TWiV 665: This half-week in coronavirology

Daniel Griffin provides a clinical report on COVID-19, superspreading potential of SARS-CoV-2 in Hong Kong, structure of virion glycoprotein of a commmon cold coronavirus reveals changes driven by prolonged circulation in humans, and listener email.
Show notes at www.microbe.tv... in a new tab)
Become a patron of TWiV at www.microbe.tv...

[@DawnLevendula]

1:36 "Keep the human side" .... Thank you for staying human.

[@AngelaNess11]

Good job on apologizing to Dixon! Vince’s attitude was quite aggressive but he is a great man for owning up to it and learning from his mistakes 💪🏻💜👌🏼 love you guys!!!

[@Sonic_Sefa]

It brought tears to my eyes! This wonderful effort at civilised discourse amongst adults. So nice to see in this day and age. Keep up the good work. Y'all are an inspiration in ways you may never know. More grease to your elbows.

[@roninroshi44]

‘Vinnie’ a tough Jersey guy with a heart 🙏

[@julpergon]

"...and assurances that it will not happen again." So rare to hear proper excuses...

[@bobbob123ful]

Time stamp?

[@dr7246]

Thank you for publicly apologizing to Dickson. It shows strength of character to admit mistakes and apologize, full stop, and even more to do so publicly. Not only was it the right thing to do, but it also shows that you’re worthy of the respect that many of us have for you

[@roninroshi44]

I live in Wakayama JP...population one million! 236 infected since this hit Japan with 4 deaths!!! Japanese culturally personal distance...and masks everywhere. This is the ‘country side’ by Japanese standards Tokyo is much different. But in all ‘country side’ areas in Japan the infection level is very low. Again masks every where. They work!

[@briancase6180]

Thank goodness for TWiV: all the other news I hear makes me hyperventilate; TWiV, with its focus on facts and science, calms me down and keeps me positive. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[@penelopestylites1492]

Hyper-ventilator. You’re not alone - if u stay away from hospital. Obviously 🙄 wear the mask 😷 google good goggles 🥽 I wrote a piece about this. You will find bits and parts of somewhere around here. Good on you. Ps what is pan-spermatozoon again? If you’re not the author of that paper / piece please advice. Much love, and great comment.

[@nouseforaname3345]

Sometimes I listen when I can't sleep. I find their voices of reason soothing.

[@danstarnes2375]

Nice people, and humble as well! Knowledge with charity profiteth much! I love this program and learn so much! You all are such a help in times of chaos! Thank you for your sharing of your factual information!

[@brendabrass3725]

Daniel you ARE special. Please be careful with your gym use.

[@anetaintegra8543]

I am a Home Healthcare RN, also have premed and Medical Science Degree under my belt, I'm in southern california. I watched and studied privately whilst the Covid 19 pandemic swept across the country. I and a Physical Therapist were the only ones at my HHC agency that would see patients after hospitalisation for Covid 19 Disease and those who had a procedure and were PCR positive at time of admission and were still in the 14 day window. After comparing Sars1 and Sars 2 I found my risk was lower than ER and ICU staff. I wont be intubating without PPE! I was still scared to see HHC patients with Covid 19 Disease but I understood the science, my heart must have been over 200 b/min at the first patient and measured 104 degree F in my ppe. Despite trying to calm my colleagues I was appalled that they would not try to understand the science. Anyway TWIV has made me feel so much less alone in my work. Now my colleagues have to see the patients but they are slow to get fitted. After listening to Dr Dan he confirmed what I figured out. I can't tell you how interesting its been looking after these people, and like he said I have been one of the people to make a difference. At least I can tell my unborne grandson down the track, "Grandmama was there".

[@deem331]

Hello Twiv scientists, physicians and, educators. I started listening a few months ago and enjoy Twiv more and more all the time. I learn so much . I'm 55 year old R.N., , retired due to illness, and don't get out much anymore. .It's really cool for mel to be able to be exposed to conversations and information like this I' m not gonna pretend that .much doesn't go right over my head but , much sinks in too! I'll take it ! The Pandemic drew me to your pod cast but, your personalities, fun , laughing and chats keep me coming back and looking forward to the next episode . I find myself routinely laughing out loud at your humor. You're all as seem as humble, authentic and likeable as you are knowledgeable and smart smart. I'm so glad you share like this. Thank you Dee. ☺️ P..S. Dear Vincent Dracenyeller, I spent much of my nursing career as a certified psychiatric nurse so I bet it's not a surprise that I found my self wondering why Dixon pushes your buttons 🌝. As a nurse I am capable of observing that you seem to get your buttons pushed but, I couldn't begin to tell you why. Anyway, your sincere apology and Dixon's graceful acceptance reminds me how this podcast is great on a few levels. Keep on doing what you do☺️

[@janpat7373]

I thought the same thing re why Vincent gets irritated with Dixon especially when it is obvious that they are good friends. Reminded me of how an adult child berates their parent. I am glad it was addressed with a gracious and sincere apology.

