COVID-19 Pandemic Presentations:
> February 2020
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> April 2020
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> June 2020
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> August 2020
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> School Openings (updated Mar 2021)
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>October 2020
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November 2020
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December 2020
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February 2021
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April 2021
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June 2021
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July 2021
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August 2021
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Sept 2021
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Oct 2021
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Nov 2021
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Supplement on Vitamin D and COVID-19
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Radiation Injury Similarities
Click HERE
Also, A recent Radiation Research Journal Article on COVID and Radiation Injury, Rios et al. here:
Commonalities Between COVID-19 and Radiation Injury, Authors: Rios, Carmen I., Cassatt, David R., Hollingsworth, Brynn A.,
Satyamitra, Merriline M., Tadesse, Yeabsera S., et al.
Source: Radiation Research, 195(1) : 1-24
Published By: Radiation Research Society
Supplement No. 4:
The Utility of Ivermectin - a way to abate the asymptomatic period?
Supplement No, 5:
PCR and Ct Scores Explained!
> February 2020
> April 2020
> June 2020
> August 2020
> School Openings (updated Mar 2021)
>October 2020
November 2020
December 2020
February 2021
April 2021
June 2021
July 2021
August 2021
Sept 2021
Oct 2021
Nov 2021
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Supplement on Vitamin D and COVID-19
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Radiation Injury Similarities
Click HERE
Also, A recent Radiation Research Journal Article on COVID and Radiation Injury, Rios et al. here:
Commonalities Between COVID-19 and Radiation Injury, Authors: Rios, Carmen I., Cassatt, David R., Hollingsworth, Brynn A., Satyamitra, Merriline M., Tadesse, Yeabsera S., et al. Source: Radiation Research, 195(1) : 1-24 Published By: Radiation Research Society
Supplement No. 4:
The Utility of Ivermectin - a way to abate the asymptomatic period?
Supplement No, 5:
PCR and Ct Scores Explained!
NEWS BRIEF OF THE DAY (July 30, 2021):
The CDC has concluded masking is essential to curtail the COVID-19 outbreaks due to the observation that the Delta Variant can make vccinated and unvaccinated express similar infectious (shedding) levels of virus.
This presents a clear an present danger to children, the immuno-compromised, and unvaccinated.
The Ct scores are very similar with valyes between 20 -25 (very infectious).
(click to enlarge the figure)
NEW TOPIC of CONTROVERSY:
"Herd Immunity" by rampant infection? - Is it a possibility? NO.
Why? No infectious agent has ever done so on its own. The premise is a thought experiment where people of low risk get infected and resolve the infection without harm and that it would have to be about 65% of the US population placed at risk of infection sequelae (aka the "long haulers").
Herd immunity might be possible for COVID-19 by immunization. However, the antibody response wanes in a few months and advocates suggest T-cell memory will reinstate B-cell antibodies upon a reinfection. The problem is clonal replenishment of Abs takes weeks, coupled with the known damping of INF by COVID-19, provides for sustained viral injury and future health staus is likely compromised.with each new re-infection.
If we allow rampant infection with a 2.75% death rate (current Oct) then 210M (65% of 328M population) will yield 5.7M deaths.
(lick to enlarge figure)
Dec 1: >800,000 dead from
COVID in the US (2,395 per 1 M pop);
currently 9.42 M
active cases; >12,438 in critical care
(Nov rate: >1000/week dead since Nov 1)
Heart disease kills 12-14,000/week, Cancer 12,000/week; COVID: ~1,000/week
LINK to www.Worldometer.info/coronavirus/
and Scientific American
~ Our COVID INFO page was last updated for Dec 1st ~
Our December 2021 Update is now available HERE
New! Supplement No, 12. (30Nov21)
How Antibody Diversity Happens
The diversity of antibodies is a complex and ordered arrangement of proteins
NEW! Supplement No. 11. (28Nov21)
OMICRON: The New VOC
The new VOC from Botswana SA is a new challenge. This supplement provides some reasons why there is concern.
NEW! Supplement No. 9. (15Nov21)
Natural Immunity vs Vaccination: What you need to know
The answer is complicated, but "bottom line" - No. The infection from COVID-19 is different from other viruses in that COVID has the capacity to create proteins that damp the interferon response allowing the virus to reproduce ad infect for days without the body fighting back. The body does eventually create antibodies but these are not wholly directed at neutralizing or preventing recurrent infections. The antibodies are mostly IgG and IgM to viral "debris products" released in the process of infection and not a high enough fraction of antibodies that are directed to the intact virus spike protein to prevent reinfection.
NEW! Supplement No. 10. (6Nov21)
Paxlovid (Pfizer) and Lagevrio (Merck): New Oral Antivirals
Want to know more about what might be the Gamechangers for the Pandemic?
