I'm starting this thread as a side discussion of all things Corona Virus related. I understand that this is going to be discussed in almost all other topic threads but we could collect news and other items here. 

 

At work, many conferences have been cancelled.

NBA - Suspended.

NHL - About to be suspended. 

NCAA March Madness - Playing - no crowd. 

 

Political Rallies have been cancelled. 

Travel bans. 

 

Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks tested positive. They're in Australia where testing is available. If they were in the US, they wouldn't have been tested. 

https://healthweather.us/analysis/the-northeast-peaks-as-other-regions-heats-up

The pandemic’s true death toll: millions more than official counts

Last year’s Day of the Dead marked a grim milestone. On 1 November, the global death toll from the COVID-19 pandemic passed 5 million, official data suggested. It has now reached 5.5 million. But that figure is a significant underestimate. Records of excess mortality — a metric that involves comparing all deaths recorded with those expected to occur — show many more people than this have died in the pandemic.

Working out how many more is a complex research challenge. It is not as simple as just counting up each country’s excess mortality figures. Some official data in this regard are flawed, scientists have found. And more than 100 countries do not collect reliable statistics on expected or actual deaths at all, or do not release them in a timely manner.

Demographers, data scientists and public-health experts are striving to narrow the uncertainties for a global estimate of pandemic deaths. These efforts, from both academics and journalists, use methods ranging from satellite images of cemeteries to door-to-door surveys and machine-learning computer models that try to extrapolate global estimates from available data.

Among these models, the World Health Organization (WHO) is still working on its first global estimate, but the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation in Seattle, Washington, offers daily updates of its own modelled results, as well as projections of how quickly the global toll might rise. And one of the highest-profile attempts to model a global estimate has come from the news media. The Economist magazine in London has used a machine-learning approach to produce an estimate of 12 million to 22 million excess deaths — or between 2 and 4 times the pandemic’s official toll so far.

The pandemic’s true death toll: millions more than official counts (nature.com)

Hey headline writers and ‘journalists’, quit labelling anti-science drivel as ‘controversial beliefs’. Call it what it is. Stupidity in a vicious cycle of creation and sharing driven by entitlement and no sense of social responsibility. 

The kids are not alright: Data suggests 10% of children with COVID-19 become "long-haulers".

"We are definitely seeing long COVID in children," said Dr. Amanda Morrow, Co-Director of the Kennedy Krieger Institute's Pediatric Post-COVID-19 Clinic in Maryland. "It does exist. And it is impacting day-to-day lives significantly.""

Because the data is preliminary, estimates thus far vary wildly on the prevalence of what is now known as "long Covid" in children and adolescents. 

Available studies have reported wildly varying numbers on the proportion of children who suffer long Covid, ranging from 0.8% to 66% of total pediatric COVID-19 cases.

"We don't really know a whole lot," said Dr. Sindhu Mohandas, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. "We are just starting to learn over the past few months what long Covid in kids is."

Recognizing its existence, Mohandas said, has been a big advance.

While there is no official definition of pediatric long Covid at this time, the parameters typically include the persistence (or return) of symptoms 12 weeks following the initial infection. Some criteria look for new or persistent symptoms 30 days out from the acute infection. Another key is ruling out of alternative medical explanations — making the process of diagnosis lengthy and requiring a multi-disciplinary team. 

However, there is now growing consensus that somewhere around 10 percent of COVID-19 cases in kids turn into long Covid — at least according to the data collected for primarily pre-omicron and pre-vaccine cases.

At this time, most of the studies come from other countries. 

In September 2021, the Israeli Health Ministry announced the results of a survey showing that 11.2% of kids reported symptoms of long Covid. 

"No one is certain exactly how many people who've had COVID-19 end up being long haulers," wrote Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Professor of Pediatrics Dr. Peter Rowe on the American Academy of Pediatrics' "Healthy Children" website.

He continued: "One study showed that as many as 52% of teens and young adults between ages 16 and 30 may experience lingering symptoms 6 months after having COVID. The U.K. Office for National Statistics estimated that 12.9% of children 2 to 11 years of age, and 14.5% of children 12 to 16 years old, still experienced symptoms 5 weeks after infection."

"It will end up being about 10% — is my guess," said Morrow. "We do not know at this point what risk factors predispose children to developing long COIVD. It could be a possible outcome for anyone. We just don't know."

 

In other good news...

A team from the University of California-San Francisco say brain fog may result from how coronavirus alters a person’s spinal fluid — just like other diseases which attack the brain https://ktla.com/news/post-covid-brain-fog-could-be-result-of-virus-changing-patients-spinal-fluid/

Covidiot of the day

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2022/jan/23/john-stocktons-refusal-to-comply-with-mask-mandate/

Classless plugs.

9 minutes ago, blue_gold_84 said:

Classless plugs.

