The news came out that there was an experiment at Boston University to try to make a potentially more lethal SARS-CoV-2 omicron virus. On face value this seems like an incredibly stupid idea, but with more investigation, it’s actually worse than that! There is a federal biodefense lab at Boston University (National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratory)Continue reading “I didn’t believe anything about COVID could upset me anymore until I heard about these folks at Boston University…”
Category Archives: Transmission
Is the pandemic over?
Last week on 60 Minutes President Biden announced “The pandemic is over. We still have a problem with COVID. We’re still doing a lot of work on it.” Many people were surprised by this statement, especially since US had just rolled out new COVID vaccine boosters. I would like to address two specific issues; whetherContinue reading “Is the pandemic over?”
COVID-19 virus BA.2; what is it and why the claim it is more infectious than omicron?
Yesterday the media was flooded with reports about a new variant of omicron designated BA.2. While this virus is almost identical to omicron it is differentiated genetically based on a few mutations in its spike protein. Ominously, this virus was reported to be present around the world including throughout the US. This was confirmed by theContinue reading “COVID-19 virus BA.2; what is it and why the claim it is more infectious than omicron?”
Unfounded concerns about Omicron hospitalizations in children?
Last night NBC’s network news reported “record numbers” of children in hospitals with COVID-19 since Omicron came to the United States. Physicians from Children’s Hospital of New Orleans, Texas Children’s Hospital, and University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital in Cleveland all alluded to sharp increases in children with serious COVID-19 infections. In contrast, Dr.Continue reading “Unfounded concerns about Omicron hospitalizations in children?”
COVID hospitalization rates continue to fall despite reductions in social distancing.
Today, there were several stories addressing Secretary Azar’s comments that many states with higher levels of COVID infection are now seeing fewer new cases. He was quoted remarking that in states reducing social restrictions increases in COVID cases aren’t being seen. The reasons behind this may be complex but important to verify. Since reduced socialContinue reading “COVID hospitalization rates continue to fall despite reductions in social distancing.”
The proposed US COVID testing program is inherently flawed.
A commonly heard refrain has been the call for COVID testing as a preamble to reducing social distancing. The concept underlying this is that people will be screened to identify infected individuals, and then they and their contacts will be identified and isolated. This will control transmission and reduce the number of infections. While thisContinue reading “The proposed US COVID testing program is inherently flawed.”
A single breath can transmit COVID-19
Simple breathing can spread COVID-19 from individuals who appear well. The easy transmission of this virus changes how we will try to limit the pandemic. Reports are emerging that even regular breathing can transmit COVID-19. The virus appears to be in expired air from people who are just breathing normally. This is very different fromContinue reading “A single breath can transmit COVID-19”
Pandemic Pondering 