Category: Corona Virus

Some Antibody Test Results

Stats:

And for New York:

In addition to the antibody tests in Santa Clara County & Los Angeles (to learn how many people have already *had* Covid-19), we now have similar results from New York State.

https://gothamist.com/news/new-york-antibody-test-results-coronavirus

https://www.independent.co.ug/the-coronavirus-looks-less-deadly-than-first-reported/

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8250371/How-people-REALLY-caught-coronavirus.html

This is the much needed denominator (bottom of fraction) needed to get a clearer picture of the mortality rate. The larger denominator implies this virus’ mortality rate is on par with seasonal flu’s 0.1%. (Santa Clara County 0.12%, LA County 0.18%). New York is higher than flu, but much lower than expected (New York State 0.5%)

Antibody test results & questionnaires indicate:

* Large portion of population has already had the virus

* Many were unaware they had been infected, making transmission from asymptomatic cases highly probable

Some scientists suggest the higher-than-assumed exposure statistic indicates the virus may be further along in its course than previously assumed. Calif governor has ordered autopsy record search as far back as December to see if this is the case.

So why does it seem so many people are dying?

Cannot discount the fact that we are losing many loved-ones to this virus. Stealth & efficient transmission via asymptomatic cases makes what appears to be a disease (w/ relatively low mortality rate) a serious global health problem. Simply stated: more people are being exposed at a faster rate.

Counterviews:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bloomberg.com/amp/opinion/articles/2020-04-24/is-coronavirus-worse-than-the-flu-blood-studies-say-yes-by-far?espv=1

https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/04/experts-demolish-studies-suggesting-covid-19-is-no-worse-than-flu/

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Vaccine Cometh? I hope so, but…

We have had forms of coronavirus since the mid-60s and we’ve never been able to develop a vaccine yet.

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Sir Jeremy Farrar, a member of the UK Government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies said, “It’s not a given that we will make a vaccine.[…] The truth is we don’t have another vaccine for any other human coronavirus.”

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Australian Professor Ian Frazer, who co-invented the groundbreaking HPV cervical cancer vaccine said, “A vaccine for the deadly coronavirus may never be developed […] it is possible that Covid-19 could diminish naturally, becoming less effective on its own.”

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The Swede on Evidence-Based Approach to Virus

Sweden’s moderate social distancing approach is discussed. In reference to the difference in mortality rates among European countries Dr. Giesecke suggest we discuss it (in retrospect) one year from now, in 2021.

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Counter-view in this Forbe’s article:

“Last week, 22 scientists from across Sweden claimed the country’s relatively relaxed approach was not working. However, supporters of the country’s approach claim that although the number of deaths will be higher in the short-term, the population will build up a form of “herd immunity” preventing or at least limiting later outbreaks.“

Updating with More Data

Dr. John Ionnides sharing his recent research analysis – just as he had suspected, validated with more data. Nevertheless, Covid-19 is more contagious than influenza, so it’s going to take out people with comorbidities faster and more efficiently. As these guys have been saying since March we need to invest more in protecting these precious people. If this is not encouragement to take better care of our bodies, I don’t know what is.

[We need a lot more antibody studies in areas other than Santa Clara County. It needs to be verified elsewhere.]

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Update 4/20/2020 & 4/24/2020

USC & LA County Dept of Health are now reporting similar results w/ antibody tests. New York antibody tests are also showing high numbers. Two take-aways:

* Large portion of population has already had the virus

* Many were unaware they had been infected, making transmission from asymptomatic cases highly probable

Cannot discount the fact that we are losing many loved-ones to this virus. Stealth & efficient transmission via asymptomatic cases makes what appears to be a disease (w/ relatively low mortality rate) a serious global health problem.

Here is John Ionnides’ interview – long version:

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Short video update:

EXERCISE & COVID-19 SURVIVAL RATE

Regular exercise may reduce the risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome, a major cause of death in patients with the COVID-19 virus.

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Research [by Zhen Yan, PhD, of the University of Virginia School of Medicine] suggests that even a single session of exercise increases production of the antioxidant [discussed in article], prompting Yan to urge people to find ways to exercise even while maintaining social distancing.