March 28, 2024
Out like a lamb
Well, I’m still a walking bio-hazard. After finishing Paxlovid, my test positively rebounded today. I don’t feel too bad at the moment, but I’m glad I took the Paxlovid. My symptoms were coming on hard last Wednesday, but leveled off with the meds. I’m ready for this to be over, but slowing down and letting go has been good for me. Helping me prioritize what’s important to me: People. Even if I haven’t been the best at communication, I am so grateful for you all!
Science is still happening all around us. I have a couple bits of news on the COVID front down below, but what’s really peaked my interest is this article in The Seattle Times. It’s about Orcas, not viruses, but is pretty cool. This gift article in the New York Times explains some of the findings. The Seattle Times article has much more detail if you’re able to read it. It tells the tale of why we have two, rather than one, species of Orcas in the area. The “resident” orcas in Puget Sound eat salmon and are endangered due to the decrease in Chinook salmon in particular. The “transient” Orcas, or Biggs, are bigger and eat marine mammals. They are thriving as the marine mammal population recovers. It has taken decades of study to overcome the presumption of all orcas being one species. Pretty damn cool research, if you ask me.
On the coronavirus front, Pemivibart is a monoclonal antibody infusion, similar to the one given early in the pandemic. It has just been given emergency use authorization to be used for pre-exposure prophylaxis in immunocompromised individual, those who are at highest risk of COVID. It protects for three months and can be repeated. Many people with immunocompromise have contraindications for Paxlovid so this is a good option if they are undergoing cancer treatment.
Moderna has new data on an updated next-generation vaccine that shows a higher immune response against SARS-CoV-2 than its prior vaccine. It also will have a longer shelf-life and no need for ultra-cold temperatures. Also the ability to be combined with a flu vaccine which will be helpful.
My worries turn to measles at the moment. Already the US has more cases in the first 3 months this year than all of last year. It seems to be due to unvaccinated people bringing it back from travels, the drop in vaccination rates reducing herd immunity in some localities. The most vulnerable people are infants and the unimmunized. But also people undergoing cancer treatment or recent stem cell transplants which causes them to lose their immunity. They need to be extra careful and pay attention to any cases in their locality.
Overall, herd immunity to measles still holds with high vaccine rates. It is only low in certain regions with high vaccine hesitancy. If vaccine hesitancy increases, more areas will be vulnerable. Sigh.
I wish they could understand that our scientific understanding of things change. Scientists keep learning and looking. They realize a mistake is made, adapt to the new reality, admit error: that we have two Orca species, not one. That’s how we’ve gotten through this pandemic. Not completely without controversy and mistakes, but science adapted, adjusted, and protected us.
I think I probably got my case on my flight. No one else at my meeting got sick (Yay). I took off my mask during the flight so I could drink my sparkling water. It fell off my lap and I couldn’t find it. I didn’t bother getting another out. Don’t be like me. Be careful out there.
And finally, my caveat is that this is my experience and my opinions, which are subject to change as more information is available. Thanks for reading.
Share this post if you know of others who may be interested. All links are listed at the bottom of this post. The New York Times articles have links that are gift links, allowing you to read the article for free.
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https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/these-puget-sound-orcas-could-be-designated-as-distinct-species/
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/26/science/orcas-species-killer-whales.html?unlocked_article_code=1.gU0.4H6b.ooD17Ix6xiq0&smid=url-share
https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19/109336
https://investors.modernatx.com/news/news-details/2024/Moderna-Achieves-Positive-Interim-Results-from-Phase-3-Trial-of-Next-Generation-COVID-19-Vaccine/default.aspx
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/22/well/live/measles-cases-united-states.html
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/measles-cases-us-rise-62-thursday-says-cdc-2024-03-22/