Analysis

RESEARCH: A mutation undercuts the immune response to the COVID virus

Thu, 2021-01-14 10:01 — mike kraft

NATURE

A mutation undercuts the immune response to the COVID virus

A handful of mutations to SARS-CoV-2 can help it to escape the immune response mounted by a subset of infected people.

Researchers have identified thousands of mutations in SARS-CoV-2 samples, but the vast majority are unlikely to have much effect on the virus’s biology. To identify potentially important mutations, Jesse Bloom at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington, and his colleagues studied antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 isolated from the blood serum of people who had recovered from COVID-19 (A. J. Greaney et al. Preprint at bioRxiv https://doi.org/ghr85d; 2021).

The team tested the antibodies’ response to samples of the virus’s spike protein. Each sample protein carried different versions of a region called the receptor binding domain (RBD), which recognizes host cells and is a major target for antibodies.

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COVID-19 infection gives some immunity, but virus can still be spread, study finds

Thu, 2021-01-14 09:40 — mike kraft

COVID-19 infection gives some immunity, but virus can still be spread, study finds People who have had COVID-19 are highly likely to have immunity to it for at least five months, but there is evidence that those with antibodies may still be able to carry and spread the virus, a study of British healthcare workers has found. Kate Kelland U.S.

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ANALYSIS: Why Aren’t We Wearing Better Masks?

Wed, 2021-01-13 20:20 — mike kraft

Why Aren’t We Wearing Better Masks? Cloth masks are better than nothing, but they were supposed to be a stopgap measure. Zeynep Tufekci, Jeremy Howard The Atlantic

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Survey: Attitudes, Views and Values around Health, Equity and Race Amid COVID-19

Wed, 2021-01-13 19:56 — mike kraft

Attitudes, Views and Values around Health, Equity and Race Amid COVID-19 A national, ongoing survey explores deep-rooted views of those with low and middle incomes, with a focus on people of color, on health, equity and race. RWJF

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OPINION: We need a better way of distributing the covid-19 vaccine. Here’s how to do it.

Wed, 2021-01-13 11:54 — mike kraft

Opinion | We need a better way of distributing the covid-19 vaccine. Here’s how to do it. The United States needs a distribution strategy that our fragmented, multilayered health-care system can effectively implement. Drew Altman Washington Post

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Can you spread Covid-19 if you get the vaccine?

Wed, 2021-01-13 11:36 — mike kraft

Can you spread Covid-19 if you get the vaccine? Answering this question will take us one step closer to our new normal. Katherine Ellen Foley Quartz

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Coronavirus shutdowns have quashed nearly all other common viruses. But scientists say a rebound is coming.

Tue, 2021-01-12 19:14 — mike kraft

Veteran virus trackers say they are chronicling something never before seen — the suppression of virtually every common respiratory and gastrointestinal virus besides the novel coronavirus. They theorize that is largely due to global shutdowns, mask-wearing and a host of other health protocols aimed at stemming the spread of the coronavirus.

These other viruses — including influenza A, influenza B, parainfluenza, norovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus — all appear to be circulating at or near levels lower than ever previously measured. The same is true for the respiratory bacteria that cause pertussis, better known as whooping cough, and pneumonia.

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