[@penelopestylites1492]

Dixon asks the best questions in my opinion and quick his wit! Sure this is a sign of intelligence. It’s a scientific fact. Btw Barack Obama was given the Nobel prize. So then there’s that also. And I love his kind (Dixon that is) a wonderful face. Pax

[@deem331]

Oh...and P S.S Im still waiting for Twig I'm a gardener too. Thanks again Dee

[@ovrjoyd]

As a side note, they are creating pretty cute 3 and 4 ply surgical masks. I found myself complimenting my food delivery shopper on her adorable mask today. They mostly make cute designs for kids, but a few manufacturers make adult sizes as well. It's becoming a fashion statement. As well it should be!

[@patrickm.8425]

So long as people understand that a mask is doing absolutely nothing to protect anyone from any virus.

[@z.j.maayan8458]

Good job acknowledging your bullying of Dixon. We can all act in ways we wish we did not and you model the correct way of addressing it. Thanks!

[@watershedbarbie9685]

Love you guys. You could do a show about what each of you would like us to know.

[@watershedbarbie9685]

You can wear sunglasses as well as your mask when you go out. I wear mine every time I go to the grocery store, which is the only place I have gone for seven months.

[@poohsblusteryday8592]

As an RN I was perplexed when I bought Ivermectin at the feed store for my horses and it had a warning sign ‘Not for human use’. I just shook my head... laughed (inside my mask) .... thinking oh my.... was there a presidential speech for this one also 🤣🤣

[@whitefluffydogs9278]

The good old 80:20 rule. 20% of journal articles represent 80% of citations.

[@roninroshi44]

Dr. Vincent very honorable that you apologized on KZbin it shows a high level of integrity!

[@Liface]

I’m curious if participating in COVID-19 vaccine trials would be a reliable way for someone to get a positive vaccination status early. 1. Does anyone know *when* the companies let the participants know whether they have received a placebo or an actual vaccine? 2. Is there a way you could make any sort of guess whether you’ve received a placebo or vaccine? 3. For the participants that have received a placebo, are they given an actual vaccine at some point? 4. If they aren’t given a vaccine until late (like summer 2020 or later), could someone drop out of the trial and receive a vaccine from another company?

[@alandun27]

Rachel didn't say 6 million dead - she said a range from 2 million . . . it was actually a very long and complicated 'bit' - to summarise it as 'she said 6 million would die' is just disturbingly misleading, particularly in the context of your remarkable podcast.

[@ovrjoyd]

I agree with Sam. The sudden opioid and vaping crises! FOLLOW THE MONEY! 2:23:05

[@cab5917]

Dr. Daniel Griffin, the author must be a reader. Reference “Loves Labour’s Lost,” play by William Shakespeare. Also, JCAHO (The Joint Commission) stands for Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, just saying for those not infused with the healthcare acronyms. My aside, I go to Peet’s Coffee shop, everyone wears masks, fast in, fast out, sitting only outside available. I get ground 1 lb. Mocha Java and get right back in my car. I do wear glasses, especially sunglasses while wearing my my cloth mask (can get foggy). Smarter? Hopefully. CDC guidelines, those in close proximity defined as “breathing” is another odd criteria for the general public. If someone is not breathing most of us would not be in close proximity. No bars! No gym! Smile.

[@LOYL1313]

I think if you wear glasses, you are unlikely to rub or touch your eyes as much.

[@davidmarilley6060]

Extend Halloween for a month. Use Star Wars helmets.

[@ovrjoyd]

If they EVER took the common cold Coronairuses seriously, I wonder how many treatments we could have come up with to possibly prevent the very worst outcome of SARS-CoV2? I have little faith in the fast track vaccines. I genuinely believe monoclonal antibodies are the best hope for disease mitigation and treatment for long haulers.

[@dontworrybehappy5139]

I agree. Almost everyone I talk to has been given the impression that a successful SARS-CoV-2 vaccine will be like the smallpox vaccine and will be like 95% effective at preventing infection. When I tell them that it will likely be more like the flu vaccine and that high risk individuals are still going to want to be wearing a mask in any high risk environment they don't want to hear it. I can understand why.

[@joefrancis759]

1:12:20 Alan had tickets for Die Antwoord - wow, definitely would not have expected him in that demographic

[@watershedbarbie9685]

Please, stay out of the gym, Sir.

