do to you?"

Greek does have the cachet of "science," though many do associate it with math anxiety instead.

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Janit

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PeterB

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p8712
“ local virus successfully rushes frat”

I’m kidding, thank you for the information.

Yes, I had a bit of this reaction too, when I saw the nomenclature and the graphics above -- my first thought was: "OK, you're trying to avoid stigmatizing nations with names ... I get that. But what did Greece ever do to you?"

Greek does have the cachet of "science," though many do associate it with math anxiety instead.

Oh I know. And actually I was a little surprised that they chose to use this particular nomenclature, because it's been so heavily used in science, and biology specifically, for other things. For example, delta often refers to deleted genetic material ... as in delta 508, for a common deletion of an amino acid in cystic fibrosis. So calling a strain Delta could potentially be confusing. But using the Greek does kind of make sense from the perspective of the public's identification of particular strains... Delta rolls off the tongue in a way that "B dot 1 dot 617 dot 2" doesn't quite.

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Freya says, 'Hello from NOLA, baby!' (Laissez bon temps rouler!)

Thanks. This is useful. What's important is the vaccine effectiveness, which appears to be pretty good against all of the mutants as long as you get both shots.

Another interesting point, if I understand correctly. The political authorities seem to be looking to open up society, with California aiming to open things on June 15. The logic seems to be that everyone has now had a chance to get vaccinated and that the vaccine confers pretty good immunity even if you are exposed to the virus. This also implies that the rest of the people -- those who are intentionally avoiding vaccination even though they could theoretically get it -- are now on their own. I guess we have enough hospital space, and the case numbers have dropped way down, so if you want to wear a red hat and claim that the vaccine does not work against a virus that doesn't exist, then that's your decision.

CaBob, there is only so long that a rational individual can try to convince an irrational individual. It’s been over a year, and the die-hards still are not listening. It appears that they only change their viewpoint when it directly affects them, and not anything else (that would require rational thought, of which they are incapable). Of course, any lightening of measures will feed their “see, I told you it was a hoax” delusion and “it wasn’t that big a deal” mentality UNTIL they catch it and fall ill. If they don’t get sick, as in really sick, it further feeds the “no big deal”.

Unfortunately sometimes you have to let the chips fall where they may. Everything has been done that can be done. It’s not going to be a fun year or two, until the virus burns itself out.

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Diana
CaBob, there is only so long that a rational individual can try to convince an irrational individual. It’s been over a year, and the die-hards still are not listening. It appears that they only change their viewpoint when it directly affects them, and not anything else (that would require rational thought, of which they are incapable). Of course, any lightening of measures will feed their “see, I told you it was a hoax” delusion and “it wasn’t that big a deal” mentality UNTIL they catch it and fall ill. If they don’t get sick, as in really sick, it further feeds the “no big deal”.

Unfortunately sometimes you have to let the chips fall where they may. Everything has been done that can be done. It’s not going to be a fun year or two, until the virus burns itself out.

That's if it DOES burn itself out. We may be living with this virus, or other similar ones, for a long time to come. It's entirely possible that we'll all be having to get yearly boosters, trying to fend off the variants we think might be most consequential in the year to come... not an easy proposition, if you think about it.

And I agree that some people can't be convinced, and the problem there is that it's not an insignificant number and therefore quite possible that herd immunity won't develop. Some states, such as my own, are on track to never get to 50% fully immunized. Those who aren't, who develop the disease, will present a significant strain on our medical infrastructure... and those who are vaccinated will end up footing the bill.

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Freya says, 'Hello from NOLA, baby!' (Laissez bon temps rouler!)

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Diana
CaBob, there is only so long that a rational individual can try to convince an irrational individual. It’s been over a year, and the die-hards still are not listening. It appears that they only change their viewpoint when it directly affects them, and not anything else (that would require rational thought, of which they are incapable). Of course, any lightening of measures will feed their “see, I told you it was a hoax” delusion and “it wasn’t that big a deal” mentality UNTIL they catch it and fall ill. If they don’t get sick, as in really sick, it further feeds the “no big deal”.

Unfortunately sometimes you have to let the chips fall where they may. Everything has been done that can be done. It’s not going to be a fun year or two, until the virus burns itself out.

I know it perhaps makes me a horrible person, but... I want this to happen. I know plenty of people who continue to refuse to get vaccinated - too many of whom, until recently, I gave credit for being smart enough to understand the importance of vaccination.

If takes a personal brush with mortality to get these folks to see the light, so be it. As Diana indicated, they've had plenty of time to do the right thing.

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It is what it is.