Tracking the Mutations of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus
As is the nature of viruses, the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 disease symptoms continues to mutate. Some scientists estimate it evolves at a rate of two new mutations every month, although most changes are minor and considered clinically unimportant.1 2 Depending on the type of genetic changes that occur, mutations can affect disease symptoms, […]
Why Aren’t We Celebrating the Naturally Immune?
Opinion | At the beginning of this pandemic, I heard the term herd immunity a lot. Scientists and news anchors used to theorize about what percentage of society would have to come in contact with the virus in order to obtain herd immunity. We know that 40 million people have tested positive for COVID in […]
Kaiser Foundation Pegs Cost of Hospitalization for Unvaccinated People at $5.7 Billion
Opinion | An analysis recently published by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) of San Francisco, California found that hospitalizations for COVID-19 symptoms among unvaccinated adults in the United States during June-August 2021 cost an estimated $5.7 billion, or an average of $20,000 per hospitalization. According to the KFF analysis, reportedly based on data from the […]
Pfizer Plan for COVID Booster Shot Raises Safety Concerns
Opinion | On July 8, 2021, Pfizer, Inc. announced it was developing a booster dose for its experimental messenger RNA (mRNA) BNT162b2 biologic for COVID-19. It said that it had observed waning immunity among people who received the standard two-dose regimen of the product. The company said it planned to begin clinical studies of the […]
If You’re Vaccinated, You’re Protected… or Not
“If you’re vaccinated, you’re protected. If you’re unvaccinated, you’re not protected.” These words, or some slight variation of them, are increasingly being used by U.S. government officials to encourage Americans to get vaccinated for COVID-19. In a July 4, 2021 interview on ABC’s “This Week,” White House COVID-19 response coordinator Jeff Zients was asked, “What does […]
Why Is There Such Reluctance to Discuss Natural Immunity?
Opinion | If you’re among those of us who aren’t tribally invested in COVID politics but would like good information about when life will resume as normal, chances are you’re interested in herd immunity. You’re likely not interested in having to rely on the Internet Archive for good information on herd immunity. Alas, it’s become a go-to place […]