[@Ermengrabby]

I have designed a mask that doesn’t fog your glasses.

[@healthybursa]

nice, another easy fix is to use hypoallergenic double sided clothing tape on the place where the mask contacts the bridge of the nose to keep it stable & reduce fogging

[@mkuc6951]

You guys are very knowledgeable but i must say, when i hear you scoff at economic damage being caused by the lockdown measures and the cause and effect of the measures, you need to think a bit more. Being in Melbourne Australia, with the worlds longest lockdown its a drainer, and we're all done. Its going to have huge ramifications.

[@ronlynquist9183]

The majority support it.

[@mkuc6951]

@@ronlynquist9183 they sure do. But a lot of people are in the process of fleeing the state as well.

[@ronlynquist9183]

@@mkuc6951 No they aren't.

[@ronlynquist9183]

@@mkuc6951 You are a conspiracy theory nut job.

[@marywood4913]

Yea! TWIV!

[@traianliviudanciu8665]

If cryoglobuline IgM antibody occur after SARS COV2 infection and we use low temperature oxigenoterapy, anything bad can occur. Maybe must warm more (at body temperature) oxigen mix ?

[@briancase6180]

Grrr! Almost nobody understands the word "semantics." Literally, semantics are the *meaning* of a word or sentence. There's no "just" semantics. When most people use this word, what they mean is diction (word choice) or lexicon (spelling, e.g.). Stop using the word "semantics" incorrectly! Semantics is everything that matters! It means what you mean!

[@RussCR5187]

Perhaps it should be "just syntax"?

[@briancase6180]

​@@RussCR5187 Well.... Syntax refers to grammar. Even that is not correct given statements like "you're just talking about semantics." People generally mean "it's just the words you're using" when they say something like "now we're arguing about semantics." In fact, arguing about semantics is arguing about the "meat of the matter," what you're actually saying, meaning, what you mean to say. Semantics: meaning. Syntax: grammar (sentence structure), which is also very important and not what people generally mean. Diction: word choice. Lexicon: vocabulary, spelling, basically. For some reason, the meanings of these very important words are not taught to students (anymore?). In computer science, a compiler (language translator) has three distinct aspects/phases: lexical analysis (does the program use valid words in the programming language?), syntax analysis (does the program use valid sentences in the programming language?), and semantic analysis (what do the sentences mean?). A computer program can have errors in any or all of the three phases of analysis; so can "programs" in human language (you might use a Norwegian word in an English sentence that's not valid in English, e.g.). These phases are the same in natural, human languages. For some reason, school never teaches this anymore. In human languages, ambiguous sentences are allowed: "Time flies like an arrow." Does that mean time goes by quickly or the the particular kind of fly, a time fly, has an affinity for arrows? *That's* an issue with syntax analysis: ambiguity. Both parses could be semantically correct; but, we know there is no such thing as a "time fly," so we can eliminate that parse; thus, it must mean time goes by quickly. "The refrigerator loves the stove" is a semantic error: the sentence is correct lexically and syntactically but semantically meaningless.

[@RussCR5187]

@@briancase6180 I see. Thanks much for the detailed explanation!

[@whoever6458]

I can tell you right now why most of the spread is from asymptomatic or presymptomatic people and that is almost certainly because one of the first symptoms is feeling so tired that you don't feel like doing anything or going anywhere. That eventually progresses to the point that you become aware of the fact that having to walk a mere 10 feet is like having to sprint for an entire marathon because you can't get enough oxygen into your blood. I remember having about a month's worth of running regular marathons ten feet down the hall to the bathroom, having to rest on the toilet for a little while, and then running the same marathon in reverse back to my room. There's no way your going to go out when you feel like that and if people weren't contagious until then, this virus would hardly spread because no one would have the energy or oxygen to go out and spread it.

[@silviopina_111]

*LINK ALERT* Someone tell @Vincent that the direct link to twiv-665 leads to a "404 nothing found" error page. Of course I can see the show notes ARE up, but one needs to navigate to them, the link is not working. Welcome! :-) Feel free to delete my comment after fix :-)

[@suzannelooms7658]

TWiV contradicts what Daniel Griffin said at the start of the video about interactions/effects of having one vaccine & then switching to another. DG indicated this was not without consequences.

[@ovrjoyd]

I voted for Obama twice. Shame on me! He could have made this Single-payer M4A just as easily as the ACA. Ya, helping his health insurance industry buddies at our expense. My ACA health insurance covers NOTHING and most 'specialist" doctors in my state won't even accept it.

