13 Comments

I have a friend who refuses the vaccines but says Ivermectin will save him. Add this compound to your quiz at the bottom LOL!

STROMECTOL (Ivermectin) is a semisynthetic, anthelmintic agent for oral administration. Ivermectin is derived from the avermectins, a class of highly active broad-spectrum, anti-parasitic agents isolated from the fermentation products of Streptomyces avermitilis. Ivermectin is a mixture containing at least 90% 5-O demethyl-22,23-dihydroavermectin A1a and less than 10% 5-O-demethyl-25-de(1-methylpropyl)-22,23-dihydro-25-(1-methylethyl)avermectin A1a, generally referred to as 22,23-dihydroavermectin B1a and B1b, or H2B1a and H2B1b, respectively. The respective empirical formulas are C48H74O14 and C47H72O14, with molecular weights of 875.10 and 861.07, respectively. The structural formulas are.....

(source: https://www.rxlist.com/stromectol-drug.htm#description)

Expand full comment

Ivermectin, used in concentrations that were used in the lab to elicit an antiviral response, will result in his hospitalization. Or worse. Unfortunately, these folks abound. I was introduced to one in Houston on Sunday, who told me the vaccines are killing 10's of thousands, have not been subjected to any testing, and he's got his ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine stash that he'll self-medicate with if he gets sick. While he admits it's probably worse than the flu, he doesn't think SARS-CoV-2 kills people at the rate he's been told we're seeing. Between his age and medical issues, his decision to follow his flavor of new and guidance, and to self treat, will likely result in another fatality associated with the disease he told me didn't kill people.

Expand full comment

My friend claims that only 1% of the vaccine deaths are being reported. So I gave him that, and assumed that fatalities from correct use of Ivermectin were reported 100%. The data still indicate that Ivermectin is 4.6X more likely to kill you than receiving any of the three vaccines in use in the US. If the vaccine death count is accurate - then Ivermectin is 460X times. Ivermectin's numbers are comparable to the risk of dying while canoeing.

Thus receiving the vaccine is somewhere between 4.6 to 460 times safer than canoeing. Yet that sport is promoted as something fun and safe for the entire family!

Expand full comment

Are we at 65% of population vaccinated, or 65% of eligible (over 12)?

Expand full comment

Close to 65% (1-dose) of those eligible.

Expand full comment

The quiz is great! Also, it's comforting to see evidence of continued strong vaccine protection, albeit waning, during Delta. I was intrigued to see data on breakthrough cases among ages 12-17. I wonder how long that age group will maintain strong protection, even though they're at a lower (not zero) risk of complications from infection. My 16-year-old was vaccinated in February due to an underlying condition, so I wonder when he will need a booster... and when one will be approved for his age. I actually hope they find some correlate of protection based on antibody levels, as I don't want to rush into a booster when approved given the small but existing risk of myocarditis. However, I also want to make sure he remains well-protected, especially given the possibility of long COVID.

Expand full comment

The Oregonian is reporting that the state will achieve herd immunity around Boxing Day:

See https://www.oregonlive.com/coronavirus/2021/10/oregon-herd-immunity-against-covid-19-delta-variant-should-arrive-in-late-december-ohsu-forecasts.html

Love you blog! One of the best out there along with Heather Cox Richardson's and Betsy Brown MD's.

Expand full comment

Nailed it! Inordinately proud of myself even though chemical literacy should be a LOT more common than it apparently is.

Expand full comment

Katelyn, What's your thought on the metrics (and the study) used by CDC for their levels of community spread, specifically, with regard to when we should mask regardless of vaccination status? "Asking for a friend"...

Expand full comment

I got the J&J vaccine in April. I took an antibody test two days ago, and it showed I had no antibodies. Will a Moderna booster be enough?

Expand full comment

Listen to this podcast they discuss antibody response of the different vaccines and how antibodies are not necessarily the ultimate measure of effectiveness.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-week-in-virology/id300973784?i=1000538750631

Expand full comment

What type of antibody test did you take? Not all of them recognize the antibodies that result from vaccination.

Expand full comment

Also, enjoy this new Cure for the Common Corvid, make from fish guts in Seattle. It is popularly used as a Horse Clam Dewormer.

See https://laurentflutes.substack.com/p/acres-of-cures

Expand full comment