The possible mutated strain of COVID-19 in UK

[PCIntern]

and probably elsewhere:

The official line is that they’re studying it but the vaccine responds to many areas of the viral particle and should still be effective. I hope so.

But you know what? The science major in me needs to KNOW that that is the case. Since I recall hotshot scientists saying that AIDS (orGRID as it had been called) most likely couldn’t and wouldn’t spread into the heterosexual population, I’m less likely to take these folks at their word or even their surmises.

I mean, they sat there while Orangina said that it was going to just disappear, and didn’t speak up or resign their posts. Yeah, I know. But I am wary of prognosticators and prognostications no matter how well-intentioned.

[pandr32]

1. We do need to know

I hope we get scientific clarification soon.

[BannonsLiver]

2. "Hot shot scientists."

Yeah, I think all go that route too. Rather than pay attention to epidemiologists and the like, I’ll fall back on my freshman level college science courses from 30 years ago.

[PCIntern]

7. Well I had 11 years of advanced study, was a

Professor at an Ivy, and have been in clinical practice for 41 years

I was practicing when the scientists were all wrong about GRID and later, AIDS and none of them ever took back their ridiculous pronouncements. You think these Trumpian assholes are the first corrupt doctors? Please....

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. It's not just American scientists saying they think it won't affect vaccine effectiveness

It's the British ones who have been studying the variant. So "didn’t speak up or resign their posts" is a red herring. And those with initial prognostications about AIDS who are still in the job over 35 years later are few and far between. Unless you can actually name a scientist in both categories, it seems another red herring

[Kid Berwyn]

4. One of the hallmarks of science, transparency.

What do we call those who hide what they’ve learned to make a buck?

[Nitram]

6. Capitalists.

[Nitram]

5. My understanding is that the vaccine stimulates production of antibodies and immune system killer

cells that then target the Covid-19 virus. The virus is always mutating but, so far, anti-bodies produced by one variant of the virus are still effective against another. The protein produced by the MRNA in the vaccine is modeled on a protein in the spikes that project from the surface of the virus.

[AnnieG]

8. Has there been any report on why it's more transmissable? Does it travel farther?

Last longer? Get through masks more easily? Infect with a lower viral load? I'm assuming it's the last. But, to tell the truth, I'm new to DU and have been wanting to ask a question in the Computers group for several days and I can't until I make a certain number of replies, and I haven't found anything I want to talk about. So this is sort of a made up question. Thanks for your indulgence!

[PCIntern]

9. Excellent questions

I hope we receive some excellent answers.

[abqtommy]

10. For me the bottom line is: don't stop masking, distancing or sanitizing . Yet.

[BrightKnight]

11. The more infections the more likely it is to mutate.

I don't get why nobody has called the lemming herd immunity idiots out for this. Aside from enormous number of unnecessary casualties it sounds like a really bad plan.

[PCIntern]

12. Of course

The lab is to have lots and lots of casualties, both short and long term.

[PCIntern]

13. Of course

The lab is to have lots and lots of casualties, both short and long term.