Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Fuck that bum, let’s go Joe!

Speaking of republicans, is there a way for a political party to declare intellectual bankruptcy?

Donald Jessica Trump found guilty as fuck – May 30, 2024!

Chutkan laughs. Lauro sits back down.

“Cheese and Kraken paired together for the appetizer trial.”

It’s pointless to bring up problems that can only be solved with a time machine.

Is it irresponsible to speculate? It is irresponsible not to.

You can’t love your country only when you win.

Biden: Oh no. We’ve upset Big Pharma again.

When the time comes to make an endorsement, the pain of NYT editors will be palpable as they reluctantly whisper “Biden.”

“Joe Biden deserved better than he got from some folks in his own party.”

I see no possible difficulties whatsoever with this fool-proof plan.

They love authoritarianism, but only when they get to be the authoritarians.

Republican also-rans: four mules fighting over a turnip.

This blog will pay for itself.

We know you aren’t a Democrat but since you seem confused let me help you.

You cannot shame the shameless.

Putting aside our relentless self-interest because the moral imperative is crystal clear.

Imperialist aggressors must be defeated, or the whole world loses.

The republican speaker is a slippery little devil.

Take hopelessness and turn it into resilience.

It’s the corruption, stupid.

Never entrust democracy to any process that requires Republicans to act in good faith.

T R E 4 5 O N

You are here: Home / Healthcare / COVID-19 / COVID-19 Coronavirus Updates: March 6, 2024

COVID-19 Coronavirus Updates: March 6, 2024

by | 33 Comments

This post is in: ,

You’ve probably already seen this news, since it dropped just hours after last week’s post — Per NBC, “CDC recommends spring Covid booster for older adults”:

People at higher risk for the most severe complications of Covid — primarily those ages 65 and older — should get a booster shot this spring, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday.

The CDC’s recommendation came hours after the agency’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted in support of the extra dose.

Another round of the vaccine given within the next few months would offer the best protection possible, the advisers said, ahead of another likely rise in illness this summer.

Over the past four years, there’s tended to be both a winter and a summer wave of Covid, with cases peaking in January and August, respectively, according to the CDC…

The additional dose should be given at least four months after a previous dose for healthy older adults, or at least three months after a Covid infection. People with compromised immune systems may need additional shots…

The spring booster will be the same shot that was approved last fall, which was formulated to target the XBB.1.5 subvariant. The vaccine is effective against the JN.1 subvariant, which is currently causing the vast majority — more than 96% — of new Covid infections in the United States…

Acceding to the inevitable, *sigh*:

… The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed its longstanding guidance, saying that people can return to work or regular activities if their symptoms are mild and improving and it’s been a day since they’ve had a fever.

The change comes at a time when COVID-19 is no longer the public health menace it once was. It dropped from being the nation’s third leading cause of death early in the pandemic to 10th last year.

Most people have some degree of immunity to the coronavirus from vaccinations or from infections. And many people are not following the five-day isolation guidance anyway, some experts say…

COVID-19 is not causing as many hospitalizations and deaths as it did in the first years of the pandemic. The change is an effort to streamline recommendations so they are similar to longstanding recommendations for flu and other respiratory viruses. Many people with a runny nose, cough or other symptoms aren’t testing to distinguish whether it’s COVID-19, flu, or something else, officials say.

It may not be as stringent, but the guidance emphasizes that all people with respiratory symptoms should stay home while they are sick, said Dr. David Margolius, the head of Cleveland’s health department.

People are likely still contagious when they test positive, and that hasn’t changed, said Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University’s School of Public Health.

“What has changed is how much COVID is harming us as a population,” Nuzzo said…

If you have symptoms, stay home until your symptoms are mild and improving and it’s been a day since you’ve had a fever. But then you can remain cautious by wearing a mask and keeping a distance from others.

However, the CDC guidance for workers at nursing homes and other health care facilities is staying the same. That includes a recommendation that medical personnel stay home at least seven days after symptoms first appear, and that they test negative within two days of returning to work…

The ‘needs’ of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Chas Danner, at NYMag — “Why Is the CDC Now Treating COVID Like It’s the Flu?”:

… Public-health authorities in Europe, Australia, and Canada have already lifted their COVID isolation requirements, as have California and Oregon — and there haven’t been significant spikes in COVID hospitalizations in those two states following the policy changes, as a CDC official noted Friday.

The new CDC guidelines also reflect the all-too-obvious reality that the general public’s attitudes toward COVID have changed enormously over the past couple years, and at this point it’s not at all clear how many were still following the CDC’s old test-and-isolate guidelines anyway. Less than half of the respondents to a recent CDC survey said they would get a COVID test if they had coldlike symptoms. As infectious-disease expert Dr. Céline Gounder pointed out to the New York Times on Friday, the lack of testing alone necessitated a policy change: “If you don’t know which virus you have, how are you supposed to follow the right guidance for COVID versus flu versus RSV versus the common-cold virus?”

