CORONAVIRUS INFO PROVIDED BY DR. JIM HARRIS –10/12/2021

NYT: “… Since January of last year, at least 1 in 7 people who live in the United States have been infected, and at least 1 in 464 people have died…”

Implications of suboptimal COVID-19 vaccination coverage in Florida and Texas

(J. Harris: Short, readable, believable article that is worth the read.)

”…Here, we estimate the deaths, hospital admissions, and infections that could have been averted if Florida and Texas had matched the average vaccination pace of the top-performing states and vaccinated 74·0% of their adult populations by the end of July….By Aug 31, the enhanced vaccination in Florida would have reduced hospital admissions by 61 327 (95% CrI 49 723–73 501) and deaths by 16235 (13 243–19 473)….The reduction in hospital admissions in Texas during the same period would have been 37 587 (95% CrI 31 575–44 659) and the reduction in deaths would have been 6353 (5227–7501). Collectively, these two states could have averted more than 95 000 hospital admissions and 22 000 deaths had they reached the vaccination coverage achieved by the top five states and continued at the same pace until Aug 31, 2021….”

Antithrombotic Therapy for Outpatients With COVID-19

”… currently, the use of aspirin or apixaban for symptomatic but stable ambulatory patients with COVID-19 does not seem justifiable.

(J. Harris: Apixaban is an oral anticoagulant or blood thinner similar to but perhaps better and safer than Coumadin. It is new to me but thought by some to be safer than the older blood thinners.)

HOPKINS CITED

New Clues Emerge About Whether Vaccines Can Help Fight Long Covid (Wall Street Journal) Millions of people suffer from symptoms of long Covid, doctors estimate. Now, early research is offering some clues about whether vaccinations might help. When the vaccines first came out, some people who had suffered from debilitating symptoms for months after their initial Covid-19 infections told their doctors they felt better after getting vaccinated. The response intrigued scientists. Now, emerging research suggests that vaccines may help reduce symptoms in some people.

COVID-19: Clinical and Public Health Implications of SARS-CoV-2 Immunology

(J. Harris: Up to date forum and access to previous Annals of Internal Medicine videos.)

”…To address new questions that are emerging about immunity, the duration of protection that follows acute infection and vaccination, and the need for booster doses of vaccine, the most recent forum, held on 8 October 2021, focused on the immunology of SARS-CoV-2 and clinical and public health implications of the virus’s immune behavior…that evidence is currently not sufficient to support antibody measurement in making clinical decisions for individual persons. While many people are seeking antibody tests through a variety of channels and using the results to guide their health decisions, we do not yet know the level of antibody associated with definitive protection……”

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott bans any COVID-19 vaccine mandates — including for private employers

(J. Harris: Do some politicians have trouble sleeping at night? Do they keep up with the body counts? Certain aspects of Public Health require mandates. Period.)

LAST BUT NOT LEASED:

Mary Gold (front center) and some of her new “best friends” now say that they are not sure that they will have enough room in the spring for Milton The Tomato and his wheeling and dealing tomato buddies. Ms Gold said, ” Those inconsiderate tomatoes take up too much space, are frequently sick and wormey, and use up all the water. Maybe they shouldn’t come back? Futhermore, the Okra! For goodness sakes, the deer come by to nibble on their stalks every night lately. It’s hard to get any rest.”