Latest Data Omicron Variant | 155 comments (155 topical, editorial, 0 hidden)

South Africa Latest On Omicron (none / 0)

South Africa fatality rate Omicron variant from 3% down to 0.5%

South African has seen none of Delta variant's lethal cytokine storm in Omicron. More good news.
— Allison Pearson (@AllisonPearson) December 13, 2021

South African Dr Angelique Coetzee discusses whether the UK has overreacted to Omicron:

"As far as I know there were no cases yet of people dying related to Omicron. As long as the patients sitting in front of you have a mild disease your system will not be overrun."@JuliaHB1 pic.twitter.com/adVfkKgFxH
— talkRADIO (@talkRADIO) December 13, 2021

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Tue Dec 14th, 2021 at 08:44:01 AM EST

Re: South Africa Latest On Omicron (none / 0)

Julia Hartley-Brewer is a notorious far-right loon and has never been right about anything.

Please don't quote her on ET.

by ThatBritGuy (thatbritguy (at) googlemail.com) on Tue Dec 14th, 2021 at 10:36:27 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: South Africa Latest On Omicron (none / 0)

Of course it was about Dr Angelique Coetzee on the ground in Pretoria. She might be more outspoken as a politician than doctor, however all data from South Africa indicate Omricon is milder in comparison to the Delta variant.

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Tue Dec 14th, 2021 at 11:26:43 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: South Africa Latest On Omicron (none / 1)

Calculating a CFR for a variant that has only been around for one mean time to death is certainly something.

Just because it came across my Twitter:

If anyone heard me in the media today (Dec 13), I would like to retract any comments that suggest Omicron may cause less severe disease. A lot still unknown right now and things look like they will be MUCH worse than I thought. Watch for more news in the next 24 hrs. 1/
— Jeff Kwong (@DrJeffKwong) December 13, 2021

I would expect we get some indication about severity this week or the next. Letting it run wild before we have anything is pure lunacy.

by generic on Tue Dec 14th, 2021 at 12:39:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: South Africa Latest On Omicron (none / 1)

Many virologists write about their experiences. Due to early vaccinations and protection wearing down after six months, Israel, Hungary, the UK and Belgium started the third and booster shot on time. The Netherlands in a two year long laissez-faire policy started nearly three months later than Belgium and at a very slow pace. Appears the virus mutants travel faster across the globe than data and knowledge for politicians and even scientists. Seeing is believing.

Get your booster shot and be safe. I'll get mine next week.

In the meantime do not lower your guard!

6. Use #RapidTests if you must gather
7. But better not to gather if there will be vulnerable people present (if they have not yet received 3 doses)
8. Don't rely on vaccine certificates to keep you safe

Omicron requires that we go all-out on anti-coved measures.
3/3
— Jeff Kwong (@DrJeffKwong) December 13, 2021

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Tue Dec 14th, 2021 at 01:56:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: South Africa Latest On Omicron (none / 1)

I've got mine as soon as Austria opened up for all age groups about three weeks ago. I've also been wearing a FFP2 equivalent in nearly all situations I was around people not in my immediate household and using a rapid test before going under people.
Talking about masks, I can recommend the 3M aura FFP2s. No glass fogging and they don't get vastly more uncomfortable after six hours of use.
Still would prefer if it wouldn't come down to personal paranoia.

by generic on Tue Dec 14th, 2021 at 03:04:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: South Africa Latest On Omicron (4.00 / 2)

Short of biolab-grade PPE, the Auras seem to be the gold standard. I use the Aura FFP3s if I'm going to be spending time among the public. A lot of FFP3s are really FFP2s at best, which are fine for relatively short exposure but not for a full working day.

Lateral/rapid tests have a lag of a day or so during which you can be infectious but the test isn't sensitive enough to show it. The best option continues to be masking and distancing. And full avoidance if possible.

by ThatBritGuy (thatbritguy (at) googlemail.com) on Wed Dec 15th, 2021 at 09:40:34 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: South Africa Latest On Omicron (none / 0)

I'm not sure that FFP3s are strictly necessary. As far as I'm aware they use FFP2s in hospitals down here, though hospitals of course have much better ventilation than you're likely to encounter anywhere else. Nonetheless, I'm probably also going to switch to the FFP3 version once I'm through my current reserves.

by generic on Wed Dec 15th, 2021 at 10:44:13 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: South Africa Latest On Omicron (none / 0)

BOOSTER NEWS

People aged 30 and over in England can book a COVID-19 booster vaccine from tomorrow.

Boosters are absolutely crucial to topping up your immunity against Omicron, so please take up the offer ASAP. #getboosted [_link]
— Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) December 12, 2021

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Tue Dec 14th, 2021 at 02:00:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Latest Data Omicron Variant | 155 comments (155 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Top Diaries

Leinster's demise and Munster's hope

Southern Irish disinterest in Northern Ireland affairs

The end is Nigh?

Joe Biden. America's Interventionist Hero

The law of conservation of transness

Recent Diaries

Integrating Ukraine Into NATO Family

Southern Irish disinterest in Northern Ireland affairs

Incident Ukrainian War Display Gets Int'l Attention

German Climate Activists Group Outlawed

Leinster's demise and Munster's hope

Joe Biden. America's Interventionist Hero

Targeted Assassinations: a Bankrupt Strategy

The end is Nigh?

Hijacking Peace by Zelensky for War Escalation

UA Drone Attack On Moscow

Rightwing Operation New EU 'Enlightenment’

Energy (and Other) Events Monthly - May 2023

May 2023

The law of conservation of transness

US Provoked Conflict In Europe

U.S. Will Be Ousted From Middle-East

Settler Extremism Blessed by Jerusalem Leaders

Occasional Series