November 29, 2021

On the day Coronavirus B.1.1.529 was announced, South Africa had more vaccine than it could use.

The critical issue there was not vaccine inequality, but widespread hesitancy fueled, in part, by evangelical churches, and social media.

EXCLUSIVE South Africa delays COVID vaccine deliveries as inoculations slow

JOHANNESBURG, Nov 24 (Reuters) - South Africa has asked Johnson & Johnson (JNJ.N) and Pfizer (PFE.N) to delay delivery of COVID-19 vaccines because it now has too much stock, health ministry officials said, as vaccine hesitancy slows an inoculation campaign.

... Nicholas Crisp, deputy director-general of the Health Department, told Reuters that South Africa had 16.8 million doses in stock and said deliveries had been deferred.

"We have 158 days' stock in the country at current use," a spokesman for the Health Ministry said. "We have deferred some deliveries."

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/exclusive-south-africa-delays-covid-vaccine-deliveries-inoculations-slow-2021-11-24/

Omicron variant hits South Africa, as country encounters vaccine hesitancy, conspiracy theories

...

[Pastor] Stephen Smith ... tells the factory workers and farm labourers at his services the pandemic was planned by powerful people.

... Not only has he actively discouraged people from being vaccinated, he has also discouraged several people with COVID-19 symptoms from being tested.

... He said his views — which were based on research he did "on the internet" — were also influenced by a distrust of the government.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-27/omicron-covid-variant-hits-south-africa/100646204

November 29, 2021

Omicron is the dominant coronavirus strain in South Africa, less than two weeks after first detected

Source: CNN

The Omicron variant is now the dominant coronavirus strain in South Africa, less than two weeks after it was first detected in the country.

The new B.1.1.529 lineage accounts for 76% of samples that have been genetically sequenced in November, according information published by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases on Friday. The new variant was discovered in South Africa from specimens collected on Nov. 12.

South Africa sequences less than 1% of cases, according to GISAID, a public database of genetic sequencing data, while the United States sequences about 4% of cases. And South Africa’s NICD notes that that the number of genetic sequences conducted November is especially low, but ongoing.

By contrast, it took the Delta variant a few months to become the dominant strain in South Africa in early 2021.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/covid-variant-omicron-11-29-21/index.html

November 27, 2021

The Omicron Variant *could* be good news: 'cases extremely mild'

The typical course of viral evolution is more contagious, less virulent. So far that has not happened with SARS-CoV-2

But it may be happening with the Omicron variant. Omicron has rapidly displaced Delta in the Johannesburg region, but so far the cases are reported to be 'extremely mild' according to the SAMA. IF Omicron is a less virulent strain, and can displace Delta, that would be good news.

Chair of South African Medical Association says Omicron cases are mild so far, but it's too soon to the determine risk of severe disease

... Omicron carries a concerning number of mutations that could help it spread, render vaccines less effective, or potentially lead to more severe disease. Preliminary evidence suggests Omicron may increase the risk of reinfection relative to other concerning variants, the World Health Organization said Friday.

But scientists are still waiting on more data to determine if Omicron poses a greater public health threat than Delta, the dominant worldwide strain.

"It may be it's highly transmissible, but so far the cases we are seeing are extremely mild," Angelique Coetzee, chair of the South African Medical Association, told The Guardian on Friday. "Maybe two weeks from now I will have a different opinion, but this is what we are seeing."

https://www.businessinsider.com/omicron-coronavirus-variant-cases-mild-south-africa-2021-11?r=US&IR=T

November 27, 2021

Covid: Boris Johnson announces mandatory mask wearing & restrictions on travellers amid Omicron vari

Source: Evening Standard

Covid: Boris Johnson announces mandatory mask wearing and restrictions on travellers amid Omicron variant

Boris Johnson has announced the reintroduction of masks in indoor spaces and some travel restrictions amid the arrival of the Omicron variant in the UK.

The prime minister said anyone arriving in the UK will be asked to take a PCR test for Covid-19 on the second day and they must self-isolate until they provide a negative result.

He also confirmed the reintroduction of face masks on public transport and shops, although they will not be required in hospitality venues.

Anyone in the UK who tests positive with a suspected case of the Omicron variant will also need to self-isolate for ten days, regardless of their vaccination status.


Read more: https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/covid-boris-johnson-restrictions-masks-omicron-b968663.html

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PCR tests for travelers, but not on arrival? Masks in shops but not in bars? Typical half assed Johnson.

U.K. confirms two cases of Omicron coronavirus variant
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10142832278

November 27, 2021

Amsterdam: 10% of passengers on 2 flights from South Africa test positive for COVID

(Sequencing underway to test for the Omicron variant)

Sixty-one travellers from South Africa in Netherlands test positive for Covid

Dutch health authorities said that 61 people who arrived in Amsterdam on two flights from South Africa on Friday tested positive for Covid-19, Reuters reports.

Authorities are conducting further testing to see if any of the infections are with the recently discovered Omicron coronavirus variant.

Around 600 passengers arrived at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport on the two KLM flights on Friday and then faced hours of delays and testing due to concerns over the new virus variant.

The Dutch health ministry said early on Saturday 61 tests had come back positive.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/nov/27/covid-news-live-omicron-variant-spreads-to-europe-countries-rush-to-impose-travel-bans-on-southern-africa

Many passengers were not wearing masks despite mandate

Many passengers on the two flights that arrived from South Africa to the Netherlands last night did not wear face coverings, New York Times reporter Stephanie Nolen says.

Nolen, who was on one plane, said many passengers did not follow the health guidelines despite a mask mandate by Dutch airline KLM, which operated both flights.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/nov/27/covid-news-live-omicron-variant-spreads-to-europe-countries-rush-to-impose-travel-bans-on-southern-africa

November 10, 2021

the ultimate Ultimate '80s power pop

Why? b/c it still brings a smile to my face whenever I hear it. And there's more power live than on record. My thoughts about '80s 'party girl' Belinda Carlisle would get me a hide, so I'll leave that as 'hot'.

I guess u guys and gals prefer Bon Jovi :yikes: