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3 minutes ago, Bazle said:

Unfortunately, behind a pay wall. 😒

Hang on....

Edit...

Oxford scientists believe they have made a breakthrough in their quest for a Covid-19 vaccine after discovering that the jab triggers a response that may offer a "double defence" against the virus.

Phase I human trials of the world-leading Oxford vaccine have shown that it generates an immune response against the disease, the Telegraph has learned.

Blood samples taken from a group of UK volunteers given a dose of the vaccine showed that it stimulated the body to produce both antibodies and "killer T-cells", a senior source said.

The discovery is promising because separate studies have suggested that antibodies may fade away within months while T-cells can stay in circulation for years.

However the source cautioned that the results, while “extremely promising”, did not yet prove that the Oxford vaccine provides long-lasting immunity against Covid-19.

“I can tell you that we now know the Oxford vaccine covers both bases - it produces both a T cell and an antibody response,” the senior source told the Telegraph.

“It’s the combination of these two that will hopefully keep people safe.

“So far, so good. It’s an important moment. But we still have a long way to go.”

Another source close to the team described the presence of both antibodies and T-cells as a “double defence” against Covid-19.

The full findings will be published in the Lancet medical journal on July 20, it was confirmed on Wednesday night.

The findings are based on initial results from a Phase 1 clinical trial, which began in Oxford in April when doses of the vaccine were given to 500 volunteers. A major trial is currently underway involving 5,000 volunteers in virus-hit Brazil to prove the vaccine is effective, while the drugmaker AstraZeneca has signed a deal to produce up to two billion doses. If all goes well, the researchers hope the vaccine may be ready as early as October.

Speaking on Peston on ITV on Wednesday night, Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, said the best case scenario is for the vaccine to be available this year, but added it will "more likely" be ready in 2021.

The initial data also suggests that the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine is safe with no major side effects, it is understood, although further work will be needed. The team is also evaluating the level of dose needed to produce an effective response.

Stocks soared on Wednesday after reports of positive news on the Oxford vaccine to be released next week. Shares in AstraZeneca, the drugmaker licensed to produce billions of doses of the Oxford vaccine, jumped 5.2 per cemt.

David Carpenter, chair of the Berkshire Research Ethics Committee (REC), which approved the Oxford trial and continues to work with scientists on amendments, told the Telegraph that the team were “absolutely on track”.

“They can strengthen findings by targeting people in hospitals, healthcare professionals, where the spread is (more) likely to happen.

“Nobody can put final dates.. things might go wrong but the reality is that by working with a big pharma company, that vaccine could be fairly widely available around September and that is the sort of target they are working on.”

Antibodies vs T-cells

Scientists increasingly believe that any successful vaccine may need to trigger both an antibody and T-cell response – the two key aspects of our "adaptive" immune system.

Antibodies, produced by B cells, recognise a virus circulating in our body and neutralise it, preventing it from entering our cells.

T-cells are slightly different. They help to make antibodies but also directly attack human cells that have already become infected with a virus. These cells are vital in fighting a number of illnesses, including measles and the common cold.

When we have fought off an infection once, we retain a number of "memory" cells that are primed and ready to attack if we are infected with the virus again – and it is this process that a vaccine is attempting to replicate.

"What I would say is that if a vaccine elicits both responses it is potentially going to be better than one that just elicits one arm of the immune system," said Professor Jonathan Ball, a virologist at the University of Nottingham.

"The best vaccines tend to be those that mimic a viral infection, and this 'natural' infection would trigger both antibodies and T-cells."

Research published in the last few weeks appears to underline the importance of triggering a broad immune response.

A team at King's College London has found that antibodies do not remain in our blood for long. Of 96 people tracked, 60 per cent had a "potent" Covid-19 antibody response at the height of their infection.

This fell to just 17 per cent three months later – in some, antibodies were almost undetectable.

Separately, studies have detected T-cell reactivity against Sars-CoV-2 in those who have never been exposed to the virus.

But Professor Beate Kampmann, director of the Vaccine Centre at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, warned that this does not mean vaccines which fail to produce T-cells will not be effective.

Fading antibodies do not necessarily equate to fading immunity – it is entirely possible that antibodies in our blood may fall below detectable levels while still providing an effective defence against reinfection.

Likewise, just because a candidate elicits a T-cell response, this "does not guarantee that it will be safe and effective".

