Coronavirus Sars-CoV-2/Covid-19 Megathread

[Josquius]

Wonder when I'll hear something about the second dose if its been moved up. Would be nice to get it done before August.

I am concerned about future variants that could be even more transmissible and/or lethal. It is a shame that the G7 meeting only came up with plans for 1bn vaccines to be given away when substantaiily more are required.

Don't the major conspiracy nuts have it that 1 billion is what they want to reduce the global population to?

I have to hope they're figuring something like this 1 billion are the world's poorest nations or people in poverty and the rest can afford it?
I guess with a quick fag packet calculation....
1 billion- the west
1 billion- China
1 billion- Latin America
1 billion- SE Asia
1 billion- India
1 billion- Africa


Rounded heavily down there. But I guess you're looking at the top 2 being green and able to handle it, the next 3 orange and may need some help, and only really Africa where massive attention is needed.

[The Larch]

Just read about this, any news from Germany?

The strange preferential treatment of an Italian luxury hotel in Germany

Staff at an upscale Italian resort were able to get vaccinated in Germany even though they were not eligible under German rules, the Süddeutsche Zeitung revealed on June 11. A preferential treatment that begins to cause a stir right up to the government.

A vaccine, a beer, and back to Sardinia. A story of vaccine favoritism for the benefit of the staff of an Italian luxury hotel, revealed by the Bavarian daily Süddeutsche Zeitung, Friday, June 11, has agitated Germany in recent days and begins to embarrass the government.

About a hundred employees of the upscale Forte Village hotel complex, south of Cagliari, were able to take a short jaunt to Munich on May 21 to receive an injection of the Covid-19 vaccine from Pfizer / BioNtech, a learned the German daily.

Bungalows for 20,000 euros and virus-free

A Bavarian trip that lasted less than 24 hours. "At 9 am, we took the plane from Cagliari to arrive in Munich at 11 am and at 12:30 pm everything was folded," said an employee of the Forte Village, interviewed by the Italian channel Rai Tre. The vaccination took place at the Hilton hotel, which is located between Terminal 1 and 2. "After that we were able to take a break to taste a Bavarian beer and by 5 pm we were back in Sardinia with our vaccine pass in your pocket! ", rejoiced this Italian.

This express vaccination operation should allow Forte Village to offer "unique holidays with the greatest respect for everyone's health," said this hotel, which offers bungalows for 20,000 euros per week with direct access to the beach. This luxury resort became known in particular for having hosted the Italian football team at the end of May during its preparation course for Euro-2021.

The ease with which Forte Village staff was able to get vaccinated on Bavarian soil went very badly from Munich to Berlin. By the time the 100 hotel workers received their injection, Bavaria had just opened up vaccination to everyone. The different centers were still administering the doses to the most vulnerable populations while the common Bavarians were struggling, like almost everywhere in Europe, to find an appointment. "Less than 40% of the local population had received at least one injection," recalls the German weekly Der Spiegel.

"It's just disgusting. The personnel in the service of the rich and the powerful come to be vaccinated here, while the others remain on the floor ", rebelled Florian von Brunn, the spokesman of the SPD (the social democrats of the center left) in Bavaria. . "We absolutely have to understand what happened. It is not possible for Germany to turn into a vaccine bazaar, "said Martin Hagen, head of the Bavarian FDP (liberal party).

Legally doubtful

The controversy goes beyond, in Germany, the simple framework of the business of privileges granted to certain wealthy people or benefiting from good relations at the beginning of vaccination campaigns in Europe. Several doctors had been summoned and a specific device to accommodate the staff of the luxury hotel in the best possible sanitary conditions had been put in place, says the Süddeutsche Zeitung.

What arouse an avalanche of questions which, three days after the start of the Forte Village affair, have still not obtained a satisfactory answer. First of all, the legality of this whole operation is very doubtful. German regulations provide that vaccination is only open to German residents or to people who have German health insurance. Difficult, a priori, to integrate the staff of a luxury hotel in Sardinia in one of these two categories.

The person in charge of Forte Village assured on the Rai Tre that there were, in Germany, "a certain number of doses which the vaccination centers could, under certain conditions, dispose freely".

