US fifth COVID wave grows: https://fortune.com/2022/05/14/why-arent-second-boosters-available-to-all-americans-us-fifth-covid-wave-immunity-waning/ . The doctors quoted present a complicated picture with respect to the ongoing utility of boosters. I disagree.
Here’s what is generally agreed to: (a) booster protection wanes after about 4 months; (b) the new variants are increasingly able to evade existing vaccines; and (c) existing vaccines are extremely safe.
So here’s where I disagree with some of the suggestions in the article. As the vaccines are extremely safe, I see no significant problem in giving boosters every 6 months. In my view, the expense and risk is insignificant relative to the cost of an ongoing pandemic. As only about 50% of the population has received a booster, there is much added population protection to be gained by boosting more people.
Also, new vaccines containing targeting of Omicron are on the way. The biyearly booster schedule I suggest would allow those vaccines to be administered as part of this “regular” booster program. That is, the mRNA vaccine advances allow rapid targeting of new variants. Furthermore, we know giving a different vaccine as a booster (mix-and-match) creates as good or better protection than continuing with the original vaccine.
Instead of providing a robust multifaceted response to the pandemic, governments have chosen one path (vaccination or lockdown) and stuck with it. The US needs to at least continue with the vaccination path, and also consider masking, contact tracing, and all the other steps that will reduce global viral load and hence the possibility of more mutations.
WSJ: Nationwide abortion rights rallies: https://www.wsj.com/articles/abortion-rights-marches-planned-across-u-s-to-protest-possible-overturning-of-roe-v-wade-11652520603 .
GOP nominates COVID response skeptic in Minnesota governor’s race: https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2022-05-14/minnesota-gop-reconvenes-to-back-candidate-for-governor . It would appear this goofball has fostered deep divides within the Minnesota GOP. Hopefully this is the last we’ll hear of him.
Shanghai will begin gradual reopening on Monday: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-05-14/shanghai-to-start-gradually-reopening-malls-other-firms-in-covid-lockdown-transition .
North Korea reports more COVID deaths and cases: https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-pandemics-south-korea-flu-d6c20af012cd035bcf411dbf952a3a5e . All of this is both ridiculous and tragic. North Korea has refused vaccinations from COVID, and now reports almost a million cases of COVID in 3 days, with 15 deaths. If the case number is anywhere near correct, the death figure is likely way too low, although deaths are of course a lagging indicator. Since North Korea has no effective testing, they really have no idea what is going on.
Finland expected to go forward with NATO on Sunday, pulling Sweden along with it: https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220515-finland-to-announce-nato-decision-as-sweden-holds-key-meet .
McConnell and other GOP leaders meet with Zelensky in Ukraine: https://news.yahoo.com/sen-mitch-mcconnell-other-gop-172759258.html .
Ukraine spy chief says coup against Putin is advancing: https://news.yahoo.com/putin-russia-war-ukraine-coup-underway-170317898.html . Yes, this is Ukrainian propaganda. However, this guy did predict the Russian invasion when others doubted it. Also, he states that Putin is very ill. The diagnosis given is blood cancer. Third, he predicts Ukrainian victory by the end of this year.
Russians withdraw from Kharkiv fight: https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-war-crimes-4cc0ea6b166aa0fd9fb1306f280739fc .
WSJ: Ukraine counteroffensive against Russian supply lines in Donbas: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-launches-counteroffensive-to-disrupt-russian-supply-lines-11652531731 .
Turkey offers to evacuate wounded Mariupol fighters: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/turkey-offers-to-evacuate-mariupol-fighters-despite-disagreements/ar-AAXhns9?cvid=818c2c648a6140b8bffdc7a89e77355b .