"A safe and effective vaccine is not just around the corner, and there are many unknowns – much bigger datasets and trials are needed," warned Prof Kampmann.

 

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My bold highlights.

Evil 

AP.JPG.da3a2c73bf3705e74d974831b55734c4.

Rising virus totals force rethink 
of bars, schools, tourism

by: ELAINE KURTENBACH, Associated Press

Posted:  / Updated: 

MITO, Japan (AP) — Bars may be off the menu and many schools look set to remain closed for months to come as the new coronavirus causes more illness and death in many countries and the U.S. South and West.

India’s record daily increase of nearly 32,7000 cases pushed its total close to 1 million and led authorities to reimpose a three-day lockdown and night curfew in the popular western beach state of Goa, two weeks after it was reopened to tourists.

The top elected official in the popular backpacking destination, Pramod Sawant, said people were flouting social distancing norms. Nearly 40,000 people were fined about $1.30 each in the past two weeks for not wearing face masks.

In Japan, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he might have to rethink plans for a domestic tourism campaign to help offset losses from keeping borders closed to foreign visitors. Tokyo’s new cases have been rising by hundreds daily.

“We are looking at the situation with a high level of nervousness,” Abe said of his “Go To” campaign offering discounts for traveling within Japan which was set to start next week.

As is true of many places, Tokyo’s nightlife — bars, clubs, cabarets and karaoke parlors — has been seen as a weak link in efforts to contain the virus. But the most recent data show the illness also spreading in offices and among older Japanese, in nursery schools and senior facilities, undoing earlier progress.

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2 minutes ago, Evil Penevil said:

Our European visitors are important to us.

This site is currently unavailable to visitors from the European Economic Area while we work to ensure your data is protected in accordance with applicable EU laws.

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16 minutes ago, Bazle said:

Our European visitors are important to us.

This site is currently unavailable to visitors from the European Economic Area while we work to ensure your data is protected in accordance with applicable EU laws.

 
 

Rising virus totals force rethink of bars, schools, tourism

by: ELAINE KURTENBACH, Associated Press

Posted:  / Updated: 
1d42ec74ea1e467aa4dea89f4de173a5.jpg?w=2

Rudy Pulido has his temperature checked by Melissa Acosta before he had his hair cut at Orange County Barbers Parlor on Wednesday, July 15, 2020, in Huntington Beach, Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered that indoor businesses like salons, barber shops, restaurants, movie theaters, museums and others close due to the spread of COVID-19. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

 

MITO, Japan (AP) — Bars may be off the menu and many schools look set to remain closed for months to come as the new coronavirus causes more illness and death in many countries and the U.S. South and West.

India’s record daily increase of nearly 32,7000 cases pushed its total close to 1 million and led authorities to reimpose a three-day lockdown and night curfew in the popular western beach state of Goa, two weeks after it was reopened to tourists.

The top elected official in the popular backpacking destination, Pramod Sawant, said people were flouting social distancing norms. Nearly 40,000 people were fined about $1.30 each in the past two weeks for not wearing face masks.

In Japan, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he might have to rethink plans for a domestic tourism campaign to help offset losses from keeping borders closed to foreign visitors. Tokyo’s new cases have been rising by hundreds daily.

“We are looking at the situation with a high level of nervousness,” Abe said of his “Go To” campaign offering discounts for traveling within Japan which was set to start next week.

As is true of many places, Tokyo’s nightlife — bars, clubs, cabarets and karaoke parlors — has been seen as a weak link in efforts to contain the virus. But the most recent data show the illness also spreading in offices and among older Japanese, in nursery schools and senior facilities, undoing earlier progress.

The Japanese government is constrained by how far it can restrict businesses and public activities and it never imposed a full lockdown. Officials have struggled over the trade-off between curbing the spread of the virus and protecting the ailing economy.

In Australia, where some have advocated a policy of virus eradication rather than suppression, Prime Minister Scott Morrison ruled out the strategy as costly, risky and a potential illusion.

“You can’t mortgage off your economy for what would prove to be an illusory goal,” he said.

After initially suppressing the pandemic, Australia saw the virus regain a foothold with breaches of controls in Melbourne hotel quarantines just as the nation was lifting its lockdown restrictions. The city has been shut down again, for six weeks, as 317 new cases were added Thursday to the tally in Melbourne and surrounding Victoria state.

