Miscellaneous COVID-19/Corona Virus Discussion, Questions, etc.

[noosard]

The virus smallpox has at the moment been eradicated from the human population
But it could reappear at some time in the future
Rinderpest in cattle has also been eradicated but again it may reappear in the future

[stattointhailand]

read somewhere, First case of pulmonary anthrax in 10 YEARS detected this week

[DuiDui49]

read somewhere, First case of pulmonary anthrax in 10 YEARS detected this week

https://www.dnaindia.com/world/report-c ... ep-2905159

[stattointhailand]

Thanks DuiDui I couldnt remember where I saw it

[pipoz4444]

In addition to Favipiravir and Remdesivir, (which appear to be the less effective of the four) there are two other Drugs that they have been using in clinical trials to try and combat Covid 19 in some way, particularly in severe cases of Covid 19. I am sure they are trialing others, in various combinations with each other?
DEXAMETHASONE
TOCILIZUMAB

I am not suggesting they work.

EXTRACT:
Abstract: In this manuscript, we discuss the expectations versus the real-world results of four repurposed COVID-19 drugs: tocilizumab, remdesivir, favipiravir, and dexamethasone from a clinical and pharmacovigilant point of view.

We suggest that though the results of two-phase III double-blind clinical trials have been less than expected, tocilizumab has a real remaining potential to treat selected critical cases of COVID-19 beyond clinical trials until more data are revealed.

On the contrary, remdesivir, though its FDA approval, and favipiravir are least likely to benefit COVID-19 patients.

Moreover, we recommend that the RECOVERY dexamethasone should only be considered for critical hospitalized COVID-19 patients and we urge physicians in developing countries to avoid using it in mild-moderate COVID-19 cases. Finally, we recommend considering a personalized risk-benefit ratio before a decision is made using any of these drugs.

Conclusion: We would like to join the WHO in its recommendation against the use of remdesivir for COVID-19. Furthermore, a teratogenic, embryotoxic favipiravir should undergo extensive studies to assess its potential gene mutation and/or chromosomal damage effects as well as to evaluate its long-term potential human carcinogenicity before allowing wide-scale global trialing and we suggest it is also least likely to safely manage COVID-19.

On the other hand, we would like to recommend considering Tocilizumab and Dexamethasone for selected severe-critical cases of COVID-19 until the results of other much-needed large clinical trials fill some important missing gaps as regards to their COVID-19 efficacy/inefficacy.

1. Dexamethasone: A randomized open-label evaluation of COVID-19 therapy (RECOVERY) collaborative group showed a small mortality benefit to dexamethasone therapy among patients who were receiving invasive mechanical ventilation: 482/2104 patients (22.9%) in the dexamethasone group and 1110/4321 patients (25.7%) in the usual care group [35], yet several concerns regarding the study design and the data and its interpretation were raised [36, 37].

Moreover, the RECOVERY results showing a potential benefit of dexamethasone in SRAS CoV-2 complicated patients contradicted the conclusive outcomes of several previous studies showing evidence of a possibly harmful effect when corticosteroids were used to manage SARS, MERS, and influenza pneumonia patients [38–40].


2. Tocilizumab: A recombinant humanized anti-IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibody which is FDA approved to manage diseases other than COVID-19, was initially shown to shorten the median time to COVID-19 clinical improvement [2] and it also showed non-statistically significant lower mortality results in patients with severe to critical COVID-19 [3]. Interestingly, although several studies have shown tocilizumab to significantly improve the clinical outcomes in severe cases of COVID-19 pneumonia [4–9], two-phase III double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials have demonstrated that tocilizumab did not improve the clinical status in patients with COVID-19-associated pneumonia and did not prevent intubation or death in moderately ill hospitalized patients with COVID-19, though potential benefit/harm could not be entirely excluded [10, 11].

Importantly, selection criteria of patients included in tocilizumab clinical trials were suggested to be revised [9, 12], and another phase III double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial demonstrated that patients with COVID-19-associated pneumonia who received tocilizumab plus standard of care were 44% less likely to progress to mechanical ventilation or death compared to patients who received placebo plus standard of care [13].

However, a recent small open-label trial cautioned from potential safety concerns while using tocilizumab that has not proved superior to standard care [14] and we definitely agree with the clinical vigilant recommendation that prohibits the routine use of tocilizumab for COVID-19 but we, likewise, do not agree with the one that restricts its use for clinical trials only [15].

In our point of view, tocilizumab should be always considered for selected most critical cases of COVID-19 until further data unveils the remaining mysteries.

pipoz4444

[Giggle]

Children born during pandemic have lower IQs, US study finds

Children born during the coronavirus pandemic have significantly reduced verbal, motor and overall cognitive performance compared with children born before, a US study suggests.

