No worries, government officials and politicians who love the power to control will figure out other ways to continue that control
Is COVID retreating in the U.S.? Data paints encouraging scenario
New coronavirus cases are falling in parts of the United States hardest hit by the fast-spreading Omicron variant, according to a Reuters analysis of public health data, offering an early indication the virus might once again be on retreat.
COVID-19 infections have decreased in 15 states plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, an analysis of the past week through Wednesday compared with the prior week showed.
In the Northeast, which saw some of the highest case loads during the latest surge, infections are down 36% week-over-week.
The drop was more modest at the national level, with the seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases falling 1% as of Wednesday, according to the Reuters tally.
COVID-19 data often lag a few days behind the actual state of affairs.
“Certainly it bodes well for us in terms of the trajectory of Omicron,” said Wafaa El-Sadr, a professor of epidemiology and medicine at Columbia University in New York City.
Deaths and hospitalizations are going down (not that we can necessarily trust the numbers on them). Much like where Omicron (which should have been named Xi, but, the WHO didn’t want to upset China) originated, South Africa, the Omicron is burning out. That’s good news, right?
Will we ever live in a world without COVID-19?
As the pandemic enters Year 3, many people are wondering if and when COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, will become endemic. Endemic refers to the observed level of a disease — or the baseline predictable level with seasonal fluctuations like the flu — whereas a pandemic is typically a global public health emergency with an unpredictable level of illness and/or death.
That is a long way off, and COVID-19 will always be with us, Dr. Gregory Poland, who studies the immunogenetics of vaccine response at the Mayo Clinic, told MarketWatch and Barron’s in a live video interview on Wednesday.
Some diseases, like measles, do not change. They do not have variants. The Chinese coronavirus is expected to continue throwing off variants, and can even infect animals like deer. It’s like the flu. That shot you get each winter is supposed to be proof against some variants. You might get a different one.
Australian professors urge residents to wear eye protection to help against Covid spread
Australian professors have urged residents and health workers to wear eye protection to help stop the spread of Covid, suggesting face masks may not be enough.
Research conducted by UNSW ophthalmologist Professor Minas Coroneo and infectious disease expert Professor Peter Collignon suggested that focusing on the mouth and nose may have left people more vulnerable to catching the virus.
They explained droplets from the virus can enter the respiratory system through the eyes.
Hence why you should avoid touching your eyes. Which is rather tough for those who wear contacts and glasses. And is something we’ve known since the beginning. The question here, is this the next push by Those In Charge? I guess we’ll have to see.
Austria set to make COVID shots compulsory after bill clears parliament
Austria’s lower house of parliament passed a bill on Thursday making COVID-19 vaccinations compulsory for adults as of Feb. 1, bringing Austria closer to introducing the first such sweeping coronavirus vaccine mandate in the European Union. (snip)
The bill imposes fines of up to 600 euros ($680) on holdouts once checks begin on March 15. Those who challenge that initial fine unsuccessfully face a maximum fine of 3,600 euros.
It still has to pass the upper house and be signed by their president, but, it is expected to easily pass. And there are lots and lots and lots of fines. Even though we know that Omicron can 100% evade the existing Bat Soup Virus vaccines.
