CoasterBuzz Podcast #213 posted

“ It just shows the nature of how fast things are changing with the virus.”

Exactly. The past month should have us all just shrugging at this point and waiting for more definitive information, if there is any to be had.

I stand by the fact that as soon as they determined they couldn’t test everyone and started sending folks home or not seeing them at all, because they weren’t in the CDC at-risk category, the data became tainted. I’m not saying they can’t do any extrapolation in the models, but to me it seems there are too many unknowns at this point to be confident in any predictions.

The unfortunate thing is that finding patients for those drug trials is getting a lot easier. I think I saw they had 1,500 for the existing malaria drug. There was some speculation that if it works (based on the known mechanics of the infection), it may only move the needle 20% or less, which is why all of the optimism from politicians is unwarranted. We don't know until we know.

History of treatments for viruses is not good. Much better for bacteria. Not clear if there will be much in the way of treatments for Covid. Malaria is caused by a parasite. Vaccine is 12-18 months plus/minus out.

I thought that herd immunity was the best near term promise (vaccine is likely the best long term option and will help with herd immunity). Serological tests to see if you had it and it resolved. Would have immunity for at least some (yet unknown) period of time. But based on model feds talked about yesterday (and Ohio stated expectation that 60-70% of Ohioans will have within a year), expectations seem to be infections will be in the millions (would need to be closer to 200 million to have decent chance at herd immunity). But maybe that model is talking about millions of people getting sick with serious problems (not necessarily requiring hospitalization) rather than just getting the virus (with large percentage of people having little to no symptoms).

3 months or so ago no one had every heard about the particular virus. As much as its been talked about, there is still a lot we don't know about it. Testing varies by country so rates of infection/death rates aren't clear.

Not to mention there are 8 strains of the virus floating around. On a positive note all of the strains appear very similar to each of the others. So hopefully a treatment for one strain will be effective for all.

Re-listened to the show... so happy to do this with my friends. Always great conversation. I may compel y'all to do it again...

I will always listen.

Carrie?! Instant download.

Yep, I got a late start back in the day, but I think I ended up listening to most, if not all of them over time. Helps that I'm Facebook friends with almost everyone on the podcast.

I've stuck a few old shows on my player.

Jeff Putz is once again sandwiched between Jeff Beck and Jefferson Airplane, there are worse places to be.

I don't know, I'm not a fan of either. Have you steamed my radio show? It's huge in Alaska!