there are also reports of it affecting different systems in the body and the possibility of airborne transmission.Yes, there had been quite a few unconfirmed reports of reinfection, and now it seems well demonstrated that it does happen, at least sometimes. Apparently it happens not so much because of the virus mutating (although it is, and detecting those mutations was important for proving that it was a new infection, rather than the individual not actually recovering from the first one), but that their immune response wasn't very strong, and the protection it offers weakens over time.
Another thing that sometimes happens with this virus is the inability to fight off the original infection. Usually a person with a mild case recovers within about 2 weeks. Those with severe illness may have it for 2 weeks to a month. But some people (there are thousands, many of whom are otherwise quite healthy) end up "long-haulers", suffering either mild or severe symptoms for several months!
Do you have any data to back up this claim? This is basically saying that there is no immunity.
There was a study that came out a few weeks ago that showed there is at least three months of immunity. That was the lower boundary. I was looking at the reports of reinfection that have been cropping up around the world and those seem to have started at around 4.5 months.
A lower boundary is something else than a general statement that the immunity is 3 months. And there are limits how low you can go before you can't separate on on-going infection from a reinfection. Immunity takes some time to establish. And a virus can mutate, so there is a gray area for immunity.
Right, and the 3 months was also based on the reinfection cases we are now seeing. At any rate, it seems highly likely that any vaccine we develop for this will have to be a seasonal one. Some of the reinfection cases we are seeing seem to be from a different strain of the virus.A lower boundary is something else than a general statement that the immunity is 3 months. And there are limits how low you can go before you can't separate on on-going infection from a reinfection. Immunity takes some time to establish. And a virus can mutate, so there is a gray area for immunity.
Depends what is meant by available. Some number of doses may be available for emergency deployment, I hope for the health care workers and the most vulnerable, but probably not for the general public, let alone the world at large. It may still be about another year for that.
Yep, that's what the CDC stated also, essential workers and those most vulnerable may have access to it before the end of the year, however for the general public it will probably be Q2/Q3 of 2021.Depends what is meant by available. Some number of doses may be available for emergency deployment, I hope for the health care workers and the most vulnerable, but probably not for the general public, let alone the world at large. It may still be about another year for that.
Very nice. Another reason I kind of wish I lived in Norway...
Many spent less time outside their home in March and April, and visits to care homes were restricted. so this might have reduced the seasonal flu deaths. But I can tell you that all these precautions seem to have zero effect on the common cold these days. My kids go to three different schools, so inevitable it's been brought home.
Obesity is likely a factor. Air pollution probably less, at least directly. Over the past 40 years or so air pollution in cities has improved quite a bit. I think any correlation would mostly be indirectly. Like city dwellers having a less active lifestyle.