tunafish

Here's a June 2021 study:

' Face masks effectively limit the probability of SARS-CoV-2 transmission'
https://science.sciencemag.org/content/372/6549/1439.full 

"Abstract
Airborne transmission by droplets and aerosols is important for the spread of viruses. Face masks are a well-established preventive measure, but their effectiveness for mitigating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission is still under debate. We show that variations in mask efficacy can be explained by different regimes of virus abundance and are related to population-average infection probability and reproduction number. For SARS-CoV-2, the viral load of infectious individuals can vary by orders of magnitude. We find that most environments and contacts are under conditions of low virus abundance (virus-limited), where surgical masks are effective at preventing virus spread. More-advanced masks and other protective equipment are required in potentially virus-rich indoor environments, including medical centers and hospitals. Masks are particularly effective in combination with other preventive measures like ventilation and distancing."

Found this to be an interesting article regarding the Provincetown outbreak that seemed to have a big impact in the CDC's new recommendations.  Sorry if it's already been posted

https://inguyun.medium.com/the-provincetown-outbreak-is-actually-good-news-if-you-are-vaccinated-93a1edd763b6

"Now, let’s look at the numbers. While Barnstable County overall has a 69% vaccination rate, Provincetown itself is 95% vaccinated. The demographics of the visitors — predominantly liberal gay men, a minority of liberal lesbians, and a further minority of liberal straight folks — is also likely to be close to 95% vaccinated. This was certainly true at the guest house where I stayed, and the one indoor show I attended, where everyone was vaccinated. Unfortunately too many people assumed that it was 100% all the time.

There were 60,000 visitors to Provincetown during the period in question. That would translate to 57,000 vaccinated folks and 3,000 unvaccinated folks.
How many tested positive for Covid? Current reports say about 750 vaccinated folks and 250 unvaccinated.

This means that 750/57000 vaccinated folks tested positive, or 1.3%. 250/3000 unvaccinated folks tested positive, or 8.3%. Being vaccinated gave you a more than 6-fold protection against Covid than being unvaccinated. This is similar to the protection figures published in the early spring of 2021, before the Delta variant had any impact in this country.

What about the hospitalizations? 6 vaccinated cases were hospitalized, out of 950 cases. That’s 0.6% of cases. Historically, 5% of Covid cases have resulted in hospitalization in the US. That’s a nine-fold improvement!"

"A recent study out of Singapore: PCR cycle threshold (Ct) values were similar between both vaccinated and unvaccinated groups at diagnosis, but viral loads decreased faster in vaccinated individuals!
Vaccines make you LESS infectious!"

Study: https://t.co/8CHUIHMo98
Source: https://twitter.com/sailorrooscout/status/1421499506311548931

More push back against the CDC claim that vaccinated individuals can transmit Delta variant due to similar viral load as unvaccinated individuals:
https://twitter.com/j_g_allen/status/1421435916816637960
No Twitter link:
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1421435916816637960.html

^ an interesting unreported aspect about the July 4th Ptown cluster is that 85% of cases are men. Yet even during its gayest week, Ptown is not 85% male tourists. IE, kissing (& sex) may have been a factor driving the outbreak.

TL;DR vaxxed people are less infectious than unvaxxed.
 

Chaco 'z' strap for life.  Best of both worlds. 

53 minutes ago, PhineasC said:

It’s coming from the Federal level I think. I could be wrong but I feel it in my bones. 

Feel this in your bones 

1.96" overnight, 10.17" MTD.

expand that blue and purple north and east after last night

Hoarfrost and Baroclinic are putting on a clinic and Phin just refuses to take the L.

Will he continue to ignore his wife on the couch and keep demonstrating his lack of intelligence for all to see?

Stay tuned to find out...

20 minutes ago, Baroclinic Zone said:

  Do they have them get the DTaP/Tdap, polio, MMR, Hepatitis B, and Varicella vaccines or do they not believe in those as well?

No way.  Didnt you hear thems cause autism?

^ I would counter that with this...what makes more logical sense to you?

'A new way to visualize the surge in Covid-19 cases in the U.S.' (ie, the rate of acceleration of cases)
https://www.statnews.com/2021/07/26/new-way-visualize-covid-19-case-surge-us/

New cases in states like LA & AR are growing even faster than last winter's 3rd wave. But looking at MA, which has had a 351% increase in cases over the last 14 days, one of the highest such percentage changes in the nation, case acceleration paints a different picture (see graphs in article).

The Stat article didn't post graphs for every state. But if MA is any example, the higher immunized states do not seem to be on track for another big peak. Let's hope. I say immunized and not vaccinated because SD, which has one of the highest total infection rates per capita, is still doing as remarkably well as VT.

Keep in mind Simone Biles has been essentially abused her entire life, emotionally and physically.

34 minutes ago, PhineasC said:

Oh yeah, gotta make sure to screw the kids for yet another year to protect selfish adults refuse to get vaccinated. 

fyp

I will say homeschooling is looking more attractive. No f'in way I'm sending my 5 year old wearing a mask 5 days a week for kindergarten. 