[@jadadetorres3210]

The discreet action interestingly amuse because revolve hemperly advise like a phobic puffin. sparkling, jagged organisation

[@ovrjoyd]

I am very interested in hearing about monoclonal antibodies as a treatment for long haulers COVID-19. I missed the window of a clinical trial and haven't heard or read much about its efficacy. I would love to know if there have been any updates since the articles on Google are dated. Perhaps you have an inside track.

[@AS-cy1jt]

if your glasses fog up, your mask isn't fitting properly, my solution was to run the 1/4 inch elastic through the same clamp as I use to hold sun glasses from falling off, I tighten the strap around my head so the mask fits snuggly over my nose and viola no fogging, don't use any de-fogger, as its use might be detrimental to your eyesight.

[@cky5573]

I know this is a late comment but Asian people have been wearing masks before this pandemic so this was not a "foreign" type of behavior for them. It's different in the US where we have never worn masks public before.

[@AS-cy1jt]

here is that video with ping pong balls, social distancing and masks work, don't let anyone tell you different kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXuVf4B6aLuKn9E

[@JeeJubee]

It is SO heartbreaking !! to hear the TWiV team rip right into Dr Thomas Borody’s Triple Therapy. (2:12:52). Starts with eye rolls and laughter, then ridicule for requiring study participants utilize a pharmacy that carries his specific study protocol, then moves to question his reputation. What is their basis for questioning Borody’s reputation? TWiV concedes Borody is a known pioneer with “notable accomplishments,” then dismisses same *because notable scientists have been know to later do crazy stuff*. Example is Linus Pauling, who was “wrong” on the “triple helix” theory for DNA. Altogether fail to credit Pauling for the fact that his theory directly led to the “double helix” that holds today. Next they belittle Pauling’s work on Vitamin C, which BTW is widely used with great success on Covid-19 infected millions in China and elsewhere around the world. Vit C indeed is adjunctive to Borody’s protocol. So it does make sense that Borody needs to maintain his treatment fidelity. Especially given this flavor of treatment. Finally, TWiV notes (and this point has been repeatedly debunked) that the dosage required for Ivermectin (the dosage used for the first invitro study) cannot safely be used in humans. Such a dosage is *nowhere* required, while IVM is currently saving countless numbers of lives around the globe. Dr Thomas Borody deserves deep and sincere respect. Please scroll and listen.

[@dontworrybehappy5139]

I believe the eye-rolls were in response to the claims of a "cure" and I think it is the appropriate response to such claims without proof. Doctors claiming cures for diseases without any data backing it up deserve derision. In my opinion, no respectable doctor would claim a "cure" even if they had good results from a trial.

[@JeeJubee]

Don’t Worry Be Happy, I hope that you and others reading these comments do not permit the word “cure” to cause missing the data Borody and many others have already compiled. There is an awful lot already out there. Fortunately, the TWiV team did soften the tone to recognize IVM as something worthy of study. So please be cautious in saying Dr Borody deserves derision. He is saving human lives as we message here.

[@dontworrybehappy5139]

@@JeeJubee If he is the one who used the word "cure" then I do think he needs the derision from the scientific community. I'm not saying his work isn't valuable and maybe even that it shows great hope, but I'll wait for the double-blinded data showing that before I'll get too excited.

[@JeeJubee]

That’s a deal. Thanks. Some others of us don’t have much luxury to wait, which makes what data there is very valuable. Peace.

[@JeeJubee]

Maybe best to hear it from Dr Borody himself, rather than couched in the ridicule of Tim’s email to TWiV: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGekZ4V8edWlf9U

[@eliermaxwell5910]

Is it possible the virus derived. From a fungus rna fungus

[@traianliviudanciu8665]

Did You know at what tissue temperature did SARS COV2 better replicate? Why? Because at TWiV 659 at min29 virologist Christian Drosten indicate that.

[@traianliviudanciu8665]

Maybe mask wearing not only stop droplets, but also maintain higher mucouseal respiratory temperature.

[@lyndachristison8126]

Regarding fogging glasses, my surgeon uses a strip of clear surgical/bandage tape to hold the mask snuggly across his nose and under his eyes. He told me that he's done this for years as he needs to prevent his glasses from steaming up while operating on his patients.

[@healthybursa]

also double sided tape used for clothing is available and works well (look for hypoallergenic)

[@0scartheCat]

Running on a treadmill with a mask ???? Why not just trot off down the road.... running outside is better anyway ...

[@dontworrybehappy5139]

As a runner, I agree. The only time I use a treadmill is when the weather is really bad and thankfully in SF Bay Area that isn't too often.

