Omicron is predominant there. Fortunately, she has access to care there and I have close connections at the university hospital.

Predominant here now too. Even more contagious than delta. Unclear if this variant causes less severe disease. I hope so.

I hope so too! Very unclear and plenty of premature opinions being formed.

You mean it might be resistant to HCQ and Ivermectin??? :twitchy:

You gotta keep up doc, I heard Bijuva is the new wonder drug for Covid.

So bleak. At least winter solstice is here. :bday:

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:bday:

I would think that convincing the wife that fewer bikes being the ideal solution would be a slam dunk.

She has funny ideas sometimes.

Excel has a frame marked down. Tempting

Map of the Day

21 December 2021


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So glad that the Aspero 5 frameset is currently so far out of my reach. :lol:

Gawd don't you know it.

It's like you don't even know me...

What I HAVE been doing is, I took the Canyon off the trainer and put it in with the others so I can see how much space they take up, and amazingly it's still only a 7' x 7' x7' cube. But the Litespeed will be down to the bare frame next week anyhow while I clean all the bits. That reminds me I need to order the decals from Litespeed......

Done. Wonders of modern society. Now I just need the red Scotchbrite pads, and some acetone.

A monoclonal antibody by definition binds only to a single spot on its target antigen based on the shape and charge of the atoms that make up the molecule it binds to. Change any of those atoms, and you change the shape and charge of the molecule and the antibody doesn't bind the same. Change it enough, and it won't bind at all. That's why we can keep giving you the same monoclonal against one of your own proteins forever - it doesn't change, because the DNA in your cells doesn't change hardly at all.

Viruses, OTOH, evolve to replicate their genomes much less accurately, so that it's like they're always trying out different amino acids in their proteins. In this case, not only is the virus much more effective at transmission, but also it is sufficiently different from the original strain that the antibodies Regeneron chose nearly two years ago don't bind, or don't neutralize. That's how it goes. That's why there's no effective monoclonal antibody therapy against HIV, though it evolves even faster, so that even in one patient, the antibodies that patient's B-cells are constantly developing and refining are always behind the curve.

That the vaccine works, and that boosting restores pretty much the same protection against severe disease and death is a very lucky thing.

BTW, this makes those stupid A-holes that said, "Why are you pushing vaccines when you can just give people monoclonals?" look EVEN STUPIDER than they already did.

MoAlpha does current research support this claim?

This is why I swap the night before a ride.

That's what they were saying this morning on the news less severe more contagious. In tour earlier post were you saying the vaccine isn't effective against this strain? What about with a booster?

The vaccine is reasonably effective against the strain. Boosted is even better.

It's the monoclonal antibody treatments that are not effective. Two of them (Lily's and Regeneron's) are ineffective, but GSK's is still effective.

It is?!

There's going to be a lot of breakthroughs the next few weeks.

Prolly. But my hope is that those who are vaccinated will have very minor illnesses so the hospitals/healthcare system won't be overwhelmed.

Sigh.

I know several breakthroughs over the last couple weeks as well as a couple unvaccinated first timers. It’s going to be a scary winter.

So simplified. Monoclonal, what works for one wont(?) Work for any other strain. Whereas a vaccine can be boosted for virus mutation.

Dammit Brian! Put that back and let that guy go!

Even if we don't have patient overflow, the personnel strain this puts on places that are already short-staffed is not great. They're having trouble finding anyone to work, even with crazy incentives.