And that is really weird. If its OK in other countries, why isn’t it OK here?
I assume FDA being extra cautious. See if more neuro type issues arise in the ex-US trials. But I don’t know that for sure.
In other vaccine news, Pfizer has expanded the age range in their Phase 3 covid vaccine trial to include people as young as 12 years old. Here’s hoping they get some enrollment in the 12-17 age range. https://www.businessinsider.com/pfizer-expands-coronavirus-vaccine-trial-to-include-teenagers-2020-10
All the other Phase 3 trials are ages 18+.
It can take different countries varying amounts of time to analyze why a particular bad result occurred and whether that presents an unreasonable risk of danger to other persons. US can have stricter standards than some countries.
Because it’s J&J that had the problem result. Others commenting tonight are endorsing this as part of scientific precaution.
Btw, don’t forget that, even after someting or other is found to have some effect or other, they still have to get it ready for distribution, then get it to the right places. Somewhere along the line, identify the right candidates. It may need multiple shots to establish efficacy and no one can know how long it would last. Or mid- to long-term side effects.
Older link but I believe Fauci said similar in the past few days.
That strikes me as a good sign. If the other ages were going poorly, why would they ask children to participate? I think this is good.
Confirmation on the crappy job the US is doing.
Americans Are Dying In The Pandemic At Rates Far Higher Than In Other Countries
Per capita deaths in the U.S. from COVID-19 and other causes are 85% higher than in countries like Germany and Israel. “The United States really has done remarkably badly,” a study author says.
BBC has another article about long haulers.
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-54540544
"Report author Dr Elaine Maxwell said she had assumed those who had been seriously ill with Covid-19 would be affected the most and those at low risk of death were also at low risk of living with its long-term effects.
But the review found this was not the case.
“We now know that there are people with no record of having Covid who are suffering more than someone who was ventilated for several weeks,” she said."
I guess in a way I’m glad my son isn’t alone, but it’s scary to know there are so many out there. Those who get Covid and overcome it without lasting issues should definitely consider themselves fortunate.
I wonder if blood type might be a factor in long haulers?
Don’t think that was contemplated in these retrospective studies, which seem to be confirming a link between blood type and both infection rate and severity of disease.
My guy is blood type o+. From all articles I’ve read, if there’s an advantage due to blood type, that’s supposed to be the good one.
The BBC article links to a review from the UK NIHR here:
https://evidence.nihr.ac.uk/themedreview/living-with-covid19/
Seems like COVID-19 patients who had to be hospitalized have a high risk of longer term effects.
Those who did not need to be hospitalized still have a non-trivial risk of longer term effects.
This does not seem to be the kind of (negative) lottery that one would want to play.
Ever since my son had it (March) and never totally recovered I’ve been telling people it’s definitely not instant death most people need to worry about. It’s the potentially permanent changes to life - and some of that could lead to an earlier than should have happened death, even if that’s still decades away for those in their 20s.
Even when young death is still a concern of course, and when my guy had it I’ll fully admit to having been worried - just in case. There are some who defy odds in a really bad way. No one wants to be “that” family. Some will be.
For now I’m hoping it’s really just a slow, slow recovery time for those oodles who are long haulers.
Anyone who has recovered or been asymptomatic, consider yourself fortunate, but also keep in mind for things like scuba it’s still recommended one get their lungs checked - just in case.
@Creekland in my state, if you lose insurance due to job loss or other reason, you can apply for insurance via the ACA immediately and not wait for the open enrollment period. I think we would all be interested to read about heart and further lung tests for your son, and I hope they are reassuring at least on those fronts. I have read that some people’s longer term symptoms may be autoimmune so hope he can be tested for that as well.
WHO study says remdesivir does not help with mortality, but I noticed the study was on hospitalized patients. I thought anti-virals were more effective when given earlier. Tamiflu is given within 48 hours of symptoms, and COVID infections happen a couple of days before symptoms. I hope they do a study on remdesivir for patients who were just diagnosed- within 48 hours of a positive test (like our president, who seemed to benefit from either Regeron and remdesivir or both).
Even the rigorous, carefully controlled remdesivir trials showed only modest benefit in reducing hospitalized days, none have shown a statistically significant reduction in mortality (just a positive trend). Here is Gilead’s take on the WHO study:
Some thoughts on when using remdesivir may make most sense:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/15/health/coronavirus-remdesivir-who.html
A vaccine update from Pfizer’s CEO Albert Bourla. IMO he’s doing a terrific job communicating.
Here’s the intro:
https://www.pfizer.com/news/hot-topics/an_open_letter_from_pfizer_chairman_and_ceo_albert_bourla
Right now remdesivir is only given by IV in the hospital so it is not reaching early infections, I assume, with a few notable exceptions.
An accurate, 5 minute test?
I have completely lost faith (that I had previously) in mass testing. Here we are in October, and my friend in low Covid state had to wait 1.5 hours to get tested. Will be a few days for results. This is ridiculous and I don’t see it changing much since it hasn’t yet. Yes, many colleges have been successful, but we have let down our health care workers (not routinely scanned) and educators. So disappointed.