How I'd love to see a bunch of cars block their route on portage. Wouldn't be hard to do.

22 minutes ago, Bigblue204 said:

How I'd love to see a bunch of cars block their route on portage. Wouldn't be hard to do.

This whole thing is too ironic.

They are protesting a mandate, that, even if Canada were to change it, would still have to be followed due the U.S. border restrictions

But the leaders will this milk as long as they can. for as much $$ as they can

Yes, there will probably be supply chain issues.  But this will make them worse or do nothing at all. 

One week from being able to get the 9 Yr old his second dose. In the car ready to leave for school and the call comes. Close contact on Friday, has to isolate for 10 days. GRR…

Thankfully we have the 5 rapid tests provided by the school, first test negative. 
 

 

9 minutes ago, Mark H. said:

This whole thing is too ironic.

They are protesting a mandate, that, even if Canada were to change it, would still have to be followed due the U.S. border restrictions

But the leaders will this milk as long as they can. for as much $$ as they can

Yes, there will probably be supply chain issues.  But this will make them worse or do nothing at all. 

This is a fundraiser for the Maverick Party (formerly Wexit).  Probably also a way to launder American funds into Canadian politics.

The murky matter of protests and the donations that drive them

by James MenziesJanuary 21, 2022@JamesMenzies

 

Much has been made of late on social media and in the mainstream media, about trucker protests that are in the works. Truckers are rightfully upset about a vaccine mandate that was clumsily applied to cross-border essential workers, including the professional drivers who’ve been keeping us supplied throughout the pandemic.

But such protests rarely deliver results, aside from angering the motoring public and casting shade on our industry. We will report on significant events that disrupt our industry and your businesses, but do nothing to support this form of protest.

One disturbing trend is the amount of money being thrown at recent attempts to bring commerce to a halt. One initiative raised more than $900,000 via GoFundMe in less than a week.

This is fairly significant, and startling, when you consider where that money is going. The fundraising initiative was started by Tamara Lich, who has a history of association with radical groups, including the recently formed federal separatist Maverick Party in Alberta. Yes, by this weekend, there is likely to be about $1 million in the hands of someone affiliated with a party that wants to break up Canada. (Plan B, mind you).

In her past, Lich was regional coordinator for Wexit in Southeastern Alberta, and was member of the board for Wexit Alberta. What’s Wexit Alberta? It was the provincial party whose co-founder wanted to exit Canada and join the Trump-led U.S.

Lich later took her ambitions federally and joined the federal Wexit Canada board, which would later become the Maverick Party.

She was also affiliated with the Yellow Vest movement, which was linked to death threats against our Prime Minister. Is that what we’ve become, Canada? To her credit, Lich attempted to distance her local chapter from those making the death threats. But think about that for a second…she was affiliated with an organization that threatened to kill our Prime Minister – and now has nearly $1 million of your money to distribute as she sees fit.

https://www.trucknews.com/blogs/the-murky-matter-of-protests-and-the-donations-that-drive-them/

the Venn Diagram of people who were in the Yellow Vest protests and the Unvaccinated Truck Drivers protests is a perfect circle. All right wing nutjobs...

8 minutes ago, FrostyWinnipeg said:

Show me you have brain damage without actually telling me you have brain damage.

1 hour ago, Noeller said:

the Venn Diagram of people who were in the Yellow Vest protests and the Unvaccinated Truck Drivers protests is a perfect circle. All right wing nutjobs...

And they see all the supply chain problems as Trudeau's response to unvaccinated truckers. No awareness of shortages of medical staff or lack of workers in other industries that might be caused by a global pandemic or something. The lack of critical thinking skills is reaching new lows. Unfortunately there will be political leaders and others emboldening and supporting them in an effort to boost their own profile...

1 hour ago, blue_gold_84 said:

Show me you have brain damage without actually telling me you have brain damage.

Ironically freedom is allowing them to identify as and act really really dumb.

Vaccine used in much of the world no match for omicron variant

3 hours ago, Wideleft said:

This is a fundraiser for the Maverick Party (formerly Wexit).  Probably also a way to launder American funds into Canadian politics.

The murky matter of protests and the donations that drive them

by James MenziesJanuary 21, 2022@JamesMenzies

 

Much has been made of late on social media and in the mainstream media, about trucker protests that are in the works. Truckers are rightfully upset about a vaccine mandate that was clumsily applied to cross-border essential workers, including the professional drivers who’ve been keeping us supplied throughout the pandemic.

But such protests rarely deliver results, aside from angering the motoring public and casting shade on our industry. We will report on significant events that disrupt our industry and your businesses, but do nothing to support this form of protest.

One disturbing trend is the amount of money being thrown at recent attempts to bring commerce to a halt. One initiative raised more than $900,000 via GoFundMe in less than a week.