Merry Christmas in July.  Same exact weather as Christmas in December. 

31 minutes ago, PhineasC said:

I carry many tens of millions of dollars in insurance. 

On 7/21/2021 at 11:28 AM, PhineasC said:

Bought my last couple vehicles with cash. 

Doot doot doooo, look at meee

1 hour ago, DotRat_Wx said:

Be more brainwashed. 

Anti vaxxers are so tough. Taking a vaccine to protect yourself is somehow 'north korea'. News flash, they don't have a vaccine because it's a third world country. 

People are a special kind of stupid in 2021. If it was 2001, everyone would get the vaccine. But thanks to fox News and Facebook somehow a life saving vaccine is communism. 

Demented. 

i'm vaccinated ya dingus.  The notion of federally mandating a vaccine is lunacy in this country, that's my only point.

post like you live in North Korea

41 minutes ago, HoarfrostHubb said:

I’m sure many have seen this. 

 

Ironic that DIT mentioned sheep.. here is your sheep.

2 hours ago, Hoosier said:

The number out of Florida today ranks among the top case days from last summer's surge there, when there was no vaccine.  This is not to speak negatively of the vaccines.  It just shows that Delta is very good at getting to people.

you can't compare anything from this summer to last -apples and oranges.  For the most part, there were no concerts, no major indoor sporting events, and very few indoor weddings or other large gatherings last summer.  people have moved on - vaccinated or not - and things are open.  of course cases are going to go up.

1 hour ago, mreaves said:

I know some of you have had to been to concerts at the Bank of NH Pavilion. Is it a decent concert venue? I'm going to see the Black Crowes Saturday night.

If you're under the pavillion the sound is good.  the sight lines and sound on the lawn leave a lot to be desired, but it's been 10 years since ive been so maybe they've made some changes.  iirc, they have an early-ish curfew - 10 i believe.  parking lot is laid back fwiw.

first shot across the bow of summer

6 minutes ago, STILL N OF PIKE said:

Got a free groin and pocket frisking at Logan apt. Mildly disturbing 

just remember there are people willing to pay for that type of thing...consider the free version a win.

Here's a reassuring article on breakthrough cases in Utah that includes references to recent studies done elsewhere on breakthrough cases, and why "breakthrough" is a bit of a misnomer:

https://www.sltrib.com/news/2021/07/16/andy-larsen-breakthrough

Some excerpts:

"The abundance of mild cases among the fully vaccinated has led some scientists to argue that we should redefine “breakthrough” cases. Their point is that some large percentage of these positive tests are actually only infecting people in their upper respiratory tract, where the primary immune system that reigns is mucosal immunity, not the blood-based immunity that the vaccines create. In other words, it’s not that these infections are “breaking through” the protection built by the vaccine, they just never reach it at all. It’s an interesting argument."

The study:
https://www.jci.org/articles/view/151186

Another excerpt from the above article regarding a recent study of breakthrough cases in Israel:

Avg age of hospitalized breakthroughs in Israel = 71. Most had preexisting comorbidities.

"...it’s generally those who were at highest risk of hospitalization before who need to worry most about breakthrough infections.

To wit, in the Israel study, there were six people who were hospitalized with breakthrough infections of COVID-19 without comorbidities, and all six have had what the study called “good outcomes.”

30 minutes ago, PhineasC said:

You are probably like the people I know who live in Baltimore and try to tell me that getting mugged “isn’t that bad as long as you cooperate and they need the money more than you anyway.” Whatever helps you sleep at night. Wouldn’t catch me anywhere near a homeless encampment in San Fran right now, though. But not having me there means more room for you so win-win!

Ah ok, goal posts start moving when I said something.  "Huge risky hassle to walk down the street in a place like San Fran" = going near a homeless encampment?   San Fran crime is up, fine, but are you genuinely afraid to walk down a city street, or go into a public space because they're "chock full of outbursts" in your day to day?  It happens, I get it.  Inherent risk with living life, just like getting COVID.  Live your life however you want / need to feel safe; but you make it seem like it's wayyyyy worse than it actually is.  I live in a great city and that definitely impacts my own perception, but I travel around to other cities too.  I'm also out in my community every day - even sometimes working with *gasp* those scary homeless peoples.  

53 minutes ago, weathafella said:

Serious question-has this actually happened?   I mean people talk about strangers behind their back but I’ve never seen someone get into some random person’s face from some perceived offense....

Has it happened?  Sure has.  The chances of you experiencing it day-to-day are slim.  Perception of it happening regularly is (over) amplified by social media.  There are people who get sucked into believing what they see online is real life, fear it, and adjust their activities and plans based on this perceived risk of encountering it. Exhibit A below.  I'm lucky to live in a place where public spaces aren't "chock full of little outbursts."  But I was also walking and biking the streets of San Fran a year ago without concern, either.

19 minutes ago, PhineasC said:

The violent crime stats get the headlines, but public spaces are chock full of little outbursts of less violent encounters now. Shoplifting, assault, bag/purse theft, car jacking, verbal harassment, etc. It’s simply a huge risky hassle to walk down the street in a place like San Fran now.