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damont(Originally posted to my GoFundMe, and backdated to the date of that original post. This is basically copied verbatim (modulo formatting), including the fundraising stuff at the end; I *was* posting to GoFundMe after all. Feel free to ignore those bits if you want. Link to the fundraiser will be provided in the comments and upon request.)
Today's installment of "SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 related PSA / traditional weblogging and the usual begging post mashup" is the third list of links from all over from the BIG list that rose up after the past 2-3 weeks' large increase in news about the pandemic. And yes, I haven't checked back in with Derek Lowe in almowst two weeks either, so I'll get to that in a couple of days. For now, on with today's links.
A friend in the field has noted this article from the NY Times but applies some caveats, saying:
I'd go with the subtitle "Geneticists said more evidence is needed to determine if a common genetic variation of the virus spreads more easily between people."
I checked the preview scripps paper a few weeks back and it was very artificial. In specific condition an artificial incomplete virus with that mutation expressed more spikes and binds more to cells artificially modified to express the target protein.
OTOH, neutralizing antibodies from recovered patients could neutralize both virus sequence variants similarly. So I wouldn't go too far with conclusion about the infectious effect in humans.
Here's the article in question.
Next, a couple more items from the scientific front lines on developing vaccines and treatments:
All You Wanted To Know About Coronavirus Vaccine Science But Were Afraid To Ask
Life-saving coronavirus drug 'major breakthrough'
Plus another note on just how this particular virus can really mess you up.
Inside the body, the coronavirus is even more sinister than scientists had realized
And now on to the usual begging stuff. As you can guess it you've been reading these posts during the pandemic, before and in addition to the usual plea for help for ourselves, I'm going to ask those of you who are able to SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES. States are now in various stages of reopening after the spring lockdowns, even if that might actually be premature from a public health standpoint, and some states are retightning in response to increases in infection rates. Still, as things start to open up again, help keep your local economy a little bit more afloat. Locally owned businesses are, and will continue to be, struggling to get back on their feet, so please patronize them as much as you can. BUY LOCAL. Please however, do so in a safe manner. Keep on wearing masks and other protective equipment when going shopping, continue social distancing. Act intelligently, because I know you can.
And now, for ourselves. July brings with it its own set of unavoidable bills, and it looks like I'll need to raise about $1100 in the coming two weeks to deal with them while my paperwork is still stuck in bureaucrazy. And thus, because after so long we STILL can't afford shame, here's my shameless and desperate plea for help. Please PLEASE spread the word as much as you feel able; share this fundraiser on lots of social media, by email, even by writing the link on pieces of paper and passing them around. Encourage folks you know to donate and to spread the word themselves. I've long since estimated that I'll need about 1,000 different contributors to make the goal, so getting the word out is important. And IF YOU ARE ABLE TO, please donate! We know that some of you have done so in the past two months (for which A GREAT BIG THANK YOU) and lots of you just can't. But even a spare fin or sawbuck, if that's all you can afford, is appreciated. Every little bit helps. (Remember, NO FEELING GUILTY if you don't have the means to contribute, or enough spoons to spread the word as far as you'd like.) And as I also keep saying: unlikely as it may be in these times of pandemic-fueled recession, if you have any job leads for either of us, PLEASE contact us! Relocation is TOTALLY an option.
Again, if anyone here actually is in a position to help out, right now would be a truly awesome time to do so. If you can't, you can't; I understand that better than most... thanks in advance for whatever you are able to do. And remember to take care of yourselves, folks. Even though it's now summer in the Northern Hemisphere and restrictions are getting relaxed, please practice the UTMOST caution: stay home as much as you can, go out to do what you must, and as I've been saying, keep tabs on the infection rate for your vicinity, not just your state/province/country. STAY SAFE. Wash your hands, keep hydrated, boost your immune system by whatever means works for you. Practice social distancing as much you realistically can. Keep in touch with your friends and loved ones from a safe distance. Tell them you care and that you're thinking of them. And as always, thank you for your continued support.
Today's installment of "SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 related PSA / traditional weblogging and the usual begging post mashup" is the third list of links from all over from the BIG list that rose up after the past 2-3 weeks' large increase in news about the pandemic. And yes, I haven't checked back in with Derek Lowe in almowst two weeks either, so I'll get to that in a couple of days. For now, on with today's links.
A friend in the field has noted this article from the NY Times but applies some caveats, saying:
I'd go with the subtitle "Geneticists said more evidence is needed to determine if a common genetic variation of the virus spreads more easily between people."
I checked the preview scripps paper a few weeks back and it was very artificial. In specific condition an artificial incomplete virus with that mutation expressed more spikes and binds more to cells artificially modified to express the target protein.
OTOH, neutralizing antibodies from recovered patients could neutralize both virus sequence variants similarly. So I wouldn't go too far with conclusion about the infectious effect in humans.
Here's the article in question.
Next, a couple more items from the scientific front lines on developing vaccines and treatments:
All You Wanted To Know About Coronavirus Vaccine Science But Were Afraid To Ask
Life-saving coronavirus drug 'major breakthrough'
Plus another note on just how this particular virus can really mess you up.
Inside the body, the coronavirus is even more sinister than scientists had realized
And now on to the usual begging stuff. As you can guess it you've been reading these posts during the pandemic, before and in addition to the usual plea for help for ourselves, I'm going to ask those of you who are able to SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES. States are now in various stages of reopening after the spring lockdowns, even if that might actually be premature from a public health standpoint, and some states are retightning in response to increases in infection rates. Still, as things start to open up again, help keep your local economy a little bit more afloat. Locally owned businesses are, and will continue to be, struggling to get back on their feet, so please patronize them as much as you can. BUY LOCAL. Please however, do so in a safe manner. Keep on wearing masks and other protective equipment when going shopping, continue social distancing. Act intelligently, because I know you can.
And now, for ourselves. July brings with it its own set of unavoidable bills, and it looks like I'll need to raise about $1100 in the coming two weeks to deal with them while my paperwork is still stuck in bureaucrazy. And thus, because after so long we STILL can't afford shame, here's my shameless and desperate plea for help. Please PLEASE spread the word as much as you feel able; share this fundraiser on lots of social media, by email, even by writing the link on pieces of paper and passing them around. Encourage folks you know to donate and to spread the word themselves. I've long since estimated that I'll need about 1,000 different contributors to make the goal, so getting the word out is important. And IF YOU ARE ABLE TO, please donate! We know that some of you have done so in the past two months (for which A GREAT BIG THANK YOU) and lots of you just can't. But even a spare fin or sawbuck, if that's all you can afford, is appreciated. Every little bit helps. (Remember, NO FEELING GUILTY if you don't have the means to contribute, or enough spoons to spread the word as far as you'd like.) And as I also keep saying: unlikely as it may be in these times of pandemic-fueled recession, if you have any job leads for either of us, PLEASE contact us! Relocation is TOTALLY an option.
Again, if anyone here actually is in a position to help out, right now would be a truly awesome time to do so. If you can't, you can't; I understand that better than most... thanks in advance for whatever you are able to do. And remember to take care of yourselves, folks. Even though it's now summer in the Northern Hemisphere and restrictions are getting relaxed, please practice the UTMOST caution: stay home as much as you can, go out to do what you must, and as I've been saying, keep tabs on the infection rate for your vicinity, not just your state/province/country. STAY SAFE. Wash your hands, keep hydrated, boost your immune system by whatever means works for you. Practice social distancing as much you realistically can. Keep in touch with your friends and loved ones from a safe distance. Tell them you care and that you're thinking of them. And as always, thank you for your continued support.
no subject
Date: 2020-07-15 06:40 pm (UTC)