Australia’s smaller neighbor, New Zealand, has had success with its goal of eradication, having had no community-spread cases in 76 days. All of its 27 active cases are people in quarantine after returning from foreign travel.

With its borders closed to foreigners, New Zealand has resumed most activities. But for most countries a return to normalcy appears further off than many envisioned just weeks ago.

Governors in several U.S. states ordered requirements for masks and imposed further limits on operations of bars and restaurants as the number of cases in the U.S. surged. California, Arizona, Texas and Florida together reported about 36,000 new cases on Wednesday.

The four states reported a total of more than 450 new deaths. In Alabama, which reported a one-day high of 40 deaths, officials said the state will begin requiring face masks.

 

The mayor of Los Angeles declared the nation’s second-largest city is on the verge of a shutdown of all but essential businesses and more school districts made plans to start the fall semester without on-site instruction.

San Francisco and Sacramento joined Los Angeles, San Diego, Oakland and other districts in announcing public school students will not return to classrooms but stick with digital learning when the new term begins because of the spreading virus and testing delays.

In Texas, which again set a record for confirmed new cases, with nearly 10,800, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has increasingly emphasized face coverings as the way to avoid another lockdown.

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock required masks at indoor public spaces and at larger outdoor gatherings in counties where four or more people are known to have COVID-19. The Democrat’s order came as the state reported a record number of new confirmed cases.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine appealed in a televised address to Ohioans to make “once-in-a-hundred year sacrifices” to protect their neighbors — whether or not the government requires them to do so.

Alluding to the dire death tolls of the Spanish flu pandemic and the Vietnam War, he urged them to wear face coverings at all times while in public, but issued no mandate.

“Friends, this is not a drill. It certainly is not any hoax. This is not a dress rehearsal,” he said.

Businesses have been tightening precautions, with Walmart becoming the largest U.S. retailer to require customers to wear face coverings at all of its Sam’s Club and namesake stores. In Las Vegas, some casinos began limiting smoking to keep customers from removing the masks they are required to wear.

Showing that there can be a way forward, China became the first economy to resume growing since the pandemic began in its central city of Wuhan. It reported an unexpectedly strong 3.2% expansion in the latest quarter after anti-virus lockdowns were lifted and factories and stores reopened.

The 6.8% contraction in January-March was the country’s worst downturn since at least the mid-1960s.

Economists say China is likely to recover faster than some other major economies due to the ruling Communist Party’s decision to impose the most intensive anti-disease measures in history. Those cut off most access to cities with a total of 60 million people and suspended trade and travel — steps later imitated by some Asian and European governments as the virus spread.

Few other countries have shown the will to impose such stringent measures to keep the virus at bay.

More than than 13.5 million people have been infected worldwide and over 580,000 have died, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. The true numbers are thought to be far higher for a number of reasons, including limited testing.

___

Associated Press reporters around the world contributed to this report.

 

Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

 
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3 hours ago, Painter said:

Hang on....

Edit...

Oxford scientists believe they have made a breakthrough in their quest for a Covid-19 vaccine after discovering that the jab triggers a response that may offer a "double defence" against the virus.

Phase I human trials of the world-leading Oxford vaccine have shown that it generates an immune response against the disease, the Telegraph has learned.

Blood samples taken from a group of UK volunteers given a dose of the vaccine showed that it stimulated the body to produce both antibodies and "killer T-cells", a senior source said.

The discovery is promising because separate studies have suggested that antibodies may fade away within months while T-cells can stay in circulation for years.

However the source cautioned that the results, while “extremely promising”, did not yet prove that the Oxford vaccine provides long-lasting immunity against Covid-19.

“I can tell you that we now know the Oxford vaccine covers both bases - it produces both a T cell and an antibody response,” the senior source told the Telegraph.

“It’s the combination of these two that will hopefully keep people safe.

“So far, so good. It’s an important moment. But we still have a long way to go.”

Another source close to the team described the presence of both antibodies and T-cells as a “double defence” against Covid-19.

The full findings will be published in the Lancet medical journal on July 20, it was confirmed on Wednesday night.

The findings are based on initial results from a Phase 1 clinical trial, which began in Oxford in April when doses of the vaccine were given to 500 volunteers. A major trial is currently underway involving 5,000 volunteers in virus-hit Brazil to prove the vaccine is effective, while the drugmaker AstraZeneca has signed a deal to produce up to two billion doses. If all goes well, the researchers hope the vaccine may be ready as early as October.