An assertion that left the Bavarian health authorities doubtful. They assured the Süddeutsche Zeitung that while doctors had some freedom to organize vaccinations, it was still necessary to follow the recommendations for priority patients. A hotel complex "where there was not a single case of Covid-19 in 2020 can hardly be considered a priority", notes the German daily.

The mystery of the originator

Who then gave the order to mobilize enough doses of Pfizer's vaccine to satisfy Forte Village's ambition? For now, everyone is passing the buck. One of the doctors present during the injections assured, still on the Italian channel Rai Tre, that "everything came from Berlin". "We were just asked to carry out the injections, it was the government that decided to make an exception to the rule for some reason that I do not know," he added.

At the Ministry of Health, already the target of many criticisms for the way in which the vaccination campaign was carried out, no question of wearing the hat. "We got wind of this case through the media and in no way authorized this vaccination," a spokesperson for the ministry told Spiegel magazine. He added that it is up to "local authorities to shed light on" this story and, in particular, to find out where the doses of the vaccine came from.


the strange preferential treatment of an Italian luxury hotel in Germanythe strange preferential treatment of an Italian luxury hotel in Germany
Staff at an upscale Italian resort were able to get vaccinated in Germany even though they were not eligible under German rules, the Süddeutsche Zeitung revealed on June 11. A preferential treatment that begins to cause a stir right up to the government.

A vaccine, a beer, and back to Sardinia. A story of vaccine favoritism for the benefit of the staff of an Italian luxury hotel, revealed by the Bavarian daily Süddeutsche Zeitung, Friday, June 11, has agitated Germany in recent days and begins to embarrass the government.

About a hundred employees of the upscale Forte Village hotel complex, south of Cagliari, were able to take a short jaunt to Munich on May 21 to receive an injection of the Covid-19 vaccine from Pfizer / BioNtech, a learned the German daily.

Bungalows for 20,000 euros and virus-free

A Bavarian trip that lasted less than 24 hours. "At 9 am, we took the plane from Cagliari to arrive in Munich at 11 am and at 12:30 pm everything was folded," said an employee of the Forte Village, interviewed by the Italian channel Rai Tre. The vaccination took place at the Hilton hotel, which is located between Terminal 1 and 2. "After that we were able to take a break to taste a Bavarian beer and by 5 pm we were back in Sardinia with our vaccine pass in your pocket! ", rejoiced this Italian.

This express vaccination operation should allow Forte Village to offer "unique holidays with the greatest respect for everyone's health," said this hotel, which offers bungalows for 20,000 euros per week with direct access to the beach. This luxury resort became known in particular for having hosted the Italian football team at the end of May during its preparation course for Euro-2021.



The ease with which Forte Village staff was able to get vaccinated on Bavarian soil went very badly from Munich to Berlin. By the time the 100 hotel workers received their injection, Bavaria had just opened up vaccination to everyone. The different centers were still administering the doses to the most vulnerable populations while the common Bavarians were struggling, like almost everywhere in Europe, to find an appointment. "Less than 40% of the local population had received at least one injection," recalls the German weekly Der Spiegel.

"It's just disgusting. The personnel in the service of the rich and the powerful come to be vaccinated here, while the others remain on the floor ", rebelled Florian von Brunn, the spokesman of the SPD (the social democrats of the center left) in Bavaria. . "We absolutely have to understand what happened. It is not possible for Germany to turn into a vaccine bazaar, "said Martin Hagen, head of the Bavarian FDP (liberal party).

Legally doubtful

The controversy goes beyond, in Germany, the simple framework of the business of privileges granted to certain wealthy people or benefiting from good relations at the beginning of vaccination campaigns in Europe. Several doctors had been summoned and a specific device to accommodate the staff of the luxury hotel in the best possible sanitary conditions had been put in place, says the Süddeutsche Zeitung.

>> To read also on France 24: Pass-rights and anti-Covid vaccines: business that goes badly



What arouse an avalanche of questions which, three days after the start of the Forte Village affair, have still not obtained a satisfactory answer. First of all, the legality of this whole operation is very doubtful. German regulations provide that vaccination is only open to German residents or to people who have German health insurance. Difficult, a priori, to integrate the staff of a luxury hotel in Sardinia in one of these two categories.

