Re: long COVID, just wanted to draw attention to NIH's ongoing study, RECOVER: https://recovercovid.org/. They're seeking volunteers for different cohorts: COVID-recovered with and without long COVID, as well as those never infected.
This may seem like a silly question, but in following a PhD nurse educator in the UK for some time, he says that the "sweet spot" if one must be exposed is up to 10 weeks post-booster as the efficacy wanes some from ~95% to ~83% at 10 weeks or so, and if one must be exposed that is the best time for it to happen.
I've been a hermit on lockdown since March 16th 2020 and have only gone out to vote, and to get vaccinated. No one goes in or out in my household and it's been rough. Masking locally isn't a thing here and vaccination rates are horrid.
If I got my Moderna booster on Dec. 10th and had plans to attend the Kansas "farewell tour" concert on Feb. 3rd and wear a non fit-tested N95, is it worth attending? Tickets are non-refundable, and the locals here generally do not mask and are "vaccine hesitant" but if we are all going to be exposed at some point, it seems like being 7 weeks post-booster might be the safest time. Thoughts?
The wide spread into deer populations does make me wonder a bit about the guidance that outdoor gatherings are generally relatively safe. I don't suppose deer are spending a lot of time at crowded bars and dance parties.
Good to have you back. I know you aren't an epidemiologist, but I'm curious to hear your informal opinion on the idea that Omicron will "involuntarily vaccinate" many, many people who have refused vaccination with the safe, pharmaceutical versions. For one example, I'd expect that South Africa now has immunity equal to the USA because everyone (almost literally) in the country has now been exposed to, and likely infected with, actual active SARS-CoV-2.
Re: long COVID, just wanted to draw attention to NIH's ongoing study, RECOVER: https://recovercovid.org/. They're seeking volunteers for different cohorts: COVID-recovered with and without long COVID, as well as those never infected.
This may seem like a silly question, but in following a PhD nurse educator in the UK for some time, he says that the "sweet spot" if one must be exposed is up to 10 weeks post-booster as the efficacy wanes some from ~95% to ~83% at 10 weeks or so, and if one must be exposed that is the best time for it to happen.
I've been a hermit on lockdown since March 16th 2020 and have only gone out to vote, and to get vaccinated. No one goes in or out in my household and it's been rough. Masking locally isn't a thing here and vaccination rates are horrid.
If I got my Moderna booster on Dec. 10th and had plans to attend the Kansas "farewell tour" concert on Feb. 3rd and wear a non fit-tested N95, is it worth attending? Tickets are non-refundable, and the locals here generally do not mask and are "vaccine hesitant" but if we are all going to be exposed at some point, it seems like being 7 weeks post-booster might be the safest time. Thoughts?
The wide spread into deer populations does make me wonder a bit about the guidance that outdoor gatherings are generally relatively safe. I don't suppose deer are spending a lot of time at crowded bars and dance parties.
Good to have you back. I know you aren't an epidemiologist, but I'm curious to hear your informal opinion on the idea that Omicron will "involuntarily vaccinate" many, many people who have refused vaccination with the safe, pharmaceutical versions. For one example, I'd expect that South Africa now has immunity equal to the USA because everyone (almost literally) in the country has now been exposed to, and likely infected with, actual active SARS-CoV-2.