Dr. Fauci Just Issued This Big Warning About COVID

[appalachiablue]

Last edited Sun Feb 14, 2021, 09:06 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: Yahoo News

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the chief medical advisor to the President and the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, appeared on Meet the Press to discuss how you could stay safe--and issued a "sobering" warning. The UK Variant Appears More Deadly, Says Dr. Fauci: Host George Stephanololus asked Fauci about the UK variant: "What does the science tell you and what do we need to do about it?"

"Well, it's pretty clear to us what we need to do about it," answered Fauci. "I mean, there's the sobering news is that we have a variant that is now in the United States. No doubt. It's the B.1.1.7 lineage that is dominated in the UK. The UK has studied it. They find out that it transmits more from person to person which really accounted for the big surge that they had in the UK.

But recent studies also indicate that it is also a bit more deadly, if you want to use that word, it makes people more sick and it's more likely to lead to serious complications. The somewhat comforting news is that the vaccine that we are now currently distributing--the Moderna vaccine and the Pfizer vaccine--clearly work against this variant. And we know that from both in vitro test tube studies, as well as extrapolation from other vaccines." The other variant may prove even more lethal. "The data that we got from South Africa is really quite sobering," said Dr. Fauci.

"The South African isolate, the 3.5.1., that lineage is more problematic than the UK. One in the sense that we know less about it--whether it transmits more readily and not, but we do know that it evades the protection from some of the monoclonal antibodies and it diminishes somewhat the capability and the effectiveness of the vaccine to block it. It doesn't eliminate it, but it diminishes it by multiple fold. There's still some cushion left so that the vaccine does provide some protection against it...

Read more: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/dr-fauci-just-issued-big-175806924.html

---

* - BBC News, 'Covid-19: Kent Virus Variant On Course To Sweep World,' Feb, 11, 2021.

The coronavirus variant first found in Kent could become the world's dominant strain, the head of the UK's genetic surveillance programme has predicted. Prof Sharon Peacock told the BBC's Newscast podcast the new variant has "swept the country" and "it's going to sweep the world, in all probability".

She said her team's work sequencing variants of the virus could be required for at least 10 years. The Kent variant has already been detected in more than 50 countries. It was first detected in September 2020 in south-east England and its rapid spread over the following months was cited as the reason for the introduction of new lockdown rules across the UK in January.

- How worrying are the new coronavirus variants?
- Variants and mutations: The science explained

Prof Peacock, director of the Covid-19 Genomics UK consortium, said: "What's really affected us at the moment is transmissibility." She added: "Once we get on top of [the virus] or it mutates itself out of being virulent - causing disease - then we can stop worrying about it. But I think, looking in the future, we're going to be doing this for years. We're still going to be doing this 10 years down the line, in my view."

More, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-56019995

[cilla4progress]

1. That's why you gotta

LIVE EVERY DAY!!!!

[appalachiablue]

3. Carpe diem, Homer got it. Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May

- Waterhouse.

[BigmanPigman]

2. Damn, I heard earlier that is is 50 times more contagious

Last edited Sun Feb 14, 2021, 09:55 PM - Edit history (1)

but now it is also more deadly?!? How can we open schools if 99% are in communities are in a "red zone"?

[Generic Brad]

9. We declare the schools are safe and force the teachers back

Kids, after all, are a different species than adult humans and never get sick or pass viruses. School are safe by virtue of us just declaring that they are.

[BigmanPigman]

16. Every word!

I was a teacher and I know.

[oldsoftie]

42. Our area schools have been open since August with very few problems.

They're very strict about mask wearing & spreading out the kids. 20,000+ in person students. About 7k still doing online but that number is down from the start. The longer they've been open the more the in person number rises

[Generic Brad]

47. Why are schools considered safe when all other indoor environments are not?

It feels like COVID protocols are less important for children and teachers because a large segment of America does not care about their lives and are more focused on their own personal convenience.

[oldsoftie]

51. They're proving that they ARE pretty safe. Its much worse on kids to keep them out.

Its much easier to control children than adults. You refuse a mask? GO HOME. Stores wont do that. All of my friends who have school age kids have them back in class & they tell me they're happy about it. Sports have also resumed but with very limited attendance
There are many studies showing that keeping kids out of school for long periods of time is doing more harm than good. Suicides are way up. Depression is way up. Performance is down. Especially among the poorer children. The negative effects are greater than the risks of Covid. These articles cover a lot of it.

https://www.npr.org/2020/10/21/925794511/were-the-risks-of-reopening-schools-exaggerated

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/education/covid-having-devastating-impact-children-vaccine-won-t-fix-everything-n1251172

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/12/we-now-know-how-much-children-spread-coronavirus/

[BlueStater]

4. Whatever. I'm double masking now.

Can’t take much more of this shit.