The person in charge of Forte Village assured on the Rai Tre that there were, in Germany, "a certain number of doses which the vaccination centers could, under certain conditions, dispose freely".

An assertion that left the Bavarian health authorities doubtful. They assured the Süddeutsche Zeitung that while doctors had some freedom to organize vaccinations, it was still necessary to follow the recommendations for priority patients. A hotel complex "where there was not a single case of Covid-19 in 2020 can hardly be considered a priority", notes the German daily.

The mystery of the originator

Who then gave the order to mobilize enough doses of Pfizer's vaccine to satisfy Forte Village's ambition? For now, everyone is passing the buck. One of the doctors present during the injections assured, still on the Italian channel Rai Tre, that "everything came from Berlin". "We were just asked to carry out the injections, it was the government that decided to make an exception to the rule for some reason that I do not know," he added.

At the Ministry of Health, already the target of many criticisms for the way in which the vaccination campaign was carried out, no question of wearing the hat. "We got wind of this case through the media and in no way authorized this vaccination," a spokesperson for the ministry told Spiegel magazine. He added that it is up to "local authorities to shed light on" this story and, in particular, to find out where the doses of the vaccine came from.

But the Bavarian Ministry of Health also claimed not to know. He said he opened an investigation to try to shed light on the circumstances of this Italian vaccine spree. He also suggested going to the pharmacies, because the Land government only deals with the doses distributed to the official vaccination centers.

The Bavarian pharmacists' union then rushed to announce on Sunday the opening of an investigation to find out whether there was a black market for vaccines in the region. The only ones not to be uncomfortable with this story are the managers of the Italian hotel who assured, this weekend, that "this staff vaccination was the best investment we can make". And who cares if he triggers a political scandal in Germany?

[Admiral Yi]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApLVrlo9sVM

Grocery store cashier shot and killed over mask dispute in Georgia.

A lot of dumbass shit happening in Georgia these days.

[Eddie Teach]

Time to just let nature cull the unvaccinated, imo.

[Oexmelin]

A lot of dumbass shit happening in Georgia these days.

Gratuitous hypothesis: the sentiment from GOPtards that they are being besieged.

[Admiral Yi]

Gratuitous hypothesis: the sentiment from GOPtards that they are being besieged.

Here's a similar one I've been toying with: all bullies think of themselves as victims on some level.

[alfred russel]

A lot of dumbass shit happening in Georgia these days.

Gratuitous hypothesis: the sentiment from GOPtards that they are being besieged.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9686425/Cashier-shot-dead-duty-deputy-injured-customer-got-argument-mask-policy.html

Could be. Doesn't look like your typical GOP voter though.

[The Brain]

What's the deal with Tuckers?

[Zanza]

Delta variant is now quickly spreading in Germany. As we have basically ended the lockdown measures and there is less mask wearing and testing while still only half the population got the first dose, a fourth wave in summer is a distinct possibility. I am sure we will the again react too late and everybody will be surprised. 

Britain is really a great indicator for Germany. Six weeks ahead in vaccination, six weeks ahead with both alpha and now delta.

[Maladict]

Vaccinations are moving along nicely now, everyone over 20 is being invited to make their appointments. We're about to overtake the US in percentage of population vaccinated with at least one shot.

[Razgovory]

Gratuitous hypothesis: the sentiment from GOPtards that they are being besieged.

Here's a similar one I've been toying with: all bullies think of themselves as victims on some level.

There is a surprisingly large number of Christians who believe they are oppressed. 

[celedhring]

So, the INE (Spanish official stats office) has finished computing mortality figures for 2020: 492,000 a 17.7% jump over 2019. It's the highest absolute tally since apex of the (non)Spanish flu. Yes, higher even than the Civil War years (of course population was lower back then).

[Syt]

Vienna's share of PCR tests of all such tests administered in Austria over the last few weeks:



Whereas Vienna offers free testing in several central locations, at pharmacies, and with home tests that you can drop at the supermarket, the Austrian states have gone back to only testing people with symptoms and contact persons. Theoretically you have to show a negative test, proof of having recovered from a recent infection, or vaccination if you go to a restaurant or a service that requires close proximity, but anecdotal evidence suggests that outside Vienna this is not taken very seriously.

