Cadmium pollution may make all viral infections worse in humans

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-12-links-cadmium-severe-flu-pneumonia.html

sample quote

In the meantime, Park said smokers should stop smoking. And everyone should be aware of the major sources of cadmium in their diets: cereal, rice, animal organs such as the liver and kidneys, soybeans and some types of leafy vegetables.

There are many other sources of vitamins, he said. Cruciferous vegetables, such as cabbage and broccoli, contain high levels of antioxidants but relatively low levels of cadmium.

"This isn't a recommendation for a draconian change in lifestyle, since many of these foods are typical staples of a balanced, nutritious diet, and their overall contribution to cadmium burden is likely modest," Hu said. "Rather, the suggestion is to consider some shifts in choices.

end quote

Gotta stop sticking nickel cadmium AAA batteries in my mouth while changing batteries in flashlights.....

Veterans Admin says Covid-19 can cause Diabetes in patients who did not have it before

sample quote

One of the biggest surprises in the study was the finding of a higher risk of developing diabetes among COVID-19 patients than flu patients—nine more cases per 100 people. "These patients didn't have diabetes until they got COVID-19," Al-Aly said. "Then their blood sugar spiked, and they needed huge doses of insulin. Is the diabetes reversible, or will it require long-term management? Will it be Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes? We just don't know because COVID-19 barely existed a year ago."

The data analysis also showed that the COVID-19 patients most at risk for death were those 75 years old and older who also had chronic kidney disease or dementia; and African Americans who were considered medically obese, or who had diabetes or kidney disease.

end quote

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-12-covid-patients-higher-death-health.html

use “Sweet & Low” plus a spray bottle or aroma diffuser o check
mask fit and leakage at home

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-12-aroma-diffuser-plastic-bag-inexpensive.html

sample quote

Now, the researchers have identified alternatives to these pieces of the testing apparatus which are around a quarter of the cost of commercial equipment and are readily available from many retailers, including Amazon.

To diffuse the solution, the researchers tested an aroma diffuser, humidifier, mist maker and spray bottle. For the enclosure, they tested a plastic bag, testing hood, a clear storage cube and no enclosure. Testers first underwent quantitative fit-testing to assess the fit on their faces before the qualitative methods. Quantitative testing measures the number of particles inside and outside the mask and is highly accurate. However, it is also time-consuming and expensive, which is why qualitative testing is more frequently used in healthcare settings.

Using an N95 mask from 3M and a KN95 mask from a Chinese manufacturer, the testers then assessed the alternative devices and enclosures. A solution of sodium saccharin—an artificial sweetener—was aerosolised for 60 seconds at a time, and testers were asked whether they could taste the sweetener or not. The test was then repeated with the tester causing an intentional gap in the fit by placing the tip of a finger between the mask and their face.

They found that the combination of an aroma diffuser and a small container, such as a large plastic bag, provided the most accurate and most sensitive setup, with results comparable to commercial qualitative fit-testing solutions.

end quote

Hey 360,
What research do you find regarding effacacy of vaccines for those who have already tested positive for COVID?
Is it necessary?
How does vaccine react with those who have already had the virus and are no longer symptomatic?
Should they get one?

The only statements I have read about that is:

“Both vaccines require a initial shot followed by a booster shot 14 to 21 days later,
so for those who would have already had Covid-19,
they are in effect getting “two booster shots” and should be even better protected.

Covid-19 virus’s four coronavirus “cousins” that cause versions of the “common cold” can re-infect people in as little as a few months.

Getting the vaccine is probably good, but there are unknowns.

I have never read that either of these Moderna or Pfizer/BioNtech vaccines have be tested on multiple people who have already had Covid.

Edit:

from Seattle Times
sample quote
Should people who have had COVID-19 get the vaccination?

The CDC says people who have had COVID-19 should still get vaccinated. For those with a documented infection, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends people should get the vaccine about 90 days after the initial infection because there is evidence reinfection is unlikely during the three months following a COVID-19 infection.

There is still much to learn about the SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19, the disease it causes, but there are cases of people catching it more than once, so people should get the vaccine once they are able, said Dr. Chris Spitters, health officer for the Snohomish Health District.

end quote

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattl...-here-and-were-answering-your-questions/

ABC news radio guy said the one thing almost all of the people who have gotten this during the fall until now is low vitamin D. Staying inside too much and not getting enough sunshine does not help the situation.

Charlotte NC researchers study 64,000 Covid patients

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-12-patients-hospitalized-covid-dies.html

sample quote

Decreased odds of death were associated with
receipt of statin drugs (Odds Ratio 0.60),
angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors drugs (OR, 0.53),
and calcium channel blockers drugs (OR, 0.73).

end quote

vaccine from CureVac company coming soon

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-12-vaccine-curevac-easier-jab.html

sample quote

The COVID-19 vaccine breakthroughs have finally pushed mRNA technology into a "sweet spot", Haas said, with proof of concept and increased funding opening the door to a slew of other medical advances.

"What is built up now as (mRNA manufacturing) capacity, is here to stay," Haas said.

CureVac is working on a malaria vaccine with the Gates Foundation, and earlier this year received some "very nice" data on a potential rabies shot.

Haas said mRNA also held huge promise for oncology and could lead to tailored cancer treatments.

With Elon Musk's Tesla, CureVac is developing a "mobile manufacturing unit", akin to a mini RNA factory, that can be shipped anywhere and produce thousands of vaccines in mere days, potentially stopping an outbreak in its tracks.

