As the Covid Virus is mutating indefinitely, it looks like

[no_hypocrisy]

we'll be wearing masks indefinitely.

[applegrove]

1. And getting vaccinated continuously.

[empedocles]

10. and wearing masks continuously. Significant numbers . . . for the rest of their lives.

[JI7]

2. Doesn't the vaccine work for the mutations also ?

At least the ones discovered so far.

[joshcryer]

6. Yeah they do:

https://scitechdaily.com/are-potential-covid-19-vaccines-affected-by-recent-mutations-in-the-virus/

[joshcryer]

3. The vaccine will cover most mutations.

It's designed in such a way to attack the way the virus works.

[applegrove]

4. And getting vaccinated continuously. Fortunately they think this new strain

in Englad gets defeated by the vaccine we have now they say.

[Irish_Dem]

5. I think we will be wearing masks for awhile, they are not yet sure if the vaccine prevents

transmission to others. At least that is the case in terms of Pfizer I have heard.

[crimycarny]

8. AstraZeneca does prevent transmission to others

I just heard this today in fact. Yes, not as effective as Pfizer or Modern but if the half dose/full dose 90% effectiveness holds (when the UK trials accidentally gave a 1/2 dose for the first dose—and results showed a 90% efficacy over the 60% efficacy when 2 full doses were given in Brazil clinical trials) then I have hope. AstraZeneca vaccine is much easier to produce, easier to store, and cheap.

They state they can have 3 billion doses by next year. That’s based on the original 2 full doses. If the current clinical trials in US show the 1/2 dose/full dose is more effective—that 3 billion become 4.5 billion.

Also I’m hopeful we will have some effective antivirals soon. Those aren’t nearly as sensitive to mutations.

[Irish_Dem]

11. Interesting, I heard Moderna does prevent transmission, but I am not sure if that is correct.

I think they are planning to send the vaccines which require no special storage or handling to the rural areas. So Pfizer will go to urban areas which have the needed freezers.

That would be great if 3 billion can become 4.5 billions.

Just hoping I can stay healthy and alive until I am in line for the vaccine.

[IsItJustMe]

16. I have read that about AstraZeneca also. Apparently AstraZeneca included that as part of their

trials; whereas, Moderna and Pfizer did not. I am thinking Moderna and Pfizer will also prevent the spread of infections once vaccinated.
Maybe not 100%, but it stands to reason. I also heard that we will know in a few months if this is true. We shall see.

[crimycarny]

18. Very true -- Moderna and Pfizer may also prevent transmission

Forget to add that Moderna and Pfizer didn’t include transmission in their trials so it’s a case “we don’t know for sure” versus a definitive “no”. Thanks for clarifying.

[Jirel]

7. Nope. Y'all don't seem to understand how the vaccine works.

This is NOT a weakened or killed strain vaccine. This is an mRNA vaccine, a totally new thing, that is based on creating an immune response to the shape (simplistically) of the virus. The virus can mutate, but as long as it maintains the basic parameters, it can be recognized.

It took 2 days to invent the vaccine. The rest has been testing. We are pretty much at the “Star Trek insta-vaccine” stage of technology, except we like to know it’s safe. We’re funny that way.

Multiple strains of thes virus are out there, already. The vaccine covers all because it works fundamentally differently than prior vaccines.

We may eventually have a significant mutation that puts it out of the realm of this specific vaccine. Maybe, but actually not that likely in a relatively short term. No need for scary stories.

[Arne]

9. Very clever "Star Trek insta-vaccine".

I laughed because Warp speed is pure fiction.

[hamsterjill]

15. Except we need the micro needles!!!!

Or the painless gun that McCoy and Crusher used! We have the technology

[BainsBane]

24. You're supposed to continue wearing masks after the vaccine.

All they know is that it is effective at preventing serious illness. They don’t know if it stops transmission.

[Thekaspervote]

25. Oxford has been working on a SARS 2 mRNA vaccine for 10+ yrs. that's why we are where are now

[Hav]

12. Wearing masks doesn't seem to be something strange in some Asian countries

particularly when you are ill to protect others. That mindset would be a welcome change in the West.
I also wouldn't mind mask mandates/recommendations in the future for the winter season when the usual flu goes around anyways. Some things just make sense, as human beings we just need to get used to it.

[moonscape]

13. Last year I went to CVS to pick up

a prescription. I was alarmed that the woman behind the pharmacy counter was wheezing, coughing, stuffed up. I remarked that, no offense, but as a cancer patient thought she should stay home when she was that sick. She whispered that she totally agreed, but that she could get fired if she didn’t come in even when sick.

Maybe in the future at least those folks would be told by their employer they had to wear a mask.

I switched pharmacies to an independent which by reputation looks out for its employees, and customers.

[crimycarny]

19. Agree!!! And this year flu down 98%

I’m sure at least partially to mask wearing, though we obviously can’t count out social distancing, less travel, indoor dining closed and other measures as factoring into the lower flu numbers. That being said I have to believe that future mask wearing during flu season would reduce flu transmission at least somewhat.

I hope people continue mask wearing when sick even after this horrible COVID pandemic is over.

2020 can’t be over with soon enough!

[csziggy]

27. Yeah, but where I live men chew tobacco and think nothing of spitting all over the place

It's disgusting, especially when they spit out their wad and you step in it. It doesn't stick as bad a chewing gum, it's more like stepping in dog doo.

Those are the kind of assholes that resist wearing masking - they are probably so stupid, they'd forget about the masks and spit into them.

[LovingA2andMI]

14. Wonder Why It's Like We Know All There is To Know.....

About a mRMA Clone Mapping Vaccine when a mRMA Clone Mapping Vaccine has not been widely used in humans before? Can we get to at least the second doses in wide distribution before its proclaimed the mRMA Clone Mapping Vaccines can clone map for any mutation of a virus?

[ecstatic]

17. I agree. It's too soon to know for sure how things will play out. Nt

[BannonsLiver]

20. I'll let it play out.

I’m not an epidemiologist so I don’t see the value in making uninformed predictions. Really at this point the only people I care to hear from on this topic are actual experts in the field.

[MFM008]

21. and if they are getting the vaccine

there must be something to it........

[Thekaspervote]

26. Absolutely! As retired medical professional I will wait and listen only to the experts!!

[mountain grammy]

22. I have quite a collection now.

I'm fine with it.

[BainsBane]

23. There are worse things.

I don’t find wearing a mask to be a problem.

[Worried2020]

28. I agree whole-heartedly

.
.

I'm 70 and not in the best of health - in the "danger zone" so to speak . . .

Wearing a mask, although not very comfortable, is fine by me.

I avoid those that do not,

even my friends.

Times change

(sigh)

W