The COVID-2019 Thread

[harrybarracuda]

Well apparently the chinky mRNA knock off works better than their other shit.

Of course that means nothing really.

It's like saying a litre of water with a drop of tequila in it will get you more pissed than a litre of water.

BEIJING, June 1 (Reuters) - A COVID-19 vaccine candidate from China's Walvax Biotechnology (300142.SZ) using mRNA technology triggered a stronger antibody response against the Omicron variant of the coronavirus as a booster dose than Sinovac's shot, clinical trial data showed.
The result for Walvax's ARCoV candidate, which is yet to be peer reviewed, comes as competition for the COVID booster market intensifies in China, where more than half of the 1.4 billion population have so far received a non-mRNA booster shot.

Chinese mRNA COVID booster stronger against Omicron than Sinovac shot -trial data | Reuters

[harrybarracuda]

Phuket has allowed healthy people to take off their face masks while in open-air places, beaches, public parks and stadiums, and Bangkok will follow suit as soon as possible.

Phuket governor Narong Woonciew on Thursday signed a provincial order to exempt people in this southern island province from wearing a face mask while in certain places and in certain situations, further easing Covid-19 restrictions.

The order was based on a resolution made in a meeting of the provincial communicable disease committee.

Under the order, mask-wearing is still required to reduce the risk of the virus spreading, especially in enclosed places which are not well ventilated or with a large number of people gathering for some activities.

However, mandatory mask-wearing is exempted when people are eating or drinking, showing their faces to confirm their identities to state authorities, exercising in an open area, and while at a beach, a public park and other places where people can stay at least two metres apart.

The order is effective from June 1 until further notice.

People who violate this order may be liable to a fine of up to 20,000 baht under Section 51 of the Communicable Disease Act of 2015. They may also be construed as violating the emergency decree of 2005 and liable to a jail term of not exceeding two years and/or a fine of up to 40,000 baht.

Don Limnanthapisit, chairman of the Muang Kao Phuket community, said he did not see anything new in the order, except the exemptions.

The people in general said they understand well that the provincial communicable disease committee is still concerned about Covid-19.

Tanes Tantipiriyakit, chair of the Phuket Tourism Council, said what was new in the latest order was that people were allowed to be free of masks at beaches, parks and stadiums if they were at least two metres apart.

In Bangkok, new governor Chadchart Sittipunt, when asked to comment on the Phuket decision, said he also wanted Bangkok people to be able to dispense with masks as soon as possible, and the Covid-19 situation had improved.

However, he would have to consult with health experts and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's health department.

Mr Chadchart said he would also have talks with officials about extending the opening hours of public parks, pubs, bars and karaoke places, saying that doing this could reduce the density of people attending those places.

Dr Kiatiphum Wongrajit, permanent secretary for public health, said in an interview last month that the Covid-19 restrictions were expected to be eased off in mid-June.

Mandatory mask-wearing would be limited to people with underlying illnesses, the elderly and pregnant women and would still apply to people in poorly ventilated places and crowded areas, he said.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2319894/phuket-eases-mask-wearing-bangkok-to-follow

[misskit]

I’ve had the fourth jab, also. My brother has been snotty and headachy for the last three days tested positive for covid this morning. He’s not had a fourth injection. I am negative…so far.

[harrybarracuda]

Looks like the governor got a little too big for his boots.

PHUKET: Mandatory wearing of face masks in public areas is back on the island province, just two days after the restriction was removed.
Governor Narong Woonciew on Friday signed an order rescinding a previous one dated May 31 which allowed people to take off face masks while in open public spaces provided they maintain social distancing of at least 2 metres.

Governor orders Phuket to remask

[S Landreth]

Anyone had a 4th jab yet?

Will get my 4^th vaccine (Moderna) when I reach Thailand towards the end of the month.

CDC recommends a 2nd booster of either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months after the 1st booster for:

Adults ages 50 years and older

[Little Chuchok]

^ Do you 100% believe that?

I have had the 1st booster, but I'm now thinking enough is enough. I know 15-20 people that that have had this "flu". After 3-4 days they are fine. I am sick of some governments scaring people unnecessary.

[S Landreth]

^I was fine with the first two vaccinations.

