I think it’s important to keep in mind the risk factors involved. A very small risk – say 1 in 10,000 - is not impossible – it is just very unlikely.
None of us can be 100% safe from exposure, but we can all take steps to reduce or minimize risk.
In other words, I don’t think there is ever going to be a super-spreader trash bin lid. We don’t even know whether it was the lid – it could have been the air circulating above the trash bin if an infected person had been in the area and coughed a few minutes before a previously uninfected person arrived at the trash can and breathed.
For what it is worth, in 2015-2016, 39.8% of of American adults age 20+ were “obese”, and 71.6% were “overweight” or “obese” (using the BMI-based definitions) according to https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/obesity-overweight.htm .
Meaning that if “obese” or “overweight” were used in some sort of vaccine prioritization, that would affect a very large percentage of adults in the US.
I’m not sure what you mean…The science has led CDC to state that those with a BMI of 30+ “are at increased risk of severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19” and those with BMI between 25 and 29 “might be at an increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19”.
My youngest and his wife are soon going to an open, indoor, theater production/show with her side of the family. Her grandfather is in his 90s and his kidneys are failing. He wants to have the family get together and the show is their outing. Some of the family is flying in from out of state.
I get it. He doesn’t have much longer anyway and at this point doesn’t care what kills him. I just hope everyone else also stays safe. Some are also older. Some have health issues on the list. The show says online that they are “doing everything they can to stay safe,” but at least some in their target audience is hardly noted for caring in various news stories.
H and I will be heading to VA to “distance” with his dad during the time they are gone and after they return so the “kids” can isolate at our place getting tested a week to 10 days after they return (and before we return) since they could easily be asymptomatic.
I wish the grandfather could have been happy just renting an AirBnB for everyone or something rather than having to go see the show. I understand completely that he doesn’t care how he dies since death is coming relatively soon regardless. I don’t understand why he doesn’t care about other vulnerable members of his family. It would bother me to know I could potentially be responsible for killing my spouse or other family members.
Public health initiatives need to address the “fat-genic” aspects of our current culture. It is pointless to chide or shame individuals, and we all have our vices, but as a whole we need to acknowledge and educate our people about healthy eating and exercise. If you do not think about fitness and diet, you will get fat in 21st-century America by default. It’s just a fact. An abundance of high-calorie, easily available food plus sedentary lifestyles (no need for physical labor now) will lead to overweight without conscious efforts to stave it off. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and now, Covid, pose risks that can be addressed in part by changes in lifestyle and behavior. It will be a delicate and controversial endeavor but we are at a crisis point IMHO.
I’ve yet to meet anyone who doesn’t know being overweight is bad for health. I’ve met plenty who don’t care and I’ve met plenty who struggle with their weight and can’t do much about it. Two of those chose surgery. They like the weight loss. They aren’t as fond of the eating requirements for the rest of their lives.
But still, for many (around me), it’s similar to those who choose to smoke. They know it’s harmful, but don’t give a hoot. More education isn’t going to change their attitudes.
I’m confused on the Russian vaccine. Weren’t they already in “human trials” - which is why the made a big deal about being the first vaccine? How are these trials different than the Stage 3 trails all the other vaccine’s are in right now (are those ‘clinical trials’)? i for one want to see their vaccine being proven safe and effective - the sooner the better.
It’s really unclear what is happening with Sputnik 5 in Russia…it was approved there, on little human data. We don’t know if they are mass producing the drug, or to what extent they are dosing humans.
Many countries require any drugs/vaccines be tested in their own country before approving them (especially products developed in countries with suspect processes, etc.). I assume this is what is happening with Sputnik 5 in UAE and the other countries named in the article.
One more thing: Western countries have superior clinical development processes and procedures, and would be unlikely to approve a Russian product in the absence of studies conducted in the EU or US. (Of course the pandemic may mean the traditional norms are not necessarily followed)
@AlmostThere2018 I haven’t asked him since I last reported here, but he is definitely watching what happens with health care and planning on signing up for insurance when the window opens if it still happens. Reading between the lines I assume he hasn’t improved much and would like to have things looked at if possible.
I really don’t want to be “that mom” and harp on it every time we talk mainly because I don’t want to rub it in if he’s not improving, causing or potentially enhancing some sort of depression. I know when I had to deal with my own probably permanent side effects from the brain tumor I got extremely depressed and came very, very close to not being here today due to it. I shudder when I think back on that time period - thankful for the one thing that changed my thoughts. Ironically it was our old cat dying. Seeing how bad members of my family felt about that switched “on” something in my mind letting me realize how they would feel if I weren’t around. In hindsight depression can really mess with one’s mind - or at least it did with mine.
Maybe he’s not affected the same way (mentally) as I was, but if he is I want him to feel like a normal member of the family as he is, not a lesser one because of things he can’t do now and may never be able to do well again.
It’s tough to explain. I’d love daily (maybe weekly) updates TBH - every little detail as he improves or doesn’t, but I know how I felt so back off and we discuss his job, politics, religion, the stock market, future travel, our grandcats, and everything we would have discussed if Covid hadn’t been part of his life allowing for just the typical “how are things going there” question he can answer as he likes.
Maybe they do “give a hoot,” but are seriously, seriously addicted. I know people who have tried to quit smoking so many times, but relapse. And they usually feel angry at themselves at times, and hopeless at other times. Rarely are they truly cavalier. Of course I do know others that have no intentions of quitting. But I suspect at times that some of that bravado is simply not wanting to admit they struggle. Not all, of course, but some.
I’m glad I never took up smoking. I’m not great at breaking habits.
I should add that my data source are kids at my high school. I’ll freely ask them why they smoke even after all we teach about it. It makes no sense to my mind health-wise or financially since we’re not in a wealthy area.
Most were encouraged by family and some of those from a very young age, a few by friends wanting to fit in. Only one has told me he’d like to quit, but is too addicted to it. More could feel that way and just not say it, of course, but most tell me they like it and want to do it. “Medicine doesn’t know everything,” or “So it shortens my life a little bit. At least I’m enjoying it.” Vaping now is even worse than cigarettes.
I’ve never felt the need to ask an adult why they smoke - their life - their decisions. I only try to guide the next generation with facts as they’ve reached the age of reason and making their own decisions. As far as smoking is concerned, I use both health (science) and finances (math) showing effects. I do the same with various drugs.
A Dose of Optimism, as the Pandemic Rages On
The months ahead will be difficult. But the medical cavalry is coming, and the rest of us know what we need to do.
Our current family consists of 4 adults, all of whom have asthma, plus we provide some care for my 91 year old mom. All of us have low BMI but are at risk due to asthma, plus the older ones due to age and for H gender too. Cant see how some of us can just carry on while not endangering others.