[marlakay]

7. I tried double masking earlier at store

I felt like I couldn't breathe, it means going out even less and I am seriously going nuts now. Most of the U.S. is, so it means a lot more deaths especially from the ones that don't vaccinate.

[wnylib]

17. I would vaccinate if I could. I am

eligible but NONE of the vaccination sites in my area have vaccines available.

I am double masking, too. It is harder to breathe that way but I remind myself that it would be much harder if I caught covid. So I put a cloth mask over a surgical mask and only go out when I have to.

I am not surprised that the UK variant is more lethal. I expected that it would be because the reason it is so contagious is that it can invade cells more effectively and multiply faster. Faster multiplication means a heavier initial dose before the immune system can build up any defense. Doctors and nurses in China who died in the early stages of the coronavirus were exposed to heavy doses from repeated patient contact and insufficient PPE.

[marlakay]

19. It just feels like the hope we had for vaccine

Not as hopeful with the variant especially with how contagious it is and how most people won't be vaccinated until the summer.

[Politicub]

52. A cloth mask over an N95 or KN95 may help.

This is my go-to. The N95 keeps the second mask from touching my lips or nostrils. I’ve found my hand-sewn cloth masks work well for double-masking because they have cloth ties instead of elastic bands.

I don’t go inside many stores, though, since a friend contracted and died of COVID five weeks ago. He was only 59.

I use pickup, delivery and drive through services whenever there is the option.

[OMGWTF]

58. Smart. I go grocery shopping every other Monday at 6:00 am.

Getting my first shot on Wednesday! Yay; it's good to be old.

[MustLoveBeagles]

11. I started doing this in December

I used to hate having anything on my face. I had to force myself to overcome that phobia.

[JudyM]

18. Same here.

Surgical-type mask under a fabric one. I’m not having trouble breathing, but definitely need to speak more loudly to be understood.

[Larissa]

49. That's the ticket

Surgical mask with cloth mask on top. I tried a test run and it worked fine.

[moriah]

45. I have an almost form-fitting cloth mask, tied on behind head and neck, good nosewire.

Three layers of batik quilter's cotton.

I haven't been using any kind of filters with it, but it has a pocket for one.

It fits VERY well, a very tight seal, so instead of double-masking I may just start using the filters. Of course, so far I've been using the "stay the f at home" method to my advantage as much as possible.

[JudyM]

50. Sounds like a great mask.

Is there a web link for it?

[moriah]

53. The Etsy crafter may have changed their pattern....

.... last I looked at their store for more (bought six back then, and friends wanted some so I've given 3 away) they had ear-loop ones, and instead of 3 layers of cotton they did 2 layers of cotton and one of a synthetic that was supposed to help trap more. But if you say you want the "style you were making in March and April, when people couldn't find elastic", they can probably fix you up. Most Etsy crafters are willing to do custom work.

But it was "PatchesforaPurpose" on there.

[JudyM]

54. Ok, thanks, I'll check them out!

[calimary]

59. Hmmm . Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place.

Couldn’t find anything except patches like you’d see onto a blue jeans jacket.

[moriah]

60. I sent you a PM, but since they changed their pattern....

.... You could just search for "fitted mask 'fabric ties' nose wire" on Etsy and look at the one that you think would work for you/looks like it actually fits the model.

[Rebl2]

10. Really

You mean telling the truth to the public is now fear-mongering?

[DeminPennswoods]

13. No, but haven't you noticed the recent spate

of stories about the variants and how contagious/deadly they might be compared to the original? Infections and deaths are in a steep decline and vaccinations are up. People are being less vigilant. These interviews are meant to ramp up fear so people stay more vigilant.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

21. That's conspiracy theory sounding, right there.

[oldsoftie]

43. Not really if you think about it. People are NOTORIOUS for letting their guard down too early.

We need to keep the pressure on to keep it in peoples minds. Wearing a mask even if you've had a shot shouldnt be a big deal, but some folks will think theres no longer a need. I know its trivial, but i want to go back to live music shows. I'm willing to take the shot, wear a mask & carry sanitizer if thats what it takes. But it has to continue to be a big story for the majority to do it.

[pstokely]

23. the declining rate of numbers make encourage complacency

in more places than others

[mjvpi]

24. I think that you just stumbled on one big difference.....

......between the Biden and Trump administrations. Personally, I appreciate knowing the true facts about what is happening. Covid is doing what viruses do. They mutate to their advantage. Thanks to human beings being mobile all over the globe, a variant can and has moved all over the world in five months. That’s with humans supposedly on high alert and doing the simple things.

The US is 4% of the world population and we account for 25% of the worlds deaths. It’s not that we are being fear mongered now. As a country, we never took this seriously enough to begin with.

[progree]

32. I've been hearing and reading a lot about the variants for over a month

What Fauci is saying is nothing particularly new for him or other disease experts. It's just that a lot of the public health departments and media have been more focused on the vaccine distribution problems and progress.