This is fairly significant, and startling, when you consider where that money is going. The fundraising initiative was started by Tamara Lich, who has a history of association with radical groups, including the recently formed federal separatist Maverick Party in Alberta. Yes, by this weekend, there is likely to be about $1 million in the hands of someone affiliated with a party that wants to break up Canada. (Plan B, mind you).

In her past, Lich was regional coordinator for Wexit in Southeastern Alberta, and was member of the board for Wexit Alberta. What’s Wexit Alberta? It was the provincial party whose co-founder wanted to exit Canada and join the Trump-led U.S.

Lich later took her ambitions federally and joined the federal Wexit Canada board, which would later become the Maverick Party.

She was also affiliated with the Yellow Vest movement, which was linked to death threats against our Prime Minister. Is that what we’ve become, Canada? To her credit, Lich attempted to distance her local chapter from those making the death threats. But think about that for a second…she was affiliated with an organization that threatened to kill our Prime Minister – and now has nearly $1 million of your money to distribute as she sees fit.

https://www.trucknews.com/blogs/the-murky-matter-of-protests-and-the-donations-that-drive-them/

Sheep are gonna be sheared. The sales of yachts and BMWs are gonna spike.

18 minutes ago, FrostyWinnipeg said:

Vaccine used in much of the world no match for omicron variant

There was much speculation about the effectiveness of both the Chinese and Russian vaccines, and now the worst seems to have be confirmed.

Eric Clapton Pushes Bogus Theory Vaxxed People Are Under ‘Hypnosis‘

In a YouTube interview with “The Real Music Observer,” Eric Clapton spouted a discredited theory that’s made the rounds in anti-vaxx circles, claiming people have been getting the COVID vaccine because of “mass formation hypnosis.” The nonsense theory posits that people only get vaccinated because they’ve been hypnotized through “subliminal advertising.” As reported by the Daily Mail, Clapton said he became a vaccine skeptic after experiencing severe side effects from his AstraZeneca COVID treatment. “I should never have gone near the needle,” Clapton said. “But the propaganda said the vaccine was safe for everyone.” The 76-year-old musician also discussed his 2020 anti-lockdown song, “Stand And Deliver,” which is a collaboration with Van Morrison. The anti-lockdown song includes the lines: “Is this a sovereign nation "

Eric Clapton Pushes Bogus Theory Vaxxed People Are Under ‘Hypnosis‘ (thedailybeast.com)

(This is your brain on drugs)

53 minutes ago, Tracker said:

This is your brain on drugs)

he is an racist idiot.  https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/eric-clapton-vaccine-lockdown-racist-comments-1239027/

 

"But when he saw Clapton at the Odeon theater in Birmingham in August 1976, Wakeling was gob-smacked. A clearly inebriated Clapton, who unlike most of his rock brethren hadn’t weighed in on topics like the Vietnam War, began grousing about immigration. The concert was neither filmed nor recorded, but based on published accounts at the time (and Wakeling’s recollection), Clapton began making vile, racist comments from the stage. In remarks he has never denied, he talked about how the influx of immigrants in the U.K. would result in the country “being a colony within 10 years.” He also went on an extended jag about how “foreigners” should leave Great Britain: “Get the wogs out . . . get the coons out.” (Wog, shorthand for golliwog, was a slur against dark-skinned nonwhites.) "

 

 

 

 

8 minutes ago, Mark F said:

he is an racist idiot.  https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/eric-clapton-vaccine-lockdown-racist-comments-1239027/

 

"But when he saw Clapton at the Odeon theater in Birmingham in August 1976, Wakeling was gob-smacked. A clearly inebriated Clapton, who unlike most of his rock brethren hadn’t weighed in on topics like the Vietnam War, began grousing about immigration. The concert was neither filmed nor recorded, but based on published accounts at the time (and Wakeling’s recollection), Clapton began making vile, racist comments from the stage. In remarks he has never denied, he talked about how the influx of immigrants in the U.K. would result in the country “being a colony within 10 years.” He also went on an extended jag about how “foreigners” should leave Great Britain: “Get the wogs out . . . get the coons out.” (Wog, shorthand for golliwog, was a slur against dark-skinned nonwhites.) "

 

 

 

 

Pretty much what a drug-addled rocker would say.

Slow Hand more like Slow in the Head

Talented musician. Garbage human.

13 hours ago, Tracker said:

Pretty much what a drug-addled rocker would say.

There's a lot of drug-addled rockers who don't go off on racist tirades.

Don't let him off so easy.

12 minutes ago, Wideleft said:

There's a lot of drug-addled rockers who don't go off on racist tirades.

Don't let him off so easy.

made even worse, his original rise was borrowing/copying  black music in a blues band, (john mayall)  then cream (crossroads, spoonful) then had a big hit playing a Bob Marley tune.
 

he can do a double header with ted nugent now.

Edited January 25, 20224 yr by Mark F