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OLED TVs that didn't work, people would be up in arms
82% and higher vaccination rates mean there are far fewer people vulnerable to hospitalization or death...pretty simple game plan...as vax rates increase, you'll see our ICU cases drop precipitously which will be a key indicator for opening up.
btw, check out my earlier posting regarding new early treatment meds that are going through Phase 3 testing...they should be a big help as well.
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what's taking you so long?
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The article makes it clear Singapore is vaccinated heavily, and yet since Delta is prevalent, they are imposing even stricter measures.
restrictions...the more conservative one was imposed. I could give you my take, but it's better that you read it yourself to understand why.
As far as having a surge in COVID cases in spite of an 82%+ vaccination rate...the mRNA vaccines were terrific against the Alpha version (95% effective..but not 100%), however, with the Delta variant it's down (arguably) to the 60-70% range...fortunately, what hasn't changed much is that both vaccines keep people out of hospitals and ICUs...in the case of Singapore, they are being ultra cautious with their very limited City State population...i.e. hospitalizing almost anyone with COVID related difficulties...so they don't want to take a chance that the also very small HC facilities get overrun. BTW, read the parts of the article where they note that very few people are actually in need of ICU services...also, remember that anyone infected with COVID-19 can transmit the virus to others...often when they have no symptoms...and there are still Singapore citizens who aren't yet vaccinated and have no protections...ergo, masks, social distancing, etc.
The article also goes to some length explaining that there could be a benefit to Singapore because they have such a high vaccination rate...the surge in 'breakthrough' cases means those people will get the positive effects of natural immune responses, in addition to what the vaccines provide, thus strengthening their resistance to further infection and allowing a true return to normal living.
Had Singapore not been so highly vaccinated, the results of the surge would be devastating.
Once again...vaccines are the way to go...they keep people alive and out of ICUs...if anyone has a better plan, they need to come forward...now...I'm not holding my breath on that.
Anti-bodies generated by vaccine may help (may not) to relieve the symptoms, but it is just temporary. It's not immunity.
However I do like your attitude toward early treatment (outpatient). This is one good point I found from you so far. It's a shame that after 1.5 years of pandemic, we still don't have early treatment protocol. But we all know why.
This is not an easy business, this COVID fighting...not sure you'd want to be the responsible one calling the shots (pun half intended)...or would you?...if so, what would you do differently and what do you predict the results would be - or have been, thus far?
Link: https://theconversation.com/developing-antiviral-drugs-is-not-easy-heres-why-159512
require no small amount of effort and the 'targets' often change or 'evaporate' before the drug companies can realize an ROI on all that work (e.g. SARS, and MERS). But, from our perspective, who wouldn't want a simple to take, relatively inexpensive and easily accessible pill? As the article says, however, they shouldn't be viewed in a 'binary' sense wrt vaccinations...need to use all the tools to gain the upper hand here.
For me, with my personal experiences and access to people 'in the business'...I'm more trusting in the protocols we have, which goes to the actions taken for vaccines and mitigation efforts. I'm also very pleased to hear about progress on those those treatments we're discussing...can't wait for some announcements.
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"Once sidelined for lack of interest, oral antivirals to treat coronavirus infections are now a subject of fierce competition and funding. In June, the Biden administration announced it had agreed to obtain about 1.7 million treatment courses of Merck's molnupiravir, at a cost of $1.2 billion, if the product receives emergency authorization or full approval. The same month, the administration said it would invest $3.2 billion in the Antiviral Program for Pandemics, which aims to develop antivirals for the covid crisis and beyond, Dieffenbach said."
I think you can allay your conspiracy theories...at least for a little while...the 'Dems', 'Libs', 'Deep State' and Biden administration are all in favor of the new antivirals...but if fear and loathing are what helps you get through the day, forget what you just read.
BTW, it wouldn't hurt to read that whole article...pretty informative...and provides some background info as well on why we haven't had them ready at the "jump".
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