Speaking on Peston on ITV on Wednesday night, Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, said the best case scenario is for the vaccine to be available this year, but added it will "more likely" be ready in 2021.

The initial data also suggests that the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine is safe with no major side effects, it is understood, although further work will be needed. The team is also evaluating the level of dose needed to produce an effective response.

Stocks soared on Wednesday after reports of positive news on the Oxford vaccine to be released next week. Shares in AstraZeneca, the drugmaker licensed to produce billions of doses of the Oxford vaccine, jumped 5.2 per cemt.

David Carpenter, chair of the Berkshire Research Ethics Committee (REC), which approved the Oxford trial and continues to work with scientists on amendments, told the Telegraph that the team were “absolutely on track”.

“They can strengthen findings by targeting people in hospitals, healthcare professionals, where the spread is (more) likely to happen.

“Nobody can put final dates.. things might go wrong but the reality is that by working with a big pharma company, that vaccine could be fairly widely available around September and that is the sort of target they are working on.”

Antibodies vs T-cells

Scientists increasingly believe that any successful vaccine may need to trigger both an antibody and T-cell response – the two key aspects of our "adaptive" immune system.

Antibodies, produced by B cells, recognise a virus circulating in our body and neutralise it, preventing it from entering our cells.

T-cells are slightly different. They help to make antibodies but also directly attack human cells that have already become infected with a virus. These cells are vital in fighting a number of illnesses, including measles and the common cold.

When we have fought off an infection once, we retain a number of "memory" cells that are primed and ready to attack if we are infected with the virus again – and it is this process that a vaccine is attempting to replicate.

"What I would say is that if a vaccine elicits both responses it is potentially going to be better than one that just elicits one arm of the immune system," said Professor Jonathan Ball, a virologist at the University of Nottingham.

"The best vaccines tend to be those that mimic a viral infection, and this 'natural' infection would trigger both antibodies and T-cells."

Research published in the last few weeks appears to underline the importance of triggering a broad immune response.

A team at King's College London has found that antibodies do not remain in our blood for long. Of 96 people tracked, 60 per cent had a "potent" Covid-19 antibody response at the height of their infection.

This fell to just 17 per cent three months later – in some, antibodies were almost undetectable.

Separately, studies have detected T-cell reactivity against Sars-CoV-2 in those who have never been exposed to the virus.

But Professor Beate Kampmann, director of the Vaccine Centre at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, warned that this does not mean vaccines which fail to produce T-cells will not be effective.

Fading antibodies do not necessarily equate to fading immunity – it is entirely possible that antibodies in our blood may fall below detectable levels while still providing an effective defence against reinfection.

Likewise, just because a candidate elicits a T-cell response, this "does not guarantee that it will be safe and effective".

"A safe and effective vaccine is not just around the corner, and there are many unknowns – much bigger datasets and trials are needed," warned Prof Kampmann.

 

very promising indeed

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News17.JPG

Who is most likely to die from COVID-19?

by: Judith Retana

Posted:  / Updated: 

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)- The Centers for Disease Control painted a grim picture of characteristics in persons who have died from COVID-19.

An analysis by CBS17.com found white men, over age 65 with cardiovascular disease were most likely to die from COVID-19.

Underlying health conditions were a considerable factor in severe illness and deaths associated with COVID-19. In three-quarters of deaths, there was at least one underlying health condition present. In about half the deaths, there were at least two underlying health conditions.

Cardiovascular disease was the most prominent.

Underlying Condition Percentage of deaths present
Cardiovascular disease 61%
Diabetes 40%
Chronic kidney disease 21%
Chronic lung disease 19%
Immunosuppression 16%
Source: CDC

Nationally, while 35 percent of deaths were in Whites, second place was fairly close between Blacks (24.9 percent) and Hispanics (24.4 percent).

Men made up 60 percent of all cases nationwide.

The increased risk is partly due to the way COVID-19 impacts the body.

“Patients who have COVID-19 are at increased risk for blood clots that can form in various blood vessels. This can lead to heart attack or even what we call a pulmonary embolism,’ said Dr. Sunil Rao, a cardiologist at Duke University School of Medicine

It is important to note, the CDC’s report is based on information compiled from February 12–May 18, 2020.