I do agree with you though that people are getting complacent. Many states, including (D) ones, have been relaxing restrictions, including mine. Minnesota, for example, is down 90% from its November peak in daily new cases per capita, 7 day moving average.

The U.S. overall is down 64% in this metric since its January 8 peak.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/coronavirus-us-cases.html

The U.K., home of the first scary variant, is down about 77% from its January 10 peak
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/world/europe/united-kingdom-coronavirus-cases.html

So a lot of people are thinking the variants are, so far, a lot of "hat" but no cattle.

[tavernier]

33. So the actual truth, per your calculation

is that there is no need for the added restrictions that they are requesting, but that the fear level is being escalated “just to keep people in line.”

But but but... what if it turns out that the variants are indeed worse than we thought?

LIKE BEFORE.

Duh. I think I will just go ahead and listen to what the scientists ask me to do instead of some dumb ass political group.

[muriel_volestrangler]

41. This isn't just vague handwaving; it's from a UK govt report of independent studies

of the lethality of the new variant in the UK:

a. LSHTM: reported that the relative hazard of death within 28 days of test for VOC-infected individuals compared to non-VOC was 1.58 (95%CI 1.40–1.79), or 1.71 (95% CI 1.48- 1.97) if adjustment is made for misclassification of SGTF and missingness of data.

b. Imperial College London: mean ratio of case fatality ratio (CFR) for VOC-infected individuals compared to non-VOC was 1.36 (95%CI 1.18-1.56) by a case-control weighting method, 1.29 (95%CI 1.07-1.54) by a standardised CFR method.
...
6. Whilst earlier analyses using linked community testing and mortality data showed comparable increases in case fatality ratios, these were all based on the same datasets, and therefore subject to similar biases reducing the level of certainty in the findings. More recent analyses have added a wider range of data sets and been able to control for additional confounders, increasing confidence in the association of the VOC with increased disease severity.

7. Based on these analyses, it is likely that infection with VOC B.1.1.7 is associated with an increased risk of hospitalisation and death compared to infection with non-VOC viruses.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/961042/S1095_NERVTAG_update_note_on_B.1.1.7_severity_20210211.pdf

[MustLoveBeagles]

12. Dr. Fauci doesn't have to lie

Things really are that bad.

[DeminPennswoods]

14. Infections and cases are in a steep decline

People are less worried.

[Evolve Dammit]

26. That doesn't mean they're not fucking stupid, though...

[ShazzieB]

34. You're right.

Dr. Fauci doesn't have to lie. Things are awful.

Furthermore, I don't believe he would lie about something this important. Dr. Fauci is not a lying liar who lies. I believe he's a straight shooter, and it bothered me to see someone imply otherwise.

[NickB79]

20. So you're accusing Dr. Fauci and the Biden administration of lying to the American people, huh?

Sure you're on the right forum?

[Maxheader]

6. Thank God we don't have the yellow haired traitor...

to postpone , dispute, deny...etc...

[kairos12]

8. Maskholes will kill thousands.

[BobTheSubgenius]

29. As will antivaxxers.

As ridiculous conspiracy theories go, it is way worse than all the Usual Suspects combined. Flat Earth, moon landing deniers, various and sundry JFK assassination stories, aliens living among us....they all pale in comparison to the tiny glow of COVID's taillights as it roars off, looking for more victims.

At least none of those other theories kill more than the few people determined to make Darwin's case for him.

[Blue Owl]

15. K&R for visibility

[TexasLefty29]

22. Interesting double masking tactic

I heard them on TV discussing how efficient masks were when the surgical was underneath a cloth mask. For the last couple of months, because the Texas anti-maskers are increasing in number, i’ve been wearing a cloth mask with the surgical over top. My cloth mask touches only my face, and it needs washed as my face dirties it, but the surgical mask is what touches the outside world, and I dispose of them every other day if not every day, depending on where I’m going. You can cinch the cloth mask to your nose with more precision than way, too. I don’t have any problems with the breathing, it’s just hot under there.

[NJCher]

30. That's what I've been doing, too

It makes more sense because the cloth mask is a very close fit and if I put the other mask under it, there are places where it doesn't fit tight to my face.

So I find it much more effective to have the cloth mask and then the surgical over the cloth.

I use blue painter's tape and tape around the nose at the top. It works but I'm going to find another tape. I have some tape that hospitals use for making bandages. I think I'll use it instead.

[wackadoo wabbit]

37. Where did you get a cloth mask that's a close fit?

I've been using an I Can Breath silk one. It's only 2 layers, but with the old style you could cinch it down to get a perfect, close fit. I just bought 3 new ones, and, damn, they're different and can't be cinched down.