These two new oral administered antivirals have a potential to really change the trajectory worldwide. Vaccine transport fragility, difficulties in cold storage, administration, and public acceptance of vaccines remain. We may have a new avenue for interventions.
Another Supplement: A Summary on Antigen Testing (Aug 15th)
Now, with the Delta Variant making it likely even the vaccinated can shed virus, we need to have rapid testing to be able to identify the "infectious" and not simply PCR identifying the "infected". Vaccinated can be "infected" but manage the infection so as not get so sick to be hospitalized. Children in schools need to be tested every 3rd day to catch the viral bloom and quarantine. The use of PCR for travel may no longer be effective if "everyone" is PCR POS (ie., even a trace of the virus). Antigen testing can provide a much needed better way of screening to sort out those contributing to the spread of the virus.
Can We Mix and Match Vaccination? Yes
Higher titers regardless; J&J needs an mRNA booster
Dec 1: >800,000 dead from COVID in the US (2,395 per 1 M pop);
currently 9.42 M active cases; >12,438 in critical care
(Nov rate: >1000/week dead since Nov 1)
Heart disease kills 12-14,000/week, Cancer 12,000/week; COVID: ~1,000/week
LINK to www.Worldometer.info/coronavirus/
and Scientific American
~ Our COVID INFO page was last updated for Dec 1st ~
Our December 2021 Update is now available HERE
New! Supplement No, 12. (30Nov21)
How Antibody Diversity Happens
The diversity of antibodies is a complex and ordered arrangement of proteins
NEW! Supplement No. 11. (28Nov21)
OMICRON: The New VOC
The new VOC from Botswana SA is a new challenge. This supplement provides some reasons why there is concern.
NEW! Supplement No. 9. (15Nov21)
Natural Immunity vs Vaccination: What you need to know
The answer is complicated, but "bottom line" - No. The infection from COVID-19 is different from other viruses in that COVID has the capacity to create proteins that damp the interferon response allowing the virus to reproduce ad infect for days without the body fighting back. The body does eventually create antibodies but these are not wholly directed at neutralizing or preventing recurrent infections. The antibodies are mostly IgG and IgM to viral "debris products" released in the process of infection and not a high enough fraction of antibodies that are directed to the intact virus spike protein to prevent reinfection.
NEW! Supplement No. 10. (6Nov21)
Paxlovid (Pfizer) and Lagevrio (Merck): New Oral Antivirals
Want to know more about what might be the Gamechangers for the Pandemic?
These two new oral administered antivirals have a potential to really change the trajectory worldwide. Vaccine transport fragility, difficulties in cold storage, administration, and public acceptance of vaccines remain. We may have a new avenue for interventions.
Another Supplement: A Summary on Antigen Testing (Aug 15th)
Now, with the Delta Variant making it likely even the vaccinated can shed virus, we need to have rapid testing to be able to identify the "infectious" and not simply PCR identifying the "infected". Vaccinated can be "infected" but manage the infection so as not get so sick to be hospitalized. Children in schools need to be tested every 3rd day to catch the viral bloom and quarantine. The use of PCR for travel may no longer be effective if "everyone" is PCR POS (ie., even a trace of the virus). Antigen testing can provide a much needed better way of screening to sort out those contributing to the spread of the virus.
Can We Mix and Match Vaccination? Yes
Higher titers regardless; J&J needs an mRNA booster
~~~~~
*** IMPORTANT**
CDC shares 'pivotal discovery' on Covid-19 breakthrough infections that led to new mask guidance
https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/30/health/breakthrough-infection-masks-cdc-provincetown-study/index.html
click image to enlarge
The study, published by CDC Friday, July 30th, describes 469 Massachusetts residents who were infected in a July outbreak in Barnstable County, which includes the summer vacation destination Provincetown. No deaths were reported among them.
About 74% -- or 346 cases -- had been fully vaccinated. Of those cases, 79% reported symptoms. Genetically sequenced cases revealed the Delta variant as the main culprit.
The researchers found evidence that viral loads were similar among 127 fully vaccinated people and 84 others who were unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown. Viral load is a proxy for how likely someone might be to transmit the virus to others.
Ct scores are the number of cycles of PCR needed to detect a signal of viral RNA. A score of 40 cycles is a NEG PCR test. Infectious subjects are Ct scores <30. Even if vaccinated you can be infected and make lots of virus. The new information is vaccinated can transmit the virus to the unvaccinated, including childrem the immunocompromised and to the unvaccinated. You are likely to be asymptomatic as your antibodies will govern the viral load but you will make a lot of virus if infected wigth the Delta variant.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Older adults carry (shed) the virus longer than the younger adults
(click image to enlarge)
One more interesting fact is that older adults carry the virus, and have asymptomatic spread, longer than younger people.