Another well-known issue is that research has long indicated that COVID is mostly spread by people who have asymptomatic infections and thus probably never knew they had it and should isolate. People with COVID are often contagious before they develop symptoms as well…

======

======


IIRC, it was suspected at the height of the pandemic that this dude was being paid to provide proof-of-vaccination certificates to those unwilling to either take the jab or give up their jobs. But apparently he just really, really didn’t want to risk infection:

The bizarre case is documented in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal.

The shots were bought and given privately within the space of 29 months…

“We learned about his case via newspaper articles,” Dr Kilian Schober, from the university’s microbiology department, said.

“We then contacted him and invited him to undergo various tests in Erlangen. He was very interested in doing so.”…

Dr Schober said: “We were able to take blood samples ourselves when the man received a further vaccination during the study at his own insistence.

“We were able to use these samples to determine exactly how the immune system reacts to the vaccination.”

Evidence for 130 of the jabs was collected by the public prosecutor of the city of Magdeburg, who opened an investigation with the allegation of fraud, but no criminal charges were brought…

Dr Schober worried hyper-stimulating the immune system with repeated doses might have fatigued certain cells.

But the researchers found no evidence of this in the 62-year-old.

And there was no sign that he had ever been infected with Covid…

======

As far as I can tell, the NIH’s Test to Treat program is still active:

If you are not currently positive for COVID-19 or Flu (Influenza), you may still enroll if you are an uninsured or underinsured adult (18+), on Medicare, Medicaid, in the VA healthcare system, or receive care from the Indian Health Services. Upon enrollment, when not currently positive, you can receive free tests shipped directly to you and, if you later test positive, you can receive free telehealth care and treatment (if prescribed).

If you are currently positive for COVID-19 or Flu (Influenza), you can enroll to receive free telehealth care and treatment (if prescribed). Please note that if enrolling while currently positive, you will not have access to free tests.

Please note, this program is free, and we will never request your specific payment or insurance information, nor will bill or contact any insurance provider you may have…

Reader Interactions

33Comments

  2. 2.

    John Revolta

    I got boosted last week……….. I knew most of the current infections were the JN.1 strain and the latest vaccine was targeted for the XBB but I went ahead and got it anyhoo. Now I see the XBB is making a comeback! So yay! or boo! or…….. ouch!*

    *I didn’t actually feel this one at all. They’re getting really good over there

  4. 4.

    eclare

    Now that the govt is saying people over 65 should get a booster, I wonder if I can sneak in?   I am not 65, but this is ridiculous, will Walgreens card me?

    No shot for you, you are not 65!

  6. 6.

    Betty Cracker

    @eclare: I got a booster at Walgreens last week (along with a Shingrix shot), and no one questioned my eligibility, so they’re letting us spring chickens through! Go for it. ;-)

  7. 7.

    eclare

    @Betty Cracker:

    That’s good to know!  I’ll go on the website and try to sign up.  Now that we don’t have all those cards, maybe it’s not so strict.

  8. 8.

    Central Planning

    @eclare: I don’t think you have to sneak. You could always claim you have a compromised immune system. Or asthma. I don’t think they have a way to verify either of those.

  9. 9.

    AlaskaReader

    There is a new sign on the door to a rural Post Office that says masks are required in the lobby within.

    Obvious Postal Service multi-colored printed sign with graphics, not a home grown sign.

    Anyone else seen the same?   I don’t recall seeing such signs even during the peaks of the last couple years.  Local thing?  ….or is it a new standard and I’ve not noticed before?

  10. 10.

    sab

    Ohio was first in the nation with flu (not sure if that’s cases or hospitalizations)  last week so I am still masking even without covid concerns, but yay! for CDC on this. We are almost six months out from our Fall shots and I was getting nervous.

  12. 12.

    Sid

    Thanks for continuing to post these updates- they (and the links they provide) are my primary sources of COVID information.

  13. 13.

    Matt McIrvin

    I really really hate that the CDC seems wary of “over-recommending” for reasons that are not medical but entirely have to do with the public’s supposed psychological “vaccine fatigue”. If they don’t recommend a six-month shot for me, I CAN’T GET ONE even if I want one!

    I don’t have any vaccine fatigue. I have getting-COVID fatigue. (Not literally, thank God, though there are certainly too many people who do.)

  14. 14.

