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We Need Better Covid Booster Shots, Not More of the Same
washingon post ^

Posted on 04/12/2022 6:10:54 PM PDT by algore

Covid cases in the Northeast are increasing again, which has some people worried about yet another surge. This is also one of the most heavily vaccinated parts of the country.

While the Covid vaccines have been very effective at stopping hospitalization and death, it’s now clear they haven’t ended the pandemic.

And yet the scientists I spoke with in the early part of 2021 were nearly unanimous in thinking they would end the pandemic through herd immunity.

Why did they get it so wrong? Two major reasons: First, scientists vastly underestimated the ability of the virus to mutate quickly.

And second, they overestimated their ability to tweak the mRNA vaccines into forms that could conquer new variants.

But we can learn from our mistakes, and rather than expect the public to “live with the virus” protected by leaky vaccines, scientists need to keep improving our vaccines, possibly exploiting the more than 100 candidates already part or all the way through clinical trials.

Coronaviruses usually don’t mutate very fast. They don’t carry their genetic material in easily swapped out segments the way influenza viruses do — requiring a reformulated vaccine every year.

And coronaviruses have a proofreading mechanism that slows the mutation process.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Heated Discussion
KEYWORDS: covid; vaccines
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To: algore
While the Covid vaccines have been very effective at stopping hospitalization and death

Prove it. Go ahead, we’ll wait.

21 posted on 04/12/2022 7:38:59 PM PDT by Sicon ("All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." - G. Orwell)
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To: algore
Why did they get it so wrong?
1. SCIENTISTS vastly underestimated the ability of the virus to mutate quickly.
2. SCIENTISTS overestimated their ability to tweak the mRNA vaccines into forms that could conquer new variants.

So we should "follow the science" and the Mr. Science Gnome even when they can't get the basic fundamentals right?

Everybody on FR knew how fast and frequently this thing was going to mutate. Everybody here learned quickly that the trend of viruses is to become more transmissible but less fatal. Everybody here read the very early warnings and cautions about NOT vaccinating during a pandemic.

How can all of us lay people know that, but the esteemed "scientists" didn't?

22 posted on 04/12/2022 8:03:17 PM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom (“Liberty is an antecedent of government, not a benefit from government” ~ Clarence Thomas)
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To: algore

“We Need Better Covid Booster Shots, Not More of the Same”


No, we don’t. But all except the poison apologists already know that.


23 posted on 04/12/2022 8:16:21 PM PDT by logi_cal869 (-cynicus the "concern troll" a/o 10/03/2018 /!i!! &@$%&*(@ -)
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To: algore
While the Covid vaccines have been very effective at stopping hospitalization and death,...

Sunk cost fallacy I'm afraid.

24 posted on 04/12/2022 11:00:22 PM PDT by AndyTheBear
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To: algore
But we can learn from our mistakes...


25 posted on 04/12/2022 11:59:39 PM PDT by Libloather (Why do climate change hoax deniers live in mansions on the beach?)
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To: algore

Who is “we”?


26 posted on 04/13/2022 12:03:27 AM PDT by BookmanTheJanitor
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To: BookmanTheJanitor

It’s hard to improve snake venom when you’re aiming to kill everyone.


27 posted on 04/13/2022 2:01:16 AM PDT by Cowgirl
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To: Cowgirl

” And yet the scientists I spoke with in the early part of 2021 were nearly unanimous in thinking they would end the pandemic through herd immunity. Why did they get it so wrong? “

The definition of a pandemic is when more than 5% of the daily deaths are caused by a pathogen. There are 8,000 deaths daily in the US. There are currently an average of 400 daily Covid deaths. That is 5 percent, therefore herd immunity has been achieved and the pandemic is over. But the Washington Post publishes an easily refutable lie. And then wants to censor and shame those who spread “disinformation” OMG what twisted creatures.


28 posted on 04/13/2022 5:53:27 AM PDT by brookwood
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To: algore

OFFS! How about——NO!? We remain “NON GMO”.

🔬😨😷💉🐂💨💩💸


29 posted on 04/13/2022 8:05:07 AM PDT by rktman (Destroy America from within? Check! WTH? Enlisted USN 1967 to end up with this? 😕)
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