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Re:New Concerning Variant: B.1.1.529 by miohtama on Friday November 26, 2021 @04:55PM (#29354566)
> Does anybody think these variants will ever stop?

We have managed to clear out measles, so we should be able to stop COVID as well with high enough vaccination rates. Although this is not apples-to-apples comparison.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Measles_vaccine

Re:New Concerning Variant: B.1.1.529 by timr on Friday November 26, 2021 @04:58PM (#29354605)
> We have managed to clear out measles

No, we have not. In fact, there has been a rather significant resurgence in measles over the course of the last two years. One of the many side-effects of our reaction to Covid that is not properly accounted.

https://www.who.int/news/item/10-11-2021-global-progress-aga...

https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/11/1077482

https://www.outbreakobservatory.org/outbreakthursday-1/3/11/...

Re:New Concerning Variant: B.1.1.529 by tenuousemphasis on Friday November 26, 2021 @05:41PM (#29354997)
Which reaction to COVID are you crediting with the resurgence in measles exactly?
Re:New Concerning Variant: B.1.1.529 by kaba0 on Friday November 26, 2021 @05:27PM (#29354878)
It is in great part due to idiot anti-vaxxers…
Re:New Concerning Variant: B.1.1.529 by timr on Friday November 26, 2021 @05:31PM (#29354926)
Stop. The articles explicitly tell you that the rate of people missing vaccines went up during global lockdowns. People missed their appointments and stopped vaccinating their children.
Re:New Concerning Variant: B.1.1.529 by mellavora on Friday November 26, 2021 @05:10PM (#29354718)
We were close to clearing out measles in western countries until the anti-vax movement came along. These days, not so much.
Re:New Concerning Variant: B.1.1.529 by makomk on Friday November 26, 2021 @06:40PM (#29355475)
Peak anti-vax for measles was like two decades ago, at least over here in the UK - we were at pretty much an all-time record high for MMR vaccinations of kids before Covid came along and disrupted all the vaccination programs. (I know the BBC ran a very misleading article making it sound like Facebook was causing a vaccination crisis and putting us at risk of a measles outbreak, but in reality the actual danger is from all the people who weren't vaccinated years ago due in part to their own bad reporting.)
Re:New Concerning Variant: B.1.1.529 by throwawayboise on Friday November 26, 2021 @05:41PM (#29354998)
What is the fraction of the population who is anti-vax with regard to measles? I don't know anyone. I do know many people who are reluctant/refusing to get the COVID vax.
Re:New Concerning Variant: B.1.1.529 by elzbardico on Friday November 26, 2021 @04:57PM (#29354597)
Did we clear the flu? No, it is endemic. The same is what will happen with COVID.
Re:New Concerning Variant: B.1.1.529 by busymom0 on Friday November 26, 2021 @05:12PM (#29354727)
Measles is a VERY different virus than COVID and even flu.

> The surface proteins that the measles virus uses to enter cells are ineffective if they suffer any mutation, meaning that any changes to the virus come at a major cost.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/05/150521133628.h...

Since the COVID shots doesn't prevent catching and transmitting the virus, at least the current shots aren't going to achieve herd immunity / get rid of COVID.

AstraZeneca vaccine's lead researcher and head of the Oxford Vaccine Group, Andrew Pollard, stated that the "idea of achieving herd immunity is mythical" and "not a possibility" because "vaccinated people can still be infected and transmit the virus". He also warned against making any vaccination policies and programs based on the idea of herd immunity because the virus may mutate to an even more transmissible variant among vaccinated populations.

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/12/herd-immunity-is-mythical-wi...

Re:New Concerning Variant: B.1.1.529 by toshk on Friday November 26, 2021 @05:36PM (#29354963)
Yet it seems that's the road we are taking. Some bro science: In 5-10 year heard immunity is what will happen.

Every year it will be a little less. Vaccines and other medicines will dampen the casualties. Partial lockdowns and restrictions will be kept in place so it doesn't get too much out of control.

Kids and teenager will grow up with corona being just one of the viruses they get among many others and build up, it not a full immunity at least a decent ability to handle it.

And slowly less and less it will control our society. But will definitely take a while.

Re:New Concerning Variant: B.1.1.529 by j3th9n on Friday November 26, 2021 @05:06PM (#29354683)
Read about the differences in mutation for maesles and corona viruses and you'll probably never make this comparison again.
Re:New Concerning Variant: B.1.1.529 by tinus_hn on Friday November 26, 2021 @06:07PM (#29355223)
Considering covid spreads through wildlife, unless you succeed in vaccinating every monkey in the jungle that’s never going to happen.
Re:New Concerning Variant: B.1.1.529 by throwawayForMe2 on Friday November 26, 2021 @07:58PM (#29356031)
Deer seem to be big carriers also, 80% infected in one study

https://nypost.com/2021/11/02/deer-identified-as-widespread-...