Dr. Rao said he was not surprised by the makeup of the majority of deaths. He said cardiovascular disease is a very common disease affecting older people.

What was more concerning to him was the CDC’s report that younger Black and LatinX patients were also dying from COVID-19.

“That’s quite surprising because we had originally thought that younger patients were being protected from severe COVID-19 infection. We now know that’s not the case. In fact, the CDC has done away with an age threshold. The older you are, the more at risk you are. It’s a continuous risk. Patients who are in the Black and Latino or Hispanic community, those patients seem to be at even higher risk for the severe COVID-19 infection at younger ages than their white counterparts,” said Dr. Rao.

The report found “Overall, 34.9 percent of Hispanic and 29.5 percent of nonwhite decedents were aged under 65 years, compared with 13.2 percent of white, non-Hispanic decedents.”

 

Read the entire report here.

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3 hours ago, Painter said:

There's a bit more detail in the print edition of the Times this morning. So in addition to the latest positive UK trial they have recruited 37,000 more volunteers from Africa, Brazil, South America and the US. 

Areas of rising infections are what you really want if testing out a vaccine. Astrazenca have agreed to supply 100 million does of the Oxford vaccine by Sept/Oct to the UK and 300 million doses to the US- same timeline.

These doses are the throw away bet really, they won't know at point of manufacture how well they really do work- only the results of the large scale trials will tell them that.

Also have been positive trials results from Moderna in the US, but much smaller scale on only 45 people but a trial on 30,000 people in the US scheduled for July 27th.

Thirdly in the mix are Biontech German firm, have two candidate vaccines fast tracked by US regulators, and they are trying to recruit 30,000 (seems a popular number) volunteers in the US

I'd add though these are only 3 trials, 100s are going on around the world 🤞🤞

 

 

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22 minutes ago, Evil Penevil said:

News17.JPG

Who is most likely to die from COVID-19?

by: Judith Retana

Posted:  / Updated: 

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)- The Centers for Disease Control painted a grim picture of characteristics in persons who have died from COVID-19.

An analysis by CBS17.com found white men, over age 65 with cardiovascular disease were most likely to die from COVID-19.

Underlying health conditions were a considerable factor in severe illness and deaths associated with COVID-19. In three-quarters of deaths, there was at least one underlying health condition present. In about half the deaths, there were at least two underlying health conditions.

Cardiovascular disease was the most prominent.

Underlying Condition Percentage of deaths present
Cardiovascular disease 61%
Diabetes 40%
Chronic kidney disease 21%
Chronic lung disease 19%
Immunosuppression 16%
Source: CDC

Nationally, while 35 percent of deaths were in Whites, second place was fairly close between Blacks (24.9 percent) and Hispanics (24.4 percent).

Men made up 60 percent of all cases nationwide.

The increased risk is partly due to the way COVID-19 impacts the body.

“Patients who have COVID-19 are at increased risk for blood clots that can form in various blood vessels. This can lead to heart attack or even what we call a pulmonary embolism,’ said Dr. Sunil Rao, a cardiologist at Duke University School of Medicine

It is important to note, the CDC’s report is based on information compiled from February 12–May 18, 2020.

Dr. Rao said he was not surprised by the makeup of the majority of deaths. He said cardiovascular disease is a very common disease affecting older people.

What was more concerning to him was the CDC’s report that younger Black and LatinX patients were also dying from COVID-19.

“That’s quite surprising because we had originally thought that younger patients were being protected from severe COVID-19 infection. We now know that’s not the case. In fact, the CDC has done away with an age threshold. The older you are, the more at risk you are. It’s a continuous risk. Patients who are in the Black and Latino or Hispanic community, those patients seem to be at even higher risk for the severe COVID-19 infection at younger ages than their white counterparts,” said Dr. Rao.

The report found “Overall, 34.9 percent of Hispanic and 29.5 percent of nonwhite decedents were aged under 65 years, compared with 13.2 percent of white, non-Hispanic decedents.”

 

Read the entire report here.

As I said further up the thread this is a metabolic disease primarily wrt mortality,obesity(metabolic syndrome)u ,cv disease,diabetes,kidney disease etc...medcram covers this brilliantly btw...its easy to digest.. I would strongly  recommend the medcram site

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Considering the high prevalence of Neanderthal DNA in males visiting Pattaya, this article could be of relevance.  My bold highlights.  I wonder what the risk is for males with troll or hobbit DNA?