[@hoomalumalu]

guys, stick to science, don't get into socialized medicine

[@silviopina_111]

I can't wait for the next episode... 666!!! Tell us @Vincent, you are not going to skip it like elevators the 13th floor, right? I am so curious... no matter what it will be about, people will find a way to comment on that iconic number...haha! (I just wanted to be the FIRST LOL!)

[@pedroferreira4134]

Again thank you Daniel Griffin. You experience from close contact with patients is invaluable. You also said one or two funny things, like "risk of contagion is heightened by covid patients that are breathing..."

[@miguelgonzales8879]

If we compare Hong ,Kong to .5New Jersey with almost similar number of people, 7.5 and 8.5 approx., we see a big difference in covid deaths, 16,000 in NJ and 103 in HK, 103!!! Why the difference?

[@fnln9510]

If the number of virus that we inhale determines the severity of the disease for this virus, then we should study the safe viral dose for each age group and maybe infect ourselves with a safe dose. This sounds a little risky, but I think this is a better approach for Sweden and people who don't like wearing mask and don't like vaccines. These people are risking themselves from inhaling large amount of viral particles.

[@Dylaniated]

They didn't split the indoor vs outdoor or split coffee and bars because I'm guessing the outdoor and coffee was negligible...sooooo getting closer to ppl is riskier or there's something about the gps of your food overlapping with a restaurant property?? is this even useful?🤦🤦

[@fedegufedegu]

Italy is not being hit hard now we are just around 1500 daily cases/15 daily deaths, probably for every case we actually miss another one or two. But this time the gov is very careful. unfortunately they authorized now 1000 spectators in the outdoor stadiums for soccer and worse 750 for indoor basket domes

[@luisfernando-mm3jt]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqvXimeZh6aAbMk Christian Drosten interview

[@TribunusLaticlavus]

1:31:58 was quite entertaining, others attempting to pronounce Dutch names is always an interesting adventure abroad to see what people end up making of it so this sort of reminded me of those times. Your guess at 1:32:21 for "de Groot" was a good one for that name not what you initially guessed and everyone else thought it was afterward your second guess. Honestly of the typical Dutch names in that list I would've considered "Pronker", "Snijder" and "de Groot" (1:32:21 version) just fine as a non-native speaker. And "van Kuppeveld" was a bit off but understandable, overall it was well above average. Our language is a nice complicated mess to learn there are a few sounds like the r and g which can be tricky to learn and heaps of irregular plurals and nouns. And the written system is both similar and different from German which leads to confusing details as well when people know a few bits and pieces of that. But it's always interesting for me to hear how the names are pronounced and in particular how Americans of Dutch descent pronounce their own names.

[@Dylaniated]

☝️ maybe it's because glass wearers have a more competitive microbiome around their eyes (hands touching glasses multiple times per day; I didn't wash my glasses that much)

[@traianliviudanciu8665]

Did mechanical ventilation decrease lung temperature? May be if Covid19 occur, must avoid to decrease lung temperature?

[@traianliviudanciu8665]

1)At low blood temperature increase erytocite aggregation like Coin Roll, especially If globuline level increase.2)SARS COV2 better replicate at very low tissue temperature.

[@traianliviudanciu8665]

At TWiV 659 at min29 Christian Drosten suggest that SARS COV2 better replicate at very low tissue temperature.

[@traianliviudanciu8665]

May be ,, mask wearing,, increase upper respiratory temperature?

[@contournut5726]

"for 15 minutes ... while that person is either breathing coughing or talking" So, not dead then?

[@EvonZundel]

The statement about schools is what teachers have been saying for months.

[@kenyoung5682]

We love the expensive medicines (esp. monoclonal antibodies).

[@dmm613]

There is a typo in the show notes URL on youtube for this episode.

[@DavidDavisL]

Not a perfect solution for reducing fogging of eyeglasses, but the use of surgical tape at the entire length of the top of the mask, across the nose, will reduce the amount of humid breath rising into the lens area. Best to apply tape inside before going out, and leaving the mask on until returning to inside.

[@healthybursa]

look for double sided fabric tape, with hypoallergenic adhesive, used in hospitals to make cloth masks into N95 filter holders for front line workers

[@davidmarilley6060]

Bacteria phase is T-cell exhaustion.

[@jamesmadison4834]

It sucks these are only a few hours long.

[@beckster6116]

Hi, love your posts. So sorry to hear about your colleague. Can I ask why Dexamethasone which has been proven to help in the UK isn’t being used in the USA or is it? Re Long Covid what are your thoughts on people becoming M.E/CFS sufferers if fatigue lasts 6+ months?