    Matt McIrvin

    …Hell, given the timing of my cases, I suspect it’d be best for me to get 4 shots a year, every 3 months or so. I’d happily do it.

  15. 15.

    Anne Laurie

    @AlaskaReader: I’ve seen that particular sign at commercial outlets (pharmacy, for instance) around here.  Possibly, since the CDC has made it impossible for proprietors to require masks, they’ve decided that ‘asking nicely’ will at least give the normies permission to wear masks, without setting off the grievance-hunters?

  16. 16.

    dmsilev

    217 COVID vaccine shots? Are we sure he wasn’t being paid by some cell-phone network provider to act as a roving 5G hotspot?

  17. 17.

    New Deal democrat

    Despite the general tone of doom and gloom in the updates, the latest data does not bear this out in the US.

    In the first place, as of last Friday, variant JN.1 was responsible for over 97% of all US infections. XBB and its subvariants are at 0.0%.

    Wastewater indicates that COVID particles are down 55%-60% from their Holiday peak, right about where they were 12 months ago.

    Hospitalizations are down 50% from their Holiday peak to 17,300 as of February 24, vs. 24,100 one year previous. This is also lower than all but 6 weeks during the first 2 years of the pandemic. If the trend since last autumn holds, then this summer will see a low about 25% below last summer’s low of 6,300, or about 5,000.

    Through February 3, deaths were also down from almost 40% from their Holiday peak of 2,500, to 1,600. By the time the February 25 estimates are final, they will likely be down to just over 1,000. This is also lower than at any point except for about 6 weeks before summer 2023. So far the winter season has been showing deaths about 40% below one year ago. If this trend continues, we will see a low of about 300 deaths per week this summer. For the past 52 weeks, there have been at total of about 67,000 deaths.

  18. 18.

    Expletive Deleted

    They’re finally making private shots available here in the UK next month, cannot wait.

  19. 19.

    comrade scotts agenda of rage

    We went to a film festival for 4 days starting last Thu. We rolled the dice and didn’t mask.

    It’s held in central Missouri which amplified any risk given the wingnut population although the festival goers are largely libruls.

    I’ve gotten every shot every time they’ve recommended getting one. My right shoulder doesn’t feel right unless it’s sore from a vaccination shot. It feels pretty good right now which is an indication I should head down to the pharmacy and get one (I’m 62).

  20. 20.

    OzarkHillbilly

    I’ll get my next vax in April.

    The only place I regularly mask up in is Walmart/Schnucks (and hospitals if I go to one). Most hardware, feed stores, and lumber yards (my regular haunts) don’t have enough people in them to make me worry. As best I can recall, my wife and I have only been to 1 restaurant for a sit down meal in the past 3-4 years. We just don’t miss it. Takeout works just fine for us.

    Heading down to NOLA at the end of next week. I’ll play it by ear. I spend most of my time out of doors when I’m down there.

  21. 21.

    Theflippsyd

    Good morning. Thank you Anne Laurie for these updates — it is greatly appreciated.

    I just wanted to comment on the PTSD tweet. I work with youth and their families involved in family court — dependency and delinquency courts. My co-workers and I see on a daily basis how the COVID pandemic has worsened things for families. We often comment to each other that even what used to be our “simple” cases are complicated now. Families are stressed, kids have lost not only educational years but are struggling socially and emotionally. Individuals who were the “worried well” prior to the pandemic  — well the pandemic aggravated those symptoms, often to crisis. And those youth who were struggling before the pandemic are now showing severe symptoms. We see more and more parents requesting residential treatment, and saying that they cannot continue to care for their children. I am in Delaware — and treatment providers are overwhelmed, with long wait lists. Also, the rural areas plain lack providers. There is a crisis happening that is pretty much unseen, is not being addressed and will not be addressed easily.

    From a social/political standpoint, the past four years, just reinforced the selfishness and self-centeredness of the Trump years. I am not a native Delawarean, and I remember how struck I was by how nice and friendly people were when I first moved here in 2005  — my everyday interactions with random strangers were generally positive. People just don’t seem to be willing or able to be as nice anymore — and I think that has to do with being traumatized.

  22. 22.

    Scout211

    My first bout with COVID started over 3 weeks ago. I still have the persistent cough but I am starting to feel less fatigue.  That tail is long.  I’m really glad I’m retired because going back to work during those weeks of fatigue after the acute phase would be really tough.  I feel for all those workers who have to push through that at work.

    PSA:  If you haven’t ordered your last set of free COVID tests, you still can.  But do it now because the free test program ends this Friday.

    The US government’s free at-home Covid-19 test program will be suspended Friday, according to the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response.

    . . .

    The government previously suspended the rapid test distribution program in May after the end of the Covid-19 public health emergency. It was reopened September 25.