Evil

BGR.JPG.90ed795c30f10c8d04bc8ac4ab0c69e6.JPG

Neanderthal DNA might be a risk factor 
for severe coronavirus cases

July 14th, 2020 at 10:12 PM
  • Several risk factors have been associated with severe coronavirus illness, and health officials have a good idea about which patients are likely to develop symptoms and complications after infection.
  • It’s still unclear why the coronavirus affects some people more severely than others, and why many people deal with mild to moderate cases of COVID-19.
  • A new study that’s yet to be peer-reviewed says that a segment containing genes inherited from Neanderthals 60,000 years ago can be associated with an increased risk of severe COVID-19 cases.

Not all of the people who test positive for the novel coronavirus will experience a bad case of COVID-19 requiring oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation. That’s something many people will say in order to minimize the ongoing surge in cases. That is somewhat true. Some will not realize they carry the disease, and others will experience a milder version of COVID-19. A wide variety of patients are at risk of developing severe illnesses, but that doesn’t guarantee that everyone else will survive. Once you start showing symptoms, there’s no telling which way the disease will go, even if you don’t have any medical conditions that can complicate the disease.

Doctors are still trying to understand why COVID-19 is a more significant threat to old people suffering from certain preexisting conditions and why men are more likely to die than women of the same age. And physicians have discovered therapies that can lower the COVID-19 death rate for patients who do go on ventilators, but the fatality percentage remains high. Amid the ongoing coronavirus research, genetics stand out.

The science can keep track of coronavirus mutation, but also try to explain the risk factors at the gene level for severe COVID-19 cases. A new paper did just that, and the conclusion is incredible: It’s the Neanderthal in you that could be responsible for an increased risk of developing a severe case of coronavirus.

(READ MORE)

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On 7/15/2020 at 12:48 AM, Thai Spice said:

Following the US stock market, and a few bio pharma companies, I know it usually takes years to have a new medication approved for sales by the FDA.

Trials in several steps, each over long periods  etc...

And now they will suddenly approve a miracle vaccin in a few months ? 

And fabricate millions of them....

Let's be serious ......

.

 

 

So at this time you would rather opt for a 5 year study? Lets see how that works out. 

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18 hours ago, Evil Penevil said:

Considering the high prevalence of Neanderthal DNA in males visiting Pattaya, this article could be of relevance.  My bold highlights.  I wonder what the risk is for males with troll or hobbit DNA?

Evil

BGR.JPG.90ed795c30f10c8d04bc8ac4ab0c69e6.JPG

Neanderthal DNA might be a risk factor 
for severe coronavirus cases

July 14th, 2020 at 10:12 PM
  • Several risk factors have been associated with severe coronavirus illness, and health officials have a good idea about which patients are likely to develop symptoms and complications after infection.
  • It’s still unclear why the coronavirus affects some people more severely than others, and why many people deal with mild to moderate cases of COVID-19.
  • A new study that’s yet to be peer-reviewed says that a segment containing genes inherited from Neanderthals 60,000 years ago can be associated with an increased risk of severe COVID-19 cases.

Not all of the people who test positive for the novel coronavirus will experience a bad case of COVID-19 requiring oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation. That’s something many people will say in order to minimize the ongoing surge in cases. That is somewhat true. Some will not realize they carry the disease, and others will experience a milder version of COVID-19. A wide variety of patients are at risk of developing severe illnesses, but that doesn’t guarantee that everyone else will survive. Once you start showing symptoms, there’s no telling which way the disease will go, even if you don’t have any medical conditions that can complicate the disease.

Doctors are still trying to understand why COVID-19 is a more significant threat to old people suffering from certain preexisting conditions and why men are more likely to die than women of the same age. And physicians have discovered therapies that can lower the COVID-19 death rate for patients who do go on ventilators, but the fatality percentage remains high. Amid the ongoing coronavirus research, genetics stand out.

The science can keep track of coronavirus mutation, but also try to explain the risk factors at the gene level for severe COVID-19 cases. A new paper did just that, and the conclusion is incredible: It’s the Neanderthal in you that could be responsible for an increased risk of developing a severe case of coronavirus.

(READ MORE)

we're doomed on this forum

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