The image on the right shows the windows of POS PCR viral loads over time and the older people (yellow region) shed longer and higher viral loads versus young people (blue portion of curve).
** See citation in image.
A Way to Assess Regional Risk of Infections
Population assessment of PCR Ct scores may be a good predictor of a coming community outbreak. As the Ct scores decrease to below 30, the liklihood of a community breakout increases.
The figure includes a timeline for hospital incidence rates pover 2020. We can see the case wave maps for hospitalizations correlate with PCR Ct scores where as Ct scores go under 30 (more virus) then the spread of the virus becomes very evident.
**see citations in the image
Symptoms seen in Long COVID - Time of appearance and time to resolution.
It shows the probability (yellow to black) of a symptom from appearance (i,e, fever) to late and protracted symptoms (coagulopathies).
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(21)00299-6/fulltext
New Variants
The Delta (B.1.617.2) and Lambda Variants (C.37) are now becoming the major strains in the US. The Delta variant is now over 83% of new cases (July 2021) and is predominant in clinical presentations in the unvaccinated. Vaccinated can, however, be infected and express (shed) virus nearly identical to the unvaccinated and infected. This new data infers added risk if measures are not taken to reduce person-to-person spread.
The UK variant (B.1.1.7) is in all 50 states and Puerto Rico and is being displaced. The South African (SA; B.1.357) and Brazilian (P.1.) variants are also spreading in the US. but the Delta variant is pushing them aside.
A variant in southern CA is emerging off the SA origin clade 20C as CAL.20C with the mutation L452R - as of Feb 1st it the majority of POS samples in CA.
We will be updating the Supplement on The Vaiants (noted below) but many points about these new variants are discussed in the August 2021 update.
What have we learned about COVID-19 in 2020? (updated Jan 31, 2021):
15 Lessons on COVID-19
~~~~~~~~~
Is your state, or where your friends/relatives live, doing enough testing?
Check this site (This site is updated daily) Click this LINK
***************
New targeted topic Supplemental Presentations:
Supplement No. 1 (revised 3/19/21): Vitamin D and COVID-19
A major revision dated March 19th is now available. We cover the mechaistic actions of Vitamin D and its receptor on reducing cytokine stresses. We also cover the racial diaparities in Blacks, Hispanics and Whites in Vit D blood levels and COVID risk.
Supplement No. 2: The UK, South African, Brazilian and now So CA Variants and Risk (updated 3/15/2021)
Information on the new variants in the UK, South Africa, Brazil and the US including the new So California variant and issues about variants and infectivity
See the August 2021 update for more on the newest variants of concern (VOC)
Supplement No. 3: Radiation Injury and COVID-19 Injury
Radiation is a generator of reactive oxygen - so is COVID-19
Supplement No. 4. Ivermectin-Summary (updated 3/5/21)
Ivermectin as a therapeutic for COVID-19: The drug is used to control helmenthic (parasite) in the blood. Can it help reduce COVID-19 disease symptoms?
Ivermectin blocks nuclear transport of proteins and full blockade can have untoward effects. The dose used for parasitic control in the blood is too low to affect or deter a full body (systemic) viremia and higher doses are problematic.
Supplement No. 5. PCR Explained and When To Use Ag Testing
PCR is very sensitive and may not be the best way to sort out infectious subjects. Antigen tests are sensitive BELOW a PCR cycle count (Ct) of 30 identifying those subjects who are shedding/spreading the virus.
See the latest (Aug 15th, 2021) slide presentation on Antigen Testing CLICK HERE
Supplement No 6. What About School Openings (updated 3/6/21)
New slides on classroom CO2 (expired air) used as a surrogate "viral load"
An in-depth assessment of the childhood biology of COVID infection risks, school mitigation processes, and more.
There is a the NEW CDC Guidelines issued July 7th replacing the February update.
See the August 2021 Update for more information on these Guidelines.
NEW!!
Supplement No. 7. COVID-19 and Vascular Endothelial Damage
This new Supplement covers the COVID's actions on the vascular endothelium, NF-KB signaling, NOTCH signaling, Radiation/ROS injury similarities, and more.
Supplement No. 8. FLUVOXAMINE - An antidepressant for COVID-19?
(added 3/10/2021)
Yes, Fluvoxamine is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) drug for depression but it also has a high binding to the sigma-1 receptor and that conveys anti-inflammation properties
It may be useful in treating early symptom patients to reduce hospitalizations
NEW (06Nov21)
Supplement No. 10. Paxlovid (Pfizer) and Lagevrio (Merck) Oral Antivirals
Want to know more about what might be the Gamechangers for the Pandemic?