[Sheilbh]

Jabs in England now opened to the over 18s which is great and the first day when 1st doses outnumbered 2nd doses. I think we're now running out of people to give their second dose (with the new 8 week dosing regime), so we will hopefully see a big up-tick in first doses soon.

Separately mixed news on new vaccines - Novavax reported very good numbers and I think are now filing for approval which is good, but Curevac didn't meet the necessary figures (I think this is the first mRNA vaccine that failed) so I think is cancelling their project.

Edit: Also the Pfizer vaccine has, I think, been authorised in the UK for over-12s. But apparently the JCVI is not going to recommend its use for the over-12s. It will still be offered to over-15s who have clinical conditions or live with people who have clinical conditions that make them particularly vulnerable. Apparently their basic point is the risk for teenagers from covid is around 1 in a million so the direct risk to them is very low (the only deaths in the UK of young people have been people with other severe medical conditions), there would be wider social benefits but I think they assess them as quite low as the kids allow the vaccine to jump from household to household but don't really drive R themselves. In addition there is a query if it's ethical and right for the UK to vaccinate people with that low a risk while there's global shortages of the vaccine.

I'm inclined to agree - I mentioned earlier that I feel like it might not be justified and the inevitable reports of side effects in young people could put people off getting vaccines that are absolutely essential for younger people - like measles etc. But it is pretty finely balanced because the other side is that the social effect will help even if it's quite small. I am also quite persuaded by the argument that it's immoral to vaccinate the profoundly low risk while healthcare workers and the elderly in other parts of the world have no vaccine.

[Syt]

https://nypost.com/2021/06/18/unvaccinated-west-point-cadets-getting-bullied-and-punished-families-say/

Unvaccinated West Point cadets getting bullied and punished, families say

Unvaccinated cadets at the US Military Academy at West Point are getting singled out, bullied and unfairly punished — even if they have COVID-19 immunity from earlier infections, according to a report.

All but around three dozen of the 4,500 students at the centuries-old New York training academy have been vaccinated — with a spreadsheet showing the cadets' status getting widely circulated, Fox News said.

Those not vaccinated are derided as "diseased" and "dirty" and treated as outcasts — and punished for violating mask and social distancing mandates, even after statewide restrictions have been lifted, cadets and their families told Sean Hannity.

Some cadets complain that they are unable to take any leave this summer because a seven-day enforced quarantine eats up any available time.

"It's like solitary confinement — for a disease we don't have," one cadet told Fox, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution.

Others have insisted they are getting pressured into getting vaccinated, even if they know they have immunity from already being infected, one parent, Brian MacDonald, told Hannity of his daughter.

"She's in a position where she's had COVID, she recovered from COVID, she has the antibodies for COVID, and West Point is putting a ridiculous amount of pressure on her to take the vaccine," he said.

"I don't understand what the leadership at West Point is doing right now," he complained.

Mathias Sampson, a 20-year Army veteran, told Hannity that his daughter has not had the jab because she "has valid concerns about this vaccination — concerns pertaining to fertility, long-term effects."

"The CDC nor West Point have answers to these concerns," he said.

West Point confirmed the authenticity of the circulated spreadsheet, saying it had been "inadvertently" disseminated, and also acknowledged some heckling of cadets over their vaccine status, Fox said.

"Any harassment, abuse, threats, or punitive measures targeting unvaccinated personnel is incompatible with West Point policies, ideals, and Army values," a spokesperson told the network.

The academy confirmed that masks are still required in indoor spaces — with unvaccinated cadets having to wear them even in shared shower and bathroom areas "when not performing personnel hygiene."

"Though they train together and are fully integrated in all activities, unvaccinated cadets are currently being housed separately from vaccinated cadets to minimize transmission risk and are provided with equal or better living conditions," the spokesperson also said.

"Currently, the Department of Defense is not mandating vaccinations for U.S. military members, and it remains optional but encouraged for West Point personnel," the school told Fox.