[@briancase6180]

Yes, dexamethasone is being used in the US. EDIT: Actually, corticosteroids other than dexamethasone are being used by at least some docs (Dr. Griffin has mentioned this on this very podcast). Their efficacy is due to their ability to calm the over-exuberant immune response (the cytokine and bradykinin storms, e.g., if I understand correctly); corticosteroids in general can achieve this. Dexamethasone is well-studied for this purpose in covid-19, but it stands to reason that other, similar compounds will work.

[@beckster6116]

Brian Case thank you for replying. I’d not heard of it’s use, I just hear about Remdesivir.

[@earthangel2524]

@@beckster6116 Antivirals are for early-stage disease. Steroids for immune phase.

[@briancase6180]

@@beckster6116 Remdesivir is an antiviral; dexamethasone and other corticosteroids work by modulating the immune-system response. They are used (or should be) at completely different times in disease progression. Generally, corticosteroids are started late in disease progression when a patient needs supplemental oxygen. Remdesivir is only useful very close to the beginning of the viral infection. It's efficacy diminishes to zero when viral replication ceases (generally within a few days after symptom onset).

[@xylmorph8297]

what about trying zinc, doxy and ivermectin? That is what i would want if i get sick and way before i get to hospital. Trials and case study listed below.

[@xylmorph8297]

www.trialsitenews.com/southern-california-research-institute-receives-fda-greenlight-for-ivermectin-clinical-trial/

[@xylmorph8297]

www.trialsitenews.com/an-old-drug-tackles-new-tricks-ivermectin-treatment-in-three-brazilian-towns/

[@xylmorph8297]

this doc in Florida is using ivermectin: pscflorida.com/

[@xylmorph8297]

even just adding zinc might help but i'm sure she is already taking high dose vitamin D, Zinc, glutathione etc

[@xylmorph8297]

case study: www.bcpsjournal.org/mhcms-admin/media/pdf/article762.pdf

[@whoever6458]

Bar and band transmissions... Well shit, I think I resemble that remark and I did feel just great when I was out there singing. I always always always stay home when I am sick.

[@whoever6458]

I wonder if we can come up with a way to sing behind a face shield or something to make it safer because I know I am in real dire straits because I was making basically all of my money with music (despite my college biology degree). I mean I've already lost pretty much everything except my guitar and my bicycle but I'd really like to get out of these dire straits even though not much is left.

[@whoever6458]

Oddly, I actually kind of hate social contact (particularly ironic considering all the comments I've made here but written internet stuff is easier for me). The only reason I can go out and bear all the social contact when I play music is because of the alcohol. I mean I can certainly do it without that but I'd like to enjoy myself if I'm going to be eeking by as I was before the pandemic (I resist calling that time normal because normal is both relative and subjective, plus we have no option but to travel through time into the future).

[@penelopestylites1492]

Who Ever I like everything how you are. anyway. Real Dire straits is not hearing u.

[@penelopestylites1492]

I know it now. Because o hear you regardless ur shield. But I don’t like the shield

[@whoever6458]

@@penelopestylites1492 I wore a mask and sung and my glasses fogged up so fast that I had only exhaled once before it looked like I was in fog through my glasses. I have to be able to see because sometimes drunk people get too dramatic in the places where I play so I need to see what's going on so that I can either get them to calm down or avoid their drama because I've had enough drama in life I hope.

[@davidmarilley6060]

UK not well whatsoever.

[@davidmarilley6060]

Llly safety data?

[@azaquihelify]

ohh no , we got a vaccine?

[@henkvandergaast3948]

I keep passing this on.

[@henkvandergaast3948]

I loved Dickson's smile on "Old Cow".

[@watershedbarbie9685]

What is wrong with talking about politics? Politics affect people.

[@thephantomerik]

They get a lot of angry emails from people who demand that they keep politics out of their videos.

[@watershedbarbie9685]

@@thephantomerik That's hilarious. In this situation. "THE PERSONAL IS THE POLITICAL."

[@whoever6458]

I would say that if they wanted to be smart, they wouldn't open schools, particularly colleges, until they deem it safe to open bars because a lot of the same things that lead to transmission in bars occur in schools. There are limits on the debauchery found at bars and, despite there technically being limits on the debauchery at dorm parties, it's harder to enforce. I know I partied in several people's dorms with their roommate when alcohol wasn't even supposedly allowed in the dorm. Ha! I also find it interesting that so many people live on campus at their colleges because, when I was in college, the people in the dorms were paying the same amount of rent as I was in my own apartment. Of course, they got free cable and all of their utilities paid, but they did also have to share the room with three other people. I think it was well worth the utilities, even though I like to turn the AC down low, because then you can lock the door and ignore everyone who tries to interrupt your studying.