These new oral adminstered antivirals have a potential to really change the trajectory worldwide. Vaccine fragility and difficulties in storage, administration and acceptance may have a new avenue for inerventions
The Delta (B.1.617.2) and Lambda Variants (C.37) are now becoming the major strains in the US. The Delta variant is now over 83% of new cases (July 2021) and is predominant in clinical presentations in the unvaccinated. Vaccinated can, however, be infected and express (shed) virus nearly identical to the unvaccinated and infected. This new data infers added risk if measures are not taken to reduce person-to-person spread.
The UK variant (B.1.1.7) is in all 50 states and Puerto Rico and is being displaced. The South African (SA; B.1.357) and Brazilian (P.1.) variants are also spreading in the US. but the Delta variant is pushing them aside.
A variant in southern CA is emerging off the SA origin clade 20C as CAL.20C with the mutation L452R - as of Feb 1st it the majority of POS samples in CA.
We will be updating the Supplement on The Vaiants (noted below) but many points about these new variants are discussed in the August 2021 update.
What have we learned about COVID-19 in 2020? (updated Jan 31, 2021):
15 Lessons on COVID-19
~~~~~~~~~
Is your state, or where your friends/relatives live, doing enough testing?
Check this site (This site is updated daily) Click this LINK
***************
New targeted topic Supplemental Presentations:
Supplement No. 1 (revised 3/19/21): Vitamin D and COVID-19
A major revision dated March 19th is now available. We cover the mechaistic actions of Vitamin D and its receptor on reducing cytokine stresses. We also cover the racial diaparities in Blacks, Hispanics and Whites in Vit D blood levels and COVID risk.
Supplement No. 2: The UK, South African, Brazilian and now So CA Variants and Risk (updated 3/15/2021)
Information on the new variants in the UK, South Africa, Brazil and the US including the new So California variant and issues about variants and infectivity
See the August 2021 update for more on the newest variants of concern (VOC)
Supplement No. 3: Radiation Injury and COVID-19 Injury
Radiation is a generator of reactive oxygen - so is COVID-19
Supplement No. 4. Ivermectin-Summary (updated 3/5/21)
Ivermectin as a therapeutic for COVID-19: The drug is used to control helmenthic (parasite) in the blood. Can it help reduce COVID-19 disease symptoms?
Ivermectin blocks nuclear transport of proteins and full blockade can have untoward effects. The dose used for parasitic control in the blood is too low to affect or deter a full body (systemic) viremia and higher doses are problematic.
Supplement No. 5. PCR Explained and When To Use Ag Testing
PCR is very sensitive and may not be the best way to sort out infectious subjects. Antigen tests are sensitive BELOW a PCR cycle count (Ct) of 30 identifying those subjects who are shedding/spreading the virus.
See the latest (Aug 15th, 2021) slide presentation on Antigen Testing CLICK HERE
Supplement No 6. What About School Openings (updated 3/6/21)
New slides on classroom CO2 (expired air) used as a surrogate "viral load"
An in-depth assessment of the childhood biology of COVID infection risks, school mitigation processes, and more.
There is a the NEW CDC Guidelines issued July 7th replacing the February update.
See the August 2021 Update for more information on these Guidelines.
NEW!!
Supplement No. 7. COVID-19 and Vascular Endothelial Damage
This new Supplement covers the COVID's actions on the vascular endothelium, NF-KB signaling, NOTCH signaling, Radiation/ROS injury similarities, and more.
Supplement No. 8. FLUVOXAMINE - An antidepressant for COVID-19?
(added 3/10/2021)
Yes, Fluvoxamine is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) drug for depression but it also has a high binding to the sigma-1 receptor and that conveys anti-inflammation properties
It may be useful in treating early symptom patients to reduce hospitalizations
NEW (06Nov21)
Supplement No. 10. Paxlovid (Pfizer) and Lagevrio (Merck) Oral Antivirals
Want to know more about what might be the Gamechangers for the Pandemic?
These new oral adminstered antivirals have a potential to really change the trajectory worldwide. Vaccine fragility and difficulties in storage, administration and acceptance may have a new avenue for inerventions
The COVID Varients: The change in PCR:
Click here for the link to the image:
slide 10 is displayed.
The Ct score is the PCR "cycle number" or, the number of amplification cycles needed to obtain a statistically "real" signal (viral copy number).
The South African variant (carrying N501Y) has a lower Ct score (= more infectious) versus three previous variants.
Our COVID-19 Bimonthly Update Presentations
We have delved deep into the science behind this pandemic and the public needs help in understanding the terminology, the tests, the risks and how to navigate these troubled times. We hope these slide decks will help you.
We have delved deep into the science behind this pandemic and the public needs help in understanding the terminology, the tests, the risks and how to navigate these troubled times. We hope these slide decks will help you.
Bimonthly Updates: February 2020 through June 2021