But you know,......Safety First

I know 15-20 people that that have had this "flu". After 3-4 days they are fine.

I was with a friend yesterday and he told me about an older gentleman he knows who caught the “flu” and went into the hospital (needed a ventilator). Three days later,......he passed away. Just last week.

[hallelujah]

^ Do you 100% believe that?

I have had the 1st booster, but I'm now thinking enough is enough. I know 15-20 people that that have had this "flu". After 3-4 days they are fine. I am sick of some governments scaring people unnecessary.

Totally true, but governments will put people on their last legs with cancer down as a COVID death while healthy people who are fully vaccinated are getting just as sick as those who haven't had a single jab (I have friends in both camps).

Basically, unless you're severely immunocompromised and/or really old, this latest vac being peddled won't make a jot of difference to the outcome of what is now, unarguably, little more than the flu.

Unless you're a lockdown-loving gullible fucker.

[ootai]

I thought I might add my little bit to this story.
I had Covid about 3 weeks ago, at least I believe I did, tested by my missus and came up negative when I first started to feel a bit off and never tested again.
However my missus tested positive and several family members have tested positive and I had the same symptoms as the missus so I am convinced I had it.

Anyway I was only "sick" for about 2 days with a cough and a running nose so whether that was because I have had 3 vaccinations or because I was lucky,
I don't know and don't care as I am just glad I had the vaccinations.
I couldn't see why anyone would refuse "free" insurance, which is what I believe it is/was.

I would also add that I am not as healthy as Stumpy (who's a legend) but I am older than him so according to all the statements made by governments I am in the high risk category.
But I survived, don't know if that's a good thing or not? Still gotta put up with the missus.

[malmomike77]

this latest vac being peddled won't make a jot of difference to the outcome

i am keen to maintain my 5G access.

I couldn't see why anyone would refuse "free" insurance, which is what I believe it is/was.

me neither and i will get my next booster, same as i do with flu vaccine when it comes out later in the year.

[Buckaroo Banzai]

I thought I might add my little bit to this story.
I had Covid about 3 weeks ago, at least I believe I did, tested by my missus and came up negative when I first started to feel a bit off and never tested again.
However my missus tested positive and several family members have tested positive and I had the same symptoms as the missus so I am convinced I had it.

Anyway I was only "sick" for about 2 days with a cough and a running nose so whether that was because I have had 3 vaccinations or because I was lucky,
I don't know and don't care as I am just glad I had the vaccinations.
I couldn't see why anyone would refuse "free" insurance, which is what I believe it is/was.

I would also add that I am not as healthy as Stumpy (who's a legend) but I am older than him so according to all the statements made by governments I am in the high risk category.
But I survived, don't know if that's a good thing or not? Still gotta put up with the missus.

Both the wife an me tested positive a couple of months ago, with similar symptoms as you, I also know other vaccinated people with the same story. I can't believe we were all just lucky.
I agree with you, since we are all already impregnated with the tracking device from the first vaccine, I don't see what the dangers would be having the booster?

[harrybarracuda]

^ Do you 100% believe that?

I have had the 1st booster, but I'm now thinking enough is enough. I know 15-20 people that that have had this "flu". After 3-4 days they are fine. I am sick of some governments scaring people unnecessary.

There is no "one size fits all vaccine".

People's response to the vaccine is as variable as their response to infection.

It is a numbers game, and for *most* people, vaccination prevents serious illness or death (although I did have the pleasure of listening to some dumb shit last night telling everyone mRNA vaccines have killed more people than Covid).

[HuangLao]

^ Do you 100% believe that?

I have had the 1st booster, but I'm now thinking enough is enough. I know 15-20 people that that have had this "flu". After 3-4 days they are fine. I am sick of some governments scaring people unnecessary.

One would think, after some 2-2.5 years of the continuing false narratives, that perhaps we all might get over ourselves.
Doesn't appear that way, does it?

[hallelujah]

Both the wife an me tested positive a couple of months ago, with similar symptoms as you, I also know other vaccinated people with the same story. I can't believe we were all just lucky.?

It's not a question of "luck." It's because the virus kills less than a percent of the people who get it (most of whom are either very old and/or very sick).