The first few years of a child’s life are critical to their cognitive development. But with Covid-19 triggering the closure of businesses, nurseries, schools and playgrounds, life for infants changed considerably, with parents stressed and stretched as they tried to balance work and childcare.

With limited stimulation at home and less interaction with the world outside, pandemic-era children appear to have scored shockingly low on tests designed to assess cognitive development, said lead study author Sean Deoni, associate professor of paediatrics (research) at Brown University.

In the decade preceding the pandemic, the mean IQ score on standardised tests for children aged between three months and three years of age hovered around 100, but for children born during the pandemic that number tumbled to 78, according to the analysis, which is yet to be peer-reviewed.

“It’s not subtle by any stretch,” said Deoni. “You don’t typically see things like that, outside of major cognitive disorders.”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/ ... tudy-finds

I wonder if we can get these IQ scores broken down by other variables -- like say ... race.

Yeah, prolly not.

[Bonanza]

Giggle,

Quote: " ......the mean IQ score on standardised tests for children aged between three months and three years of age hovered around 100, but for children born during the pandemic that number tumbled to 78 "

Well it would, wouldn't it, as the oldest children born during the pandemic are about two years old? Therefore there are less of the older more developed children, so the average is lower.

[papafarang]

Giggle,

Quote: " ......the mean IQ score on standardised tests for children aged between three months and three years of age hovered around 100, but for children born during the pandemic that number tumbled to 78 "

Well it would, wouldn't it, as the oldest children born during the pandemic are about two years old? Therefore there are less of the older more developed children, so the average is lower.

well that's the fastest peer review in history

[FrazeeDK]

3 months to 3 years old tested for IQ? I wonder how you test a baby? I don't see babies in cribs and toddlers dancing in the streets in non-pandemic times.... You would think that with the various lockdowns, closedowns and parents at home the kids would be getting far more attention than usual...

[ladda3904]

Dave
Maybe you hit on the problem. All the dips...ts staying home. I too wondered about measuring IQ at that age. But since mine is less than 30 I just accepted the conclusion. After all it is on the internet and not disputed by the fact checkers.

[Khun Paul]

Judging by the shenanigans going on in the USA reference the Pandemic, elections and the complete rubbish spouted by many, I would think the average IQ of the American Nation is below that of the mean average in Western countries ,although we do have some really stupid people as well

[Drunk Monkey]

Oh dear ..KP .. are you intimating that IYO Americans are of lower IQ then other nations ..

i would imagine many of our American members may have something to say about that.

[ladda3904]

However, it's important to remember that IQ isn't the only measure of intelligence. Nations can also be ranked based on school test rankings or the number of Nobel Prizes won throughout the years. For example, Singapore has the highest IQ but is not considered the smartest nation in the world. That honor goes to Japan, which is ranked more highly in school test rankings and the number of past Nobel Prizes awarded. The USA had 3 times more Nobel Prize winners than any other country. They also were the first country to put a man on the moon. They also take in more immigrants than other country, many from impoverished places where IQ scores tend to be lower. Finally as shown in other posts you don't need a high IQ to have an opinion.

[Drunk Monkey]

Have any UM members received an appointment for a vaccine shot (Phizer or AZ ) after registering on the expatvac site ??

So far the only confirmed ones were at Med park n Bkk .... also unconfirmed 3 rd shot boosters to front line workers .. seems somewhere they must be stocks of used vacs which need to be in peoples arms quick.

DM

[samsam]

However, it's important to remember that IQ isn't the only measure of intelligence. Nations can also be ranked based on school test rankings or the number of Nobel Prizes won throughout the years. For example, Singapore has the highest IQ but is not considered the smartest nation in the world. That honor goes to Japan, which is ranked more highly in school test rankings and the number of past Nobel Prizes awarded. The USA had 3 times more Nobel Prize winners than any other country. They also were the first country to put a man on the moon. They also take in more immigrants than other country, many from impoverished places where IQ scores tend to be lower. Finally as shown in other posts you don't need a high IQ to have an opinion.

check out Global Innovation Index,Rankings

[jackspratt]

I can confirm the 3rd shot Pfizer booster for front liners. Couple of blokes who live in my Moo Baan, and who work at the BD Hospital, had theirs a week ago.

[stattointhailand]

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-58153416

[BKK-Udon]

I can confirm the 3rd shot Pfizer booster for front liners. Couple of blokes who live in my Moo Baan, and who work at the BD Hospital, had theirs a week ago.

Also wondering about the Pfizer vaccines outside of BKK. A friend got his at Med Park after the recent online registration.

What is BD hospital?

[Drunk Monkey]

Ban Dung Hospital

[BKK-Udon]

Ban Dung Hospital

Thanks. Guess I really need to get out more... or not, until after this mess.