[@davidmarilley6060]

Dorm=Nursing home except for mortality risk of residents.

[@JL-tu6ob]

TWIV is a great program. I enjoy the science they pass on, however I think they also convey some incorrect information and some political bias. These are serious charges as scientists are not “scientific” if they are wrong. Charging a scientist as such is enough to generate a NASTY fight. I don’t mean to offend anyone...hear is the truth. TWIV ever since the pandemic rose have absolutely insisted that wearing face masks prevent, protect, and slow the propagation of COVID-19. Unfortunately people are quite capable of gaining infection thru the eye. Whoops! No face shields ? I bet the ( and I mean this sincerely ) the good Doctor wears a face shield ! How can scientific experts miss this fact and Proactively push a second rate ( just mask ) solution. Additionally there IS evidence that HCQ with Zinc works when delivered early. There are many “scientists” and “doctors” that still utilize it. Many contrives that do have better outcomes and shorter hospital stays. Why can these professionals get there shit together and conclusively prove of disprove HCQ by conducting a study with all elements involved at the introduction of symptoms ? If conclusively disproven, change gears and figure out why the discrepancy exists. We are all victims of politics, either side is getting it. Get politics out of science and OUT of TWIV. There is no room for closed minded political S#IT when lives are being lost.

[@davidmarilley6060]

Daniel: review Rantes. The remedy is unavailable thanks to your FDA. And watch UK buy all the production.

[@penelopestylites1492]

Mucosal sites. Who is Jon Galt. This is a good memory activity for that particular biology. It’s great to be here.

[@whoever6458]

Personally, every time I hear the world diarrhea, I start thinking of this hilarious song we used to sing when I was a kid: "If you're climbing up a ladder and you feel something splatter, diarrhea..." It would start out as that and then it would have to turn into something like a cadence where you have to make something up that rhymes. lol

[@eliermaxwell5910]

His lt eye look inflammation

[@tikaanipippin]

When you observe Chinese group photographs - eg. graduation photos, there used to be a large proportion of spectacle wearers, probably less today due to contact lenses. I wonder if this represents genetic selection in high density human populations for hereditary myopia based on eye protection as survival factor for contagious droplet infections? I used to speculate that myopia caused individuals to peer more closely into the eyes of people they were interacting with, thus stimulating unintended sexual attraction between couples, even when the close attention was just to discern facial expressions, leading to selection of the myopia gene.

[@randmorf]

Myopia in Chinese is chiefly due to the near 24x7 daily grind of nose-to-paper studying that their kids are expected to do for like 18 or more years. Count yourself lucky if you were raised in the lax West where kids are allowed time to just be kids.

[@ThePhysicalist1230]

Are doctors still not looking at vitamin D when treating patients?

[@JeeJubee]

Yes, many are. And quite successfully. It was a bit disheartening to hear the TWIV laughter and ridicule of that out of hand.

[@RussCR5187]

@@Shelmerdine745 A small, randomized, prospective clinical trial from Spain, identified as a "robust pilot" trial, recently found that vitamin D (in the form of calcifediol) significantly reduced ICU admissions of hospital patients when a high-dose course was begun on the day of admittance. Here is the paper: medium.com/microbial-instincts/the-first-clinical-trial-to-support-vitamin-d-therapy-for-covid-19-906a9d907468

[@JeeJubee]

Thank you Russ. I figure Elaniago can do his/her own research, or laugh all the way to the ER once unable to breathe.

[@ThePhysicalist1230]

​@@Shelmerdine745 Rarely in science do you have definitive "proof" of something. Normally it is a series of studies providing evidence that leads one to make conclusions. It is already accepted that vitamin d is vital to proper immune function, couple that with these studies showing correlation to COVID-19 severity and the evidence is strong. On top of that, Vitamin D is relatively harmless and a very significant portion of the American population are deficient (especially among the obese and elderly, who just so happen to be the ones most affected by this disease).

[@JeeJubee]

I have never read any study, including RCT’s did not conclude by saying “more studies are needed.” Not one study ever said, “no more studies needed, we found the wholesale solution.” That’s one thing. Another important point is we should trust and have confidence in front line doctors who witness the impact (or not) of their treatments in the midst of a pandemic while waiting for RTC’s equals the sacrifice of human life by untold tens of thousands.

[@DennisMathias]

Starting at 1:30:00, convinced me all of you are from outer space and time.

[@healthybursa]

I abandoned an academic career in virology 50 years ago, went a totally different direction, but this rapid fire use of the jargon of physical chemistry plus the frequent emotional expression is sometimes like listening to opera, and there's an occasional pause for definition of terms.