Haas also sees a future where patients can pop to the pharmacy to pick up "personalised medicine", such as a vaccine to fight their specific tumour and manufactured on site.

end quote

one test now can detect Covid, Influenza, RSV and hMPV virus

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-12-french-group-distinguishes-flu-covid.html

Humidity helps

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-12-humidifier-ward-covid-dont.html

Canadian researchers:
50% report sleep problems during pandemic

https://www.news-medical.net/news/2...leads-to-further-stress-and-anxiety.aspx

sample quote

What are some ways people can improve their sleep, even during the pandemic?

"Some simple habits can help you to get a good night sleep.
They include:

Getting up at the same time each morning (even on weekends). Even if you fall asleep very late, you should still get up at the same time each morning;
Develop relaxing pre-sleep rituals such as reading;
Avoid caffeine and alcohol within six hours of bedtime, and don't smoke at bedtime;
Exercise regularly. Get vigorous exercise such as jogging either in the morning or afternoon.
Get mild exercise, such as walking, two to three hours before bedtime.

end quote

Each person’s gene for making a molecule called miR1307 may explain disease severity not just for Covid, but for several viruses

sample quote

The study results, recently published in the journal mSphere, describe a molecule made from DNA -- miR1307 -- as a potential dimmer switch that may influence the severity of the disease; why some infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, have mild or even no symptoms, while others become seriously ill or die.
...snip...
In past studies, miR1307 has been found to affect the severity of several types of cancer, lung disease and the flu, specifically the H1N1 influenza virus that caused a 2009 pandemic. It was first discovered as a key regulatory agent in the Epstein-Barr virus, best known as the cause of infectious mononucleosis.

end quote

https://www.news-medical.net/news/2...n-the-variation-in-COVID-19-effects.aspx

Test method to detect many viruses uses smartphone camera

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-12-smartphone-camera-viral-infections.html

sample quote

The system is made up of a smartphone, an external catalytic microchip device and software. Body fluid samples are placed into a channel on the catalytic microchip device, which is then doused with a small amount of hydrogen peroxide. The resulting reaction leads to the formation of bubbles. The bubbles develop in unique patterns based in part on viruses in the fluid sample. The user points their smartphone camera at the bubbling sample and launches the deep-learning algorithm that has already been trained to identify the patterns and thereby recognize the presence of viruses. The whole process takes approximately 50 minutes. The researchers have thus far taught their system to recognize just three viruses, Zika and hepatitis B and C. But testing shows the system to be 99% accurate.

end quote

women have two ACE2 gene copies active in their bodies
men only have one ACE2 gene active

this may explain why men are nearly twice as likely to die from Covid-19

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-12-ace2-protein-severe-covid-.html

sample quote

“Because of their chromosomes, women have two copies of the ACE2 gene and men have only one copy," Oudit said. "This does not seem to make women more susceptible to COVID-19 infection, but it does protect them from the complications associated with the virus."

Oudit explained that ACE2 is an X chromosome-linked gene. To avoid duplication, one X chromosome tends to be inactivated, but due to its location ACE2 escapes inactivation, meaning women have twice as many active genetic instructions to make ACE2.

Another gene that is twice as strong in women due to this X-inactivation escape is called Toll-like receptor seven, a key part of the innate immune system.

"The stronger presence of Toll-like receptor seven in women explains why women's immune systems are stronger than men's and can tolerate virus infection better, including the common cold," Oudit said. "The man-cold phenomenon is real."

end quote

Preliminary ruling from US Gov EEOC is that the only legal way to object to your employer if they require you to get a Covid vaccine is to cite a religious belief.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/eeoc-employees-covid-19-vaccine

sample quote

The EEOC, which enforces employment laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act, said Wednesday that a vaccination does not constitute a "medical examination," which employers are barred from forcing.

Because of this, employers can require workers to get the vaccine, except in specific instances, such as a worker who has a religious belief that prevents them from getting a vaccine.

end quote

There will undoubtably be court ruling on this too.

My brother-in-law and nephew in law got the Pfizer vaccine 1st shot Friday.

Hospice says they will give my 90 year old mother the first shot of the Pfizer vaccine “soon”.

New mutant strain of Covid-19 virus in England spreads more than twice as fast

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-12-britain-virus-strain.html

sample quote

She confirmed the figure given by Johnson that the new virus strain could be 70 percent more transmissible while saying this was an initial figure.

"I think 70 percent looks like a good number to land on at the moment," she said.

The virus has been found in all regions of England but in small numbers, Hopkins said.

Hancock said cases have also been identified in Australia and Europe.

Patrick Vallance, the government's chief scientific adviser, said Saturday that the new strain "contains 23 different changes," including to the way the virus binds to human cells and enters cells.

end quote

South Africa reports a new mutant strain of Covid-19 that is more infectious.
This strain is distinct from the new strain in England.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/me...cas-resurgence/ar-BB1c683z?ocid=BingNews

Over age 75 next in line for USA vaccinations

sample quote

The two developments came amid a vaccination program that began only in the last week and has given initial shots to about 556,000 Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer Inc. and Germany's BioNTech already is being distributed, and regulators last week gave approval to the one from Moderna Inc. that began shipping Sunday.

Earlier this month, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices said health care workers and nursing home residents—about 24 million people—should be at the very front of the line for the vaccines.

Sunday's vote by the panel was who should be next in line, and by a vote of 13-1, it decided that it should be people 75 and older, who number about 20 million, as well as certain front-line workers, who total about 30 million.

The essential workers include firefighters and police; teachers and school staff; those working in food, agricultural and manufacturing sectors; corrections workers; U.S. Postal Service employees; public transit workers; and grocery store workers. They are considered at very high risk of infection because their jobs are critical and require them to be in regular contact with other people.

end quote

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-12-panel-people-essential-workers-vaccines.html

So the question is, will the current vaccine(s) prevent or limit symptoms with these new strains ...

Moderna responded yesterday that within 6 weeks they can be in production of a modified vaccine to respond to mutations in the Covid-19 virus.