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Originally Posted by PearlJam And let us not forget the extremely low numbers in states that had massive election-related gatherings in the last few months. |
You have your answer right there!
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Originally Posted by am1m But at least this time around the vaccination drive is definitely picking up pace and pretty soon I think (hope) we'll see the effects with reduced serious cases at least. Fingers crossed. |
I doubt it, unless the vaccine enhances common sense! The new wave is mostly ascribed to newer VOC (variants of concern) including the double mutant Indian strain - the vaccines are based on the Wuhan strain isolated last April. The only thing that still works is common sense and precautions (not to the extent of lockdown, though).
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Originally Posted by pandey.jai The numbers reported by MH don’t look good. I have to head back to Pune to vacate my house and it looks like that’s going to be a nightmare with everyone requiring Covid -ve reports. The society I live in also has a lot of cases so I don’t know if it is wise to go back there. Lease is expiring at end of month and it’s getting tough to justify rental expense when I’m not even living there.
Covid has created so many uncertainties and I don’t like them one bit (the uncertainties I mean). |
It's your call. I stay in Pune with positive cases all around me - be it hospital or home - just follow simple precautions. And if you still contract it, there's not much you could have done - 99% you'll still be all right. That's a certainty, the uncertainties have been infiltrated by the government, aided by the media. You know who to believe.
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Originally Posted by DriverR I thought RT-PCR test was more reliable among the various COVID test options? The RAT is supposed to be unreliable which is why the standard process is to get an PCR test even if the RAT comes negative. |
It is more reliable, but still has plenty of its own shortcomings. Take it with a large pinch of salt.
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Originally Posted by PearlJam It also means that I am probably protected for some duration in the future, and probably much better off when a new strain comes in the future. Even in the longer term, probably due to T-cells. Right? |
Wrong. Nothing proven about that. We already have 3-4 new strains now infecting those who were already infected (not counting the millions of asymptomatic infections) AND those who are "completely vaccinated".
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Originally Posted by vivek95 But I too have been saying this since day 1 of the pandemic last year that why should we really worry when 80+% of the individuals are asymptomatic ?? Isn't it better that a disease that has entered your body is not producing any symptoms because of immune system at work ?? Besides, it is now nearly proven that asymptomatic people carry the least or no risk of spreading the disease to others. If it were like Ebola, Zika where in the manifestations are deadly and fatality rate is high, then the fear and panic and lockdown are justified. This whole paranoid approach towards Covid again and again is just not done. Let me tell you, the recent surge in cases in Mumbai and Pune ( highest in the country ) are majorly asymptomatic or very mildly symptomatic. Had we ever isolated ourselves for 14+ days for something as minor as a runny nose,sore throat or two spikes of fever earlier ?? Can't understand why cannot we just live with Covid and get on with life. This disease is never ever gonna go. Lets admit and treat only those patients who require oxygen and the lungs are severely affected. |
No need to tell you, Dr. Vivek, but in India, the doctor who reassures and doesn't order a page of fancy tests and lengthy prescriptions is labelled "useless" and even has his credentials questioned by his own patients and their relatives. You have to be "seen to be doing something" no matter how inconsequential. They would rather believe Dr. Google but want you to be the "executive". Hence so many tests, HRCTs, unproven cocktails of medicines and probably even not so efficient vaccines! But people deserve what they get and that's what is showing.
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Originally Posted by PearlJam My question is: If most of the people are asymptomatic, and asymptomatic people carry the least or no risk of spreading the disease to others - then why are the "official" numbers rising so high? It can't be just due to false positives. So many celebrities seems to be testing positive nowadays - is it because all of them are working with symptomatic people around them? If so, then it should be easy to avoid at least a majority of these symptomatic people, since we can "see" their symptoms? |
Symptoms are subjective. A mild headache/body ache for a person who's accustomed to it either as a result of his lifestyle, work etc, may not consider these symptoms at all. Other than temperature (which can also be manipulated), those who want to can just deny these symptoms if asked. Also presymptomatic (incubation period) patients have already infected those around them for a week or so - it's like closing the door after the horse has bolted.
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Originally Posted by GTO Have started the standard 5 - 6 medicines. |
They probably work as much as fuel additives in your car.
![Rolling Laughter](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/images/smilies/Rolling laughter.gif)
But take care!
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Originally Posted by poloman More than one year has passed since the pandemic has hit the world. But unfortunately we are as or more clueless, we were one year before.
Suddenly it looks like everyone around you is hit by the virus. Things were looking under control just a month back. How can it spike like this just in a matter of weeks? No one has a clue. People who are taking extreme precautions are also hit. Around 7 Cr people should have been vaccinated and as per some so called serum studies up to 40% might have already got the disease. Then who are getting affected now? Why is the intensity increasing? How come only in China everything is under control?
Extremely unfortunate that medical fraternity have no clue about any of the questions general public have. They are back to old ways of advising lockdowns everywhere. |
The medical fraternity is not clueless. We knew even last year that lockdowns don't work. Worldwide trials debunked the magical therapies of plasma / Remdesivir/ HCQ. But do politicians listen? Are they not shouting themselves hoarse on these same issues now? The fact that they have taken the very same useless steps like last year should answer that. Influenza WILL mutate, and you have to LIVE WITH IT. PERIOD. Vaccine or not. That's what's happening now - it's called immune escape (in immunologic terms). In nature, all creatures (including Covid19) have an equal right to fight for survival, and that's how viruses fight!
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Originally Posted by Merril The other way to look at it is the large segment of india that cannot really afford to stay at home. For them it is either go down the drain financially or take their chances with the virus. For this segment, unless we vaccinate them, lockdowns arent going to help.
But I do think saying that the medical fraternity is clueless is being a bit disingenous. Also, I would look at numbers (not just numbers related to the pandemic) coming out of China quite skeptically.
JMT. |
Nobody can stay at home. Restrictions are punishing only those who can't work from home. In other countries, such laws are labelled as " crime against humanity". Doesn't our constitution confer the right to work/earn a living (lawfully) on everyone?
And what do people expect from the medical community - a magic wand? Aside from listening to their own "yes men" does our govt listen to our tolerate any contrary ideas? Isn't it funny to you how all govt appointed experts sing the same tune? No conflicts in an area primarily arising from a conflict of interests! Many reputed specialists (in public health, pulmonology, infectious diseases) have voiced their dissent against govt guidelines from time to time, (in news feeds, webminars, etc) but they have been stone walled completely.