    Residents who haven’t placed an order since then can now place two, which will provide eight tests in total, according to the US Postal Service. Each order includes four rapid antigen Covid-19 tests.
    . . .
    More information on free testing resources is available on the Covidtests.gov site or at 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).

  23. 23.

    satby

    @Theflippsyd: From a social/political standpoint, the past four years, just reinforced the selfishness and self-centeredness of the Trump years. I am not a native Delawarean, and I remember how struck I was by how nice and friendly people were when I first moved here in 2005  — my everyday interactions with random strangers were generally positive. People just don’t seem to be willing or able to be as nice anymore — and I think that has to do with being traumatized.

    I agree. I’ve said before that not just Covid but the social enabling of the toxic narcissism of the tfg years really damaged this country.

  24. 24.

    satby

    @New Deal democrat: And I think people forget the stats on influenza in the US. Covid has evolved to a similar risk as the flu for vaccinated folks, and most people now have some immunity. They’re nasty bugs best avoided if possible, but they’re endemic now and CDC recommendations reflect that.

    CDC estimates that flu has resulted in 9.3 million – 41 million illnesses, 100,000 – 710,000 hospitalizations and 4,900 – 51,000 deaths annually between 2010 and 2023.

  25. 25.

    kalakal

    Went to the theatre with Mrs kalakal for the first time in years. We were amongst the aprox. 6 people wearing masks. I’m wearing a mask a lot outside atm as we are into live oak pollen season and that gets me. I want to get a booster in april (I’m 63) as I’m going to a 3 day conference in May

  27. 27.

    Manyakitty

    @Betty Cracker: take it easy after those Shingrix shots. The second one knocked me out for almost 2 weeks.

    Still preferable to shingles. No regrets.

  29. 29.

    Kayla Rudbek

    Thanks for the reminder to get another booster shot. I signed up for one tonight after work. That way I’ll be better by the weekend.

  31. 31.

    hrprogressive

    As a < 40 year old for a few more years, I've had the 5 shots the gov't has said I can get (3 OG, 1 BV, 1 XBB last year) and I've still not caught it.

    I've actually done "the unthinkable" and gone into a few public places, albeit briefly, without a mask on. Haven't had any issues yet. I still don my N95 combo when I go to a longer-time location like grocery shopping, but I have to admit even I'm considering only doing so if a circumstance warrants (for example, a trip to the doctor/hospital).

    I had almost a dozen (it seemed) dental visits in 2023 and didn't contract it there either, which I thought was the highest risk possible for a long time, so…

    The person I still live with has been working in-person and hasn't been regularly masking since last summer, and they haven't caught it either.

    We supplement still with a xylitol-based nasal spray, Xlear, which offered some preliminary evidence of virucidal benefits both potentially prophylactic and as an "as of" occurrence. I've definitely had a lot of skepticism for the Zero Covider's pumping unknown substances into their nostrils for this reason, but something about this small study and the fact that the ingredients are known…

    Does it help? I can't prove that.

    But even I of the "Permanent Pandemic" mindset have made a few different choices in the last few months and…have been fortunate enough it hasn't been an issue yet.

    Topol's report on the declining risk of LC with additional vaccinations makes me happy too.

    I still think this is a serious thing, and we need to continue to fund better research for stronger vax, LC therapies, etc.

    But real-world and anecdotal evidence suggests at present, it isn't the apocalyptic crisis it was, or was continually threatened to be.

    Obviously an "Omega Variant" could change that, but it's been almost 3 full years since Omicron and that hasn't happened yet, so it's still theoretical.

    Glad for this weekly thread still.

  32. 32.

    Bill Arnold

    This is honest science. :-)
    Adaptive immune responses are larger and functionally preserved in a hypervaccinated individual (March 04, 2024, The Lancet)

    Here, we report on a 62-year-old male hypervaccinated individual from Magdeburg, Germany (HIM), who deliberately and for private reasons received 217 vaccinations against SARS-CoV-2 within a period of 29 months.
    …
    While we found no signs of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections in HIM to date, it cannot be clarified whether this is causally related to the hypervaccination regimen.

  33. 33.

    dnfree

    As I said last week, we tested positive around February 22 after a trip to the Yucatán peninsula. We masked in airports and on planes, but not for the trip activities. The university alumni organization that organized the trip declined to notify the other trip participants, saying they no longer do “contact tracing”, which wasn’t what I suggested they do.
    Last week I contacted another traveler and he reported that he knew of several who had gotten Covid, so we weren’t alone.
    Oh, and neither of us ever had a fever, just a cough and some mucus, so I guess there was no need for us to isolate at all???

Comments are closed.