Thanksgiving is behind us.<\/p>\n
Black Friday brings us news of a new variant: Omicron. From the WSJ<\/a>:<\/p>\n Data from South Africa\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s National Institute for Communicable Diseases show how the new variant over the past two weeks quickly crowded out the highly transmissible Delta variant. It now makes up around 90% of infections in the country\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s most populous province, home to its political and economic capitals of Pretoria and Johannesburg.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Also<\/p>\n Germany\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s BioNTech SE, which developed one of the most commonly used Covid-19 vaccines together with Pfizer Inc., said it would take about two weeks to establish whether the new variant renders its shot less effective. If needed, a BioNTech spokeswoman said, the companies could produce a new vaccine adjusted to any variant within six weeks and ship initial batches within 100 days.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n I’ve been hoping for vaccines that specifically target more variants as they come out. I recognize they need testing for each one, so that’s slow. But with luck, if this does spread and evades the vaccine, I’ll be able to get another shot. I always said I’d go for that– just like I do for flu.<\/p>\n Oh. As you know, I’ve been following the progress on anti-viral nasal sprays. On the Iota-Carrageenan nasal spray front, some promising in-situ news: Interpretation: In this pilot study a nasal spray with I-C showed significant efficacy in preventing COVID-19 in health care workers managing patients with COVID-19 disease.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n (The treatment was spraying your nose 4 times a day. The active ingredient is a food additive. There’s been lots of evidence it’s antiCovid in vitro<\/i>. But in vitro ain’t in situ. So. . . )<\/p>\n Some other phase III clinical trials should be wrapping up soon.<\/p>\n If we get more variants, I might have to go back to making home-made spray which may do little more than make me feel<\/i> a little safer. Looks like it could be better than a mask anyway. ( Obviously, I don’t see this as “instead of” a vaccination. )<\/p>\n Anyway: Happy Day After Thanksgiving! And open thread.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Thanksgiving is behind us. Black Friday brings us news of a new variant: Omicron. From the WSJ: Data from South Africa\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s National Institute for Communicable Diseases show how the new variant over the past two weeks quickly crowded out the highly transmissible Delta variant. It now makes up around 90% of infections in the country\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s … Continue reading Omicron. Oy!<\/span>
\nEfficacy of a Nasal Spray Containing Iota-Carrageenan in the Postexposure Prophylaxis of COVID-19 in Hospital Personnel Dedicated to Patients Care with COVID-19 Disease <\/a><\/p>\n