All Corona related issues

[fiesta0618]

I don't know where you get the idea there were zero doses held in reserve in the US. According to the following article from January 12 about release of US reserves, "The Trump administration had been holding back millions of doses to ensure that those who received the first shot would get their second."

Washington Post broke the story first on Jan 15. Other outlets have corroborated, like The Hill and Fox 43 (Pennsylvania). It seems Secretary Azar was being a bit misleading--there *was* a reserve, but it was already being released in December, so his announcement a week ago is not accompanied by any actual change in vaccine availability. States that were counting on an uptick in availability from that reserve are understandably annoyed.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/01/15/trump-vaccine-reserve-used-up/

 

[Warren J. Dew]

It seems Secretary Azar was being a bit misleading--there *was* a reserve, but it was already being released in December, so his announcement a week ago is not accompanied by any actual change in vaccine availability. States that were counting on an uptick in availability from that reserve are understandably annoyed.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/01/15/trump-vaccine-reserve-used-up/

Thanks for the clarification. A slight correction, though - your linked article says the reserve started being distributed "at the end of December", not "in December", and continued through the "last weekend", which would have been 9-10 January. I agree that it would have made more sense for Azar to make the announcement at the beginning of the release rather than the end of it.

 

[snapdancer]

Here is some disconcerting news ; had my Jab on wed. and was told booster in 12 weeks followed by this info, that the booster needs to be administered within a 3 week period or the original will lose its potency .. can they EVER get anything right ???

The phase 3 trials for Phizer were conducted with the second dose administered 3 weeks after the first. Listening to discussions by people who would know about this, a delay of more than 3 weeks for the second dose would mean a delay of getting full efficacy and that the final efficacy might be a bit higher (but we don't know for sure because we didn't conduct the trial that way).

In the meantime, you should have some but not full protection a week or so after the first dose. Some health authorities are pursuing a strategy of administering the first dose to as many people as possible now by delaying administering second doses. The concern is that this strategy could increase the chance of new variants developing in the partially immunized population.

So my recommendation to you is that you do your own research to find out what the proper dosing interval is for the type of vaccine you have, and when that interval is passed try to get the second dose. But even if you can't, you will have some level of protection from the first dose. With COVID as prevalent as it is you should be taking precautions as though you didn't have the vaccine because even if you had a proper course of vaccine doses your immunity won't be perfect. Think of it as risk reduction --- not risk elimination because you will never reach zero risk.

 

[Brummbaer]

With COVID as prevalent as it is you should be taking precautions as though you didn't have the vaccine because even if you had a proper course of vaccine doses your immunity won't be perfect

This really need publicising. I watched on the news some elderly person being vaccinated - who then said he was going out immediately to hug his grandchildren. Frightening.

I think the initial tests showed about 3 weeks after the 2nd jab for whatever 'full' immunity is conferred (but check those figures!). There may be some theoretical advantage in delaying the 2nd jab, but it has NOT be tested.

Early indications (Israel I think) were lower efficacy after a single vaccination. Not necessarily unexpected.

Even after vaccination I guess you need to take risk reduction measures until the numbers infected/hospital admissions drop significantly. The UK, and other European countries, are in full lockdown now. Given the vaccine rollout it looks like at least 15 weeks after Christmas, for the UK, before the full effect of vaccination kicks in, although there should be significant falls before then, but maybe slower than other countries following the instructions. There are going to be some interesting comparisons of 'world-beating', and there isn't a good track record.

do your own research to find out what the proper dosing interval is for the type of vaccine you have, and when that interval is passed try to get the second dose.

Just a little tricky when the government controls the vaccine and its administration.

Even worse, the government is talking about mixing vaccines types - which has had no testing. Not forgetting the government has probably indemnified itself.

You really couldn't make up this level of deviation whilst claiming to 'follow the science'.

 

[Steve Pastor]

Oregon governor: ‘There is no federal reserve of doses,’ accuses Trump administration of deception

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown said increased vaccine shipments will not arrive next week. The head of the state health authority said this puts vaccination efforts “at grave risk.”

www.opb.org

 

[ProgressNotPerfection]

My studio is hosting an “event.” On three consecutive Friday nights in September, registered students can come to the studio and dance with their instructors, eight heats each night. One night rhythm dances, one night smooth dances, one night nightclub dances (I wouldn’t do that one, since salsa is the only one I know of the 7 nightclub dances). Full comp attire is suggested, complete with hair, tan, makeup, jewelry. Registration is $195 per night.

So, the studio is doing another set of “fun nights” this month, and the first one was this past Friday night.

It was actually fun. I did 3 heats of each of the 4 American smooth dances, and MAN I have learned a lot since I wrote about that first event last fall. And I’m not referring to dance steps, either (although sure, I’ve learned more of those too). All the advice everyone gave me about the importance of getting used to dancing on a crowded floor, maintaining poise while dodging in and out of other people, following a lead that is completely different from what we’ve done in lessons - was VERY good advice.

Since that first “fun night” last September, I have danced in 4 other studio fun nights and 2 full-day mini matches (aka pseudo-comps with proficiency scores from outside judges). I’ve learned that I love having an audience cheering me on; I love it when Pro challenges me with on-the-spot new patterns, excessive shaping, creative rhythms; and I love the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction when I get things right. Comparing last September with last Friday night, wrt my dancing and my confidence, you’d hardly believe I’m the same student.

Don’t misunderstand me - I’m not saying I’m an amazing prodigy or anything. I’m just saying that experience makes a HUUUUUUUUUGE difference, and I appreciate everyone’s encouragement that I take advantage of any opportunities to get that experience.

 

[ProgressNotPerfection]

So, the studio is doing another set of “fun nights” this month, and the first one was this past Friday night.

The reason I put this in the Corona-related thread is that I was replying to/following up on a post I did last September, and at the time, it was in a thread named “Dance in the time of Corona.” Later, all the various Corona threads were merged into this one, and my post no longer seems as fitting here.

However, it is. Before the pandemic, my studio had never offered events like the in-house “fun nights.” It was one of the creative ways they came up with to satisfy their students’ cravings for performance (“I need somewhere to wear this new dress!”); to keep everyone in shape for whenever actual competitions would return; and, not unimportantly, to generate revenue. It feels to me that events like these have also fostered the family-like atmosphere in the studio, and maintained at least some level of normalcy.

So I’m grateful to my studio for offering these events. (“Please - take my money!!”)

Also Corona-related: Studio Manager made a huge announcement Friday night. Starting soon, wearing masks during lessons will be optional. I haven’t stopped smiling since hearing this.