[@DennisMathias]

@@healthybursa Oh, yeah, I'm loving it but understand only a little. I hope you haven't regretted your career choice but you must have a burning interest! Good for you.

[@westfield90]

The only issue I take with the intro comment was that unfortunately death is a part of life. No one seems to give a rats behinds of the number of people killed on our highways and no one pushes for 30 miles per hour speed limits. No one pushes to ban all fast food restaurants since we know we can dramatically lower diabetes and obesity. So let’s please stop it. Frankly the lip service is disingenuous especially from politicians. How many died of suicide over the past 8 months? How many cancers? It’s all sad but one disease like covid does not jump to the front of the line.

[@david.juillet]

Wrong. It does jump to the front of the line, with good reason.

[@joefrancis759]

This is a thoughtful comment but the car/food analogies fail. Let's remember we do have speed limits and stop signs and signals, we are required to wear seat belts and add all kinds of other safety features into vehicles at great cost, which only came about after a lot of political work, not to mention take a test to get in one and drive it. Also, questionable whether 30mph speed limit would really impact the cfr of people in car accidents - it might increase it. There are many requirements to keeping food, especially fast food, from killing us (those who *choose* to over-indulge pay the price, it doesn't infect people who walk by). As for cancers, there seems to be a tremendous amount of work being done on those fronts and I think in general suicide is treated as more serious than 'just the flu'. But maybe cancer and suicide are a fair analogy, I'll grant you those.

[@whoever6458]

It's got to be that glasses keep it from getting in your eyes as much. It's odd because glasses make wearing a mask harder to do because your glasses immediately fog up, especially for those of us with small faces. So it comes down to whether it's more dangerous to have your face uncovered or to not be able to see what's going on around you. I have tried several things to help remedy this problem and none of them have really worked, although it hasn't been as bad now that I am further afield from having been sick so many I had some residual fluids in my lungs that raised the humidity of the air I was breathing out. It is still a problem though, but so is the heat in this area when the mask traps the warm air you exhale by your face. I still wear them, not because I'm afraid of getting sick again, but I want to respect other people's very real fears of this illness. I had an optimistic view on how sick I would get with it and that virus nearly killed me and, even if it was just being mildly sick, it lasts for such a long time that it's a waste of time in and of itself.

[@whoever6458]

I will also say that I am quite concerned about the possibility of getting reinfected but remaining asymptomatic and passing it to someone else, which is a fantastic reason to wear a mask. We need to find a way to solve some of the problems that make wearing a mask a pain in the ass and we need to find more ways for people to do things without meeting in person.

[@penelopestylites1492]

Who Ever I wish I wore my Covid mask always before the viral came upon US. Perhaps we could have been better without that facialpsd from me to u. Sorry forever about me

[@whoever6458]

@@penelopestylites1492 I wish I could find a good way to wear my mask without fogging my glasses up and overheating because I worked in healthcare and know how important they can be in preventing the transmission of diseases that are transmitted via droplets. When I worked in healthcare, I never got sick. I usually stay away from sick people but my mom was sick first and so I helped her, plus I live with her, so I got sick. COVID is sneaky too because you can spread it before you even get sick and the first week or so of being sick isn't really mostly being very tired so it tends to make you and everyone around you underestimate it.

[@penelopestylites1492]

Who Ever China is at the forefront of the practical onion-goggle. I would like to suggest the Amazon. It’s been my experience that the $14 goggles seem to work better then the bag of (4) of the same goggles that also cost $14. This is an anecdotal per-view (fog-less) albeit sans formal peer-review

[@whoever6458]

@@penelopestylites1492 You know that's actually something I hadn't thought of. I do have some old goggle from chemistry but they tend to fog up in and of themselves. It's a good idea. The other problem is it being like 40 Celsius all the time around here. Have there been any innovations to deal with the additional heat of wearing a mask? I speak several languages but I never took enough Chinese to benefit from what must be being discovered in light of both the first SARS crisis and now this one.

[@sexysherry13]

Monoclonal antibody therapy has bee all over the news of late. Just Google it.

[@sexysherry13]

Wrong! People are picking it up in grocery stores. You're speaking irresponsibly to say that!

[@dcgirlamy]

There is no evidence of this in any data or study. Most is from close contact in live in situations

[@ronlynquist9183]

@@ghwk-phd2784 Only if you don't care about hundreds of thousands of people dying.

[@ronlynquist9183]

@@ghwk-phd2784 but you lie.

[@ronlynquist9183]

@@ghwk-phd2784 You conspiracy theorynut jobs a re lie.

[@sexysherry13]

Google "Patient 31".