[HuangLao]

It's not a question of "luck." It's because the virus kills less than a percent of the people who get it (most of whom are either very old and/or very sick).

Don't be repeating real and factual content, Hal.....
They'll be calling you a COVID conspiracist type.

[harrybarracuda]

It's not a question of "luck." It's because the virus kills less than a percent of the people who get it (most of whom are either very old and/or very sick).

Well I guess when you make up whatever statistics you like, anything is true.

[harrybarracuda]

Don't be repeating real and factual content, Hal.....

Clearly there's no danger of that.

[hallelujah]

Well I guess when you make up whatever statistics you like, anything is true.

Well, that's what government have been doing, but don't lump me in with them.

These are the findings of a new report from the Imperial College London COVID-19 Response Team.
The report reveals that:

• In high income countries, the estimated overall infection fatality ratio (IFR) is 1.15% (95% prediction interval 0.78-1.79).
• In low-income countries, the estimated overall IFR is 0.23% (95% prediction interval 0.14-0.42).
• Risk of death from COVID-19 doubles for approximately every eight years of ageing.
• Age-specific IFRs increased from 0.1% and below for individuals under 40 years to greater than 5% among individuals over 80 years.

The infection fatality ratio (IFR) is a key statistic for estimating the burden of COVID-19 and has been continuously debated throughout the current pandemic.

COVID-19 deaths: Infection fatality ratio is about 1% says new report | Imperial News | Imperial College London

Harry, I've told you repeatedly on this thread and elsewhere that I deal in facts not fear.

I'll bow out now anyway and leave you to your fear-mongering because I don't want to appear insensitive to anyone who has been unfortunate to have lost relatives or friends.

[harrybarracuda]

Harry, I've told you repeatedly on this thread and elsewhere that I deal in facts not fear.

I'll bow out now anyway and leave you to your fear-mongering because I don't want to appear insensitive to anyone who has been unfortunate to have lost relatives or friends.

What a load of fucking shite.

Can you do basic maths?

[harrybarracuda]

Meanwhile:

Rates of excess deaths are estimated to have varied dramatically by country and region, but the overall global rate calculated in the study is 120 deaths per 100,000 people.


That would mean about 18.2 million deaths have happened because of Covid in the two years between the start of 2020 and the end of 2021 - three times as many as the official 5.9 million that have actually been recorded.


Excess death estimates were calculated for the full study period only, and not by week or month, because of lags and inconsistencies in reporting of Covid death data that could drastically alter the estimates, the investigators stress.


According to the research, which is published in The Lancet, the highest rates were in lower income countries in Latin America, Europe and sub-Saharan Africa. But deaths were also fairly high in some high-income countries, such as Italy and parts of the US.


The five countries with the highest estimated excess death rates were:

• Bolivia
• Bulgaria
• Eswatini
• North Macedonia
• Lesotho

The five with the lowest were:

• Iceland
• Australia
• Singapore
• New Zealand
• Taiwan

For the UK, the estimated total number of Covid-related deaths in 2020 and 2021 was similar to official records at about 173,000, with an excess mortality rate of 130 people per 100,000.


Lead author Dr Haidong Wang, from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, said: "Understanding the true death toll from the pandemic is vital for effective public health decision-making.


"Studies from several countries, including Sweden and the Netherlands, suggest Covid was the direct cause of most excess deaths, but we currently don't have enough evidence for most locations.


"Further research will help to reveal how many deaths were caused directly by Covid, and how many occurred as an indirect result of the pandemic."

Covid deaths probably three times higher than records say - BBC News

[misskit]

Free walk-in COVID-19 vaccinations at Bang Sue station vaccination centre

The Bang Sue railway station vaccination centre is offering the public free inoculations, with the Moderna vaccine, from Monday.


Those over 18-years-old can enter via Gate 1 of the station, without prior registration, from 9am until 3pm. Due to the limited supply of Moderna vaccine, the free inoculationservice will end once the supply runs out.


Those who are unvaccinated will be given Moderna as the first dose, to be followed by a Pfizer jab after a 28-day interval.


Those who have already made bookings to receive their third or fourth doses, using the Pfizer vaccine, can notify officials at the registration point if they want to change to Moderna.