I've spent literally hours pouring over masks on Etsy, but I haven't seen anything that looked as if it would be a tight fit. I'd really greatly appreciate knowing what you've found.

Thanks in advance!

[NJCher]

39. mask

Two of them were sent to my spouse when he signed up again for his health insurance, but I looked it up and there was a picture! Maybe you can find a similar one. Note those loops for the ear that are adjustable. They are just the greatest--give a really good fit:



I'm pretty sure it's a triple layer. Then with my blue surgical mask, I get those layers, too.

Oh, and here's an interesting tip: an absolutely formidable layer can be had by drying out a large-size wet nap and adding it to your mask layer. I heard this on my local NPR and they said it gave protection equivalent to an N95.

[wackadoo wabbit]

40. Thanks! Those are nice masks

The side near the ear is small, which means that the fabric will lie flat and won't distort/fold and let in air. That's what I've had so much trouble finding.

Thanks for the info!

[TexasLefty29]

38. Exactly!

And really cool tip on the tape over the nose! I’d like to adopt that for my safety, too. 😎

[rocktivity]

25. Well, by NOT engaging in comprehensive testing and quarantining

we practically ORDERED it to mutate.


rocktivity

[Evolve Dammit]

27. and contact tracing. This is all on 45 and his "democratic hoax" rhetoric. Ignored it, mocked it.

[Yavin4]

31. Our failure to properly respond to the virus is much bigger than just Trump.

As a nation, we did not have enough social insurance systems in place, direct cash payments, resources for children to learn from home, PPE for healthcare workers, housing assistance, etc. to enfore quarantining, social distancing, and masks.

We have gutted our social programs for the past 40 years, and yes, some Democratic leaders participated in that gut. See Joe Liebman's opposition to a Public Option in the ACA as an example.

Yes, Trump takes the blame for a lot of our failure, but not ALL of it.

[kristofarian]

35. say that reminds me: whatever became of

Traitor Joe?

did he get any fine Statuary?

[Evolve Dammit]

56. All true. I knew we were on our own after watching the cluster after Katrina. Good luck everybody.

[ThatJustHappened]

36. It's All True

o Via trial and error, humanity is getting better at CoVid
o So cases of the original strain are reducing
o So people are becoming complacent

o But via natural selection, CoVid is getting better at humanity
o So there are more variants, and they are more transmissible/lethal
o And this will likely continue indefinitely

All because of climate change.
Because big changes beget big changes.

Which means this is the new normal.
With evermore variants/mutations that are evermore trans/lethal.


And even as cases/deaths increase via worsening variants, esp among anti-vaxxers, folks are CoVid fatigued. Humans are a fairly primitive species. And we simply are not up to the task.

So the professionals are getting out the bad word. Not to scare people, but simply to inform them.


That's the good news. The bad news is that we have more or less met our evolutionary match due to our own fault via overpopulation and overpolluting -- which are roughly the same thing.

There won't be a human extinction. But it'll be a hefty 5-10% of the world population. And that's if we're lucky. And the economic impacts will be devastating.


"There comes to all races an ultimate crisis which you have yet to face."
-- Sargon, STOS


And this is it, folks ...

[oldsoftie]

44. Wait, werent we told by the Trumpers that all this would go away the day after the election?

Yes, thats what they said.

[Maxheader]

46. Sobering warning...

Hate it when the cdc uses that .. everyone needs to please

stay tight on the rules..

regardless of the fewer corona cases....

[moreland01]

48. KN-95 Masks

The CDC says that you don't have to double-up the KN-95 masks. You can buy a pack of 5 on Amazon for $15 (link below). They're easy to breathe thru, easier to talk since they don't move when you inhale, and stay snug against your face. They look like they have two rows of holes. The company that makes them says it's part of the manufacturing process. They're not holes. Run them under water and you'll see that the mask will fill with water and won't leak.

They're not the N-95 masks that we're supposed to save for the healthcare workers, but they'll do the trick.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086JD7TKZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Silver Gaia]

55. Be careful of fake KN95s. The best brand to buy is Powecom.

There are some fakes on Amazon, even of this brand, according to what I've read. (No link to that source. Sorry. Didn't know I might need it!)

Another place to buy Powecom KN95 masks is Office Depot. These are the real deal for sure. They are on sale right now: $10 for a 10-pack. There may be a minimum purchase to get free delivery if you don't have an account or enough "points," but shipping isn't outrageous there, or maybe you could do a group order with friends or family.

Office Depot has all kinds of PPE, cleaning and disinfecting supplies, and even toilet paper. I was able to find TP there when no one else had any!

[Escurumbele]

57. I feel I am living the book by Greg Bear "Blood Music" where cells have intelligence

they learn and know how to adapt to continue taking over humans...

It is a very good book, maybe not the kind of reading for these times, but a good book it is.

That book can be found on PDF on the web, in case anyone is interested.