Dec 27, 2021·edited Dec 28, 2021Liked by John Skylar, PhD
Relevant to the vaccine discussion -- first evidence that Omicron infection confers cross-immunity to Delta: https://twitter.com/sigallab/status/1475584463941914635. This suggests that perhaps that we wouldn't need a multi-valent vaccine to take on both Omicron and Delta. Scott Gottlieb had expressed the worry that it would be otherwise.
We still need to ask if it's really worth it to roll out a variant-specific vaccine, of course. But it should be pointed out that the primary endpoint of the original trials was prevention of symptomatic infection -- not just severe disease. Whether that goal now needs to change is a conversation scientists, government officials, and the public can have, but it won't do to just move the goalposts and hope no one notices.
That's not to suggest that preventing mild illness is *as important* as preventing hospitalization, or to diminish the hugely important role vaccination is still playing in saving people's lives. But it leaves a lot to be desired in terms of democratic accountability, not to mention respect for people's intelligence, to alter policy and messaging without even acknowledging that it is, in fact, being altered.
It's been widely reported that loss of taste or smell are less frequent with Omicron. I wonder why?
If this observation holds up, it's hard not to see it as a good thing. Loss of taste and smell has taken months to recover for some, and for others may not come back at all.
I realize we don't know much yet about LongCovid but to suggest that there are two options - mild Covid or into-the-hospital-with-you Covid does ignore that very real third scenerio, that even people with few or no symptoms can be badly affected longterm.
I'm so sorry you have COVID!
Last issue you said you no longer thought cloth masks were sufficient. Could you explain that a little more?
Relevant to the vaccine discussion -- first evidence that Omicron infection confers cross-immunity to Delta: https://twitter.com/sigallab/status/1475584463941914635. This suggests that perhaps that we wouldn't need a multi-valent vaccine to take on both Omicron and Delta. Scott Gottlieb had expressed the worry that it would be otherwise.
We still need to ask if it's really worth it to roll out a variant-specific vaccine, of course. But it should be pointed out that the primary endpoint of the original trials was prevention of symptomatic infection -- not just severe disease. Whether that goal now needs to change is a conversation scientists, government officials, and the public can have, but it won't do to just move the goalposts and hope no one notices.
That's not to suggest that preventing mild illness is *as important* as preventing hospitalization, or to diminish the hugely important role vaccination is still playing in saving people's lives. But it leaves a lot to be desired in terms of democratic accountability, not to mention respect for people's intelligence, to alter policy and messaging without even acknowledging that it is, in fact, being altered.
It's been widely reported that loss of taste or smell are less frequent with Omicron. I wonder why?
If this observation holds up, it's hard not to see it as a good thing. Loss of taste and smell has taken months to recover for some, and for others may not come back at all.
I realize we don't know much yet about LongCovid but to suggest that there are two options - mild Covid or into-the-hospital-with-you Covid does ignore that very real third scenerio, that even people with few or no symptoms can be badly affected longterm.