They can also choose to receive their booster shots either by intramuscular injection of one or a half dose of vaccine or 0.1ml of vaccine subcutaneously.


Those who have already received four doses of vaccine and want to receive a fifth can consult doctors at the vaccination centre.


Free walk-in COVID-19 vaccinations at Bang Sue station vaccination centre | Thai PBS World : The latest Thai news in English, News Headlines, World News and News Broadcasts in both Thai and English. We bring Thailand to the world

[harrybarracuda]

The new BKK governor is going to try and get the mask mandate lifted again at this week's CCSA meeting.

[S Landreth]

U.S. ditches negative Covid test for international visitors

The Biden administration on Friday said it will lift pre-departure testing requirements for all travelers coming into the United States from overseas, removing as of midnight on Sunday one of the last Covid-19 travel restrictions still in place in America.

The CDC decided “based on the science and data” that it was time to lift the restriction, a senior administration official told POLITICO on Friday. “The CDC will do a reassessment of this decision in 90 days, and as with other policies, CDC will continue to evaluate it on an ongoing basis,” the official said.

The airline and travel industry have been pressing for some time for the restrictions to be lifted, saying it’s discouraging air travel at a time when passengers are showing increasing interest in taking to the skies.

The Omicron variant surge propelled the Biden administration in November to tighten Covid restrictions for people flying into the United States, requiring a negative Covid test just one day prior to travel. Depending on Covid-19 subvariants, the predeparture testing rule could come back, the official said.

“If there is a need to reinstate a pre-departure testing requirement — including due to a new, concerning variant — CDC will not hesitate to act.”

U.S. hit 1 million covid deaths: What's Biden's pandemic endgame?

Leaders from Airlines for America — which represents major air carriers — and the U.S. Travel Association last month met with White House officials to again ask the administration to scrap the testing requirement, arguing that Covid cases are subsiding worldwide. In addition, they argued that air travel shouldn’t be singled out when other mass gatherings have no such restriction.

Furthermore, they said, the U.S. does not require testing for travelers crossing a land border to get in, and the federal government doesn’t require a negative Covid test to travel domestically. According to an analysis from Morning Consult, 39 percent of Americans have said the testing requirements make them less willing to travel internationally, said Lindsey Roeschke, Morning Consult’s travel and hospitality analyst.

Tori Emerson Barnes, U.S. Travel’s executive vice president of public affairs and policy, told the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Tourism, Trade, and Export Promotion on Tuesday the association estimates that “9 billion in travel spending could happen this year” should the U.S. leave pre-departure testing behind “right now.”

“So it really is important that we do that,” she said.

The public health sector also seems on board with the decision. Scott Becker, CEO at the Association of Public Health Laboratories, cheered the decision, saying “I was never convinced it was adding any real protection,” and that overseas “my experience was that it seems to be ‘pay to play’ for a negative test.”

And Scott Whitaker, the CEO of health technology trade group AdvaMed, said “from a public health perspective it makes sense.”

“From a development and manufacturing standpoint we remain focused on working with the federal government and private customers to ensure we understand demand so we can meet the need. And It remains critical that the Administration lead the efforts on both surveillance and communication to ensure we can do what is necessary to meet the public health need for tests.”

The senior administration official on Friday said the CDC still recommends testing prior to air travel of “any kind.”

“We will be working with the airlines and other partners to ensure a smooth transition,” the official said.

[Buckaroo Banzai]

It's not a question of "luck." It's because the virus kills less than a percent of the people who get it (most of whom are either very old and/or very sick).

And the unvaccinated, or not fully vaccinated.
I believe out symptoms were lite because we were fully vaccinated ,and encourage everyone to take their booster shots.
I dont know what is their problem? I mean they already have the tracking chip that is monitored by the lizard people from the first couple of shots anyway. LOL

[ludwig]

Just returned from a 3 week winter escape. Locals all masked up. Farangs not. Dosed up with 3 vaccinations. Contracted head cold within 3 days of arriving as did traveling partner. Never had anything resembling a cold in 30+ years visiting Siam. Fortunately pharmacists were happy to dole out sudafed. Only kicking it now 4 weeks later.