Coronavirus Sars-CoV-2/Covid-19 Megathread

[Sheilbh]

Are there any noted cases of AZ blood clotting from the 2nd shot?

According to the press conferences here by the MHRA and JCVI, plust Jonathan van Tam - there have been zero cases of blood clotting after the second shot in the UK or in the European data they've seen.

We're having some controversy in Spain regarding what to do with those that already got the 1st shot of the AZ vaccine about what vaccine to give them as 2nd shot. The Spanish Health ministry commissioned a study that says that it's fine to give Pfizer instead, but is now being blamed of having very few participants to really be able to say much on the issue and not considering other options. Some regions are pressuring to be able to give a 2nd shot of AZ to those that already got their 1st one with it, which might end up being done on a voluntary basis. It's quite clear that the ministry wants to get rid of the AZ vaccine and is looking for any excuse to do so.

Give it to people who'll use it. There's a global shortage. Or is that not being considered as an option (I think it's what Denmark did when they decided not to use AZ)?

[The Larch]

We're having some controversy in Spain regarding what to do with those that already got the 1st shot of the AZ vaccine about what vaccine to give them as 2nd shot. The Spanish Health ministry commissioned a study that says that it's fine to give Pfizer instead, but is now being blamed of having very few participants to really be able to say much on the issue and not considering other options. Some regions are pressuring to be able to give a 2nd shot of AZ to those that already got their 1st one with it, which might end up being done on a voluntary basis. It's quite clear that the ministry wants to get rid of the AZ vaccine and is looking for any excuse to do so.

Give it to people who'll use it. There's a global shortage. Or is that not being considered as an option (I think it's what Denmark did when they decided not to use AZ)?

Until now AZ vaccines that had already been delivered have been kept in storage by the regions, so they might have a bit of a stockpile. Finally the central government has allowed regions to deliver the 2nd AZ shots, as long as recipients agree to it, so they are going to be used. I hope we can put this behind us already and get to continue vaccinations.

[Barrister]

You know what "two weeks" has come up a lot in respect to Covid.  I think our initial shutdown in March 2020 was going to be ford two weeks...

Well anyways Alberta school were shut down for two weeks when our cases were spiking.  Everyone assumed they were done for the year.

But with new cases now falling quite dramatically, they're going back after two weeks away!

[viper37]

Quebec govt announced its reopening plan.  And I was overjoyed.
But today, I learn that it does not apply to our region because we are still considered under emergency measures.

Grrr. 

[Grey Fox]

Quebec govt announced its reopening plan.  And I was overjoyed.
But today, I learn that it does not apply to our region because we are still considered under emergency measures.

Grrr. 

Your going back to red on Monday.

[viper37]

Quebec govt announced its reopening plan.  And I was overjoyed.
But today, I learn that it does not apply to our region because we are still considered under emergency measures.

Grrr. 

Your going back to red on Monday.

just seen it today, and we're semi-deconfined for May 28th like the rest of province:)

[Maladict]

India is not getting a break

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-57191507

Black fungus: Call to declare epidemic in Indian states


India's states should declare an epidemic following a rise in deadly "black fungus" cases, the country's health authorities has said.

The normally rare infection, called mucormycosis, has a mortality rate of 50%, with some only saved by removing an eye or jaw bone.

But in recent months, India saw thousands of cases affecting recovered and recovering Covid-19 patients.

Doctors suspect there may be a link with the steroids used to treat Covid.

Diabetics are at particular risk, with doctors telling the BBC it seems to strike 12 to 15 days after recovery from Covid.

[Sheilbh]

Hadn't thought of this issue - but people in the UK who've been participating in the Novavax trial are now getting annoyed and threatening to pull out/get another vaccine because restrictions are lifting internationally for people with authorised vaccines. Due to manufacturing issues Novavax won't be applying for approval until July at the earliest:
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/may/21/novavax-volunteers-in-uk-threaten-to-quit-over-approval-delays

I feel like a solutiong is to add people participating in clinical trials to the restrictions lifting - but maybe not? I can see that it could increase risks if the trial drug/vaccine isn't very effective or if someone's been given the placebo, on the other hand I feel like we should be making sure people who take part in clinical trials are disincentivised from volunteering

[The Larch]

Hadn't thought of this issue - but people in the UK who've been participating in the Novavax trial are now getting annoyed and threatening to pull out/get another vaccine because restrictions are lifting internationally for people with authorised vaccines. Due to manufacturing issues Novavax won't be applying for approval until July at the earliest:
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/may/21/novavax-volunteers-in-uk-threaten-to-quit-over-approval-delays

I feel like a solutiong is to add people participating in clinical trials to the restrictions lifting - but maybe not? I can see that it could increase risks if the trial drug/vaccine isn't very effective or if someone's been given the placebo, on the other hand I feel like we should be making sure people who take part in clinical trials are disincentivised from volunteering

People who participate in clinical trials know beforehand that they're going to face limitations and restrictions in how they'll act for the duration of the trial. They knew what they were getting into.

[The Brain]

Yeah. I don't think sacrificing safety is the answer. Pay them more if you can't find enough participants.

[Sheilbh]

People who participate in clinical trials know beforehand that they're going to face limitations and restrictions in how they'll act for the duration of the trial. They knew what they were getting into.

But that was in the context of everyone facing limitations and restrictions - I'm not sure many people anticipated the situation changing as quickly as it has.

I'm an optimist and think vaccines are an utter game changer and will see a lot of restrictions melt away very quickly. But I don't know anyone as optimistic as me about it - most people were far more cynical and pessimistic. I suspect not many of these people expected us all to be back at reindeer games again while they're sat on the outside.

[The Larch]

People who participate in clinical trials know beforehand that they're going to face limitations and restrictions in how they'll act for the duration of the trial. They knew what they were getting into.

But that was in the context of everyone facing limitations and restrictions - I'm not sure many people anticipated the situation changing as quickly as it has.

So what? Clinical trial conditions operate in a world of its own, and limitations and restrictions are constantly evolving, so it's not as if this situation could be anticipated. Allowing participants to travel freely risks further propagation of the disease. I guess they could still travel with a negative test result, just like any non vaccinated person.

I'm an optimist and think vaccines are an utter game changer and will see a lot of restrictions melt away very quickly. But I don't know anyone as optimistic as me about it - most people were far more cynical and pessimistic. I suspect not many of these people expected us all to be back at reindeer games again while they're sat on the outside.

I'm optimistic as well and I think we won't go back to previous situations and a certain normalcy will be achieved little by little, now we're witnessing the return of the possibility of international travel to a certain degree, and that's a relevant step. Yet it's true that more cynical or pessimistic people might expect a new backlash sooner or later.

[Syt]

I mean, those study participants could have been taking part in a study of a vaccine with too low efficacy. Additionally, I assume this will be a typical blind study, so a number of them are in the control group and haven't received the trial vaccine. You would have to unblind the study first, meaning a whole bunch of them still need to get a proper vaccine (though I suppose it's possible that the control group received a different, working, vaccine, but I suppose that's unlikely.

[The Larch]

For all intents and purposes, and until the clinical trial is finished and its results evaluated, all participants should be considered as non vaccinated people.

[Syt]

Agreed.