General Wellness

An even newer S. African variant has appeared on the scene. It appears to be a variant of the previously known S. African variant. What makes these variants so much more infectious is that they bind more tightly to the ACE-2 receptor, the one the SARS-Cov-2 virus attaches to. The body has a much harder time neutralizing it so more of it sticks around and can be spread more readily. It still does not seem to be causing worse disease, but again, it’s all in the numbers. Interestingly, the upcoming J&J vaccine was developed in S. Africa and seems to be at least partially effective against both S. African variants.

The British variant has been positively identified in just about every state in the US but at least the Pfizer vaccine seems to be somewhat effective against it.

As far as the California variant is concerned, it is primarily located in LA county but will soon spread as well. It is thought to account for as many as 50% of the cases accounting for the recent Covid surge in that state. Since it was first identified, there has been very little in the press about it. There are probably more variants developing in the US, given how rampant the disease is here, but just like our poor testing and vaccine roll-out infrastructure has been, genomic testing of Covid samples, meaning that labs look for variations in the genetic code of the virus, is pretty pathetic. We rank 42nd in the world when it comes to genomic testing of Covid samples.

The Brazilian variant has been identified in only a few states this far.

Although the vast majority of Covid cases are still from the original virus or from minor variants, these newer, more infectious forms are on the warpath. They “outcompete” the previous versions of the virus because they spread more readily. People previously infected with SARS-Cov-2 have been newly re-infected with the variant strains, indicating that immune protection may not be that strong after a previous infection.  All this has the CDC very concerned about yet another spike in cases as these variants spread. Just as numbers of cases, hospitalizations and deaths seem to be plateauing and maybe even reducing a bit, we are on the verge of a worse scenario.

Some good news is that tweaking present vaccines won’t be as difficult as coming up with the new vaccine in the first place. But then again, if people are not willing to take it or if we do not sort out our distribution infrastructure issues, and if people continue not to do the basics (masks, distance…), this pandemic and its impact on our lives will continue.

HOME COVID TESTS. As far as Covid home testing is concerned, there are significant strides in this area as well. These simple, fairly accurate, self administered, inexpensive (less than $25) tests are similar to a pregnancy test. Antibodies to specific proteins are attached to a test strip. If the protein in question is identified in a sample (urine, in the case of the pregnancy test and nasal mucus or saliva for Covid), indicating the presence of a substance, or in the case of SARS-CoV, surface proteins like the spike protein, there is a reaction and a color or strip becomes visible. These tests always need confirmation through a lab, just like pregnancy tests, but at least they provide some information. 

Of course, what you do with that information is also important. If you don’t act on it, it is useless. Despite testing positive the day before, a local family allowed their daughter to compete in a soccer tournament last summer where many college scouts would be appearing. When word got out, everything was immediately cancelled and everyone needed to be tested. 

Home Covid tests are important as they might help normalize life a bit. If people know that today, they are negative for covid, an event they attend in the next few days may be safer for everyone. This is not a guarantee, just a tool which we need to employ intelligently. It might maker attending schools safer, which everyone agrees is imperative for our kids’ mental and academic health.

Acting responsibly based on tests will be part of the picture. It’s not here yet so in the mean time, do all the things we know protect us and those around us:

MASK. Wear a good one. Wear it correctly. Stop touching it.

DISTANCE.

WASH and SANITIZE.

VENTILATE.

VACCINATE.

PROTECT YOUR EYES.

STOP TOUCHING YOUR FACE.

GET HEALTHY.

Stay safe.

AC

Johnson and Johnson recently announced that their “one dose” vaccine has only about 66% efficacy. 

Well guess what, after one dose of the Pfizer ior the Moderna vaccines, their efficacy is less than that.

The difference is that from the outset, Pfizer and Moderna announced that their vaccines were 2 dose vaccines. Well, if J&J’s vaccine was also advertised as a 2-dose vaccine, it’s efficacy would probably also be in the 90% range that the other vaccines claim. 

A second “booster” dose always leads to better immune response since the first one primes the immune system. This is also partly why people have a more significant reaction after the second dose. After the first dose, your immune system is now primed and the second dose leads to a more robust immune response, also resulting in more side-effects like fever, cachiness, headache and fatigue (~50%).

J&J has not officially announced if a second dose will be offered, but I suspect it probably will.

At this stage however, more people vaccinated, even at lower levels, is still better than nothing. More people with less efficacy is better than fewer people with full protection. These much more infectious variant viruses are a real concern. More infections lead to more illness, hospitalizations and death, espetially if our hospitals become overwhelmed again.

And remember, that after getting vaccinated, NOTHING changes with respect to personal and societal protection so you MUST continue to do all the things that protect everyone. 

MASK

DISTANCE

WASH

DON’T TOUCH YOUR FACE

EYE PROTECTION

VENTILAT

VACCINATE GET HEALTHY.

Stay Safe and Be Well

AC